OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XI, 10 September 1898, Page 342

OUR ILLUSTRATIONS.

DEATH OF THE KING OF SAMOA. News was received in Auckland on the 30th of last month of the death of Malietoa Laupepa. King- of the Samoa Group of Islands. The monarch, who was Ivetween 60 and 70 years of age at the time of his death, had been suffering from typhoid fever for some time, and had been removed from Apia to Vaalima, the residence of the late Robert Louis Stevenson. It was expected that the change to the mountain air would do the King good, but he never rallied. According to reports brought by the mail steamer, the aged monarch of Samoa was convinced that his time had come, and that he accordingly resigned himself to his end with the fatalism characteristic of the Polynesian races.

In appearance Malietoa was a fine looking, stalwart man. with a gray, grizzled moustache. He was a quiet unassuming man. and in his last years avoided publicity. He lived in a large residence at Mulinuu Point, Apia, where visitors to Samoa were accustomed to call on him. His own name was Laupepa. Malietoa Iveing a family title assumed by the dominant chief in Samoa.

The deceased King had a chequered career. He was the chief ruler in the Samoan Islands prior to the outbreak of the unfortunate civil wars of 1887 and 1888. which caused great unrest amongst the natives, and which resulted at last in England, Germany and the United States of America assuming joint control of Samoa. The Germans deported Malietoa to Africa some eleven years ago, and afterwards took him to Berlin, and to Jaluit. in the Marshall Islands. He was kept in exile for several years, and at last, when peace was restored in Samoa, he was returned thither, and appointed King of the Group under the tripartite control. In the meantime the Samoans under the chief Mataafa had become embroiled with the Germans, and ten years ago a disastrous engagement took place at Fagalii, some miles down the coast of Upolu from Apia, where a force of Germans were attacked by the Samoans, who inflicted severe loss upon the whites. Mataafa had assumed considerable power during Malietoa's absence, and had won high opinions for the manner in which he espoused the cause of his people against the Germans, who it was at one time thought meant to annex Samoa. During the war of 1888-89 the German authorities nomiBated the chief Tamasese as King, but the only authority he exercised was that backed by the German guns. Tamasese is still in Samoa, living at A’Ana amongst the disaffected section, of which he is the head. Mataafa was deported by the Powers some years ago to the Union (Tokelau) Islands, to the north-west of Samoa, owing to his presence in Samoa being a disturbing political element. He was induced to surrender himself to the Powers, on the understanding that it was for the good of his people that be should go away. The exiled chief was conveyed to the Union Group in a German man-of-war, together with several of his relatives and friends. A recent cablegram from Europe announced the likelihood of Mataafa being returned to Samoa, and this will no doubt be done as the consequence of Malietoa Laupepa s death. Mataafa and Laupepa were related to each other. Mataafa is popular in Samoa. and no doubt a large section of the people would be in favour of his appointment as King.

There are several opposing sections amongst the Samoan natives, one of the largest being headed by Tamasese, and it is said that each party has a nominee for the Kingship. In view of these conflicting opinions it will be seen that the position of affairs in Samoa may again become very serious and that a civil war may as likely as not result between the rival parties. The deceased Malietoa leaves a daughter, an attractive girl, named Faimoa. who is 17 or 18 years of age, and who was educated at the London Missionary Society's school at Papauta. which is near Apia. He also leaves a brother, an elderly chief, who lives at Apia. THE WHIRINAKI RIVER. One of the most picturesque districts in the north of New Zealand is the Whirinaki Valley, through which

runs the Whirinaki River, emptying itself into Hokianga harbour. The Whirinaki in its lower length is a salt water arm of the Hokianga, and its upper half is fresh water. The river flows through a beautiful valley, which is all in native hands. On each side rise lofty forest-clad ranges, and some of the turns on the Whirinaki are exceedingly pretty. The district is a most fertile one, and in the warm sheltered one sub-tropical vegetation grows with luxuriance. Oranges, guavas, lemons, and grapes ripen freely in the open air, and bananas also are to be seen there, while tobacco and maize are much grown by the Maoris. Here also the visitor may enjoy the taro, the much-prized root which was brought by the ancient Maoris from their fatherland of Hawaiiki, in the South Sea Islands. The taro is one of the principle articles of food, next to potatoes and kumera used by the northern Maoris, but it does not thrive much further south. A section of the Ngapuhi tribe inhabits the Whirinaki Valley, and there is a native school and church there, the school being conducted by Mr Winkelmann. Whirinaki is about eight miles west of Waima, the scene of the recent native rising under the now celebrated Hone Toia. Few. if any of the Whirinaki natives, however, took part in that armed demonstration against European taxation.

According to the natives the riven rock, of which we give a picture, was at one time a compact, solid boulder, but about thirty years ago it was struck by lightning and split into three pieces.

The picture of the old mill at Oakley’s Creek, near Auckland, has a double interest. It represents one of the oldest buildings in the neighbourhood of the Northern city, having been erected quite 40 years ago,when it was used as a flour mill. As an instance of very successful photographic work the plate also deserves attention. Those who take an interest in photography will not fail to notice how well the reflection of the building is brought out, and the general clearness and fine tone of the picture.