Barbarism in Samoa

Chief Justice Donne, of Western Samoa, is making a determined at tempt to stamp out stone-throwing, which he described as “too preva lent” and having been responsible for some “terrible injuries” and “terrible consequences”. He called it a cow ardly, savage, barbaric and un civilised action when sentencing Malosi Patu Alefaio, to 21 days’ imprisonment on a charge of assault.

It was alleged Alefaio was in volved in an incident at Salamumu which led to the death of Isaako Aise’e. One man has been charged with the murder of Aise’e, and an other with manslaughter. The only part Alefaio played in the matter was that he was a member of a party which attacked Aise’e, and he threw stones, none of which hit Aise’e.

Mr Justice Donne said he hoped his remarks about stone-throwing would help and guide the lower courts, which generally dealt with such matters. He hoped Samoans would be encouraged to get stone throwing completely out of their systems. He could assure stone throwers that the courts in future would see that it was not made worthwhile.