LIFE IN SAMOA.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 307, 28 December 1935, Page 7

LIFE IN SAMOA.

CLEAR SKY AT LAST. I

MAU CHIEFS MORE FRIENDLY.

•81. HAROLD GATTY'S CRUISE.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

APIA, Western Samoa, December 19. last few days have brought a "Mel desired change of the weather, a fresh easterly breeze and sunshine "■stead of cloudy and rainy days interchanged with an oppressive sweltering •"at as for weeks past. The natives 4te tasy cutting large quantities of J* to obtain cash to spend for J-wistmas festivities, the European Peters are busy with their cocoa crop, *nich will last for a few weeks more, J?* I'Pth Europeans and natives have rational spending money from banana Merchants and traders report ""ten better sales than last year. Apia stores have started on their wistmas shows of toys and other sea""■able goods and the larger firms espeshow very creditable and attracts exhibitions: Reconciliation of Parties. According to reports from outside dis™w there have been "fonos" (native e ™ngs) in many villages, especially o J?B.the west coast of Upolu, with the W of effecting a reconciliation of the -' opposing parties among the to?!?" 8 - tlle Man, or opposition party, te Malo > or Government party. In ,** v .iHages adherents of- both parties L " vm R together and relations have '"strained in village affairs, commuooir> rk and church matters, while colife t, ' which is traditional in village the' *■ been lackin S- Mainly owing to sion •° rts of European and native misi °ane ß , the Samoans in many districts latA ! Clarctl t h t ' ir readiness to bury the Wlle t and work together peacefully in

future for the good of their respective communities, though still preserving their political views as heretofore.

The new movement was started before the result of the New Zealand elections was known.. It is significant that the Mau leaders have in recent months shown an inclination to abolish their militant and aggressive attitude towards the Administration and adopt a more conciliatory policy. Death in Switzerland. The information has reached Apia that Mr. J. Helg, who is well remembered by many residents here, died on November Bat Zurich, Switzerland. Mr. Helg, who was a native of Switzerland, came to Samoa in 1806 as overseer for the plantations of the old D.H. and P.G. He was a very efficient planter and during his long term of service with his firm rose to the position of manager of the large coconut plantation at Mulifanua, at one time considered to -be the largest coconut plantation in the world. He held this position when war broke out in 1914 and the business was taken over by the New Zealand Crown Estates. He acted as Swiss Consul during the war and went to his homeland after the termination of the war. He had been ailing for a long time. The widow and several children are left in Switzerland and Germany. Two sons are living in Samoa. Visitors at Swain's Island. According to a report Irom Swain's Island the American yacht Kmkajou called'there on December 9. The Kmkaiou is a vessel of about 45 tons and is 90 feet long, with graceful lines. She is chartered by Mr. Dana Coman, who is on board with hispartner, the famous world flyer, Mr. Harold Gatty. Captain Fink is in command of the vessel, which set out from Honolulu via Howland and Baker Islands to Swain's, proceeding further to Pago Pago and returning thence, via Jarvis Island to Honolulu. As Mr. Gatty is connected with PanAmerican Airways, it is probable that the purpose of the expedition is to study the possibilities of the proposed air route of Pan-American Airways from Honolulu, via Pago Pago, to Auckland. New Zealand, which may be started next