An appeal to quash a conviction against the former Associate Minister of Trade, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, took an unexpected twist yesterday.

It happened when Muagututagata was left by his lawyer, Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i, to represent himself in the Court of Appeal.

The appeal is against one of two convictions against the defendant. It is based upon the argument by Muagututagata over what he claims as inconsistencies in the evidence given by a Chinese key witness.

In the Court of Appeal yesterday, Fepulea’i felt he had not been given ample time to prepare for the appeal. He requested a twoweek adjournment, which was denied.

He said on being approached by his client on Monday, he had had only two days to prepare for the appeal. He felt it was not enough.

Justice Fisher agreed. He said that had he had only two days to prepare, then that would have been “grossly unfair for you to proceed.”

But he pointed out that it has been about two and a half months since the conviction and this time could have been devoted to the appeal.

“We’re prepared. We’ve all read the whole file. In my case, I have read it a couple of times,” said Justice Blanchard.

The options given by the Court of Appeal then were for Muagututagata to either proceed without a lawyer or that his lawyer sits in the audience and helps his client during the hearing as there were also technical legal issues to discuss.

“We’ve discussed this, Your Honour, and my client will confirm this. His preference is for me to represent him rather than to proceed to withdraw. I feel I’m not in a position to do that... That it’s better to withdraw than to proceed.”

The Court of Appeal ruled against an adjournment and for the case to continue yesterday afternoon.

“The court fully understands the position [Mr Fepulea’i] finds himself in. The court strongly urges Mr Fepulea’i to remain as Counsel, even on basis without formal preparation. He can assist with issues that may arise,” said Justice Fisher.

Fepulea’i then spoke with his client privately. Later, he asked the Court of Appeal to be excused completely, leaving Muagututagata to represent himself.

At that point, Justice Fisher explained that it was understood from Fepulea’i that the defendant will say the conviction was wrong, based on evidence given by a key witness.

“And that she was unreliable, as shown by inconsistencies in the evidence.”

Muagututagata was asked if he had anything to say.

“I find myself confused at what’s been going on. I wish to say, I beg you not to deny me justice without representation. This case, Your Honour, is very important to me and my family and my constituency...”

“When my lawyer told me on Monday that he can’t assure me that he can represent me, I was very uncomfortable. Therefore I request from you an adjournment of my case so I can get legal representation in this Court. This is my request, Your Honour.

“He’s [Mr Fepulea’i] given me this file. I don’t even know where to start!”

Muagututagata was asked that when convicted two and a half months ago, whether it seemed to him that the conviction was wrong.

The appellant replied that an appeal was never discussed with his lawyer.

“But if you thought the sentence was wrong at the time, no matter what it was, you would’ve wanted to do something about it?” asked Justice Panchurst.

Muagututagata claimed that he was advised by Fepulea’i to wait till after the March 2 sentencing.

Meanwhile, the appellant had travelled overseas and on his return, decided to appeal the decision.

The Court of Appeal noted that by then, a month had lapsed before the decision to appeal the case was made. And the discussions would continue on matters relating to the history of the case and why an adjournment was not appropriate.

On being told that it was Muagututagata’s decision to continue without a lawyer, he protested.

“It was the lawyer’s decision not to appear on my case. I didn’t ask him to withdraw. He withdrew.”

He was informed that there would be no adjournment and that the hearing would continue.

“You will have every opportunity to say what you like to in support of the appeal.”

While the background of the case was presented with facts being confirmed or refuted by Muagututagata, he again asked what the implications would be for him if he did not want to go through with the appeal. This was made on the basis of a refusal for an adjournment.

“Am I being forced to go through this without legal representation?”

Justice Fisher responded that he was not being forced to stay on during the court hearings and should he stay on, he was not forced to say anything. Muagututagata was free to come and go.

“The important point is that we are hearing the case and it will go ahead.”

He was informed that nothing he said would be used as evidence against him. In answering questions posed to him by the Court, it was only to clarify evidence that was already on record. Muagututagata said he was not aware of this and felt obliged to answer. He requested ten minutes to discuss the options with his wife.

On the resumption of the Court of Appeal, Muagututagata asked that his wife sit next to him and also requested a translator.

The first blood of the American Samoa Flag Day sports competitions has been drawn by a team from Upolu. Now all we need is for Don Bosco to win the Flag Day Fautasi race this weekend.

It came in the form of Vaiala B.B.E.

winning the Bluesky Flag Day Sevens tournament in American Samoa at the beginning of the week.

Vaiala B.B.E. defeated Upolu neighbours, Apia Maroons, 31-5, in the final.

Vaiala Tour Manager and Coach, Tafaomalo Laifa Petersen, said he was extremely proud of his team’s performance.

He acknowledged his players as well as their supporters in American Samoa.

“It was a tough tournament,” he said. “We had some very good teams from Upolu participating but we are very proud to have won.

“I’d like to think of this as a beginning for better things in the future.”

Tafaomalo said the toughest challenge was trying to adjust the players to the Sevens code again, especially since many of them had been engaged only in 15’s rugby.

“But they proved that they could do it in winning the tournament and we are very excited.”

Tafaomalo said B.B.E Vaiala would be happy to return to American Samoa to defend the title next year.

The Vaiala team featured Oneone Fa’afou, Fale So’oialo, Francis Ieremia, Fa’avae Fa’avae, Apineru Maliefulu and Patrick Fa’apale.

Lio Lolo scored Apia Maroons’ only points in the final.

RESULTS
Cup Winner (2015 Champions)
Vaiala BBE Ulalei ($12,000.00USD)
Bowl Winner - Mapusaga, American Samoa
Plate Winner- Saasaai, Savaii
3rd Place – Lauli’i Lions, Samoa
Cup Runner Up - Apia Maroons ($5,000.00USD)

The Samoa Tourism Authority (S.T.A) and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (M.N.R.E) conducted an important training at the S.T.A Fale yesterday.

The training is a key component of the Garden Toilets and Biogas Sanitation Treatment Systems Project, launched by Samoa Tourism Authority, the British High Commission and the M.N.R.E, during the S.I.D.S conference last year.

Yesterday’s training was to build the capacity of participants to ensure the efficiency and sustainability of the project.

Speaking during the opening, S.T.A Chief Executive Officer, Papali’i Sonja Hunter, said the project dates back to 1998 when it was first developed under the NZ government under what it was referred to then as Sustainable Tourism Indicators.

“This was to measure the performance of specific indicators to tell us how well Samoa is doing under sustainable tourism,” she said.

“Sustainable Tourism looks at areas such as how well are we keeping our environment, how well are we sustaining our culture and it also looks at the wealth and the health of not only the tourism industry but also our visitors.

“On how well do we engage them as well as the community tourism development areas?

“So when you look at sustainable tourism it’s a whole nation concept, it’s a whole nation phenomenon.”

Yesterday’s training was carried out by Mr Murray Ward.

“The main reason for the training today is to ensure that we have the attention of the sector as well as those stakeholders that will be part of the beneficiary group,” said Papali’i. “When you look at biogas, it has several environmental benefits in that it replaces the unsustainable use of biomass, it slows deforestation and reduces green gas emission.

“We are able to look into utilizing waste management but be able to put in the digester so we can gain some of the gas for cooking and everything else.”

