NEWS FROM SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVII, Issue 8385, 13 October 1890, Page 3

NEWS FROM SAMOA.

[from our own correspondent.] Apia, September 30. Everything here is just the same as for months past, so far as business is concerned. The natives, however, are now reconciled to the inevitable, and Malietoa is now recognised a* King throughout the length and breath of the Samoan Isles, and by all the tribes. This month the Atua tribes, who occupy the district of Atua, the eastern division of Upolu, made their submission to the King. Some time ago a native was murdered on the south coast of Upolu, and the murderer fled to the Atua people at Lufiluu, where Tamasese resides, seeking their protection. This they afforded him for some time, and told the Chief Magistrate, Folau, who came to demand the surrender of the murderer, in order that he might be tried by the Government, to go about his business, and that they would bring the murderer to Apia at their convenience. The King then sent word to the Atua people to deliver up the man, or stand the consequences, whatever they might be, and this firm stand brought Atua to their senses, as they last week came to Apia., and surrendered the man for trial, at the same time expressing their sorrow for what had been done in the past, and asking the pardon of the King. They also stated they wculd have brought the murderer down before, bub they wished to be fully represented by their chiefs on their visit to Apia ; this had delayed them a considerable time. This means the final and complete submission of Samoa to Malietoa, as from the Atna Tamasese derived most of his support, and in their district he has li.od ever since open hostilities commenced.

The collection of the taxes levied by the authority of the Consuls under the Berlin Treaty has been a gore point here from the very first, and many people, including one of our largest nVns, refused to pay up for the second quarter. The King has determined that this shall not be, and has issued a proclamation that unless the taxes are paid by a certain time distraint will issue, and the taxes collected compuisorily. This will no doubt have the desired effect of bringing in the dollars and enabling the Chief Justice, when he arrives, to start the necessary reforms at once. Our harbour looks a bit livelier at present than for some time past. The German firm have a large barque waiting to load up with copra, and the barquentine Sea Waif is still here, expecting to sail daily for San Francisco, laden with wreckage from the Trenton. An American three - masted schooner is also unloading a cargo of lumber and mixed goods for W. H. J. Moors. The s.s. Richmond arrived from Auckland safely and sails this afternoon for Tahiti. She brought no special news from Tonga, everything being quiet there. The German firm suffered a severe loss this month, when the lately-erected house for drying copra, on the Mulifanua plantation, was burnt to the ground. It was built at a cost of about 10,000 dollars, and was not insured.

The French man-of-war Volta was in here last week, but only stayed a day or two, when she left for Wallis and Futuna. The Rev. Father Didier was a passenger by her in connection with the French Mission, which has a very large establishment here, and a large number of converts to the Roman Catholic religion. The annual May meeting of the London Mission Society was held this month in Apia, and was very largely attended. Amongst those present were King Malietoa, the three Consuls, the Rev. Mr. Chalmers from New Guinea, tho Rev. Mr. Hunt, who came by last Lubeok from Sydney, to take up mission work here, and Mr. R. L. Stevenson, the novelist, who lias returned to take up his permanent residence in Samoa. The Rev. W. Chalmers, the pioneer missionary to New Guinea, is here on a visit, and delivered two very interesting lectures on New Guinea, and his experiences in that terra incognita to large audiences. The latter lecture he delivered in the new public hall, which was far enough advanced for the purpose, and was kindly lent for tho occasion by the contractor. The London Mission barque John Williams started away about a month ago on her annual cruise amongst the islands to the north and east in connection with the mission, but only got as far us Savage Island, when she managed to fracture her iron bowsprit. Captain Turpie thereupon decided to run back to Apia and obtain a new one if possible. On his arrival the old bowsprit was taken out and a new wooden one put in, to the captain's satisfaction, and the barque proceeded on her voyage. The public hall is almost ready for use. The main hall is 50 by 32 feet, with a stage 17 feet deep. In the front part of the building are three rooms set apart for the purpose* of a free library and readingroom. This later portion of the scheme is a most praiseworthy idea, and when reading matter is provided it will supply a long-felt want in Apia. Now is the time for the friends of the sailors, and of Samoa generally, to show their good-will by contributions of books, periodicals, or papers, which would be most welcome, as times are very bad in Samoa, and the erection of the hall has run away with all available funds at present. Mr. IT. S. Moore is the chairman, and Mr. Cusack, proprietor of the Samoan Times, is the secretary to the Board of Directors, either of whom would be most happy to receive any gifts made on behalf of those who brave the terrors of the sea, and earn their bread on the deep waters.