SAMOA: Its History, Physical Features, and Inhabitants.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 4419, 12 July 1884, Page 6

SAMOA: Its History, Physical Features, and Inhabitants.

Before finally closing these notes, Bornething should, I think, bo eaid of the physical features and history of tho Samoan or Navigator Islands, which are perhaps most worthy of attention among tho unannexed territories of the South Pacific. The United States, Germany, and Great Britain have each considered at various times proposals for establishing a civilised Government over these fertile lands. In 1872, Commander Meade, of the U.S. stoamehip Narragansett, obtained ffbm Maunga, the principal chief of the island of Tutulla, a cession of the fine harbour of Pagopago (pronounced Pango Pango) for ten years, for the establishment of a United States naval station there. This right was afterwards confirmed. Tho Government of General Grant seriously meditated tko annexatian of thegroup, andhenceCol. Stoinberger's mission, of which I shall have more to say further on. There is an American coaling station at Pago Pago now, but the port is free to vessels of all nations. Tho policy of foreign annexation is so opposed to the past traditions of the United States Government that the President soon found there was no feeling among tho people in favour of departing from it in tho case of Samoa, and so the project was abandoned, and Steinbergor thrown overboard. Gorman interests are powerfully represented in the islands, chiefly by tho firm of Godeffroy and Co.. who, besides a plantation of 1,500 acres, virtually control the copra export. Promoted by this firm, a petition was circulated iv the colonies a few years ago asking the Emperor of Germany ts annex tho islands, but concentration rather than diffusion is tho policy of the Fatherland, and this movement faifed. Tho Government _of Great Britain rarely moves in any direction for the extension of her empire until a substantial body of subjects havo prepared the way and make the domand for her protection. Now, tho two or three hundred whites in the group aro traders with a few runaway sailors and ne'er-do-weels ; the English trading fraternity is in a minority, and, as I have shown by the interview with Dr. Canisius, is being crushed out. _ Nevertheless, it is firmly believed in the islands that Sir Arthur Gordon's policy was directed throughout towards the annexation of Samoa. Intimately affecting our interests in theSouthPacific, andmoroespeciallylookicg ito the movement in France and among other foreign powers for an aggressive foreign policy in the Pacific, it behoves the British Government to watch very closely the fortunes of tho weak native Government which has been set up, and prevent the Group from falling ultimately into the hands of any other European power. To remove the sliackels from British enterprise in these islands is the best way to Anglicize them. The Australasian colonists are deeply interested in forwarding this achievement. But for tho dilatoriness and want of foresight in Great Britain, tho criminal stations at New Caledonia would never have existed and British enterprise would have developed the resources "af Tahiti. By annexing everything that is worth having or that is capable of being made self-support-ing, the British will compel foreign Governments to look away from the South Pacific in their search for new fields to conquer. _ The Samoan Group comprises nine inhabited islands—Savaii, the largest (700 square miles in area) Upolu (560 square miles), second in size and chief in fertility; Tut'uila (240 square miles), famous for the magnificent harbour of Pago Pago ; Manua, 100 square miles; Oloosiga, 24 square miles j Ofoo, 10 square miles; Manua, ICO square miles ; Monono, 9 square miles; Apolinia, 7 square miles: total, 1,650 square miles. There are four small islets. Tho group lies between 13dog_. 27min. and Mdeg. 18min. south latitude, and 169deg. 28min. to 172deg. 48inin, west longitude, The temperature

ranges from 77deg. to 87dog. In tho shade— the liighest in January, the lowest in July. In vegetable and animal products these islands resemblo the Fijia, and the climate is adapted for tho growth of similar plants. There is an abundant rainfall, and plenty of fresh water. The orange, lime, and pineapple are indigenous. There are also many varieties of guava, citron, and mango. There are eight varieties of the yam—tho best, known as ufile, grows in large clusters; some weigh 801bs. The root is generally relished by Europeans, and may be baked into good bread. Of taro, tho water taro, which grows only in swampy soil, is considered best. It is of a lightblue colour, and contains a large quantity of starch. It is a good food, and is much used. The cocoanut and breadfruit furnish, however, the chief subsistence of the natives.

