A.—4b.

Analysis of Ranks. —Note. —High chiefs and orators are denoted as those who have a say in both village and district matters ; medium ranks are those who have a say in village matters only ; low ranks are those who have no say in either village or district matters. Rank. High. Medium. Low. Chiefs .. .. .. .. 46 15 18 Orators .. .. .. 23 17 21 Totals .. .. .. 69 32 39 Off-handedly, some 80 chiefs of high rank can be quoted as having not signed. This quotation is by no means complete. Of the high-ranked petitioners, 12 are dismissed officials ; 6 come under the influence or are blood relations of Nelson ; 2 are dismissed pastors ; 11 have been convicted of serious offences ; 3 are recorded as semi-mental : total, 34. Of the total petitioners, 19 are dismissed officials; 11 are known to have been previously convicted of serious offences ; 23 are of known bad record amongst Samoans : total, 53. Villages " covered " by petitioners, 71 ; total villages in Samoa, 212 ; Faipule districts " covered " by petitioners, 27 ; total Faipule districts in Samoa, 34. In accordance with fa'a-Samoa custom all petitions or requests from villages or districts must be agreed upon by the whole of the Ali'i and Faipule of the village or district concerned. This petition, purporting to be from the Samoan people, does not comply with this established custom, and if referred back and explained to them would, I believe, result in further trouble and increase the friction that exists to-day between those who have been influenced to support Mr. Nelson and his party and those who are loyal to their own authorities and the Government. Prior to October last, when Mr. Nelson called the combined meeting of Europeans and Natives previously referred to, most of those who have signed this petition had on several occasions attended fonos held by me, when they expressed themselves as in every way satisfied with their Government; therefore I am convinced that neither did the Samoans originate this petition, nor does it represent the views of the majority of the Natives, very few of whom know its contents. The petition contains nothing which could not have been satisfactorily dealt with by the Administrator had the matters been referred to him ; but throughout this movement the Natives have been encouraged by Mr. Nelson and his committee to look to them for guidance and not put their matters before the Native Department, and so have created the situation which exists to-day, whereby a number of chiefs believe that Mr. Nelson will form another Government, which will bring them some personal gain. I am not able to interview all those who signed this petition, but I have been reliably informed that in a number of cases the signatories thought they were merely signing a protest against the speech made by Toelupe referred to in paragraph iB. Geo. S. Kichabdson, Administrator. Please see enclosures to memoranda of 22nd October and 19th November, 1926. Copy op a Letter sent from Apia to an Out-distriot by One of the Natives. [translation.] Vaimoso, 25/7/27. To all heads of my family and Ma'opu of Tuiaana and all chiefs and orators in Saanapu : Greeting. Fortune is with me, who is living in a strange village. Let us praise God for His love if it is the same with you all. I have to make this report to you. A wireless message of life and joy has been received as follows : Good fortune has favoured our movement (Mau) on the malaga of Taisi (Mr. Nelson), and advice has been received that very shortly the struggles will be over and the victory in your hands. The Mau is established ; and it is further stated that our Governor is a sergeant, and should be sent home. Further, the Minister who came has apologized three times to Mr. Nelson, because a Court case between Taisi and the Minister is coming on. Further, it is reported that there will be no further banishments of Samoan chiefs or further imprisonments. The chief thing in the wireless message is that Samoa is to be cut off from the control of New Zealand. Mr. Nelson will return with the verdict as to which Government is to have control of our country, but New Zealand is finished with Samoa. This is absolutely true. The crown of victory is now within our grasp. I further wish to warn you : Do not let us be boastful or overbearing, but give thanks to God, who has given us the victory. Do not make this public, but keep it secret till we actually see our victory. Therefore to our village my appeal is, do not let us have any disputes over anything, but consider everything well lest our village slip back in its status. Let our district call a meeting, as it is now shown we have reached the land of Leape. Samoa has the victory. I shall not be further punished by the Governor. He has given up. I write this with joy to you. Let us serve our country. Do not be given over to vain boasting because of this story. Good luck to our village and the pastor. We are now staying in the house of Leleua Siavao.—Farewell. S. Anapu.

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