MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (FIFTH REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31st MARCH, 1925. Prepared by Direction of the Minister of External Affairs for the Information of the League of Nations, pursuant to Article 6 of the Mandate.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1925 Session I, A-04

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1925. NEW ZEALAND.

MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (FIFTH REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31st MARCH, 1925. Prepared by Direction of the Minister of External Affairs for the Information of the League of Nations, pursuant to Article 6 of the Mandate.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command, of His Excellency.

Sir, — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, N.Z., 27th May, 1925. I have the honour to forward herewith the Fifth Annual Report on the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa, for the year ended 31st March, 1925. This report has been prepared by His Excellency the Administrator of Western Samoa, and adopted by the New Zealand Government as its report for the purposes of Article '6 of the Mandate. I have further to transmit a Supplementary Report by the Department of Health covering the same period, which, for the purpose of convenience, has been printed separately. Copies of both reports have been forwarded direct to each member of the Permanent Mandates Commission, and one hundred additional copies have been despatched to you direct under separate cover. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, F. H. D. Bell, Prime Minister. The Secretary-General, League of Nations, Geneva.

CONTENTS. PAGE Administrator's Report .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Departmental Reports .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 Questionnaire .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 PAGE PAGE Administration .. .. .. 12 Marine .. .. .. .. .. 20 Agriculture .. .. .. .. 5, 18 Medical .. .. .. .. 16 Alcoholic Liquor .. .. .. .. 40 Military Organization .. .. .. .. 41 Arms Traffic .. .. .. .. 40 Moral, Social, and Material Welfare .. 43 Cacao .. .. .. .. ..19 Municipality .. .. .. .. ..11 Child Welfare .. .. .. .. 15 Native Affairs .. .. .. .. 3, 6, 8, 12 Chinese Labour .. .. .. 9, 23 Native Lands .. .. .. .. 6 Cotton .. .. .. .. 11,19 Observatory .. .. .. .. ..31 Crown Estates.. .. .. .. .. 33 Police and Prisons .. .. .. .. 23 Customs .. .. .. .. .. 20 Policy .. .. .. .. 3 Drug Traffic .. .. .. .. .. 40 Population .. .. .. .. 15 Economic Equality .. .. .. .. 41 Post and Telegraph .. .. .. .. 25 Education .. .. .. .. 3, 16, 41 Public Health .. .. .. .. 3, 13,42 Faipules' Visit to New Zealand .. .. .. 8 Public Trust .. .. .. .. 33 Finance .. .. .. .. 34, 44 Public Works .. .. .. .. 11, 29 Food and Drugs .. .. .. .. 14 Quarantine .. .. .. .. .. 14 Harbour .. .. .. .. . . 21 Radio .. .. .. .. .. 27 Health Department. (See Public Health.) Sanitation .. .. .. .. 14,15 Infectious Diseases .. .. .. 14 Slavery .. .. .. .. 39 Justice .. .. .. .. ..18 Staff .. .. .. .. .. 36 Labour .. .. .. .. .. 39 Statistics—Demographic .. .. .. 44 Lands and Survey .. .. .. 14, 28 Vital .. .. .. .. 15 Lands, European .. .. .. 9 Stores Department .. .. .. .. 31 Land-tenure .. .. .. .. 43 Trade .. .. .. .. 2 Legislation .. .. .. .. 6, 12 Water-supply .. .. .. .. .. 15 Liberty of Conscience .. .. .. .. 41 Maps (2) .. .. .. .. At end,

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ANNUAL REPORT BY THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE YEAR 1924-25. I. TRADE. I have the honour to report that the past year has apparently marked the turning-point from the economic depression which Samoa, in common with the rest of the world, has experienced for several years, and which reached its lowest level in 1923, as shown in the following graph.

Total Trade Values (Calendar Years).

It is satisfactory to note that this improvement in trade was effected far more by increased production than by the enhanced market values, the volume of both the main exports—copra and cacao—being in excess of the previous year. The output of copra for the past three years has considerably exceeded that for any similar period in the history of this Territory—a sure indication not only of the increasing prosperity of the European population, but also of the progress and steady development of the Native race, which produces 75 per cent, of the total output and provides practically all its own needs from the proceeds of this crop. The increase in the production of cacao has been most marked—viz., from 399 tons in 1923 to 957 tons last year —an amount very little short of the total produced in the record year. Most of this cacao is produced from the New Zealand Government plantations, which were leased last year. It can therefore be assumed that planters have during their first year of lease been able to prove that these plantations are a good investment. The care taken to grade all cacao for export has already produced good results, and it is anticipated will increase the demand in the world's markets for the very high quality of cacao which is grown in Samoa. Every possible effort is also made by laws and Native regulations to produce a high grade of Native-dried copra, and considerable improvement in the quality has resulted. The market values of the main products are at present fairly good, and the outlook is promising, as is also the outlook for visible crops. The balance of trade being also on the right side, to the value of £87,000, enables me to confidently predict that the present year also will be a prosperous one for Samoa.

