APIA, SAMOA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume IX, Issue 41, 8 October 1892, Page 1009

APIA, SAMOA.

Dear Bee, August 25. I have often thought that I would send you a con tribution for your Society Column from this out of the way place and think you will agree with me that a better opportunity may never occur again than the present one. when Vice-Royalty is in our midst. It is the first time Samoa has been thus favoured. The Countess of Jersey with her daughter — Duly Margaret Villiers—and the Hon. Rupert Leigh arrived b.v the I.ubecK on August 12th. They were the guests of Mr Bazetr Haggard. 11.8. M. Land Commissioner. The next day (Saturday) her Ladyship and party paid a visit to Utumapu cott’ee plantation. The following Monday a state visit was paid to His M ijesty King Malietoa. On Thursday the Vice-Regal party went down the coast some twelve miles to Lufilufi. where they were well received by the High Chief Tainasese, son of the lateTamasese. the German nominee in the late political troubles. ( >n Tuesday the 23rd King Malietoa gave a dinner ‘ faa Samoa ’ (in Samoan fashion) to her ladyship and party, where they were met by a few officials, and in the evening Mr Bazett Haggard gave an ‘At Home’to the principal residents in Apia, to meet Lady Jersey. The reception-room was very prettily decorated with the English. German, and American dags, the palm leaves of the cocoa-nut tree and festoons of flower-. The balcony was lit with Chinese lanterns. The Countess of Jersey was attired in a lot «-ly pale blue satin evening dress with train, the dress veiled with tulle; -he wore diamonds. Lady Margaret looked very pretty in blue satin. The visitors were Mr and Mr- Cusack-Smith. Mr ami Mrs Robert Louis Stevenson. Mr ami Mrs Parker. Mr. Mrs ami Miss Bell. Mr and MrsGurr. Mr. Mrs and Misse- Decker. Mr ami Mrs C. Dean. Mr and Mrs J. S. Walker. Mr ami Mr-Skeen. MrStrong. Miss Schuitey. Miss Davis. Miss Skelton. Captain Gibson, of H.B.M. ship Curacoa. Lieutenant de Cre-pigny. and several other officers whose names I have forgotten. Me—r(Jrmsbee. Greiner. Haidlin, Schlueter. F'rood, Dunnctt. Maben. Whitinee. and the Samoan chiefs. Tarn i-ese and Scum mutafa. The string band of 11.M.5. Curacoa gave some choice selections of music during the evening in an efficient manner. Nora. (Thank you. We shall like to hear from you again. -Lady Editor.]