FLAG FROM SAMOA

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 976, 20 May 1930, Page 16

FLAG FROM SAMOA

MYSTERY OF HISTORIC EMBLEM WHERE IS IT HIDDEN? From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Monday. Reference to the German flag which was hauled down at Apia, Samoa, in August. 1914, was recently made in a Wellington paper, when it was stated that the flag was now hanging on the walls of the vestibule of the Auckland Public Library. The opinion that this flag is not the original one, which he claims is in a room at the Parliamentary Library at Wellington, was expressed by Mr. J. J. Costall, now visiting Hamilton. and who, for 45 years, was assistant librarian at the Parliamentary Library, and retired about six years ago. Mr. Costall bears a striking resemblance to Lord Jellicoe. Some years ago, Mr. Costall stated, be was offered a bribe by a foreigner for the flag, which is a magnificent silk one, and on which is inscribed the signature of Colonel Logan, who ordered the flag to be lowered when the New Zealand troops took possession of Samoa. Mr. Cottrall informed Mr. Charles Wilson, who was then head librarian, of the incident, and expressed his fears that efforts might be made to steal it. As a result the flag, together with a New Zealand ensign from one of the warships which visited Samoa at that time, was removed to the magazine room and kept under lock and key. Mr. Costall believes it is still there today. A report circulated recently, which drew forth the comment in the Wellington paper, stated that the flag in auestion was mysteriously hidden at I Rangiotu, near Palmerston North. | it was said that “obviously someone I has got things rather mixed.” With the addition of Mr. Costall’s story things still appear to be somewhat mixed, as three resting-places for the historic emblem have now been cited. Probably an official intimation from Dr. G. H. Scholefield, now librarian at the Parliamentary Library, would clarify the position.