Eastern Samoa Celebrates With Sport And Song

50 Years Under the US Flag

Prom Our Own Correspondent

APIA, April 21.

FOR three days between April 17 and 19 the 50th anniversary of the raising of the American flag in Eastern Samoa was celebrated by festivi ties, Samoan dances, singing, school com

petitions and sports in the presence of high officials from the USA, Eastern and Western Samoa and a crowd of 9,000 spectators, manv of whom had come from Western Samoa.

Admiral A. Radford, Commander of the US Pacific Fleet was there from Hono lulu. He was accompanied by Mrs. Rad ford and Commanders Finlay and Beeby.

On the first day of the celebrations the gathering was addressed by Admiral Rad ford who spoke of the great progress the Territory had made under the admini stration of the US Nav T7 and through the co-operation, loyalty and own efforts of the people of Eastern Samoa. The High Commissioner of Western Samoa, Mr. G.

R. Powles, conveyed the good wishes of the Government and the people of that Territory.

A ta’alole, dancing and singing com petitions followed the opening ceremony.

Singing competition was won by Western Samoa (which was represented by the Talealili district) while the Samoan dance competition was won by Eastern Samoa.

A Samoan feast in true Samoan style followed.

On the second day the schoolchildren of Eastern Samoa gave displays of danc ing singing, marching, handicraft, etc., and the third day was taken up by an elaborate sports programme. Of 10 box ing bouts, Eastern Samoa won six and Western Samoa four. The fautasi (long boat) race was won by Eastern Samoa.

An Estonian doctor, Dr. A, Aaronson, has been appointed to the medical staff of the South Pacific Health Service.