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Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 63, 14 December 1878, Page 2

Capti'hks.—Tenuea,the Line Islander, I a native of Peru Island, who recently murdered his wife Joe, aboa native of Peru Island, has been captured, and has been lodged in Messrs. Qodeffroy'a gaol, where he w'll await the return of Th Weber, Escp, Imperial German Consul, when hf will ho [nit upon his trial. Usu Tau, the native who indecently exposed himself in Mr. Axinan'a house, has been caught at last by the "Samoan policorocn!" lie is to be tried at the German Consulate on Monday next, when wo hope that different punishment than the usual fine will be inflicted. Assault.—Joane, a Samoan, was fined §2'> and costs, ou Monday last, for having participated in an assault on a German sailor without the least provocation.

Kinks—-The practice of fiuing natives anil half-casles is, to say tin loos! of it. a very unsatisfactory one. When any one of these individuals are lined, the family subscribes to pay it, honcc the culprit himself does not feeltbe punishment, and at once proceeds to commit similar depredations, knowing that if he is caught his family wiil come to his assistance, and so on. Another ovil arising out of this system of fining is. that if the family are unable to pay the line, some of them loo!; around to see wdi.it they can steal and turn into money to pay the tine, an 1 hence it is that nine times (.ut of ten the foreign residents, ami not the culprits, are the sufferers bv the fines thus imposed. Messrs. Godelfroy and Sohu have a very good gaol upon the premises, which we have not the slightest doubt I hoy would gladly lend to the Samoa n authorities. Unce let the Samoan and half-caste rowdies see that they cannot get oif with a fine, and we will venture to assert that we will hear ie.ss of them than hitherto. We hope that the acting German Consul will strongly object to Usu Tan beinc lined on Monday next, and if lie calilloi succeed in .having him Hogged, ivc h*>pe he will not be content with anything short of imprisonment. If scoundrels are allowed to enter a house and expose himself as this one did, no man's house will be safe from their raids when they know that he is out. What is more if the Samoan authorities do not soon show a greater willingness and ability to punish tlieir countrymen, some foreigner will take tie' law in his own hands aud wiil administer punishment that they will feel a little more than lines, it' they have any feeling at all five minutes afterwards. There is a limit to the sull'eiings of humanity, but when a scoundrel* enters a

man's house as LTsu Tau did,although hi may be " a man and brother," it goes beyond the limit. Love Episode.—A month ago Laiafi's sister suddenly disappeared in Sauloan stylo from tho shelter and car'- of hoi brother, and took up her abode with hei ■ lover, n young chief of Faleata ; aftei sonio parleying and threats of veugeancc : upon the young woman, she was eventui allv induced to leave her iover and "ii i back to her brother. He, for furthoi 1 security, sent her to her relation- ,a S ,lo- ■ solo. Upon this the greater paii .t" tn-- . men of tie.'village in whir!) tie voon i chief, her lover, lived, took the affair 111. . and determined that their yuu i_ chiei • must not loose his new and y )uu> « it. i so they, according to the Sanio in custom ! waited upon the young ladies' brothci : da}' after day to induce him to agree ti ! let her go to her lover and live wit 11 him i But Laiafi was resohito that she should not go and Demean herself to live with tlii.- young chief, he had iiigner nm'iiti i for her. It was seen liy the villu->ois that their pleadings were in vain, so they agreed upon a stratagem, which they c.ir- ' ried out to a successful issue Two voire' men of tho village were sent oil' ..u a journey to this village, ,m 1 evou beyun I it if occasion required it. They arrived at the town towards evening, aud uaui. rally would slop at the big house of tin village that night, as they would bi frightened to go on at night on account of their belief in ghosts. The l'iu r Idiot the village is also the dwelling-place of the maid"- and single women of th village. Some of these .nni Is disc >vr.-1 that these two young travellers Were ol the same village as (bo lover of the young woman, lately sent to their e.nv to keep strict watch ovor her. The two travellers were plainly told thai they had come upon some errand; but they were equal to the occasion. They stated that they belonged to the same village, but their villagers and neighbours were divided into two parties, politically aud in family concerns; hut they were,if the opposite party to the young chief, the girl's lover. However they watohed their opportunity and spoke to the young girl, and she, willing to join her lover, told them that Friday was the best day at daylight, for then all tho men and women would go inland to got their foo'l ami work in the plantations. Friihiy being only one day ahead tho two travellers therefore returned and Were among their friends by Thursday night at Mulinuu, who were waiting upon !,uiali for his sanction to let his Mstcr go. So Unit night it was agreed that they would all but three men return to their village, man their largest and fastest tauuiolua and itarl that very night for the village iu which the ymig woman was living. They were well ar d. intending to get her at all hazards. They were oft tho beach soon after daylight, and saw the young woman sitting on the beach very disconsolate They lauded

opposite to where aba was sitting, two I men jumped on shore mid led he? to the taumolua, and then they started to* th«' i own village in EVleat* bay, quite joyous and elated that their expedition mi no successful The toven an now, faaSaiuoo, man ami wife, but the villagers will anxiously wait for the faiga hum tb ■ ie tougai and property that will come after her.—(Communicated.)