A 20-year-old student from Vailoa Palauli was yesterday jailed for four months for possessing marijuana.

Daniel Toluono, a nursing student at the National University of Samoa (N.U.S), was sentenced by the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiava’asu’e Falefatu Sapolu.

According to the summary of facts, on 17 January 2015, a police officer in civilian clothes saw the accused selling marijuana at the Salelologa market.

The officer called in cops from Tuasivi who caught and searched him. They found 100 marijuana seeds on him.

the Tuasivi Police station where he was interviewed. He admitted that the marijuana found on him was his.

Yesterday, Chief Justice Patu raised the possibility that Toluono could also be involved in cultivating marijuana.

He also said that if the prosecution had sufficient evidence then they would have charged the accused with cultivation.

“In the first place, if the prosecution had considered that there was sufficient evidence with which to charge the accused with cultivation of marijuana, then they should have charged the accused with cultivation,” he said.

“But that has not been done; it suggests that the prosecution does not have the necessary evidence to lay a charge of cultivation.

“Secondly there is nothing in the summary of facts admitted by the accused about cultivation of marijuana.”

The accused is a first offender.

Letters of support from his parents, his pastor and the pulenu’u of his village showed that the young man was a person of good character prior to his involvement with drugs.

The Court heard that he got into pot because of his friends. The Court was also informed that his family was heavily fined by the village council for the young man’s offense.

“I will deduct two months for previous good character; deduct four months for penalty imposed by the Alii and Faipule of the village of the accused, deduct three months for an early guilty plea,” Chief Justice Patu said.

“Also given the personal circumstances of the accused in particular the fact that he is studying at the National University towards a diploma in nursing I will show mercy on him and deduct another two months.

“That leaves four months. The accused is convicted and sentenced to four months imprisonment for each of the two charges against him both sentence to be count.

“During the time that you are in prison you have to request to the police officers to give you availability during the day to do your lectures at the NUS so that you don’t miss any of your lectures during your time in prison.”

An appeal to quash a conviction against the former Associate Minister of Trade, Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, took an unexpected twist yesterday.

It happened when Muagututagata was left by his lawyer, Fepulea’i Patrick Fepulea’i, to represent himself in the Court of Appeal.

The appeal is against one of two convictions against the defendant. It is based upon the argument by Muagututagata over what he claims as inconsistencies in the evidence given by a Chinese key witness.

In the Court of Appeal yesterday, Fepulea’i felt he had not been given ample time to prepare for the appeal. He requested a twoweek adjournment, which was denied.

He said on being approached by his client on Monday, he had had only two days to prepare for the appeal. He felt it was not enough.

Justice Fisher agreed. He said that had he had only two days to prepare, then that would have been “grossly unfair for you to proceed.”

But he pointed out that it has been about two and a half months since the conviction and this time could have been devoted to the appeal.

“We’re prepared. We’ve all read the whole file. In my case, I have read it a couple of times,” said Justice Blanchard.

The options given by the Court of Appeal then were for Muagututagata to either proceed without a lawyer or that his lawyer sits in the audience and helps his client during the hearing as there were also technical legal issues to discuss.

“We’ve discussed this, Your Honour, and my client will confirm this. His preference is for me to represent him rather than to proceed to withdraw. I feel I’m not in a position to do that... That it’s better to withdraw than to proceed.”

The Court of Appeal ruled against an adjournment and for the case to continue yesterday afternoon.

“The court fully understands the position [Mr Fepulea’i] finds himself in. The court strongly urges Mr Fepulea’i to remain as Counsel, even on basis without formal preparation. He can assist with issues that may arise,” said Justice Fisher.

Fepulea’i then spoke with his client privately. Later, he asked the Court of Appeal to be excused completely, leaving Muagututagata to represent himself.

At that point, Justice Fisher explained that it was understood from Fepulea’i that the defendant will say the conviction was wrong, based on evidence given by a key witness.

“And that she was unreliable, as shown by inconsistencies in the evidence.”

Muagututagata was asked if he had anything to say.

“I find myself confused at what’s been going on. I wish to say, I beg you not to deny me justice without representation. This case, Your Honour, is very important to me and my family and my constituency...”

“When my lawyer told me on Monday that he can’t assure me that he can represent me, I was very uncomfortable. Therefore I request from you an adjournment of my case so I can get legal representation in this Court. This is my request, Your Honour.

“He’s [Mr Fepulea’i] given me this file. I don’t even know where to start!”

Muagututagata was asked that when convicted two and a half months ago, whether it seemed to him that the conviction was wrong.

The appellant replied that an appeal was never discussed with his lawyer.

“But if you thought the sentence was wrong at the time, no matter what it was, you would’ve wanted to do something about it?” asked Justice Panchurst.

Muagututagata claimed that he was advised by Fepulea’i to wait till after the March 2 sentencing.

Meanwhile, the appellant had travelled overseas and on his return, decided to appeal the decision.

The Court of Appeal noted that by then, a month had lapsed before the decision to appeal the case was made. And the discussions would continue on matters relating to the history of the case and why an adjournment was not appropriate.

On being told that it was Muagututagata’s decision to continue without a lawyer, he protested.

“It was the lawyer’s decision not to appear on my case. I didn’t ask him to withdraw. He withdrew.”

He was informed that there would be no adjournment and that the hearing would continue.

“You will have every opportunity to say what you like to in support of the appeal.”

While the background of the case was presented with facts being confirmed or refuted by Muagututagata, he again asked what the implications would be for him if he did not want to go through with the appeal. This was made on the basis of a refusal for an adjournment.

“Am I being forced to go through this without legal representation?”

Justice Fisher responded that he was not being forced to stay on during the court hearings and should he stay on, he was not forced to say anything. Muagututagata was free to come and go.

“The important point is that we are hearing the case and it will go ahead.”

He was informed that nothing he said would be used as evidence against him. In answering questions posed to him by the Court, it was only to clarify evidence that was already on record. Muagututagata said he was not aware of this and felt obliged to answer. He requested ten minutes to discuss the options with his wife.

On the resumption of the Court of Appeal, Muagututagata asked that his wife sit next to him and also requested a translator.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi, yesterday confirmed that sixty-six employees of the Electric Power Corporation (E.P.C) are to be made redundant.

The decision was made by Cabinet on Tuesday.

Tuilaepa did not say who will lose their jobs and when the redundancies will become effective.

However, he told the media that the Corporation has been asked to prepare the redundancy packages in accordance to what the employees are entitled to.

According to the Prime Minister, the decision is part of reforms being carried out at the Corporation to cut costs and in turn pass on the benefits to members of the public by way of cheaper electricity.

Tuilaepa said a study carried out as part of the reforms identified that the Corporation has 66 more employees than it needs.

The news though is not all bad for the employees who will be affected, Tuilaepa pointed out.

“These people can take their redundancy packages and set up private businesses using their skills and expertise,” he said.

He added that these companies could then offer their services as sub-contractors to E.P.C and they will continue to benefit.

The reforms being carried out within E.P.C are not new.

Tuilaepa said the former Minister of Works, Faumuina Tiatia Liuga, implemented a similar measure in the Ministry of Works several years ago and many of the employees saw the offer as an opportunity to make some money.

In Savai’i recently, Tuilaepa said one of those former Public Works employee thanked him for the decision then because the redundancy package enabled him to buy a taxi.

