The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1890-02-10

ate control over the islands or the
government thereof 1t is further
declared with a view to the prompt
restoration Of peace and good order
on these islands, and in view Of the |
difficulties which would surround an
election in the present disordered
condition of their government, that |
Malietoa, who was formerly made
and appointed King on July IL, 1881,
and was so recognized by the three
powers, shall again be so recognized
hereafter in the exercise Of such
authority, unless the three powers
shall, by common accord, otherwise
declare, and his successors shall be
duly elected according to the laws
and customs of Samoa.
Article 2 provides that this act
shall supersede all now existing
treaties between the powers and
Samoa, but that Samoa shall give
consent to all its provisions before
going into effect.
Article 3 provides for the estab-
lishment of a Supreme Court IN
Samoa consisting of one Judge, who
shall be appointed by the three sig
natory powers in common, or, these
failing, he is to be named by the
kings of Norway and Sweden. His
decisions shall be final and his salary
$4,000 year, payable the first year by
the three powers in equal proportion
and afterwards by the Samoan gov
eminent. He is made removable at
the request of majority of the three
treaty powers On jurisdiction the
treaty says: The Supreme Court
shall have jurisdiction of all ques.
tons arising under the provisions OF
this general act. The court shall also
have appellate jurisdiction over all
municipal magistrates and officers.
Provision is made for the appoint
ment of assistants. The question OF
right to the throne shall be settled
by the Chief Justice and he shall
have power to settle disputes between
the treaty powers, any such differ
ences not being considered cause for
war. The Chief Justice shall have
the right to suggest the passage OF
any laws to the Samoan government
which he thinks advisable. To his
court shall be transferred civil suits
concerning real property IN Samoa,
and all rights affecting the same;
civil suits between natives and for
| eigners, and crimes committed by
! Samoans against foreigners or for
eigners against Samoans, where the
consuls have not jurisdiction. The
practice and procedure of English
courts shall guide.
Article 4, respecting titles to lands
in Samoa, and restraining disposition
thereof by natives. provides that all
e future alienation Of lands on the
islands of Samoa to citizens Or sub
e jects of any foreign country shall be
l prohibited, subject to the following
n conditions: Town lots and lands
.. may be sold or leased by the owner
Il for just consideration when ap
e proved in writing by the Chief JUS
;, tice Agricultural lands may be
v leased for term not exceeding forty
!. years, when the lease is approved il
d writing by the chief executive au
i thority of Samoa and by the Chic
l. Justice. A court of claims to settle
T. on the validity of existing land title:
y, II is provided for, with three commits
;. sionefs at $500 month each, during
!, the necessary term of service. The
l. court shall make provisions for 4;
e complete registry of valid titles il
er Samoa owned by foreigners. Al
n lands acquired before the 28th day
% Of August, 1S79-being the date O
: the Anglo Samoan treaty-shall b.
,e held as validity acquired prescriptiv'
Of title by ten years past continuou!
v holding.
t. Article describes the municipa
district of Apia and provides for thu
y local administration, which shall con
~ ~ sist of six members of the Munich
u pal Council and a president with ;
" veto. This council shall enforce
d the treaty as far as necessary ove
g Apia and shall regulate port char
Is ges. Councilmen are to be prop
ic erty holders and shall be elected
'r by popular vote. The President o
the council shall be agreed upon b,
q the three powers. He may act unde
20 Joint instruction of the three powers
v but shall receive no separate instruc
le tons from either. His salary will b.
L $1,000 He shall be the receiver AM
custodian of revenues accruing unde
4 the provisions of this act and shall
T. render quarterly reports to the kins
u, 70 and the Municipal Council. Th
" Chief Justice shall make a prope
se order for the election of the loca
ID government of the municipal district
re Article 6 treats of the regulation
E. for the collection of import dutie
4 and taxes. The port of Apia shal
be port of entry for all dutlabl
Is goods arriving in the Samoan island:
10 1t is provided that heavy duties shal
d be levied for revenue purposes
as Wine, per gallon, 81; spirits, 81 sc
lr statistical duty on goods in genera
2 per cent ad valorem. AID valorer
lg export duties on coffee, copper O
q, cotton are provided for. Other take
, ,e shall be al yearly capitation tax o
+. all Pacific islanders, 81: colored, nc
,e islanders, 81; also taxes on dwellin
a. house, boats and firearms. Licens
to taxes on lawyers, doctors and a
u classes of tradesmen and carrier
vary from $50 on lawyers to So o
Sc blacksmiths, So on book agents an
~ ~ 81 on peddlers. Importation of fir
of arms is hedged about with many r.
tic strictions, and their sale by foreign