THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4395, 21 April 1875, Page 3

THE SAMOAN ISLANDS.

A late issue of the Hawaiian Gazette says that the TJ.S.S. Tuscarora, Captain Erben, has sailed from Honolulu for the above group, taking as passenger, Colonel A. B. Steinberger, the Commissioner of the American Government to the independent chiefs and tribes of Samoa. The avowed object of the dispatch of this ship is stated in Eastern journals to be the investigation of the late reported troubles between the natives and the Germans, and to report the results to the American Government. It will be remembered that some months since a German vessel of war demanded and received from the natives of Samoa indemnity for certain alleged wrongs', done Germans resident in the group, and concerning which there were various and contradictory repoufcs at the time. We are enabled, however, from reliable sources, to say that although the investigation referred to may properly be incidental to the voyage, it is not deemed to be of the importance that has been represented. Colonel Steinberger will land at TJpolu, the principal port of the group, where he will establish his head-quarters. It is supposed the passage will occupy about twenty-five days, as the Tuscarora will make it under sail; and before proceeding to Apia she will touch at Pago Pago, on the Island of Tutuila, to confer with the principal chief, who regards himself as very powerful, and is disposed to maintain the independent sovereignty of the islands. It may be the policy of Colonel Steinberger to bring the chiefs of the Beveral islands together, for the purpose of bringing about a consolidation of all into one head Government, under a code of laws similar to the Hawaiian. If this should be the case, the Tuscarora will probably convey the chiefs of TJpolu from Apia to . Pago Pago, for the purpose of consultation as to the commercial and other advantages which would result to the whole by such consolidation, under the friendly interest manifested in Samoa by the Government of the United States by the appointment of a Special Commissioner—carried there in one of its war ships—to reside amongst and cultivate friendly and commercial relations with them. The Tuscarora will bo absent about three months, and her return to this port from her interesting cruise will be looked forward to with much interest. The Samoan, or' Navigator Islands, are volvanic in formation, lying in latitude 13 or 14 degrees south, and embracing some eight islands, none of which are large. The native population is variously estimated at from 30,000 to 50,000. In spots, the soil is rich, and tropical fruits abound. The only export of moment is cobra, or dried cocoahut, which is principally in the hands of German merchants, who employ a regular line of vessels between Apia and Europe.