Mataafa

State Funeral For Mataafa Thousands Pay Last Homage to High Chief

HIGH Chief and Fautua Mataafa Paumuina Fiame, who died in Apia on Easter Saturday, was given a State funeral on Easter Sunday. It was attended by members of his family, high ranking Samoan chiefs, Government offi cials and thousands of Samoans and Europeans. The announcement of the High Chief’s death was made over Apia Radio, and buses and launches were des patched to bring in mourners from all parts of the Territory.

After a service in the Mataafa home at Lepea, the largest funeral procession ever witnessed in Samoa moved through the streets of Apia and, following the beach road, came at last to Mulinu’u, the tradi tional burying place of Samoan royalty.

The Rev. H. Whyte, of the LMS, offi ciated at the graveside; funeral orations were given by the High Commissioner, the Hon. Tupua Tamasese, and other high-ranking Samoan chiefs, who all spoke of the devotion Mataafa had al ways shown to the welfare of Samoans.

Mataafa was 58. He was at one time leader of the nationalistic movement, the Mau, but later he became chief of the Samoan police. The towering figure of the chief in his police uniform became well known.

Messages of condolence were received from the NZ Prime Minister, on behalf of the government and people, and from the Governor-General. General sym pathy was expressed for Mataafa’s widow and his sons, the eldest of whom now takes the Mataafa title.