A. —4b.

How many of each would you have ?—I would have four official members, two elected European members, and two elected Natives, outside of the Administrator, who would have a casting-vote. How would you have the two Natives elected I—Byithe chiefs. In what way would you have the chiefs elect them ? —By ballot, one from each district. They would be elected by the matais, who are respected older Natives and heads of families. By the matais, who are heads of families ? —Yes. What arrangements would you have for the matais to exercise their votes ? Fa'asamoa, by ballot, or by open vote in Fono ?—As they are Natives, theii fa'a-Samoa. It is well known that there are technically two classes in this community—Europeans and Samoans ; but in fact there are three —full Europeans, persons of mixed blood, and Sainoans. Do they, the half-castes, mix freely and on equal terms with each of the races ? —I think they mix on equal terms with both. On the Council you have suggested there are four official members, two elected European members, and two elected Natives : that makes an equal number of official and non-official members. Occasions may arise where the voting is even. Do you suggest that the Administrator should vote or not ? — He should exercise a casting-vote. Under the circumstances stated, where the Administrator exercises his casting-vote, do you think, in the interests of good legislation, any further steps should be taken ? —I think it should be left to the Administrator. Of the present officials occupying seats on the Legislative Council, you have not got anything against them personally I—No.1 —No. Do you think any one should be debarred by his official position from sitting on the Council, or are you quite satisfied ? —I do not think the Chief Judge should be allowed to sit on the Legislative Council. Would you please give your reason for having such an objection ? —lt might be necessary for him to adjudicate on cases coming up in connection with the Council, or on laws which have been passed by the Council. Mr. Meredith.'] As a matter of fact, when both Mr. McCarthy and Judge Woodward are in Apia, Judge Woodward does not sit in the Council: is not that so ? —He sat at the last meeting I was at—the meeting before last. That was the first meeting I attended since my return. Mr. McCarthy was not here ? —No. I put it to you again : when Mr. McCarthy is present Judge Woodward does not sit 011 the Council ? You are a member of the Legislative Council. I put it to you that that is the position V —Well, I do not know what alterations have been made to the Council. How long have you been sitting in the Council ? —Four years. Is it not your experience during those four years that Judge Woodward only sits in the absence of Mr. McCarthy ? —The members have been changed. The Director of Agriculture has now joined. lam speaking about Judge Woodward and Mr. McCarthy ?■ —I have only had experience of that meeting. You have only sat once in four years ?• —I was away for sixteen months. For which sixteen months were you absent ? —I returned just previous to the last two meetings. Two meetings, or three, were held during my absence. The Chairman.'] When did you leave Samoa on your visit ?• —In March, 1925. And when did you return ? —ln July, 1926. Mr. Meredith.] Where were you during that sixteen months ?- —I was in London. Most of the time I was travelling over Europe. You attended the meetings where these reports were discussed ?- —I did. You only produced the prohibition report ? —Yes. You were there when the other reports were adopted ?—Yes. What was done at the adoption of the reports ? —They were confirmed, pending that they were all right. What do you mean by that, " pending that they were all right " ? Were you not satisfied that they were all right ?—lt was thought there might have to be some alterations or amendments. You thought that ? —I thought that. Did any others say they thought that too ? —I cannot say. Who was the chairman at the meeting when they were adopted ? —Mr. Nelson. Did you point out that there might have to be alterations made in the reports ?• —The conditions were very different to what they are now. lam speaking about what happened at that meeting ?- —I cannot remember. Was each report put up separately for confirmation at that meeting ?- —As far as 1 know. Take, for instance, finance : what discussion took place before that was confirmed ? —Finance was a matter that I did not pay so much attention to. I am not a financial expert. I have confidence in Mr. Smyth and Mr. Gurr. So did not examine the figures or discuss them ?—Yes. And did the other members of the committee have the same confidence and accept the report without discussion ?-—I think so. And now the medical report: that was Mr. Williams's effort, was it not ?—Yes. Did you go into that ? —Yes, in a way. These reports were read out partly to lead up to what might be general complaints to be put before the Minister. You know that Mr. Nelson sent those forward with a covering letter as being approved by the people generally ? —Yes.

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