Every village has its plantation of breadfruit trees. Tho valuo of this fruit was soon discovered by the early voyagers, and the object of tho Bounty expedition was solely to procure a large supply for the English West India Colonies. She had sailed from Tahiti with about 800 pots, besides 1,01)0 plants, when tho mutiny broke out on board, and tho object of the voyago was thus defeated. Capt. Bligh returnod threo years afterwards in tho Providence, and having got a second collection of plants, ho on this occasion successfully executed his commission. Tho treo—not unlike an oak at a distance, though its loaf is totally different—reaches 40 feot in hoight, and branching amply out, will then completely cover a space of 30 feet in diameter with its shade. Tho leaves are abundant —\lto 18 inches long and 9 to 12 wido. They aro full of a milky-white juice, and aro excellent food for horsos and cattle. The fruit is round—about tho sizo, at maturity, of a husked cocoanut —with a toughish skin, full of small raised nobs, covering a farinaceous pulp, somewhat of the consistency and taste (when cooked) of newly-baked broad, on which account, doubtless, it has received its namo. This treo bears fruit for eight consecutive months of every twelve, and it ia rockoned that threo treos arosufticiontforthe nourishment of ono man, or an aero of breadfruit could support twelvo persona during theso oight months, without any other food being roquirod. Bcsidos this, tho fruit is made into a pasto and is allowod to formont. In this condition it keops soveral months aa a wholesomo and agreeable article of food. The wood is unequalled for housebuilding and for canoes ; it never rots, and is proof against sea-worms. Lastly, this wonderful tree gets no cultivation whatovor, not even planting, for young trees shoot out from the roots of tho old ones, and boar in four years. Of tho , bread fruit Captain Cook Bays : " If a man would plant ten of them in his lifo time, whichhecoulddoinaboutan hour, heshould thon have as completely fulfilled his duty to his own and future generations as tho nativo of our temperate olimo could do by ploughing in tho cold winter and reaping during the summer's heat as often as these seasons return, oven if after ho had procured broad for his present household he should convert ft surplus into money and lay it up for his children,"

Tho cocoanut tree Is applicable to an almost equal number of purposos. Iti meat affords a nurishing food; its milk an agreeable drink ; its husk gives twine (sinnot) and ropo ; the tissues round the stems of tho leaves, sewn together, make boat sails; the leaves aro used for thatching houses, and making mats and baskets; the wood of the dried branches servos for torches; tho shells of the nut for drinking gobletsundtuol; and thohard wood for spoars, hjuso posts, and other usoful purposes, Other fruits abound without troublo of cultivation. Furnished also with an abundance of lish food and pigs, it is no wondei that the people object to work, and declare that work was meant for slaves.

Tho islands are of volcanic origin, and exhibit many lava streams that prove tho continuance of volcanic action after tho land had been elevated above the eca. So recently as 180G a submarine crater burst forth in columns of fire between Maniinund (Mooting islands, the flames rising to a height of several hundreds of foot, and lusting a fortnight. Instead of creating new land, tho eruption was found to liavo left an almost fathomless sea depression. In nearly all tho islands, the crater! are very plainly marked; corah are found imbedded in tho lava at a height of 2,500 feet, and tho courses of tho more reoont volcanicfstroams can ho clearly traced. All the islands aro mountainous, somo parts of the ranee attaining a height of 5,000 feet. Savaii, tho largest of tho islands, is very nigged, and lias only been partially explored. Tho native population of the Navigator Islands is estimated at about 85,000. They wero converted to Christianity chiotly through tho exertions of tho Rev. John Williams, who established a mission therein 1830, and found tho pooploombracothonowroligion with great willingness. Their own mythology prepared them insomomoasuroforthis. Tlioy had no idols, but wero worshippers of sun,"moon, and stars, and the bonita fish. They also believed that tho spirits of tho dead re-visit their dwollingfl, but for ovil purposes. Tho custom pr'ovailod of laying tho head to tho east in burial, and lamentations continued for several days. Many of their superstitions and mythologies ntill survive, and aro mixed up with thoir Christianity. Tho London Missionary Society have sinco worked the field, and subsequently tho Rev. Georgo Brown, of Now Ireland colobrity, attained great influence over tho natives. It is narrated of him that on one occasion he stopped a war party by squatting down in the middle of the road along which tho warriors must pass. Their respect for tho missionary would not allow them to go by him, and he turned a deaf ear to their entreatios to movo aside. The Fronch Catholic mis*ion have a largo establishment on Upolu, but their adherents aro in a small minority, the London Missionary Society having takon a load which they never afterwards lost.

