A. —4b.

That had been arranged at the first meeting: that the committee would report to a further meeting ? —Yes. When was that second meeting held ? —I forget exactly. I think, about the 12th November. It was held in the Market Hall, too ? —Yes. Who presided at that meeting ? —The Hon. Mr. Nelson. Who was the chairman of the committee ?—Mr. Nelson also. There were Europeans and Natives there too, I believe ? —Yes. Tell us what happened at that meeting. The second meeting was opened by Mr. Nelson ; it had just been opened when it was interrupted Acting-Secretary to the Administration. Tell us what the Acting-Secretary did ? —He asked permission from the chairman to read a message from the Administrator. That message was mentioned in the police report of the second meeting ? —I conclude that would be correct. Was it read ? —Yes, in Samoan and English. I believe the police were there in prominence ? —Very prominent. What impression would it have on your mind, reading this letter and the prominence of the police ?—The only impression it had on me was that it was something in the form of intimidation. The Chairman : It seems to have been a complete failure. Mr. Baxter.] What was done ? The Administrator had written to the meeting, and had had read out by his representative a message, the terms of which are known through the Commission : what was done immediately after that ? I believe there was some talk, and then Mr. Nelson addressed the meeting I—Yes. In that address of his he referred to the fact that the Administrator was supreme, in as far as he was the representative of the King, but as his own Prime Minister he should be prepared to let his policy be criticized ? —Yes. I understand the meeting proceeded ? —Yes. I believe that proposal was made by Mr. Westbrook ? —Yes. Then I believe that by this time you knew the Minister was not coming, and the meeting resolved to despatch a telegram, through the Administrator, requesting the Minister to receive a delegation ? —Yes. That telegram, I believe, was despatched ? —Yes. I believe you received a reply back from the Minister saying that " Referring to your telegram of the 15th November, I will be prepared to receive a delegation in January, but I will not consider any representation with respect to Samoan affairs until it has been firstly submitted to His Excellency the Administrator for report, or until I have had opportunity of personal consultation with His Excellency during my forthcoming visit. Any representations affecting Native affairs must similarly be submitted through the Fono of Faipules and Administrator.—Nosworthy." Then on the 17th you wirelessed again : " Many thanks for your telegram. All representations prepared for delegation will be submitted to Administrator with request for him to submit to Faipules what he considers are Native affairs " ? —Yes. Were those submitted to the Administrator for reference to the Fono of Faipules ? —Yes. Were they of the same nature as the reports we have been talking about ? —Yes. Was it then or at any time pointed out the grave errors in the reports placed before the Faipules ? —No. Do you know of your own knowledge if they were placed before the Faipules ? —I could not say. We forwarded them on to the Administrator. This delegation you were talking about, Mr. Williams, would require a considerable amount of money : what steps were taken to raise that money ? —Voluntary subscriptions. About this time Ainu'u and Faumuina were proceeding to Savai'i : what happened to them ?— Faumuina left for Savai'i on the one night, Wednesday. On the following night Ainu'u was to leave in the boat for Savai'i, but he was stopped by the Inspector of Police. Were they going for the committee, or on their own private business ? —They were going on behalf of the committee. For what purpose I—To1 —To solicit voluntary subscriptions. What for ? —For the coming delegation. Was it the 21th November when Faumuina left and the 25th when Ainu'u was stopped ?—I am not sure of the date. Was it at this time that you published a printed report of the meeting in Samoan ? —lt was printed, and it was really to solicit subscriptions. They were taking them to Savai'i. Have you or have you not published any other printed matter in pamphlet form among the Samoan race ?—-No. After the second meeting, and particularly about the time these two men were stopped from going to Savai'i, what was the nature of the feeling of the community % —lt was perfectly quiet. Was it quite quiet right up to the visit of the Minister ? —Yes. There was no trouble until after the Minister's visit ? —Not until after the Minister's visit. Did your delegation go to New Zealand ? —No. Why not ? —The Native members were refused passports. They were refused passports by the Inspector of Police ?—Yes. What did you do about that ? —lf I remember rightly the matter was put in your hands. There was certain correspondence ; as the result of that correspondence you were informed that they would not be permitted to leave Samoa until the Minister advised that he was prepared to receive the delegation \ —Yes.

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