Students to Find Burial Sites on Guadalcanal

A GROUP of Radford University students in the United States are planning to visit Solomon Islands to find reminds of US Marines died here during the Second World War. The university’s anthropology professor Donna Boyd is planning to bring seven students in July to search for the remains of the ill-fated group of Marines known as the Goettge patrol.The students, accompanied by three professors, plan to use ground-penetrating radar in hopes of pinpointing the site where Japanese soldiers buried the Marines in 1942 during World War II. Previous efforts to find the men's graves have been unsuccessful.The 25-man Goettge patrol, named after the Marine intelligence officer in charge, Lt. Col. Frank Goettge, set out in a boat on Aug. 12, 1942, toward an area west of the Matanikau River, where they believed a group of demoralized Japanese soldiers might be willing to surrender.Not long after landing on the beach, though, they were pinned down by enemy fire.Over the course of the night and into the morning, most were killed. In the end, only three survived: they swam more than 4 miles back to an American camp.The slain Marines are presumed to have been buried in a trench near the spot where they fought. An MIA-recovery group, which has collected documents and located what it thinks is the most likely burial site, asked Radford anthropology professor Cliff Boyd to take the next step and find the remains of the Marines.Boyd co-founded the university's Forensic Science Institute along with his wife, professor Donna Boyd.

Source:Solomonstar

CONSTITUTIONAL REFORM AND PEOPLE

In brief: Former Governor General and Chairman of Congress of the Constitutional Reform Unit, Sir John Ini Lapli says Solomon Islands must maintain its unity as one country under the proposed federal state constitution.

Former Governor General and Chairman of Congress of the Constitutional Reform Unit, Sir John Ini Lapli says Solomon Islands must maintain its unity as one country under the proposed federal state constitution.Sir John emphasised the significance of the unity during the launching of the Constitutional Reform Unit's media awareness programme last week.Sir John said the government had mandated his committee to ensure the proposed federal constitutional reform has provisions for a united country.He said some of these are peace and justice, respect for each other domestically and overseas and democratic governance.Sir John said the media awareness programme will allow the public the opportunity to contribute to what would become the law under the Federal State constitution."In a country made up of many small islands so diversified in custom and culture, this new constitution must attempt to unite the people, provide the basis for justice, and recognise local and regional identities, entrust democratic governance to just, sound, truthful, honest and transparent leadership, mandated to govern through the election process."

SIBC News

POLICE ARREST MURDER SUSPECT

Detectives have arrested a Honiara man in his twenties in relation to the death of a man at the main road opposite the former Solomon Mutual Insurance office at Town Ground last Saturday night.
Detectives have arrested a Honiara man in his twenties in relation to the death of a man at the main road opposite the former Solomon Mutual Insurance office at Town Ground last Saturday night.Police believe the deceased died of head and back injuries he received after he was stabbed with a sharp instrument.Police have interviewed a number of witnesses and are looking for a man who they believe can further assist their investigation.The investigation continues and police are interested in hearing from members of the public that may have information about the incident.Any member of the public who may have information about the incident should contact the police on Crime Watch number 999.

STUDENT STRANDED IN FIJI

In brief: Students still stranded at the Suva-based University of the South Pacific will receive funds from the Education Ministry this week.

Students still stranded at the Suva-based University of the South Pacific will receive funds from the Education Ministry this week.Director of the National Training Unit, N-T-U, Selu Maezama says the Solomon Islands student executive in Suva have received instructions from the Permanent Secretary, Barnabas Anga, to release funds to support the students until they return this weekend.Mr Maezama says that N-T-U has already instructed students through their executive to prepare their travelling arrangements but the students did not follow the instructions.Seventy-eight students will be returning this Saturday.

Source: SIBC