For some years Reginald Clapcott had been living peacefully alongside the local people of Tasmaloon South Santo where he worked as a trader.

In 1923 a native prophet Ronovuro told his followers that the ancestral dead would return to the island after a flood, in a ship bearing rice and other goods. The food would be distributed to members of the cult if they paid a fee. A stone storehouse was built to receive this bounty. Ronovuro also prophesied that the European people would try and seize the ship so the cultists must rebel. All white people would have to be killed but for now the death of one would suffice. Stone deaf Clapcott was singled out as an easy target. He was shot, mutilated and parts of his body eaten. A week later two planters landed on the island and were told of the murder by people disaffected with Ronovuro. Messages were sent to a passing French steamer and police arrested 17 people. Six including Ronovro were sentenced to death. The cult was supressed by military means and a later attempt to revive it failed.

Shown here is the letter sent to Jellicoe from Downing Street in London. It was accompanied by a report on the circumstances of the murder and the assurances that the perpetrators of the crime had all been arrested. The trial was conducted under British law which led to the handing down of the sentence of hanging to the main perpetrators. Had they been tried under French law they would have been beheaded.

Reference: R24551069

www.archway.archives.govt.nz/ViewFullItem.do?code=24551069

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