Crime-Wave Continues

in W. Samoa Wife Murdered by Jealous Husband

From Our Own Correspondent APIA, September 22.

ANOTHER brutal murder occurred on September 19 at the west coast vil lage of Faleasiu, when a 25-year-old Samoan, Petuiai, killed his 19-year-old wife, Fa’atelo by practically decapitating her with a cane knife. She had been sit ting in their house feeding her baby, which was nearly smothered in its mother’s blood.

The husband was taken into custody and is now facing a murder charge. Ap parently he suspected his wife of having a love affair with one of his friends and committed the crime in a fit of jealousy.

This murder is the 10th in the current year. Popular feeling in Samoa strongly favours the reintroduction of the death penalty for murder as gaol sentences have proved no deterrent.

As the death penalty has been reintro duced in New Zealand, it is probable that It will also be legalised in Western Samoa. It is hoped that this will put an end to the present crop of murders.

Me pointed at the next palm tree. “To morrow I must move down there. Next week, when the crew progresses farther, I shall run out of shade on this side of the road and have to take position on the other side under the mape trees. I can’t concentrate with the scene shifting so.”

I got up. ‘Something will happen.”

“Of course. It’s just a matter of hold ing out until this unnatural state of affairs corrects itself.’

We shook hands. * SHORTLY after arriving home, I sent to Tahiti a movable plastic eye which I found at the Fresno Novelty Comp any. By means of a small spring, it scowled and rolled periodically: I hoped Fred might use it in place of the blue one on the fence post. His letter arrived in September.

My friend, my friend, he wrote.

Can I tell you how deeply I w r as touched by your ingenious gesture to aid me in my plight. The contrivance is most clever. I rather think it would have worked, with the proper build-up.

But it arrived too late.

Yes, too late. The inexorable forces of destiny moved. I have been pro moted. I am no longer overseer, but Inspector General of the Rue de la Ceinture. Twice a month I circle the island in a Chevrolet and make a report. I take the family and we have picnics. Oto-Mobile has learned to drive. With my free time I am once more addressing the Odyssey and shall soon be up to the part where Telemachos calls on Nestor.

Such peace I feel, after the ordeal by the roadside. Such faith have I in my fateful philosophy.

I shall close with greetings from the family. With our sudden, if belated,

turn in fortune, Totoi has become reconciled to marriage. Our fifth little stranger arrived last week, pre maturely, when Oto-Mobile ran into the ditch. Although it yelled its head off all the way home and spoiled our outing, Totoi is happy and hopes that the benefits of clergy will like wise reduce her next pregnancy from nine to seven months.

Ever onward, my friend!

Trust in Fate’s justice!

Come back to Tahiti!

Fred.