Wasn't!

A Rebellion That

Author As Hangman's Helpmate In 8.5.1.

Letter to the Editor.

AN account of the adventurous life oi Mr. Xavier Herbert, author of “Cap ricornia”, which was awarded first prize in the novel section of the 150th anniversary literary competition, was fea tured in the “Sydney Morning Herald” of April 2.

A statement attributed to Mr. Herbert merits attention as pointing to the pos session of a vivid and elastic imagin ation that must be an invaluable asset to the novelist in the literary career on which he has so auspiciously embarked, “In 1928”, he is reported as saying, “I went to the Solomon Islands. It was the time of the rebellion, and I found myself in charge of 750 prisoners. I used to pull the black cap over the heads of con demned men before they were hanged. I fell out with the authorities, and went back to Sydney, through Suva and the Gilberts.”

The reference to 8.5.1. evidently refers to the incident on Malaita in which two Govermhent officials and some native policemen were murdered, and which, by the way, occurred in 1927, the year pre vious to that in which Mr. Herbert claims to have visited the Solomons.

That there was a “rebellion” will come as a surprise to Solomon Islanders from Sinarango to Shortlands, and there will

be keen resentment that they have been kept in the dark all these years about the grave crisis that took place in their midst without an inkling of the fact being made known to them. Now that Mr. Herbert has kindly lifted the veil and exposed the callousness of the Government in failing to inform the inhabitants that a rebellion was afoot, something ought to be done about it.

Mr. Herbert, we learn, found himself in charge of 750 prisoners; blood-thirsty rebels to a man, no doubt! Small wonder that he passed unobserved in such a crowd. Some day, perhaps, he will en lighten us as to where he parked that mob —and himself—so secretly and incon spicuously. The information might prove useful in the event of another rebellion when, the gifted historian having fallen out with the authorities, he may not be disposed to take the job on again.

Pulling black caps over the heads of condemned men was another of Mr.

Herbert’s public-spirited activities that went unmarked, unhonoured, and unsung; so it is not surprising to learn that he fell out with the authorities, whose at titude seems to have been lacking in those finer feelings of gratitude and appreci ation rightfully due to a public benefactor.

Indeed, so complete and baffling has been official reticence over this mysterious affair, and so great the modesty and self-effacement of Mr. Herbert, that noth ing was known of the notable services he performed until he told uls himself! * I am. etc..

Solomonite.

Gizo. 8.3.1. 28/0/’3B.