NEWS FROM SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8931, 15 July 1892, Page 5

NEWS FROM SAMOA.

[FROM our own correspondent.]

■Apia, July 8. H.M.s. Curacoa left here on «'soth June for Pago Pago and returned again on the 22nd, and alter having received a supply of fresh provisions continued her voyage on to Fiji, where, I believe, she is to convey His Excellency Sir J. B. Thurston, K.C.M.G., of tiji, to the Friendly Islands on official business. During her stay in this port the captain, officers, and crew have been exceedingly popular with both foreigners and natives, and it is rumoured they are again to visit us in August, when they will receive a hearty welcome. Before leaving tor Pago Pago the officers and men gave a variety entertainment in the Public Hall in aid of our Library fund. The Chilian silver dollar is at last a thing of the past, as far as being a means of exchange in this country is concerned, over £5,000 dollars having been exported out of the country this last two months, principally to San Francisco, Auckland, and Sydney, and it is now to he hoped that with good English and American gold and silver, trade with Auckland will increase if only the merchants there will try to do with less profit than they have been doing. American, Sydney, and German markets are pushing their wav here very strongly. Messrs. W. Ale Arthur and Co.'s cutter Lancashire Lass has again come to grief nearly on the same spot as she went on shore before, and which cost the firm a considerable amount of money to get her off and repair her, some time two. The master arrived from Pago Pago and reported the circumstances to her owners that, while beating out of Pago Paso harbour, the wind failed and she went on the reef, where she now lies. She is uninsured, and I believe attempts will be made to her off. Cases of fast horse-riding in the streets have been very numerous of late, and the Municipal Magistrate's Court has been very busy imposing various fines and imprisonment. A good many white residents have had to appear before His Worship, and they seem to be very indignant, as they fancy they can ride along the streets at any speed they think fit as long as they have the control of their horses, but the question is have they always control of their horses. That point will be decided some day when someone is ridden over and seriously injured, or perhaps killed. Our streets are very narrow, and no horses should be allowed to go any faster than at a walking pace. The fourth of July, being the national holiday of the United States of America, it was observed as a general holiday, all the Government offices and business places being closed.

Mr. J. B. Sutton, purser. R.M.s.s. Alameda, was seriously unwell on passing through here. Dr. French, health officer, had a consultation with the ship's surgeon, and Dr. Berry, and concluded that Mr. Sutton would have to undergo a serious operation on reaching San Francisco. He was no better when they left for Honolulu.

A petition signed by all the Tongan residents has been sent to the President urging him to increase the San Francisco mail subsidy so as to induce the mail steamers to continuz calling here, as it is threatened they will discontinue making tins a port of call after the 31st of August next, unless their present subsidy is increased. For a considerable time after the Berlin Treaty was put into operation the Municipality had control of the Customs' Department, but lately it has been taken over by the Government, and it was thought some improvement might be made; but, sad to relate, they are still sticking to the one-horse arrangement. There is a screw loose somewhere. Just fancy! Vessels leaving this port do not require to give or make out any manifest, nor does the Collector of Customs give any vessel a clearance. When a vessel arrives with general cargo each consignee sends his lighter off to the ship and gets his goods, and then puts them into his store without; any check whatever. To anyone who knows anything about customs work tins is simply a farce, and certainly shows that the powers that be have no idea of customs work, or else they don't wish to have the customs carried out in a proper manner. Laxity is shown to its highest degree as far as our postal arrangements are concerned. The idea of having two separate post offices, one controlled by a British subject, and one by the German Postal Agency. When a steamer arrives one has to go to both those places hunting for his letters or newspapers. Why the postal affairs of the country are not under the control of the Samoan Government and put into proper working order is a thing that, no one can understand, unless it is to be carried on like the Customs simply a farce foa some private reasons. It is to be hoped since His Majesty King Malietoa has been pleased to appoint Mr. Thomas Maben, Surveyor General, to be also Secretary of State, that this gentleman will be able to put matters a little straighter than they have yet been.

There are not many countries who can boast of having two Mondays in one week, but such has been the case here owing to our true position in lougitude, we have been keeping the wrong day, and a Royal Proclamation was issued rectifying the error, so that we had two Mondays (4th July). A case came before the High Commissioner's Court the other day, R. L. Skeen v. Frank Cornwall. This was a claim for £"){>2 8s ."id, being balance unpaid of bill of costs for services rendered in connection with the action Cornwall and Manaema v. McArthur and Co. The Court gave judgment for plaintiff for such amount as may be determined by the High Commissioner in Fiji. It would seem as if our Municipal Council hail plenty of money, for they have not yet collected the property assessment. I do not know who is to blame for such short-sighted policy, when the money should be at the Council's disposal for the purpose of making some improvements in the place. Our Municipal and Government prisoners have a good time of it—plenty to eat and nothing to do, and all day to do it in. Why they are no', made to work, and at least earn their bread, is a mystery for someone to solve.

Native affairs seem to be very quiet, no rumours of any disturbance. The rebel King Maatafa is still encamped down the coast with a large number of followers. Shipping matters are quiet. The following vessels are in portH.l.G.M.s.'a Sperber and Bussard, German three masted schooner Neptune, French man-of-war Duehaffault, and Auckland schooner Ivanhoe. The two latter vessels arrived this morning from Tahiti.