THE KINGSHIP OF SAMOA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue XVI, 22 April 1899, Page 525

THE KINGSHIP OF SAMOA.

THE CORONATION OF MALIETOA TANU. Malietoa Tanu, the true King of Samoa, if the decision of the Supreme Court is to hold good, has assumed the purple in troubled times. If it were not for the support of his friends the Americans and English, his would indeed lx- a ease of uneasy lies the head that wears a crown. The crowning of the new monarch, which was unavoidably detained through the unsettled •state of affairs in Samoa, took place at Mulinuu Point on the 23rd of last month. As it was desirable that the fact of the kingship should be strongly impressed on the people, the installation ceremony was invested with a considerable amount of imposing circumstance.

At 2 p.m. on Thursday, Mar. 23, a party from the Porpoise landed the King, at the Apia wharf, where there were also detachments of British and American sailors and a body of natives. Headed by the band from the American flagship Philadelphia, the force marched on to Mulinuu, where they formed a square in front of the flagstaff wh'ch had been erected. The king then retired into a native house where the ceremony of kava making was performed. Admiral Kautz, His Honor Chief Justice Chambers, Commander White, U.S. Consul-General Osborne. Consul Maxse. H.8.M., and Captains Sturdee and Torlesse were amongst those present. When the order was given to raise the flag the band struck up tile Samoan Anthem, then Hail Columbia and God Save the Queen. Shortly afterwards Commander White, U.S.N., came out and announced that Malietoa Tanu was king, ind called for three eheers for him, after which he called for three cheers for the Admiral, which was responded to. Captain Sturdee then called for three cheers for Commander White, which were given with spirit. Commander White then returned the compliment by calling for three cheers for Captain Sturdee. The Samoans then took up a cheer that turned into a native chant, and which was by far the most lusty. Immediately the flag was raised the flagship and Porpoise saluted it, and Tanu Malietoa, King of Samoa. None of the officers from the Falke was present, and no salute was fired by that ship. The German Consul-General did not take any part in the day’s proceedings. A number of carriages were along with the escort, carrying most of the officials and the townspeople who went to Mulinuu to witness the proceedings, which may never be seen again in Samoa.

So that the town would not be taken by surprise, a strong detachment was posted throughout the town while the proceedings lasted.