Ten Don Bosco students charged with disorderly assembly have had the charges against them dropped.

The charges came after the students were involved in an incident on 31 July 2015, at Savalalo.

All ten students pleaded not guilty to the charges against them, and the matter was adjourned to this month for prosecution to call their witnesses.

The ten students were Lorenzo Kesimeni, Peter Crowley, Telea Foai Lua, Joseph Willams, Luavasa Vitale, Joe Magele, Tomasi Godinet, Mapesone Isaako, Lomiga Tomasi and Tovio Laumatia.

Prosecutor, Tologata Misi Leota, asked the Court to withdraw the disorderly assembly charge against the ten students due to insufficient evidence before the court.

Judge Tafaoimalo Leilani Warren accepted the application and dismissed the charge against the ten students, with the exception of Lorenzo Kesimeni, who has been charged with two counts of being armed with a dangerous weapon.

According to the Police summary of facts, a rock and a kitchen knife were found in the accused’s school bag.

He has denied those allegations.

The prosecutor told the court the prosecution was ready to proceed with the hearing in regards to the two charges against Kesimeni.

The matter was stood down until the end of the Court’s list for prosecution to call evidence;

however when the matter resumed yesterday Kesimeni changed his plea from not guilty to guilty.

Kesimeni was then convicted and he received a suspended sentence from the District Court.

It’s been six months since Pati Chong Nee escaped from prison.

Today, Police and Prison officials have still not found him.

Police Commissioner, Egon Keil, confirmed this.

“We are still looking for that guy, there’s not much to say about the matter except we are still looking for him,” he said.

“The prison officers and my guys are still looking for him… there is no luck yet in finding him.”

Asked if the police had already been to Mr. Chong Nee’s family, the Police Commissioner said yes.

“We have already been to his house and family and I’m sure that the Prison Authority has already been there too and we are working together with the family to find him.”

According to the Assistant Commissioner of Prison and Correction Services, Ulugia Niuia Aumua, they had already gone to Mr. Chong Nee’s family.

“At the moment we have got many leads from members of the public and when we arrive it’s either it wasn’t true or it’s not him,” said Ulugia. “We have already gone to the family so many times but they don’t know of his whereabouts so we are working together with the police on this matter.”

There were concerns Mr. Chong Nee could have fled the country.

“That’s something that we are looking into and if the authority and immigration are not careful that might happen but at the moment we are still doing all that we can to find this escapee and make sure that he does not leave the country.”

Pati Chong Nee escaped from prison in April this year and he was in jail for robbery, burglary and theft.

He is 23 years old and from the villages of Tafa’igata and Aleisa.

Political campaigns in Samoa are heating up, as constituents prepare for next March’s General Elections.

Yesterday, the Vaitele “gold mine” market was filled with voters lining up at the Electoral Office booth set up in the area.

Voters came from Savai’i, Falelatai, Vaitele and elsewhere.

Niui’a Faagu Ga, a committee member from Saipipi, Savai’i, made the ferry trip in search of voters living in Upolu. He represents the committee for Tofa Lio Foleni, a candidate from Saipipi vying for Fa’asaleleaga no.3.

He said many of the constituents from the island had left to live in Apia.

“My mission is to find them and see if they want to get registered with the constituency.

“Some left once they have married those living in Upolu and so there is a huge gap in the number of people in the roll…there are still people living in Savai’i but [the] majority have left for Apia.”

Other candidates running for the Fa’asaleleaga no.3 seat currently occupied by Tuileutu Alavaa include former M.P. Unasa Mesi and Toala Tulouna, from Faga.

In the constituency of Aiga ile Tai, M.P. Ifopo Matia Filisi still has the support of the majority.

Several matai that spoke to the Samoa Observer yesterday maintained the M.P. had done a great job over the past five years.

One of them is Pouli Ativalu, 74, of Mulifanua.

He said he’d continue supporting the current M.P. as he had come through for his constituents, by ensuring each household had access to water and electricity.

Faleula Village Mayor Leaso Sefo Tuvale said his village had thrown its support behind its former M.P., Loau Keneti Sio.

He said other villages in the constituency of Sagaga le Falefa had their own candidates and winning would be tough for current M.P. Tuisa Tasi Patea.

Hundreds of books are being handed out to Samoan schools, thanks to the generosity of Rotary clubs in Samoa and New Zealand.

The United States Peace Corp in Samoa received a donation of 500 dictionaries from the Apia Rotary Club, as well as the New Zealand-based Riccarton and Ashburton Rotary Clubs.

The clubs have also donated 500 books to Salelavalu Primary School, along with four laptops.

The dictionaries donated to the U.S. Peace Corp will be distributed to schools across Samoa.

Salelavalu Primary School Principal, Motiana Tofilau Latu, received the books and laptops with gratitude. “I am so thankful for the donation from the Rotary Club. It’s very important because now we have resources for the kids.

“When they use these books every day it will improve their reading and knowledge,” she said.

