That night of 3 May 1899 when Solf arrived on an American liner marked one book end for this account. The other end came a century and 74 days later, Friday 16 July 1999 when the HRPP gathered for a ball at the St Joseph’s College Hall in Āpia, marking the 20th anniversary of its founding. When, in 1999, Tofilau resigned as prime minister, and soon after died, Tuila’epa became prime minister and as is the way of these things, reshuffled the cabinet. Toi Aukuso Cain, 68, lost the ministry of post and telecommunications. His father was Harry Cain, a member of the SMS police that had arrived in Sāmoa in 1928. He returned to New Zealand early in 1932, leaving his infant son Aukuso (August) with his mother. Harry Cain’s return was noted, coincidentally as New Zealand was taking an interest in the voyage of Maui Pomare from Sāmoa and Niue, hauling 9000 cases of bananas. Reports listed passengers: ‘Messrs H.Cain, K.M. Weir, C.P. Henry, and H.R. Hopley, who have served for about four years as members of the Samoan Police. They left New Zealand with the special draft of police sent to Samoa by the Government.’ Harry Cain returned regularly to Sāmoa, supporting his family. When Aukuso himself became a father, he named his son Harry.
Another to lose his portfolio was Le’afa Vitale, 58, who had been public works minister. He was given portfolios of women’s affairs and statistics, not especially lucrative for a corrupt minister. Tuila’epa and Le’afa did not like each other. Tuila’epa acted against the two because their ‘activities were causing animosity against the HRPP and division and ill-feeling within the party.’ Some wanted the two ejected from parliament, older members favoured forgiveness and the two men were pardoned. Le’afa called at the prime minister’s house and pleaded to remain in charge of the Electric Power Corporation (EPC), a post given to a new minister, Luagalau Levaula Kamu. Le’afa told the prime minister that the dead Tofilau had had no confidence in Luagalau because he had never paid his power bills for copra mills. Tuila’epa said he did not know that.
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