TO THOSE WHO FELL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21239, 20 July 1932, Page 15

TO THOSE WHO FELL.

MONUMENTS'IN SAMOA.

MEN OF FOUR COUNTRIES.

GERMANS ARRANGE CEREMONIES.

In response to an invitation from German settlers in Samoa some 400 residents of Apia and surrounding districts assembled on Sunday, July 3, at the German monumeut at Mulinu'u, which marks the last resting-place of officers and sailors of the German navy, some of whom lost their lives in action at Vailele in 1888, and others who perished in the hurricane which swept the group in March of 1889, when the British warship Calliope accomplished .the feat by steaming safely to sea in the teeth of the storm.

gift of a fence to surround the monument having come from friends in Germany, and renovations having been completed, it was considered -opportune to hold a memorial ceremony at the graveside. At the same time the committee was not forgetful that nationals of other countries who had died in 1888 and 1889 were lying buried close by, and it was decided to embrace in the day's proceedings visits to the British and American monument and to the Samoan graves. Administrator Takes Part. His Excellency the Administrator of Western Samoa, Mr. H. E. Hart, was presas also was Commander Ramsbottom. offi officers and a detachment of men from H.M.S. Laburnum. The gathering, in marching order, headed by the Apia Brass Band playing "Drei Liliep," an old German cavalry march, proceeded to the German monument At the foot of the monument was'draped the German flag, and a trailing wreath of greenery lay around the foundations. 4

After an address by Pastor R. Reye, superintendent of the Seventh Day Adventist Mission, Mr. H. Gebauer placed on the monument an official wreath. Mr. Gebauer was one of the three old German residents who were present in Samoa in 1888. Other wreaths were deposited by the Administrator, Commander Ramsbottom, and by the German -and other settlers. Mr. G: Klinkmueller than addressed the gathering. Then followed the song, "Ich hab einen Kameraden'" ("I Once Had a Comrade"), sung by tho German settlers. Following the taking of photographs, the assembly moved in procession, headed by the band, to the British and American monument, where, after a short address by Pastor Reye, wreaths and flowers were placed upon the monument. The first wreath was laid by Mr. P. Paul, an old settler. Uncle antf Nephew. One large wreath was from members of, the Police Department. There was present among tho party from 11.M.5. Laburnum, Petty-Ofßcer R. C. Rollason, of Mylor, Cornwall, who is a nephew of the late Leading-Seaman A. M. Prout, of n.M.S. Royalist, who is buried under the British-American monument and whose name appears on the stone. Mr. Rollason placed a wreath on the monument.

Again forming in procession, the gathering marched to the Samoan graves in the grounds of, tho Apia Observatory, where Pastor Reye in the Samoan language delivered an address.

His Excellency tho Administrator placed the first wreath on the grave, and was followed by Mr. G. W. Partsch, an old German settler, who had a largo wreath. Other floral tributes were laid on bv the settlers. Tho band played "Lead, Kindly Light," followed by the British National Anthem, "God Save tho King," which closed the proceedings.