Apia Rotary Club President, Tony Callaghan, was grateful for the assistance he received from the Ashburton and Riccarton Rotary Clubs, which made the book donation possible.

“The Rotary Club of Apia is grateful for Walter and Heather, who have been long-standing supporters over six years, representing their club, Ashburton Rotary.”

He thanked members of the Riccarton Rotary Club too, for their contribution to the local rotary club and “to the community and children of Samoa”.

The Apia Rotary Club is a non-profit organisation of volunteers, established to provide community support through health, education, sanitation and literacy.

The President of the Oceania Rugby Unions (formally the Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions), Lefau Harry Schuster, believes the Manu Samoa needs a team of locals – now.

He said Samoan rugby needed to focus on early development to be successful at the next Rugby World Cup.

“We need an approach where a team is selected and developed,” he said. “You need to basically pick now. We’re four years out, we need to pick at this point the players we’re going to develop for the next Rugby World Cup.”

The Manu Samoa had the most foreign-born players at the Rugby World Cup, with 13. These players are eligible through one or both of their parents being Samoan citizens.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, Lefau believes the reliance on foreign-based players is not good for the Manu Samoa team.

“Most of the players in the Manu Samoa are from other countries. They are very talented on paper, but the drawback is all these players are playing in different environments, just about every World Cup.

“It hasn’t produced the most consistent performances for us.

“It doesn’t matter how talented our athletes are, when you play all over the world, you’re playing all types of rugby. It doesn’t help produce a consistent style, you have your own style, it’s not conducive,” he said.

“Your plans can feature international-playing Samoans but we can’t go from Rugby World Cup and tour to tour picking so and so from here and there. You’re not developing a team you’re just picking a team, we need to develop a team instead of plucking from all over the place,” he said.

“The biggest handicap we have is financial resources. In terms of talent we have a lot of talent both on island and off island and we just have to keep our heads down and keep moving forward.

“We will get there. You have to look at the players and see if they suit what you are going to do.”

He recommended more local development to improve the Manu Samoa.

“We have to look at our local development from school rugby up to provisional competition - we need to really analyse if our local competition is efficient.

“We need to look [at] if we are producing the best local environment. At the end of the day our core team should be from local competitions.

Training and competitions here should have them well prepared to internationally compete,” he said.

When asked by the Samoa Observer on his thoughts on the Samoa vs. Scotland game he said Samoa played well.

“They played close to their potential and that was what I saw was missing from our other games. I don’t know why they weren’t able to produce that calibre in their previous games.”

Samoan heavyweight, Lupesoliai Joseph Parker's "enormous potential for the world stage" is being talked up in international boxing media after his three round demolition of Kali Meehan.

Parker took his unbeaten record to 16 and his knockout count to 14 with a brutal third round finish of veteran Meehan in Auckland on Thursday night.

The win sets him nicely for his first bout in Samoa next year.v Parker is coming to Samoa next week to promote his January fight.

He will then return to his Las Vegas base for a four-week camp for his December 5 Fight For Life bout in Hamilton on December 5. Getting a suitable opponent for the December bout continues to be tough. It's understood a lively prospect had been lined up but withdrew.

Duco Events boss, Dean Lonergan, said they were "very close" to confirming a fighter. Parker's trainer Kevin Barry, happy with the win over Meehan who, despite his age had height, reach and weight advantages to go with his vast experience, demanded the next opponent be another tall boxer. Barry said with the top fighters in the heavyweight ranks all being "big men" it was important to continue down that track.

"That's what we are planning at the moment, another very tall guy. We plan on fighting Joe against big men to start preparing him against the guys that are wearing the belts at the moment," Barry said. Lonergan concurred: "We want to give Joseph increasing challenges. Every time we have set someone tougher in front of him, Joseph steps up to the plate and it ends up to be a short plate.

"I was in England last week talking to prospective opponents up there as well… some of the bigger names in the division. But it's very difficult to get people to fight Joseph. “They know they are coming down here to get good money, but they also know they are coming down here for a real fight."

On Thursday night, as expected, the 23-year-old had too much speed and power for the 45-year-old former world contender Meehan. "The young matador gored the old bull," the Brisbane Courier Mail's report started with the fight being beamed live into Australia.

"The superior hand and foot speed of 23-year-old Parker enabled him to dominate against his vastly more experienced opponent. After a quiet start world ranked Parker unloaded … his brutality ended the contest with a quick-fire left-right combination."

Boxing Scene's managing editor Jake Donovan said Parker "closed the show with a booming right hand" after he picked up the pace and "made his presence felt". Just as Parker ended Shane Cameron's career, Donovan suggested it was time for Meehan to call it quits. "His time in the Sun has long ago come and gone. It was evident in the main event matchup, facing a boxer who - at 23 years of age - was just three years older than his son."

Jamie Pandaram of Sydney's Daily Telegraph said: "Parker has enormous potential for the world stage. While Meehan is older, this is only his 2nd defeat over 8 fights and 5 years."

News Corp's coverage continued with Grantlee Kieza, summing up: "Parker was just too vast and vital … punching Meehan into probable retirement."