Tho natives are, as I havo noticed in former letters, totally different in appearance and race from the Fijians. Tkey ore straight-haired, and in all their predominant features allied to the Maoris of New Zealand. The crows of th« beats alongside the Wairarapa might readily havo Deen mistaken for Maoris. Savaii is one of those series of remarkable places of tho «amo name which Judge Fenton indicates as tho halting places of the Maori race in their migration aoross the Pacific. The language also lends strength to the identity, as may be gathered from a comparison of tho cardinal numbers in the Samoan, Tongan, and Maori tongue, appended below:—

Siimoa. Tonga, Maori Ono .. Kta»l - Tafia Tahi Two .. Kluo Ua Una Three .. Etnlu Touln Touru Four .. Efa Fa Va Fivo .. Elima Nima Rlma Six .. Kono Ono Ono Seven .. Efltu Fitu Vltu Eight .. Evalu Valu Talu Nino .. Kiva ' Niva Iva Ton .. Esefula Honolulu Nshuro Tlioro are only 14 letters in th« alphabet, aeio ufglmnpatv. It must bo set down to the credit of the missionaries that they have i promoted general education among the natives There is scarcely a child over seven that cannot read and write, the Biblo is found in every houso, and a church of stone, plastered inside and outside with lime made of ground coral, occupies a conspicuous place in every village. Those facts were pleaded by Mr VV. J. Hunt in the Now Zealand Couits when combating tho contention that tho Samoan Government was not admissible into the category of civilised nations.

The Samoan houses are large and round, and look at a distance not unlike circular haystacks. The framework consists of posts, and the roof is supported by pieces of wood tied together with sinnet. The entrance is low. On the floor it ii usual to spread a thick layer of gravel, on which mats are laid, rests of bamboo serving for pillows. All round, open spaces are left for entrance and ventilation. Theso are sometimes closed with blinds of coarse mat, and inside the house partitions are formed by hanging cloth made of the paper-mulberry. The cook-house is separate, but a small fireplace is usually found in the centre of each house, which ia used for lighting cigarettes; these are made by the women and children out of tobacco of native growth, rolled in banana leaf. The inhabitants all squat on the floor. Though free from the barbarities of infanticide, a wife was often killed in the old days for burial with her dead husband, and in war the heads of those slain were invariably cut off and treasured as trophies. The women are better treated than with most savage races. They never work in the fields. The men tight and fish, and often cook. The most valued fish are the mullet, bonita, ray, and swordfish. Sharks are also a favourite food. The common way of catchine them is to go out in canoes and drop the hooks in two or three fathoms and carry the line ashore. When the shark is hooked two or throe natives pull the fish into shallow water. Sometimes the natives throw a noose around the shark and drag it ashore, and often jump overboard and attack it with a knife in the water.

The great event of the year, however, ia the valolo season. This singular creature, which ia common to nearly all the Pacific islands, resembles a slender slimy worm, about 18 inches long, with a jointed body of various colours—green, Rrey, red, and white. It only appears once a year, some-

1 times remaining but a few hours—in Samoa about the beginning of November, in Fiji a little earlier. The natives predict the time with great accuracy, and a strict watch is kept for its appearance. A few are seen coming up through the coral reefs, always before daylight. The numbers rapidly increoso until the whole eea is covered, often to a depth of five or six inches. The whole population turns out amid great excitement, and canoes are loaded with the treasured spoil, scooped in witn netr and bowls. Nothing else is eaten while the supplies last. It is used cooked and uncooked, and is said to resemble the oyster in flavour, Europeans taking to it as readily as the natives. The palolo usually comes up on two successive days, and then disappears for a year. The natives make good fishing nets, knitted by womon. Somo of them aro 100 feot long and 10 feet deep ; they resemble European seines. Their bows are usually made out of tho shoots of tho mangrove, and the arrows poisonod with decayed fish. In tho manufacture of spears cocoanut wood is used, and they are barbed with the stings of the rayfish, causing a very nasty wound. There is a very romarkablo toothed bird, which is rapidly becoming extinpt, and from that cause and its peculiarity it is highly valued by naturalists. Dr. Canisius, tho American Consul, told mo that ho lias ono alive at his house, which ho intends to send to America by tho first opportunity. The bird' is a variety of pigeon, nnd has threo teeth on either sido of tho lower mandiblo. Tho other native birds are not of much importance— a few varieties of pigeon and watorfowl, tho kingfishor, and dovos with goldon, whito, and green plumage and scarlet crosts. Neithor tho insects nor snakes oil these islands are poisonous.

