OUR SAMOAN LETTER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10751, 12 May 1898, Page 6

OUR SAMOAN LETTER.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] •; • • Apia, May 4. All is quiet here, notwithstanding the rebel meeting, and hoisting of the rebel flag last month. Rumour had it here that Tamasese had been crowned king, but he had the good sense to decline the honour, and did not take any part in the meeting, and is not openly lending any assistance to the rebels, who are clamouring for a war. The Government party take things as of old, by doing nothing, but simply looking on. The Consular representative,, by letter, informed the Tumua that they could not recognise any Government but the Malietoa Government, and that there was, and could only be one king, and he was the king recognised by the Berlin Treaty, namely, Malietoa Laupepa. This communication, and Tamasese's action, seems to have damped the ardour of the Tumua party, and I do not think any. outbreak is to be feared. ; '*■ ; •" % , H.I.G.M. warship Falke is in harbour, and likely to remain for 'awhile. The U.S.A warship Mohican has not arrived yet, and whether she will come at all now is doubtful, owing to the expectancy of war between Spain and the States. No ships except the Falke are in harbour. Cocoa planters in Samoa appear to have a bright future before them, if the success which has attended the experimental shipment to the German home markets are to be relied on. The cured cocoa was pronounced by experts to be of the finest quality, and brought the highest market prices. Many of our settlers are planting out small lots, and cocoa may, in a short time, he one of our staple exports. The German Vice-Consulship, which was rendered vacant by the resignation of Herr Geisler Inst year, has been again filled. The new Vice-Consul arrived last month, and is now in active work at the Imperial Consulate. H.B.M.'s Consul Masse, in the short time he has been here, has gained the esteem and regard of all nationalities, and, above all, of the Britishers, who are often said to be exceedingly difficult to please in Samoa. I am sony to add that Mrs. Maxse has not been well, but is now recovering. Vailima, the erstwhile home of R. L. Stevenson, of whom, by the way, you never hear mention of in Apia, so completely and quickly does the memory of the departed die out in this tropical climate, is fast going to rack and ruin for want of hands to keep the house and grounds in order. It is generally supposed by tourists in the steamers coining to Samoa, and no doubt by many in Auckland, that Stevenson's tomb stands on a lofty height, at once a beacon to the mariner and a memorial in sight of all who come to Apia. As a matter of fact, the tomb cannot be seen until you are right at it, within a few yards, and might as well be in any part of the world as in the midst of the bush, on the spur of Vaea Hill.

The natives this season are enjoying the benefit of the rivalry between the traders, who are now paying 1J cents per lb fov copra at the various stations outside Apiathis is Apia price. This rise is attributable to more than one cause. Copra is required for the Sydney market, and the Sydney buyers are willing to give the higher price, as they must have the copra. Several new stations with large stocks, selling at lower prices for goods than in former years, have been opened, and tho price on the Home market for copra has risen. All round the native lias the benefit, as lie gets'a higher cash price for his product, he gets goods cheaper than before, and lie lias not now to boat it long distances, as formerly, to obtain the benefifof a large assorted stock from which to choose. This means that less copra will come into Apia than for some years past, but as the trading stations are owned, for the most part, by Apia merchants, this makes no practical difference.