H.—3lc.

11

island, calling at the various villages en route. He took one such journey during his six months' residence at Tuasivi. General Skerman in his examination admitted he had given no written instructions to Dr. James, but had had a general conversation with him before he commenced his duties. He did not specifically inform him'that he was expected to visit the surrounding Native villages, but thought Dr. James would understand that he was expected to do so. On the other hand, Dr. James stated he was so busy handing out medicine during the epidemic that he had no time to pay visits, and that, in any case, he was better employed attending to visitors. Be this as it may, we consider he, and every other doctor acting under the Principal Medical Officer, should have his duties clearly defined in writing when he joins the Administration. We are of opinion that had Dr. James even visited the Native villages within, say, a three-mile radius, much suffering, and possibly many lives, might have been saved during the epidemic. Dissatisfaction was expressed at many of the meetings of chiefs which we attended at the various villages in Upolu and Savaii, in regard to the unequal distribution of food which took place during the epidemic. This matter was undertaken by the military, but owing to the shortness of labour and the enormous pressure of work we were astonished that as much had been done as was done. No words of ours can convey to you our appreciation of the magnificent work done by all ranks of the military, from Major Richardson down to the private soldier. We found that during the epidemic period Colonel Logan did splendid work in visiting the Native villages, seeing to the feeding of the Native population, and personally burying the dead. As American Samoa had entirely escaped the ravages of influenza we decided to visit Pago Pago. This we were enabled to do by the courtesy of Governor Terhune, who was good enough to send the steamer " Fortune " for our conveyance. We found that on the 3rd November, 1918 (Samoan time), the s.s. " Sonoma " called there en route from San Francisco to Sydney. On medical examination it was discovered that two passengers on board were suffering from pneumonia, the aftereffects of influenza ; and, although no official information had reached Pago Pago relative to the seriousness of that scourge in the United States, the Health Officer decided to quarantine the vessel alongside the wharf. When it was known there that pneumonic influenza had broken out in Upolu still greater precautionary measures were instituted. The report of our visit to Pago Pago is attached to the evidence, and it will, we are sure, be read by you with much interest. We desire here, to place on record our appreciation of the kindness we received from Governor Terhune, Mrs. Terhune, Lieut.-Commander A. A. Garcelon (Captain of the Yard), and all the other officers and men of the United States Navy during our visit to Pago Pago. We also desire to place on record the. courteous assistance that we received from Colonel Tate, the Acting-Administrator of Western Samoa, and from all the officers acting under him ; also from Mr. Richard Williams, the Deputy Administrator of Savaii. We desire in addition to thank the civilian residents of Apia for the kindness they extended towards us, and for the manner in which they assisted us to obtain evidence that they thought might help us in coming to a fair and just conclusion. We beg to report that the high Samoan chiefs met us always and at all places in the most friendly manner, and that they did everything in their power to make our visit agreeable to us, and of some little value to Your Excellency's Government. During the work of our inquiry we examined European witnesses in Auckland, Wellington, Suva, Apia, Savaii, and Pago Pago, as well as the duly elected Samoan representatives in Apia, Fagamalo, Safune, Safoto, Tuasivi, Safotulafai, Iva, and the districts surrounding these places. In conclusion, we beg to state that in reading this report it must be borne in mind that the Dominion, during the period under review, was absorbed and had her whole attention focussed on the influenza epidemic in New Zealand ; and, further, that it is easy to criticize, in the light of after-events, the conduct of individuals in a time of extreme distress. We have, &c, George Elliot, Chairman. Thos. Wilson. W. H. Sefton Moorhouse.