SHOTS FIRED

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 260, 24 January 1928, Page 9

SHOTS FIRED

SAMOAN DEMONSTRATION VISITOR’S IMPRESSIONS “About 12 war canoes came up the harbour on the day we arrived at Apia,” said Mr. H. L. Wise, an accountant, of Christchurch, who returned by the Tofua yesterday, and who saw the recent “demonstration” in Samoa. He said that on that date, January 12, the natives in the canoes landed, and were joined by others from the shore. There was a rowdy procession, led by dancing Samoans, to the grounds at the back of the courthouse. A few shots were fired from revolvers or rifles, but no damage was done. The gathering was an enthusiastic one, and Mr. Wise thought that the spokesmen seemed decidedly hostile, though he could not understand what they said. After the speech-making there was a feast, but the demonstra-' tion never got out of hand. When the Tofua left with the Hon. O. F. Nelson and Mr. A. G. Smyth on board, things were strangely quiet. No canoes, and only three or four launches, followed the ship. Songs were sung by the people on the launches, and there was a waving of flags.