SAMOA NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 246, 17 October 1929, Page 11

SAMOA NEWS.

ARGUMENT WITH AXES.

MERELY A NATIVE CUSTOM.

CLASH WITH APIA POLICE. (From Our Own Correspondent.) APIA, October 2. In Samoa there is one explanation which covers many things, and that is the Samoan phrase "faa-Samoa," which means "as is done in Samoa." It explains anything unusual or irregular and, strange to say, is usually accepted as a good explanation. Recently two Samoans had a little dispute over a land question, which from heated words came to blows. Unfortunately for the ultimate disposition of the argument, the blows were delivered not with fists but with axes., and as might be expected, the disputing parties were both injured. At this point the police entered into the argument, and both natives were charged with causing grievous bodily harm, and as the evidence was painfully apparent, were duly convicted. Before delivering sentence, his Honor the Judge heard the plea of several Mau chiefs from the district where the affair had occurred. They carefully explained that although there had undoubtedly been a dispute, which had undoubtedly been settled with axes so as to cause grievous bodily harm, nevertheless the whole thing had only been settled faa-Samoa. That is, such a decisive method of settling quarrels was quite the usual thing among Samoans. They further assured the Court that there would be no further trouble over the matter, whereupon the Judge, out of consideration for the plea :of the chiefs, ordered the accused : natives to come up for sentence if called i upon within the next five years. Clash With the Police. ; With a ship in port it can generally be expected in Apia that a little more excitement that usual will occur in the town. If not a Mau demonstration, something else will happen. On the last visit of the Maui Pomare everything was going smoothly, the natives were bringing in their bananas, sorting and packing was going on in the Customs shed and lighters were being busily loaded. Suddenly the peaceful scene changed. A policeman quietly scouting around the Samoan banana producers spotted a "wanted" Samoan and promptly proceeded to arrest him. What happened then is not clear, but apparently the man under arrest had friends among the crowd, for with a mighty yell the mob of excited natives surged around and over both policeman and prisoner. One or two other policemen dashed to the rescue and managed to save their colleague from obliteration, but the prisoner was gone. However, he did not escape scot free. Hie lavalava, the sole piece of clothing he had been attired in. remained in his erstwhile captor's hands, and the last sight to be obtained of the late prisoner was a completely naked man throwing up dust in the direction of the village of Vaimoso.

Schooner in Heavy Seas. The trading schooner Cboiseul, which arrived back from Nassau and Puka Pnka recently, reported a rough trip. Almost from the time the vessel left Apia heavy weather was encountered, but the climax came about three days out when, after a succession of violent squalls and big seas, she was thrown on her beam ends, the lee side being under water to the top of the main hatch coamings. Under h«avy seas the Choiseul lay in this position for twenty minutes, and only righted after the passing of the squall. In the meantime the ship's boat was carried away and everything movable on the deck was washed overboard. It was found that the fuel oil had shifted, but until tie weather moderated this could not be repaired. Partly as a result of this rough weather, which disabled the engine, the Chokexil arrived back in Apia ft few days later tbbn was anticipated, a delay which prevented the captain of the boat, Captain Kingdon, from meeting his mother, who had come from Auckland specially to see him. Mrs. Kingdon had remained in Apia two or three weeks awaiting the arrival of the Choiseul, but was obliged to return to Auckland by ; the Tofua on September 27. As luck : would have it, the Choiseul sailed into ■ Apia the following day. An OH Identity. Mr. G. E. L. Westbrook, a well-known resident of Samoa, recently celebrated his 69th birthday. Mr. Westbrook, who was one of the elected members of the Legislative Council, always takes a keen interest in Samoan affaire, and is a recognised authority on Samoan life and customs. He has written many interesting articles on Samoa and has contributed to the Press, not only in the Islands, but also in America, Australia and New Zealand. As regards the turbulent hietory of Samoa under ire different Governments, Mr. Westbrook is a veritable mine of information, and should be well qualified to write what is badly needed, an intimate history of Samoa. Recruits of the Mau. Apparently the Mau still has sufficient life in it to attract further recruits to its ranke. Apia was mildly interested reeentlv io observe a procession of Samoans passing through the street on their way to Vaimoso. The natives were sin<nn<* as they walked, and carried with them huge quantities of meat, destined to form the basis of the feast which such an occasion as this always requires. The reason for the defection from the : Government rank;, as far as can be ascertained, is that a high chief of the district of Lepa had decided to join the '■ ranks of the Mau and had brought his j neople with him. This high chief had been one of the Pulenu'us, officials of a Government system which the Administrator has abolished. I: was feared at the time that some of the Puleau'u-s would become dissatisfied over the loss of their positions and would join the Mau. Under the circumstance* it would appear that some Samoan loyalty i> largely bough: loyalty, although in the case of the Mau, undoubtedly many natives have paid more to the Mau organisation in taxes, etc., tiian Government loyalty would ever have cost them. Perhaps, if the remainder of Samoa could bo induced to join the Mau, Hfe Excellency, the Administrator, could become a recruit and the whole place could become one large, united family again, und-r a different name.