Samoa Notes.

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, July 10.

THE Administrator (General Hart) and an official party, including the Chief Medical Officer (Dr. Hunt) have made their annual official journey round the Island of Savaii. During the journey His Excellency opened the Tuasivi Hospital officially. As usual during the last few years, the Man natives kept aloof from all meetings and celebrations.

A Shocking Accident.

By law it is forbidden to the natives to have their numerous pigs roving wild over the country and in the villages.

They are supposed to have them within pig fences. But, in fact, nobody nowa days cares for and obeys these regula tions and you find pigs straying every where, destroying and damaging crops and even blocking motor traffic on the main roads.

A shocking accident reported lately from Savaii serves to illustrate ithe situation. In Fusi, Savaii, a Samoan baby, 14 months old, was left in a Samoan house for a short while un attended. When the parents returned to the house, they found that in their absence the child had been attacked, killed and partly devoured by a roving pig belonging to the family.

A welcome addition to the Apia Cus toms wharf is a permanent iron roofing for same, erected recently in record time by the Public Works Department.

This will be a great convenience to banana shippers as well as copra and cocoa exporters and the owners of coasting vessels, which are now enabled to discharge their cargoes in any weather.

German Club “Concordia.”

There are at present no social clubs with permanent club rooms in Apia, with the exception of the German Club “Concordia.” In order to place their club rooms and conveniences at the dis posal of fellow citizens of all nationali ties, the “Concordia” has accepted a number of residents as “associate mem bers.”

The innovation has been much ap plauded by the general public, and is

expected to promote and enhance social intercourse and good fellowship among the Europeans.

Shivering Samoans.

Of late we have had extremely low temperatures in Samoa, down to 61 degrees, and Europeans and natives are shivering. As usual, June and July were marked by the absence of heavier rainfalls and some of the higher situ ated cocoa plantations were suffering from the extended dry spell.

The Depression.

Owing to the low copra prices, the natives in many districts, especially in Savaii Island, have stopped cutting copra and business on trading stations is very slack in consequence. It is not unusual for a country store to have cash sales of 1/- or 1/6 on some days, and monthly sales of £12, £15 and £20 are the rule rather than the exception.

Smaller Ships.

Owing to the decreased freights offer ing, the Union Company has withdrawn the “Waipahi” from the New Zealand- Fiji-Samoa-Tonga route. The “Karetu,” a much smaller boat, is taking up the run, but is to omit Tonga altogether from her schedule. There is a possi bility that a small passenger and freight boat will connect Apia and the Tongan ports.

The “Maui Pomare” left on June 23 with a full cargo of 6,850 cases of bananas from Samoa. The steamer had brought 120 tons of cargo from New Zealand, also a fair passenger list.

Under the circumstances, the Govern ment steamer should pay her way and in the future should even show a good profit.

No Talkies.

Apia is badly off for entertainment at present, as far as motion pictures go. While much smaller places have introduced talkies, Apia offers only motion pictures of the silent type, and even these are at an average four years old and fail to attract audiences.

Personal Notes.

Mr. A. G. Smyth, with Mrs. Smyth, have left Samoa to spend a three months’ holiday in Australia. The popular, hard-working manager of Morris Hedstrom’s, Ltd., has decidedly

deserved his furlough. He is replaced for the time of his absence by Mr.

Chisholm, from Levuka branch, Fiji.

Mr. Pleasants, a New Zealand solici tor, has arrived to enter the law firm of Messrs. Klinkmueller and Kronfeld.

Mr. G. Klinkmueller intends to leave with his family for an extended holi day trip in September next.

Dr. Dawson, Mrs. Dawson and Miss Dawson have arrived in Apia from Tonga, and have taken up their per manent residence here. The doctor is a former C.M.O. of Samoa and Tonga and very popular in both places. There is a possibility that Dr. Dawson will start practising here as a private prac titioner later on. Miss Dawson spent several years in Samoa as a school teacher.

Mr. C. J. Peddie, the newly-appointed bacteriologist for Apia Hospital (vide the late Leslie Partridge), arrived by the last “Maui Pomare” from New Zea land, and has taken up his duties.

Dr. McClymont has resigned his posi tion on the Apia Hospital staff and has left for Brisbane (Q.).

Mrs. F. L. G. Goetz and her two daughters have arrived by the “Maui Pomare” from New Zealand to join Mr.

F. D. G. Goetz, general manager of the Reparation Estates.

Miss L. Partridge left for New Zea land by the “Maui Pomare.” She may return to Samoa and take up her per manent residence here.

Mr. Murphy, of the Native Officers' Department, has been transferred to Tuasivi, Savaii.

Produce.

Prices of produce in Apia on July 5: Copra, £5 per ton; ½ cent per lb. to natives outside Apia. Cocoa, £35 to £45 per ton; 4 cents per lb. to natives.

Bananas, 3/- per case.