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11. NATIVE AFFAIRS. Policy. lii carrying out the policy of the New Zealand Government to promote to the utmost the interests of the Samoan race, the Administration during the past year has concentrated its efforts upon three essentials, viz. : (1 ) Health, (2) Education, (3) Agricultural Development. Any advancement of the Natives to a higher standard of prosperity can only be in proportion to the extent to which they respond to our efforts in these matters. The Samoans are, however, a conservative people, and do not readily adopt Dew ideas; therefore their progress must necessarily be slow. Health of the Natives. What has been done to improve the health of the Natives is fully detailed in the Chief Medical Officer's Departmental Report herewith. Reference" should also be made to the report by Dr. S. M. Lambert of the International Health Board of the 1 ! Rockefeller Foundation.* Dr. Lambert visited Samoa in July of last year and accompanied me on b my official tour of the Island of Savai'i, when, as an independent and impartial observer, he had exceptional opportunities of seeing the majority of the Natives in their own villages. His information was based on his own personal observations, and the report of this well-known and able expert on tropical diseases can be taken as a very valuable one. From my own observations there is a very marked improvement in the health of the Natives and a conspicuous absence of the unsightly cases of yaws which as recently as two years ago were so prevalent. The infantile mortality is, however, still very high, and will continue to be so as long as the mothers treat sickness by their old Samoan customs, and continue to feed their infants on indigestible taro. This is a matter of such great importance to the future welfare of the race that the Chief Medical Officer has submitted a " child welfare " scheme which will be put into effect this year. The successful results already obtained in one district by Dr. Roberts, who has given her services voluntarily to educate and interest the mothers in the care and feeding of their children, are proof of what can be achieved in other districts if a sufficient number of trained nurses is available for this important work. The vital statistics for the past year are also an indication of improvement in the health of the Natives, the natural increase for the year being the highest on record—viz., 1,123, or 3-26 per cent, of the total population. The Samoan race can therefore be known as a healthy and increasing one, with prospects of doubling its present numbers within the next forty or fifty years. Education. While the policy of the Government in matters of health has already produced a marked and rapid improvement of the Samoan race, the same cannot be said of education. This is perhaps only natural; the physical fitness of an individual generally responds quickly to proper medical treatment, but his mental outlook cannot be improved and completely changed in a short time. It will take many years before our educational efforts have made any marked improvement in the psychology of the people. One of the chief reasons for this is that the great majority of pupils after they leave school return to their villages and become absorbed in its communal life with its old and firmly established customs, which afford little opportunity to apply knowledge gained at school other than that which has a direct bearing on agriculture and handicraft. The policy which I have been instructed by the Government to carry out is not to educate the Samoans to become European in their outlook, but to make them better Samoans, with a pride of race and a love of country and a desire to promote their material wealth by increased efforts to develop their lands. There is difficulty in deciding as to the best means of carrying out this policy, but I have been assisted by the Education Board, an advisory committee consisting of local residents, including representatives of the missions, and by the Superintendent of Schools himself, who is an able and enthusiastic man in his work, and who, fortunately, has been teaching in Samoa for six years and thereby has gained valuable local experience. The advice I have received from these sources, together with my own observations, has led to a change in the system of education, which now takes more into consideration the present and future requirements of the Native race and the part the Samoans are required to play in the development of this country. The excellent work of education carried out almost entirely by the missions for nearly a century merits the admiration of the Government and gratitude of the people. Each mission in this Territory has expressed its desire to help the Administration in its work of advancing the interest and welfare of the Natives. During last year Government financial assistance to mission schools took the form of the Government paying the salary of the head teacher in each of the newly established second-grade or district mission schools, subject to these teachers being trained under the Superintendent of Schools and attending refresher courses at the Government schools every year, and, furthermore, provided that the syllabus of the assisted mission schools should conform to our requirements, and that each school be inspected by the Government. This system is working well, and new schools are being opened. In fact, requests for more schools are continually being made, an indication that the Natives are awakening to the necessity for a more general and advanced education for their children than that given by practically the only means available in the past —viz., by the Native pastor in the village schools. The organization of the educational system in Samoa is shown by the diagram on page 4.

* See Report of the Health Department of Western Samoa, published as a supplement to this report.

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Tn framing a syllabus of education for Native schools it has to be borne in mind that the Samoan gets no further opportunity for improving his education once he has returned to his village. In Samoa practically every Native boy must look to the land for his future, and he must therefore receive agricultural training during his schooldays. For this reason agriculture must be the first and most important subject around which most of the remaining instruction should centre, by practical work in school plantations, in the cultivating of all kinds of crops suitable to the soil of Samoa, by teaching the fencing of plantations, care and breeding of cattle, how to improve the quality of copra and other products, and to make the fullest and best use of the land. Carpentry, for which a good equipment of tools has been supplied to each Government school, plumbing, and other useful crafts should be taught by competent teachers, and this technical instruction should also be extended to the mission schools as soon as possible, to enable the Samoans to become more self-reliant in the making and improving of their villages. Those individual pupils who display special ability and character should be assisted to the utmost to obtain the highest qualifications and sent to New Zealand should it be considered that they would benefit by a secondary education. They could be absorbed on their return to Samoa in suitable vocations. I am pleased to say that the building-up of character has not been overlooked in the school curriculum, which includes instruction in the ideals of the Samoan boy movement, called the Fetu o Samoa, to which all pupils belong. At the four Government schools the members of the teaching staff are, without exception, able and enthusiastic. I am indebted to several local citizens who have voluntarily given their time to hold technical classes of instruction in plumbing, electricity, carpentry, and wireless operating for the boys of the Government school at Malifa. The excellent work produced by some of these pupils is proof of what the Samoan is capable of when properly taught. I desire to place on record the fact that the very great extension of education throughout these islands which has been carried out would not have been possible but for the financial assistance rendered by the New Zealand Government. Agriculture. If the New Zealand policy in regard to health and education is actively maintained it will result in improved agriculture, increased production, and greater prosperity for all residents of this Territory. The Director of Agriculture has reported that there is already a great improvement in the condition of the Native plantations, and that the Natives now more readily respond to the efforts of himself and his staff to carry out instructions; but it will take many years before they can be induced to keep all their plantations in good ordei as judged by European standards. Efforts are now being made tojnduce the Natives to fence in their plantations ; to breed cattle, and so reduce labour in keeping down weeds ; to cut the whole of their copra, a large portion of which is now wasted ; to produce a higher grade of copra ; to increase the . area of their plantations in districts where this can be done ; and to cultivate cotton and other crops for export. The Inspectors, two in Savai'i and two in Upolu, who are constantly travelling around the districts, educate and help the Natives in these matters, and give instruction in agriculture at the district schools. V am hopeful that when the Samoans realize the benefits they can derive from this policy they will exert themselves to carry it out. The main obstacle to progress is their communistic ownership of land, L. refer later in this^report. I am pleased to report that the production of copra by the Natives for 1924 has exceeded that for the previous year. As is the sole source of wealth of the Native, the following graph may be assumed to indicate progress and development of the Samoan race : —

Copra-production by Natives, showing Average for Three-year Period.

