OUR SAMOAN LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6255, 3 December 1881, Page 6

OUR SAMOAN LETTER.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.J September 30 was the date of my last short addition via Fiji. The Islands, to date, are now quite peaceable. The natives are in their own districts:, and are planting and building, and, so far, have turned the sword into the ploughshare (or, rather, yam digger). We trust it may last. In reference to a former letter referring to an American citizen selling guns, it has ended in nothing, his employer being nameless, and he only the agent. What I told you of the appeal of a landlord ahout dancing also passed off. We shall, and do, miss our newspaper very much, imperfect as it necessarily was ; but we hope sufficient ha 3 been said to stop the importation of " dynamite." It is at present only used to kill fish, but it is a very dangerous material to be in the hands of the natives, who on dark nights, if spiteful or bearing animosity, might in a few seconds destroy any house they thought proper. It is true the three Consuls and the Municipal Board have placed restrictions ou the use of it in the waters of Apia, but in other parts the same danger exists, and really the accidents have been so numerous, even among lialfcastes (who ought to know better), that over twelve on this island and Savaii, natives included, have lost their right hands and part of their arms, with, in some instances, more or less damage to their eyes and their other arm. If it is wished by merchants to see this a colony of one-armed men, I say, "Keep on importing," for in course of time these accidents will increase. No fewer than four have occurred this month. The last, a few days ago, was brought up iu a canoc about 40 miles, and died under the operation.

The war schooner Letitea, sold some time ago to the King for 3500 dollars, has been sold by auction, and purchased by two German gentlemen for 510 dollars, for a trader. The Tongatabu has arrived after a three mouths' labour cruise, of course under the German flag, and has been successful. The three parties, Anna, Tuamasaga, and Atua's, are at variance. They each want their own King in succession. It is true all are in their own districts, but doing what? With the exception of building and a little planting, they are doing absolutely nothing. The staple commodity being copra, has descended so low in price the natives will not make it. Trade in Apia is worse than ever, and will, I fear, be worse yet. The natives are hungry, and as they produce uo copra to speak" of, have no money, and, as usual, steal food where they can. We are pleased to see that at last there is some hope of the massacres being amply revenged. If they only leave the Comnio dore to work his will without being coerced by any party policy, I think he will let them see that the British flag must be respected as well as the German and American.

French diplomacy is making itself heard in the Western Pacific. M. Lesseps undertakes the Panama Canal, and will no doubt carry it through. France wishes to annex the islands to the eastward of Samoa for a coaling station, especially the Island of Borabora, and, as a make weight, grants England some concession in the Newfoundland Fishery, which is of more consequence to England at the present time. Well, it is possible that with France to the west in New Caledonia, and France to the east among the islands. England will be satisfied with Fiji, and leave Samoa to its fate. There are conflicting opinions as to the ultimatum. The advent of a gentleman from Sir Arthur Gordon, as secretary to Malietoa, looks as if England intended to do something, although I hear of two gentlemen being on the road from America and Germany. October 17.—Beautiful weather, but no trade. The Fonguloa schooner, belonging to Messrs. Ruge and Co., is on the reef, having mistaken the passage, and is a total wreck.