WESTERN SAMOA NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIII, Issue 182, 3 August 1932, Page 3

WESTERN SAMOA NEWS.

ADMINISTRATOR'S TOUR.

GOOD RECEPTION IN SAVAH.

GERMAN MEMORIAL CEREMONY.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

APIA, July 21

His Excellency the Administrator of Western Samoa, Mr. H. E. Hart, has been busy visiting outlying parts of the territory. A visit lasting over two weeks was made to the larger island of tho Samoan group, Savaii, and was considered completely successful, his Excellency being well received at every district. The official party included Mr. W. Mcßridc, Secretary for Native Affairs, Dr. E. Hunt, C.M.G., Mr. Grattan and Captain M. C. Fairbrothcr, A.D.C. The tour covered the important districts of Tuasivi, Sapapali'i, Fagamalo, Salailua and Palauli. Part of the journey was made by motor car, from Sataua to. Salailua, and from Satupaitea, to Tuasivi It was the first time motor transport had been available on the sparsely-roaded island of Savaii. Immediately after a lorry had been made use of by tho Government party, it suddenly ran backwards down a hill and was rather badly damaged.

Visit to the Tokelaus. His Excellency embarked on H.M.s. Laburnum to \ay his annual official visit to the Tokelaus, or Union Group. This group is comprised of three main inhabited islands, about a day and a half's steam from Samoa to the northward. The main islands are Atafu, Nukunono and Fakaofa, and are densely populated by a Samoan-speaking people. These islands are but a few feet above sea level, and are perfectly flat. Coconuts and fish are the only food of the natives, the soil being thin and not fertile. Stunted bananas and tavo are cultivated a little, but arc very poor in quality. The islands are hard of access, being completely surrounded by coral reefs, accessible by whale boat only at high tide over the top of the reef. There are no Europeans resident on these islands, the necessary Governmental duties being carried out by specially trained Samoans from the Samoan Administration. Cloee touch is maintained with Samoa by wireless, under the control of a Samoan operator. This small unit of the British Empire carries on quite aloof from and independent of the rest of the world. Monument at Mulinu'u.

At Malinu'u Point, on Apia Harbour, there stand* a monument erected many years ago to commemorate the men who lost their lives in Samoa for the German Fatherland in the war at Vailele in 18S8, and in the hurricane of the following year. The monument has recently been renovated and surrounded by a fence dedicated in Germany. To mark this occasion it was thought fitting to hold a ceremony. About 400 residents were present, including his Excellency, tho Administrator, and Commander Ramsbottom, officers and a detachment of men from H.M.s. Laburnum, then in port. An impressive service was held, with addresses in German, English and Samoan. Accompanied by the Apia Brass Band, "Ich hab alien Kameraden" was sung by the many German residents at tho function, and then wreaths -were placed on the monument, which was draped with the flag of Imperial Germany. The gathering then moved on to the Anglo-American monument, where an address was given, and to the Samoan monument, where, after another address in that language, proceedings terminated with the playing of "God Save the King."

The Burns, Philp Company has taken over the liquidated businees of the South Seas Pacific Co. in Pago Pago, American Samoa. The company has now a branch in both British and American Samoa. At present the company's architect is in Apia designing new buildings, and those who have- seen the plans arc astonished at their palatial scale. Evidently the company is convinced of the future importance and expansion of the Pacific Islands, and it is time that New Zealand also realised it and became aware of the commercial possibilities of her island mandate.