Samoan Notes
p. 70 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent.
APIA, December 30.
WE have had another Christmas marked by the economic depression, which still holds sway in these islands. A silver lining, however, can be detected, as we hear that merchants of Apia have had better Christmas sales this year than, in the preceding years.
Weather, unfortunately, was not good during the holidays. After Christmas we had strong winds, increasing to a gale and torrential rains, which did considerable damage in outside dis tricts. The banana steamer, “Maui Pomare," with numerous passengers on board (a party of school teachers from New Zealand making the round trip), encountered strong headwinds, and arrived nearly a day late.
Prospects for the coming year are a bit brighter for the residents of Samoa. The copra market has firmed slightly, and is expected to improve further. Cocoa is also better in price, and large stocks of Samoan cocoa beans in London ware houses have been sold at considerably better prices. There are, however, stocks of Samoan: beans still unsold in New York.
Banana growers are looking forward to deliver ing their first shipments of fruit for Auckland! by the “Wairuna” on January 17. Produce In spector H. H. Newton interrupted his New Zea land holiday to hurry back to Samoa and accom pany the “Wairuna” banana shipment to Auckland.
He states that Samoa bananas now have an excellent reputation in New Zealand, their qual ity comparing favourably with Fiji and Cook Islands bananas.
Apia is well provided with facilities for light entertainment, a new cabaret having been opened before Xmas.
On Xmas Eve at Apia Cathedral, the large new organ was initiated when, after a sermon preached by Bishop Darnand, Mr. C. A. Driver, the organ builder from Palmerston North, N. Zealand, played it for the first time to the large conge gat ion.
The 25th anniversary of the arrival of Rev.
Father E. Meyer, as a priest in Samoa, was celebrated by the Catholic community of Apia, in the presence of the Administrator and numer ous guests of honour. A musical programme, songs, and various performances entertained a gathering of several hundred visitors at the Catho lic Club House.
Count and Countess Leopold Sternberg have arrived from Czechoslovakia, for a month’s stay at Apia, and Savaii. The Count intends to do some literary work while in the Islands.