High Chief

Death of Samoan High Chief

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, August 3.

THE news of the decease of High Chief A Toelupe of Malie, which took place on July 4, became known to the general public only several weeks later.

The announcement recalled to many the stirring times at the height of the Mau struggle, in which the late Chief played an important part as leader of the loyalist faction amongst the Samoan natives and as chief native adviser of General Richardson, former Administrator of Western Samoa.

Toelupe had been Faipule (member of Samoan Parliament) first in 1875 under the old Samoan Government. He was appointed Faipule under the German Government in 1900, and again on the advent of New Zealand Military Occupation. In 1920 he made the speech of welcome to H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, when the latter paid a short visit to Samoa. Later he twice visited New Zealand and was the spokesman for the Samoan delegation, conveying the respects of the Samoan natives when the Duke and Duchess of York visited New Zealand. He was also the spokesman who addressed the Gover nor-General of New Zealand last year when Lord and Lady Bledisloe paid an official visit to Samoa.

Toelupe was a famous orator and as such had a well deserved reputation amongst the Samoans. He strenuously opposed the Mau movement and under General Richardson was the acknowledged leader of the minority faction amongst the Samoans upholding the rule of the New Zealand Administration.

Of late, owing to his advanced age, Toelupe had retired from active participation in politics. His last speech in public was at the welcome back to the Administrator (General Hart) on his return from New Zealand.