LIFE IN SAMOA.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15121, 10 November 1914, Page 2

LIFE IN SAMOA.

NOTES FROM A TROOPER'S

DIARY.

■ The following extract from a diary received in Christchurch from one of tho New Zealand Contingent in Samoa, will be read with interest, as showing the kind of life our young soldiers are living in the newly-occupied islands:—

Saturday, October 3rd.—This beach picket is quite an attractive place, notwithstanding tho patrol duty and the trench-digging, and we are disappointed at having to leave. The native craft on the water are quite interesting. One da v wo saw .1 very long rowing boat, carrying probably sixty natives altogether, chanting r.s they rowed, and tho effect was quite delightful. Before leaving the camp our fellows in--lulged in a littlo fun, assisted by na!.ivc3 who did some dancing and helped in the amusement. We had made good friends with tho storekeeper and his wife, and have found tho latter very useful, as although she is not a tailoress, she can fix up shirts and pants or any other clothing in good shape, making up a suit of shirt and pants from khaki stuff from about 15s or 16s. There are two little children also in the family, who are very interesting and well-mannered.

We got back to camp on Friday morning, after saying good-byo to oiir Jocal friends. Our new camp was in the schoolroom; wood-work had been erected for sleeping in hammocks, but it was not suitable, ;ind we are sleeping on the floor, to which wo hare become "nirito resigned. Despite netting, I find the mosquitoes a littlo troublesome. In tho afternoon we joined the regiment and Trent on a skirmishing expedition, advancing by sections, through tho plantations by short dashes, while other sections kept up rapid firo; an exciting exercise, but rather rough on one's knees and elbows in tho rough ground. Orders have been issued that wo are to wear long trousers and puttees; probably this is done as a projection against flies.

After cleaning up- our quarters this morning and having breakfast, we lined up at 7.30, and marched out to our present post. 1 have brought my camera in the- hope of getting some interesting snaps. It appears that the camp canteen, -which has hitherto been run by Westcott. is to be taken over and run by tho regiment, and stuff is to jbo retailed at cost prices. This morning we -were detailed to go out to tho out'ying picket posts with provisions. Wo found some natives there cutting copra and drying it. I tried my hand at cutting this stuff out of tho nuts, but the natives beat mc ten to one. Secured another suan. Then wo visited a native village near by, where we spent a most j interesting hour or more. There j are several fine huts in this village, and in ono of them jwe mado ourselve-s quite at home, al- ! though we could not understand very much what was said. Presently, however, one of the youngsters brought in some thick, white liquid in a cocoanut shell, which we found so enjoyable that wo hunted round to bee where it came from. At the back, in a small hut, wo found an elderly man and his wife «nd child engaged preparirig this stuff. Quite ripo cocoanut* nesh is grated fine, and pounded in a largo carved wooden bowl with cocoanut milk poured in; possibly a few bananas are mixed'with it, or a pealed yam, grated on a piece of perforated t;n, mixed with the liquid. Tho ■-whole, ■ after, being pounded up, is well mixed and beaten with the hands and a 6ponge ■of fibre is used to strain it out and as a dipper. When all is ready, a tu:all quantity, about half a cupful, is poured into a banana leaf, folded up, a breadfruit leaf wrapped round it, and then it is tied up with string. It is then placed on a fire, prepared very much in the Maori way. The stones had been heating meanwhile, and the embers were cleared away; tho etones laid evenly at tho bottom, the breadfruit then placed in a layer on tho hot stones, and, other hot stones placed over it, then covered with green leaves and a layer of white liquid in the leaf packages, then a further covering of green leaves and sacking. Cooking took about 30 minutes. tVhile it was cooking, ono of the men climbed a cocoauut tree, and we refreshed ourselves with the milk. We had not time to wait until the cooking was finished, but one of tho women later brought us a basketful of tho food, which we found delicious. Indeed, we should havo been rather short of food at this outpost but for the bananas and broad-fruit which we procured from the natives. AYe spent tho evening at another cottage, whero there are two native women, known* as the Princess and tho Queen, both of whom speak English well, and they made us quite welcome. There is less drill going on now, and more route marching. Whito duck coats and pante a.re about to be issued.

Monday.—Reveille at. 4.20 this morning, coffee at 4.30; fell in at 5.30, and off for a five-mile route march, carrying all our equipment and blankets. Tho march lad out past our No. 1 outpicket and through a very large plantation (cocoanut), which is served by a tramline for collecting the nuts and taking the copra down to the beach. Solomon Islanders are employed, and were splitting the nuts open preparatory to oxtraetiug tho flesh. The tide was full in, and the beach presented a beautiful sight in the early morning, with palm trees and bananas thick every where to the water's edge. On reaching camp wo made all haste to the bathing pool and washed off the effects of the wilt water on our puttees, boots, and socks, which had got wet in g wading through a tidal stream. 7.30 p.m.—These last few evenings have been very refreshing. The laundrymen are squatting round about, and our platoon tailor is busy. One of the men has borrowed a sewing-machine from the Samoan girl at tho canteen, and is busy with it.

Wednesday.—Three men of our platoon are pretty good on the_ tailoring: job. and have been detailed to equip tho new white clothes with shoulder straps, aud regimental butto!!R from our great coats. These white uniforms are, however, to be worn only on special occasions. Last night we" celebrated Westcofct's relinqiiishmenfc of the canteen, and it has been taken over by the regiment. Todrsy wa formed V:ur.riov :ruard and Vnilhna guard. A mate and I had been promised the Vailima guard, and 1 intended taking up my camera with ;the hope of getting up the mountain to' look at Eobert Louis Stevenson's grave, but by some means things pofc mixed up, and we are on quarter guard instead. Drill is pretty well confined to musketry practice and long route marches.