The Prime Minister said the overall aim of the reforms at E.P.C is to reduce the cost of electricity. He praised the work being done by the Corporation since according to him; the cost of electricity has been dropping for the past three months.

Tuilaepa also acknowledged the C.E.O of E.P.C, Tologata Tile Tuimaleali’ifano, as well as the Minister of Works, Transport and Infrastructure, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala for their leadership in guiding the Corporation through the transition.

TRIP TO AMERICAN SAMOA
Prime Minister Tuilaepa also confirmed that he is travelling to American Samoa for the territory’s Flag Day celebrations this weekend. Tuilaepa said he was hesitant to travel but he did not want the American Samoa government to feel that he has neglected their invitation.

Besides, the Prime Minister said he has a lot of issues he wants to discuss with officials in American Samoa.

One of the top issues on his list of priorities is the plan by Bumble Bee to set up in Apia. Tuilaepa said he is meeting with Bumble Bee officials today to continue the negotiations and to find out where they are up to with their plans.

If all goes according to plan, Tuilaepa said the Bumble Bee operation should be up and running by next year.

The only issue, he said, involves Bumble Bee having being bought by another Thailand company.

Tuilaepa is hoping to iron out these issues during their meeting today.

In American Samoa, the Prime Minister will also visit the 2Samoa Trade Fair at Utulei. The Prime Minister said the initiative is vital in terms of government’s push to improve exports and trade with out neighbours in American Samoa.

The Prime Minister said the government injected $30,000 to fund the Fair because it wants local businesses taking part to grow.

“When this happens, their sales increase and the government gets more money by way of taxes.”

Tuilaepa will join the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese, who is already in the territory. They are due back in the country on Sunday.

“Today is an exciting time for us all who work at the Samoa Observer.”

These were the opening words from the Editor-in-Chief of the Samoa Observer, Savea Sano Malifa, Friday night when he launched the ‘Samoa Observer Tusitala Short Story Competition’ at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel.

The Pacific-wide competition is for both Samoan and English writers over the age of 18.

Entries will come from three regions: Australia and New Zealand, the rest of the Pacific Islands and Samoa.

From those regional winning stories, one story written in the Samoan language and one written in English will receive the overall Tusitala Awards.

In his Keynote Address, Savea briefly traced the growth of the Samoa Observer newspaper from humble beginnings and the decision to include an educational section in the paper, known as Newspaper in Education (N.I.E).

He went on to explain the reasons the newspaper is adding an adult competition to the existing competition held for primary, secondary and university students which has grown each year since 2011.

But this competition, he admitted, “is something we have been dreaming about for quite some time.”

“We are looking for wonderful stories from people in the Pacific, which we know are out there,” he said.

He paid tribute to the ongoing support of the general public and picked out for particular praise, the group of local sponsors who have shown belief in the initiative and provided financial support to ensure its success.

The Emcee for the evening was the Samoa Observer Editor, Mata’afa Keni Lesa and renowned writer, Reverend Ruperake Petaia, of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Gagaifo, Lefaga, blessed the event.

Guests at the launch included government representatives, the Diplomatic Corps, authors, academics, educational representatives, sponsors and media colleagues.

“Today is an exciting time for us all who work at the Samoa Observer.”

These were the opening words from the Editor-in-Chief of the Samoa Observer, Savea Sano Malifa, Friday night when he launched the ‘Samoa Observer Tusitala Short Story Competition’ at the Tanoa Tusitala Hotel.

The Pacific-wide competition is for both Samoan and English writers over the age of 18.

Entries will come from three regions: Australia and New Zealand, the rest of the Pacific Islands and Samoa.

From those regional winning stories, one story written in the Samoan language and one written in English will receive the overall Tusitala Awards.

In his Keynote Address, Savea briefly traced the growth of the Samoa Observer newspaper from humble beginnings and the decision to include an educational section in the paper, known as Newspaper in Education (N.I.E).

He went on to explain the reasons the newspaper is adding an adult competition to the existing competition held for primary, secondary and university students which has grown each year since 2011.

But this competition, he admitted, “is something we have been dreaming about for quite some time.”

“We are looking for wonderful stories from people in the Pacific, which we know are out there,” he said.

He paid tribute to the ongoing support of the general public and picked out for particular praise, the group of local sponsors who have shown belief in the initiative and provided financial support to ensure its success.

The Emcee for the evening was the Samoa Observer Editor, Mata’afa Keni Lesa and renowned writer, Reverend Ruperake Petaia, of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Gagaifo, Lefaga, blessed the event.

Guests at the launch included government representatives, the Diplomatic Corps, authors, academics, educational representatives, sponsors and media colleagues.

Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, is back on Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s hit list.

This time, Bainimarama has upset Prime Minister Tuilaepa by calling for the removal of New Zealand and Australia from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Asked for a comment, Tuilaepa did not hold back.

“Bainimarama’s issue is insignificant,” he said. “Remember all the man did was to play the drums (in the military) and train.

“So he doesn't understand these things. He is only new and he is still learning about matters of international relations.”

Tuilaepa went on to remind that Bainiamarama’s area of speciality is to “play the drum and yell left, right, stop!”

The Prime Minister was responding to repeated calls from Bainimarama to have New Zealand and Australia removed from the Forum.

If this does not happen, he wants China to be included in the group.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, To’osavili John Key, rejected the call, saying it is a joke.

"A Pacific Forum without Australia and New Zealand would be an interesting thing I suppose, in that those leaders would be able to talk about things,” To’osavili told the media.

"But exactly where would they get the money to do anything, and the answer is nowhere.”

Tuilaepa agrees with To’osavili.

He reminded that many years ago, a body known as the South Pacific Commission involved only Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. New Zealand and Australia, he said, were brought in to fund the plans of the Forum.

Fast forward to today, the Forum now has 16 members.

“The Forum is made up of fourteen very poor nations and then these two nations who fund the plans by these fourteen very pour nations,” Tuilaepa said.

“Now John Key is right. He has hit the mark because that’s why New Zealand and Australia came in, they fund our stuff.” But Bainimarama has rejected Toosavili’s comments, accusing him of ‘dangling funds’ over the Forum.

"They only see our relationship is to do with funding and that is their outlook on what our relationship is in the Forum, to dangle funding in front of us,” Bainimarama told Radio Tarana. “Obviously that is a poor view of what our relationship should be like."

Tuilaepa disagrees. “He’s perhaps forgotten that the Forum relies on funding,” he said.

“It’s not a body where you talk, talk, talk and go away with air. We talk and implement these plans but we rely on New Zealand and Australia to fund it.

“So you need to talk and be mindful of whether there is enough in your pocket to pay for your plans.”

Asked about claims that New Zealand and Australia are too domineering, Tuilaepa said this was far from the truth.

“No, that’s not the case,” he said.

“The decisions are made at the Forum. If Fiji doesn't want to join the Forum, so what?

“The Forum is not going to die.

It’s not as if any money comes from Fiji. It’s the money we get from New Zealand and Australia we are using for our stuff.”

Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, is back on Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s hit list.

This time, Bainimarama has upset Prime Minister Tuilaepa by calling for the removal of New Zealand and Australia from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Asked for a comment, Tuilaepa did not hold back.

“Bainimarama’s issue is insignificant,” he said. “Remember all the man did was to play the drums (in the military) and train.

