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Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 78, 3 May 1879, Page 2

DiVINB Service. To-uiorrow being the first Sunday in the mouth, the llev. Dr. Geo. A. Turner will (d.v.) hold divine service in the Forcigu Church, Apia, at 7.30 p.m.

Swobd-fish Again.—A native of Saleluvalu, named Matauli, while ou his way home from Palauli, in a native taumuolua, was severely wounded in the book part of the neck, by a sword-fish, which jumped from the water into the boat.

Robbery.—On Sunday night last the house of Ah Wing, at Matautu, was broken into, and property to the value of about $250 extracted. Another Chinaman's house at Matautu was eutered on the same night, and cash to the amount of SIOO taken therefrom.

Spouts.—Some of our local horseowners are desirous of trying the racing qualities of their horses, on the Queen's Birthday. We are of opinion that a very good day's sport might be arranged for that occasion, and would suggest that a public meeting be held to take the mutter into consideration.

Furious Riding.—Considerabledanger is frequently experienced from the practice engaged in by the natives riding in a most furious manner along tho Btreet. Some, of the school ohildren had a very narrow escape, from this cause, upon coining out of sohool a few days ago. It « a groat pity that something cannot be done to put a stop to this dangerous praclic.

Eels.—We are informed that the reef lying between Fataosafla and Maaono is becoming quite dangerous for natives and others to walk upon, on account of tho large number of ferocious eels that aro about there. Our informant is unable to inform u* to what species they belong, but he says their mode of attack is to' twist themselves around the legs of thn person who is walking on the reef in such a manner as to threw him down, and tho chances are that the person Uiur caught is likely to be drowned before he can extricate himself. Several narrow osoapes have recently taken place. As Messrs. Godoffroy and Son have a plantation or two in the immediate vacinity, the labourers upon whioh are inveterate fishers, a hope is entertained that this pest will soon bo cleared out.

Attkmptkd Robbery.—A native of Fasitootai, named Fuletua, jvhilst walking past Mr. Cornwall's store, a few days ago, seeing the window open, and no one bandy, could not resist the temptation to enter. He was caught in the aot of carrying off some of the goods, arrested, and brought before Moepau, the Governor of I Aana. The prisoner pleaded guilty and was fined §2O. Assault.—The foreign residents in Aana are blessed by having such a man as Moepau as Governor of the district. He appears not only to have tho power but the will to protect foreigners and their property within his jurisdiction. A short time ago Mr. George Grey was assaulted by a native; a complaint was lodged before Moepau, and the culprit was forthwith brought up and fined S3O, 320 of that being paid in cash to Mr. Grey. If we had a few more chiefs like Moepau in Samoa, the foreigners would be more respected than they are by the natives, and robberies, assault-,, &c, would be less frequent than they are.

Monster Fish.—We have heard of monster gooseberrys, monster pumpkins, and various other monsters, but the story of the monster fish which was lately caught at Savaii, throws all that wc have previously heard entirely in the shade. For some time past a large fish of the stingaree species had been regularly noticed in the vicinity of Salelologo. Mr. W. Robeson determined upon its capture so ordered special gear from Apia. The fish when secured required the whole of the town, which is not a small one, to land him on the beach. This monster was estimated to weigh not less than two tons ! In order that our readers may be enabled to form some idea of the size of this fish, wo arv informed that the flesh between the eyes and mouth weighed twenty-six pounds. However incredible this may appear, it is vouched for by parties who not ouly saw the fish, but ate some of it. Truth is sometimes stranger thau fiction. We are informed that two or three other large fish of the same species have since beeu caught in the same place, but they fell a long way shert of the first one in weight.