COPY. V.S.
MEMORANDUM FOR:-
The Secretary,
J
ADMINISTRATION HEAD-QUARTERS,
Prime Minister's Department,
CANBERRA, F.C.T.
NAURU,
CENTRAL PACIFIC,
13th May, 1930.
CUTBREAK OF HOSTILITIES ON 13TH APRIL 1930 BATWEEN RIVAL
FACTIONS OF CHINESE EMPLOYED BY THE BRITISH PHOSPHATE COMMISSIONERS.
In continuation of my reports dated 15th and 21st April
regarding the outbreak between rival factions of the Chinese engaged
by the British Phosphate Commissioners in mining the phosphate
deposits on this Island, I desire to state that nine Chinese were
charged at the Central Court of Nauru on 28th April with complicity
in the disturbance.
The desire on the part of a small coterie of Chinese
ruffians to introduce lawlessness to this Island was, fortunately,
regarded with complete disfavour by the well-behaved members of the
Chinese community who comprise a very large percentage of the
Chinese population. Several reputable Chinese who were eye-witnesses
of the encounter of 13th April came forward in a public spirited
manner and volunteered to give sworn testimony at the Court. The
evidence of these men was a main factor in the conviction of the
offenders.
While responsibility could not be fixed upon the person
who threw the explosive bomb which occasioned the death of F.C.Jacob
of the Nauru Regular Police, it was possible to secure positive
identification of those individuals who either threw bombs, or who
had bombs or explosive material in their possession, or who were
actively associated with the bomb-throwers.
During