LEADER OF THE MAU.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 14

LEADER OF THE MAU.

THE ARREST OF TAMABESE.

AN EARLY MORNING CAPTURE. REFUSAL TO PAY TAXES. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] APIA, Nov. 29, Tho high chief Tamascse, leader of tho Mau, was arrested two days ago by a party of military police under Major Bell and Lioutenant Mooro. Constable Hollis was also with tho party, and he and Lientenant Moore were the two who took tho leading part in the arrest Tho time was 5 a.m. and Tamasese bolted for tho bush tho moment ho discovered the polico were after him. ( He couldn't get way, though, and after ho was caught and handcuffed no further trouble was experienced. The arrest was brought about by the failure of Tamasese to obey an order of the High Court to pay his taxes.

There was sonio stone throwing by the larrikin element,- and one of tho military policemen got a rather bad cut over the lip. The rest of the natives are taking the matter very quietly. Although there are rumours about something being done to get the :hief out of gaol, not much weight is being attached to them Tamasese seems quite happy in custody The strain of dodging the police day aftei day was telling on him. The arrest may or may not help the solution of Samoa's trouble. The point the Mau wish for now is " Let Nelson come back, and it is finished." So it is said, but who knows what the Samoan has got in his mind ? Somo people think they know. He is a wise man who knows the Samoan.

[A iiii-ssagc from Apia published on Deccmhor 7 staled that 'lamaseso was sentenced to six months' imprisonment for resisting arrest, and six weeks for refusing to pay his taxes, the terms to be cumulative ]

A little excitement was occasioned in the villages round about the Residency at Fagamalo, when tho water supply was ontirely cut off by tho Government. The water supply rate was not paid, arid, Mau-like, tho natives said tliey would not pay. Some of the loyal natives had paid the tax, but theso were also cut off. Within a week tho tax was paid by most of the villages, and tho water put on again to all villages, save two, which still field out. Tho loyal natives who had paid raised no objection to the loss of water, realising that the step had to be taken to bring tho others to their senses.