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Native Lands. As shown by the diagrams on page 7 there are 581,370 acres of Native lands, of which 350,000 acres are cultivated, so that the land available is approximately 10 acres per head of the existing population —viz., 36,000. As they are in possession of far more land than they can cultivate, it is difficult to understand why the Natives are constantly engaged in land disputes, submitting claims either to the Administrator or the Land and Titles Commission. A very large portion of my time is taken up with land questions. As land has been the cause of many of the past wars with other sections of the Polynesian race, so also has it been at the root of most of the wars and dissensions of the Samoans. To hold a title carrying with it the pule or ownership of a large area of land is the highest ambition of the Samoan, not for the purpose of cultivating it and increasing his wealth, but chiefly for the prestige it gives him. Every acre of land, whether a lava-field, swamp, or mountain-top, is owned by some family. It is divided into areas of varying extent. Each area is owned (a better term would be " controlled ") by the Matai (head of family or tribe), who holds the title which carries with it the authority to use or control that area. This Matai or chief divides his area into portions for the various members of his family, a number of whom are married, with many dependants. Some Matais have large areas, and others barely sufficient. Some of the descendants after marriage leave their village and reside in other districts with the family to which their wife belongs ; others leave the village to take up occupations in Apia ; some may go to Fiji or elsewhere ; but these absentees retain their family rights, and when the Matai dies all have their say in the selection of his successor and the redistribution of the family or tribal land controlled by him. Very little imagination is required to appreciate the complex disputes that arise, and the increasing difficulties which will surround the Native land question as the population increases. It is a system of family tenure, but the " family " includes both near as well as distant connections, whose claims go back several generations. Samoa is a tropical country which must be principally developed by the Natives, and I am convinced that the existing Native land laws or customs will retard its development, and therefore, in their own interests, as Well as in the interests of the Territory, these laws should be changed. To change the system of land-tenure will be by far the most difficult problem in Samoa. Those interested in retaining the present system are the chiefs and leaders of the people. There are approximately 3,250 Matais in Samoa, whose influence is powerful, and who are very jealous of their rights to exercise authority over their lands, but meanwhile the young Samoans have no inducement to cultivate more land than is absolutely necessary to provide their limited needs and the needs of their Matais. If they create wealth for themselves, they must pass it on to others who are unwilling to increase their personal efforts beyond those necessary for their bare existence. I have discussed this matter with the Faipules in the Native Council, and in order to interest them in the necessity for making a drastic change in the existing land system I arranged for a party of eight Faipules to visit Tonga last November, where, by the courtesy of Prince Tugi, the Prime Minister, they Were shown around Tonga, and the working of the Tongan land laws was explained to them. These laws provide for the reservation of an area of land for each youth on reaching the age of sixteen years —8J acres for plantation as well as a village site—both of which he has the use of for a very low rental during the period of his life. Those Faipules who visited Tonga furnished reports to me which showed that they were all in favour of similar laws being adopted in Samoa. I now have to convince the whole of the Faipules and chiefs of Samoa of the advisability of making this change, after which I will endeavour to get the Fono of Faipules to agree to assimilate our laws to those of Tonga. This change will be a difficult and slow process, but I am confident that it can and should be done in the interests of the Natives themselves. This is well illustrated by the fact that in Tonga the production of copra is 13 cwt. per head of population, while in Samoa the amount produced by the Natives is 5-| cwt. per head, a fact which is reasonable to assume the Tongan land laws are partly accountable for. I am pleased to report that the grievances to which I referred in my report last year regarding villages on the north coast of Upolu having insufficient land have been redressed, and areas have been allocated by the New Zealand Government from their Crown Estates for new village sites. Bush land has also been allocated where required for plantations. Legislation on Native Affairs. At the last Fono of Faipules (Native Government Council) the following Native regulations or by-laws were passed, and have since been published and circulated in book form to all villages in Samoa, as the Tulafono mo Samoa i Sisifo (Native Regulations for Western Samoa), viz.: — 1. Constitution and Functions of the Fono of Faipules. 2. Constitution and Functions of Native District Councils. 3. Constitution and Functions of Village Committees. 4. Cleaning of Villages. 5. New Model Villages. 6. Penalties for drinking or making Intoxicating Liquor.

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Ownership of Land in Savai'i.

Total number of acres, 450,000. Cultivatable land available for Natives = 50 per cent, of 394,870, or approximately 200,000 = approximately 15 acres per head of population = approximately 57 acres per man and youth over seventeen years of age. Native land planted and under cultivation = approximately 5 acres per man and youth over seventeen years of age.

Ownership of Land in Upolu.

Total number of acres, 275,000. Cultivatable land available for Natives = 80 per cent, of 186,500, or approximately 151,200 = 05 acres per head of population — 23 acres per man and youth over seventeen years of age. Native land planted and under cultivation = approximately 5 acres per man and youth over seventeen years of age.

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7. Burials and Cemeteries. 8. District and Village Agricultural Shows. 9. Observance of Special Days, such as King's Birthday, Anzac Day, and Flag Day. 10. Building Regulations, stipulating Site and Construction of Fales (Houses). 11. Sanitation. 12. Control of Pigs. 13. Making Roads. 14. Fines and Penalties for Violation of Village Laws. 15. Investment ol Village Funds. 16. Making of Copra. 17. Allocation of Land. 18. Duties of Native Officials : —Pulenu'u (Mayor), Pule Faato'aga (Plantation Inspector), Fa'amasino (Judge). 19. Construction and Care of Water-supplies. 20. Political Districts, to each of which one Faipule is appointed to represent the people in the Fono or Government Native Council. 21. Women's Committees for Child Welfare. 22. Lease of Land to Missions for Church or School Purposes. 23. Abolition of the Aitagi or Death Feasts. The Council of Faipules has most earnestly responded to the increased powers with which it has been vested—viz., to work with its president, the Administrator, in the making of Native regulations. The granting to the leaders of the Native race these new legislative powers in place of purely advisory functions which they hitherto were limited to has been a great step in advance, and has made itself felt for the good of the Natives in every village in Samoa. It is in this Council of Faipules, which meets twice annually, that the Administrator is able to bring his influence to bear on every district; to ascertain the views and needs of the Natives, and, in conjunction with their leaders, to discuss the best means of helping them. It has been made a policy that, when practicable, no amendments to the Samoa Act, or any local Ordinances affecting the welfare of the Natives, shall be passed unless and until the Faipules have thoroughly considered the same. In these matters they are very reasonable, and readily a'gree to legislation which is obviously for the good of the Samoan race, even if it involves some sacrifice. As an instance of this : it was considered desirable, in the interests of the Natives themselves, to prevent as far as possible the giving to them of credit by traders. To give this the force of law a local Ordinance was required. I had previously pointed out the evils of the credit system to the Faipules, who thoroughly discussed the matter and then conferred with their people, many of whom no doubt disagreed. All the Faipules, however, eventually concurred in the advisability of such a law, and it has been given effect to by an Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council. The Fono of Faipules now includes thirty-three members, but it is proposed to reduce this number to twenty-six. Each Faipule will then represent appioximately two thousand people. Visit of Faipules to New Zealand. The most important event of the past year Was the visit of six Faipules to New Zealand in December last. Not one of the party had previously been out of Samoa, so that this visit gave them their first contact with modern civilization, and was a revelation to them. From the reports which each rendered to me on his return, their tour of New Zealand has resulted in—(1) Increased confidence in the sincerity of the New Zealand Government to help the Samoan people ; (2) an everlasting gratitude to the New Zealand Government and the people of New Zealand for their kindness and hospitality; (3) admiration for what the New Zealand Government has done for the Maoris, for whom they now have a better appreciation and an affectionate regard ; (4) great surprise at the progress New Zealand has made by good Government and individual effort; (5) less respect for the communal system, particularly as regards land-development. It surprised me to read the numerous lessons learnt which the various Faipules had recorded in their reports, and desired to be applied to Samoa. lam confident that an immense amount of good will be derived from this visit, as well as the previously mentioned visit of the seven Faipules to Tonga in November. Control of Native Affairs. Experience has shown that the Administrator should personally deal with all important Native questions and devote much of his time to discussing matters with Faipules, chiefs, and deputations. I am fortunate in having a Secretary of Native Affairs who has resided for many years in Samoa, and who possesses the full confidence of the Natives. It is customary with the latter to refer their own affairs to the highest authority, and in most questions that they submit to the Native Department for decision they are more content if their Kovana (the Administrator) decides.

