SAMOAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11535, 21 November 1900, Page 5

SAMOAN NEWS.

A CHIEF DEGRADED.

The new United States Government of Pago Pago is having some interesting experiences. A curiously interest ing case arose there lately, and was adjudicated by a Court which included Commander Tillcy, Lieutenant-Com-mander Dorn, Lieutenant Stafford, Edwin W. Gurr, United States Foreign District Judge, and two native chiefs of high rank. The- case involved a conflict of native customs and United States laws. The clefondaut was Letuli, a native chief, who had been appointed a local official by Commander Tilloy. It seems that a native, namod Fagaima, had caught a fish which, by Samoan custom, ho should have taken at once as a prosent to Letuli. Instead of this he made a feast and invited his friends and neighbours. This so enraged Letuli that ho levied a fine on Fagaima, and set the people of his village to destroy Fagaima's property, and take his pigs, and himself received a portion of the pigs. When Fagaima made complaint to Commander Tilley, the latter sent a detachment or" the newly-organised Pago Pago military company to arrest Letuli and bring him to trial. A week was occupied in the hearing, and Letuli was found guilty on all charges and sentenced to be confined on porolo for six months outside his own district, and to bo removed from office. The Court, in its decision, says that it is not the intention to destroy any good Samoan customs, Ox to lower the esteem in which chiefs are held, but that the United States will protect everyone in his rights. As a result of an order issued by the commandant under the "Arms Ordinance," the native Governments have sent in full returns regarding all arms and ammunition held by Samoans and foreigners in the respective districts under their charge. There are over '100 guns of all sorts throughout the station, most of which are on the island of Manna. Most of the natives are turning thoir guns in to the Government rather than pay the license for the privilege of possessing the guns. They ask for compensation for them.