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The police clerks keep the prisons monetary accounts, and the staff is interchangeable between the Police and Prisons Departments, with the exception of the two wardresses,, who are paid by the Medical Department, Of the total staff listed, 11 Samoans are stationed at Tuasivi, Savai'i, where the Resident Commissioner acts as deputy to the Inspector. In addition, 1 Samoan constable is located at each of the three out-stations. The remainder of the force is centred on Apia. The work of the Police Department includes, besides regular police work, the registration of vehicles, issue of drivers' licences, and the registration and control of all firearms, ammunition, and explosives imported into the Territory. The Department also controls immigration and emigration and the issue of passports and travel permits. The Inspector of Police is also responsible for the operation of the fire brigade. The constables at the out-stations maintain contact by radio with their headquarters via the Apia Radio Station. Any serious crime committed in the outer areas can be reported immediately in this way. All investigations in connection with serious crimes are carried out by European officers. Traffic Licensing 1947. 1948. Motor-vehicles .. .. .. 482 541 Bicycles .. .... .. 664 724 Firearms and Ammunition Licences Issued : 88 rifles, 7 revolvers, and 751 shotguns. Ammunition Sold by Local Stores : 60,772 rounds rifle and 278,185 shot cartridges.. Most of this ammunition was sold between Ist July and 31st December, covering the open shooting season for various kinds of native birds. A strict control is maintained on the importation of firearms, each importer being given a quota for the importation of shotguns only, while the importation of rifles is permitted only in special cases. At the end of March, 1948, there were four shotguns held for sale by the various stores. Explosives During the year, 1,939 permits were issued for the purchase of 412 sticks of gelignite, 934 ft. of fuse, and 515 detonators. There have been no instances of collective violence or disorder during the year under review. E. POLITICAL ADVANCEMENT General Administration The passing of the Samoa Amendment Act, 1947, paved the way for a greater participation by the Samoans in the Government of the Territory, and the Western Samoa Fautua Appointment Regulations 1948 and Western Samoa Legislative Assembly Regulations 1948 provided the machinery by which this was implemented. The structure of the Administration is indicated in the diagram on page 13. No important changes in the composition of the staff have taken place during the year. Subject to the exceptions set out below, all persons of European status twenty-one years of age or over, male or female, who have continuously resided in the Territory for at least one year are eligible to vote at any election for European members of the Legislative Assembly. A person of unsound mind or a person convicted in Western Samoa or in any part of His Majesty's dominions of an offence punishable by death or

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