SAMOA NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 10 September 1929, Page 8

SAMOA NEWS

VISIT OF THE EMDEN. APIA, Aug. 23. Apia resounded with more “Hochs” and “Jaiis'’ on one day recently than it iias heard since the time of the vjiernian occupation of biimou. The occasion was when the. German warship liiiiiSen on its way from Pago Pago, American Samoa, stopped outside the three-mile limit, oh Apia, in order to give Germans in oamoa an opportunity to meet their countrymen. The Germans and their connections needed no ecconu oiddiiig to respond to tiie cali, and the afternoon tue warship arrived almost 1 every German in Samoa seemed to be assembled on the whan ready to go out oii the waiting launches.

i'i'om reports received the visitors weie given a wonderful reception on the jimideii. Apparently the sailors opened their hearts to tiieir countrymen in a manner unitnoWii in the otiiei places they have visi.ed, and the time rapidly passed in ceieoration and sing.lig a rom tlie appearance ol the party ivhull they arnveu on shore again more man hearts were upened, fur those ol die party who were not violently seaside on the small launches were jubilant and happy. The German residents of (Samoa niarKed tho occasion of the visit or the warship by sending congratulatory cables to Rresident Hindenburg and to Hr Solf, a former Governor of (Samoa. PuioiOE STONED. That the Mau is sail an existing factor in Samoa is occasionally demonstrated in a practical manner. Recently a party 01 police, including the inspector of Police, Were passing through the Mau village of Vaimoso, when their ear was hrouglu to a sudden stop by the finding ol a log across the road, the police promptly alighted to shift the obstruction which had obviously got there more by management than by chance, but had barely completed the joa when a shower of well-directed stones came at them. The police for various reasons never have been popular at Vaimoso, and apparently some of the Mau “refugees” were seizing the opportunity to get a little of their own back. The party hurriedly flung the log aside and rushed to get into the car again. Unfortunately at this juncture the engine stalled, and by the time the car was under way the police had suffered minor casualties which necessitated for at least one of them a trip to the hospital for treatment.

PRISONER ESCAPES. Another incident that occurred at Vaimoso has a little more humour in it, and has occasioned a good deal of mirth in Apia., A. police van from one of the out-stations was bringing ill a native prisoner to be dealt with on the oft-repeated charge of evading taxes. The van arrived at Vaimoso and there once again across the road lay .an innocent log. A policeman sitting with the driver jumped out and tried to shift the obstruction. It was too much for him. A number of Samoans strolled from the village and quietly looked on but did not offer to assist. Meanwhile the prisoner in the van handcuffed and seated between two policemen, watched the proceedings with interest. His interest increased wlien his two guardians rose to assist with the removal of the log. More natives gathered, and, while not actually obstructing the perspiring policemen, managed to constitute themselves somewhat of an annoyance. They at least obstructed the view of the prisoner in the van. The log was removed and the policemen, slightly annoyed, prepared to continue their journey into Apia. On looking in the van they found that the prisoner, taking advantage of their preoccupation, had quietly slipped away, handcuffs and all. None of the onlookers seemed to know anything about the incident, and as it was noyeiees to expect to catch him in such a Mau stronghold as Vaimoso, the policemen had to report an escaped prisoner with one pair of handcuffs attached.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ELECTION The election of members to the Legislative Council will take place in November, and electors are being urged to enrol. So far there does not promise to be a great deal of excitement or even interest in the election. Of the three elected members allowed by hue franchise only one, the Hon. Arthur Williams, is at present sitting. Another honourable member recently resigned, his reason apparently being tlnyl the elected members or indeed the whole Council were not called often enough to make any progress. The history of the Legislative Council’ of late years has not been such that there is much inducement for anyone to hanker for an “honourable” before his name. Yet with an able and public-spirited Legislative Council one does not doubt that his Excellency the Administrator would be in complete harmony and agreement on points affecting the welfare of Samoa. Possibly Samoa is suffering a reaction from its recent political outburst, and people are content to jog along without particularly concerning themselves in the running of the country. Certainly the atmosphere has changed, and it is now possible to hold quite a. long conversation without touching on politics. Eighteen months ago it was almost impossible to discuss anything else. H.M.S. Veronica is at present at anchor in Apia roadstead. Shortly after its arrival his Excellency, t?ie Administrator, Colonel S. S'. Allen, proceeded on the warship to the Tokelau Islands, which are under the Administration of Western Samoa, in order to make his annual inspection.