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The following diagram illustrates the existing Administration channels, which work very satisfactorily

III. CHINESE LABOUR.

The Chinese Labour Ordinance continues to work very smoothly, and the Department is well administered by its Commissioner, in whom the coolies appear to have the utmost confidence. For the slightest grievance, imaginary or otherwise, a coolie asks to be allowed to see the Commissioner, knowing that he will receive fair and just treatment. It cannot therefore be interpreted from the number of complaints mentioned in the Chinese departmental report that the Chinese labourers are discontented. On the other hand, lam assured by the Chinese Consul, the Hon. Mr. Lee, that they are more contented at the present time than they have ever previously been. Arrangements have been made for the repatriation of 120 coolies, and their replacement by approximately 270 from China, within the following three months. When this transaction has been carried out the number of Chinese labourers in Western Samoa will be approximately 900. A number of the labourers are a few months overdue for repatriation. This has been deliberately arranged by the Administration in order to minimize risk of sickness, to which these men would be liable if repatriated from this tropical climate to China during the cold season. Those concerned willingly accepted this decision, but asked if they could meanwhile come under the new terms of service approved in 1923, whereby the minimum wage is fixed at 3s. per diem and certain other pre-existing labour conditions are modified. Their request, which was approved, indicates approval of the labourers themselves of the new conditions as laid down in the Chinese Free Labour Ordinance, 1923. I have also received letters from employers of labour favourably commenting upon the smooth working of this Ordinance. These facts, together with the many applications to return to Samoa that are received from repatriated Chinese labourers, indicate that under existing conditions there will be no difficulty in obtaining all the labour from China that this Territory requires. IV. EUROPEAN LANDS. As will be seen from the diagram on page 10 the area of alienated land is approximately 20 per cent, of the total. This land was acquired from the Natives prior to the British occupation of this Territory. Of the total amount acquired only 16 per cent, had bien cultivated in 1914, and no fresh areas have been brought under cultivation since that time. The remaining 84 per cent, or 120,580 acres of bush land is available, and large areas of it are suitable for development into coconut, cacao, or coffee plantations. The conversion of bush land into plantations however is far more costly than it was at the time the existing large plantations were made (when labour was obtained both from Melanesian

* The four District Inspectors visit each village and all Native plantations once every three months to help and advise the Natives, and to report on agriculture, public works, health, village-improvement, &c. They also instruct the schools in agriculture. Their reports, which primarily deal with agriculture, are transmitted to the Secretary through the Agricultural Department. f Control of the Natives is carried out as far as possible through the Faipules, who are high chiefs and represent their respective districts in the Native Council.

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EUROPEAN LAND IN WESTERN SAMOA.

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Islands and China, under conditions which would not be tolerated to-day), although companies with capital could develop large coconut areas and obtain a good return on investments. By far the larger proportion of existing coconut areas have in the past been developed by companies, but this is not so with cacao plantations, which have been successfully developed more by individual private enterprise than by companies. This experience has shown that it is possible for enterprising individuals with small means to take up areas of bush land and convert them into good paying cacao plantations within a period of five or six years. The desire of the Government to help all sections of the community in Samoa —not only Samoans, but those of mixed nationality—to promote their own welfare by developing the land has been given effect to by reserving an area of 1,200 acres of Crown lands suitable for division into 50-acre blocks for cultivation of cacao. It is intended that this area should specially benefit locally-born young men, whose opportunities in this Territory for taking up vocations other than agriculture are very limited. When this area has been all occupied, further allocations for a similar purpose will be made if required. The existing land policy aims at —(1) Encouraging companies to take up large areas of Crown lands for cultivation of coconut plantations; (2) lease at normal rental of suitable areas of Crown lands to private individuals for cacao plantations ; (3) encouraging the Natives to agree to divide up their lands to individual Native taxpayers, a policy which would lead to greater production. It is considered that both private planters and Natives should be able to grow small areas of cotton, peanuts, and many other payable products for export; furthermore, when direct steamer communication between Samoa and New Zealand is established a fruit trade could be built up which would benefit both planters and Natives, particularly those resident on the north coast of Upolu. The Crown Estates which are included in the areas shown on the diagram on page 10 as " alienated lands" may be considered under three heads: (1) Four plantations — three being coconut plantations and one partly coconut and partly cacao —including an area of bush land adjoining and forming part of each; (2) cacao plantations ; (3) areas of undeveloped bush land; (4) rubber plantation. The four plantations under (1) are still being administered by the New Zealand Government, and are managed by a Board of Control, over which the Administrator presides. They are giving good returns, and the Government can continue to run them with profit. They are, however, being offered for lease in an endeavour to free the Administration from carrying on a big trading enterprise, and there is reason to hope that increased development will result from the encouragement of private enterprise. The cacao plantations (2) have all been leased, and the Director of Agriculture, who inspects them, reports that the planters have had a prosperous year, and that their plantations are in good order. Those undeveloped areas of bush land under (3) bring in no revenue, and it will be many years before they can be brought under cultivation by purely local enterprise. Small areas of these lands have been allocated to the Natives, where required, for food plantations. The rubber plantations (4) have all been abandoned for some years owing to the low market value of rubber. V. COTTON CULTIVATION. As explained in the departmental report of the Director of Agriculture, the experiments carried out last, year prove that a high-grade cotton can be grown here. Owing to the fact that its cultivation will necessarily have to be almost entirely in the hands of the Natives, early successful results cannot be anticipated. Only by education and persuasion of the Natives, and constant supervision of plantations, will this industry be successfully developed in Samoa, but I am confident of ultimate success. In addition to distributing cotton-seed to Native villages, this year a number of schools are establishing small cotton plantations. Arrangements have also been made for a prison plantation, where the prisoners, in addition to growing their own food, will cultivate several acres of cotton. VI. PUBLIC WORKS. Although no conspicuously big work has been done by this Department during the past year, it has been very actively engaged in maintenance and in making a number of new improvements in sanitation, main-road construction, Native water-supplies, and extension of sea-wall in Apia. The programme outlined for this Department during the coming year includes the following :— (1.) Extend the metalled and tar-sealed portion of the main Mulifanua Road as far as Malua. (2.) Continue the construction of the sea-wall in Apia, rebuilding the Tivoli Wharf at the same time. (3.) Provide concrete water-tanks and piped-line water-supplies for a number of Native villages, especially in Savai'i. (4.) Extend the Apia water-supply to several villages in the suburbs. (5.) Rebuild bridges at Letogo, Magia Ford, Fusi, and Falelatai. (6.) Reconstruct the lower leading harbour light, and establish a new light on Apoliina. (7.) Construct a technical-school building at Malifa. VII. PROPOSED MUNICIPALITY FOR APIA. During the past year the Administration prepared plans for the establishing of the Municipality for Apia as desired by the citizens in their petition to the New Zealand Government in 1920.

