Suspected Crime In
p. 130 · Read in the full issue
New Hebrides
(From Our Own Correspondent)
Santo, Jan. 20.
A COPRA shed containing approx imately 300 tons of copra caught fire at 1.30 a.m. on the morning of January 16. Two days later, it was still burning, in spite of inter mittent heavy rain. The shed and produce were owned by CFNH, and are covered by insurance. It is reported that there is reason to suspect that the fire was maliciously started. Petrol fumes linger.
A Chinese crew member off MV Changchow, which was in Santo loading copra, was shot in the leg by M. Le Brun. The Chinese was stooping to pick up a coconut, obviously to quench his thirst; but, unfortunately, he was on land (semi-public) held by Societe Des Plantations De L'Aisse, from a 90% French Government company called Societe Francaise Nouyelles Heb rides, which holds no title deeds. (That gives an idea of the legality of land ownership, and subsequent leases or concessions under Condo minium Conditions). The fact re mains that the shooting was con sidered illegal.
There is said to be too much irre sponsible “gun play” in the New Hebrides. Two years ago on this same property, a fatality was averted only by poor marksman ship.
Shooting with intent usually be gets five years or so in other countries. In this Group, the crime usually is squared with a mild ad-| monition.
The recent affray on M. Chaverot’s plantation, at Big Bay, Santo, is to be investigated at a Court sitting' in Port Vila. Most of Big Bay’s residents have been requested to appear to give evidence. Three natives were killed on M. Chaverot’a property.
Early in January, M. Chaverot was en route to Noumea, on the Qantas plane, but when the aircraft called| at Vila, he was detained there. Oni the following week’s plane, MJ Chaverot’s foreman, who was also booked for Noumea, was also de-j tained.
SANTO. January 30. I News has come from Vila that M. Chaverot received a fine and three months’ hard labour which is suspended upon his entering a good-behaviour bond for five yeara His foreman, who was also ini volved in the affray on M.
Chaverot’s property, when thref natives were killed, received similai
treatment. I
An inquiry is proceeding into the disappearance of a Tonkinese whosl blood-stained jeep was founi abandoned. A reward of £lOO ha| been offered for information, and a finger-print expert from Noumea has paid Santo a visit.