Ernst Friedrich Reye had achieved his written wish . He had “ the unmerited superb luck ” to marry Margaretta Betham , of Apia , “ the disturber of my peace .” It was one of many marriages between German settlers and Samoan women during the colonial era .
Margaretta died in Apia on 6 August 1938 . She is buried with Ernst at Magiagi .
Sir George Grey Special Collections , Auckland Libraries . 31-57543 . ( Cropped )
Sir George Grey Special Collections , Auckland Libraries . 31-67541
The photos on this page and on page 41 were taken by Auckland photographer Herman J . Schmidt at his studio on Queen St . Schmidt ’ s excellent portraiture , practised for more than 35 years until the 1940 ’ s , earned him a wide reputation , including among Samoa ’ s settler community . It is clear from numerous photographs of Samoan settlers and their family members held in the Schmidt files at the Sir George Grey Special Collections , Auckland Libraries , that an appointment with Schmidt was a priority for many of those visiting Auckland from Apia .
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