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VIII. ADMINISTRATION. I wish to again place on record the valuable services rendered by the staff of officials of the Samoan Administration, who greatly appreciate the fact that their services were recognized by the New Zealand Parliament during its last session. The provision then made that public servants in this Administration may become contributors to the New Zealand Public Service Superannuation Fund will materially help to make a contented and efficient Public Service in Samoa, without which good administration is impossible. IX. LEGISLATION. The following legislation concerning this Territory was passed during the year ended 31st March, 1925 : — In New Zealand— The Samoa Immigration Consolidation Order, 1924. The Samoa Pharmacy Order, 1924. The Samoa Land Registration Amendment Order, 1924. The Samoa Treasury Regulations, 1924. The Samoa Free Masons' Trustees Order, 1924. The Rules of the High Court of Western Samoa Consolidation Order, 1924. The Samoa Crown Estates Amendment Order, 1924. The Samoa Public Trust Office Amendment Order, 1924. The Samoa Expedition Order, 1924. The Samoa Native Lands and Titles Commission Order, 1924. In Samoa— No. 1. —The Native Trade Debts Ordinance, 1925. No. 2.—The Overseas Passengers' Landing Deposits Ordinance, 1925. Copies of the several Orders and Ordinances have been forwarded to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, and to each member of the permanent Mandates Commission. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. NATIVE AFFAIRS. Only one meeting of the Native Council (Fono of Faipules) was held during the year under review. At this meeting a number of important Native regulations were introduced on the initiative of the Faipules themselves. Some of these regulations should have the effect of a great reform on the life of the Natives, and enhance their material welfare. The following is a precis of Native regulations submitted to New Zealand for approval by His Excellency the Governor-General by Order in Council:— 1. Establishment and Functions of Native Councils in each District. 2. Appointment and Functions of Village Committees. 3. Cleaning of Villages. 4. Sanitary Regulations. 5. Provision of Water-supplies. 6. Keeping of Animals. 7. Restrictions regarding Large Assemblies of Natives. 8. Construction and Maintenance of Roads. 9. Custody and Investment of Village Funds. 10. Allocation of Land, Improvement of Plantations, and increasing Production. 11. Abolition of Feasts on the occasion of a Death. 12. Treatment of Diseases. 13. Reservation of Land for Church Purposes. The official visits of two parties of Faipules to Tonga and New Zealand respectively at the end of last year have already produced good results. Those Faipules who went to Tonga are urging the Natives to agree to allocation of land to individuals, as in Tonga, while those Faipules who visited New Zealand have already commenced to apply the lessons they learnt in the Dominion by getting their District Councils to make by-laws which should have the effect of improving the social and material welfare of the people in their districts. The work of the Native Department has been very heavy during the past year because of the increased activities in all matters concerning Native development, but it is satisfactory to report that the Natives now co-operate more freely with the Administration. They appear to realize that the Government is working in their interest, that there is a definite policy which has for its object the betterment of the Samoan race, and with few exceptions the efforts of the Administration on their behalf are appreciated.

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Native Officials in the Service on 31st March, 1925. Upolu. Savai'i. Total. 1. Fautua .. .. .. .. .. 2 . . 2 2. Faipule .. .. .. .. .. ..18 14 32 3. Pule Faato'aga .. .. .. .. ..10 7 17 4. Komisi .. .. .. .. .. 8 6 14 5. Fa'amasino .. .. .. .. .. 15 14 29 6. Pulenu'u .. .. .. .. .. ..92 56 148 7. Failautusi .. .. .. . . .. 17 14 31 8. Leoleo .. .. .. .. .. .. 34 23 57 196 134 330

Cases dealt with by the High Court (Native Department).

HEALTH DEPARTMENT. General Survey of the Work of the Year. The arrangement made at the beginning of 1923 whereby, at the request of the Natives, a yearly medical charge of £1 per adult male was imposed, and free treatment of all Natives instituted, has proved a marked success. The Natives recognize the value of the new system, and make full use of the opportunities for treatment available. In addition it has enabled the Administration to carry out systematic campaigns against yaws and hookworm with satisfactory results. The training of boys and girls at the hospital for work in dispensaries and outlying districts has so far proved a success, but it is at times difficult to obtain suitable ones for training. This difficulty will probably grow less as the effects of the present educational system manifest themselves. By arrangement with the Education Department, classes for the Native cadets and nurses are held at the hospital in order to improve their education and so make them better fit to absorb their medical training. Public Health. The previous year was marred by an epidemic of bacillary dysentery, but this year has been the most satisfactory one experienced for many years. The Territory was singularly free from serious illness or even minor epidemics. The figures given in the table of attendances at the hospitals and dispensaries throughout the Territory do not indicate any increase in sickness. The Natives freely avail themselves of the facilities offered for treatment, and report for very minor complaints.

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Total j. Referred to Numberof I Land and Titles) Adjourned. Cases. j i Commission. ] j | I Upolu. Land disputes .. .. . . .. I 25 5 10 10 Title disputes .. .. .. .. j 16 6 3 7 Enforcements of judgments .. .. .. 1 108 91 .. 17 Civil claims .. .. .. .. 45 36 .. 9 Insult .. .. .. .. 11 10 .. 1 Contempt of Court .. .. .. .. 9 9 Appeal .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 Wandering pigs .. .. .. .. 15 13 .. 2 Failure to pay poll-taxes .. . . .. j 204 147 .. 57 Failure to pay medical donations .. .. 187 150 .. 37 Assault .. .. .. .. .. ] 4 4 Unpaid dog-taxes .. .. .. .. 69 52 .. 17 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. j 101 84 .. 17 Totals .. .. .. .. 795 608 13 174 Savai'i. Theft .. .. .. .. .. 3 2 .. 1 Breach of section 29 of Police Offences Ordinance, 2 2 1922 Furiously riding on horses .. .. .. 1 1 1 Weighing undried copra .. .. .. 2 2 Trespass .. .. .. .. .. 3 2 .. 1 False entry of beetle returns .. .. .. 1 1 Defamatory libel and provoking a breach of peace 1 .. . . 1 Forgery .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 Civil cases (claims) .. .. .. .. 17 15 .. 2 Totals .. .. .. .. 31 26 .. 5

