SAMOAN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3382, 30 May 1881, Page 2

SAMOAN NEWS.

We have copies of the "Samoan Times'' to April 9th. Everything appears very quiot in the islands. Both parties of natives are, metaphorically speaking, resting on their oars. The Old Party seora to be divided among themselves as to whom they should set up as king in opposition to Malietoa. It was rumoured that Aana had determined to have a monarch all to themselves. On Saturday several parties set off dowu the coast to witness the making of the new King, but they returned to town on Monday without having gained the object of their journey, the ceremonies having been delayed. Even tho3e best versed in native affairs cannot give any opinion as to the course which may be pursued by the different factions in the Group. Mr Dawson United States Consul, who is a great pedestrian, visited Falealili, and while there united in bonds of wedlock several young couples would have discovered that a life of "single blessedness" is not the due order of things. Mr Graves, Her Britannic Majesty's Consul, has made a tour |of Savaii. During his visit ho was informed that on Monday, the 21st ultimo, " palolo " had appeared iv large quantities on the reef near the village of Gogatnalae. Such a phenomenon had not occurred during the memory of the " oldest inhabitant," and as tradition records and actual observation proves that this wonderful production of the South Pacific has never shown itself on the reefs which circle these islands except during a day or two in October of each year. Its appearance at such an unwonted time ia regarded by the natives on Savaii as an omen for Samoa— whether of good or evil remains yet to be