Beetle Currency

DURING the military occupation of Western Samoa (1914-18) the Com mandant, Colonel Logan, became worried over the growing prevalence of the coconut beetle, which was creating havoc in the plantations. So he conceived what really was a brilliant plan.

He sent to Sydney for a cinema pro jector, and a few films. He opened a “pic ture show” in Apia; and he informed the Samoans that the price of admission would be from three to ten beetles, according to the value of the seats.

It worked like a charm. The Samoans, greatly attracted by the cinema, hunted beetles with energy and enthusiasm; and a couple of barrels, placed beside the hall door, regularly received the price of admission. The Colonel rubbed his hands and chuckled, while he watched the regular ceremonial burning of the contents of the barrels.

It went on for a long time. Colonel Logan would make an occasional tour among the plantations, seeking an assur ance that the pest was decreasing.

Then, quite suddenly, the plan was abandoned. The “picture show” was closed.

Colonel Logan, at the sight of a beetle, was heard to curse, softly and fluently: but he made no public statement. It was a sub ject he avoided.

An old friend arrived from the Line Islands, or thereabouts, and called on the Colonel.

“And how is the Beetle Cinema, Logan?" he asked, presently. “Still paying a divi dend?”

The Colonel turned purple. “The thing is closed down,” he said, explosively.

“What happened?” inquired his friend.

“Supply of beetles run out?”

“No, there were millions,” snapped the angry soldier. “The swine were breeding them up in the hills!”