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Infectious Diseases. The return given does not include all cases of infectious diseases occurring in the Territory, but only those which have been reported by European Medical Officers. Enteric fever .. 28 Leprosy . 5 Tuberculosis —pulmonary .. 42 Puerperal fever .. .. 2 Pneumonia —lobar .. 37 Chicken-pox .. 5 Pneumonia—broncho .. 2.9 Mumps .. .. 4 Measles .. .. 2 Tetanus .. 3 Dysentery .. .. 8 Gonorrhoea .. 8 Influenza .. 16 Erysipelas .. .. 1 Note. —Of the twenty-eight cases reported as enteric fever, in only eight was the diagnosis confirmed by bacteriological or serological investigation. Of the forty-two cases of pulmonary tuberculosis reported, the vast majority are cases diagnosed clinically. Ankylostomiasis.—During 1923, as reported in last annual report, slightly over eighteen thousand Natives were treated for hookworm. Treatment was then discontinued, as the pressure on the Department for treatment of yaws made it impossible to carry out both campaigns with the staff available. During 1924 fresh supplies of drugs were purchased from the International Health Board (Rockefeller Foundation), and treatment was recommenced in November. During the remaining five months of the year 16,205 Natives were treated. Yaws (Frambcesia tropica). —In April, 1923, as a result of the Natives agreeing to a medical tax of £1 per adult male, free medical treatment was instituted, and steps were immediately taken to organize a systematic campaign against this disease. Although a considerable amount of work had been done before that date, systematic work was impossible, as most of the Natives were not prepared to pay the charges made for treatment. This preliminary work was of value in disseminating amongst the population a knowledge of the —to them — miraculous results obtained from injections of novarsenobillon. It was found impossible to cover the whole Territory in the year, but in those districts attended to 32,366 injections were given. This year the whole area was covered and 21,222 injections given. The figures are more instructive when given in a different way. The " first round " —that is, the treatment of the whole Territory for the first time—resulted in 36,304 injections being given, covering a period of fifteen months. The figure for the " second round " was 17,284. During the first round numbers of small children with primary and commencing secondary lesions were not offered for treatment, but during the year under review such children were offered much more freely. Such an impression was made on the Natives by the results of treatment that the Fono of Faipules, or Native advisory body, agreed to the introduction of stringent regulations for the control of this disease, and these regulations have now been passed by Order in Council in New Zealand, and will be enforced during the coming year. Filariasis. —The Research Expedition of |the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, under Dr. P. A. Buxton, continued its work during the year. Leprosy. —During the year seven lepers were transferred from Samoa to the Leper Asylum on the Island of Makogai, in Fiji. These consisted of four Samoans, one half-caste French-Samoan, and two Chinese labourers, all males. Two lepers, both male Samoans, died at Makogai during the year. The number of lepers from Samoa under treatment at Makogai at the end of the year under review was —Samoans, five males, one female ; half-castes, two males, one female ; Chinese, five males ; Rarotongans, one male : total, thirteen males, two females. In addition to the above, five lepers (one male and two female Samoans and two male Melanesians) are isolated in Western Samoa pending transfer to Fiji after the hurricane season has passed. Whilst awaiting transfer these lepers are under treament. Quarantine. During the year eighty-nine visits of inspection were made to vessels arriving from overseas, and in one instance, owing to the prevalence of infantile paralysis in New Zealand, and to the fact that the steamer was only eight days out from that country, quarantine was imposed. This is only the third occasion on which it has been found necessary to refuse pratique since January, 1921. Food and Drugs. The New Zealand Food and Drugs Act, with the regulations made thereunder, is in force in the Territory. During the year the following foodstuffs were condemned : Meat in kegs, 4,440 lb. ; canned meats, 2,629 lb.; canned fish, 4,480 lb.; canned fruits, 80 lb.; bacon and ham, 427 lb. ; potatoes, 1,980 lb.; butter, 56 lb.; biscuits, 120 lb. Native Sanitation. Work on native sanitation has been continued during the year, and there are now numbers of latrines in most of the villages. At present the pit privy is the chief type of latrine installed, but in the coast villages many drop latrines have been built out over the sea. These are at present rather unsightly structures, but are evidence of a distinct advance on the part of the Natives. Gradually these will be replaced by more permanent, less unsightly buildings. Where water-supplies are beinginstalled in Native villages it is hoped in time to introduce water-carriage systems. Native regulations will shortly be published bearing on buildings, latrines, rubbish-collection, water-supplies, keeping of animals, and gatherings in villages.

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European Sanitation. The following table shows the advance in European sanitation since 1922. The number of septic tanks in use prior to that year was 31. Number. Septic tanks installed since Ist January, ] 922 .. .. .. .. 40 Houses in which drainage and other sanitary improvements have been installed 92 Feet of drainage laid .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,347 Water-closets connected with the 40 septic tanks mentioned above .. 109 Sinks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 90 Baths .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 Shower-baths (chiefly in Native villages in the vicinity of Apia) .. .. 331 Hand-basins .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31 Wash-tubs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 Plumbing and drainage permits issued for the twelve months ending 31st 72 March, 1925 W ATER-SUPPLIES. See Report of the Public Works Department. Child Welfare. The returns given under " Vital Statistics " show clearly where the chief wastage of life occurs in Samoa. This year's returns are the most satisfactory for many years, and yet the infant-mortality rate stands at 155 per thousand births. Although no definite statistical figures are available, it has been estimated that the infant-mortality rate for past years has been in the vicinity of 200 per thousand births. That child-welfare work was a necessary branch of medical activity in Western Samoa has been recognized since the Territory came under mandate, but systematic work of this nature had to wait until other work had been accomplished. The two greatest causes of ill health in Samoa were hookworm and frambcesia. Practically every Samoan harboured hookworms, and every child, with very few exceptions, contracted frambcesia in the first two years of life. Mothers suffering from hookworm were in many cases unable to give their infants proper sustenance, and the best child-welfare work that could be carried out for young children was to treat them for framboesia. Work on these two diseases has been carried out during the last two years, and now that they are not such factors in producing ill health the work of child welfare is being undertaken on systematic lines. Work carried out voluntarily during the last six months by Dr. Roberts, the wife of the American Vice-Consul, in a small district in the vicinity of Apia, has shown that much can be accomplished in the saving of child life, but that the work will necessarily be slow. Even in more advanced communities such is theTcase. Vital Statistics (Samoan). The year under review has been an exceptionally satisfactory one. The number of live births (1,900) constitutes a record for Western Samoa, and the number of deaths (766), although not a record, is well below the average. The marked absence of serious sickness and even minor epidemics, the provision of dispensaries in outlying districts, and the campaigns against hookworm and yaws, are all factors in helping to bring about the present position. The reduction in the number of adults due to the influenza epidemic of 1918, and the increase in the percentage of children in the community, tends to an increase in the death-rate, but it is hoped that the child-welfare campaign to be commenced during the coming year will gradually produce the opposite effect. Population. The Native population of Western Samoa at the census of 17th April, 1921, was 32,601. By the 31st December, 1923, the population had increased to 33,800. During 1924 the natural increase amounted to 1,134, but, as there was a loss of 117 by excess of emigration over immigration, the net increase was 1,017. The population at 31st December, 1924, was therefore estimated to be 34,817. The average population has been calculated as 34,309. All estimates of population in this report, and rates calculated from these estimates, are based on the census taken in 1921. Arrangements are now being made to ensure that the census to be taken during the coming year will be a reliable one, experience having shown where errors are likely to occur in the filling-up of the census forms in the villages. Native Population, Western Samoa. Males. Females. Total. Estimated population on 31st December, 1923.. 17,157 16,643 33,800 Live births during 1924 .. .. .. 964 936 1,900 Deaths .. .. .. .. .. 412 354 766 Excess of departures over arrivals .. .. 56 61 117 Estimated population on 31st December, 1924.. 17,653 17,164 34,817 Net increase .. .. .. .. 496 521 '1,017 Births. The births of 1,900 living children were registered during the year, compared with 1,701 in 1923 and 1,622 in 1922. This number of births is a record for Western Samoa, the next highest figures

