LIFE IN SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 112, 9 February 1928, Page 10

LIFE IN SAMOA

NATURALLY HAPPY RACE CONDITIONS IN THE ISLANDS WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION HAS DONE Children of the sun, so blessed by nature that they do not want money, and, as water is their favourite beverage, do not bother their heads about prohibition. Such was the picture drawn of the Samoan people to a Dominion reporter vesterdav by Mr. J. Penketh, plumbing overseer" for the Public Works Department of the Administration, who is at present enjoying a furlough in the Dominion. Mr. Penketh, who has spent two and a half years in Samoa, is well known in this portion of New Zealand, having occupied the position of plumbing instructor at the Palmerston North Technical School from 1905 until 1925. “General Sir George Richardson as Administrator has been a good friend to the Samoans,” declared Mr. Penketh “I have seen wonderful improvements effebted during the two and a half years I have spent in the Islands, particularly in the laying down of macadam roads and the installation of water supplies for the villages. The natives realised the benefits which had been conferred upon them under NetV Zealand rule, and the Administrator was very popular everywhere he went until dissatisfaction was fomented by the Citizens’ Committee. Real Cause of Unrest. “It is well known in ihe Islands,” proceeded Mr. Penketh, “that the real cause of unrest was the ambition of a small coterie who had as their slogan ‘Samoa for the Samoans,’ and who resented their dreams of kingship being disturbed by New Zealand taking over the government of the Islands. Some of the disaffected ones had Samoan blood in their veins, and they did much harm bv telling the natives untruths about the amount of taxes they would be compelled to pay for the roads, bridges, and water supplies which have been erected bv the Administration.” Mr. Penketh" gave some interesting particulars of the great benefits which had been conferred by the various water supply svstems which had been installed in the Islands by the Administration. He explained that prior to New Zealand taking over the mandate to govern the country, the Samoans had been compelled to procure their water from brackish wells. Even now some of the islanders are forced to obtain their supplies from springs below highwater mark after the tide has gone out, but before long these people will be supplied with pure water from the Government systems. Apia, the capital of Samoa, was supplied with water from the upper reaches of the Naisaga River. This svstem supplied some 4000 inhabitants. ’ Then there was another water supply svstem, known as the AfagaMalia system, which served no fewer th,an eight villages, with a population of about 4000. These systems had all been installed by the Administration during the last couple of years. The svstem comprised nearly ten miles of mains of from 6-inch to 2-inch pipes. Samoans Good Workers. That the Samoans were willing and anxious to assist in the efforts being made bv the New Zealand Government to better the conditions of the country, he proceeded, was evident from the fact that the natives carried out the work of constructing the Afga-Alalia water svstem free of cost. Each village supplied labour each day until all had had a turn, and then all went round again in turn. “This free labour/ said Mr. Penketh, “naturally reduced the cost of the svstem greatly. It was understood "that only the villagers actually supplied bv the system would have to pav for this water supply, fhe natives would onlv have to pay approximately two-thirds’of the cost, and when they have paid this thev will be clear of any further liability, as they will not be rated continually. “Unfortunately, interested, parties went about amongst the natives telling them that they would have to pay ve'rv heavy taxes for these water supplies and this caused dismay in the native mind. “The Samoans are rather extravagant with water, using about three times as much as the average white person.” No Labour Troubles. “The Samoans are splendid workers ” continued Mr. Penketh. I supervised the construction of the water mains for the Afga-Malia supply and could not wish to have better workmen. Great rivalry existed between the different villages, and there was keen competition to see which village would hold the honour of laving most pipes in a day. me Samoan is just like a boy, and the men were constantly playing jokes upon each other, and were certainly very happy as thev worked. loelupe, the Fafpule of the district had that this was the first big work which the Samoans had carried out without a fight, and he attributed this to the methods which had been employed by the Samoan Public Works Depart’"to show that the water supply was quite a respectable one, Mr. Penketh pointed out that the pressure on the mains was 951 b. to the square inch. There was still another water system at Falilelati, about 35 miles from Apia, which supplied five or six villages, with a population of about 2000. fins was obtained from springs at Fahva , the water being conserved nt a small con erete dam The mams were from 3inch to 2-inch, the pressure being about 851 b to the square inch. Here again the Samoans had supplied the labour. Agitators Busy. “We had a little bit of trouble with the natives here,” Mr. Penketh explained, “as the Mau, as the adherents of the Citizens’ Committee styled, was becoming active. Most of the Samoan men had gathered in Apia listen to the fiery utterances of the agitators, leaving only the loyal natives in the villages. The Mau natives would not work with the lo A a " atl and this gave us trouble, which increased the cost of the undertaking. “There was still another water supnlv at Vailema, which had recently been renewed by the Administration This supplied the Public Hospital, the London Missionary Society s school, Pa ata village, and the higher portion of \nia The pressure at the hospital Dorn this supply was about 2001 b to the square inch. The source of this < nnlv was a creek running between Vailema House and Mount Via, on which rests the tomb of Robert Louis Stevenson.”

