Real Old-Timers

Some Residents of Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Jan. 21.

TIIGH Chief Tuimalealiifano, the well known friend of Robert Louis Steven son, Fautua (Adviser) of the Samoan Administration, and a famous figure in Samoan politics for the last half century, has sent out invitations to celebrate his “centenary,” or 100th birthday, on January 27.

The aged chief, like most Samoans, is probably mistaken about his age, as in old Samoa there did not exist any regis tration of births, and there are no docu ments proving his assertion. He probably is between 80 and 90 years old.

Census returns reVeal that there is only one old Samoan, who claims to have reached an age over 100 years. This is a man named Faatonu, in the village of Fusi, Safata, South Upolu. Even his claim is doubtful.

Of Europeans, there are quite a num ber of whites and a few local-born who are over 80. Of the few Chinese resi dents, one, Ah Yen, is 90 years old; an other, Ah Kiau, is 86 years old. Both have resided over 50 years in Samoa.

The local photographer, Mr. A. J. Tat tersall, who only recently celebrated his 70th birthday, is now able to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his arrival in Samoa from Auckland by the three-mas ted schooner Maile, Mr. Tattersall, a well known and respected identity in the social life of Apia, can remember the colourful and exciting days of old Samoa, with their native wars and struggles be tween political parties.

There are altogether 10 Europeans and Chinese residents here who can claim to a residence in Western Samoa of 50 years or over.