“HOME SWEET HOME”

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 174, 24 July 1936, Page 7

“HOME SWEET HOME”

HON. 0. F. NELSON IN SAMOA A VOCIFEROUS WELCOME PARADE A MILE LONG THANKSGIVING SERVICE. (From the Special Correspondent of the United Press Assn, with the Official N.Z. Goodwill Mission). Received July 23, 9.14 p.m. APIA, July 23. With the arrival of the Hon. O. F. Nelson by the Maui Pomare at noon to-day celebrations in honour of the home-coming of the Mau leader reached their climax. All Samoa was in Apia for the occasion, which was marked by enthusiastic and orderly demonstrations of joy. W’hcn the vessel dropped anchor irt the roadstead she was immediately surrounded by a large fleet of rowing surrounded by four hundred Samoans chanting songs of welcome to the beat of drums. A touching reunion took place on board between Mr. Nelson and his relatives, who went out on the pilot launch with the Hon. F. Langstone, and the ActingAdministrator. Mr. Nelson shook hands firmly with members of the official party and expressed deep gratitude at being home again. A magnificent reception awaited him ashore, were thousands of natives, wearing the Mau uniform, lined the road along the seafront. Mr. Nelson was grieved to learn that High Chief Tuimavava, a staunch supporter of the Mau, who had walked over two miles in order to be present, had collapsed and died a few minutes previously. With a band playing a martial air, the big parade, a mile long, wended its way in the scorching sun to the village of Vaimoso. Here a service of thanksgiving for the safe return of the exile was conducted by a native pastor. Later Mr. Nelson, witn the Goodwill delegates, participated in a kava ceremony, after which Mr. Langstone and the Acting-Administra-tor returned to Vailima, while Mr. Nelson and the Mau Committee made a devout pilgrimage to the tomb of Tamasese and other Samoans who had lost their lives during the trouble in December, 1929. Mr. Nelson spent, the rest of the afternoon with his family. To-morrow morning he will meet the Goodwill Mission, which is anxious to arrive at an agreement before leaving on the homeward voyage that evening. In the afternoon the celebrations in honour of Mr. Nelson will be continued. Samoa Island ceremony and ritualism is deeply rooted in the social culture of the people. A new house, a new boat, the birth of a child, the death of a chief, the election of a successor, anything and everything that denotes change or a new condition is ushered in with appropriate observances that have themselves changed little in time immemorial.

FAREWELL TO DELEGATES A MALO CEREMONY MAU TO WELCOME NELSON. (From the Special Representative of United Press Association, with the Official New Zealand Mission.) APIA, July 21. A farewell was accorded the goodwill mission to-day by a large assembly at Mulinuu, the seat of the native government and the burial place of the Samoan Kings. The ceremony was arranged by representatives of the Malo. The Malo is the section of the community which has down the years remained loyal to the Government and kept aloof from all Mau activities. The speakers complimented the delegates from New Zealand on thenefforts to restore harmony among all of the people in Samoa and expressed the hope that their labours would net be in vain. Members of the party and their wives were presented with beautifully made mats and other articles, and were later entertained at a feast.