Notable Men of The Pacific

Brigadier-General H. E. Hart, D.S.O., C.B., C.M.G., C.D.G, Administrator of Western Samoa.

NO one will envy Brigadier-General Hart the job which he has accep ted as Administrator of the Man dated Territory of Western Samoa; but everyone who knows him will wish him the best of good luck, and express a sincere wash that he will succeed in restoring tranquility to “the Ireland of the South Seas.”

Because of New Zealand’s outstand ing success in the administration of the Cook Islands, the embarrassment and difficulties which the Dominion has experienced in carrying out its mandate in Western Samoa, stand out sharply by comparison. The badgered New Zealand Government has now made four attempts to find an admin istrator who could persuade the Samo ans to become a peaceful and happy people—Col. R. W. Tait, C.M.G., was there from 1920 to 1923; Major-General Sir G. S. Richardson, C.B., C.M.G., from 1923 to 1928; and Col. S. S. Allen, C.M.G., D.S.O., from 1928 to 1931.

Little is known about General Hart’s ability as an administrator, but he was a most successful, efficient and popular soldier, and is reported to have a per sonality and temperament which fit him admirably for his new position.

What is needed in the Samoan ad ministration is not so much an admin istrative experience or high titles, or decorative orders, as a sympathetic understanding of this very sensitive section of the Polynesian race, com bined with unusual firmness and strength of character. There has been plenty of “backbone” in previous ad ministrators, but hardly enough under standing—so that we have had either latitude amounting to (weakness on the one hand, or much talk of “Prus sianism” on the other.

Mr. Hart was born in the Wairapa (district of New Zealand, in 1882, and,

except when; he has been away on active service, he has spent most of his life in Carterton and Masterton, where he has carried on practice as a barrister and solicitor. He has taken a keen interest in public affairs, but is known mostly for his outstanding services to the volunteer military organisation, with which he has been closely identi fied for 30 years.

As a very young man Mr. Hart serv ed for two years (1900-1902) in the South African War. On the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, he joined the Wellington Regiment as major, and saw much service in Egypt, Galipolli and France. In 1916, he was appoint ed to the command of the 1st bat talion. Among his fellow officers he was a warm favourite and was regard ed by the rank and file with unusual affection and respect. He never spared himself—he was found always at the point of danger—and the comfort and well-being of his men were among his first considerations. He became noted for the skill with which he directed his troops in battle, and the tact with which he controlled them behind the lines. When he was given command of the famous Rifle Brigade it was regarded as an excellent appointment; and the manner in which he handled his Brigade at Le Quesnoy—one of the notable exploits of the war, in which the N.Z. Division achieved its final and most spectacular success—earned him special notice. He became Brigad ier-General in May, 1917, and was the first N.Z. territorial officer to attain such a rank. He was mentioned in despatches no less than five times, and the number and quality of his decora tions are sufficient indication of what the High Command thought of his services.

Photograph shows Brig.-General Hart, with his wife and two daughters, in April, just before they sailed for Samoa.