SAMOA.

Timaru Herald, Volume CI, Issue 15447, 9 September 1914, Page 3

SAMOA.

RETURX OF THE PSYCHE. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Sept. S. 11.M.5. Psyche returned ins morning > from Samoa. ; According to Captain Marshall tho landing of the troops at oainoa was a particularly smart piece ot work. Tho the Mouiwai was due to tilt- steering gear failing at a er.tical moment, 'j lie captain was. not blame-, able. jl On tho voyage back the Psyche called at Xavita. where the British and German residents were perforce on terms of iriendliness. They were not aware j ol" the war between the two countries. :i The K.ng ot* Tonga, has given "■".« as- j snr;:iice of neutrality. j WIRELESS OPERATORS. BUSY "PICKING UP." I WELLINGTON/Sept. S. The Moeraki's wireless plant worked splendidly throughout the voyage. The, nay before reaching Samoa the German plant was heard working feverishly with a German ship, which evidently knowthat the expedition was approaching, i The operator on the Moeraki asked the [ German ship if she had seen any German warships on For voyage. A reply was not hoard. | - BERNSTORFF NEWS. FOR GERMAN RESIDENTS. Before the arrival of the expedition the inhabitants had been well fed with pajiulum of the Count Bernstoff type. They lied been told that the Germans were performing brilliantly successful exploit* on the Continent, and that the Gciman Navy had carried all before it. | A British trader who gave tho native chiefs hi.-, estimate of tho reliability of these bullet "ns was varaed' that" he would lie severely dealt with if lo j again "interfered" w.fh tho natives. A NEW ZEALAND GARRISON. Seen after an Executive meeting, the Prime Minister sa d tliat .Samoa was now ■ being administered by the Imperial authorities through a Governor. It would remain Brit sh territory, subject to any readjustment that might be miu'o as the result of peace negotiations. Samoa would continue to be garrisoned by New Zealand troops—he could not say anything regarding- further acquisition of territory in the Pacific. Among the .men who returned from Samoa, invalided, by tho Moeraki. arc tw > South Canterbury men, A. R. Hutchins, and T. E. King, Timarti, ol" the Railway Battalion. ——————— I PLENTY OF COAL. FOR OUR TROOPSHIPS. WELLINGTON, Sept. 7. Some weeks ago the difficulty of securing sufficient coal for the transports and for the Admiralty was causing .tin- Government some, r.uxiely.' but at that time it was expected that the" troopships would be leaving for "Europe at the end of August. The delay in the sailing <:t' the transports has allowed the stores of coal lo accumulate, and now there is more than enough coal available to meet demands. GREYMOUTH. Soot. S. The war lies so far affected the West Coast in two ways, firstly, the cnal trade ha? become exceedingly brisk, and the export of coal has constituted a recv.nl. WEST COAST INDUSTRIES. TIMBER MILLS ON SHORT TDIE. The timber trade has been hard hit by ihe war. and already many of the mills :re working short time. The otitic;.', is none too reassuring. Gold mining continues uninterrupted and the output is well up to. if not slightly in advance of. the average. A rumour, for which there appears to he substantial foundation, is current to the effect, thai the bunts- v.i'l '-.ho'-tly reduce tho price for gold probably by Is or Is 6:1 per ounce.