SAMOA.

Te Aroha News, Volume VIII, Issue 489, 16 July 1890, Page 6

SAMOA.

(from our own correspondent.) Apia, Juno 24. 'THE EXPECTED CHIEF JUSTICEAnother batch of mails have arrived, and still we are without any information as to the appointment and probable arrival in Samoa of the Chief Justice and Commissioners. This delay on the part of the Powers in supplying bur new law-givers is having a very bad effect. A few mischievous persons here are contriving to make certain of the natives believe that there is nothing in ihe treaty whatever—that it is simply a tonga-liti (scheme) of the ivhitc man, and the consequence is that disaffection is gradually but surely spreading amongst the Samoans, who are now divided into thieo parties—Malietoa’s, Mataafa’s, and Tamasese’s. The latter (Tamasese’e) party would, in ail probability, submit to Maiietoa’s authority; in fact, they have already shown every sign of being willing to do so. The danger is, however, to be apprehended from the Mataafa party. One of the religious bodies here, aided by a few discontented parties, have succeeded in persuading Mataafa that his claims to the kingship have not been properly considered, and that the recogniton of Malietoa by the Powers has been a slight to Ma taafa, after the splendid services rendered by him in securing the independence of Samoa. These agitators appear to forget the services rendered, and the Fullering endured by Malietoa in allowing himself to be taken away as a prisoner, so that his country should not suffer. Mataafa and his party find all manner of fault with the few enactments which havealready been made by Malietoa, which they assert are more in the interests of the foreign population than of the Samoans. Of course, if the Chief Justice and Commissioners were here these

agitators would speedily find their occupation gone ; but as it is, they go about the country spreading all sorts of malicious stories which the credulous Samoans are only too ready to believe. BUSINESS IMPROVING.

Business is Bteadily improving, and although the copra output this year will not be so large as usual owing to the trees not vet having recovered from the effects of the hurricane, yet on the whole, I think, the merchants here have no great reason to be dissatisfied. SOCIAL LAWS.

The King has just issued new and stringent marriage regulations, which, it is hoped, will have the effect of checking a great deal of the immorality winch exists here. Another regulation has been made, prohibiting the playing of cricket. Although this law, it it can be carried out, will have a beneficial effect, yot the present is a very bad timo to frame such a law. The agitators before referred to make this a handle to exclaim that tlio liberties of the Samoans are being unduly curtailed. VARIOUS TOPICS. The manner in which the collection of Customs and taxes is being carried on is causing a great deal of dissatisfaction, and several of the merchants are refusing to pay tho duties on goods arriving by this trio of tho Lubeclt. The action in the Deputy Commissioner’s Court by Girr and Company against Ostermeyer Dewerz and Company, of Sydney, lias resulted in a verdict being entered up by consent of both parties for the sum of £359 9s 3d, balance of account, and £SO damages. The amount claimed originally was £463, moneys owing, and £2,000 damages.. Before tho Alexandrine left for Sydney she was visited by King Malietoa, who on leaving received a royal salute of 21 guns. We have had a visit from tho Austrian training frigate Fasana, which left last week for Fiji. The U.S.S. Mohican is still here, but there is no German warship. The Sperfcer is shortly expected. Tho Ryno arrived on the 18th from Auckland.

There have been several smart shocks of earthquakes lately. The Jensen family of conjurers, variety artistes, etc., airived by the Lubeck, and are performing to good houses.