The Samoa Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 15 Local and General News.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 18, Issue 24, 15 June 1918, Page 3

The Samoa Times. SATURDAY, JUNE 15 Local and General News.

His lixcelloiioy tlie Administrator ;i few days ago visited Stevenson's grave, making tlie ascent on horseback, which is tlie first time flmt the precipitous slope of Mount \ r aea leading to the celebrated author's tomb lias been accomplished other than on Foot. Attended by Captain lb -I. Carter, A.8.C., His Ivvcolloncy accomplished the journey from (lovornmenf Mouse, Vailima, with comparative comfort in about twenlv minutes' time. The; feat lias been rendered possible by the laying of a new bridle track, constructed under the superintendence of Sergt. O'Dwyer, who has overcome tlie difiiculty of gradient by the adoption ol a zig-zag route which is faii'lv easy of negotiation eit her by horseman or pedestrian. This is not t he first time the present Administration, mindful of the convenience of those who desired to visit the sacred site, has devoted attention to the track, but, owing to the heavy tropical downpours washing away the soil, the results have not been ol a _ lasting character. The latest scheme, however, has been undertaken on a more elaborate scale, ami is likely to withstand the assaults of advoise weather with more success. There are a few among the white inhabitants of the Island who admit that they have never climbed the hill to the summit where Tusitala lies, though admirers of Stevenson journey from the four comers of the earth to Samoa with this single purpose in view. Usually tin; explanation vouchsafed by these our local liitodicetuis has involved an exaggeration of the difficulties of climbing tlie hill, with a hint of physical inability to undertake so

'•xlniusiiiijr an effort, Thev will |>ow have perforce to cudirel' their brains lor a luoro plausible excuse. ' ir " * wentiou was made iu our 1 ''*' " f hist week to the Taumafa- *«!?" hold iju May :jl 3 t at Matautu u »der the auspices of tho Touaiiia Club in celebration of the lauuolii»g of their new boat, the function wing a pronounced success from ovory point of view. His Excellency Lionel R. C.R., was pre'- -''"'. with Captain I!. .1. Carter, A|) ( '-- in attendance, hj large '■"lnpany including Capts A. W. A. liichai-fLscm and J. M. Gillespie, '•""t- B. A. Lusk, and Lieut. l.'.M. Doughty, besides many native chiefs o| IJpolu, Savaii and other islands of the group. The native banquet was a sumptuous one, adequate to the importance of the occasion, for no fewer than -WQ baked pigs were included in the rnenn, with a proportionately lavish supply .if many other Samoan foods. After the repast was finished the High Chiefs Malieton and Tuimaloaliifano, assisted by Chiefs Latuasese and Saipaia, all wearing the badge of the Red Crass. undertook th« duty of collecting moneys for the benefit of the Red Cross. A sum of i'i ~>s was contributed by tin; assembled natives which has been forwarded to tlulion, treasurer of the Women's Patriotic Society. I'lie Toeaiiiu (/bib's new motor boat Fealofani, having finished a series of festive trips in the conveyance of native chiefs to and from Savaii, is now lying up for sundry finishing touches, which are expected to take about a week to complete. Her formal trial trip will be run on Sunday week, after which she commences her itinerary for the transport of passengers and cargo. On -Inly 2 she will make ii trip for members of the Club only to Pago Pago for the July fourth ('elebrations. A Tuuuia fataga—feast faa-Sa-iiinii —given by the relatives of Private William Stowers, took place at Reauvaa ou Saturday last, in celebration of his return to Samoa. Private William Stowers enlisted iu New Zealand in Ifllfi, left for the Front with the 1 Sth Reinforcements, and, having been wounded in tho ttonuuo Rattle, was returned to New Zealand, and is here on a short visit to recuperate. |Je is a popular young fellow, with i r i,ops of friends, as was evidenced m |lie large number who journeyed i|,,wii the coast to join in the fesl.ive g'"il boring. Among the guests were Judge and .Mrs. Roberts and (Japtain J. ,M. Gillespie. Siva ,lancing, music and social intercourse tilled in a pleasant hour or so before the feast was due. At the conclusion of the repast Judge Roberts gave a short nddressapproprinto to the occasion, with a complimentary reference to the Stowers family, mentioning the fact that no fewer than three sons of .Mr. Jus. Stowers ha\e seen service at the Front. He concluded by calling for three cheers for Pvte. Slower-, which were lustily accorded. During the proceedings n purse of CRi was collected and handed over lo the returned soldier, the presentation ceremony being performed bf Mr. 0. F, Nelson in n neat little speech. Pvte. Slower.- expressed bis thanks, and about •"> o'clock the visitors made their way buck to town, haviug spent n most otijnjnble afternoon.

