Crime In Samoa.

Some Impudent Thefts.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Apia, Nov. 2.

LIKE other parts of the world, little Samoa, as a result of the world de pression, seems to experience an in crease in crime. This gives our well staffed Police Department the right to justify its establishment in the eyes of the long-suffering taxpayer.

A burglar recently intruded into the office of the manager of the Reparations Estates’ Vailele Plantation,. Mr. H. T Jones; coolly opened a small office safe by means of a duplicate key and got away with a bundle of notes containing £125, ready for paying out plantation labour. The police were informed by tele phone and Sub-Inspector Fell, formerly of the detective force in New Zealand and returned to Samoa only a few days ago, started an investigation. A search of the premises and surroundings re sulted in the recovery of £103 in notes, hidden in a stone wall near the mana ger’s house.

A Chinese coolie, working on the plan tation, then was arrested under suspicion and taken to Apia gaol. At the trial on October 12, the coolie, Kwan Chung, con fessed to having committed the theft and was sentenced to four years’ im prisonment.

Another Chinese coolie, of Mulifanua Plantation, took part in a Chinese gamb ling party. He lost heavily, whilst a

coolie from a neighbouring plantation, won about £15 in the same game.

Mourning after his lost savings, the loser decided to attempt to recover same and, next day, knowing that his luckier friend was absent, broke into his quar ters to get his £15. He was unsuccess ful, as the money was well hidden, but he was trailed later on by the police. He was convicted and sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.

A young Samoan, whose hobby was the stealing of clocks and watches, was arrested after activities extending over several months. A whole collection of timepieces was found in his possession and the various owners were very glad indeed to recover their property.

Another interesting case was heard in the High Court of Samoa, when seven Samoans appeared, accused of having killed and eaten a valuable Jersey cow, belonging to Mr. W. Gibbs, of Ululoloa.

The arrested pleaded guilty and were sentenced to four months’ imprisonment What was probably the first case of bigamy ever heard in a Samoan court was brought recently before the Apia High Court. A Chinese-Samoan, R. Ah San, had married, first, a Samoan girl and afterwards a half-caste girl. He had sent both away and was living with another Samoan girl when he was ar rested. Before the court he pleaded that he had committed the offence only at the urgent request of his second wife, who never gave him a rest till he agreed to marry her.

The Samoan Don Juan was sentenced to six months’ gaol.