The Vacant Throne of Samoa.

Manawatu Herald, 3 September 1898, Page 2

The Vacant Throne of Samoa.

9 ■ In connection with the death of Malietoa, King of Samoa, it ia stated in advices brought by the mail steamer that there are several opposing sections amongst the Samoan native?, one of the largest being headed by Tamasese, and it is said that each party has a nominee for the Kingship. In view of these coiA. flioting opinions the position ot affairs in Samoa may again become very serious, and a oivii war may as likely as not result between the rival parties, ■ The deceased Malietoa leaves a daughter, an attractive girl named Famoa, who is 17 or 18 ye%rs of age, , and who was educated at one of the'" London Missionary Society's schools near Apia. He also leaves a brother ah elderly chief, who lives aft Apia. Shortly before his death Malietoa was remold from Apia to Vailima* the residence of the late Robert Louis Stevenson, which is at a considerable evelation on the slops of Mount Vala. where Stevenson was £ buripd, The change from the sea ..." beach to the more salubrious locality of Vailimawa? expected to improve the old king's health, but he gradually sank and died, It is said rhat the aged monaoh was convinced that his time had come, and that he accordingly resigned himself to his end with the fatalism characteristic of the Polynesian races. " ,r J '