Macdonald

Late Mr. Norman

His Part in the Samoan Wars of the 90's

From Our Own Corx-espondent APIA, July 14.

FORMERLY Chief Surveyor to the N.Z. Administration in Samoa for many years, Mr. Norman H. Macdonald died in New Zealand in June, aged 75.

The son of Mr. A. C. P. Macdonald, late Assistant Colonial Under-Secretary of New Zealand, Norman Macdonald waj born at Parnell, educated at Nelson Col lege, and studied surveying under several well-known N.Z. engineers, later joining the Government service. After doing special survey work in Australia, he was appointed in 1892 to be surveyor to the International Land Commission in Samoa, under the Three Powers control In Apia, he carried out many important works, including Nuutele leper station, waterworks, reads, and buildings.

Mr. Macdonald played an important part in the Samoan wars of the 90’s, ai guide and adviser to the British naval

forces. In this capacity he was present at all engagements, including Vailele where the British and American troops were ambushed. With another Britisher (Mr. Holshom, of Queensland), he escorted the Samoan royal pretenders, Malietoa and Tamasese, to a British war ship for protection. For this he was later thanked by the British Admiralty.

As confidential land agent for the German firm of J. and C. Godeffroy cz Son, he made reports on cocoa and rubber

land and, later, also acted for the suc cessors to Godeffroys, the D. H. and P.

G. At the outbreak of the Great War he was chief surveyor and continued in that position under the N.Z. Military and Civil Administrations. He was also Act ing Commissioner of Works and Deputy President of the Land and Titles Com mission, and finally Acting Secretary of Native Affairs.

Mr. Macdonald retired from his official positions in 1922 but continued to act as adviser to the Administration and the N.Z. Reparation Estates in all agricul tural matters. For many years he occu pied the position of plantation inspector of the N.Z.R.E., for which his long experience and wide knowledge of local conditions particularly suited him.

Greatly respected by all sections of the community, Europeans and Samoans alike, Mr. Macdonald played a prominent part in social and sporting activities. He married a local lady in 1901 and there were two daughters and a son. The elder daughter is the wife of Mr. E. F.

Paul, a well-known Apia business man.

Mr. R. Walter Coulter has had his book, “Everlasting Hurricane,” published by Messrs. Angus & Robertson Ltd., of Sydney. In light romantic vein, the novel deals with the South Seas of last

century.

Mr. Norman H. Macdonald