NEWS FROM SAMOA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22210, 10 September 1935, Page 16

NEWS FROM SAMOA

FIRE AT APIA BUILDING AND STOCK BURNED [FROM OCR OWN CORRESPONDENT] APIA, Aug. 29 A fire occurred at 12.30 a.m. to-day when the store, promises and stock the estate of To Ah Soon were completely destroyed. Tho fire apparently started in the kitchen and, as the occupants were absent at the time, quickly spread to tho main building, which was a single-storey weather-board structure. By the time tho police lire brigade arrived the fire had gained so strong a hold that there was no chance of saving anything, and a clean sweep was made. The business was run by the Public Trustee on behalf of tho estate. The insurances were in the Palatine Company —£300 on the building and £IOOO on tho stock. Visits have been paid to Samoa in the course of the past three months by three of the ships of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy, the Dunedin, Diomede and Leith. The two former spent four days in the harbour and the latter 10 days in two visits. She took tho Government party to tho Tokelau group for tho annual inspection, the officials being Messrs. C. McKay (Native Affairs), Rutherford (Director of Education), and Dr. Turbott (chief medical olficer). Everything was found in good order at all places visited. On her return to Apia, a day was spent at Savai'i. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull gave a dance at Vailima, at which the officers of tho Diomede and Leith and over 300 local residents attended. In return, the captain and officers of the Diomede were at home the following day to over 100 guests. When thu warships make their next annual visit, it is the intention to suggest that instead of remaining at Apia, they visit various parts of the islands. Flag-raising Day was celebrated quietly in the morning, but in the afternoon the Apia Turf Club held a race meeting on Apia Park, at which there was a good attendance. Some fine racing was seen, and over 100 horses faced the barrier in nine events The principal race, the Roberts' Memorial Cup, was won by Hon. A. R. Cobcroft's bay mare Vailima, for the third time in succession. The trophy now becomes his property There has been unusual weather for this time of the year in Samoa. During tho month over 12m. of rain have fallen, and the weather has been remarkably cool.

A severe earth tremor occurred on August 23 at 2.,'J0 a.m. It was preceded by a loud rumbling and a gentle quiver. The main shock rocked the houses at Apia, but no damage was done. The popularity of the island cruise by the Maui Pomare is well established, as each month a number of visitors arrive. They are taken for drives to places of interest by the tourists' bureau, and entertained at native sivas and dances. The Maui Pomare, on her last trip, took 7120 cases of prime bananas and 45 cases of pawpaws to the Dominion. The Union Company's steamers will recommence their trips to Auckland in October, when an additional 4000 cases of bananas will be shipped. A large area of land has been planted to meet the demand, and, as the inspectors exercise great care, only prime fruit is shipped. Chief Judgo Luxford is now on circuit, but the criminal calendar was very light. He had only six cases to deal with, and as all had been remanded for sentence on pleas of guilty, they were soon • disposed of. He is now engaged on land and native cases at Mulinu'u. He will return to New Zealand by the next trip of tho Maui Pomare. There was a great rush for the tirsfcday issue of tho new Samoan stamps, and Mr. Dunwoodie, chief postmaster, dealt with over 7000 applications from all parts of tho world. Over 30,000 stamps were sold.