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Samoa Times and South Sea Gazette, Volume 3, Issue 126, 28 February 1880, Page 2

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SAMOA TIMES. Sir, —The Fiat has gone forth; the Die is cast; the Solemn Words are uttered. The municipality is in imminent peril, and the Municipal Board will shortly bo like Niobe dissolved in tears, and Othello like mourning for a lost occupation. So much may be prognosticated from the resolutions passed at Monday evening’s meeting, which declared that if the demands of the meeting were not accorded, to the persons who attended would not recognise the authority of the Municipal Board. But the question may be fairly asked, are there not certain little impediments in the way. Is not the 7th Article of the British Treaty with Samoa worthy of a passing consideration by British subjects. That, in effect, pledge? the British Government to enforce upon British subjects the observance of Municipal regulations which should be thereafter agreed upon. A similar provision is to be found in the German Treatys Article 8, and there is such a thing as Jurisdiction in the United States Consular Court over United States citizens who refuse to obey local laws. The fact is that we are so hemmed in by treaties and laws that it is better for us to accept good temperedly that whichis inaviteable than quarrel overit. A mouse once found that a house was very much in its way, and pushed lustily against it to remove it, and the only sad result was that| the mouse was tired. It has, however, been established beyond doubt that a meeting can be carried out in less time, in Apia than elsewhere. No less than seven resolutions of an important nature adopted in about twelve minutes ! The enlightened idea of dispensing with such useless effete matters as proposers and seconders of resolutions, and allowing those opposed to the resolutions to vote, also speaks volumes for the progressive spirit of the community. But will not the result of the whole matter be the conviction that “ it is hard for us to kick against the pricks.” I am, i:c., Good Temper.