SAMOAN NEWS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 5028, 8 June 1889, Page 3

SAMOAN NEWS.

(Pee Electric Telegeai’ii—Copyright. (Per Press Association.) (Received 12.45 p.m., June Bth.) Sydney, June 8. At the request of Mataafa, Mr Napier, solicitor of Auckland, has drafted a skeleton Constitution Bill for Samoa. Most of the Natives living in the vicinity of Apia are subsisting on rice, but cannot get much as it is dear. The British ViceConsul has written to Auckland respecting offers of a supply of food for tho Natives, stating that now they will be very acceptable.

Amongst the charges against H. DeCoetlogan, British Consul, it is stated that when tho Germans went to attack Mataafa tho Consul showed a blue light, and also allowed tho Natives to enter tho Consulate for protection when fired at by the Germans. Tho British Consul stales in regard to showing the blue light that it was merely a signal to H.M.S, Royal, lying at anchor in the harbour. With regard to tho statement that he allowed the natives to enter the consulate he says that he only allowed such natives as were wounded to enter the consulate. It is believed tho American warship Nipsic, damaged in tho recent hurricane, which unsuccessfully attempted the proceed to New Zealand for repairs has gone to Honolulu, the voyage thither being considered safer than the risk of the boisterous weather of tho New Zealand