The Samoa Times. Editor: Ernest A. Dobbie. SATURDAY, JULY 3. Local end General.

Samoanische Zeitung, Volume 20, Issue 27, 3 July 1920, Page 4

The Samoa Times. Editor: Ernest A. Dobbie. SATURDAY, JULY 3. Local end General.

Sunday July 4th being the , . one hundred and forty fourth anniversary of the Independence of the United States of America the large flag wfll be flown at the American Consulate. There will be no reception. • The directors of the Union Steam Ship Company (at Dunedin on June 2), presented Captain D. M'Lean with a tea ana coffee service on the occasion of his retirement after 35 years' active work, for 29 years of which he was a master in the employ of the company. Daring Captain M'Lean's connection with the company he ' has been master of a large

number of steamers, including the Niagara, and was in charge of the Mokoia when she mady the parliamentary trip to the islands recently. Perhaps Captain, M'Lean is bene, known for his war services, as he was master of the Maheno for the whole period. during which that vessel was used as a hospital ship. Mr. John Roberts, C. M. G., in making the presentation, spoke in eulogistic terms o( the services rendered to the company by Captain M'Lean. and stated that the directors were exceedingly sorry- to lose such a valuable and experienced master who had done such excellent work throughout his splendid career, but the time had arrived for his retirement from the • service. At the same time he congratulated him on entering into a wellearned rest, particularly after the strenuous and trying times of;the past few vears. Other directors also expressed their appreciation of ' Captain M'Lean's fine record.

Mr R. G. Thomson, a well known journalist, passed away at Dannevirke (N. Z.) recently after a few..months' illness. The deceased gentleman had many friends in the Dominiou. He/was engaged for a considerable period as v a reporter on the staffs of both of the Dunedin daily papers, and in 1900 was appointed to the Hansard staff—a position he filled with marked ability for more than 20 sessions ot Parliament. It is stated thai he contracted a severe chill bn his return to New Zealand from Samoa, where he was engaged during the sittings of the Influenza^Commission.

The new Secretary of the Chinese Consulate, Mr. Cheugpen, received a pleasant surprise on his arrival.in Samoa, in meeting one of his old Chinese pupils, whom he tanght years ago in China.

Mr. Pang, the new Chinese Consul's assistant, received part of his education in Birmingham, where he came through with high honours as a political, economist at the Birmingham University. Prior to leaving China Mr. Pang occupied a responsible position in the Foreign Office.

j There are now uo less than five Chinese ladies in Samoa.

• Huch's Buildings, since the South Seas Pacific Company, instated its office, there, has taken on quite a busy .aspect, judging by .the heavy bookings of Samoans wishing to visit Tutuila per the Ajax. Mr. Berking, who is in charge of the office is having a busy run. The Company is out for ""a,, share of the wholesale r buying and exportation of Samoan products, chiefly y:ocoa and copra/ The company are also importers and in this respect hope ere long to build up a.considerable business/

Tbe new Department of labour, to be presided over by Capt, J. Carter on bis return from China, was opened on Wednesday last (in the premises, lately conducted as the Palm Cafe.) For the'time being Capt. F. Lewer, who has been transferred from the Harbour Department, will be in charge pending Capt. Carter's return in two months time.

Quite a flutter was caused on the Beach front, among the talkative ones not altogether free from a little scandal mongering, last Saturday morning, when a warning by advertisement, appearing in our wireless Extra, threatened dire consequences if a certain individual did not cease his unworthy trade. The humorous side of this serious warning was the fact that quite half a dozen gentry on the beach were scratching their heads quietly and seriously wandering if the warning were intended for him,

By the last European mail Mr. Lam Chak Kwati, the retiring Secretary of the Chinese Consulate received a distinction from the Chinese Government for long and meritorious service. The medallion which accompanies the distinction was a replica in silver of the corn flower. The medal was beautifully engraved on each side and bore an inscription in Chinese.

We regret to record the demise of Mrs. Pattrick, mother of Mr. P. E, Pattrick, the Commissioner of Crown Estates. A wireless message to that effect was received on Tuesday last from Christchurch, New Zealand, where the deceased lady had only shortly arrived, in the company of the Misses Pattrick,-. from Samoa. A great deal of regret will be felt for the' bereaved.

An effort is being made to bring about a Singles Bowling Tournament to be played on the Richardson Green in competition for the set of bowls presented by the Union Steam Shin Co.

Capt. C. O. Anderson, who lias been superintendent of the yard staff of the D.H. & P.G., vacated that position during the past week to take over the duties as stevedore of the Harbour Department. Capt. *v Anderson is now installed in the office vacated by Capt. Lewer. This appointment must be considered an opportune one. As a result the particular duties involved should show a. decided improvement—long overdue —in the handling of cargo. A very pleasant and successful afterfcoon was spent at the Casino oil Wednesday, despite the indement weather, when, at the-.invitation of Miss , Hilda Jensen, between 20 and 30 laafes took the opportunity

to bid farewell to Mrs. Dunlop, who, with Mr. Dunlop, will be outward bouud'by the next Navua. Afternoon tea • was dispensed with beautiful confections of the culinary art. Miss Jensen proved an ideal hostess.

One of the badly felt necessities in Apia is a Post Office Savings Bank. We understand that an official will arrive by the Navna next week, with the object of opening up sucb an institution.

After an illness which extended over the past two weeks, 'Mr. Ah Chong, a highly respected Chinese merchant of Apia, died on Wednesday evening last. The deceased had been a long resident in Samoa and enjoyed a large measure -of popularity, both, from the Europeans and his own countrymen, by reason of his quiet unassuming nature and straightforwardness. The funeral held on Wednesday afternoon was largely ■ attended.

Tuesday morniug, at Messrs. A. G. Aunesley's (Samoa) Ltd., is becoming a regular occasion each week by attendance on the part of the public at the "Reduce the Cost of Living" auction of popular lines. A glance _at an 'announcement appearing in our advertisement columns will show the array of goods to be disposed of.

As far as can be gathered the "Navua" is expected to arrive at Apia next Friday the 9th inst. Her departure from Suva is not yet quite certain, owing to the large transhipment of cargo to be loaded. The "Navua's" cargo for Samoa is said to be a bigger one than usual.

Mr. Lin Jun Chao and Mr. Lam Chak Kwan will leave Samoa to-day for Pago Pago, by the Ajax, to join the Ventura for Sydney. From thence they will proceed direct i to Canton, China.

The twice postponed enquiry concerning the. recent death of Frank Roberts wis , definitely concluded on Wednesday last,, at the District "Court. The charge against Edward was dismissed. He was cautioned as to his future use of intoxicating liquor.* ________________

Chinainen regard it as impolite to wear spectacles m company. Of all bodies of salt water the warmest is the Red Sea, which has a temperature, even at its greatest depths, of 70 degrees. , The Japanese host never entrusts the making, of tea to his servants on hish occasions; it is ft* task he invariably performs himself.

Over 25,000 people live permanently on canal boats in England. An eagle kills its prey with its claws and never with its beak. Epidemic and certain other diseases are practically unknown in and about places where bleaching powder, eto„ are made.

Brazil has nearly 800,000,000 coffee trees now bearing berries. Count Leopold Ferri, of Padua, had a library consisting of 32,000 volumes,.all of them the works of female authors. Nearly a quarter of a million young eels .have' just been placed in the Thames 'to increase the English food supplies.