Notes From

Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent.

APIA, Sept. 27.

THE influenza epidemic, which spread through Apia and outside districts during recent weeks, is now practically over—its end probably hastened when the long spell of dry weather was broken

by torrential showers during the last week.

The plantations needed rain badly. The exceptionally dry weather had caused several fires on private and Government plantations, which luckily were detected in time and confined to small areas.

The well known Casino Hotel will be under new management as from October 1. Miss Ross is leaving, after the expira tion of her lease, and Mrs. Glover, senr., with her son, Mr. Glover, are taking over.

Judge J. H. Luxford, and Mrs. Luxford, who left by the last “Maui Pomare’’ for

New Zealand, were the guests of honour at numerous farewell parties —evidence of their well-deserved popularity. A large crowd assembled at Apia wharf on steamer day to wish them God-speed and good luck. Among those assembled were almost the whole of the Administration staff, many prominent residents, and high Samoan chiefs. Judge Luxford proceeds to Hamilton, N.Z.. to take up his new appointment as S.M. there.

According to an announcement of the Prime Minister of New Zealand, the po sition of Chief Judge of the High Court of Samoa is not to be filled in future. A magistrate from New Zealand will visit Apia on circuit two or three times a year.

Mr. and Mrs. S. Coster returned from holiday by the “Hauraki.” Mr. Coster has been transferred to the Tahiti office of the Union S.S. Co., and Mr. Butler has replaced Mr. Coster at Apia.

Lately, some large parcels of Samoan cocoa beans have been disposed of on the London market, and, though the price is not high, the fact that sales have been effected at a fair price, shows that the demand is increasing again, and, with Christmas trade buying near, the stocks should soon be cleared and prices im proving.

The banana export industry is handi capped by the limited New Zealand mar ket and the paucity of shipping space available in the Government banana steamer “Maui Pomare.” The ban on banana shipments ordered by the leaders of the native Samoan Mau movement continues in force and has been consid erably extended, so that now none of the Mau adhereifts are allowed to deliver bananas to the Administration under threat of severe punishment. This, of course, mainly benefits European ship pers and. loyal Samoans, whilst a full

shipment is procured anyhow by the Administration.

Politically, things are quiet. The Mau is still in existence and is busy collecting money amongst its members. Contribu tions are levied in the shape of dry copra, to be supplied by all households and sold co-operatively to the three “big” firms in Samoa.

A large number of officials are due for a vacation during the next few months.

Not less than eight Administration of ficials are leaving Samoa, bound for New Zealand, during the month, amongst them being four European constables. Dr.

Home, who temporarily replaced Dr. Mit ford on the hospital staff, is leaving by the “Maui Pomare.” Dr. Mitford is ex pected back in Samoa by next week’s Matson liner.

The three well-known American mail boats of the Matson line, the Sierra, So noma and Ventura, which for long years were on the San Francisco-Sydney run, calling at Pago Pago, American Samoa, have recently been sold to Japanese in terests, and are being taken to Japan by Japanese crews, there to be scrapped.

The Maui is taking away her usual full cargo of first-class quality bananas, in spite of Mau expectations that the refusal of the Mau to deliver bananas would seriously handicap shipments. European shippers have substantially benefited by the action of the natives, and are se cretly wishing a continuance of the fool ish attitude of the Mau.