VISIT TO SAMOA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 40, 2 October 1911, Page 5

VISIT TO SAMOA.

MATAAFA INTERVIEWED

INTERESTING ACCOUNT BY BISHOP GRIMES.

f?er Press Association.) Christchurch, September 30. In an account of his trip to the South Sea Islands Bishop Grimes said that one of the most interesting incidents of the visit to Samoa was the interview with the famous Mataafa, whoso claim to Samoan sovereignity will be remembered.

Mataafa is approaching the end of his life, and is now very ill; indeed, he was reclining on a native mat with some thin white material wrapped round him.

Bishop Grimes could not help being impressed with the fine expressive features and truly manly form.

Mataafa courteously expressed his regret that he could not rise to receive his visitors from distant New Zealand. He rejoiced that they had come at a time when they could see In's people enjoying peace and tranquility, and subject to authority. Bishop Grimes replied that the visit

would always be a memorable one for him, and that the respect and veneration he had felt for Mataafa as a great warrior and model Christian had, by meeting him face to face, boon increased a 'thousandfold.

Mataafa’s son made a nice reply, and the kava cup was handed round, first to Bishop Grimes, then to Bishop Broyer, then to Dr. Kennedy, then to a- missionary, and finally to the old chieftain.

The Bishop could not help noticing with what reverential respect, grace and diginity the cup was presented on bended knee by one of Mataafa’s attendants.

The bishop was made the recipient of several gifts, including some kava, a portion of a pig, a fish, a pigeon, and two pieces of fins tappa or native cloth. INDIANS IN THE ISLANDS. <; The Indian coolie,” said the bis-

hop, “is becoming one of the gravest problems of the Fiji group, and they arc increasing at the rate of 1000 a year. They are paid one or two shillings a day for their labor. It seemed that unless steps were taken to prevent it Fiji would become an Indian colony to all intents and purposes. They live in huts which are poor and filthy in the extreme, and the conditions are most evil and insanitary. The condition of affairs is a disgrace to civilisation.”