Ray Wheatley's report in Boxing News said Parker's performance was "impressive". "Parker rocked Meehan in round two, then floored him in round three to end it!" Bad Left Hook writer Scott Christ's report carried video highlights of the short fight.

"Parker, 23, is making a name for himself in his home country, and has world level aspirations," wrote Christ.

"There's still a lot of work to go there, but he has bombed out some familiar names … not exactly top fighters in the sport or anything, but, you know, you've heard of them, probably."

"Joseph Parker is something big, and he is poised to make an impact on the world heavyweight scene," wrote Migguel Iturrate on Get More Sport.

Parker's latest high-profile fan, former world champion Evander Holyfield, tweeted: "Congratulations Joseph Parker! You're the "New Deal"! Hope to be at your next fight !" British heavyweight Tyson Fury, who is about to fight Wladirmir Klitschko for the world title, tweeted: "@joeboxerparker blasts out Meehan in 3 rounds looking good, bigger & better tests lay ahead,

The new golden girl of Samoa weightlifting, Mary Opeloge, has done it again.

On the second day of the Senior Weightlifting Championships in India, Mary proved far too good for her competition, winning gold in the 75kgs division. Coach Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork was a proud man.

Speaking from India, he said Mary has won gold medals for this division for three consecutive years.

“She has also won over her competitors with a 35kg lead in total,” he said.

Mary’s gold medal is Samoa’s second at the competition where her older sister, Ele Opeloge has yet to compete.

Samoa’s first gold medal was won by Siaosi Leuo.

Unfortunately for Nevo Ioane he missed out on the bronze medal by coming fourth.

RESULTS:

Gold medal - Mary Opeloge (SAMOA) Silver medal - Rosli Siti (MALAYSIA) Bronze medal - Kur Sanchera (CANADA)

The United States Embassy in Apia has a new Chargé d’Affaires.

She is Angelina M. Wilkinson, a career member of the U.S. Foreign Service.

Prior to this assignment, other postings have included consular activities at U.S. Missions in Matamoros, Mexico; San Salvador, El Salvador; and Guadalajara, Mexico. In her first posting in Kolonia, the Federated States of Micronesia, she served as Economic and Consular Officer.

Ms. Wilkinson is widely recognized and highly regarded as a consular professional and an effective manager. In the latter role, she has succeeded in attaining exceptional staff productivity and high morale.

She is a graduate of Wichita State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Criminal Justice, and she holds a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Akron School of Law. Spanish is her foreign language.

Ms. Wilkinson’s husband, Myles, is a professional engineer, specializing in environmental engineering. Their children Bailey (11) and Anderson (7) will also be joining them in Apia.

The Cruise Ship, M/S Noordam, operated by Holland America Line, is scheduled to call into Apia this morning.

Betham Brothers Enterprises is the Local Agent.

This is the M/S Noordam’s maiden voyage to Apia – her siblings the Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Oosterdam are regular visitors to the Port of Apia.

To mark this occasion the C.E.O of the Samoa Ports Authority, Tufuga Fagaloa Tufuga, will exchange plaques with the MS Noordam’s Master, Henk Draper.

The vessel is bringing to Apia 1918 Passengers and has a crew of 800. Passengers are mainly from the United States, Australia and Canada although there are 20 different Nationalities onboard this Vessel.

The M/S Noordam will be making a donation of Linen and Robes to the Home of the Elderly – Mapuifagalele.

The sisters will receive this donation personally on board the Ship.

Other activities scheduled for the day are:

•Welcoming entertainment on wharf on the arrival of the Vessel in the morning - provided by the Faleula EFKS Autalavou

•Vendors area on pier for Handicrafts etc - provided by Samoa Ports Authority

•Various Tours to local destinations provided by M&A Travel and Tours who are the local Tour Agents for the M/S Noordam The ship will sail for Suva – Fiji after Samoa tonight.

A new immunization campaign targeting young children has been launched, along with a new polio vaccine.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, launched the campaign yesterday at the Moto’otua National Hospital.

He stressed the importance of the Inactivated Polio Vaccine in Samoa, especially for young children.

“In November, 2012, experts from around the world advised us that we must join together with other countries to have an Inactivated Polio Vaccine added as one of the immunizations here in Samoa,” he said.

Two polio vaccines are used throughout the world to provide immunity to the virus that causes poliomyelitis (or polio).

Research showed Samoa desperately needed the vaccine to prevent polio from spreading in the country, even if the cost was prohibitive, the Prime Minister said. “The cost of one injection of the vaccine is $5,247 USD which is $12,000 tala and every year the cost [will] increase,” he said.

“In 2016 the cost will increase up to $21,119 USD; in the year 2017 it will increase to $21,252 USD and in 2018 it will go up to $21,386 USD.

“This shows that the vaccine alone is not cheap and that does not count the cost of the supplies brought into Samoa to conduct training to prevent [polio] from spreading.”

The Prime Minister revealed a billboard at the start of the campaign launch, as well as a branded immunization van, which was designed to show the importance of getting children immunized with the new vaccine.

