THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I.’ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5. 1878.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 53, 5 October 1878, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I.’ SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5. 1878.

With this issue the Samoa Times euteis upon the second year of its existence. In sending forth our first issue twelve months ago wo informed our readers that the Samoa Times would be published as an independent journal, being guided by a sense of honour, truth and justice, and not by any particular party, firm, or clique. That wo have succeeded in this is testified to by the grealer majority of the residents in these islands. We have never shrank from our duty in exposing gross misrepresentations with regard to these islands which have appeared in one or two American papers, apparently written by interested parties. We have been charged from time to time by one or two chronic grumblers with being iu the pay of tho Gorman and British element hero, and being anti-American, hut this cltarge we have proved as false to the entire satisfaction of nil impartial ami sensible men. Our policy has been and still is to do the greatest good for the greatest number, irrespective of nationality. In tho course of our duty ns public journalists wo have deprecated the treaty between the United hi t a tvs and Samoa, because we could not see whore Samoa would bo benefited by it, and now, nine mouths after the passing of that treaty, wo see no reason for altering our opinion. In all matters that we have commented upon during tho past year, wo fee! certain that nineteen-twen-tieth". of the foreign population will bear us out that wo have done so fearlessly, and without favour, thereby proving that in this respect our mission has been a success. Wo desire to tender onr sincere thanks to those who have supported us by their ■ uhsoriptiona. Whilst tendering these thanks, we have to remark that as a business speculation—and flic proprietors of tho Samoa Times do not claim to he so philanthropic as to say that it is not a business matter— we are sorry to say that this journal is not a paying concern. For the whole of the twelve months it has been run a. a lot.’, ns out books and cash

box 100 plainly prove. Our cxpeiices are heavy—ju fact heavier than would be credited by the majority of our readers, Au ordinary business man can calculate the expenses, profit and loss of a store, factory, or any other business, but forms no idea, or even tries to, of the expenses of a newspaper. The Samoa Tim os is eagerly looked for every Saturday morning, and, we are told, would be a great loss to the community were it removed. The propiotors will not bo able to run the Times much longer at a loss, therefore it behoves all our friends to use every effort to furnish us with the “ sinews of war,” or we will have to seek a fresh Held for our labours.

Ti’nu Popu’s Fink.—lu tho paragraph, which appeared in our hist issue, announcing that Tumi Popo hud paid his fine, we stated that the tine amouutod to 511)0, and expenses S">o. This was a mistake inasmuch as the sum of 5100 included everything. Mails.—The number of mails received at, and despatched from, the Samoa postollice, during the year ending 30th September, 187 S. is 47 received as follows - From Sydney, 10; VietoHa, 7 ; Tasmania, 1 ; Fiji, 0 : Auckland, 12 ; San Francisco, <1: Queensland, 2. Despatched : 84 mails, as follows Auckland, 2j ; Sydney, 20 ; Fiji, 21 ; San Francisco, 7 ; Victoria, 4; Valparaiso, 1. The contents received in the above mails were 1310 letters, 2723 newspapers, and 23 hooks. Despatched: 1839 letters, 1888 newspapers, and 14 hooks.

Where have they Gone? —During tlio past week the Tainuia and Faipulo, known as the Samoan Government, have taken it into their heads to have a holiday after their long and arduous term of doing nothing. One report says that they have gone to the country to be reelected, whilst another has it that they are simply ijuietlv retiring from the affairs of iState. However this may be, they have loft three of their number on the Point to represent them, and it they ever re-assomblc again, wo sincerely hope that they will do so in such a position that they will be able to form a Government in reality, and not tbc mock thing tbathas existed hitherto. If they do not come back with this power, it will be bolter for all concerned that they should stay at home. 1' St ftnvsn ip PnrnT—Tim ease of

L . S. CONSULAR WOT, — JUOCOSOOI A!i Wing v. George was heard at the usual sittings of the United States Consular Court, ou Tuesday last, before *l. M. Dawson. Esq., U. S. Consul. The complaint alleged that George did on Monday, the 23rd September, steal the sum of sl3 from the dwelling of Ahj Wing, at Matautu. The Court, after hearing the evidence, found the prisoner guilty of larceny, and, after cautioning him. imposed a line of S2O, and ordoro.l him to DM" the ‘ M '' Hethorington appeared tor the prosecution. '