Two Murders in Samoa

From Our Own Correspondent APIA July 12 CRIMES of violence have’ increased lately to an alarming degree in out lying Samoan villages. Most of them have two common features- Thev are committed for apparently trivial rea sons and in nearly all cases machetes (cane-knives) are used as weapons.

Recently, two brutal murders have been committed in Samoan villages far distant from each other. On June 21 the Samoan matai (chief) Leaupepe Tautai, of the West Coast village of Faleasiu, was attacked about 1 a.m. while sleeping with his family in a Samoan faie Severe injuries were inflicted to the left side of his head, and he died in hospital a week later. Neither his wife nor anyone else was aware the murderer had entered the house. Police investi gations are proceeding.

The second murder was in the South Coast village of Lotofaga. The village chief, Sitagata Vagatai, was planting a hibiscus hedge on the boundary between his house and that of his neighbour, the taule-ale’a, Sefau, and the latter strongly objected to it. When Sitagata took no notice and continued to work, Sefau rushed at him with a sapelu (cane-knife) and struck him repeatedly, causing seri ous wounds on the left shoulder and hands. Villagers interfered and the wounded man was taken to Poutasi Gov ernment Hospital, where he died on June 29.

Sefau was arrested and brought to Apia.