COLONEL ALLEN’S WIN

Hokitika Guardian, 14 July 1928, Page 1

COLONEL ALLEN’S WIN

KING S BIRTHDAY AT APIA

THRILLING MOMENTS.

SUVA, July 5,

The King’s Birthday, 1928, will never be forgotten in Samoa, according to people who have just returned from a visit there. What happened was a triumph for the recently installed Administrator. Col. S. S. Allen, D. 5.0., and through him for New Zealand, which exercises a mandate over Samoa. It was a. triumph, too, for the Mau., showing that they are capable of taking a defeat in a fine, sporting spirit.

The Mau are standing solid, evidently, in their demand for a change of Government from that of New Zealand. Most people who have been there sav that there is no doubt about this. BevoYid this determined stand there is no feeling of disloyalty to the Empire, no desire to spurn the flag of the Empire or to. separate from the Empire. Accordingly, tRo King’s Birthday was a day calling for the usual .ceremony of a march past witli a salute, either to the King’s representative or to Hie flag. WOULD SALUTE FLAG ONLY.

A salute to the King's representative, Colonel Allen, the appointee cf the New Zealand Government, was out of the question, therefore, the Mau police, soldiers and people would salute the flag. The organisation for the event went ahead, the greatest secrecy being maintained. Most important it was that the Administrator and Government should not know the time- set for the march past. The Adminisrator did not know the time set, and, in spite of repeated efforts on the part of his staff, ho was in ignorance on the very morning of the King’s Birthday.

The Colonel, Mrs Allen, the A.D.C., and a guest came down for breakfast that morning about 7,45. One of the first questions asked was whether any information had been secured as to tbe arrangements for the day. It was an unenviable position for the Administrator to be in STARTLING NEWS. No news was available, but the guest .bad been in Apia on the previous evening and volunteered tbe information that lie had heard, on reliable authority, that event was timed for eight o’clock that morning. It was then 10 minutes to eight.

Consternation reigned supreme. ! The Administrator was in his morning clothes, and Apia was four miles away.

Mrs Allen was the first to move: She made for the bedroom and pulled out the colonel’s uniform. The A.D.C. made for the garage and dashed to the front door with the car.

Struggling with bis uniform, the colonel scrambled into tbe car, which leaped forward in a wild dash for tbe flagstaff in front of the Government Buildings in Apia. As tlio clocks started to chime tbe hour of eight an immaculate Administrator stepped coolly from his motor ear, walked calmly to the saluting base arid raised bis arm to take the salute sis. the first file of the Mau. procession came abreast. A THRILLING MOMENT. I was a thrilling moment. Chiefs standing grouped near the base saw the Administrator arrive. Not an eyelid flickered. Tainasese, who led the procession, expecting to salute the flag, suddenly saw his Excellency appear below it. His step did not falter, his salute was perfect, and the Mau masses filed past in perfect order. A tactical victory had been scored, the Man recognised it, and the first to congratulate him was the man "bo had led the procession and ordered the salute. ", ~ , .