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being 1,792 in 1912 with an estimated population of 34,239, and 1,701 in 1923. It is interesting to note that the large number of births in 1912 followed epidemics of dysentery and measles in 1911, in which year there were 1,827 deaths, and the record number in 1924 followed an epidemic of dysentery in 1923, with 1,398 deaths. The birth-rate for 1924 was 55-38 per thousand of mean population : the rates for 1922 and 1923 being respectively 48-52 and 50-49 per thousand. (Note : Still-births, of which 32 were registered during the year, are not included either as births or as deaths in the various numbers and rates given in this report.) Births of Samoans, Western Samoa, 1924. Males. Females. Total. Upolu .. .. .. .. ..645 616 1,261 Savai'i .. .. .. .. .. 319 320 639 Totals, Western Samoa .. .. 964 936 1,900 Deaths. The number of deaths registered during 1924 was 766, as compared with 1,398 in 1923 and 899 in 1922. Last year's figures were abnormally high, owing to an epidemic of dysentery (bacillary). This year the number of deaths is considerably below the average. With a birth-rate of 55-38 per thousand it was to be expected that there would be an increase in the number of children dying in the first year of life. That such did not happen is shown by the infant-mortality rate being only 155 per thousand births, a figure considerably below the average, and one which compares favourably with many more advanced communities. Since the chief loss of life in Western Samoa occurs between the ages of six months and two years, it is anticipated that the coming year will not be as satisfactory as this one, but steps are being taken to reduce the wastage at this period of life. This is referred to more fully under " Child Welfare." The death-rate was 22-29 per thousand of mean population.

Hospital Statistics for Period 1st April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925.

Nationallty. Chinese and Europeans. Samoans. Melanesian Labourers. In hospital, Ist April, 1924 .. .. . . 5 35 12 Admitted during year .. .. .. . . 130 773 277 Discharged during year .. .. .. .. 122 761 263 Died in hospital .. .. .. . . .. 4 32 8 Remaining in hospital on 31st March, 1925 .. .. 9 15 8 EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. Education problems in connection with Natives have certain common principles. The education of the Native must be such as to fit him to play his part in his own life and in developing the resources of his country, and all Native educational systems must be tested in that way. Education must aim at developing the character and natural abilities of the pupil. The education policy of Samoa aims at the making of good citizens inspired with a love for their country and a determination to work for its advancement. With this object in view a Board of Education, which acts in an advisory capacity, has been set up, consisting of representatives of the missionary bodies (London Missionary Society, Methodist Mission, Roman Catholic Mission, and Latter-Day Saints Mission), the Secretary for Native Affairs, the Superintendent of Schools, and a representative of the Samoan race. The various schools concerned in the general education of the Natives have been classified as follows : —

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Hospitals. Dispensaries. |.2 ® _• fl . —5 i J § . « — % 12 ig •- S'«2 Si« 5 ci «-g « « eg A I •£ •£ s5 ~ s •s I « *S *3 2, at) z -3 «i= .a g P 5 5* r s ~2 3 C« ce « S3 03 £ o In hospital, 1st April, 1924 .. 47 3 2 .. .. .. .. .. .. 52 Admitted during year .. 941 72 166 36 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,215 Discharged during year .. 922 70 159 38 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,189 Died in hospital .. .. 34 5 5 .. .... .. .. .. . . 44 Remaining in hospital on 31st 30 2 .. j . . .. .. . . 32 March, 1925 Outpatient attendances, includ- 24,489 6,828 10,353 1,363 4,758 3,777 2,513 4,034 3,583 1,186 28063,164 ing dressings Treatment for hookworm .. 87 1,816 4,770 736 1,656 .. .. .. .. .. 7,491 16,559 Treatment for yaws (injections 5,843 2,589 4,017 39 2,123 i .. .. .. .. 6,61121,222 of N.A.B.) Operations— Major .. .. .. 170 3 17 .. j .. [ .. .. . . 190 Minor .. .. .. 215 68 157 2 110 .. .. i .. .. 550 Visits paid during period to 784 107 73 134 22 15j 15 233 134 101 .. 1,330 patients in their homes

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Grade I—Missions Pastor Schools.—These are under the sole control of the missions. All children from five to ten years of age attend these schools, and the instruction given is in Samoan. Grade 11 —Mission Schools.-—These schools are gradually being established in each district by the missions. At the close of the past year twenty-five such schools had been established, viz.-—London Missionary Society, eighteen ; Methodist Mission, six ; Latter-Day Saints, one. These schools are in charge of Samoan teachers selected by the missions but paid by the Administration. A common syllabus drawn up with the. advice of the Board of Education is followed, in which English is a subject. In the Grade II schools the Samoan child qualifies for his proficiency certificate, and from these schools the scholarship boys who proceed to Grade 111 schools are selected. Grade lll—Government Schools: Malifa (Upolu) and Vaipouli (Savai'i). —These schools are under the direct control of the Administration, and are taught by white teachers with the assistance of Native teachers. The teaching is in English only, and higher education is provided for. Technical instruction is given in plumbing, carpentry and boat-building, wireless, and engineering. Before the Samoan teachers are sent out to the Grade II schools they undergo a course of training at Malifa (Government Grade 111 school), and refresher courses are also held from time to time. During these courses instruction is given in school method, English, agriculture, carpentry, drill, games, work-books, registers, &c. The Medical Department also co-operate in the matter of arranging lectures by Medical Officers on the simple and common ailments found amongst children in Samoa. In addition the Administration's travelling teacher has paid periodical visits to the Grade II schools, and advised and assisted the Samoan teachers in the schools themselves. Government Schools. Malifa and Vaipouli Schools. —These two district schools have done excellent work throughout the year. Inspections have been made periodically by the Superintendent of Schools, and the Chief Inspector for the Education Department, New Zealand, has also visited the schools. The plantations attached to the schools have supplied sufficient food for the boys throughout the year. Sport in the form of football, cricket, and athletics generally has entered largely into the programme of the schools. Avele Agricultural School. —This school was referred to in last year's report as having then just recently been established for the purpose of affording Samoan youths an opportunity of receiving instruction in agriculture. Before boys enter Malifa and Vaipouli Grade 111 schools they are required to undergo a course of training at Avele. In consequence of the heavy work devolving on the pupils in laying out the school-site and in establishing food plantations, very little experimental work beyond cotton-cultivation could be attempted by them during the year, but now that the initial difficulties have been overcome more time should be available in future for this important feature of the school's work. Ifii Ifi School (for Europeans).—This school, staffed by Europeans, has made good progress during the year. Besides preparing pupils for the New Zealand Proficiency Examination, extra classes have been held in the afternoon for the purpose of assisting ambitious pupils for the examinations for the Public Service Entrance. Examinations. Examinations of the University of New Zealand, the Postal Department of New Zealand, and Accountancy Examinations of Australia were conducted by the Superintendent of Schools during the year. The examination for the New Zealand Proficiency Certificate was conducted during the year with the following results Candidates. Passed. Ifi Ifi School .. .. .. .. .. 10 7 Malifa School .. .. .. .. .. 4 3 14 10