Tho Elophantiasls.-Romarkablo Cures by Dr. Maogrogor. Tho diseases from which tho inhabitants suller uro not numerous ; they ni'o chiefly affections of tho oyo and skin arising from oxposure to sea water and sun ; low fevers, rhoumatiiin, and chest complaints also prevail, and that most extraordinary and tcrriblo scourge of tho Pacific—the olophantiasis. Whon at Lovuka I saw portraits of threo men who had been buccossfully treated by Dr. Alacgregor for tliis ilise.no. Looking at the gigantic swollon limbs and onormouß tumour woighinß upwards of oijjhty jMunds, nnd then turning to tho picture of tho cured patient, ono could scarcely bolievo it was the saino native. Tho disease usually comes on with chills and high fever. When tho fovor subsides, a ecarlot and painful spot appoars on somo part of tho body, gonorally on the leg; tho spot spreads out and tho limb swolls to enormous sino. Although tho violent symptoms abate, tho enlargement becomes permanent, and tho sufferer continues to move about in an elephantine way for many yoars, often attaining old ago. Quinine is given with good offect for tho moderation of the fever, but tho only p«manont cure for the enlargement ia said to be cutting out in the case of a tumour, and removal to a cold climato within threo yoarg for the subjugation of tho swelling. After tho period named, the habit becomes confirmed. lam not aware what course of treatment was adopted by Dr. Maogrogor, b»t it was unquestionably successful, evon in reducing tho onlargcd limbs to their normal size. The surgical mode of treatment, lam told, is to sever the femoral nrtory; an oporntion which is said to be invariably attonded with good results. Tho disoaso is no doubt produced by tho food and habits of life followed in tho islands, and Europeans who have bocn long residont are liable to contract it. Its naino ia derived from tho dul fl (elephant diseaso) of Arabia, to which it ia uUin, and tho appoaranco and movements of the sulforor naturally suggest comparison with tho mammoth quadruped. A remarkable caso recently operated upon successfully in tho Princo Alnod Hospital, Sydney, hns attracted much attention in medical circles from tho fact that tho patient, aged 24, was a native of tho Ciimden district, New South Walex, and had never boon uwny from that district. Tho tumour removed weighed 471b*.

Political History of Samoa.

Politically, Samoa has had an eventful history. There aro two powerful families in tho islands—ono known by the name of tho present king, Malietoa ; tho other called tho Tupour party, who havo threo notable claimants to tho kingship—Tamaseso, tho presont vico-king; Pulopule; and Mataafa. The latter is Governor of Atua. Ho was educated by tho French Catholics, nnd is a renowned warrior, but has always refused to entor any intriguos for tho Crown unle.su upon tho clearly oxprossed wish of tho wbolo people Tho undo of tho present king, Alaliotoa Talavou, was more powerful than his nephew. Ho linn a handsome daughter, Princess Aliatassio, now twenty-two years of ago. Mr W, J. Hunt, who was deported by Sir Arthur Gordon, was this chief's adopted son. Tilo, the daughter of Tarnasoso, is also a liandsomo girl of 24 years. It is an interesting evidenco of tho liberality of tho Samoans that this princess was ono of three whe woro promised as wires to United StaUs Commissioner Goward when he returned with tho Samoan Embassy. I am unrtware whether ho accoptctl the triumvirate of beauty with the multiple responsibilities attached thereto.

