SAMOAN NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 282, 28 November 1929, Page 20

SAMOAN NEWS.

RETURN OF HIGH CHIEFS. RESULT OF ELECTIONS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) APIA, November 15. The results of the elections for the Legislative Council of Western Samoa have now been disclosed. The two successful candidate were Mr. A. W. Johnston, with 87 votes, and Mr. S. H. Meredith, with 83 votes. Mr. Johnston has had previous experience on the council, and ia a gentleman who will be firm in the interests of the local-born people of Samoa, and in this will be ably supported by Mr. Meredith, who is, as indicated by the voting, very much in the confidence of a large section of the community.

At the last meeting of the Legislative Council before the elections, his Excellency the Administrator made a short speech in which he thanks the Hon. Arthur Williams for his co-operation on the council.

Memorial to Late Thomas Trood. In the Apia Protestant Church on Sunday, November 10, his .Excellency the Administrator unveiled a memorial tablet to the memory of the late Thomas Trood, who at one time was Acting British Vice-Consul in Samoa. The name of Thomas Trood is well known in the Islands, and in Samoa there are a large number of anecdotes current concerning this "Grand Old Man." , Mr. G. E. L. Westbrook, who addressed the congregation, supplied an interesting summary of Mr. Trood's career, which was bound up in some of the main events of his day.

Welcome To High Chiefs. The High Chief Faumuina and Tuiimalealiifano received a royal welcome home on their return to Samoa from New Zealand by the Tofua, a welcome that surpassed even that given to High Chief Tamesese when he returned from imprisonment in New Zealand, a staunch martyr to the Mau. cause. All arrangements had been made by the Samoans in preparation of the event, and the day before the Tofua was due numerous natives made their appearance from the outback villages.

The two chiefs were escorted f-rom the ship ,by several large fautasi, who raised their oars naval fashion in salute as Faumuina and his consort landed on the wharf. The chiefs were met and greeted by High Chief Tamaseso and other chiefs of high rank, and then, preseded by a band, the party walked slowly through the divided ranks of Samoans who had assembled to honour their leaders.

When the preliminary greetings were over, the crowd of Samoans, about 2000, marched in procession to "the Mau village of Samoa, where an elaborate celebration, Samoa fashion, was held.