SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 5, 7 January 1899, Page 5

SAMOAN AFFAIRS.

ELECTION OF KING

THREATS AGAINST THE CHIEF-

JUSTICE

Affairs in Samoa are still in a very unsettled state, no king having yet been appointed. The Mataafa supporters have been causing considerable trouble and anxiety. They stationed large parties in the villages surrounding Apia to prevent the Malietoa chiets from entering- Apia to attend the enquiry held before ChiefJustice Chambers as to who should exercise the power of king in the Islands. An armed party of Mataafa's supporters approached Malietoa's villages in boats, but they were induced to turn back to their own villages. Strict orders bad been given to the Ma.lietoa followers that fighting was to be avoided, no matter .vhat insults or inconveniences were suffered, and therefore fighting was avoided.

One of Mataafa's supporters took an oath that he would kill the ChiefJustice, and as others had threatened to attack his house the British Consul, .Mr E. G. B. Maxse, issued a proclamation 1o the effect that the British flag had been hoisted over the residence of the Chief-Justice, and affirming that the persons of himself nnd family, as well as his house and the Supreme Court, were under the protection of the flag-, and an attack on them would be considered an attack on that flag. Mr' L. \V. Osborne, American Consul, issued a similar proclamation with regard to the American flag.

.SUPREME COURT PROCEEDINGS

The Supreme Court was opened on Monday, December 19, by Chief-.) ustice Chambers, to take evidence from the claimants for the throne. His Honor instructed the Marshall to call the High Chief Mataafa. There being no appearance he then instructed him to call the High Chief Malietoa, but there was no appearance of cither. At this stage Mr Hetherington Carruthers ■. informed His Honor that he in conjunction with Mr Gurr appeared for the Chief Malietoa. His Honor then requested ail foreigners and natives who were not connected with the case to leave the Court until such time as the Chiefs whose names had been submitted to him as representing the two candidates had taken their seats. His Honor then proceeded to call the names of the Chiefs to :he number of Li a-side, after which he addressed them explaining to them the manner in which lie intended to conduct the enquiry. He also gave his opinion as to the wording of the Treaty in regard to the enquiry which was about to continence. He said in his opinion the election of a 'King' was to be entirely faa-Samoa, but the manner of conducting this enquiry was according to the rules of procedure adopted in England, Germany and America, and lie intended to carry the same out on those lines. His Honor said he would allow three days for each side to make out its case, after which he would allow each side half a day to reply; then he would give a written decision on the 29th or ".Oth of the month. His Honor also produced an agreement which lie had drawn up binding both sides to abide by the decision of the Court and asked the Mataafa Chiefs whether they were prepared to sign the same as the other side had agreed to do, but as they were unwilling to agree His Honor intimated to them that it was the last opportunity they would have of signing. He stated he had no power to make them. His Honor then proceeded to read lengthy correspondence which he had received principally , from the Mataafa^ side which took up the whole of the forenoon..,

On the Court resuming the following day the Mataafa Chiefs requested His Honor to allow Mr Yon Bulow to represent them. His Honor was pleased to allow -Mr Yon .Bulow to represent them, and on his being sworn all papers on the Mataafa side were passed to him. Yon Bulow said that the Chiefs had protested, and he wished to explain why they would not sign the agreements. His Honor did not require the explanation and stated that if he continued to insult the Court he would have him placed under arrest.

A number of Chiefs were examined as to their right to elect a king. One of these Chiefs was very intractable and was ordered to leave the Court. He afterwards swore to kill the ChiefJustice, and this was the cause of the issue of the proclamations by the British and American Consuls. The Court met next day, when His Honor referred to the matter. The Mataafa Chiefs stated that they never heard of any attempt to injure him. They were glad when the Chief was dismissed on the previous day and would protect His Honor. The Court soon after adjourned. WAR FEARED. When the Taviuni left on December 28 the Court had not finished its session, but it was I'tnrioured that fighting was to commence on the following day.