New Cairn For R. L. Stevenson

In Western Samoa

Visitors to Apia, Western Samoa, will now find it easier to locate the famous tomb of Robert Louis Stevenson atop Mt. Vaea. A new monument to the writer was erected in April just outside the gates of his former home, Vailima, which is now occupied by the Samoan Head of State.

rwas donated by a former Prime Minister of NZ, Mr. Walter Nash, and marks the beginning of the Road of Loving Hearts, along which Steven son was carried to his grave.

The road and the tomb are the only relics of Stevenson which the tourist can now easily see. Vailima, which was once open to visitors, is now off limits, and the grounds may be entered only by special permission.

Inside Vailima itself there are still many of the things that Stevenson used, including the chair in which he sat by his fireplace.

The new monument and Steven son’s tomb were centres of interest at the end of April for 72 crew members and 62 scientists who visited Apia in the Russian research ship Vityaz, en route to Manuae, in the Cook Islands, to view the total eclipse on May 31. They said Stevenson’s writ ings were popular in Russia.

The new monument carries plaques, which read in English and Samoan;

This Is The Road Of Lov

Ing Hearts Hewn By People

Of Samoa For Tu Sit Ala—

Robert Louis Stevenson

Whose Resting Place Lies

On Mount Vaea Above.

Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie.

Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will.

This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be: Home is the sailor, home from sea.

And the hunter home from the hill.

Presented By The Rt. Hon.

Walter Nash, Ch., M.P.

The new Stevenson monument outside the gates of Vailima.

Photo: "Samoana"