Samoan News

Bad Weather Mars Visit of Marama

THE eagerly expected first visit to Apia of the U.S.S. Company’s Marama on a tourist cruise on August 14 was unfor tunately shortened by unfavorable weather conditions. Striking headwinds between Fiji and Samoa, the steamer was delayed and arrived in Apia at 2 p.m.. instead of 6 a.m.

The day of the arrival was the rainiest and windiest we have had for many weeks and Apia beach in bad weather is a most ungainly sight. Nevertheless, the tourists went on excursions to Falefa waterfall, Stevenson’s grave, and Papasee’a rocks.

Before leaving for Tonga at midnight the tourists attended a native taalolo at Mulinuu village, and witnessed native dances and sivas.

Copra And Cocoa.

The local copra market is still fluctuat ing and there seems little prospect of an improvement in the near future.

Cocoa, however, seems to have sold bet ter lately and a recent sale in London is reported at the satisfactory price of 45/-.

We are between the crops at the present time and only small quantities are de livered to Apia buyers.

Anniversary Sports.

On August 29, the 20th anniversary of the raising of the British flag in Samoa, was celebrated with sports for European and Samoan children of the local schools.

A varied programme of events had been drawn up by the committee and the events were followed by a large and at tentive gathering of Europeans and na tives.

In the school events the Marist Brothers’ school was the most successful competi tor.

Samoans Farewell Judge

Luxford.

A native farewell feast was given at Mulinuu in honour of Chief Judge Lux ford, who is to leave Samoa by next Maui Pomare. Judge Luxford, in his position as Chief Judge and President of the Land and Titles Commission, during his five years’ stay in Samoa, has taken great in terest in the history and folklore of the Samoans and also in their general wel fare. Appreciative speeches at the func tion included such by the Administrator and the Hon. Mataafa. A native tauma fataga (dinner), sivas and songs conclud ed the proceedings, which showed the re

spect and esteem in which the Judge is held by the native population.

Publicity For Samoa.

After a lengthy period Samoa seems to be again in the searchlight of publicity.

Not less than three books on Samoa and Samoan history have been published lately or are announced to appear in print. They are a book on Western Samoa by Dr. Keesing, a history of Samoa from the mission standpoint in the French language by His Lordship Bishop Darn and, and a book in two volumes on Sa moan mythology, genealogy, and the his tory of Samoa under German occupation written by Judge Luxford of the Adminis tration.