NEWS PROM SAMOA.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CIII, Issue 12162, 28 March 1900, Page 5

NEWS PROM SAMOA.

[Peb Peess Association.]

AUCKLAND, March 27.

An Imperial German ordinance has been issued in Samoa relating to the jurisdiction and constitution of the Courts ol the group. The ordinance states that the Act relating to Consular jurisdiction shall become law in Samoa. Natives shall not be within the Court’s jurisdiction except to the extent provided for by special regulations. A final Appeal Court consisting of the Governor and four assessors is appointed. A criminal under sentence of death may be either shot or hanged, the Governor decide. The ordinance was signed by the Emperor Wilhelm on Feb. 17, 1900, and was published at Apia on March 1. The Government ordinance states that the restrictions introduced by the Berlin Treaty (June 14, 1889) for Samoa, relating to the disposition of land in Samoa by natives (Article VII., Section 2 of the treaty) shall continue in full force and operation, subject, however, to the modification that when the approval therein referred to shall be given, it shall be given henceforth by the Governor in lieu of the chief executive authority of Samoa and the Chief Justice; further all duties, taxes and charges levied under Article VI., Section 2 and Section 4, shall continue to be levied for the benefit of the Government. The operation of “ liquor prohibition ordinance ” of 1891, of tire “ arms and ammunition ordinance, 1894,” relating to importing, selling and using dynamite, shall be extended so as to apply to all persons living in the colony. Malietoa Tanunuuli, who was declared to be King of Samoa by Chief Justice Chambers, has asked for a European education. His request was forwarded by the United States Consul-General, Mr Osborn, now at Apia, to Secretary Hay, who has approved it, and has suggested in a note to Germany and Great Britain that the three Powers should pay the expenses of the young man while he attends school in Europe.