Youth Commonwealth Games Weightlifting gold medalist, Maeu Nanai Livigisitone, is the immunization flag bearer.

He was presented with $2,000 by the National Health Service of Samoa for getting fully immunized on schedule while he was young.

Samoan heavyweight, Lupesoliai Joseph Parker's "enormous potential for the world stage" is being talked up in international boxing media after his three round demolition of Kali Meehan.

Parker took his unbeaten record to 16 and his knockout count to 14 with a brutal third round finish of veteran Meehan in Auckland on Thursday night.

The win sets him nicely for his first bout in Samoa next year.v Parker is coming to Samoa next week to promote his January fight.

He will then return to his Las Vegas base for a four-week camp for his December 5 Fight For Life bout in Hamilton on December 5. Getting a suitable opponent for the December bout continues to be tough. It's understood a lively prospect had been lined up but withdrew.

Duco Events boss, Dean Lonergan, said they were "very close" to confirming a fighter. Parker's trainer Kevin Barry, happy with the win over Meehan who, despite his age had height, reach and weight advantages to go with his vast experience, demanded the next opponent be another tall boxer. Barry said with the top fighters in the heavyweight ranks all being "big men" it was important to continue down that track.

"That's what we are planning at the moment, another very tall guy. We plan on fighting Joe against big men to start preparing him against the guys that are wearing the belts at the moment," Barry said. Lonergan concurred: "We want to give Joseph increasing challenges. Every time we have set someone tougher in front of him, Joseph steps up to the plate and it ends up to be a short plate.

"I was in England last week talking to prospective opponents up there as well… some of the bigger names in the division. But it's very difficult to get people to fight Joseph. “They know they are coming down here to get good money, but they also know they are coming down here for a real fight."

On Thursday night, as expected, the 23-year-old had too much speed and power for the 45-year-old former world contender Meehan. "The young matador gored the old bull," the Brisbane Courier Mail's report started with the fight being beamed live into Australia.

"The superior hand and foot speed of 23-year-old Parker enabled him to dominate against his vastly more experienced opponent. After a quiet start world ranked Parker unloaded … his brutality ended the contest with a quick-fire left-right combination."

Boxing Scene's managing editor Jake Donovan said Parker "closed the show with a booming right hand" after he picked up the pace and "made his presence felt". Just as Parker ended Shane Cameron's career, Donovan suggested it was time for Meehan to call it quits. "His time in the Sun has long ago come and gone. It was evident in the main event matchup, facing a boxer who - at 23 years of age - was just three years older than his son."

Jamie Pandaram of Sydney's Daily Telegraph said: "Parker has enormous potential for the world stage. While Meehan is older, this is only his 2nd defeat over 8 fights and 5 years."

News Corp's coverage continued with Grantlee Kieza, summing up: "Parker was just too vast and vital … punching Meehan into probable retirement."

Ray Wheatley's report in Boxing News said Parker's performance was "impressive". "Parker rocked Meehan in round two, then floored him in round three to end it!" Bad Left Hook writer Scott Christ's report carried video highlights of the short fight.

"Parker, 23, is making a name for himself in his home country, and has world level aspirations," wrote Christ.

"There's still a lot of work to go there, but he has bombed out some familiar names … not exactly top fighters in the sport or anything, but, you know, you've heard of them, probably."

"Joseph Parker is something big, and he is poised to make an impact on the world heavyweight scene," wrote Migguel Iturrate on Get More Sport.

Parker's latest high-profile fan, former world champion Evander Holyfield, tweeted: "Congratulations Joseph Parker! You're the "New Deal"! Hope to be at your next fight !" British heavyweight Tyson Fury, who is about to fight Wladirmir Klitschko for the world title, tweeted: "@joeboxerparker blasts out Meehan in 3 rounds looking good, bigger & better tests lay ahead,

The relationship between the private sector and government has been praised by the Asian Development Bank (A.D.B).

Dr. Paul Holden, Lead Economist with A.D.B.’s Pacific Private Sector Development Initiative, hailed Samoa during the launch of ‘Reform Renewed; A Private Sector Assessment of Samoa report,” yesterday. The event took place at the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (MC.I.L.).

The relationship was referred to as a “renewed" and "quite a remarkable" commitment to reform.

This was reflected in the depth of private sector and public sector consultation in Samoa that carried a renewed understanding of both sides on the problems they face.

This, Dr Holden said, is not common in the countries he has visited.

“Normally, the attitude from the private sector is that the government doesn’t understand us and doesn’t know what its doing,” he said.

“And the public sector says, we’ve done all of these reforms and the private sector aren’t responding. That’s really very typical, but that is not the case in Samoa.”

The installation of a new electronic company registry at M.C.I.L. has put Samoa among world leaders in this area.

At the annual World Corporate Register’s Forum, three years ago, Samoa presented its company registry and afterwards, was inundated with requests to install something similar in other countries in Asia, Eastern Europe and Latin America.

