Samoa

News Notes From Western

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, June 16.

A PLEASING ceremony took place on May 24, when the foundation stone of the new Methodist Church (now in course of erection) was consecrated by the Rev. C. F. Gribble, General Secretary of the Methodist Overseas Mission Society of Sydney, who has been paying a visit to Samoa. * The recent visit to Samoa of NZ Navy cruiser, Bellona, for which an elaborate social and sports programme had been planned, was marred by atrocious and abnormal weather conditions —strong winds and torrential rains preventing all outdoor sports events, including tennis, football and cricket matches, and the race meeting which the Turf Club had specially arranged. * Desiccated coconut may develop into a major export industry and several new factories are to be erected shortly by the Government and private enterprise. The New Zealand Press quotes the latest price as being in the neighbourhood of £230 per ton, which leaves a handsome profit. * Increased attention is also being paid to the planting of coffee in the Territory in an endeavour to diversify production.

Many inquiries for Samoan coffee have been received lately, but production is in sufficient to satisfy the local demand at present. * The SS Ericbank has lifted an addi tional 1,500 tons of copra consigned to the British Pood Ministry.