SAMOA.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 281, 17 September 1889, Page 3

SAMOA.

The hospitality of the Famoans, according to the report of a traveller in the Vo«sischo Zeitung, oxcels that of all peoples in the world, auciont or modern. Tae young Sainoan conscience is educated to regard, hospitality as the first doctrine of the Samon religim. Board and lodging are secured, beforehand for every foreigner who may find his way into a minoan villas: o, and he may prolong his stay wi hout payment to any length he pleases. "A kind of national Socialism (or rather municipial Socialism) is established throughout the land. Every village contains it own " Faletale," or guest house, which is used for the gratuitous entertainment of travellers. The house lies in the centre of the village, and serves also os the Parliament house of the local council. When the foreign traveller or the visit r from a neighbouring village crosses the communal boundary it is the duty of the first vi lager who sees him to lead t io public guest straight to the communal guest house 1 1 er » he is courteously interviewed by the mayor, burgomaster, warden, or whatever else wo p ease to call tho head man of the village, and. one of the young girls is appointed to see

to his meals. Notice of h's arrival ia given to the villagers, and they appear -one after another at the guest house with vaiious sorts of fish, fruit, iqea' and drink. These vjfamsrily olffieringa are the commohMiofif f Ine visitor, often sufficient to last a hungry, .man a weok. They fee>; pbutd ,alfio to amuse him, as well a"s : to feed' and lodge him, and he ia often honoured by a musical performance out of I door*. £$*$ voices of these ehiU dren of Jis*ijfe," say* the^ri.ter, 'are wonderfully sweet and well managed and the European is not a little >stonished and delighted by their strange musjjx'l / /**>> >" " , "•>- •