“Samoa clearly showed that it was among the world leaders in terms of simplicity of registration, access to information about companies and generally in terms of functioning of its company office,” Dr. Holden said.

Samoa has passed the Personal Properties Securities Act and is the seventh country in the region to have done so.

It will install an electronic registry towards this, early next year.

Dr. Holden said the government has proved itself visionary in its commitment to land reforms, leading the discussion on land and the need to be able to securely lease land for the purpose of investment.

That includes agriculture that continues to be an underdeveloped sector in the economy. Then there is the government’s commitment to the State Owned Enterprises (S.O.Es) reform. Like many countries in the region, a very large proportion of the capital in Samoa is tied up in S.O.Es.

“If that sector is not operating efficiently, then generating growth in the economy is particularly difficult,” Dr. Holden said.

Periodically, an analysis is done on S.O.Es. around the region and they show Samoa’s S.O.Es have not performed well, he said. In a study of productivity, Samoa’s S.O.E.s are again the same.

Contrasted against this, Dr. Holden said, is a path breaking reform that is an example to any country in the world. This came with the development and evolution of the Land Transport Authority (L.T.A.) in terms of road construction, road maintenance and road building which is contracted out and is one of the success stories of the Pacific.

“It’s not without problems. The improvement and productivity and the generation of new jobs through contracting out these activities has really been quite striking.

“I think that it’s important to distinguish between ownership of these assets which the State deems to be essential and the management and running of these assets and it’s quite possible to maintain ownership but at the same time, improve productivity by involving the private sector. And this is something we really would recommend.”

In terms of a competition policy is seen as a really important aspect of this as it will bring S.O.E.s under the umbrella of competition framework that requires they operate efficiently and produce financial statements. An example used was the Samoa Airport Authority produced its first financial statements in 2011, after more than 15 years in operation.

“What I’m seeing now is a new commitment in moving forward. Samoa has shown in the past that its one of the leaders in the Pacific. And the fact that the private sector and the public sector are talking to each pother is extremely encouraging.”

An export survey by Pacific Trade and Invest last year surveyed export performances of different companies around the region. The number of Samoan companies identified as performing well, increasing exports and using online capabilities to export their products were impressive. What Dr. Holden also found striking about the Samoan component was the number of women involved.

The report launched yesterday, identifies some of the barriers that women need to overcome. Women are one of the great untapped resources in the Pacific.

“I have to say that whenever I have met either Samoan women in government or Samoan women in business, I have been extremely impressed by their capability, by their energy and by their foresight and willingness to work very hard to advance the tasks they are undertaking.”

However, overall, Dr. Holden said, there is still a lot of work to be done. Simply passing a law and installing a registry is not sufficient to ensure they work properly.

Business licensing, is an enormous problem here as it takes place by function and not by business.

If a business takes place in a range of activities, it has to have a license for each one.

However, Dr. Holden said, it should be a license by business with specific business activities reserved where public health or safety may be at risk.

As for S.O.E.s, while there is a commitment to reform, instructions from government often conflict with commercial mandate.

A number have been targeted for privatization, efficiency upgrades, and Dr. Holden warned that this needs to continue.

“The need for a competition policy will not end with the passage of legislation. Beyond that, an enormous task awaits as the whole institutional structure of the constitutional framework needs to be set up. On the whole, I feel extremely optimistic about Samoa.

Dr. Holden said that these things are ongoing and require support, which they will provide. “What we are seeing is a commitment on the part of Samoa to make the necessary changes that will result in the resumption of growth, in improved opportunities and a brighter future.”

Exercise, nutrition, meeting the Miss Samoa and the great superheroes of the Nobesity programme were easily the highlight of the Robert Louis Stevenson School students’ day, yesterday.

And end of the programme, they all had an hour of physical education with the superheroes.

“Kids Can Kids Will” is the motto of Nobesity Samoa, an initiative by Business Systems Limited and One Touch Ministries.

“Obesity and overweight issues are growing problems throughout the world and particularly in the Pacific.”

A factsheet by the South Pacific Commission says that in ten Pacific Island countries and territories, at least 50 percent of the population are either overweight or obese A press statement by Nobesity Samoa said that this is the fourth school visited to promote Well Being and a Healthy Lifestyle.

“ [The programme] will encourage other students and assist teachers in pushing the idea of teaching the kids how to stay in a healthy and active environment.”

Miss Samoa, Ariana Taufao, who plays tennis, signed autographs for children and spoke about the importance of healthy living.

Polynesian Airlines starts its international flights from Apia to Auckland next month.

When that happens, it will be the first time in ten years that the airline flies internationally.

Long term, there are plans for Tonga, Brisbane and Sydney, Australia. The man behind the plan is Polynesian Airlines Chief Executive Officer (C.E.O.), Seiuli Alvin Tuala.

During an interview with the Sunday Samoan, he is adamant the Airline will not go through the same financial demise it has been associated with in the past. “These decisions are not made by just one person,” he said.

“It’s made at the Board level and then up to Cabinet. We’ve really looked at it closely. We’re not going to do anything that’s going to drive the company broke and we’re really looking closely at that and the viability of going with it and how we can sustain it.”

