THE EXILED KING. RETURN OF MALIETOA. CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH MATAAFA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Aria, August 12.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 396, 24 August 1889, Page 4

THE EXILED KING. RETURN OF MALIETOA. CORDIAL RELATIONS WITH MATAAFA. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Aria, August 12.

For some days intense excitement prevailed here owing to the daily expected arrival of the German gunboat Wolf -with Kins i Malietoa and party on board. As the exact ■ time of the vessel's intended arrival was not ; known, it was resolved not to take any steps ; owards receiving- Malietoa until the Wolf was signalled. For &ome unaccountable • reason the vessel was not signalled, which had given rise to some very ugly rumours, ib being well-known here that the signal station keeper, who is a German, is a strong opponent of the Malietoa party. On Sunday afternoon, the 11th insfc., when the Wolf appeared at the entrance of the harbour the cry could be heaid all around Apia, "Sau le Tupu Malietoa" (the King Malietoa is come), and the whole of the beach in the vicinity of McArthur and Co.'s, near wheie the landing place is, became thronged with

AN EAGER AND EXCITED CROWD of both natives and foreigneis, the natives especially being intensely excited at the prospect (now so near) of once more seeing their beloved King, to whose memory they have remained so faithful. Nearly all the leading residents weie present, Our old niend the " Vagabond" was to be noticed particularly, taking an active part in what was going on. Se\eral boats and canoes went oft to tho Wolf, but none ot their occupants were allowed on board. However, ! one of the boatmen, under pretence of some business in c mnection with the supply of provisions bo the \essel, manajred to get on board and see Malietoa. He rushed on shore with the news. As soon as it was know n tor a cettainty that Malietoa was on board his old flag (the same which was torn down by the Germans some two and a-half years ago) \y>s brought out and hoisted on the flagstaff in front of McArthurs store. Three cheers v.-cie called for, and seldom, if ever, has there been such joyful cheering as resounded throughout Apia at the sight of the flag hoisted in honour of the return of one who, semi-savage though he' may be, proved hunt-elf to be equal to

THE NOBLEST OF THE NOBLE in the sacrifice he voluntarily made to stive his people and country troni the oppression of a so-called civilised nation. The crowd remained on the beach until sunset, but the King did not land, and it began to be surmised that the German? were going to perform tnis> act uf justico in a gracious manner and land Malietoa with some ceremony on the following day. But no, bhis does not. appear possible with them. About a quarter past six, when nearly all who had been on the beach had dispersed, a boat was seen to leave the side of the Wolf and go in the direction of Matautu. Some sharpsighted people could discern some persons in the boat with black coats on. It was at once concluded that these were Malietoa and party wnom the Germans were endeavouring to smuggle ashore, with the view or preventing any public demonstration. There was an immediate rush in the direction where the boat was about to land, and those most active reached there in time to hear Malietoa told by Dr. Steubel, Tierman Consul, who accompanied him to the end of the wharf, that he was

FREE TO DO AS HE PLEASED. He was immediately escorted to thebous B of the Chief Magistrate Folau. The scene that followed was mosb affecting. According to Samoan custom in a case of this sort, or anything similar, none of the Samoans would be allowed to speak to the King until the day following his arrival. However, this time they would nob be denied, but rushed forward and threw themselves at the King's feet,

KISSED HIS HANDS, and otherwise manifested their joy ab his return. Most of the leading white lesidents, including the couespondents of the various American and colonial piper?, we^e present taking notes of the proceedings. Mataafa sent a body of his men as a guaid, and in a \ery sboit rime airi\ed himself to giaet the man who^e interests he has so faithfully guarded during his absence. Their meeting uus most affectionate, and there can be no doubt of the sincere feuling which exists between them. They were both too much affected to speak, but embraced and ki-.-ed each other. The whole of those present then left the loom, judging that it would be best to leave the&e two" by themselves. After con\ersing for a bhort time they were in\ited to an impromptu dinner by the representative of McAithurand Co. There is universal lejoicing to-day amongst all but the (iermans." A great deal of unpleasant feeling has natuially been aioused by the manner in which they (the Geimans) tried to smuggle Mahetoa a^hoie. Samoans Irom all quarters arc coming in to pay their respects to the King. It is said that they prefer Malietoa as King to Mataafa.