British Chargé d'Affaires expressed the wish of his Government that the Imperial Government should propose a person suitable for the post.

As a suitable official has been found in the person of Baron Arnold Senfft von Pilsach, a superior employé in the Prussian service, I have the honour to recommend him, in the name of my Government, for the post of President of the Municipality of Apia.

The same proposal will be submitted to the Government of the United States by the Imperial Minister at Washington.

Baron Senfft von Pilsach is 31 years old, of the Evangelical religion, and has been a "Regierungs-Assessor" since the 14th May, 1888. He has the best testimonials from the authorities above him to support him, and may be expected to fulfill the duties of President in an honourable, just, and impartial manner. In the business of administration and dispensation of justice Herr Senfft von Pilsach is well versed, and knows the English language.

Under these circumstances, my Government hope that Her Majesty's Government will declare their acceptance of the person named. I have, &c.,

The Marquess of Salisbury.

HATZFELDT.

No. 47.-Count Hatzfeldt to the Marquess of Salisbury.—(Received October 24.)

(Translation.) MY LORD,

German Embassy, London, October 23, 1890.

IN pursuance of instructions which I have received, I have the honour to propose to your Excellency that the recently-appointed Chief Justice of Samoa should, when within his jurisdiction, receive from the ships of war of the three Treaty Powers the honours shown to a Consul-General, which would correspond to the respect due to his position.

The same proposal will be made by the Imperial Minister at Washington to the Government of the United States of North America, and that Government will be asked, in the event of their agreeing to the proposal, to send the necessary instructions without delay to the American authorities at Apia.

In view of the approaching departure of Herr Cedercrantz for his post, the Imperial Government would be very much obliged for an early answer respecting the proposal they have made. I have, &c.,

The Marquess of Salisbury.

HATZFELDT.

No. 48.-The Marquess of Salisbury to Count Hatzfeldt.

M. L'AMBASSADEUR,

Foreign Office, November 7, 1890. HER Majesty's Government have had under their consideration our Excellency's note of the 23rd ultimo, proposing that the ecently appointed Chief Justice of Samoa should, when within his urisdiction, receive from the ships of war of the three Treaty Posers the same honours as are shown to a Consul-General. I Lave the honour to inform your Excellency that Her Majesty's Government are prepared to agree to this proposal as an exceptional ase, provided that the United States' Government also agree to it. I have, &c.,

Jount Hatzfeldt.

SALISBURY.

No. 49.-The Marquess of Salisbury to Sir E. Malet.

Foreign Office, December 2, 1890. COUNT METTERNICH referred to-day in conversation to the request which the German Government had addressed to the United States' Government for the recognition of Freiherr Arnold Senfft von Pilsach as President of the Municipality of Apia (Samoa), and inquired how the selection was viewed by Her Majesty's Govern

ment.

He was informed, in reply, that Her Majesty's Government assented to the appointment, and had so informed the United States' Government in answer to an inquiry made by them.

Sir E. Malet.

I am, &c.,

SALISBURY.

No. 50.-Consul Cusack-Smith to the Marquess of Salisbury.(Received December 8.)

MY LORD,

Samoa, November 3, 1890.

I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt to-day of your Lordship's despatch dated the 1st ultimo.

The news of the definite departure of the Chief Justice is felt as a relief by all classes here. I have refrained from troubling your Lordship with all the difficulties which the Consuls have had to meet in the collection of the taxes and customs.

It is enough to record that it has been a period requiring unceasing care and tact, and the fact that we have, without offence, overcome every opposition speaks for itself.

I would also record that since my arrival I have, in concert with the other Consuls, been de facto responsible for the whole government [1892-93. LXXXV.]

3 M

of Samoa. There is no native Government whatever, and I am glad to be able to report that we have been able to keep in control the constant plots and open dissatisfaction of the natives at the long delay in the arrival of the Chief Justice. Rumours of war have been constantly in circulation.

The Marquess of Salisbury.

I have, &c.,

T. B. CUSACK-SMITH.

SIR,

No. 55.-Foreign Office to Consul Cusack-Smith.

Foreign Office, January 22, 1891. I AM directed by the Marquess of Salisbury to inform you that Her Majesty's Government and the Government of the United States of America have respectively notified their assent to the nomination by the German Government of Baron Senfft von Pilsach as President of the Municipal Council of Apia.

I am now to instruct you to make a joint application with your German and American colleagues to the Samoan Government for this appointment, in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of the Vth Article of the Final Act of the Conference on the affairs of Samoa.

