A TACTFUL LEADER

Hokitika Guardian, 24 March 1930, Page 2

A TACTFUL LEADER

COMMODORE BLAKE

POPULAR WITH THE SAMOANS

AUCKLAND, March 20.

Solicitude for the welfare of the Samoans was demonstrated in a very practical form by Commodore Geoffrey Blake during his period of service at Apia. Reports received show that he took every precaution to ensure that the natives should not be unnecessarily inconvenienced by the operations of the naval detachments ashore. In consequence the Commodore became popular with, the Samoans and many had a childlike faith in his good nature. The Commodore many times adressed his men and impressed upon them the necessity for using the utmost tact and patience when dealing with the Samoans.

When a native was accidentally shot at .Safata Bay by a seaman, whose rifle was discharged when he slipped on a root, Commodore Blake immediately called a truce, so that any natives who desired to attend the funeral could do so. The commander of the platoon in the vicinity at the time, Lieutenant Jessell, and a representative party attended the funeral of the Samoan to pay their respects. This was greatly appreciated by the natives. Those natives who were in the immediate vicinity were entirely satisfied that the shooting was quite accidental. Under less tactful leaders there might have been bloodshed on more than one occasion, for the tetuners of the naval men were sorely tried. They march' for hours through thick bush in search of the Mau, tired out and and footsore only to see the Mau, sometimes hundreds of them, bolt and run wP 1 ’ the sure knowledge that they would not he shot. On one occasion shots were fired over their heads in an endeavour to get them to stand, hut only the timid ones would halt. The Man knew that the Commodore had given orders that there was to he no shooting unless naval men were attacked and outnumbered, which from the nature of 'the Samoan was not likely to happen'.' ' The Man would at any time have met : Commodore Blake to discuss their troubles,Tmt this was impossible as the Ho in mo do re could not. act alone. The wish to meet him was to he heard on every hand, and the usual questions were 1 “Why can’t we meet the Commodore alone?” and “Why can’t we have for our Governor the Commodore? He is a good Christian man.”