I.—General Description.

The islands of Samoa, which are fourteen in number, lie about 500 miles to the northward of the Tonga Group—the sailing distance from Auckland being 1570 miles. Samoa is situated between 13° 27′ and 14° 18′ South latitude, 169° 28′ and 172° 48′ West longitude, and has a total area of 1650 square miles. Nine of the islands are inhabited, the remaining five being insignificant islets, unfit to support population. The principal islands are Savaii, Upolu, and Tutuila, and of these Savaii has the largest area, while Upolu is the most populous. The islands are mostly of volcanic origin, with circling or partly circling reefs. In these reefs there are a number of openings to splendid harbours. Of these, Pagopago, on the island of Tutuila, is believed to be the best harbour in the South Pacific. On Upolu, in addition to the good harbour of Apia, there are several excellent natural harbours, some of them safer and more capacious than Apia. The chief islands of this group being in close proximity to each other, and provided with so many first class harbours, offer unusual advantages for the prosecution of trade, which advantages are further enhanced by the position which the islands occupy in the pathway of steam communication between Australasia and San Francisco. The Government of Samoa is neither stable nor well defined. The native rule, under the reigning monarch, Malietoa Laupepa, is merely nominal, so far as the protection of life and property is concerned; but the chiefs exercise considerable authority over the people, and own a sort of allegiance to Malietoa. How wavering and uncertain this allegiance is may be inferred from the fact that at the present time the vice-king, Tamasese, is in open rebellion against the king's authority, and with 500 or 600 armed followers is in the field within ten miles of Apia, which town is under constant menace of attack. At Apia there is a European population page 23 of only 250, and there also are the most of the stores and business places, so that there is real danger to be apprehended; for though the great majority of the natives profess loyalty to Malietoa, it is hard to say how they would act if Tamasese and his gang commenced the work of blood, and showed the example of indiscriminate plundering. The danger is believed to be diminishing, but should a German war-ship in the meantime enter the harbour it is feared that the rebels would make an immediate descent upon the town, in the hope of receiving assistance from Germany. The English and American residents assert that Germany is inciting the rebellion, in order to obtain a pretext for annexing the country; and it is pointed out, as something more than a coincidence, that on the very day that Tamasese took the field the Imperial flag of Germany was hoisted on the so-called fort at Mulinuu Point, where it has since been allowed to fly, in spite of the fact that the Consul's action has been repudiated by the German Government. King Malietoa, acting, I believe, on the advice of the British Consul and Rev. Mr. Phillips, has shown great forbearance in dealing with the rebels; he has not had recourse to arms to maintain his authority, and has not even deposed Tamasese from the position of vice-king. On the contrary, he is exhausting every conciliatory measure, and is using all his influence, and that successfully, to prevent his subjects from attacking the rebels or hauling down the heartily-hated German flag. In the interests of commerce, it is very much to be desired that an effective European Government should be established in Samoa; even German rule (which traders concur in describing as the worst possible) would be preferable to the present condition of incipient anarchy. I found the people most favourably disposed towards New Zealand and England, and the recent petitions for annexation, I believe, thoroughly represent the opinions of the majority of Samoans. Some years ago, it will be remembered, Samoa appealed for American protection, and a previous unsuccessful petition was forwarded praying for annexation to England, but though German influence is and has long been predominant in the group, the natives have never asked for German protection. The proposal which was mooted some time ago to make the country a British Crown Colony is very unpopular with the traders. When it was mentioned, a prominent American merchant exclaimed—"Save us from that, and rather let us join New Zealand." I would apologise for dwelling at such length on Samoan politics, but it appears to me that a stable Government is the first essential towards the extension of trade with these extensive, populous, and fertile, but most undeveloped islands. The Municipal Government of Apia is well organised and thoroughly effective for the management of the port, and for dealing with offences and disputes. The Municipal Board has six mem- page 24 bers, composed of the English, American and German Consuls for the time being, with one member nominated by each Consul. It exists under a Convention entered into by the Samoan Government with the Governments of Great Britain, the United States, and Germany, on 2nd September, 1879, and it is to be continued until such time as the Samoan Government is in a position to guarantee the security of life and property. The revenue of the Municipality is chiefly derived from licence fees (which are levied on publicans, store-keepers, and handicraftsmen and professional men of all kinds, clergymen excepted), and a tax of one per cent, on the value of all houses and lands, except churches, hospitals, and schools, within the town and district of Apia. Public-house licences cost from $10 to $12 per month, and store licences from $12 to $100 per annum on a graduated scale according to the amount of business done. Other licences range from $3 per annum for clerks up to $60 per annum for lawyers. The sale or supply of intoxicants to natives is strictly prohibited—a publican who offends twice having his licence immediately cancelled, while any other person supplying drink to a native is liable in a fine of $25 or imprisonment for 30 days. Mr. Kelsall, Police Magistrate, holds a Court daily, if required, to deal with offences and disputes. The revenue of the Municipality last year was $9,018 77¾c., chiefly derived from pilotage, licence fees, and property tax, while the chief expenditure was for police and officials. The salaries embrace an allowance of $220 a year to King Malietoa, which is given in recognition of his sovereign rights over Apia. The balance to credit at 1st January, 1885, was $1,892, showing the Municipality to be in a healthy state, financially considered. England, Germany and the United States have each a Consular Agent resident at Apia. Mr. Churchward is Acting English Consul; Dr. Stuebel, German Consul; and Mr. Parker, Acting American Consul—Dr. Canisius, the United States Consul, having retired a short time ago. At Apia, near King Malietoa's residence, we saw that grim emblem of civilization, a gallows, but we were informed it is seldom used. Treaties of friendship have been concluded between the Samoan Government (consisting of the King, Vice-King, and two Legislative Chambers called the Taimua and Faipule) and the Governments of England, Germany and the United States. The German Consul a few weeks ago coerced the Samoan Government into making a further agreement specially favouring Germany, but the British representative is insisting upon England having equal privileges.