Samoan News.

Further Slump in Copra and Cocoa Prices.

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, June 15.

ANOTHER drop in the local price for copra is announced, owing to a fall in the London rate. Unfortunately, this coincides with a further drop in the cocoa price, which now fol lows the tendency of other tropical products.

As bananas are also at a low ebb, the three staple products of Samoan plantations are all suffering. The cocoa crop is, fortunately, har vested, and we are in our off-season till Oc tober, so that the drop in the cocoa price does not affect us very much. It is hoped that when Christmas buying starts in October, prices will come back to normal again.

Administrator’S Tour.

His Excellency the Administrator, General Hart, left on June 8 for a malaga round the island of Savaii.

He is accompanied by the Secretary of Native Affairs, the A.D.C., and the Chief Medical Of ficer. He will return on June 16 and leave again on June 25 by the H.M.S. “Laburnum" on an official visit to the Tokelau Islands, returning on June 30.

Chinese And Samoan Women.

The Administration is giving evidence of its laudable intention to enforce the recently enacted ordinance prohibiting cohabitation between Chinese coolies and Samoan women. A Chinese coolie came before the court last week, accused of having entered a Samoan fale with a Samoan girl. He was convicted and sentenced to one month’s gaol. This will, doubtless, act as an efficient deterrent to similar offenders in future.

Personal Items.

Chief Judge J. H. Luxford, of the Apia High Court, has been suddenly called to Wellington, and left by the last “Maui Pomare.’’ The reason for this sudden call has not been an nounced. During his absence, Judge A. M.

Carthy will occupy the Bench.

Mr. H. Gow, who has been acting manager of Burns, Philp (S.S.) Co., Ltd., at Apia, for the past few months, has left for Pago Pago to return via Suva to Vavau. Mr. R. H. Brown, the local manager, will return from his holi day on June 15. Mr. Gow was farewelled before his departure by the business community of Apia.

No matter what happens, there is always someone who knew it would.