INTERNED IN N.Z.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 148, 25 June 1935, Page 7

INTERNED IN N.Z.

Death of German Governor of Samoa. WAR INCIDENTS RECALLED. (Received 1 p.m.) BERLIN, June 24. The death is announced of Dr. Erich Scliultz, the last German Governor of Samoa. He was interned in New Zealand in war time.

Dr. Schultz succeeded Dr. Solf as German Governor of Western Samoa in 1910, and had held office for four years when the New Zealand Forces landed and sent him to be interned at Auckland for the remainder of the war. He was noted for his efficiency and for the sympathetic manner with which he handled the natives. In 1913 Rupert Brooke visited Western Samoa, and in a subsequent essay he wrote: "Dr. Schultz, 1 have been told by old residents of Samoa, was tattooed in the native style, as were certain of his officials. It is reasonable to suppose that this judge, administrator, and collator of Samoan proverbs at least has some ulterior and altruistic purpose in view in undergoing a very painful operation. A Samoan who is not tattooed —it extends almost solid from tlie hips to the knees — appears naked beside one who is; and in no way can the custom be considered as disfiguring."

A member of the New Zealand landing party in 1914 said that they were all impressed by Dr. Schultz's wisdom and tact in handling a difficult situation. The Governor had urged his nationals to offer no resistance to the invading troops, while at the same time lie refused to admit surrender. Thus bloodshed was avoided. After the war the doctor returned to Germany.