The following amounts wore taken by the Collector of Customs for the week muling 3tb June. 1918.*. t s d I Import Duty 790 ] t ; 2 I Export Duty :j] ] 7 Taxes and Licenses |.it | | 0 Miscellaneous [:] ]■_> 1, t. 887 0 y In our report of the Red Cross Bazaar the name of Miss liita Meredith was inadvertently omitted from the list of ladies iu charge of the Saiuoau Stall. An especially good performance of pictures was run through at thu Market flail on Wednesday evening, the films being received with such favour by the audience that the best of 'them will be j exhibited again this evening. The programme will be:— " A Child of the West." A talc ■>{ horse stealing ou the trail in the Far West. " Driven from the Ranch." A cowboy film with an irresistible appeal to the average picture audience. " Von !" This means everybody, all being expected to do their ''Little bit " in the cause of the World s Freedom. A specially recommended picture. "Shell Manufacture." Shows the interior of vast machine shops and steel furnaces, with process in active operation for the manufacture of munitions of war. " Fate's Interception." a Drama. And a good comedy picture during the course of the evening, On Wednesday next an elaborate film in live acts, -'The Wrath of the (b.ds." by fJbas. I nee, will be screened. This is a Japanese story depicting in realistic fashion the destruction wrought by a volcano. Another picture, " Kn<'land's Menace," featuring the clever Fnglish actor Charles Rock, will form part of the programme. Tea in Sweden is &s per pound. Coffee is practically unobtainable. Woolen clothes has increased more than 200 per cent, in prices since the beginning of the war. Chocolate sells for •s■'■'> per pound, bam for SI per pound. An accident occurred near the (..\>urt ILouse; on Thursday afternoon, when a pony attached to a carnage standing at Ilollesoc's cornet bolted down the lliiti Road, and collided with a motor lorry, with the result that both shafts ol the carriage were smashed. The pony was secured without any further damage being done. Mrs. V, Kusmns-en, owner of th» runaway and carriage, whs hi the Court House Ht the time. A notice emanating from the Chinese Commissioner's Ofliee stipulates that labourers brought in Samoa for plantation work will not be allowed to reindenture other than for that purpose. An exception to this rule is that householders will lie permitted to indenture one Chinese labourer as a domestic servant, while hotels and boarding houses will receive special consideration in this respoet. Tenders are invited by the Commissioner of Public Works for the following contracts : - -Labour only for the erection e£ a bridge at Laulii ; delivery of 21)0 loads id' stone on the waterfront ; labour only for the erection of a cook

house at Sogi; labour only for painting the hospital; labour foi repairs to Capt. Hallen's residence, Motootua. For specifications, plans and further particulars application should bo made at the Lands and Works Department.

Military Coustable John F. Batey joined the Garrison nearly three years ago, having since his arrival in Samoa been attached to the Military Police. He is now leaving for New Zealaud, and in connection with his departure his comrades in the Sogi Barracks on Tuesday evening held a social, m the course of which he was presented with a smoker's outfit as a mark of the high esteem he has won among them. Quartermaster Sergeant Tredegar was voted to the chair, and other visitors were Corporal F. Johnson (Paymaster's Office), Pvte. J. Smith, Messrs. J. F. Ellerby, Hill and James Curry. The presentation devolved upon Prov.-Sergt, P. J- Grimes, who spoke in eulogistic terms of Pvte. Batey's many sterling qualities. As one of the Police he had been zealous in the performance of his duties, which lie had discharged with unvarying discretion, while in his personal relations with his comrades he was invariably courteous, aud though of an unassuming disposition ever ready with his assistance or advice where it was needed. These sentiments voiced by Prov.-Sergt. Grimes were received with applause and supported by subsequent speakers, who one aud all expressed their regret at theii comrade's departure. Private Batey in tendering his thanks said that though he was leaving the island he hoped to keep in touch with his old friends of the Military Police. During the evening a number of toasts were proposed, and with speech and song a very enjoyable time was spent.