Unusual Arson Case in Samoa.

From Our Own Correspondent.

Apia, Mar. 14.

RECENTLY a case of arson with rather unusual features was heard in Apia High Court. A girl of Aleipata, eloped with a young boy, the son of Chief Laulu. The girl’s family strongly objected to this elopement. While the girl’s father deliberated with other village chiefs on the matter, his son and three friends, armed with knives and axes, went out to take revenge on Laulu’s family.

Threatening the family, the boys pro ceeded to set fire to two houses belonging to Laulu. They were only prevented froni doing further damage by the inter vention of Rev. Dieter, who persuaded them to lay their arms down and extin guish the fire. One of the houses, how ever, was totally destroyed with all household effects, while the other was partly burned.

At the Court, the four natives pleaded guilty. The chief offender, Tui, was sen tenced to one year in gaol, the other three receiving sentences of six and four months’ imprisonment.