New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-04-26

known among the SamOans. A man may have
fifty children by many different women, and
the child OF each one lnherltS the rlgnJ OF
"Puletele." Each child is apparently the equal
socially of his brothers; but politically one may
through his mother hold much higher rank than
another There appears also TO be a distinction
made IN regard TO certain rights and privileges
The practice of adopting children Is COM
mon, and they are looked on as MEM
give away an actual son TO distant powerful
family, and Their turn around and adopt child
from still another family. This Dis done 10
strengthen their connections. The family history
is handed down from generation to generation by
tradition, thus accounting for some of the dis
crepancies that exist in regard to the family name
in opposing districts. In the clashing Of private
interests many intentional mistakes occur. and the
names of adopted children are introduced or
reec ed may suit the necessity of the occasion.
Should difficulty III reference to land titles arise,
ordinarily the old men are referred to- the dispute
continuing if they are not able TO agree. Occa~
sionally. when two branches of family are dis
putting in regard 70 land, and there should happen
To be one old woman. the last living representative
of the main stem, she is appointed arblter and her
decision in the case IS final his Is done 10 soothe
the lacerated feelings OF the contestants.
In recognition of services rendered, lands are
sometimes transferred for term Of years, OCCASION
ally absolute transfer being made. These arrange
ments and disposition of property being verbal in
time many disputes and claims crop up IN 1852
began the first general sales of lands 10 foreigners,
and the excitement increased till 1T reaches It's
maximum from SGS TO 1872. Civil war was the
of war individuals of both factions unhesltat-
ingy sold any and all lands for which purchasers
could be found. The power of "Puletele' was
then made Use of for purposes until that time
utterly unknown 10 Samoan custom. The aSsump-
ton Of power TO sell the lands of the family by
virtue Of the "Puetele' seized by every male
of a family. Foreigners not too critical and glad
of the opportunity to purchase bought land and
obtained deeds wherein the properties were defined
by natural boundaries. without sometimes even see
ing the lands Overlaps and crossings lntermlnglef
played havoc in the side lines of lands sold IN tins
manner. 1t has been claimed that the same lands
| in some instances have been sold TO dltereno
! purchasers by different members of the same fam
| lily under the new construction attached 10
" PuletPle." thus adding 10 the difficulty. lt Is
possible that this was done in a few cases, nut 10
was not common. II has also been clalmed-Duo
vigorously denied-that the heads of families ara
now finding themselves short Of land for the re-
quirements of the families which they represent,
and are repudiating the reckless sales made under
the perverted application of " Puletele" powers.
Young men Of families who sold one AGAINST another
during Che excitement, find themselves wlthouo
land on which to plant. This is not known TO ne
the case for there are large tracts OF waste lana
which NAV he used by the Samoan for growing the
native products. even though part OF 1t may pe
decided TO foreigners. In all these lana sales Iher
is one point that cannot he overlooked. Land
sales in all cases matters OF public notice, ana
protests and claims against sales, The facts con-
npctpd with which have been generally known
for wears past are only now beginning TO De
brought forward. Truly. the Land Commissioners
Will have their hands full