Islanders

Fate Of Ocean

100 Reported Murdered

REPORTS have reached us that the Japanese, some time in 1945, mas sacred about 100 natives of Ocean Island—all that remained there. Details are lacking, but there is no doubt that a great tragedy of some kind occurred.

When Ocean Island was abandoned— about March, 1942 the following re mained behind, voluntarily:— • Mr. G. F. C. Cartwright, Govern ment Secretary) and two other Govern ment officials, and Father Pujebet, the Roman Catholic missionary they re mained because they thought they could protect the natives. • About 600 Banabans (natives of the island) and some 700 Gilbertese natives, who had been taken there as labourers on the phosphate workings. • About 800 Chinese labourers.

There has been no word of the fate of the Europeans, Chinese and Gilbertese.

It is reported that they were shipped aW Some 500 Banabans also were shipped away. The remainder, about 100, were murdered. . , It is reported that one Ocean Islander escaped in a canoe and, after many long weeks of wandering, turned up m his canoe in the Ninigo Group, in the Ad miralty Islands, off the north coast of New Guinea.

Mr. John Bennett, Suva’s Acting Chief Magistrate, suffered a fractured ankle when he was returning by plane from Levuka on official business. The aircraft dipped to salute the old capital, Mr Bennett lost his balance, and wrenched his foot badly. It will be some time before he can go to Lautoka, where he has been posted.