THE Samoa Weekly Herald. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15.

Samoa Weekly Herald, Volume 2, Issue 94, 15 September 1894, Page 2

THE Samoa Weekly Herald. SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 15.

The most pleasing circumstance at present under tho notieo of those whose fortune—or misfortune—it is to be dwellors in this unfortunate and inisgovomod country of Samoa is 'lie energy that is being displayed by the L.md Coinmissiouers and the near prospect of a termination of the labors "••f that body, and the consequent br nofit- 'hit must accruo to thoso who are hi Icra of .land iu theso islands, The ii ii. Is, however, somewhat dnJlsd by ll e knowledge thut the United ■rite-, with that lack of ordinary in- ' ' tico which ho* eharneteriwd tho ■ wt da of its doings with Simoon nff«'.if, and especially with tho Land •'•• emission, have only appointed Mr. Chambers for the period of three wuntlw, or so wo must presume, that gontlomnn having positively stated that it U his intention to ruturn to the United Htnles by tho Mariposa, which vessel leaves Apia on November T. It only needs to bo stated that ns there nro 649 claims in vnrious parts of tho islands yet undisposed of, silof whjob are to be ooatMted,

to satisfy any person of intelligence iliat the completion of the work of investigation by that date is an utter impossibility. Ther3 being; only fifty working days between tho date of Mr. Chambers arrival and departure it follows that ovev ton claims must be disposed of during each day to bring that work to a conclusion. "While in the interests of the Voiron, who bear tho expense of the Commission, two of which Powers—Great Britain and Germany—have been placed at some thousands of pounds of additional cost, owing to the extraordinary conduct of the United States in this matter, it is desirable to hasten the end, and so do away with the outlay, it will bo manifestly unliif to rush through the work in the manner proposed. Such a com-" will only entail additional trouble ami expense bj- necessitating rehearing.; in the Supve'tac Conrt. It becomes clear that it is Mr. Chambers' dut\- to saeriiue his personal wishes in a slight manner so as to secure the successful carrying out of the work which lie is sworn to perform. As the matter stands if he leaves the scene of his duty on November 7th a great number of claims must, if that part of the work which is done, is dune efucieiuly, bo left unheard. If. on the other hand, the Commission persists in completing or trying to complete the hearing of 5-12 claims in .30 days we hnvo no hesitation in saying that the work must bo scamped, and that the reports which wiii be forwarded to the Supreme Court will be practically useless. As what we have stated cannot be gah.soid, it follows that to endeavor to finish the work by November 7th. will be a distinct wrong, from which both claimants and objectors will suffer, and it is, therefore, tho distinct duty of the gentleman who has it in bib power to prevent such wrong, to do so. V," trust this will be done, and thai tho last work of tho Commission will not be marred by undue haste.