“A Hornet’s Nest”

From a Special Correspondent.

Apia, Oct. 20.

IAM afraid that the so-called “Goodwill Mission” stirred up a hornet’s nest here —the prospect is not good. Thanks to Mr. liangstone the natives are clamour ing for self-government, and before any Government can ever get political peace in Samoa again they will have to use drastic measures.

Many of the planters would like to ex tend their cultivation but they are afraid to move. Cocoa-beans are worth £6O per ton on the Beach to-day; we have a good crop on the trees —but no song in our hearts!

Certain recent moves suggest that the N.Z. Government are going to proceed with the cutting up of the N.Z. Reparation Estates. Then, as they will not them selves require coolie labour to work the estates, they will have a better excuse for deporting the Chinese.

Mr. Nelson is in a difficult position. I think he is very perturbed because the new European party refused to meet him and some other Mau leaders to discuss the Chinese question. But the new party does not intend to make any compromising re lationships just at present.

Mr. Maurice Scott, son of Sir Henry and Lady Scott, of Suva, Fiji, has passed his final law examination in England and has been called to the English Bar.

He will shortly join his father in the busi ness of William Scott and Company, the oldest established legal firm in Suva.

Miss Beatrice Grimshaw, the well known Islands novelist and short story writer, who formerly resided in Papua, is now living in Australia. She recently purchased an old-fashioned cottage at Kelso, outside the N.S.W. country town of Bathurst; the building goes back to the early days and was constructed by con vict labour. Miss Grimshaw will convert it into an attractive home.