TWO SAMOAN YOUTHS

Hokitika Guardian, 27 January 1931, Page 2

TWO SAMOAN YOUTHS

VISIT TO NEW ZEALAND

THE MARVELS OF ui vILTSATII/N

AUCKLAND, Jan. 22

After spending a month in New Zealand at the personal expnese of the Administrator of Western Samoa, (Mr S. S. Allen) two Samoan youths, Atigi and lose fa, are now in Auckland. Both have enjoyed immensely their first visit to New Zealand. They talk enthusiastically of the beauties of tbe country, tlie kindness of the people in every city and town they have visited, and some of the marvels of civilisation that have not yet spread to their island metropolis of Apia. One gathers that they will not be sorry to return to the warmer climate. Even a hot Auckland day is cool for them. They will return to Samoa by the Tofua on Satu-r day, ready to give their friends glowing accounts of the crowded month’s holiday. Both hoys are sons of chieftains. Atigi is 22 years old and is in the service of the Native Department at Apia. His visit, lie says, will help him immensely in his Work, losefn, who is 21, is still at school, but hopes to enter the service of the Administration at tile entl of the year. “ I think New Zealand must be the finest country in the world,” said. Atigi. “A man from England told me in Wellington that that was so, and although I had only .seen Samoa before 1 came here I think lie must lie right.” Tlie two boys came to New Zealand in the Maui Pomare and landed at Lyttelton. Christchui’ch afforded them their first glimpse of a modern city, and they still speak excitedly of their trip by train from Lyttelton to tbe city and tlie dasli through the tunnel on route. In Chrsitchureh (bey saw their first tramear. Later they saw and heard their first talking picture. Alter a. short stay in Christchurch, the two boys spoilt several days in Wellington, and then visited New Plymouth, Palmerston North, Napier, the Ruakura State Farm, the farm of Mr R. M. Allen (brother of tlie Administrator at Morrinsville), and Rotorua. At the various towns they visit'-' ed they were taken' through the face lories, and also shown spots of scenic: interest. “ft has all been .so interesting that 1 do not know'how to de r : scribe it,” Atigi said. “We j had heard about Rotorua, but even 'then we were not prepared'for what we saw. We met Maorics there, and in some ways they reminded' u.s of our owjj people. Some of the words in their language are the same as in’ours, lint we could not understand them when they spoke Maori to us. But Rotorua is not the only interesting place. All the country is clean and beautiful, and I everywhere the people are kind.” Train travel provided the hoys with 1 one of tho most novel sensations of the trip. “ Travelling in fast trains is i fine.” Atigi said, “It; is all right in trains like that which brought us from Rotorua, but in tho slow trians it is no good.” The boys, who are staying at the Y.M.C.A., were taken to various places of interest' in the city today. Further trips have been arranged for them.