THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1878.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Issue 39, 29 June 1878, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, JUNE 29, 1878.

American Consul.—Mr. T. M. Dawson, who has been appointed to succeed Mr. Griffin, as United States Consul for Samoa, left America fox here by last month's mail steamer, and it is .probable he will arrive here in one of the Auckland vessels which are due here early in next month. Mr. Griffin goes to Fiji, we understand, to take charge of the Consulate.

Thi Effect of ths Treaty.--Mr. Ctirtin, one of the gentlemen who arrived in the mail steamer yesterday, hae come as the agent for a party in Atherioa who has purchased some 20,000 acres of land in the harbour of Pagopago, with the intention of adding to it if possible. In addition to this, a number of wealthy gentlemen have either left, or are about to leave San Francisco, for the purpose of purchasing land, whilst sonie fifteen others are. coming from Honolulu, for the purpose of purchasing land and " roughing 't. We sincerely hops that they will not find it too rough, for there is nothing that retards the progress of a country like the first rush of speculators becoming disappointed and dissatisfied with their bargain.

The Weather.—During the past week i bo weathor has been somewhat boistrous, *ith occasional light showers of rain. Everything in the shape of grass, &c, are beginning to put on a parohed appearance, anil a good downpour of ram would do an amount of good.

CORPCS CHRIST!.—On Thursday wet k, i'ju 20th inr.ts.nt, the il mi I tion of tho Feast of Corpus ©hristi, was duly solemnised, with all tns splendour appertaining thereto, which the Romish 1 'hun-.h possesses, at the ohurch of the j Frenoh Mission at Apia. At 8 a.m. High I Mass was performed by the Rot. Fatlur Violetto, o Hie in ting-priest, assisted by the •Bsv *V'i«m iro||*goHarc'h»nd Vidsl.tyt-

ingas Deacon and sub-Deacon respectively. The Mail was intoned, as is the usual practice of the Catholic Church, and the musical talent of the girls belonging to the Convent spoke highly for the labour bestowed upon them. After an expressive sermon had been preached by Father Violctte, the Mass terminated and the procession of the ceremony of the exposition of the Sacred Host then commenced. The of the church had been very tastefully laid out with trees and shrubs in the shape of walks to guide the procession ; in the middle of the ground a beautiful alter had been erected by the Sisters of Mercy, from which the benediotion was given. The procession from the Church door formed thus: The young pupils of the Convent in double file, each carrying a banner or some ornamental staff, followed by the elder pupils tastefully dressed in white with pink scarfs, with wreaths of flowers upon their heads. Then came the pupils of the Catholic College at Vaia, also bearing banners, &c.; after them came the congregation of the Church. Next in order followed the Thuritiers, Acoilites, aud Torchbearers, about eighteen in number, all dressed befitting attendants upon the alter, followed by the two attending priests—Fathers Broyer and Delahay. After that, under a magnificent canopy supported by four men, came the Sacred Host, borne by Father Violette, who was supported by the Deacon and Sub-Deacon, the vestments worn by these latter gentlemen being of most gorgeous appearance. In consequence of its length the procession moved rather slowly. After the Host had arrived at the temporary alter ereoted, he ascended it with all the pomp and ceremony attending the Roman Catholic Church, and ho there gave the public general benediction. The procession then proceeded onwards and finally into the where a short prayer oonoluded the ceremony. The day was tine, and several hundred spectators were attracted to the spot to witness the procession.