“So he doesn't understand these things. He is only new and he is still learning about matters of international relations.”

Tuilaepa went on to remind that Bainiamarama’s area of speciality is to “play the drum and yell left, right, stop!”

The Prime Minister was responding to repeated calls from Bainimarama to have New Zealand and Australia removed from the Forum.

If this does not happen, he wants China to be included in the group.

New Zealand’s Prime Minister, To’osavili John Key, rejected the call, saying it is a joke.

"A Pacific Forum without Australia and New Zealand would be an interesting thing I suppose, in that those leaders would be able to talk about things,” To’osavili told the media.

"But exactly where would they get the money to do anything, and the answer is nowhere.”

Tuilaepa agrees with To’osavili.

He reminded that many years ago, a body known as the South Pacific Commission involved only Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. New Zealand and Australia, he said, were brought in to fund the plans of the Forum.

Fast forward to today, the Forum now has 16 members.

“The Forum is made up of fourteen very poor nations and then these two nations who fund the plans by these fourteen very pour nations,” Tuilaepa said.

“Now John Key is right. He has hit the mark because that’s why New Zealand and Australia came in, they fund our stuff.” But Bainimarama has rejected Toosavili’s comments, accusing him of ‘dangling funds’ over the Forum.

"They only see our relationship is to do with funding and that is their outlook on what our relationship is in the Forum, to dangle funding in front of us,” Bainimarama told Radio Tarana. “Obviously that is a poor view of what our relationship should be like."

Tuilaepa disagrees. “He’s perhaps forgotten that the Forum relies on funding,” he said.

“It’s not a body where you talk, talk, talk and go away with air. We talk and implement these plans but we rely on New Zealand and Australia to fund it.

“So you need to talk and be mindful of whether there is enough in your pocket to pay for your plans.”

Asked about claims that New Zealand and Australia are too domineering, Tuilaepa said this was far from the truth.

“No, that’s not the case,” he said.

“The decisions are made at the Forum. If Fiji doesn't want to join the Forum, so what?

“The Forum is not going to die.

It’s not as if any money comes from Fiji. It’s the money we get from New Zealand and Australia we are using for our stuff.”

While many Samoans travelled to American Samoa on Friday to celebrate the territory’s Flag Day, the Australian Pacific Technical College had a celebration of their own.

With students representing seven countries of the Pacific, the Solomon islands, Papua New Guinea, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa and Australia, the college honoured this diversity with a Culture Day.

The students who marched in the morning parade, proudly showcased each island country’s traditional wear.

Other activities included the preparation of traditional food, a Samoan ava ceremony, song, dance and sports activities.

Tongan student, Kulukona Uvea believes culture is one of the most important aspects of any islander’s life.

“It was an awesome day for us to see and experience more about other Pacific cultures. Not only that but it just reminds us of our homelands as we study here in Samoa.

“It feels more like home as we celebrated our culture day today.

“As you can see, everyone was really excited and having a little time to break from school work is a really good feeling for us here at A.P.TC.

The culture day is an annual event of the school since it was firstestablished in Samoa.

According to their website, the A.P.T.C .was designed to build on the existing strengths of the region and work closely with other Pacific educational institutions and training providers.

In practice, the APTC has established agreements with Pacific organisations to use their facilities and, where necessary, upgrade them to meet the requirements for Australian VET Accredited course delivery.

In each campus-country of A.P.T.C., Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu and Samoa, A.P.T.C.actively participates and supports relevant local industry groups and associations.

Specifically,they participate as a corporate member or associate member of local industry groups such as; Pacific Disability Forum, Fiji Early Childhood Association, Fiji Hotel and Tourism Association, Fiji Chef’s, Association, SKAL Fiji, Samoa Chamber of Commerce, Samoa Tourism Association and Samoa Umbrella for Non Government Organisations (SUNGO).

This allows A.P.T.C .to engage constructively with industry and Pacific Island governments to ensure our qualifications are always highly relevant.

A businessman who won At he bid to turn the Samoa Land Corporation’s (S.L.C) Office complex into a hotel has broken his silence over why the negotiations have failed.

And according to Su’a Tanielu Su’a, who operates the Samoa Tradition Resort, the government’s decision to re-tender the complex stemmed from the failure between the parties to agree on the value of the property.

According to Su’a, the government wanted to sell the three-storey-building for $4.5 million. The businessman said he hired a structural engineer and a team to value the property and the valuation came to about $2.2 million.

With a four year depreciation, he said the final value came down to about $1.7m to $1.8million.

Su’a revealed this when he was contacted for a comment yesterday after S.L.C, through the Ministry of Public Enterprises, issued a statement during the weekend, announcing Cabinet’sdecision to re-advertise the tender for the two-acre property and office facilities. Su’a said he was unaware about Cabinet’s decision.

“To look at the real value, there was no way that the building can fetch that much,” he said.“So, from a business perspective, that’s not viable. $4.5 million on a building like that, that’s just too much.”

The government’s statement had said that the negotiations to lease the S.L.C Office complex have reached a deadlock. And to that extent, Cabinet has approved to re-advertise the tender for the two-acre property and office facilities.

Su’a told the Samoa Observer that he had discussed the decision to tender the property for the third time around, with the S.L.C. Minister, Lautafi Selafi Purcell, two weeks ago.

“I said well, if that’s the Government’s decision, so be it. I did my best in trying to express my interest in terms of turning that into a commercially viable operation and from a business perspective that’s what I did. “I don’t know, maybe Government has something in mind.”

Su’a, who submitted proposals for the first and second tenders and won both rounds, said he has put a lot of resources into preparing documents and had started employing extra workers to train for the implementation of the hotel plans.

Asked whether he would apply for the third tender, he laughed.

“We’ll just focus on Samoa Tradition Resort for now and we’ll see what happens. I guess the message is we don’t qualify.

“I’m not sure whether it’s wise to do it for a third time... or maybe I’m not seeing something the government is seeing. Perhaps the company is not the right entity to take over the property.”

But he said, the S.L.C. office complex is going to be a business venture and for a local business, “we don’t have millions of dollars”.

They look at the viability of a venture and assess their own capability and hire people who can inform them of the decisions they need to make.

“And we made very informed decisions in taking and approaching the Government tender. It’s not that we orbitally just jumped in.”

Su’a admits he did not expect the government would choose to tender the property again. He wanted to exhaust all the options from government and that included Cabinet.

“And I was thinking if Cabinet would not agree to sell it then we would go with the lease. That’s the kind of decision I expected from Cabinet...”

But Su’a accepts that that is the nature of negotiation and like anything else, when all options are exhausted and the decision making process in government is yet toreach the top.

“That’s how I see the negotiation process. But then the top just terminated it.”

It’s been almost five years since the Samoa Tradition Resort was in business.

The owners, Endeavour Investment Ltd planned to take the same model across to the proposed complex and put up a sports hotel, upgrade the operation and the standard of the golf course. The Samoa Tradition Resort initially started with two three bedroom apartments. Today there are forty rooms with two new Samoan presidential suites in completion.

And with its traditional designs and architect, the resort lives to its name.

As the former Director General of the Pacific Islands Forum Fisheries Agency, Su’a travelled a lot and was often disappointed that his experiences of the countries visited were limited to the hotel and meeting venues.

