Mataafa Dead

Leading Samoan Chief

fpHE head of one of the three “Royal”

JL families of Western Samoa, Mataafa Faumuina Siame, died at his home at Lepea, near Apia, on March 27, after a severe illness.

Mataafa was an outstanding person ality and one of the highest-ranking citizens of Western Samoa. He was one of the three Fautua and a member of the Council of State of Western Samoa established recently in connection with the revision of the Samoan Constitution.

Mataafa was the head of two large family groups based largely on the south east coast of Upolu. He held his earlier title of Siame as a leader of the Salevalasi; and the two families, as distinct from the Malietoa and Tupua lines, were predom inant in conferring the title Mataafa upon him. He lived usually in Lepea, near Apia, where he was also a leading chief and held the title of Faumunia.

Mataafa was appointed a Fautua early in 1944 following a generally-expressed desire of the Samoans for a third Fautua in addition to the two existing titleholders, Malietoa and Tamasese. Although a leader of the Mau and its president for some years, Mataafa was always highly respected by the then Administration and all parties to the disputes of those days.

Mataafa is survived by his widow, Fa’amusami, a daughter of the late King Malietoa Laupepa, and an aunt of the present Fautua, and member of the Coun cil of State, Malietoa, and by a son and a daughter.