SAMOA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 460, 5 April 1890, Page 5

SAMO A.

Aucklaud, April 1. By the Wainui from the South Sea Islands to-day we have later news from Samoa. The Samoan “ Times ” of- March 22nd says : The U.S.s. Adams is expected in Apia from Pago Pago on Tuesday next, the 25th inst. She will probably remain here until relieved by the Iroquois, which vessel may arrive at any time now that the scare of hurricanes is about over. Commander Green, late of the U.S.s. Alert, who has been appointed to the command of the Adams, will, most likely, be a passenger from Honolulu in the mail steamer due at Tutuila to-, morrow or next day. ANNIVERSARY OF THE HURRICANE. Last Sunday, the 16th inst., was the anniversary of the greatest catastrophe ever experienced in the South Sea Islands. On that day twelve months, nearly 150 of the officers and crews of the German and American men-of-war lost their lives in the harbour of Apia. One vessel alone, the Eber, lost all on board, with the exception of one officer and four of her crew; and was herself sunk completely out of sight in the hollow caves of the reef, while all on board, with the exception of the watch on deck, were probably asleep in their berths. The sight from the shore at daybreak was appalling. The vessel struck the reef, and within two minutes 70 men were buried in coral caves. As the particulars of the terrible disaster have been spread all over the world by reporters of the press, we do not desire to recapitulate the fearful events odE that memorable . day, which will, no doubt, be recorded on the calendars of Samoa for many years to come, and will be remembered by those who witnessed the awful sight to their dying day. Even the reading of the report of the terrible catastrople can give but a faint idea; of what many of the poor fellows suffered. Just imagine over 150 m6n clinging to the rigging of the Vandalia, with no apparent prospect of being rescued. Some of them were so exhausted that they actually dropped from the rigging into the sea. All would have undoubtedly perished that night had not the Trenton been cast a helpless wreck alongside. There

were no men-of-war in harbour on the 16th, or, probably, some ceremony would have taken place ; but all the flags in Apia were flying at half-mast. The 16th of March, 1890, was a great contrast to the 16th of March, 1889. This year the waters of the harbour were perfectly smooth, and the day as fine as could be desired. THE SAMOAN LAW OF MURU. A Tutuila correspondent writing under date March 4th states : “ Fine weather for the last three weeks for a change ; everything smiling and gay ; the air redolent with sweet-scented flowers and odoriferous shark.

“The natives from windward are still in Leone. They are hanging on waiting for the copra cutting, but the Leone people are too fly for that, and still keep the taboo on ; but, in any case, there is no chance of any copra making for at least two mouths. Trade is at a complete standstill. “There was a little excitement up at the windward end of the island a few weeks ago, which might have resulted in something serious. Some Pago Pago natives went armed up to a small village opposite the island of Aunuu. The men were all absent from the village. The Pago Pago men slept all night in a house, and in the morning, after prayers, instead of saying ‘Amen,’ the leader called out ‘fire.’ The other men let fly at a lot of pigs, and killed several. They then set fire to the house and fired at a woman who was running away, trying to save some fine mats. They missed her, however. They then returned to Pago Pago. “ When the Aunuu people heard of the affair, they were very angry, as the village belongs to them. They sent word to the Pago Pago natives that the latter could either come up to Aunuu and fight, or they would go down to Pago Pago. However, they had a meeting over it, and decided to wait until the new Malo was started, when they would have a trial. “ The Pago Pago men state that the reason of their action was that the wife of a chief named Saefaleupolu had run away with a Falealili man, and that is why they burned down the house belonging to her relations. According to Samoan custom, they should have burned the man’s house. “ Some of the natives talk fight, as they say the conference is nothing ; they have waited nearly a year, and there is no sign of anything being done. However, the Tutuila natives are like an old dog—their bark is worse than their bite.

“ The Adams is in Pago Pago. I understand she will meet the ’Frisco mail and bring it down to Apia. The officers are rather anxious about the Iroquois. She is nearly four months out from Honolulu now.”