The only places that really left an impression on him were in a Spanish village and Indonesia, in a rural hotel where everything was authentically Indonesian.

“You know, I said to myself, when I go back home, I will build accommodation that also promotes Samoan tradition. And if a traveller comes and stays, he or she will always go back and remember, because it has all the Samoan architect, designs, throughout the whole accommodation. That’s how it started.”

Meanwhile, work continues as normal.

“We’re just going forward with what we’re doing. We’re not just going to sit here and wish we had done a better job with government in terms of the negotiations. We believe what we proposed for government is a better way forward for the property.”

Last week, the government said that through the S.L.C Board of Directors, it took on board the investor’s business plan and has exhausted all options available to accommodate the business proposals.

“These things happen, it is normal in business transactions,” S.L.C Minister, LautafiSelafi Purcell said.

“While every effort is made by government to encourage and assist local business like E.I.L, we have to ensure government assets are protected.

“The new tender will include specific details, requirements will be very clear on what is on offer and what can be negotiated and what can’t. The tender document will be made very clear to parties involved.

“This will minimize a repeat of events highlighted during the last tender process negotiations.”

Former Member of Parliament, Patu Ativalu Tunupopo, is looking forward to the All Blacks visit for more than one reason.

Apart from the world champions coming to Samoa for the first time, Patu, a high Chief of Vaiala and Moata’a confirmed a plan to bestow the coach of the All Blacks team, Steve Hansen, with an honorary chiefly title.

The ceremony will be held on Thursday, the day after the test match at Apia Park.

Patu told the Samoa Observer yesterday that he is yet to decide on the matai title.

There are several options on which he is still mulling over.

“I am a High Chief and I can bestow titles on whomever I want,” he said. “The thing is I haven’t made up my mind. I have many family titles and I am the boss. ”

The bestowal of the matai title is in favour of a request made by Patu’s nephew, Fauono Ken Laban, who is close friends with Mr. Hansen.

Fauono is also the brother of former New Zealand M.P. , Luamanuvao Winnie Laban.

Patu said he has already met with the Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi who has agreed to and will attend the ceremony.

A village fono was also held and they too, support the bestowal.

The bestowal ceremony will also be attended by Fauono, Luamanuvao and extended family.

Patu, a retired MP, is also a former Manu Samoa rugby player. His father was the vice captain and full back for the Vaiala team from 1924 to 1926.

It was in 1924 that rugby was first played in Samoa, on the beach at Matautu, which was known as Pilot Point.

“That was the rugby field and when ships arrived from overseas, they would play rugby against the Samoans.”

The game was introduced to Samoa by the MacDonald family of Vaiala, on their return from New Zealand. As for the bestowal ceremony, Patu and his family are committed to doing their best.

“We are still preparing for it. It’s a simple thing. For me, it’s no problem.”

Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama, has met fire with fire in his response to Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi’s unflattering comments about him last week.

Speaking to Vijay Narayan of Fijilive, Bainimarama called Tuilaepa a “lap dog” for New Zealand and Australia.

“With regards to the Samoan Prime Minister, you know he is the only Prime Minister that attacks everyone left, right and centre,” Mr. Bainimarama said.

“He attacks his dog, he attacks his rugby team, he attacks everything he can get his hands on.

“But we have heard this yapping from the Samoan lap dog before for a long time, day in, day out. It really means nothing.

“He is talking about me playing drums. At least I can play an instrument. All he can do is bark and dance to tunes until they feed him again.”

Mr. Bainimarama made the comments when he was asked to respond to a verbal barrage from Tuilaepa last week, during which he rubbished the call by the Fijian Prime Minister to remove Australia and New Zealand from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Tuilaepa belittled Mr. Bainimarama, saying his point was insignificant.

“Remember all the man did was to play the drums (in the military) and train,” Tuilaepa said. “So he doesn't understand these things.

He is only new and he is still learning about matters of international relations.” Tuilaepa went on to remind that Mr. Bainiamarama’s area of speciality is to “play the drum and yell left, right, stop!” According to Tuilaepa, Mr. Bainimarama does not understand the realities of the Forum.

He reminded that many years ago, a body known as the South Pacific Commission involved only Samoa, Fiji and Tonga. New Zealand and Australia, he said, were brought in to fund their plans.

Today, the Forum now has 16 members.

“The Forum is made up of fourteen very poor nations and then these two nations who fund the plans by these fourteen very pour nations,” Tuilaepa said.

“He’s (Bainimarama) perhaps forgotten that the Forum relies on funding,” he said. “It’s not a body where you talk, talk, talk and go away with air. We talk and implement these plans but we rely on New Zealand and Australia to fund it.

“So you need to talk and be mindful of whether there is enough in your pocket to pay for your plans.”

Asked about claims that New Zealand and Australia are too domineering, Tuilaepa said this was far from the truth.

“No, that’s not the case,” he said. “The decisions are made at the Forum. If Fiji doesn't want to join the Forum, so what?

“The Forum is not going to die.

It’s not as if any money comes from Fiji. It’s the money we get from New Zealand and Australia we are using for our stuff.”

Yesterday, Mr. Bainimarama said Fiji has made its stand clear that it will not attend the Pacific Islands Forum Summit in Papua New Guinea unless Australia and New Zealand go out of the Forum.

“Basically Australia and New Zealand can move aside, they can remain funders but not be part of P.I.F.S,” Mr. Bainimarama said.

He acknowledged that while Australia and New Zealand are key partners of Fiji, their participation in P.I.F.S is not good for the region.

Mr. Bainimarama also raised the issue on what is the commitment from Australia and New Zealand on climate change as it is affecting the Pacific and why the Pacific leaders were being asked to support Canada’s bid to be part of the UN Security Council.

As for Tuilaepa, Mr. Bainimarama said he is not bothered by the Samoan Prime Minister as “he is dancing to the tune of the Australians and the New Zealanders.”

It was not possible to get a response from the Prime Minister yesterday.

Parliament welcomed its newest member yesterday when Sagaga Le Usoga’s Member of Parliament, Seiuli Uelegitone Seiuli, took his oath at the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi building.

Seiuli, who was declared the official winner of the Sagaga Le Usoga’s by-election on Monday, had his oath administered by the Speaker of Parliament, La’auli Leuatea Polata’ivao.

The new M.P. was well supported by his relatives, supporters from the constituency as well as friends who turned up to witness the ceremony.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer afterwards, Seiuli said he was humbled by the constituency’s faith in him to be their representative in Parliament.

“Firstly, I give thanks to God for this great opportunity,” he said. “I want to also thank my constituency for placing their faith in me as well as my family for standing by me throughout everything.”

Seiuli also thanked the government and Parliament for accepting him. Seiuli is not new to the government.

He had worked as a Surveyor for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for more than twenty years, starting in 1987.

Sagaga le Usoga’s new M.P. takes oath Govt. moves on Ta’elefaga stench Ilia L Likou Help will soon be on the way for the residents of Taelefaga at remote Fagaloa.

General Manager of the Electric Power Corporation, Tologatā Tile Tuimaleali'ifano, has confirmed that the government has invited tenders from bidders to install pipelines to stop the stench the village has had to put with for years.

According to Tologata, the tendering process closes on 18 May 2015.

