Go home Logan, look after your sheep

Invincible Strangers 25 Chapter 12.1

FIRST BLOOD IN THE PACIFIC: ‘LONDON. Aug. 30 It is officially announced that Āpia, the capital of German Sāmoa, has surrendered to the British,’ a New Zealand Press Association report said. Governor Liverpool filled in details: ‘All the London newspapers warmly praise New Zealand’s seizure of Sāmoa.’ Captain Lionel Halsey of the cruiser New Zealand telegrammed: ‘All on board New Zealand congratulate Dominion on their action Sāmoa.’ On the same day as the invasion, New Zealand was involved in the Battle of Heligoland Bight. It failed to make a significant contribution although Halsey created something of a custom by wearing a Māori piupiu into battle.

Massey said a strong garrison was needed; ‘Having got the place, our duty is to hold it.’ An improvement in trade with Sāmoa was expected, said a report. It had not been large: ‘So far Sāmoa has been taking a quantity of our tinned meat and other food products, including some flour, although the principle supplies of the latter article are drawn from Australia.’ Happily, there was a ‘considerable margin in distance in Auckland’s favour….’