Samoan Trade Is

Good

Mau is Displaying Strange Curiosity

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, Sept. 30.

OWING to dry conditions, bananas are not very plentiful just now, but the trade continues good. Samoa is promised an extra quota in December.

Owing to the accident to the Matua at Rarotonga, the banana shipment on Octo ber 1 will probably be lifted by the Wai pahi or another Union steamer.

Copra is coming in freely and the American steamer Golden Coast, now in Apia, is loading a large consignment of 1600 tons of copra for the American mar ket.

The cocoa price is rising, and Samoan cocoa, at present in good demand, is real ising top prices. The second crop of the year is coming in now, and should be a fair one.

The Mau is at present taking great in terest in bananas, some natives being sus picious that European shippers get pref erence in the banana quotas. They have asked for permission to have some Mau representatives on the Apia wharf to watch the inspection of the fruit and safeguard Samoan interests.

Banana inspection and quotas have been very fair in the past, and the sudden suspicion of the Mau leaders seems to amount simply to a test of the power of the natives to interfere in all kinds of Government work.

Food Shortage

A food shortage, due to a lengthy spell of dry weather, is reported from the dis tricts on the west coast of Upolu. So far the shortage is not considered serious, as other districts have still a surplus of food and the rainy season should start shortly.

Quarantine Again

Owing to the continued prevalence of measles in Western Samoa, the Naval Administration at Pago Pago has again declared a quarantine for passengers from Western Samoa.

A New Census

The census for the Territory of Western Samoa will be taken on November 4 next.

There have been important changes and a large increase in the native and local born population since the last census was taken in 1926, and the result of the coming count is expected with interest.

Aid For Needy Planters

The Samoan Treasury is at present in vestigating the financial affairs of Euro pean planters, who are indebted to the Administration, the N.Z. Reparation Es tates, and commercial firms with a view to granting relief wherever necessary, especially for debts incurred during the depression period. The Treasurer has re ceived authority to act in conjunction with the “Debt Postponement Board.” The investigation has been ordered as a result of representations made to the “Goodwill Mission.”

Personal Items

Sir Maynard Hedstrom, director of the firm of Morris, Hedstrom Ltd., arrived at Apia on a visit of inspection to the Apia branch of the firm by the steamer Anti gone during September.

The Government Auditor, Mr. W. R.

McCulloch, with Mrs. McCulloch, has left Apia by the Maui Pomare after the ex piration of his tei’m of office in the terri tory.

Mr. G. Henry, Commissioner, of Puka Puka, Cook Islands, is at present on a visit to Apia.

Passengers on the schconer Makoa for Swain’s Island and the Tokelau Group on September 17 were Mr. A. E. Jennings and family, Rev. Father Deihl (of the R.C.

Mission) and Mr. E. E. Dunwoodie (Post master, of Apia).

Mr. and Mrs. H. S. Wayne arrived in New Guinea in September from Brisbane, Queensland. Mr. Wayne is the new manager at the Vacuum Oil Company’s Rabaul branch.