Samoan News.

Plantation Manager Fined for Assault.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Apia, Aug. 18.

A prosecution which, on account of its unusual features and the persons concerned, has attracted wide attention was decided on August 6 at Apia High Court. A charge of assault had been brought by the police against A. B.

Stewart, assistant manager of one of the N.Z. Reparation Estates, and Mr.

F. L. A. Goetz, manager of the N.Z.R.E.

They were charged with assault on Alfred Leslie Williams, clerk on Fale launiu Plantation.

The first accused, Stewart, had, at a previous hearing, been convicted and fined 20/- on the charge. The hearing against Mr. Goetz brought out a lot of conflicting evidence. Whilst Wil liams asserted that he had been struck by Goetz and after falling down sub sequently been kicked so that he had to undergo medical treatment for his injuries, Mr. Goetz’s defence was a complete denial of Williams’ story.

There were no eye witnesses to the happenings. Chief Judge Luxford pointed out that there was no evidence to prove whether Williams’ injuries

were caused by blows or by a fall and that therefore the defendant must got the benefit of the doubt. His Honor further stated that when Goetz shouted at Williams in a booming voice, the latter might have become frightened and fallen over. The case consequently was dismissed.

The Coming Elections To The Legisla

Tive Council.

Official notice has just been given that an election of unofficial Elected Members (Euro peans) of the Legislative Council will be held on November 9, 1932. Two European members are to be elected. The seat of the First Mem ber has been vacant since the death of the Hon.

G. W. Johnston two months ago. The second member is the Hon. S. H. Meredith.

No meetings of the Council have been held for a considerable time.

So far, no candidates have come forward and in some circles a feeling seems to exist to ab stain from voting, as representation and vot ing power of the elected members in the Coun cil is of little practical value and of no in fluence on the decisions arrived at.

It is believed that the Hon. S. H. Meredith has fittle chance of re-election.

Club Life In Apia.

Though to the outsider club life in Apia may seem to be lively and varied, many of the club’s suffer considerably from lack of interest of the general public. Clubs which, for a short period after their foundation, were flourishing and seemed to be “going strong,” have faded away and are now for all practical purposes, defunct. Others exist, but show only intermit tent and temporary activity in no way cor responding to the initial programme.

To the former group belong, for instance, the Wel fare League, the Overseas Club, the Returned Soldiers’ Association, the “Sons of Samoa,” and others. In the second group are the Planters’

Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

Two new clubs have just been organised and it is hoped that they will not share the same fate. They are the German Club “Concordia” a social club, originally founded in 1893 and now revived—and a new tennis club, the “Es tates Tennis Club.” composed mainly of em ployees of the N.Z. Reparation Estates.

Our Products.

There is little change in the copra market to report. The arrivals at Apia sheds are very satisfactory and point to a good crop. Cocoa still holds its price, though during the present off-season only small quantities are available for shipment. The “Yngaren” ou August 6 took 12.1 tons away for delivery to the Euro pean market.

A recent visitor from New Zealand has pub The “Maui Pomare” took her full quota of bananas last trip. lished a statement in N.Z. papers to the effect that Samoa is not suffering from the depres sion and that in some districts the natives are getting much better prices for their copra.

This is incorrect, as there is a uniform rate paid in all districts which at present amounts to one cent, per lb.

Mr. Nelson’S Activities.

In a letter in the Samoa "Herald." Mr. O.

F. Nelson violently attacks General Sir George Richardson, of Auckland, N.Z., former Admin istrator of Samoa, for his support of the pub lic petition to divide and lease the N.Z. Repa ration Estates.

Mr Nelson does not advance any notable arguments against the proposed scheme but in his usual way delivers a personal attack on General Richardson and blames him for all his own and Samoa’s misfortunes. As the Peti tion is in the interest of and mainly signed bv the local-born residents of Samoa, Mr. Nel son’s letter does little credit to his intelli gence and his love of country.

Further proof of blind fanaticism is a com plaint advanced in Mr. Nelson’s own paper in New Zealand regarding the recent memorial service at Mulinu’u, when German, British and Samoan graves were decorated in honour of the sailors who lost their lives in Samoa in the late ’eighties of the last century. He claims that the grave of High Chief Tamasese, who was killed in 1929, should also have been decorated on the occasion.

As Tamasese had no connection whatever with the purpose for which the memorial ser vice was held and in any case this purpose was not an empty political demonstration, Mr.

Nelson’s strange attitude is generally resented.

Continuation Of Yaws Campaign.

The Yaws campaign, following its termina tion in Savaii, is being continued at present

on Upolu and round Apia. The very beneficial effect of the injections on children and adol escents is favourably commented upon by both Europeans and Samoans. The attempted boycott of the treatment has not eventuated. The campaign will be terminated in October.

Trophy For Football Competition.

Through the good services of Mr. A. G.

Smyth, manager for M.H., Ltd., at Apia, the firm has generously donated a handsome silver shield to the Apia Rugby Union for local com petition amongst Rugby football teams. The trophy will surely stimulate interest in the game.

New Governor Of American Samoa.

Governor G. S. Lincolns, of American Samoa, has resigned his office on the termination of his three years’ term. His successor, Captain George B. Lancaster, has already taken up his new duties.