The tender is for a “company to design and build aeration at Afulilo dam as well as floating intake to take in fresh water from top surface of dam instead from the bottom of dam where oxygen is lacking causing unpleasant smell.”

The news from the E.P.C will come as a sweet music to the ears of Taelefaga residents who continue to hold out hope for the government to deliver on its promise to deal with the foul odour.

Two weeks ago, Ta’elefaga’s spokesperson, Leuta Sialafau Valoaga, said they are still waiting.

“We are still waiting for the government to deliver on its promise.”

Leuta said they are tired of waiting.

He wants the Minister of Works, Manu’alesagalala Enokati Posala, to deliver on his Ministry’s promise.

“From the time that we met up with the Minister, until now, nothing is happening,” he said.

“We have never heard from the government since and as a matai of this village, I am very disappointed.

“We have sought the government’s assistance and we just don’t know what to do next. We just don’t know what other steps to take.”

Leuta said they will ask their Member of Parliament to follow up with the Minister.

At the time, the government offered him a scholarship to study towards a Certificate in Survey in the Solomon Islands. In 1992, he won another scholarship from the government to expand his knowledge about surveying at the Papua New Guinea University of Technology.

He studied there for three years and graduated in 1995 with a Bachelor of Survey. He returned and worked for the government until he resigned in 2013.

Asked about his immediate plans as an M.P, Seiuli said he wants to contribute to the development of his constituents’ economic prospects.

“I am looking at working on things like access roads and improving what needs to be done,” he said. “It’s one of the issues I would like to voice in Parliament.”

Seiuli is mindful that his term is not long given that the General Election is next year but he is positive saying a lot can be done between now and March next year.

On Friday, Seiuli’s winning margin was impressive. He defeated Fata Paulo Seuseu, of Afega, Logo Fetaomi Futialo, of Tuana’i and Vaotu’ua Maulolo, of Afega.

All four candidates vied for the seat under the flag of the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P).

Seiuli succeeds former M.P., Muagututagata Peter Ah Him, who resigned.

As part of the H.R.P.P’s package, Seiuli is likely to take over the Associate Minister of Trade role. He has already been made a member of the Officers of Parliament Committee.

A sixty-man squad will be announced at the end of this month to trial for the Manu Samoa team.

A 38-man squad will be announced in a month’s time. From that squad, a team to play the All Blacks at Apia Park in July will be named.

Manu Samoa coach, Stephen Betham, confirmed the plan yesterday.

He has just returned from the United Kingdom with fellow coach, Namulauulu Alama Ieremia, the manager, a physio and a trainer.

This is the biggest delegation to travel abroad for tracking purposes.

The physio and trainer were there to track how the players were in terms of fitness and strength with the clubs.

The physio would also gauge injuries.

This is a lesson learnt from the 2007 World Cup in France and served as one of the major downfalls for Manu Samoa. A few of the main players carried injuries and the team’s performance suffered. This was due to not keeping to the selection criteria, which Betham admits, “were not done properly”.

“So that’s one thing that’s weighing heavily on our minds at the moment.”

But Betham said it’s not just about the historical match. The 38-man squad will also cover the World Cup and Pacific Nations Cup tournaments.

Betham told the Samoa Observer yesterday, that the remaining players will be kept in case of injuries.

The 38-man squad will assemble in New Zealand on the first week of June, when most of the UK games are finished. Some players will go to NZ and others return to Samoa. There will be two groups taking part in the clinics.

Regulations with professional clubs mean they are not allowed to train until a certain time and thus clinics are timed for then.

“So at the moment, we’ve gone through a pretty hefty selection process.”

Some of the players in Europe have played more than twenty games. They started back in November and they’re still playing.

What worries Betham and his team is that there are three or four players who played 80 minutes over that time and the physio and trainer’s checks have come up with red flags.

“Which means they played too much rugby and the body language is just so, and it’s something we have to be mindful of in selecting the team to make sure we get them back up to where they need to be, instead of bringing them straight from full yard and train them again.”

And the distance doesn’t help.

It has left Betham and Namulauulu to rely on data, which is not always accurate. And that’s where the trainer and the physio come in.

Betham told the Samoa Observer yesterday that while in the UK, they found that all the boys were keen to represent Samoa.

“There is not one player who is not keen to play this historical match.”

But the final selection will take all factors into consideration.

Some of these players have only played a very limited time. They have played twenty games but are yet to reach 100 minutes which means they’re only coming on the field in the last five minutes of the game.

“So it’s a tricky process but something we’re trying to do as well as we can.”

In the UK, there are more than 50 players. This includes about 10 or 12 who are not in contention due to injuries or because they are playing a lower grade of rugby.

So far, only two players from New Zealand have committed to playing for Manu Samoa. They are Tim Nanai Williams and Rey Lee Lo.

On the local scale, he said there were also players in Samoa A and the Sevens that they were looking at.

“A few players there could make the team. I’m not saying that they will, but their chances are still open.”

In Samoa A, Betham said are a few who have “punched above their weight”.

They have showed a lot of skill and that they have got the ability to play the next level. A group of 15 from Samoa A are in training and another two or three in the Sevens are being monitored.

Thirteen local boys in that squad of sixty, said Betham, is a good number. It’s also a reflection of the boys’ commitment in trying to make the team.

“I know they’re not playing the level of competition that is played overseas but they’re putting up their hands in fitness and strength levels. Only time will tell how whether they crank the next step up.”

Although the preparations for these major tournaments are a lot of pressure, Betham is excited.

“I guess it’s something that every coach dreams of, is to play the best team in the world in your own back yard. For any team, you don’t want to go in to lose. So were trying our best to pick the best team we can and on the day, give the best we can, we keep saying to the boys, most people write you off, but probably there’s only 30 people or 40, including management who don’t write us off and that’s within the group. It’s building that belief, I guess.”

Since 2012, the rugby players have trained under a David and Goliath theme. And with everything they face, David is crowned King in the end, like in the Bible.

“ And that’s exactly what we want to achieve at the end of the four year cycle. We’ve taken that dream and that theming is all about us. All the hurdles and everything that we’ve had to face in order to achieve that."

“We are the Davids, a small nation who needs to punch above our weight.”

Three suicide cases within the space of one week has again rung the alarm bells among the authorities about what needs to be done to address the issue.

The point was made by the Police Spokesperson, Su’a Muliaga Tiumalu, yesterday during an interview with the Samoa Observer.

Su’a confirmed three cases of suicide last week, with the victims between the ages of 19 and 28 years old.

The first case involved a 20-year old man from Aleisa. The second case was a 22-year-old man from Afega while the third incident involved a 27-year-old male from Lalomalava, Savai’i.

While the Police gave the details of how and why the suicides were committed, the Samoa Observer does not publish details as part of its community work to try and address the issue.

According to Su’a, the cases last week is a wake up call for everyone. “The ministry is trying to look at some ways to reduce this problem,” he said.

“All these cases happened within a week, it’s very sad.

“So right now, we are trying to look at ways to work together with some organizations like the Samoa Victim Support Group, Fa’ataua o le Ola, Samoa Umbrella for Non- Governmental Organizations and many other organizations to raise awareness programmes that will hopefully reduce this problem.”

From their experience though, Su’a said the age category mostly affected are young people and youth.

“It’s mostly young people,” he said.

