A Samoan Squabble.

Manawatu Herald, 23 June 1903, Page 2

A Samoan Squabble.

The Union Steamship Company's steamer Mapourika arrived in Pagopago harbor on the morning of the 12th May with the. representatives of the New Zealand Parliament on board. They remained until 11 o’clock at night, and then left for Apia, Daring the afternoon (says the corcespondent of a Sydney paper) several of the native soldiers obtained some strong liquor on board the steamer. They endeavored to quarrel with the young men of the town of Fagotogo, with whom they had a dispute, over several Samoan girl visitors who were staying in the native mission house. The soldiers were ordered to keep quiet, and they were taken to the barracks. Ensign Bloch, who is captain of the navy-yard, requested Captain Crawshaw, of the steamer, to stop the sale or giving of liquor to natives an 4 men fr«qt

the shore, and the bar of the steamer was immediately closed. Alter 7 o’clock some eight or nine o£ the soldiers called at the Samoan mission house to see the visitors. At 1 o’clock some of the young men of Fagotogo passed the house, and observed the soldiers playing with the girls. They attacked the house with stones, and one of the soldiers received a severe wound on the head. :ha native soldiers came out and a free fight took place Some of the Somoan officers of the town came down and ordered all to disperse to their homes. They separated but before proceeding far the fight Was resumed in front of the church by the young men throwing more stones at the soldiers. The chiefs Stepped in again and succeeded in Stopping the riot. Tim soldiers Were proceeding on their way to the barracks when they were met by more of their class coming to the rescue; They all returned to the public square, and the one who had endeavoured to create a quarrel in the afternoon called eut to tne men to burn the houses of the Fagotogo people. This exasperated the young men, and they returned to the fight, and before the authorities could intervene three more' soldiers received serious wounds The commandant of the station and the captain of the yard were but the rioters would not heed them. Native Governor Manga came up and immediately began slashing around a huge club and this had the effect of dispersing the crowd. The ringleaders were arrested, tried before the District Council, and severely punished. Several of the leading chiefs wanted to make an attack upon the town of Fagotogo to get satisfaction for the blood of the soldisrs, who are the sons of chiefs. The chiefs had to submit to the more civilised way of punishing the offenders.