TALK ABOUT TOWN.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 77, 26 April 1879, Page 2

TALK ABOUT TOWN.

" There's a cliiol amaag ye takiu' notes, Ami faith he'll iwreut thorn." During the short stay of the Commodore last week, the residentajyere, through his courtesy and thoughtfurness, afforded an opportunity of listening to the small but excellent band of tho Wolverene, last Saturday afternoon. Late on the day previous Commodore Wilson nutilied to R. S. Swanstoo, Esq., Acting British Consul, the fact that he would send the baud ashore at four o'clock on tlio following afternoon ; whereupon tho Consul immediately set to work to devise means for their proper reception and insure a good attendance of the public. On his application, August Godett'roy, Esq., kindly granted the use of his piece of land opposite the British Consulate, and the Consul sent written notices to the foreign residents, at the same time throwing open his establishment for their convenience. The consequence was a very largo attendance ; ladies and gentlemen crowding the upper and lower verandahs of the Consulate as well as all the a,ailable seats under the shade of the trees in Mr. Swanston's garden. The members of the Taiinua and Faipule (the native " Government ") were provided with seats under some trees on Mr. GudefiYoy's laud, where there was also a large crowd of foreigners, half-castes, and Samoans in their " Sunday best attired." Tho members of the band were permitted to wet their whistle as often astliev required at the expense and through the thoughtfulness of the Consul, who, in every respect, deserves great credit fur the "interest he took in making all and everyone comfortable., and for the successful "issue of the afternoon's proeeediugs which his arrangements were instrumental in bringing about. Of course there were faultfinders, and,—again, of course,—they were the very people who have tho least right to rind fault with the arrangements that were made. The Consul having thrown his house open to all foreign residents left his wife—than whom a more fit lady could not be found to do the honours of receiving—busied himself here, there and everywhere, looking after the comfort of the general public. I heard the question asked by one person who, although he is a British subject. ought to havo felt himself highly honoured at being allowed a seat on Mr. Swanston's verandah, " Where is the British Consul '" The person alluded to knew wore Mr. Swaustou was, at the time that ho put this sneering question :—ho was busy looking after those who could not bo accommodated with seats under the shade of the Consulate verandah. He was in the very place ho ought to have been. I met that gentleman, and alluded to the query. In reply he .pioted ScoLt's " Mammon " : " My castle is my king's alone, From turret to fouudution stone, The hand of Douglas is his own," — &a, Ace'., &o.

Mr. Swanston deserves the thanks of the community for the completely successful manner in which he carried out his arrangements for the convenience and comfort of all parties who listened to tho Wolverene's band last Saturday—our sneaking friend's remark, notwithstanding. Cyril.