“We find this very disheartening because these are young people with their futures ahead of them.

“Our only advice to our young people is that suicide is not the answer to your problems, it will not make the problem go away.

“It will actually make the problem bigger because then you will put your parents and your family in a very bad situation and they will have to live with it for the rest of their lives.”

Su’a reminded that God gave “us life and so it is not ours to take that life away when we feel like it.

“We should embrace the life that God gave us and if you have problems, then let’s talk about it, let’s hear it.

“If you don’t want to talk to your parents, then find someone that you feel comfortable around and share your problems with.”

Su’a also reminded that there are organizations that can provide help.

“We are here to help and we will listen but don’t think that committing suicide is the answer because it is not.”

Su’a also urged parents to play a more proactive role in the lives of their children.

“We advise the parents to give their children a chance to share what is in their minds,” he said.

“I know that Samoan parents are very hard on their children. As a parent myself, I know this. Back in the days, we only listened and never asked any questions.

“However, nowadays life is different. Life is going really fast and we ought to give our children the chance to share what they want to share, and also what their problems are.

“That way, we can help them get through their problems and let them know that we are always here for them and care for them.

“That way taking their own lives will be far away from their minds because they know that they can always talk to us parents if they ever have a problem.”

On Tuesday night, the ruling Human Rights Protection Party (H.R.P.P) government referred the Electoral Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2015 to a Parliament Committee for further scrutiny.

The decision was announced by Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi after the majority of speakers during Tuesday’s session spoke against the bill, urging Prime Minister Tuilaepa to defer its passing until further consultation.

Tabled by the Minister for the Office of the Electoral Commission, Fiame Naomi Mata’afa – among other things – the Bill proposes the boundaries for Urban Constituencies East and West.

According to the Bill, Urban Constituency East commences “on the coast at the mouth of the Asaga Stream and continuing along the Asaga Stream to Fugalei Street, and from that Street in a generally southerly direction along Fugalei Street to Vaitele Street, and from that Street in a generally westerly direction to Vaimoso Road.

It continues “by that Road to the Gasegase Stream, and by that Stream to Moamoa Road, and from there in a generally south-westerly direction by that road to the Ala-i-Sa track, and then in a generally south-westerly direction by that track to its intersection with the Public Road abutting Parcels 14 and 15 Flur IX, Upolu, and from there in a generally easterly direction to the south west corner of the Vaimauga East Electoral District, and from that corner by the western boundary of the Vaimauga East Electoral District to the coast and from there by the coast back to the point of commencement, and includes the villages and sub-villages of Matafagatele, Magiagi, Vaiala, Matautu, Apia, Tanugamanono, Taufusi, Vaimea, Fugalei, Saleufi, Sogi, Mulinu'u, Papauta, Vailima, Tanumaleko, Moto'otua, Lalovaea, Fa'ato'ia and part of Alamagoto.”

The boundaries for the Urban Constituency West is defined as “commencing on the coast at the eastern boundary of Vaimauga West Electoral District and continuing in a generally south-westerly direction by that boundary to its intersection with the Safata Electoral District boundary, and from there in a generally west north-westerly direction along the Safata Electoral District boundary to the eastern side of Lake Lanuto'o, and from there in a generally north-easterly direction to the southern end of the boundary between the Vaiusu and Vailoa villages, and then by that boundary to the coast and then by the coast back to the point of commencement and includes the villages of Vaimoso, Lepea,Vailoa and part of Alamagoto.”

During the debate, criticisms of the bill came from both sides of the House.

A number of M.P's expressed disappointment, saying the boundaries were not only confusing, they were unnecessary. They called on the government to reconsider the Bill with the idea of simplifying it so that voters are not confused.

This is what the bill says:

A BILL INTITULED AN ACT to amend the Electoral Act 1963 (“Principal Act”)

BE IT ENACTED by the Legislative Assembly of Samoa in Parliament assembled as follows— 1. Short title and commencement– (1) This Act may be cited as the Electoral Amendment Act No.2 2015.

(2) This Act commences on the date of assent by the Head of State.

2. Section 5 amended– In section 5 of the Principal Act, after subsection (8), insert:

“(9)A candidate may challenge the qualification of another candidate under this section (no later than noon of the 3rd day after nomination day) in the Supreme Court, by motion, for an order to declare the candidate as disqualified.

(10) An order made under subsection (9) is final and is not subject to any review or appeal.”.

3. Section 19 substituted – For section 19 of the Principal Act substitute:

“19. Qualifications of urban voters – (1) Subject to this Act and subsection (2) an adult person is qualified to be registered as an urban voter if the person:

(a) is a Samoa citizen listed in Column 3 of Schedule 2; and

(b) has lived in that urban constituency for a period of at least 6 months immediately before registration.

(2) A person who is living in an urban constituency for less than 6 months and therefore cannot be registered under subsection (1) may apply to be registered under this Act:

(a) in a territorial constituency; or (b) in the other urban constituency in which the person last lived for at least 6 months.”.

4. Section 45A amended –

For section 45A of the Principal Act: (a) in subsection (1)(a)—

(i) for “12th” substitute “5th”; and (ii) for “14th” substitute “7th”; and (b) in subsection (2)—

(i) for “12th” substitute “19th”; and (ii) for “14th substitute “21st”.”

5. Schedule amended – In the Schedule to the Principal Act, in Form 1A, for “or” and the end of paragraph (a), substitute “and”.

6. Territorial Constituencies Act amended – In the Schedule to the Territorial Constituencies Act 1963, for Part 2 substitute:

“PART 2 – BOUNDARIES FOR THE URBAN CONSTITUENCIES URBAN CONSTITUENCY EAST
All that area of land (other than customary land) bounded as follows: Commencing on the coast at the mouth of the Asaga Stream and continuing along the Asaga Stream to Fugalei Street, and from that Street in a generally southerly direction along Fugalei Street to Vaitele Street, and from that Street in a generally westerly direction to Vaimoso Road, and by that Road to the Gasegase Stream, and by that Stream to Moamoa Road, and from there in a generally south-westerly direction by that Road to the Ala-i-Sa track, and then in a generally south-westerly direction by that track to its intersection with the Public Road abutting Parcels 14 and 15 Flur IX, Upolu, and from there in a generally easterly direction to the south west corner of the Vaimauga East Electoral District, and from that corner by the western boundary of the Vaimauga East Electoral District to the coast and from there by the coast back to the point of commencement, and includes the villages and sub-villages of Matafagatele, Magiagi, Vaiala, Matautu, Apia, Tanugamanono, Taufusi, Vaimea, Fugalei, Saleufi, Sogi, Mulinu'u, Papauta, Vailima, Tanumaleko, Moto'otua, Lalovaea, Fa'ato'ia and part of Alamagoto.

URBAN CONSTITUENCY WEST
All that area of land (other than customary land) bounded as follows:

Commencing on the coast at the eastern boundary of Vaimauga West Electoral District and continuing in a generally south-westerly direction by that boundary to its intersection with the Safata Electoral District boundary, and from there in a generally west northwesterly direction along the Safata Electoral District boundary to the eastern side of Lake Lanuto'o, and from there in a generally north-easterly direction to the southern end of the boundary between the Vaiusu and Vailoa villages, and then by that boundary to the coast and then by the coast back to the point of commencement and includes the villages of Vaimoso, Lepea,Vailoa and part of Alamagoto.”.