Seiuli told the Sunday Samoan that strategies were now in place to minimize the risks, which put the company in the red in the past. The issuing of free tickets, as well as cargo being flown despite not having been paid for, had caused issues then, he said.

“All of those things have been eliminated. There are going to be no free tickets. There are going to be no upgrades and none of the things that we had in the past. You’ve got to control that."

“You’ve got to be quite strong and be able to tell people in government or whoever, I’m sorry, but you pay like everyone else. If you don’t pay, you don’t get on.” Although he admitted it would be hard for staff to say no, policies and procedures were in place to ensure the rules could not be broken.

Cash payments were required to get a receipt, which came with numbers that had to be entered into a computer system to issue a ticket.

“As you know, in the past, we’ve had a lot of problems…and of course with the cynics, there are always going to be cynics but that can’t be helped.”

He wanted to make international flights a reality, in a way that was sustainable for the country, the government and shareholders.

The jet will be code shared with Solomon Airlines and flown by two local pilots, Dean Sefo and Su’a Vincent Mene.

They trained on an intensive course in New Zealand to qualify to fly the A-320 aircraft. The crew come from Solomon Airlines and will gradually include Samoans.

Meanwhile, Polynesian Airlines is also looking into other ventures, such as code sharing with Fiji Airways and others.

“It’s not easy. There’s so much work but we’ve got a very good team, a very experienced team, [who have] been around a long time so they know what’s needed.

They’re very familiar with what needs to be done,” Seiuli said.

It was expected competing airlines’ fares to New Zealand would be readjusted, to become cheaper.

“I don’t know how much by but they’ll be having people looking into how much their break even will be and how much they can drop their airfares by to try and kill competition. Just normal airline business, as long as it’s not predatory pricing. It’s going to be a competition."

“We’re just out there to try and offer a service to the people, another option. Hopefully give them some competitive fares. We’re really looking forward to getting it done, up and running.”

Seiuli believed the service’s availability was timely for Samoa, as the country had waited a long time to have its own aircraft flying to Auckland.

“If we can do Auckland, Apia, Sydney and Brisbane, we’re happy.

I think that’s basically the four routes that we stick to. Don’t try to expand too much into anything that can’t happen.”

Planning for the launch of the new flight had been stressful due to high expectations, but Seiulu said his team was strong.

“It doesn’t matter who sits in this chair, if you don’t have the people that are backing you up, you’d never be able to do it.”

Long term, Polynesian Airlines will have its own aircraft.

“We’re ready to get our own aircraft but the good thing with Solomon Airlines is we’re wanting to keep those partnerships, helping each other. If we have an aircraft and they have one, if something happens, we have a back up aircraft. Kiribati is also joining into the partnership so we’re helping ourselves outside of the big carriers such as Air New Zealand, Fiji, Qantas…”

Manu Samoa has found strong support from a man least expected to say anything nice about their recent failure at the Rugby World Cup in England.

Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sa’ilele Malielegaoi, who is also the Chairman of the Samoa Rugby Union (S.R.U), has called on an angry Samoan rugby public to be grateful and thank the Manu Samoa for flying Samoa’s flag.

“We should acknowledge all the players,” Tuilaepa said during his weekly media conference. “We must remember that for these sons of Samoa, this is their bread and butter."

“If they got injured, that would’ve been the end of it for them and yet they ignored all that to come and carry Samoa’s flag.

So for me, all I can do is give them thanks, thank them for representing our country.”

But the Prime Minister was scathing in his criticisms of referees, match officials and World Rugby, formerly known as the International Rugby Board (I.R.B).

“Referees need to be consistent,” he said.

“I have to say that the referees did not help our cause. In the past, this is why I always criticised the I.R.B.”

The Prime Minister reminded that referees are also humans.

“Referees and officials also have preferences for other teams to win so even when they see something stupid, they will keep quiet (because they want the other team to win).”

Asked whether the S.R.U will look to change the coaching staff of the Manu Samoa, Tuilaepa, who has just returned from New York, said it was early days yet.

“There are processes we have to follow,” he said.

“Maybe next week we will meet with them where we will discuss those things."

“The emphasis now is to train our team for the Sevens because the qualifying tournament for the Olympic is at the end of November.”

The Prime Minister said S.R.U has hired an international coach with the hope that he can help Samoa qualify for Rio next year.

In the meantime, Tuilaepa does not seem upset about the team’s recent result.

“Look, we all watched the games starting from when the All Blacks visited. We all saw that they had the strength and there was talent so there was an expectation.”

“But when they went there (to the World Cup) we saw that something else had happened.

Those other teams’ preparations had lifted and improved dramatically.”

Prior to the World Cup, the Prime Minister said he was excited.

“I thought this was the pool that would get us up there,” he said.

“The other thing the Union worked so hard to do was to look for Good Samaritans. So we found one in Australia. I went there and signed a deal with them and they offered NZ$250,000 to be allocated among the players, nearly $500,000 Samoan tala, if they make the quarterfinal.”

