TROOPS AT SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15833, 2 February 1915, Page 8

TROOPS AT SAMOA.

NEW YEAR HOLIDAY,

SUCCESSFUL SPORTS

HEAVY RAINS EXVKRIENCED.

[FROM OFR OWN* CORRESPONDENT.]

Apia (Samoa*, January 26.

Never before had so many young New Zealanders gone to bed in peace and quietness on New Year's Eve. Military life and discipline do not encourage the old Scotch custom of seeing the Now Year in, and, except for a few dances at Mr Roberts's house, and the town pickets on the streets, the rest of the force were asleep at twelve o'clock. Not that the natives did not do their best to enliven matters. They let off cracker? and squibs all night long, and at about 3.30 a.m. a native band started to play until they were bribed to leave by the long-suffering men. New Year's Day was one of the finest and hottest days that we have had in Samoa. It was not on the programme, and Europeans were not admitted, but those who just walked in and looked at the Chinese melodrama that was staged in a house close to the Vaimea camp certainly saw one of the most curious sights this island has to offer. Starting early on New Year's Day, this opera went on for two days. Rows of almond-eyed celestials to the number of 200 sat in a room built for about 40, and smoked incessantly while the play wound its weary way to what was, no doubt, a happy ending. There was no scenery, and the orchestra was a one-stringed violin. The dead villain, when he was tired of being dead, got up ( and walked off. It is impossible to give an outline of the plot, as I only saw a small portion of the play, but it struck us i that the audience was the most interesting part of the show. At eleven o'clock that morning the sports meeting began. Representatives of every portion of the force were on the ground. The sth Regiment Band kindly came and played, as also did the native band of the chief Tamascse. Colonel and Mrs. Logan were present. The most popular event was the -fighting on a spar raised some 6ft from the ground. In the course ot the afternoon Chief Tamasese contributed his item to the programme, which consisted of some picturesque native dances performed by fifteen girls of his village. Ir. the evening the prizes were presented by Colonel Fulton during an interval in the concert, held in the new barracks. This concert was not the least successful part of the day's amusements. On Tuesday, January 6. the 3rd Regiment left at"5.30 a.m. for a route march to Malie, a village about seven miles down the coast, intending to spend the day there and return in the evening. But no sooner had they all got into the sea for a most enjoyable bathe when the alarm was sounded, and the regiment had to march post-haste back to camp. They covered the seven miles in an hour and 45 minutes, during the heat of the day. The reason for the alarm was that there was some slight native trouble. Two villagers lost their tempers with each other over some trifling matter. It was quickly settled and nothing more came of it, but it spoilt the clay at Malie. During the next week the rain began in tropical style, and we had the greatest blow here since the memorable hurricane, when H.M.S. Calliopo steamed out and three American and three German warships were sunk in 1889. For all practical purposes it has rained continually since. The whole island is under water, the roads are torrents, the flat lands are standing lakes, and it is moist and unpleasant weather for everyone.

NOTHING LEFT TO CHANCE.

PREPARATIONS FOR ATTACK

[FROM OUR OWN" correspondent. ]

Apia, January 26.

On January 20 rumours were circulated that the. Dresden had escaped after the Falkland Island figlrt, and was heading lor Samoa with a transport full of German reservists from South America. Others asserted that it was the Von der Tann, and the story grew and multiplied exceedingly; but, whatever it was, there was obviously something in it, because we suddenly found ourselves electrified, and instead of the weary monotonous garrison duty, everyone was on the qui vive, polishing up his already speckless rifle, trying the edge of his bayonet wfih his thumb, and in every way getting ready for a fight. It would'not be politic, at this stage of the proceedings, to relate all the preparations that were made to repel the expected attack, but suffice it to say nothing was left to chance.