LIFE IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18630, 11 February 1924, Page 8

LIFE IN SAMOA.

SPdRT -LOVING NATIVES. RESIDENTS' DISTRACTIONS. [BY telegraph.—own COHHESPONDKIT.] • WELLINGTON. Saturday. An interesting account of the life and distractions of the white man in Samoa, be he soldier, official, planter or trader, was given by Captain W. M. Bell, A.D.C. to His Excellency the Administrator of Western Samoa, who is at present on furlough. " There are four race meetings a year at Apia," said Captain Bell, dealing with outdoor sports in the order of their preference by Samoan folk. " Besides this, there are numerous meetings, that might be called picnic races, in the villages. With the native jockey, it is whip and spur from barrier to judge's post, with very little judgment in handling the mount. In some of the outside meetings, it is not uncommon to follow the oldtime back-blocks practice of having a dark horse in the scrub, from where he joined id the race at & convenient moment. In Apia, under the Racing Club, the sport is efficiently controlled. There is a 4s totalisator, but natives are, of course, not allowed to bet. At the big menting of the year, on Boxing Day, about £1000 would go through the machine, and £4 is regarded as a high dividend. Racing at Apia is latterly responsible for a great improvement in breeding. " Cricket is the national pastime of the natives; in fact, some of thorn will tell you that they played it hundreds of years ago. It is played all the year round. There are about • four ' regular teams, and when there is a visit from one of the warships, there is a cricket gala, which is much enjoyed by all. There are no turf wickets. There are a number of privately-owned grass courts for tennis, which claims many devotees, and bowls has an excellent following. " Association is the only football code played. There is a European club, the amoan Sea Scouts, a Chinese team, and a ; school team. The Chinese join in all sports, and would appar to have a far more enjoyable time than certain politicians would have us believe. " The reason for there being no Rugby in Western Samoa is rather a psychological one," remarked Captain Bell, in answer to a question. " The Samoan has not yet reached the stage at which an opponent can fling him to the ground in a football tackle, without it being regarded as a personal affront, and, if trouble ensued, whole villages might become involved in the fray." Baseball has many adherents, owing to the presence of teams in American Samoa. ■ - "Club life is pleasant at Western Samoa, even in spite of the fact that J*we are no licenses said Captain Bell. The Overseas League is a very live organisation that caters for social diversion in the way of dancing, bridge, lectures, amateur theatricals and concerts, as well as entertaining visitors from steamers and cruisers. The Sciaute Club hold wonderful dances, where the dressing, supper and general arrangement are such as few people experience in other countries. The British Club is confined $o men members of European races, anil is up-to-date with modern accommodation and equipment. "There is a wonderful charm in "these mystic isles of the Southern seas," said Captain Bell. " They are really indescribable. Their glamour grips the heart like a first love, only it has this difference: the love for the wonderland- of the Pacific is maintained. For three months of the year, the climate is trying, but during the dry season, when the trade winds are blowing, there is no more equable climate. Every night a cool breeze from the hills refreshes the weary, and enables one to rise fresh and fit for the day's toil." ■ ■■■ ~. ■•.