Local and General News.

Samoa Times and South Sea Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 2, 6 October 1888, Page 2

Local and General News.

We regret to have to record a most dastardly act committed by some of Tama***)'* people on Monday morning hut. 8om« poor women wore out catching shell fish on the mud flats, a short distance f.om Muliuu Point aud were fired upon by some cowardly aooundreL)—we cannot call them soldiers—and one of tho poor women was shot dead and two more wounded. The war h-w hitherto been conducted according to war usage*, and never before in this or auy other struggle between Sainoans have women been intentionally injured, but in this case deliberate aim was directed at the poor wretches by men calling themselves soldiers. We have not heard if these people were punished. In our opinion tho punishment cannot be too severe. This contemptible act has done mote to damage Tauiascee's cause than he is probably awure of, and unless some satisfactory exi>Unatioiibeimuiedint«ly giveu he will lose tho support and respect of any of the Foreign residents who have hitherto takon his side.

Mataafa's party wero busily engagnd last week in watching the movements of Tamaae»'s muaseugwrs who were sent for certain supplios to the retail store of the Gorman firm. As souu as the purchases were made they wore seised by Malaafa scouts aud carried away, much to the annoyance of the storekeeper, Mr. Beatharo. On Tuesday last, the day lI.XL's ships of war Caliope and Liuard arrived in harbor some 3000 or 3000 of Matasia'a men oatne into torn un-

armed, and were spread about in all direction*, their rifles and ammunition being left at Matantu. Jutt about 3 o'clock eome sharp firing was heard in that direction, and then commenced a rush to Matautu head-quarters about two mile* away. Not lees than 1500 men paaaed our reporter iu the main street, in a terrihle state of excitement, some of them being under the impression that during their absence Tamaseee's people had stolen a march en them, ana had attacked their camp. However, the cause of the firing T»as soon known. Mataafa's people had commenced firing on seven or eight boats coming from Atua with provisions for Mulinti Point, bn» the distance between the boats and the shore was too great for any damage to be done. No doubt this will be a lesson to Ma'aafa's people to be more careful in future, and noV allow such a large number of the army to be away from head-quarters at a time. We believe that quite 2500 mt>ti were away from Mqtoutii when the firing commenced. Her Majesty's ships of war Caliope and Lixxard arrived in the harbor on Tuesday from Tonga. The following is a list of their officers:—Caliope: Rear Admiral, H. Fairfax, C.8.; FlagLieutenant, 8. E. Erskino; Secretary, C. J. Pawsey; Captain, H. C. Kane; Lieutenants, K. MeAlpine.H. Pearson, A. N. Carter, H. G. Monckton, M. G. Cartwright; Leiutenant Marines, A. E. Merchant; Chaplain and Naval Instructor, Her. A C. Evnns, M.A ; Fleet Burgeon, V. Duke, Tkf.B.'; Staff Engineer, H. Bourke; Paymaster, B. Roper; Surgeon, A. Oropley; Engineer, W. ; Milton ; Assistant Paymaster, T. Teaman; Assi-tant Entrineer, J. Roffay; GUoneV, C. Martin Boatswain, W. MarsfieM ; Carpenter, J. Grant; Midshipmen, Hon. H. Hood, F. Brandt, W. Nicholson; J. Baird, Hon. A. Boyle, C. Prenderga-t, H: Richmond, F. Lindsay. " Tiizxard: Lieutenant and Commander, F. R. Pelley; Navigating Lieutenant J. Winthorp; Sub-Lieut., Hon. D'H. Lamhton ; Surgeon, Bagi.all Oakeley ; Engineer, T. Harding y *»i»Unt Pay?: master. Campion; Gunner, Gorrwith. Last Monday morning, about halfpast 7 o'clock, the inhabitants ot Apia were rather startled to see Mr. Ruge'a flags at half-mast, and a rrittle Inter, heard with regret that the melancholy cause of this display waavthe. demise of Mrs. Ruge, which hadVtaken place that morning. Immediately afterwards the flags, on. .all l( tiie huHinesH places in town were lowered to halfmast, in token of respect for the husband and family of the deceased lady. During the time Mm. Rugo had resided in Apia she had endeared herself to all classes of the community, and by those of both sexes who were able to discriminate was looked upon as their ideal of what a wifo and mother ought to be. The remains wore home to their rosting place on Tuesday morning, and the presents of ulpmst the whole of tho local residents, as well as the captains and officers of ships in the harbor betokened the great respect in which the deceased lady and her relatives were held. At the grave H.I.G.M.'s Vice-Consul delivered an address, after which the Rev. W. H. Wilson read the beautiful funeral service of the Church of England in his usual impressive manner. |