FIGHTING IN SAMOA.

Otago Witness, Issue 1851, 17 August 1893, Page 10

FIGHTING IN SAMOA.

Auckland, August 10. The Upolu, from Samoa, brings details of the recent fighting between the forces of Mataafa and Malietoa. On Saturday morning, July 8, the Government troops (Vaimanga) marched to the front. The Vaimanga and some of Tafatilafai 400 strong took up a position in the Vaitele plantation, close to Teidmann's house, whilst the enemy (a portion of -the Tufupalaaliand Talefa), about the same number, were in a stockyard. A gun accidentally or wilfully fired shot one of the Vaimanga and brought on the fight, and a brisk f usilade ensued, in which Mataafa's people were driven out of the stockyard to the boundary wall of the plantation. When darkness set in four women had been killed, two being beheaded (a Taupo of Tufu, daughter of Togalo), and another woman. Both were fighting in arms, one being mistaken for a man, and the other beheaded in trying to save her husband from decapitation. Shortly afterwards 11 heads were brought to town and presented to the King — the old chief, Fatumanara, received them with great thanks — and two heads were brought later, making 13. Three dead bodies of Tuamasagas were brought to town, and some wounded slung on poles. By night 12 wounded were in the hospital at the London Missionary Society's compound, attended by Mr W. E. Clark «and Miss Large, medical attendance being given by the German warships Bussard and Sperber. On Sunday, July 9, Mataafa's people evacuated the whole line of c6untry from Vaitele plantation to Malic. The Vaimanga fired away all night at the stone wall where Mataafa's people stood, and at daybreak charged, but the enemy had retreated, consequently Malieota's forces went on in the direction of Malic, burning houses en route to Malic, which was in flames. Mataafa had evacuated the town, burning the houses of his followers but leaving those of foreigners intact. The casualties on both Bides in Saturday's skirmishing is estimated at 16 dead and 17 wounded on Mataafa's side, and four dead and 12 wounded on the Government Bide.

The bodies of the slain were buried on Sunday by the London Missionary Society teachers where they fell, at Vaitele, so that they might be identified and re-interred with their several heads after the war in graves in the enclosure. One of the slain, Leanpepe, Mataafa s nephew, was buried at Vaitele by his relatives. On the Government side the head was earned through the town wrapped in a fine mat. He was a fine promising young man. He was killed at the attack on the stockyard m a duel by a brother to Seumairentafa, being hit on the head with a long knife with a hook on the end. Leanpepe asked for his life, but his foe, whose blood was up, refused, and decapitated him with a yell. „ ... On Thursday, July 13, Father Broyer of the French mission, addressed the Chief Justice on the question of an honourable peace to Mataata. He was referred to the consuls, who referred him to Malietoa, with the suggestion that if the French mission had exercised its undoubted influence with Mataafa the war would not have ensued at this time. On applying to the Kipg, Father Broyer was informed that the &ing would hear of no terms of conditional peace. On July 15 Mataafa asked for a truce. Further reports give Mataafa's killed at 18, including two women. . On July 17 the officers of the German and English warships, and English, German, and United States Consuls met to consider the in-

structions received by H.M.S. Katoomba fron» , the British Government. At the conference ift was decided the warships should go.to Manono and demand the surrender of Mataafa andall his principal chiefs (28), arid-on being handedover to take them to Apia and surrender them to the Government of Samoa for trial, or to any other tribunal determined by> instructions by the incoming mail. The arms of Mataafa's; followers to be collected. *<The consuls informed the King of thel "coma to and of the ' intention! *to make a joint attack on Manonff/in. the event of further resistance by Mataafjt. \ ,On the 18ttt I ult, word was sent to Mataafa, entrenohed at Manono, requiring his surrender, with his chiefs and arms, in three hours, or the Bussard, Sperger, and Katoomba would opett fire, as the commanders of the warship; i; were instructed by their respective Governments to support Malietoa to any extent his 'necessities might require. Within 15 minutes- of the specified limit of time Mataafa and^his chief? came off to the Katoomba and surrendered with their arms. All his followers returned to. Manono. It waß arranged that the.'King's forces should occupy that place, but no acts $£ reprisals on Mataafa's people resident th'ere'were to be permitted. The Katoomba returned.tb Apia wta her prisoners. Nine were sent, to. each of tne German warships and 10 kept on tjhe Katoomba. Mataafa occupies a state cabinj and is weu treated. Mataafa and his men' were promised their lives on surrendering Ib Mataafa will make displosuws.as to lw» was advised in his action. It the most prominent of the rebels should be banished from Samoa. • ' i>>|

Mr R. D. D. M'Lean, pf Hafke^ Bay, has given two acres of land .lgfOnqptal Bay .for a fite for a convalescent *omc| The s te i is valued at £1000, and in addition M* M'Lean subscribed £20 to the building- fund.