“If they reach the semi final, it would be $500,000 and if they reach the final, it would’ve been a million.”

“So every time I sent them a well wish message, I reminded our boys this.”

“So that wasn't lost on them. Who doesn't want to win that kind of money anyway?”

Looking at the team’s overall performance, Tuilaepa said; “I guess it’s just that was their best.”

“I thank all the players. I acknowledge their hard work in the games that qualified us for the World Cup. I guess it’s just that our opponents were very strong.”

The Prime Minister said there is much work to be done ahead of the next World Cup.

“One of the weaknesses we have is our reliance on our sons overseas unlike New Zealand where all the players play in New Zealand where they know each other’s style of play.”

Tuilaepa also spoke about the issue of depth.

“For New Zealand, they probably have 200,000 players to choose from compared to us where we don't even have five thousand players to choose from. England, Wales, South Africa and others have millions to choose from…” Lastly, the Prime Minister acknowledged the Manu Samoa’s coaching staff and management.

“My vote of thanks goes to coach Stephen Betham, Alama Ieremia, Namuluulu Sami Leota and the players.”

“There was certainly a lot of confusion in terms of refereeing. The referees did not help our cause. There are a lot of writings about many wrong decisions they made.”

Former Manu Samoa player and lawyer, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, has accused World Rugby, formerly the International Rugby Board, of financially ripping off the Manu Samoa.

“Manu Samoa has sold out all their games,” he said. “Seven million pounds is what they generate.

They (Manu Samoa) only get 35 thousand a game.”

“They are getting ripped off from this tournament again.”

“They are making nearly 100 million pounds for the I.R.B. and none of that will go to Samoa.”

Manu Samoa was being treated “very badly,” he said.

“The most televised game of all time was Samoa vs. Japan, where 25 million people in one place watched that game.”

“Samoa will not see a penny of that,” he said.

Fuimaono-Sapolu has previously clashed with the I.R.B.

He faced disciplinary action in 2011, for calling Welsh referee Nigel Owens “biased” and “racist”.

He also called for longer rest periods between games, which saw Samoa have longer rest periods between matches during this Rugby World Cup.

“Obviously they have longer rest, however, when you take off the expenses for each player and pay the coaches, they either break even or make a loss from every game,” he said.

The Land and Titles Court has reached a decision on a longstanding dispute in the village of Apia over the Faualo chiefly title.

And that is the next titleholder will be Sala Lupe Chan Mow.

Sala Lupe is a descendant of the Faualo Mau family.

When the decision was delivered on 9 October 2015, she declined to comment.

“I am not ready to say anything because we have much to discuss further within our family,” she said.

The ruling follows a longstanding Court battle over the Faualo title.

According to the decision presented by the Vice President of Land and Titles Court, Misa Nanai Pita, it is time for someone from the Mau family to carry the Faualo title of Tauese, Apia.

In the history of the Faualo title, three were given to the Faualo Tuvao family, and two were given to the Simona and Lupe families.

Here is the Court’s ruling in Samoan:

FAAMASINOGA O FANUA MA SUAFA SAMOA

LC. 1533 P17 – P24 Mataupu na Suesueina:

E uiga i le tofiaina o se nofo i le Suafa Faualo o Tauese – Apia.

Itu na Talosaga: 1. Rev. Moli Moli, Taufao Fuaiavailili LC 1533 P17

2. Sala Lupeoaunu’u Chan Mow, Imeleta Filipo Tofaeono, Simanono Leaitauasa Oge, Simeamativa Leota Va’ai, Laulu Sepania Lealiio’o, Falani S. Sita, Miriama Oge. LC 1533 P18, P19 + P20 Itu na Tetee:

1. Tauiliili Harry Schuster, Fesola’i Fa’amoemoe Sivatia, Tupuola S. Sonny Schuster, Maiava Pimalolo, Nanai Tiavolo, Siale Sianava LC 1533 P21.

2. Auva’a Daffy Pitone Aluni, Tony Pitone Aluni, Imeleta P. Aluni, Peka Fuli Sinapi LC 1533 P22 3. Faaolosa Katopau Ainuu, Faleafa Joe Tamasese, Faamata Mamaia, Auimatagai Sapani, Isavale Povale, Kerina Amituanai, Senara Magalogo, Taiana Collin’s, Sofeni Leapai, Sala Fesuia’i LC 1533 P23 4. Nomani Nomani, Vala’au Faatasi Nomani, Alofipo Lusi Simeona, Seumanu Tila, Seuoti Sheryl, Ruta Su’a LC 1533 P24

Heavyweight boxer Lupesoliai Joseph Parker is happy to be back in Samoa – and has a big announcement planned.

He landed in the country yesterday afternoon, with his coach Kevin Barry and Dave Letele “Brown Buttabean”. Speaking to the media yesterday, Lupesoliai said he intended to catch up with family and make a major announcement later in the week.

“We are here to make a big announcement on Thursday in regards to the fight in January next year and hopefully everyone could come along.”