7. Transitional regulations – The Head of State acting on the advice of Cabinet may (before date the polling begins for 2016 general elections) make transitional regulations to amend or prescribe new forms for the purposes of the Principal Act.

Fijian Prime Minister, Frank Bainimarama is a “kid” who does not understand issues of international relevance.

As a matter of fact, according to Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, he is so young “he just cannot see beyond a (military) drum.”

“All he knows about are military stuff. He doesn't have any understanding about issues of international importance.” He added that Bainimarama is much like the “kids who write for the newspaper.”

Tuilaepa did not say which newspaper he was referring to.

But the Prime Minister was responding to Bainimarama calling him a “lap dog” for Australia and New Zealand.

“I consider Bani as fresh, young. Of course the words he mentioned are not the words of a matured leader,” said Tuilaepa.

“They are the words of a very young leader, still to develop into maturity, so I give him that benefit to grow, to develop and I forgive him.”

On Wednesday, Mr. Bainimarama said Tuilaepa only sings to the tune of New Zealand and Australia.

“He attacks his dog, he attacks his rugby team, he attacks everything he can get his hands on,” Mr. Bainimarama said. “He is talking about me playing drums. At least I can play an instrument. All he can do is bark and dance to tunes until they feed him again.”

Mr. Bainimarama’s comments were made in response to Tuilaepa’s verbal barrage last week, during which he rubbished the call by the Fijian Prime Minister to remove Australia and New Zealand from the Pacific Islands Forum.

Asked yesterday if he was insulted by Mr. Bainimarama’s comments, Tuilaepa said he was not.

“You asked for my opinion and that is what I meant. And I am sorry for my friend because another media man told me yesterday, that Bainimarama was saying that he was never going to consider me as a brother because I dance to Abbot’s music and Mr Key’s music.”

Tuilaepa said that whatever Bainimarama thinks, he would consider him as a very close brother.

“You see, sometimes your love is expressed in the way you say things.

If you are harsh, it is indicative of the depth of the love that exists between you and your brother."

“And I said that I only know of one dance. It’s a Samoan clap dance and I dance to the beat of the pate.

Incidentally, Abbot and Key don’t even know how to beat the drum, the pate. "

“But Bainimarama knows how to clap dance, knows how to beat the pate, that’s why I made mention of the drummer. He’s also a good drummer.”

Tuilaepa said he was asked last week about his reaction to Bainimarama’s opinion that New Zealand and Australia should be excluded from the Forum. Tulaepa had gone over the history of the Forum when the leaders of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa decided in the early 1970’s that a respectable organization representing the independent countries ought to be set up.

The rationale behind the proposal was that the leaders of these three countries were unhappy with the way the South Pacific Commission conducted its affairs.

Many times, the leaders of the three countries were in the position to give finality to any issue, but when it came to representatives from the territories, there was always uncertainty. They often proposed to defer an issue until they contacted a colonial power, which was looking after their affairs at the time.

That was the background to the formation of the Forum, as told by Tuilaepa.

Originally the thoughts were to form the Forum of just Tonga, Samoa and Fiji. “But then later, the reality of the economic circumstances we were in, we're developing countries needed finance to develop...”

This forced the three leaders to invite Australia and New Zealand to become members of the Forum.

All this was explained to the media previously, who had asked Tuilaepa of his views about Mr. Bainimarama’s position.

“I referred to the issues as being too sensitive. I thought Bainimarama, the leader of Fiji, did not fully comprehend the implication of the decisions he has made for Fiji to come in only if NZ and Australia [were excluded]."

“We cannot do that! We need them! We need Australia and also New Zealand to assist us with our development.”

Tuilaepa explained that he had made mention in a form of proverbial reference.

“What I really mean is that Bainimarama is new to the job. He needed time to grow in understanding of the importance of Australia and New Zealand to be in the Forum."

“The issue of influence, you know, if you come in as a leader and you think you are being influenced, then you should never be a leader in the first place. That’s why a leader is a leader. He leads from the front.”

Tuilaepa referred to the Pacific way of not interfering in whatever form.

“We let our colleagues do what they want. We don’t often express an opinion. And for months and months and months, Bainimarama, immediately after he took over the reign of Government as a dictator in Fiji, he has been accusing the leaders of the Pacific as being influenced by Australia and New Zealand."

“That’s the point when I decided to preach the Pacific way and [started] throwing my darts at Bainimarama."

“Not so much to hurt him but to make him understand the difficult situations, economically, that all the Pacific Island countries are in."

“That many are not well endowed with the necessary natural resources to fund the projects.”

But Tuilaepa wanted that one’s country must be self-sufficient before making such comments. And that is not the case in Fiji.

“We have to exercise extreme wisdom in order for our people to benefit with help from our donor partners. That is what was behind my intervention, although I delivered it in my usual Samoan way, humorous way…”

Patrick Te’o, of Magiagi,should count himself lucky.

He is one of more than 20 patients with serious medical problems, who will be flown to Honolulu, Hawaii, for treatment.

The treatment will take place towards the end of the year.

For Patrick, it will be his second time around. All operations are free.

Airfares and accommodation are also covered for patient and caregiver.

This is thanks to a team of doctors and administrators from the Shriners Hospital for Children in Hawaii, who were in the country last week to provide free medical care for the children of Samoa.

In 2011, he had an operation at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Hawaii. For months, Patrick complained with a sharp pain in his right knee which gradually left him limping on the right side of his foot.

The pain would sometimes spread to his hip.

Mr.Te’o said they took him to Lototaumafai who recommended that they see the Shriners when they came to Samoa. Meanwhile, his knee was beginning to face inwards.

It was then that they corrected the frame of his right knee and also inserted four screws into the left knee so that the weight was shared between both. But recently, during school, a student fell on that same knee. And in a follow up visit last week with the Shriners, Patrick had an x-ray and it was found that the knee joints had opened to a 79 degree angle. This will be corrected in a third operation in Hawaii.

“As a child, he was alright, he was normal,” said Mr.Te’o.

Patrick is the second of five children.

His only wish is for Patrick’s knees are healed so he does not have to rely on someone to get around in the future.

“I’m praying to God that he will be okay,” said Mr.Te’o.

He thanked the Shriners, Mini Matalavea and Lototaumafai for putting Patrick on their priority list.

Without their help, the Te’o family would not have known what to do. Mr Te’o is a taxi driver and his wife stays at home.

While in Samoa, the Shriners saw more than 200 children through clinics conducted at the Motootua National Hospital and the Tuasivi Hospital in Savaii. Shriners also send children needing more complicated surgeries to Hawaii for treatment. Throughout the history of this program, over 25 Samoan children have been blessed to receive medical treatment in Honolulu.

The Shriners worked closely with Samoa’s National Health Service (NHS) to help identify patients that could be helped by Orthopedic Surgery.

They were here to treat children with burns, cleft lips and palates, orthopedic problems, and spinal cord injuries. All of their work is privately funded via private donations in the United States.

Formed in New York in 1870 and now run from Tampa, Florida, the Shriners are a fraternal order dedicated to public service, with almost 200 chapters (or temples) around the world. The group is best known for their red fezzes and their Shriners Hospitals for Children, 22 specialized medical centers that treat certain childhood afflictions without charge.