Serious Crimes in Samoa.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Apia. Feb. 22.

THERE have been several cases of seri ous crime before the Apia High Court recently.

During a quarrel between Samoan youths in Aleipata district a fight took place and stones were thrown by the combatants. A young girl trying to stop the fight was knocked unconscious by a stone. At Aleipata hospital a large piece of her skull had to be removed. She sub sequently recovered. Her assailant, Misi luki, was sentenced to 18 months’ im prisonment.

On charges of indecent assault and at tempted rape, a Samoan, Faavevela, was sentenced to three years’ and five years’ concurrent imprisonment.

A “local-bom”, Robert Blacklock, re cently returned home and found a native with the Samoan girl who lived with him.

He rushed at the native (Poasa) with a knife and slashed off his thumb, besides causing head injuries. Tried before the High Court, Blacklock was sent to gaol for three years.

A fight between some Samoan school boys working on a plantation on South Upolu, in which sticks and knives were used, resulted in the death of a 19-years old youth, Tavita. A Samoan, Paina, was subsequently charged with man slaughter.

Rev. J. Bidwell, who arranged for the transfer of the control of Norfolk Island from the Melanesian Mission to the Syd ney Diocese of the Anglican Church, re turned to Australia by the February “Morinda”.