SAMOAN CONDITIONS.

Shannon News, 4 January 1922, Page 4

SAMOAN CONDITIONS.

A LEVINITE’S EXPERIENCES,

Writing to a member of the News staff, Mr A. T. West, formerly of the local branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Distributing Company/gives some interesting impressions of life in Samoa during his residence there, de says:— “Life in the Islands, although amidst beautiful surroundings, splendid scenery and interesting native life, is somewhat monotonous to the average white man. One does not expect, of course, to have trains, tramcars, theatres, etc., etc., which go to make up a New Zealand city, and life in the Tropics .is usually what the residents can make it. So far as Samoa is concerned, there are about 160 to 170 Government officials, of whom some 40 to 50 are married. The term of service for officials is three years, with two weeks leave every year, and three months at the conclusion of the* terra. Owing to the severity of the climate, a white man cannot do any manual labour except in the early hours of the morning or the evening, and on the whole the climate is much too hot to be pleasant. From about November until the end of March is the Samoan rainy season. One often hears the remark “quite a tropical shower,” but '' one has actually to experience a real tropical downfall to fully realise the meaning of the expression.

“Whilst the land in these islands is very fertile, it is quite unploughable. Fruits common to the Islands-grow to perfection—cocoanuts, mummy apples, mangoes, bananas—all abound in plenty, while at the time of writing pineapples are coming into bearing and can be purchased at three for 1/ of the size that one would pay 1/6 each for in New Zealand. Sugar and rubber also do well here, likewise vanilla, nutmegs, chillies, etc., but copra is Samoa’s greatest product. Large plantations of cocoanuts abound and are mainly controlled by the New Zealand Government through the Samoan Crown estates.

“Several ex-German plantations are at present on the market for sale or lease at attractive rentals, arid it is the Government’s intention lo dispose of the majority of the ex-German properties up to the present managed by them. “The Samoans are an attractive race of people, and are mainly of good disposition. The census * just taken revealed a large increase in their numbers.

“Living in Samoa is a very expensive proposition, and even while butter, meat, eggs, etc., are so cheap in New Zealand, and only just over a week’s sail from Samoa., the ruling prices for the staple commodities are as follows: Butter 3/6 lb, bacon 2/6 lb, Eggs 4/ doz, bread 6d (about 31b loaf), beef 1/ lb, mutton 1/3 lb, sausages (when procurable) 1/3 lb, condensed milk 1/3 tin, tinned fruits 2/6 tin, currants 2/ lb, sultanas 2/6 lb.

“The Government has an excellent ice works and freezing chain her*; "'arltl .it is4ltrbugirits existence that we are able to get New Zealand mutton, butter, cheese and sausages. Ice is delivered at 1/ per block, and is quite a boon to the residents.

“A laundry is nearing completion (being erected by the Government), but it seems a matter of conjecture as to whether it is going to be a paying proposition or not, as the natives do a whole family’s washing for £2 per month, and in some cases £2 10/, and it is done to apparent satisfaction by them. “Accommodation here is not good, and the majority of houses are mostly unsuitable and very old and dilapidated. There, is only one hotel, whereas in the German days there possible for tourists and others to obtain accommodation. I think if Apia had another hotel it would attract the tourist traffic, and a month can be well spent, as there is magnificent scenery abounding everywhere. Given another hotel, Samoa would be an ideal holiday resort for the business plan in search of a thorough rest amid; the .best of surroundings. A motor bus service has just been inaugurated to Nulifanua, some 25 miles along the coast from Apia, where there is the largest cocoanut plantation (it is said) in the Southern Hemisphere. This is a magnificent drive, and only 25/ return is charged for the trip.

“The New Zealand Government through its Samoan administration is spending large sums on improvements in the way of road building and repairing, and the Samoan Public Works Department has a large staff, mainly Chinese, laying down permawere three, and it is practically imnent tracks. Samoa will soon possess roads second to none in Australia and New Zealand. “Ah extensive water service is at present being laid down in Apia and suburbs, and a. hydro-electric scheme, it is said, is to be the next undertaking of importance. When oil these improvements are taken into consideration, it will be agreed that there

will be general approval of New Zealand control over Samoa. “The liquor ban been a bone of contention with some folks in Samoa, but the island is going along well without liquor; although it is said that a quantity finds its way into the island. It is evident that the Samoans are not the cause of the trouble, as they prefer to live in their native style in every respect, and there are few Samoans who would give up their kava for whisky. “Saturday night in Apia is the night of the week. The local picture theatre opens on Wednesdays and Saturdays, and the. majority of -the white residents attend on the latter night. Outside the theatre is a huge native bazaar, all aglow witn • mini cane lanterns, where fruits and native food and drinks are sold. Kava has a very peculiar taste, and to the new-chum is nearly always resented, and he seldom finishes his first bowl. It is not in every instance that the white man can adopt it for a refresher, but many seem to develop a liking for it. When visiting a native house or tale, the kava bowl is always brought out, and it is an insult to the Samoan if you do not finish the cupful. “Regarding the picture programs submitted to Apia audiences, as Samoa is, I understand, out of any curcuit, we are unable to view anything new, and the usual picture is none too fresh. Only this week did we see “Armistice Celebrations in U.5.A.,” and a picture of seven parts was advertised also, but two parts were missing. Often the conclusion of a picture is missing, but whatever is “put on” constitutes the program, whether you like it or not. What is always shown without fail is a slide of the King, under which is written “Uma Lava,” which means “Finish," and this may appear at any unexpected moment.

“There is very little animal or bird t life in Samoa, and less of the latter than one would expect to see. The j horses are very poor, and are of a very light type—mostly buggy horses. They mostly develop a vile skin disease peculiar to Samoa. There are a few cows, but hardly sufficient to supply all the white residents with milk. The Government is, however, establishing a dairy, and when this can be brought to the full use of residents it will be of great advantage.

“Insects of every description, shape ; and size abound. Lizards; centipedes, ; scorpions, rhinoceros beetles (so harmful to the cocoanut trees), cockroaches ; of enormous size, ants, etc., are al- ! ways in evidence, and one has to keep the safe, ice chest and table legs standing in small tins of kerosene to ; keep away the insects. I “Mr G. P. Brown, late editor of the I Levin Chronicle, fills a similar post on the local newspaper, the Samoa Times, published weekly. Mr Brown ■ is an enthusiastic bowler, and is considered one of the best local bowlers, j There is a large bowling club in Apia, 1 and bowling is the most popjilarpas-’ time here. Cricket,--is played, like- : wise tennis-hht the climate is far too : hot to permit football or hockey to be indulged in. Cricket and tennis are • strenuous enough. j

“Samoa is connected with the outer world by a monthly steamer (the Toiua) from New Zealand, and its arrival is always keenly looked for; a steamer-day is a red letter day in Apia. Crowds await the opening of the post office and for the mail to be sorted.

“Life in Samoa soon gets monotonous to some people, and beyond an occasional dance and the picture show there is little " organised ‘ entertainment. Of course the scenery- is superb and the country evergreen, but one cannot live on scenery. The absence of good wholesome food is the main drawback, and were it possible for vegetables to be grown here it would certainly be better. The Government have a small experimental farm, but it is found that most vegetables cannot be successfully grown. Fresh fish is also an almost unknown quantity, and it' makes a New Zealander long for his schnapper and flounder and oysters. So you will x’ealise that life in the tropics has its disadvantages.”