American Samoa Gets

A New Governor

Prom a Pago Pago Correspondent Speculation over whether American Samoa would or would not get a new Governor following the installation of a Democrat President in V J S >J inall y came to an end in May when it was announced that Mr. H. Rex Lee, a career public servant with 24 years’ service, was new Governor in succession to the Hon. Peter Coleman. Governor Lee, 51 arrived at Pago Pago on May 23 and was sworn in at a colourful ceremony on May 27.

A MONO those present were the ** Under-Secretary of the Depart ment of the Interior, Mr. John A.

Carver, Jr., and Mr. Coleman.

Mr. Coleman, with his wife, left Samoa by air the following day, after a long round of feasts and re ceptions by friends and officials.

Governor Coleman had been Gov ernor for four and a half years, longer than any other government

head, and he was the first Samoan to have held the post.

After a brief holiday in Hawaii, he left for the US Trust Terri tory to take a new position as District Administrator of the Marshall Islands, The Trust Territory itself had a new High Commissioner—Mr.

M. Wilfred Coding.

At the swearing-in ceremony in Pago, Governor Lee told the Samoans that Samoa was “not a forgotten land” and that Washington would give full co-operation towards any sound programme that Samoa wanted.

He said his own tentative plans were to go ahead with organisation for the reception of the South Paci fic Conference to be held in Pago m July next year; to successfully complete Tafuna airport to jet stan dard; to clean up roads and villages; to provide enough high schools for secondary education for all Samoans and not only for the present 30 to 40 per cent.

Governor Lee said he wanted to find better opportunities for Samoan youth in Samoa itself.

He said he believed firmly in self government and would do everything to help Samoa obtain maximum self

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New Secretary for American Samoa—Major Eric Scanlan.

Governor H. Rex Lee, centre, takes the oath from Chief Justice Arthur Morrow during the swearing-in ceremony in Pago Pago on May 27. Retiring Governor Peter Coleman looks on.

government. He also wanted the Samoans to have enough experience to be able someday to choose their own governor.

He said he was not held back by any political, racial and religious ties.

He added that he knew that he would make mistakes, but they “would be honest mistakes” and he trusted that when he left Samoa even tually, people would say he had been a true friend of the Samoan people.

Governor Lee was born in Rigby, Idaho, on April 8, 1910, and

graduated from the Idaho Universi with a BS degree in agricultun economics. He was Assistant Chi of Office of Territories from 194 t 47, and in 1948 he was a consultai on loan to the UN, helping An and Israeli leaders to assist An refugees displaced by the Israe; Arab war, Mr. and Mrs. Lee have thrc daughters and two sons, the elde 21 and the youngest 11. Mrs. L. and the children were expected ; arrive in Samoa in late June.

With the announcement of the ne Governor, American Samoa all heard that it had a new Secretary!

Major Eric Scanlan, a part Samoa who was born in NZ, spent his ba hood in Samoa and who was educate in the US and served with tl American forces in World War II Major Scanlan has had 15 yea with the military police in the L and Europe and won a commend tion for smashing a black mark ring in Paris.

He is 42 and will arrive in Sam» in July after his discharge from tl Air Force. He is married, with tv young children.

Major Scanlan’s name at one staji was mentioned as a possibility fc Governor.

Major Scanlan replaces Secretaj Alan MacQuarrie, who expected leave Samoa about mid-June.