Administrator and Scientist Late Dr

Scientist Late Dr. Schultz of Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent.

"* APIA, August 9.

THE news of the death of the last Ger man Governor of Samoa, Dr. Schultz - Ewerth, recalls the fact that he was not only a distinguished officer of the German Colonial Service, but also a well-known and respected scientist, deeply conversant with culture, laws and customs of the Samoan natives entrusted to his adminis trative care. He had published a number of works dealing with the object of his studies.

Dr. Schultz was specially interested in the preparation of new administrative methods in colonial administration, for which purpose in 1907 there was pub lished in Germany a volume containing the tribal laws of native inhabitants of all the German colonies. This was to serve as a basis for a new system of administration which since has been im proved and introduced in many British colonies by the late Lord Lugard, former Governor of British Nigeria and foremost authority on colonial administration in the British Empire.

The essentials of this new method of administration may be described as fol lows; Preservation of the original cul ture of the natives, participation of the native representatives (chiefs) in the inner administration, training of the natives for self-government by gradual adaptation to changed (Europeanised) cultural conditions, elimination of in stitutions incompatible with European conceptions (torture, ordeals, etc.) Such a self-government, with the hand of Euro pean government felt only indirectly, was actually in existence in Samoa, as Dr.

Schultz stated, “spontaneously, as a logi cal result of local conditions.’’

Though this “indirect rule” of native people has adversaries, it is certain that every native administration should be in possession of a knowledge of the social organisation and tribal laws of the natives in its care. The German Government gathered a wealth of material relating to native laws, and this material was sifted and published by a committee of colonial experts, amongst whom was Dr. Schultz, who, besides being chief editor, also wrote the Samoan portion of the volume, which, as he stated, was actually the firs" collective presentation of Samoan native law. . „ i Dr. Schultz proved himself an ideal Colonial Governor, who, with exemplary performance of his official duties, com bined a deep knowledge of the colony and its inhabitants, their language, history and culture, so that he was able to enrich science with valuable publications.

Miss Dora Simson, who has been work ing in the Melanesian Mission field since 1920, arrived in Australia from the Torgil school, Banks Islands, New Hebrides, at the end of August. After a brief stay on the mainland, she went on to Tasmania to spend her leave with relatives.

Mr W C. Abbie, a well-known figure on the Morobe goldfield; returned to the territory by the Montoro on August //. after receiving medical attention in Aus tralia. He underwent three operations while in Sydney and had recovered splen didly. Having been nine years on the field, Mr. Abbie is now running his own “show” on Merri Creek.