A romantic story is told of the marringo of the present king, Maliotoa. He olopod with Toe, the favourito sister of Pntiolo, Governor of Apia. Her family were so epposod to the match that they looked hor up, but Bho succeeded in gotting a. mosB.igo conveyed to her lover to bring n boat round to Matautu, and having broken out of her prison, and eluded her guards, ■he swam off*) him, refusing to return, Hotwithttanding that ehote wore fired oTt,r her hoad by the guards who had pursued her. Fickle humanity ! The King lias tired of his brave and beauteous spouse, And has recently divorced her to mak« room for somo now fancy. The Steinborger and Hunt incidents are those which have brought the politics of Samoa most conspicuously into public notoriety of late years. Stoinbergor had boon sent by tho U.S. Governmentas Special Commissioner to report on tho islands. Prior to 1873 the people had beon governed by their potty chiefs and wars were constant. A movement had, howovor, arisen for tho creation of a permanent government. Stoinberger on his arrival seized upon this idea, and he was cordially assisted by tho missionaries and white residents in giving It effect. The Rev. George Brown, Wesleyan missionary, accompanied him on his visits to tho several islands. The natives entered into the movement with enthusiasm, and a constitution modelled upon that of the United States was drafted by Steinberger and adopted. Steinborger having now completed his report on tho islands, went back to the United States. Ths natives petitioned President Grant for his return, and he came back in tho warship Tusoarora with presents of cannon and guns from tho American Government. The United States Government had, however, abandoned- all idea of annexing tho islands, and Steinberger's second mission was a personal one, undertaken at his own expense, but still he held the office of Special Agent for the United States. After his arrival in Samoa 16 resigned that office, and became Premier under tho native Government. The King, who was a member of tho Maliotoa family, was elected for six years. The fame of tho now Government reached distant groups, and deputations came from the Kingsmill and othor islands praying to be included in tho Confederation. Stoinbergor now assumed royal airs. Ho had recoived a present of a steam yacht, tho Peerless, from a German firm who wanted to secure his influence, and he cruised about in state ; on shore he rarely travelled without an imposing body-guard. Ho rapidly alienated the sympathies of the whites, and charges wero made by Dr. Turner, the head of the mission, who had before assisted and befriended him, that ho was arrogant, and a man of grossly immoral character. The support of the Germans, which was based on an understanding that all the Government taxes ehould bo sold to them at a low price, was withdrawn in consequence of the discovery being made that Steinberger had entered into another contract with a San Francisco On the 13th of July, 1875, M.M. Barracouta, Captain Stevens, having British Consul Layard on board, arrived at Samoa. Two chiefs at Aana signed a petition asking Captain Stevens to annex the islands. This was presented by Mr Frank Cornwall, who afterwards became British Consul. The chiefs were seized by the Kingand imprisoned. Steinberger was abandoned by all the Europeans, and they persuaded the United States Consul, Mr Forster, to seize the Peerless, on the ground that she was a piratical craft carrying the United States flag, and violating neutrality laws. Sailors from the Barracouta were lent to the Consul to carry the order into effect, and she was sold by his authority. King Malietoa was persuaded to go aboard the Barracouta, and there signed a paper denouncing Steinberger as an unprincipled American adventurer. The native* on hearing of it deposed the King, and Captain Stevens had to seize a number of them as hostages for Malietoa's safety. A warrant was now issued by the United States Consul for the deportation of Steinberger, and Captain Stevens sent 70 tars to Mulinu, tho native capital,

and conveyed him a prisoner aboard the Barracouta. On the 13th of March Captain Stevens went with an armed party to Mulinu, nnd a skirmish ensued, three marines and eight natives being killed, and eleven natives wounded. The native firearms were seized, and hostages carried aboard the Barracouta, which soon afterwards sailed with Steinberger a prisoner aboard.

Captain Stevens'a conduct was subsequently condemned by Sir Arthur Gordon a8 high-handed, and the United States Government sent Consul Griffin to supersede Consul Foster. In their instructions the authorities at Washington distinctly repudiated responsibility for Steinborgor's acte, he having become an officer of the Samoan Government, but at JJiesame time declared Consul Forstor's order for his deportation to bo illegal.

On Consul Griffin's arrival tlio white residents urged him not to recognise the native Government, which Btill refused to take the deposed King back, and clung to the Stoinbergor traditions, carrying on the fovernment under the council of chiefs nown as the Taimua and Faipulo. The new Consul, however, determined to uphold the native Government, and this led to many disagreoablo complications with the whites. Mr W. A. Hunt, with a number of adventurous spirits, had in the meanwhile arrived from Auckland in tho gchoonor Canterbury, and these were taking an active part in Samoan politics against tho Government sido. One of Hunt s exploits was participating in a raid on Consul Griffin's office, and the Consul was bundled out into tho road. Luckily for him, a French warship arrived two days later, and the Consul repaired on board in a dilapidated coat and torn trousers, soiled linen, and an old straw hat, and besought assistance. Captain Aubo, tho French commander, at onco granted it, and placed 40 men at hie disposal, who rc-oetablished him in the Con sulute, and delivered up the Americana who had boon concorned in tho outrago for trial. Tho Acting British Consul sent a letter to tho Governor of Tahiti condemning tho action of the French commander,' and he was deposed and sent to Paris for trial. Before ho reached thoro, however, tho thanks of the United States Government had boon convoyed to France for the timely assistance rendered to thoir Consul, and Captain An bo, instead of being degraded, was made a Commodore.

