IN SAMOA.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 January 1928, Page 4

IN SAMOA.

SAMOAN 1 >EPOR TATI OXS. (By Telegraph—Per Press Association.) APIA. Jan. 13. The town of Apia is simmering with excitement to-day on the occasion of the deportation of Messrs Nelson. Gurr and Smythe from AA'estern Samoa. Yesterday three hundred Samoans rowed to Apia from Savaii and then they demonstrated along the beach front. The men were openly carrying canecun ers’ knives, and a few of them Imre guns, which they fired in the streei -. They also fired them in Trout of the Administrator's building. At noon everything was quite along the beach. The Tol'ua leaves at three this afternoon with the deportees. LATER. The deportation of lion Air Nelson and Air Smythe took place this afternoon. It proved a quiet affair. A'estei day's ebullition apparently bad exhausted the enthusiasm. AD Gurr is remaining in Apia for a week or two. when ho may go to Sail Francisco, hut he will certainly he deported. Messrs Nelson and Smythe were farewellod by the leading merchants of Apia at the office of .Morris, Hedstrom Ltd. At the embarkation in the afternoon the Samoan chief wished Afr Nelson a good journey to “carry on the good work.” There is a general feeling of relief in Apia that the threatened thunderstorm was only a rumbling.

SAMOAN AFFA'TRS. AUCKLAND. Jan. 13. Sir John Findlay has been in communication with the Prime Minister during the vacation asking hint to suspend further action against the Hon. O. F. Nelson (Samoa) until the reopening of the Supreme Court. To this request Mr Coates has replied that nothing in tile circumstances stated would justify special intervention by the Government. Tn forwarding advice of this reply to the Auckland office of O. F. Nelson, Limited. Sir John states that the Government appears to have committed itself to a policy of drastic repression. and it will require some very drastic influence to deter it.