A Charge of Manslaughter

Felled A Native

AT Port Vila recently a well-known and popular young Australian, Mr. Paddy Brown, was acquitted of a charge of manslaughter, in a trial which created interest through the New Hebrides.

Mr. Brown was employed on the plan tation of Mr, Leslie Mitchell, on the is land of Ambrym. He had occasion to reprimand a native labourer, a local boy; and the boy was insolent to him and eventually shaped up to him and invited him to fight. Mr. Brown did not waste time or effort over the matter —he felled the boy with a straight right and left.

Unfortunately, the boy collapsed and died —another case, so far as could be ascer tained, of a ruptured spleen.

The authorities were informed of the incident and Mr. Adams, the British Agent in Malekula, placed Mr. Brown under arrest and took a French medical man down to Mr. Mitchell’s plantation, for an investigation. Eleven days had elapsed since the death of the native, however, and an autopsy was difficult. Mr.

Brown was tried in Vila by the British Court; but it was admitted that there was insufficient medical evidence bearing upon the incident.

Mr. Brown has left the New Hebrides, and is now filling a position at one of the mines in New Caledonia,