The Elbert County tribune., 1913-01-03

assembled on Mulinuu Point. Just outside Apia
and there took place almost daily some decid
edly picturesque doings
Biggest and best of these. naturally. was the
coronation Of the whitehaired old chief though
the word is msnomer for there was no crown
Mataafa sat alone In the center OF large open
space. and all around in the shelter of palms
and banana trees, were thousands OF natives and
the entire white population of Upola island. The
kings own house was turned to the
suls, naval officers and other distinguished per
sons. When all was ready five ancient talking
men" representing the chief districts. advanced
until within hundred feet of Mataafa and de-
livered long addresses to him upon his duties
ruler concluding with the administering of
what passed for the oath of office. The king
replied with utmost dignity. rising to speak. and
the talking thereupon closed in on him and
anointed his head with sacred oil. His
majesty then retired amid the loud cheers OF
his people. and the rest of the afternoon and
the evening was given up to feasting. The inno-
cent revelries not lessened by the fact that
bloody war imminent. On the other side
OF the town encamped the forces of Tanu,
and to precipitate the conflict there was needed
only the decision of the white judge of the
preme court that Mataafas election was invalid.
That came later. and did the fighting
Next day we all went out again to see 'tao-
To- or food procession. Once more Mataafa sat
IN state and before Kim filed his subjects. long
line of men, women and children. Leading the
delegation from each district or village was its
especial taupo the maiden who is designated
the office until her marriage. She was attired
only In the old-t,me lava lava, or skirt of bark
cloth and her ornaments consisted of flowers,
wreaths and plenty of palm oil. Chanting some
ancient song in archaic language. she danced IN
advance of the slowly moving and chanting pro-
cession for some hfty yards and then waited un-
til the talking men who led 1t reached her side.
This was repeated all along the beautiful path
way until the throne" reached AS each
person passed the king he or she tossed in
heap before his majesty some article OF food,
One might bring live pig. trussed Up but
souealing: another squawking fowl. or fine
nah wrapped In fresh leaves; another huge
bunch of bananas, basket Of pineapples.
But not one was without his offering. even II It
was but breadfruit piece of taro. So,
dancing and singing. the parade passed. and
then. without any sense Of the ridiculous. broke
up. turned back and helped the king eat up all
the gifts That was indeed monster feast.
Perhaps the people ate up Mataafa's food with
the less compunction because they knew how
abstemious he was. One morning called
his majesty by appointment and found him at his
breakfast The royal meal consisted of bowl
Of kava and two bananas. big purple ones OF a
variety not known here: and the king courteous
yv ofYered to share the fruit with me- Grave,
wfse-lookng and big physically, mentally and
morally Mataa.a sat there crosslegged in his
ainpIe hut and chatted with me about his loved
friend. Robert Louis Stevenson. munching his
banana and driving away the flies with his fly
IA puer He was true nobleman and his death
last summer deserved more than the four-line