VISIT TO SAMOA

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 86, 2 October 1911, Page 8

VISIT TO SAMOA

MATAAFA INTERVIEWED. INTERESTING ACCOUNT BY BISHOP GRIMES. Christchurcli, Saturday. In an account of his trip to the South Sea Islands Bishop Grimes said ithat one of the most interesting incidents of the visit to Samoa was the interview with the famous Mataafa, whose claim to Samoan sovereignity will be remeihbered. Mataafa is approaching the end of his life, and is noiw very ill; indeed, lie was reclining on a native mat with some thin white material wrapped round him. Bishop Grimes could not help being impressed with the fine expressive features and truly manly form. _ , Mataafa courteously expressed his regret that he could not rise to receive hia 'visiitors from distant New Zealand. He rejoiced that they had come at a time when they couid see his people enjoying peace and tranquility, and subject "to authority. Bishop Grimes replied that the visit would 'always be a memorable one for him, and that the respect and veneration he had felt for Mataafa as a great -warrior and model Christian had, by meet- ( ing him face to face, been increased a ( thousandfold. Mataafa's son made a nice reply, and j the kava cup was handed round, first to Bishop Grimes, then, to Bishop Broyer, then to Dr. Kennedy, then to a missionary, and finally to the old chieftain. The bishop could not help noticing with what reverential respect, grace and dignity the cup was presented on bended knee bv one of Mataafa's attendants. The bishop was made the recipient of several gifts, including some kava, a portion of a pig, a fish, a pigeon, and two pieces of fine tappa or native cloth.

INDIAN'S IN THE ISLANDS. '•The Indian coolie," said the bishop, "is becoming one of the gravest problems of the Fiji group. There are now 40,000 in the group, and they are increasing at the rate of 4000 a year. They are paid' one or two shilling!? a day for their tabor. It seemed that unless steps were taken to prevent it Fiji would become

nil Indian colony to all intents and purposes. They live in huts which are poor and filthy in the extreme, and the con. ditions are most evil and insanitary. The condition of affairs is a disgrace to civilisation."