The European residents, however, made It so warm for Consul Griffin that ho was obliged to take refuge at the native capital, whoro ho remained living upon breadfruit, coooanuU, and other native food for five months.

The native Government continued allpoworful in tho islands, and insurrection havingbrokan out among tho supporters of tho deposed King Maliotoa, successful war expeditions ware despatched for their suppression. The Government purchased the gchoonor Elizabeth for £1,000 to bo used as a transport in these expeditions.

It was about this time that the lynching of an American named Corcoran, who had stabbed a fellow-countryman in a bar-room at Apia, led to the first conflict between Hunt and Sir Arthur Gordon. Consul Griffin, having held a court of inquiry, declared the crime to bo one of miuiHlaughtor, and had the prisoner placed aboard an American schooner for convoyanco to San Francisco for trial. Tho same night a mob of 70 or 80 men of all nationalities took th« prisoner ashore and strung him up on a cocoanut tree.

In the February following, Sir Arthur Gordon, accompanied by Sir John Gorrio, Chief Justico of Fiji, arrived in H.M. Sapphire, and Sir Arthur Gordon having sent a letter to Consul Griflin, who was still under protection of tho native Government, oxpressingregrot for the violence used towards him by British subjects, ordered tho trial of Cornwall, Pritcbard, and Hunt as ringleadors of tho lynching. Tho two former were discharged, but Hunt was tentenced to a year's Imprisonment at Fiji, where ho appealed, but the sontence was re-affirmed. Having done this, Sir Arthur Gordon endeavoured to obtain the signature of th« Taimua nnd Faipulo to a treaty with Great Britain, ' but thoy refused to sign it, and a number of claims woro then preuonted against tho Gorornment, ia satisfaction of which the schooner Elizabeth was seized. The natives now asked Consul Griffin to place th« Governmeat under American protection, which ha did by hoisting the stars and stripes over tho native capital. Sir Arthur Gordon then desistod from pressing for tho signature of tho treaty at that time, but Deputy ■ Commissioner Maudosley subsoquontly returned with it, and failing to obtain its ratification, exacted £250 from the native Govornnont in satisfaction for tho Barracouta affair.

A month or two later the Samoan Ambassador who had been seat to tho United States for the purpose of getting the President's signature to a Treaty, returned in tho American warship Adams, and tho Treaty was proclaimed amid rejoicings on tho 41 hof July, 1878, being tho first formal recognition of tho Government by a foreign Power. Consul Griffin returned to America in triumph. Sibeoqueatly Sir Arthur Gordon visited Washington, when an arrangement w«« entered into for tho restoration of tho Malietoa party, and tho establishment of the prosent Municipal Gorornmont of Apia for tho white residents. After tho expiration .of his sentence in Fiji, W. J. Hunt returned to Samoa, and profiting by his experience of the strength^ of parties, formed an alliance between" Malietoa Lanpepa, the present King, and his more powerful uncle, the late King, Malietoa Talavou. Hunt got himself appointed Secretary and Premier, and obtained eonsidorable iafluenco among the natives. The oonßoqnenoe was a petition to Sir Arthur Gordon for his deportation on the ground that he was causing differences botwoen tho European residents and native*. This request was granted, and, on the 28th of August, 1880, Hunt was served with a notice prohibiting hif further residence in Samoa for two years. He went to Fiji and appealed, but the edict of deportation was sustained. Having been thwarted by the authorities in seTeral attempts to return to Samoa, Hunt came to New Zealand in ISBS, and entered an action for £8,000 damasea against Sir Arthur Gordon. The result was a verdict for £100 damages, on technical grounds, for the 10 dnys' imprisonment he had suffered in Samoa, and for the six days' imprisonment aboard the vessel oonveying him to Levnka. The Chief Justice of New Zealand, however, over-ruled the essential basis of the plaintiffs action by affirming the right of tho High Commissioner to deport persons to places in the Western Pacific, and by refusing to roeotrnlso the plaintiffs naturalisation as a subject of the King of Samoa, His Honor deciding that Samoa was not a civilised State within the meaning of the Imperial Naturalisation Aot.