SAMOAN HIGH CHIEFS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 209, 4 September 1929, Page 13

SAMOAN HIGH CHIEFS.

MAU LEADERS IN AUCKLAND. MAGNIFICENT PHYSIQUE.

Two passengers from Samoa by the Tofua, which arrived on Monday, were High Chiefs Tuimalealiifano and Faumuina, who have come to Auckland at the request of the Hon. O. F. Nelson. Both these chiefs (says the "Star's" Apia correspondent) are prominent Samoans, and at the head of the Mau organisation; in fact, it might be said that at present they are the Mau, for without their influence and leadership it is possible that the organisation could not be held together, particularly as it has become necessary for High Chief Tamasese to remain very quiet.

Faumuina is a person who will undoubtedly attract a good deal of attention in Auckland on account of his magnificent physique and appearance and true chiefly bearing. This same gentleman has had hard words with the Samoan Administration on more than one occasion, and was at one period banished by Sir George Richardson. Even if some of his ideas seem somewhat misguided, Faumuina has the interests of his race at heart, and at the risk of losing favour with his own people has on occasion severely criticised their actions. During the crisis of the political troubles in Apia it is believed that the restraining action of this chief contributed largely to keeping the peace. Both these High Chiefs were compelled to conform to a certain little formality before obtaining their passports, a formality which must have gone against the grain, that of paying unpaid taxes.