Costly Cricket Match

Samoans Fight: Fined £93

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, March 5. 4T the Safotu village, Savaii Island, a new Roman Catholic church is being built at present, a number of part-Samoan carpenters from Apia being employed.

Recently these visitors from Apia ar ranged a cricket match between the Catholics of the village and the Metho dists and Mormons on opposite sides.

The game had not proceeded long, when a difference of opinion started a scuffle between one of the captains and a player, which quickly developed into a free fight between the two learns. In the prolonged battle which ensued, cricket bats, stones and other weapons were used. Among the numerous injuries sustained by the participants were two broken heads and several broken aims.

Then the District Commissioner (Lance Corporal L. J. Dawes) took action. At a mass trial, held at Fagamalo, Matautu, before the Commissioner of Court (Mr. R.

V. Kay), with Inspector of Police Braisby prosecuting, 21 Samoans were charged with causing an affray, and 17 were fined £5 each. The instigator of the fight re ceived a gaol sentence of three months, while two accused were found guilty of having caused actual bodily harm, and were remanded to appear at Apia High Court in April.

The total fines amounted to £93.