Polynesian Kings

From Our Own Correspondent.

Apia, Apr. 15.

INTERESTING events of over 100 years ago were recalled when Makea Tinirau Ariki, head of the royal house of Rarotonga, met, in Samoa, High Chief Malietoa Tanu, head of the royal Malietoa family of Samoa.

When the pioneer missionary, John Williams, in 1828, brought Christianity to the South Seas, h,e received the assistance and ready support of the royal house, at whose head stood the grandfather of the present holder of the title.

In Rarotonga, John Williams had a boat built, to continue on his crusade through the South Sea Islands, and he named this the “Messenger of Peace”.

In 1830, Williams set sail for Samoa and took with him his friend and protector,

Makeanui Tinirau Ariki. In August, 1830, Williams and the powerful Rarotongan Chief set foot on Samoan soil at Sapa palii, on the island of Savaii, where they were welcomed by King Malietoa Vaii nupo. The latter had just returned from a punitive expedition to the Aana dis tricts of Upolu Island, where he had sack ed some rebellious villages, and burned hundreds of prisoners in a pit.

The two Polynesian kings became close friends, and Malietoa, following the ex ample of Makea, accepted Christianity.

In March, 1938, the two grandsons of famous grandfathers met at the monu ment erected to the memory of John Wil liams, on Apia beach, and exchanged reminiscences of the historical events con nected with their houses.

These two men, leaders of different branches of the Polynesian people, met recently in Apia, Western Samoa. On the left: Hon. Malietoa O.B.E., head of one of the leading and royal families in Samoa. On the right: Makea Tinirau Ariki, O.B.E., head of the royal family of Rarotonga, and paramount Chief there.