OUR SAMOAN LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XIX, Issue 6570, 7 December 1882, Page 6

OUR SAMOAN LETTER.

[from our own correspondent.] Ai-ia, October 30. Mt last was despatched by the Myrtle about September 17th. One vessel went to Fiji, but being away at the time I missed it. Having before reported a comet in the west in the evening, we now have a brilliant one in the east about five o'clock in tho morning. Of course this cannot be the same. We hear that two comets are chasing one [ another, and although reported millions of miles distant, the soothsayers (who know nothing about it) prognosticate that if they collide one must be smashed, and if falling on the earth we must all go to smash. All we know is that we have beautiful weather, fine winds, but very hot in the day, and remarkably cold in the night. The sun is making good southing, having crossed the Equator, and will soon be over our heads. The natives take these comets to be prognosticators of much war and trouble in the islands. Poor simple souls ! They have not studied astronomy, nor found out that there are two separate courses for comets. Upon the whole business is improving, and things look a little more lively. September 30.

The political world looks queer, and we anticipate alittle trouble. You may recollect the fact mentioned of a native half killing a German gentleman and robbing him, who was imprisoned for four years, with hard labour. He made his escape to Savaii, and the town in which he lives refuses to give him up, statiug if any policeman or any one else comes to take him, a loaded rifle is always ready to shoot him, and if the German warship comes for that purpose, all the inhabitants will take to the bush, I believe this is all gas. We shall see. Again, an English ship of war is expected from Fiji, on account of some vexed question in the Frank Cornwall affair—connected with Messrs. McArthur & Co. The man who acted as overseer has been driven off by natives, and his property destroyed and stolen. Being an Englishman, the Consul has been sent for.

On October 4th, after all the gas alluded to, the man was given up to the chief of police without trouble.

On the 7th, a Tappeteway native severely cut two Samoans across the abdomen, and both have died of the wounds. What was the cause has not transpired, as the Samoan friends of the deceased killed the Tappeteway man. No doubt it is caused by jealousy, for in their own country they will cut one another to pieces if they take umbrage at a word or look directed to their wives.

A few days before the 14th October, a deputation waited ou the King of Samoans, to induce him to stop the importation of Tappeteway labour, who every now and again, from some pretext or other, murder his subjects. Whether or not it will be attended to, we do not know at present.

Really we are degenerating here. We have a gentleman severely beating his young wife, not only with his fists, but with a heavy horsewhip, not with the lash, but with the heavy handle, inflicting no less than 15 contusions on her body, besides her black eyes. This is too bad. The case was taken up warmly, and as the girl applied for a divorce after this barbarous treatment, she got it and all expenses. The natives do as I have said before, beat their wives ; it is their custom, and the wives seem to like it. But a civilised gentleman, holding a position as a. gentleman, beating a white wife so severely—Bah ! What an example of civilised customs to show these natives ! Well may they say, "You white people tell us which way wc shall go, but you do not go that way yourselves."

On the 24th the long-expected British ship of war airived with the Governor of Fiji, to investigate the Cornwall v. McArthur affair. The Government had to pay £100. Oh the 2Sth a cricket match was played between the officers of H.B.M. ship Diamond and the shore folks, which resulted in a victory for the officers. She leaves here for Fiji on Monday, the 30th, It is beautiful weather.