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Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 79, 5 April 1879, Page 2

Diviks Servick.—To-morrow being the first Sunday in the month, the Rev. Dr. Geo. A. Turner will (n.v.) hold divine service in the Foreign Church, Apia, at 7JO p.m. The usual quarterly collection for lighting and repairing the church will be made upon this occasion. New Consul.—We notice in a list of Consulate appointments, published in a recent number of the Home News, that • Mr. J, M. Graves has bees appointed British Consul for Samoa. As Consular appointments am made by the Foreign Office, and that of Deputy Commissioner, for which office Mr. Swanston holds his commission, is made by the High Commissioner, Sir Arthur Gordon, we presume that it has been decided to keep the two offices distinct and apart the one from the other. Nuisances.—lf the Taimua and Faipule are desirous of doing something for the improvement of the town, we would advise them to compel owners of pigs to keep them at home, and to have the dead pigs, a number of which are at present lying about the beach, and the many other nuisances removed. By doing thus they will do far more good than by strewing a quantity of loose sand upon the road daring this dry weather. Seizing a 0 ankon.—During the past few days a party of t!;s " Government" supporters west to Afega, the capital of the Tuamassga district, knowing that there was no one but a few old women in the town, and carried off a cannon which was in the possession of the Tuamassga. If this has been the. result of advice from their Adviser, for the purpose of amicably settling the.differences existing between the Tuamassga and the " Government," we think he has made a fatal error, and cannot say much for his judgment. Hails.—The following are the number of mails received at, and despatched from, the Samoa Post-office during the half year ending 31st of March, together with their contents, viz:—Received, 41 mails, containing a total of 870 letters, 1074 newspapers, and 37 book packets, as follows : From Sydney, 8 mails with 223 letters, 543 newspapers, and 17 book packets; Tasmania, 3 mails with 4 letters ; Viotoria, 7 mails with 11 letters and 27 newspapers; Auckland, 8 mails with 110 letters, 252 newspapers, and 13 book packets; Fiji, 4 mails with 95 letters, 494 newspapers, and 7 book packets; Son Francisco, 5 mails with 401 letters, and 333 newspapers; Queensland, 1 moil with 1 letter; Haabai, 1 mail with 4 newspapers; Tongatabu, 4 mails with 19 letters and 21 newspapers. Despatched 42 mails, containing 1043 letters, 1700 newspapers, and 5 book packets, as follows : Sydney, 14 mails with 43G letters and 916 newspapers; Victoria, 1 moil with 6 letters and 17 newspapers; Auckland, 9 mails with 365 letters, 463 newspapers, and 3 book packets; Fiji, 9 mails with 111 letters and 247 newspapers; San Francisco, 4 mails with 109 letters, 82 newspapers, and 2 book packets; Tongatabu, 4 mails with 13 letters and 31 newspapers; Tahiti, 1 mail with 3 letters and 4 newspapers. This shows an increase of twenty-five per cent upon the number of letters and newspapers despatched during the - corresponding months of last year, and a slight increase on those received.

Pmmbntatiox.—The Tongatabu correspondent of the Auckland Evening Star says: mony took place at Uaabai, one of this group, on Christmas Day, namely the presentation to the Rev. J. Watkin of a purse of 00 sovs., and an address expressive of the esteem in whioh he was held by the European residents of that island, and also the regret felt by them at hit removal from their midst, after a residence of 10 years amongst them. This will be very gratifying news to the several friends of the mission cause, as it is a proof that at least there is one missionary in this group who has not'only done his duty to the natives, but also to the few European residents, during his long stay amongst them. The address was as follows: Doar Sir, — We cannot permit the departure of yourself and family from amongst us, after an extended residence of 10 yean in these Islands, without giving expression to the general feeling of respect Mm) confidence entertained by us, the .European community of Uaabai, toward you and Mrs. Watkin. I Nor can we omit to mention the undivided sense of gratitude and friendship! engendered by .year and Mrs. Watkiiis sympathetic exertions on behalf of to* sick and diitrossad,residents uud strangers whose sufferijujs, and wants have at all ticios commanded your.firnt and effectual care, and to whom : timely help was help indeed. Apart from your missionary

labour*, the estimation of which it more properly the province of the native population, but of the efficiency which we have had ample poof, we, are mora particularly grateful for the frequent Sunday services held by you for our special benefit. On yosn? now leaving the Islands, we trust the sphere of usefulness now open to you in the Colo- , rites will not obliterate your remember-1 ance of the few Europeans, whose lot has for many yean been oast with your own in Tonga, and begging your acceptance of the accompanying purse of sovereigns as a token of our respect and gratitude. We' bid you, Mrs. Wat kin, and family farewell, with our best wishes for your future welfare and happiness. —Your sincerely devoted, The Residents of Haabai.—To the Eev. J. B. Watson* Wesleyan Minister, Haabai Friend Islands. Dec 25,1878.