The New Administration

In American Samoa

lONG and picturesque ceremonies, ex- J tending from the morning of Feb ruary 21 to the afternoon of March 2, marked the end of 51 years of adminis tration of Eastern Samoa by the United States Navy, and the introduction of a government controlled by the United States Department of the Interior.

The Samoans love ritual and oratory; and, with feasts, parades, speeches, music and the drinking of kava, they made the most of the ceremonies. The departing Naval Governor, Captain T. F. Darden, was accorded all possible honour; and the newly-arrived Civil Governor, Mr.

Phelps Phelps, was given a warm welcome.

In one afternoon, Captain and Mrs. Dar den went through a Farewell Taalolo, a formal dinner and a Tofa Party. On three previous days, there had been a “farewell feast” each afternoon, given by the Samoans of different districts.

“Turning its head to the past,” said the official programme, “Samoa is sorrowful to bid farewell to a good and loyal friend, the Navy. At the same time, turning its head to the future, Samoa bids welcome to the new administration under the De partment of the Interior, and offers its loyalty, co-operation and obedience with bright hopes for the future.”