AN INDIAN "AMOK”

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2659, 15 November 1909, Page 7

AN INDIAN "AMOK”

HARMLESS RIFLE DUEL,

SUVA', October 20. News has just come to hand of a sensational occurrence out at Naitaba, a station owned by Mr. C. Hennings, in the Lau group,'far out to windward. On the 6th inst., Mr. Hennings has occasion to suspect a Punjaubi house servant of theft, land a search of the man’s room revealed articles that had .no right there. The man denied the accusation, and' no more was said. After breakfast, Mr. Hennings went to the fields to look after the work of the da.y, and very soon received a messago saying the Punjaubi had a .303 rifle and cartridges, and threatened all who came near him. A service rifle, minus the bolt, had been left on the verandah for cleaning. The bolt was put in Mr. Hewning’s office, which was locked, and here, also was ammunition kept. The Punjaubi know this, and gained entry by a window to the office. Like most Punjaubis, this one had had soldier training in India, and what would have been a most serious abstaclo to most colored people was to him a simple problem, ’ as .regards getting m battle order. On Mr. Hewning’s arrival he had disappeared, and forthwith all hands were summoned from the fields for their own safety. A quartette of Solomon boys were sent out to try and persuade the Indian to come in. It’ nearly ended fatally for one of them. As soon as the Indian saw them he loosened off at them, and one bullet went through the slack of a boy s singlet on ono side, coming out at-the other, without touching his skin. Mr. Hewnings got another rifle, and a few rounds of ball, and after a long tramp met the foe at 00 yards range. Both opened fire without a score, the white man shooting low, only to disable the Indian. The latter took splendid cover. behind, rocks and young eocoanut palms, and lie had the advantage or covering all the .homo quarters. After a brisk rifle duel, Mr. Hewnings cartridges gave out, and he went himo for more, leaving the sirdar and a laborer to keep in touch with the foe. When Mr. Hewnings returned it was found that the Indian had got away irrio the scrub. As nightfall was

drawing in arrangements were made by the planter to secure ■ tho homestead against attack. He had posted his sentries, and made all ready for the night, and, standing near a brightly lighted doorway, he had the discomfort of hearing two shots whistle past his head. After that Mr. Hewnings mountedguard, iu a shaded spot, for a couplo of hours, and then heard with pleasure that the sidar had, by a strategic movement, captured the Punjaubi and disarmed him.

A cutter of Mr. Hewnings’ arrived next day from Levuka, and the culprit was taken before the S.M. at Loma Lama: He was committed for trial on a serious charge, and will shortly Ik; in Suva Gaol to take his trial at the next criminal session. •