MAU WOMEN IN APIA

Hokitika Guardian, 2 June 1930, Page 7

MAU WOMEN IN APIA

GENERAL SITUATION QUIET,

APIA, May 15

To-day the Man women held auothei big parade through Apia. This time they all assembled at Lapea and marched down to Apia village, which is right behind the offices of the Administration, where the inevitable cricket match was played. This lasted all day, and at nightfall they marched back to their headquarters to the accompaniment of songs and the heating of drums. The main theme of tlu songs and yells seemed to bo the ridiculing of tho present Government. However, the authorities do not regard the movement seriously.

It is a rather remarkable fact that practically the only time the Alan women appear in Apia in any numbers is when there is a New Zealand vessel in port, usually either the Maui Pomare or the Tofua. Whether they think by this means reports of their activities will go back to the peopl in New Zealandit is hard to say. Certainly the tourist gets the impression from the waving banners, drums and the general noise that accompanies every procession that the Man is still an nctive organisation. The residents, however, know that this is entirely wrong, for sometimes weeks pass without a sign of the Mau.

The Mau men have not been seen in any numbers since the departure of M.S. Dunedin, and had it not been for the occasional parades of the women, lb would have seemed that the Mau had died a natural death. The women, however, since the trial of their solicitor, Mr T, R, Slipper, and his subsequent conviction, have taken matters out of .the hands of their men folk, and seem determined to keep the political strife going, notwithstanding the fact that the majority of their husbands are heartily, tired of it all.

Rumours- are current that the Samoans have decided to hold a sports meeting on June 3, the King’s birthday. This is in accordance with the practice that prevailed here before the inauguration of the Mau, when the dministration used to organise fantasi races and canoe events for the Samoans. When the Mau started these were dropped until last year, when the Mau held sports of their own. It wjU be remembered that it was on June 3 last year that the Mau and the police came into open conflict for the first time after the placing of the police on a civil footing.

CONSTABLE assaulted. On Wednesday last three Samoans were charged before his Honour Chi. Justice Luxford wit hassaulting Constable Wellburn and wilfully obsructing him in the execution of his duty. From the evidence it apeared that on April 19 Constable Wellburn was on duty at Lalomanu, in the Aleipata district, where a cricket match was being pjayed between teams from tWQ of the neighbouring villages, Fully 300 Samoans were present, The constable, seeing a man named Siau, wanf-ed by the police, among the crowd, attempted to arrest him. Siau truggled and called to some of those playing cricket for assistance. The constable \yf\ft struck in the face, and forced to release his hold on Si«u, who escaped. A hard blow Oil the back of the head dh?ed Wellburn, and he fell to the ground in a state or nil-, consciousness. He was rescued from more serious injury by a Rkmurnu. policeman and taken to the hospital, where it was found necessary to put several stitches in his head. Shortly afterwards tho police were informed that the ' chiefs wished to hand oyer those who took part in the assault, and on the 22nd the three Samoans, Slone, Feaua’i and Liga, together with nine other “wanted” men, were handed over to the police and placed in custody. His Honour convicted Sione, Feaua’i and Liga and sentenced each of them to three months’ imprisonment,

SIAU CAUGHT UY ACCIDENT. Although Siau escaped at tlie time, he wan arrested later in an unexpected manner. District Officer Haiui)' ton was engaged in rounding up all the unregistered dogs in the Aleipata district, and was xising a shot-gun to destroy some of the aniipals when he considered it necessary. One day, just as Hamilton was shooting a dog, a native ran across in the line of fire ; , and was unfortunate enough to . i-G----ceive three shots in his body. The nellets, although very smal.V, were sufficient to penetrate t-W ' skin. The native was taken to Ualomanu hospital for treatment, where it was learned that the man was Siau, wanted on a venr-'okl warrant. He was placed under arrest and brought to Apia. Although he was taken to the hospital at onco and the pellets removed, the wounds became septic, and it is nn’ikelv that he will he allowed out for some time. He will then be brought before the Court.