Lupesoliai said it was his coach’s idea to have a fight in Samoa.

“Kevin decided to bring us here and we are happy with it so it’s a great feeling to be able to come here and fight in front of all Samoans,” he said. “We have a lot of things we need to do like the media commitment visiting our sponsors and trying to organize everything for next year.”

Asked how he felt about his fight against Kali Meehan, Lupesoliai said it all came down to training hard and eating healthy. “The fight was good and we trained hard and Kevin taught me a lot of things and it was a great result and we are happy now that we are moving on to the next fight,” he said.

“I have one more fight left and that will be in December then we have to go back to Vegas after this to train hard and prepare and hopefully get a good opponent and get ready for the Samoa fight in January.

“Thank you Samoa for your support.”

Coach Kevin Barry said having Parker fight in Samoa was something he fully supported.

“Joseph has been living with me for nearly three years now in Las Vegas and so many times he said to me that he cannot wait to bring me to Samoa one day to see the family home,” he said.

“I have always said to him that this is something that I really wanted to do and when we [got the] opportunity of being able to put a fight together for Samoa, [this] is something that I very much wanted for Joseph and his parents and the people of Samoa.

“I thought it would be a great occasion to have the champion Joseph Parker fighting here on their island. “Everybody saw him fight last week against Kali Meehan and he now has seven regional titles and he has improved so much in the last couple of years. “He is the youngest fighter in the world top ten and it won’t be too long in the future that we will be looking for a really good fight for him to get to fight the number one positional for the world title sometime over the next couple of years.”

Former Manu Samoa player and lawyer, Eliota Fuimaono-Sapolu, has accused World Rugby, formerly the International Rugby Board, of financially ripping off the Manu Samoa.

“Manu Samoa has sold out all their games,” he said. “Seven million pounds is what they generate.

They (Manu Samoa) only get 35 thousand a game.”

“They are getting ripped off from this tournament again.”

“They are making nearly 100 million pounds for the I.R.B. and none of that will go to Samoa.”

Manu Samoa was being treated “very badly,” he said.

“The most televised game of all time was Samoa vs. Japan, where 25 million people in one place watched that game.”

“Samoa will not see a penny of that,” he said.

Fuimaono-Sapolu has previously clashed with the I.R.B.

He faced disciplinary action in 2011, for calling Welsh referee Nigel Owens “biased” and “racist”.

He also called for longer rest periods between games, which saw Samoa have longer rest periods between matches during this Rugby World Cup.

“Obviously they have longer rest, however, when you take off the expenses for each player and pay the coaches, they either break even or make a loss from every game,” he said.

Working the land pays off.

So believes one of the country’s top farmers, Fuimaono Esera Rimoni, who is urging people to make use of their land and earn a living.

Fuimaono and his wife, Temukisa, have cultivated more than 500 acres of land at their village of Salani in Falealili.

They started in the 1970’s while both had fulltime office jobs.

He was the Director of Finance at the New Zealand High Commission and he also helped set up the Administrative Office for Tokelau.

It was when they retired that they took their farming up full time.

Today, Fuimaono is a High Chief of 14 villages in the Falealili District. He is also the chairman of the district committee and is the representative who discusses issues with government.

Today at Salani, they have a cattle farm and grow a variety of fruit, vegetables and spices, which supplies hotels and restaurants. There is also another ten acres at Falelauniu where they grow cocoa, bananas, papaya and black pepper. The cattle are also slaughtered for local butchers and to meet traditional obligations (fa'alavelave).

Last Friday during the annual Agricultural Show, the couple won top awards for the cattle farm, fresh fish farming, banana plantations and black pepper.

They also won consolation prizes.

Fuimaono is not boasting about their accomplishments.

He is more interested in using this to encourage people in his district to work the land.

Although it may require a lot of labour one can easily earn a living from its fruits, he believes.

“It’s not easy. It’s very, very hard.

Even at this stage, when we are retired, we have to really control and pay people.”

At Salani, the couple has long-term plans which will be publicised next year. Apart from the abundance of natural food varieties, there is a waterfall, there are flying foxes and pigeons.

The property was just last week filmed as part of a Korean series, similar to that of Survivor.

In Samoa, nothing compares to their farm.

“It’s a reward of hard work. I know the Lord has blessed us and this is why we’re still strong, because of our hobby, our passion.”

"The satisfaction one has at being one with nature is one that is comparable to none."

“It’s a different satisfaction when you look at the calves jumping around on the grass and watch the plants grow, when you’re feeding the fish, watching the flying foxes hang of the trees.

It’s amazing! That’s God’s creation!

Fuimaono said it’s something he has always enjoyed in life and it is his wish that his people enjoy that same tranquility of nature as well.

And while Temukisa sometimes comes into town to visit the daughters and their grandchildren, Fuimaono opts to stay and enjoy the beauty of their surroundings.

These accomplishments made by a couple who started from scratch. There was no transport and they would walk to manually clear the bush.

“It’s been a long way but it’s beautiful! Its hard work and it’s been worth it.”