GARRISON LIFE IN SAMOA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 15884, 3 April 1915, Page 8

GARRISON LIFE IN SAMOA

DISAPPOINTED SOLDIERS. [BY TELEGRAPH.OWN CORRESPONDENT.] OnßisTCHtttcH, Friday. A recent member of the infantry division at Samoa, who has returned to Christchurch, speaks of the monotony of the' garrison duty. The only incidents were the visit of the German men-o'-war, which resulted in nothing, and a little "scrap" between two tribes of natives. Apart from these the men had to rely upon wordy arguments on things in general and friendly boute. It was real lighting that they had gone- to see, and the garrison duty palled on them until it made them restive and discontented. On.the whole, the informant says, the men had good health, and even if ennui did attack them somewhat strongly they had a good time. They found that although tha climate was trying at times it was quito bearable if suitable clothing was worn. The natives of Samoa are described as hospitable. They made many protestations of their loyalty to the British, and openly avowed their dislike of the Germans and of German rule. Speaking generally tho New Zcalanders got along very well with the German population at Samoa. There were occasions when hard language passed between two members of the hostile nations, but these differences went no further than words. The Germans appear to have boundless faith in their country, and the possibility of defeat did not seem to have entered their minds.