Japanese Poachers
p. 50 · Read in the full issue
In New Hebrides
rpHE following was published in the Australian evening newspapers of June 22: Japanese luggers ; alleged to have been poaching pearl-shell off islands of the New Hebrides, have been fired on by a white resident and by native police.
A lugger anchored on June 18 off White Sands, on the island of Tanna, and began diving operations. From the shore, a white man fired three rifle shots over the heads of the divers, who hastily returned to the lugger, which sailed away to the south.
When a lugger appeared off Lenakael, on Tanna, on Monday, June 20, rifle shots from native police boys scared away the alleged poachers, who sailed to the north. This lugger is reported still to be operating in north Tanna waters.
A depot ship has been sighted on several occasions, standing 15 to 20 miles offshore.
Luggers have now been observed off the islands of Tanna, Futuna and Aniwa, the southernmost isles of the group.
Mr. W. M. Stuart, who has been ap pointed Chief Judge at Tonga, arrived in Auckland by the “Monterey” from Sydney on May 30 to join the “Matua”.
Mr. Stuart was formerly in the Colonial Service in Africa.