Hoeflich, of Samoa

Two Old Residents

Pass On

Chris Heilesloe and Paul Hoeflich, of Samoa

APIA, August 24.

BY a coincidence, the two oldest white residents of this Territory with the longest terms of residence in the country, died on May 16 and 23 respec tively, within a week of each other. They were:—

Christian Hellesoe, Senr.. Who

had reached the ripe old age of 93.

PAUL HOEFLICH, 84 years old.

Mr. Hellesoe had been a resident of Western Samoa for over 60 years. A native of Denmark, he left his home early, and roamed the world as a sailor.

Later, he traded in the Gilbert and other groups, and he finally settled in Samoa as a baker and general storekeeper. Mr.

Hellesoe was a well-known and respected figure in Apia, where he used to drive, every day, with his buggy and horse, from his residence at Lotopa, in order to hear the latest war news. In spite of his great age, he was mentally and physic ally alert, right up to the time of his death.

Mr. Hoeflich was born in Germany, and he went to sea, as a young boy.

After eight years of seafaring life, he came to the South Seas, and settled down in the Gilbert Islands as a trader.

That was in 1885, when the natives of the group were still conducting then tribal wars, and the famous King of Abemama, the “Napoleon of the South Seas,” exercised his autocratic rule.

In 1890, Mr. Hoeflich left the Gilberts and travelled to Samoa in the company of no less a person than Robert Louis Stevenson. He settled in Apia in 1892, and shortly afterwards established his aerated water factory. Mr. Hoeflich was a popular and public-spirited man, and he was prominent in all the social and sporting activities of the Samoan capi tal, particularly in racing. He was one of the founders of the Apia Turf Club.

Mr. M. R. Hunter, well known for many years as foreman of the “Papuan Courier” printing-office, Port Moresby, is now a reader on the staff of “Sydney Morning Herald.”

Mr. Paul Hoeflich.