T. B. Cusack-Smith, Esq.

I am, &c.,

P. CURRIE.

No. 56.-Consul Cusack-Smith to the Marquess of Salisbury.

MY LORD,

(Received February 2, 1891.)

Samoa, December 23, 1890. I HAVE the honour to acknowledge the receipt on the 15th December of your Lordship's despatch dated the 16th October last. I immediately communicated with my German and American colleagues, who, although they had not received instructions from their Governments, joined with me in procuring the appointment by King Malietoa of M. Cedercrantz.

Owing to your Lordship's early instructions, we were thus enabled to obtain the appointment previous to the arrival of

M. Cedercrantz.

King Malietoa signed the appointment on behalf of the Govern ment of Samoa on the 17th December, but, in accordance with your Lordship's instructions, the appointment dates from the 1st October. I have, &c., The Marquess of Salisbury.

T. B. CUSACK-SMITH.

No. 57.-Consul Cusack-Smith to the Marquess of Salisbury.

MY LORD,

(Received February 2, 1891.)

Samoa, December 30, 1890.

I HAVE the honour to report the arrival to-day of M. Cedercrantz by the Union Pacific Company's steamer Alameda.

The Marquess of Salisbury.

I have, &c.,

T. B. CUSACK-SMITH.

No. 62.-Consul Cusack-Smith to the Marquess of Salisbury.

MY LORD,

(Received March 2.)

Samoa, January 19, 1891.

I HAVE the honour to inclose two copies of the Notice issued by Chief Justice Cedercrantz with regard to the election of the Municipal Council, which is fixed for the 29th January.

I concurred in the alteration of the "Alafuata Road" to the "Ala Faalava Road," as the former is unknown, and the error arose from embodying in the Berlin Treaty a misprint in the old Municipal Regulations of Apia.

I also agreed, subject to your Lordship's approval, to the suggestion of the Chief Justice that the Consular Representatives of the three Treaty Powers should withdraw all claim to vote in the Municipal elections. My colleagues also agreed to this suggestion.

The only American candidate for the Municipal Council is not supported by the American residents, who are all supporting British candidates. I have, &c.,

The Marquess of Salisbury.

T. B. CUSACK-SMITH.

(Inclosure.)-Extract from the "Samoa Times" of January 10, 1891.

Proclamation.

I HEREBY make known to the people of Samoa and the foreign residents of the islands that I have arrived here and assumed the duties of my office as Chief Justice of Samoa.

Apia, January 2, 1891.

Notice.

C. CEDERCRANTZ.

I HEREBY make known to the residents of Apia that, preparatory to the election of the Municipal Council of the District of Apia, under Article V of the Berlin General Act, the list of voters will

be open for inspection at the office of the Collector of Customs and Taxes from the 11th to the 15th January inclusive, and that complaints about the lists may be addressed to me in writing and delivered to me on the 15th January at the latest.

The Municipal District of Apia is defined as follows :—

Beginning at Vailoa, the boundary passes thence westward along the coast to the mouth of the River Tuluasa, thence following the course of the river upwards to the point at which the Alafusta (Ala Faalava) Road crosses said river; thence following the line of said road to the point where it reaches the River Vaisinago, and thence in a straight line to the point beginning at Vailoa, embracing also the waters of the harbour of Apia.

Each member of the Council shall be a resident of the sand district, and owner of real estate or conductor of a profession or business in said district which is subject to a rate or tax not less in amount than 5 dollars per annum.

For the purpose of the election of the Council the said district has been divided into two electoral districts by a boundary-line drawn between the mouth of the watercourse called Mulivai and the summit of Mount Vaea; the district between Vailoa and the boundary-line being called the West District, and the other being called the East District.

From each of these districts three Councillors shall be elected by the taxpayers thereof, qualified as aforesaid, and the members elected from each electoral district shall have resided therein for at least six months prior to their election.

Apia, January 9, 1891.

C. CEDERCRANTZ.

SIR,

No. 63.-Foreign Office to Consul Cusack-Smith.

Foreign Office, March 7, 1891. I AM directed by the Marquess of Salisbury to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 19th January, and to convey to you his Lordship's approval of your having agreed to the suggestion of the Chief Justice that the Consular Representatives of the three Treaty Powers should not claim to vote at the election of the Municipal Council at Apia. T. B. Cusack-Smith, Esq.

I am, &c.,

P. CURRIE