Good Work by Medical Staff. One of the most notable effects of the beneficence of New Zealand rule,

Mr. Penketh declared, was the improvement in the genral health of the natives, which had been brought about bv the medical staff. Up to the time of the Mau getting a hold, the medical staff had practically cleared the islands of such tropical" diseases as tonas (skin affection) and hookworm. “Ihe islands are now generally healthy,” he said, “and are singularly free from fevers. The good work of the Health Department, however, has been seriously interfered with bv the influence of the Mau, whose members actually refused to allow their children to be attended by nurses or doctors, and they even stopped for a time their children going to schools. The Citizens’ Committee do not realise the great harm thev have done to the people of Samoa. In mv opinion thev never expected the dissatisfaction thev raised to spread as far as it has done. A Cleanly Race. “The Samoans are very clean in their bodies and their homes,” explained Mr. Penketh. Before the Mau became active the villages were. a, kept scrupulously clean. Committees of Samoan women actively assisted towards this end, regularly inspecting houses, both front and back, in order to see that hvgienic conditions were being observed. The houses are clean, and the general health o f the Samoans is good. “The Samoans do not value money. Up to New Zealand taking over the islands they had no need for money Now, however, as a result of sound advice given them by Sir George Richardson,' they are beginning to realise the advantages of thrift, and are beginning to put money by. “It has been stated ny interested parties,” continued Mr. Penketh, “that the imposition of prohibition was one of the . causes of 'unrest in the islands. This is quite untrue. The Snmoins do not . trouble about prohibition, as water is their natural beverage, and General Richardson has supplied them with plentv of this. It is the foreigners and haltcastes who resent their supplies of liquor being cut off. The Samoans do not want, beer, and particularly the poor quality obtainable in the islands.” Effects of Mau. The effects of the Mau upheaval had been far-reaching. 'lhe plantations had gone back a good deal. A banana ship was expected about the end of March to 'take a full load to Wellington, but now owing to the machinations of the Mau, it was doubtful if half a shipload would be obtainable. “It is significant, he said, “that the people who have stood loyally by the Government comprise the pick of the Samoan race. Ihe unrest will die down when the natives discover that there is no truth in the lies thev were told about the heavy taxes thev would have to pay for improvements.” Steady Progress. Steady progress was being made by the Administration. The engineering department was at present putting down a hvdro-electric scheme for supplying power and lighting to Apia and district. During the last two years a seawall had been built all round the Apia waterfront to prevent the waves from damaging the road which has been formed. " A new wharf, over 200 ft. in length, has also been constructed at Apia for the use of coastal boats. “The Samoans are a fine race,” Mr. Penketh added. “The half-caste women are verv beautiful, and 1 was not surprised to find that a few Europeans and New Zealanders had chosen wives from the islanders.” The Samoan native chiefs, Mr. lenketh pointed out, were not like the Maori chiefs, who owed their leadership to prowess on the battlefield. . 1 lie principal qualifications for leadership in Samoa appeared to be a gift of oratory and the abilitv to give sumptuous feasts. Nevertheless the Samoan chiefs exercised great power, and any orders issued were faithfully observed by the tribe.