DEATH OF MATAAFA.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1364, 15 February 1912, Page 5

DEATH OF MATAAFA.

HATHEE FAMOUS PERSONAGE. (By Telegraph—l'rcss Association.) Auckland, February H. The following cablegram has been received from l.evuka, dated February 14:— "-Mataafa (aged 85) died on February (i of old age. Tamase*! and all oiHoiols, whites and natives, are in Apia in force attending the services at the. cathedral. There will be no new appointment, and it is expected that soon all will bo quiet." Subsequently to the year ISBI the Sanioan islands assumed a much greater international importance than before, and in the. troubles that followed, the influential chief Mataafa played an important part. Under a political arrangement between Great Britain, Germany, and tho United Starts, no single Power was to appropriate the Navigators group. But in 1887 and 1888 civil war prevailed, the Germans .supporting their candidate Tomasese as the lawful king, and the British .mil American residents Malictoa.

After the latter had b'fen deported by the Germans, the British and American support was transferred to Mafauifa. In the course of the fighting which ensued, sonic fifty German sailors and murines were kilkd or wounded by Hie adherents of .Mataafa. A conference between representatives of the three I'owers was thereupon held at Berlin, and a treaty was executed on June 14, ISS9, by virtue of which the autonomy of the group was granted, Malietoa was restored as king, and the three Powers constituted themselves practically a protectorate over Samoa.

The government was administered under this trrary. but rfith considerable friction until the end of J 80S, when, upon the death of ilalicloa, two rival candidates for (lie throne appeared, and Hie Chief Justice selected by tho three Vowers decided against (lie claims of iMaliiafa in favonr of a boy, Jldietoa Tanu, a relative of the deceased Jlnlictoa.

Civil war immediately ensued, in which several American and British officers and men were slain by tho natives, the Germans upholding the claims of Mataafa, and the British and Americans supportine his rival.

The thrcj? Powers thereupon sent a Commission to Siunoa to investigate and adjust. Tho situation, however, was found to l>o so complicated and embarrassing that, early in the year 1900, the so-called Berlin Treaty was abrogated, Great Britain withdrew her claims to any portion of the islands, and received compensation from Germany by concessions in other pnrts of the. world.

A]ax Fire Killer—Demonstration today, 3 p.m., next Columbia Hotel. Intending agents and buyers witness this. Price only las. Saves many homes. 31 Hunter Street. 'Phone U7G.* The Associated Auctioneers, Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Dalgety and Co., Ltd., Levin and Co., Ltd,, and Kew Zealand loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., will conduct the Masterton ram and ewe fair on the Masterton show erounds. Tlw sale will ta held on Thursday and Friday, February 22 and 23, c'Jinmencins at 10 a.m. each dav. On tire fir-st. day stud and flock Sliropshiree, TveiceMers, and floimioys will lx> od'ered, mid on the second <liiy stud and (lock Soiitlidowns and Lincoln , ;. Wooaa' Great Feppertnint Core, ror Coujhs and Colds, never fails. Is. 6rt.l (.'hristmiis curds were quite unknown until the iicnny post was introduced in Eugl/indi it it 61 years since tho first was printed,