AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20131, 17 December 1928, Page 9

AFFAIRS IN SAMOA.

NATIVES AND BANANAS.

[from our own correspondent.] APIA. Nov. 20. The Maui Fomare arrived in Apia two days early, owing to Niue roadstead feeing too rough to work cargo. She has been very busy during the last two days taking in bananas. Last trip tlio Falealili district had 78 cases rejected; these were not paid for, and the natives said they would not ship again until the lot had been paid for. When the lighter pulled into Falealili this time 600 cases were shipped, against 400 last time. Banana monev is too good to be missed. Recently a Samoan broke into the Government copra shed at Fagamalo Savaii and stole two bags of copra. Prompt work by Mr. Packer, secretary, Mr. Stehlin, inspector, and the military police resulted in the offender being traced and brought before tho Court. Accused _ pleaded guilty and was sentenced to three years' imprisonment. Two other youthful Samoans were convicted of doing damage to the water supply pipe, and sentenced to three months' and six weeks' imprisonment respectively. Military police posts have been established at various points in Upolu and Savaii, and very gpod work is being performed in this way. The men seem to have very little trouble in rounding up offenders against the law'. Mr. W. Watson, engineer in charge of pubjiq works, has been appointed Indent Commissioner at Fagamalo Savaii. Mr. Verschaffelt, Mr. Park and .Mr. Berendsen, at present investigating finance, service and staff conditions m Samoa, are having a busy time working their way through the various branches of the Administration and the New Zealand Reparation Estates.