THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 1879.

Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 2, Issue 97, 9 August 1879, Page 2

THE SAMOA TIMES. "Sworn to no Master, of no Sect am I." SATURDAY, AUGUST 9, 1879.

Fink Paid.—We learuthat the fine of $2500 put upon the natives, last week, for seizing passengers, and carrying off cargo, from a German schooner, has been fully paid. The hostages were taken home by H.I.G.M.S. Albatross yesterday.

llorse Steai.iso.—Ma'i one of the natives who broke out of prison some few weeks past, was brought up in the Albatross, on Wednesday last. Yesterday lie was brought up before T. M. Dawson, Esq., United States Consul, charged with stealing a horse from Michael Scaulon. The prisoner was ordered to be held iu custody till the horse was returned.

End of the Pamise.—The old adage,' " it's either a feast or a famine," has been full verified during the past week, no lots than tbrca vessels having arrived from New Zealand with a plentiful supply of provisions. The result of this has been to reduce the price of many articles of food, especially the staff of life. Neutral Tebmtoby Couet.—On tho +th instant, before J. hj. Graves, Es.i., H.B.M. Consul, Moses, a Rotomali man, was fined $3 for being drunk and disorderly. Two other natives were fined gl:50 each for a like olfence. 0u the oth instant, Mr. Jits. Laurensou was charged with a violation of the Liquor Regulation, but the case not being proved was dismissed. Moa, a Sanioan, was dismissed with a eautiuu for making a disturbance.

Drii.i..—Upon several occasions during the past week or two small bodies of men have been landed from the U.S.S. Lackawanna, and put through their facings, upon the square in Apia, to the intense delight of a huge number of natives. From what we have seen of the drilling, iind when we are informed that the men have not had an opportunity of being drilled on shore for many months, we must say that the manner in which they go through the various manamvres does credit to both themselves and their olhcers.

COMMEIICIAL.—The European Mail of June 0 reports:—Cotton—The market fluctuated considerably during the past mouth, and a large business was done ; at one time prices advanced }d, to id., but the speculative demand has since subsided, and quotations are about on a par with those ruling on the 7th ultimo. Long stapled kinds continue in request, hut are very scarce. (food hut not fine Fiji has been sold at 27J.i1.; good stained, lOd.; Tahiti has brought \i£d. Copra —There is a steady demand at £2l to £22 per ton for fair to good quality in hags, and loose is worth Xl{> 10s. to £2l, according to quality and condition. Ockan Rack.—When it became known that the sch tors Mnzeppa and Ovalau, both of which arrived in harbour OH Tuesday last, had left Auckland tho same day, considerable interest was manifested as to which had made the best run. Wo believe also that considerable money has been laid in Auckland upon tho "result. For tho benefit of those who are interested we have made the following extracts from each ship's log:—Mazeppa—dot under way at l)*.m.; paused Cape Colville at 1 p.m.; off Great Banier at 2.15 p,m; arrived in harbour at !).:)() a.m. Ovalau —Uot .under Way at !) a.m.; off Cape Colville at i p.m. ; passed Cuvier Island at 8 p.in.; arrived in harbour at 12,30 p.m. When it is ■considered that the ilazeppa .took her start from a point about three miles lower flow* the harbour it must he looked upou as a tie.