CORRESPONDENCE.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 55, 19 October 1878, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

A\ e are always willing to give insertion to letters of explanation or interest, but wc wish it to be distinctly understood that we do not endorse the opinions expressed, or language used, by our correspondents. Our iileus of passing events will be found iu our local or editorial columns. ro THE EIIITOU OF THE SAMOA TIMES. Sin —ln your last week's issue a writer over the nom do plume of "SuumCui- ! que " makes an attack . n the actiou of the British Consul, in refusing to co-ope-rate wit.i tuo German and American Consuls in aiding the L'aimua and Faipule to stop tho saio ot liqaoi to tho natives in Apia, and winds up by saying uu likes to seo fair play. " Suum Cuique," upon enquiry, says he found the rumour afloat to be correct, and lie also discovered that Mr. Swanston withdrew iiis co-operation at the last moIttrill. Evidently being of an enquiring turn of mind, it is a pity that " Suum Cuique " did not pursue his investigations further, more especially as beseems to be pretty well veised with regard to the Consul's instructions, which circumstance would have aided him materially in his search for truth. For instanco, he might have found that nt the taut moment a cut and dried set of laws for the guidance of the Taimua and Faipule themselves were tacked on to this liquor business, and a nice little tea party of three, with a certain gentleman for their secretary intended to run the machine. He would have ascertained also that this stopping of the sale of liquor to the natives was merely a haudlo to the dish proposed to be served up. and then in all probability he would not " feel quite confident " that his (Swanston's) instructions do not forbid him to co-operate with the other Consuls for such a purpose. Under these circumstances probably 1 Mr. Swanston thought it better to "bear ' the ills we have than fly to those we know ' not of." Some little time ago, Mr. Editor, I sawit advocated that the Samoans should have two kings. This little game goes ■ further and provides for three kings. ' Well might we exclaim " Under which King Benzonian." It is sad to see that • '• Suum Cuique " seems personally hurt ' at Air. Swanston's action, but let us in ' charity presume that that gentleman knows what he is about, and entreat ■ " Suum Cuique " to " grin and bear it " a • little longer. 1 Probably the British Consul had in his ' mind's eye the bright array of intellect j gone glimmering in tho past, who had ' meddled with this same fire and had ' ! their fingers burned for their pains, thore--5 fore he was weak in the faith, or he ' thought perhaps that England sent him • here to reprcsc .tßi'.i..,. ....■.■ csUi and not to rule over S.uuo.uis. 1 If this matter had H n r\ vrrie! "■' ' ■ honestly ami in good faith, it, would rert tuinly have met ;:,..■ cordial upprovai of ■ all the white residents Here, but unfortu- ■■ nately for its success, and for the peace • and quietness of this placo, ambitious i schemes iam ■ to the front and " nipped ■ it in the bud.' ) No oue recognises tho r.ecossity of such ' a law here in.no than we do, but in all r conscience let it be done fairly and in the 1 right way. It is "an abominablo state of affairs " I as "Suum Cuique" says, and a disgrace to this people and place. Ye', in order to ■ do away with it, it is not necessary that : the three Consuls should govern the > Samoan islands. I admit, howevor, that i " three kings" is a good hand to hold. - "Suum Cuique," next time you try to • ferret out a matter <ti this kind, probe it ; to the bottom. What wc do like are bottom I facts, as Weil as fair plav. I Yours, &c, See 'em Quick.

such high jiosllious as some of them have attained ; one. I hear, i< probably kin" on one of the Line Island*, and another he - pme to the I.’nited Slates in hopes of securing a high position in Tinmark, win re ho will have plenty of time to write another addition to the Danish Days, or to some lovely maid of that place in poem. “ Snuu Cuiquo” hints that Mr. Swanston follows the footsteps of Mr. Liardel, but 1 am sure that is not correct. Mr. Swanston, during his stay here, has not taken up his abode with kanakas, or supplied them with gin, but on the contrary has done everything in his lawful power to procure peace and security to British subjects. “ Suum Cuique " evidently has a poor opinion of the treaty between the United States and Samoa ; he shows contempt for the Samoan Government when, by his views, he charges the latter with being unable to deal with a drunken kanaka | without the aid, assistance, and interfer- | once of the Foreign Consuls. Little credit is also given to the Government of the United States in making a treaty ; with such a weak Government as Samoa. Fair play is needed, 1 am, &0., Heap eh of the Samoa Times. TO THE EDITOR OF THE SAMOA TIMES. Sir,— Not being able to read your valuable paper, 1 am only now informed of an article which appeared in your issue of Saturday, September 21st, 1878, wherein you state ray house is the most notorious of the avaricious grog-selling houses to natives. This I deny. My house is closed at 8 p.m., because my business as a baker requires me to rest. Neverthelcssyf a man comes to me sober 1 will (till prohibited by law) sell him goods as my neighbours do. In the face of early hours, and not considering my house as a bona fide grogselling establishment, I cannot see how I can ho the most notorious of avaricious grog-sellers; for I will not supply either foreigner or native if they come to my house intoxicated. Not having heard of any more remarks I now ask you to publish this as a refutation of the article mentioned, as I am convinced you have been wrongly informed, and thereby fallen into error. I am, &c., Emantei. Fek.vasdez. Matafele, Oct. 17. IS7S.