THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1878.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 62, 7 December 1878, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1878.

\\hat constitutes tax fanning ? The ■question arises out of n comspondoi in tlieJßSji Times. The subject under dis-t-ttsston seems to bo the native taxation scheme coupled with tlie petition got till ngmnst Sir Arthur Gordon. Into that matter we do lint propose to enter. YW will only deal with a side issue raised by that most "voluminous of writers, Mr. \V l-'illinghnm I'uit. He draws attention to a letter published originally iu the Ceylon Times <,o tax fanning in th.it island, and he asserts that tlie same institution flourishes in Fiji. I„ the time of tlie Roman Empire the taxes were fanned tlie right of collecting them was put nil at unction and sold to tlie highest bidder, the highest bidJor thus became an instrument for the collection of the taxes ; provided only he paid to Government the sum bid at auction lie was free to squeeze all ho could from (he. people. The Sultan of Zanziliar ut the present day farms his revenue; a lump sum is annually paid him, the surplus after collection gonig into the pocket* of the farmers, who are generally British subjects, I'orsees, and others from Bombay. A large proportion of the revenue being raised Ironi import deties, paid by Europeans, at a rate fixed by law, there is probably no hardship inHictod except in the case of grain and other agricultural products, In both theso instances of tax fanning then, be it observed, those who hid at auction become the instrutnonta of collection.

What may bo the precise method of collecting taxrs in (I,:, ftgcioulturol dintiictß (if (Vyion, WO do not Irani from the 1.-ttnmf Mr. rhomas Heliuor, alluded to by Mr. FlUiughaui Put. it furnishes no information ; than arc allusions to "BTOtUa and sighs, a hideous paradox ; f.'ri|io of tin. vilwt cxtortiouew; honk of rapuoioua tvivtchtt; a u&ndaloai tad hy|KK:iiticil tga, oud an idl uiuroiful Cro. ator;" but thciv i-< no cxpomiro of the F.vstem denounced. Certainly, if tlio Room system of farming the rovennaa i.i.uil, InCa.vkw, nvlaacih join Mr.

Autistic.-- We bare been shown two splendid oil paintings of Apia, axecated by Mr. MUhenny. On.' takes iu the whole of the harbour and to wu from halfway to Muliimu Point right round to Matiuitu, and also shows a portion of the const beyond Matautu. The other commence* with the residence of Mr. Ilethcringtou and continues to alttlinuu Point. Any person wishing to obtain a well pointed view of the town and harbour would do well to secure one of these paintings. Assault.—Tho High Commissioners Court will be engaged to-duy in hearing a charge preferred against Charles Cowley, for being implicated in the assault committed upon some Gorman sailors on Tuesday night, the 2<ith Nov. Ml'itDKil.—The Line [stand man who murdered his wife at Vailclc last, week, and who we said had beo-j captured, wo learn is still at large. He is said to be in the vicinity of the Vai Sigano, armed with two large knives, and the natives are afraid to capture liim in consequence.

Isdkcext ExposrnE.—Tho Samoan authorities have, tip to tin.' present time fuileil to capture Usu Tnu, the native who indecently exposed himself in the homo of Mr. Axmau lasl week, although he bos frequently been wen in the vicinity of the town. All sorts of excuses are made, but the real reason why this scoundrel has not been brought tojusfce, it would Sinn, is that he is a member of the family of n great chief! Putty Larok.w:r.—-Householders ana nthem would do well to see to their window and door fastenings, and not only so but keep a sharp lookout for their property in the day time or they may find sonic of it suddenly and mysteriously disappear. During the past' week the light-fingered gentlemen have been pretty active, for in the early pari of the week General llartlett's house was entered and a quantity of native food taken therefrom: The same night All Sue's kitchen was visited, no doubt by the same parties, who were evidently preparing for a least, and two sides of bacon, a quantity of yams, and several carving knives were carried off. On Thursday, an individual who is evidently desirous of coming out a.s an accountant, went into the store of Mr. Axiuan and walked olf with his account hook.

IT. S. Oxsri.AH OrtiT.—Tho case of Tuaun v. Scaulon Brothers, for destruction of property, was heard in the I'. S. Consular Court, let',.re T. M. Dawson, Ksq. The char,.' was fully proven, and the defendants Monis.Oeorgo and Michael Scaulon, wen- severely reprimanded and tin: t >l : each in it Hi rjfio whiih MjrrisSeanlon was ordered to pay the balance of the cost of repairing the damage done to complainant's house. Complainant's costs to he paid out of the tines. Mr. Iletherington appealed lor the prosecution.