SERUKA.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 32, 7 February 1908, Page 4

SERUKA.

THE CASE OF A YOUNG SAMOA*. An appeal on behalf of a South Sea. Island boy was made by Rev. A. E. Hunt, of Timaru, to" the Congregation?) 1 Union Council yesterday, The Rev. J. E. Newell, of the Malua Institute, Samoa, wrote asking for hospitality for a secondyear'student of Malua, a native of Nui, iv the Ellice Group. The boy has given promise of being &• veiy good teacher, and ' a teacher who knew English was much needed, and the lad knew a littie of that language ; but he wished to give his services in return for board and' lodging. "His name," wrote Mr. Newell •'is Seruka. He is modest and self-pos-ressed ; has shown great aptitude as a carpenter, and is an excellent student. Ho would be glad to servo in any household where the work did not prevent him front acquiring some technical school knowledge in and industrial work, especially carpentering." It was proposed to give* the lad twelve months m New Zealand. Guarantees would le given as to character, and his passage would b© paid to New Zealand. 7 Hon. Q. FOwlds thought there wculd be no serioas difficulty m arranging foi the lad. Some one in Auckland, h« thought, would be quite willing to assist in the matter. Of course, it was one of those things that members of the council would have to consult their wives about To take the' lad into the home m»j> a practical way of assisting the minion He thought thero would be 110 difficulty in carrying ouf, the 'proposal. Rev.'W. A. Evans (Woilhipton) wishni to know whether the Minister of Education had anything to say about the polltax difficulty.' If a guarantee of £100 would have to be given, to the Government in connection with this lad, then the Union Conncil would have to fao< a very practical phase of the que&tion. He (Mr. Evans) thought a home could bo found for the lad in Wellington, but the poll-tax aspect of ,tbo matter required bcrious consideration. Mr. W. F. Eggers (Wellington) said he had found in Auckland extreme difficulty in getting a native of Xiao thiouprh the Customs. Nine v.us not then withiu tho jurisdiction of NNcrn r Zealand as now, and tho Customs demanded <-t bond of £100. This was inconvenient, and tho ihiti\c of Niue hud to be sent b.ick The president (Rev. D. Hiid) thought no difficulty need' be apprehended about placing the lad with some Christian family in New Zealand. Some one would no doubt be glad to have him for his) domestic service. In fact, there might be some rivalry in the matter on this accouut. Mr. Evans strongly counselled' the elimination of all the elements of domestic seivice out of the proposal. "I hope," ho fid id, "no one will take this young lad 1 with the &ole, intention of getting domestic &ervice out of him.'' The president observed that lie was sure tho lad, if h-o came, would be well treated in tho family. of some irtend in Xew Zealand. Further coawderalioH ol the ui»Uer wjls deferr&d>