Roll Numbers and Average Attendance at Government Schools during the Year ended 31st March, 1925.

3—A. 4.

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Ifl Ifi. Malifa (Sen.). Malifa (Jun.). Vaipouli. Avele. Total. Date. — , Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. only Boys. | Girls. Roll Numbers. 30th June, 1924 .. 109 105 93 15 125 I 46 90 48 465 166 631 30th September, 1924 .. 109 104 89 12 *101 j 42 77 57 433 i 158 591 31st December, 1924 .. 95 103 87 12 73 I 27 72 54 381 j 142 523 31st March, 1925 .. 89 108 I 94 14 114 I 52 72 43 412 j 174 586 Average Attendance. , 30th June, 1924 .. 91-7 91-5 j 92-9 .. 132-5 81 43-2 .. .. 532-8 30th September, 1924 .. 97-9 90-1 | 81-7 11-7 92-7 38-1 75 46-7 I .. .. 533-9 3lst December, 1924 .. 81-2 89-3 76-2 9-9 68-7 26-9 70 49-9 .. .. 472-1 31st March, 1925 .. 75-7 91-3! 77-4 11-9 102-6 46-8 70 37-9 .. .. 513-6 I ! 1 Although the Grade III (Government) School for Upolu is at Malifa, it is held there in conjunction with a school for Native boys and girls of certain villages in the vicinity of Apia which is conducted by the Administration in accordance with arrangements made with those villages by the former German Government. This explains why, although the Grade III schools (Malifa and Vaipouli) are for boys only, both boys and girls are shown as attending Malifa School. Girls do not attend the Grade III section of that school, however.

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JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. Staff. This is the same in number and personnel as last year, and has been able to cope efficiently with a somewhat increased volume of work. Administration of Justice. There has been an increase of 269 in the number of civil cases, owing probably to action being held over from last year. Criminal cases have decreased by ninety-six, and cases of serious premeditated crime continue rare. No sitting of the Samoan Land and Titles Commission has been found necessary during the year, the number of cases requiring settlement not having warranted a session. This is regarded as showing a satisfactory disposition among the Natives to settle their land disputes between themselves. Crown Law Work. Three local Ordinances have been drafted by the Department and have become law. The Native Trade Debts Ordinance, by placing further restrictions on the recovery of debts from native Samoans, should materially reduce the number of civil claims to be dealt with by the Court, and should be reflected, though not immediately, in future returns. Ten Orders in Council have been made by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of section 45 of the Samoa Act, of which five are amending or consolidating orders. The Crown Solicitor has been very fully employed in advising and drafting for the different Departments and appearing as Crown Solicitor and Crown Prosecutor. Land Registration, etc. The returns attached show an increase in the number of land transactions to 153, as against ninety last year. One local company has been incorporated and registered here, and one foreign company^registered. Twenty-three instruments under the Chattels Transfer Act have been registered, and 209 'marriages recorded. Fifteen probates and other authorities to administer estates have been taken out. One bankruptcy petition has been filed. General, A valuable addition to the Law Library in the form of a complete set of Law Journal Reports has been made. The staff has been fully occupied throughout the year. The estimated revenue has been exceeded. High Court of Western Samoa at Apia. Annual Return of Criminal Cases for the Year Ist April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. Sitting-days .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ 132 Persons charged . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 646 Convictions recorded .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 574 Dismissed on merits]] .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 Withdrawn by leave of 4 Court .. .. .. .. .. .. 53 Annual Return of Civil Cases for the Year Ist April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. Sitting-days .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. ]02 Actions filed .. .. ~ .. .. .. .. . 753 Actions heard .. .. .. .. .. .. 539 Judgments given .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ 520 Withdrawn or struck out .. .. .. .. .. 81 Return of Documents registered for the Year Ist April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. Conveyances .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 40 Mortgages .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 31 Releases .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. 19 Leases .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 17 Crown grants including Crown leases ~ .. .. .. .. 14 Miscellaneous .. .. .. ~ ~ .. .. 32 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 153 1 AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Copra. An analysis of the figures showing output of our chief product last year in conjunction with those for preceding years affords ground for very considerable satisfaction, inasmuch as the average of production has not only been markedly increased, but, for the first time in the records of this industry in Samoa, the feature of consistency and stability in output has been attained. Hitherto, as the following table shows, an abnormally large output for any one year has been invariably followed by disappointing returns, and that apparently irrespective of market conditions or the natural harvest

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from the palms. Now we have the encouraging contrast with former results that for three consecutive years an output representing the maximum of achievement or thereabouts in production has been maintained without the assistance of high market values. Export of Copra. Tons. For year 1924 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,202 1923 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,484 1922 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16,956 1921 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,428 1920 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,474 1919 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16,356 1918 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,370 Average per annum since 1914 .. .. .. .. .. 10,925 „ last three years .. .. .. .. .. 14,547 , preceding triennial period .. .. .. 10,420 The quality of the copra shipped during the year has been well maintained, but it is only through continual vigilance on the part of the Department's Inspectors that this result has been achieved. The number of convictions secured against traders for purchasing defective copra is a sufficient indication that any relaxation in this regard would quickly be followed by a reversion to the former unsatisfactory quality of the product. L .... Cacao. The output of cacao for 1924 shows a very considerable improvement compared with previous years, the amounts exported being as follows : Year 1919, 820 tons ; 1920, 785 tons ; 1921, 750 tons ; 1922, 765 tons; 1923, 221 tonsj 1924, 1,016 tons. Several factors contributed towards this eminently satisfactory result, by which our cacao planters have experienced a more profitable time than has fallen to their lot for a number of years. In the first place the weather throughout the year was particularly favourable for this crop, and there was a complete absence of any serious outbreak of disease. Further, in the earlier part of the year there was a recovery in market prices from the depressed conditions operating over the previous twelve months, and the course of prices has been steadily maintained. The remarkable improvement displayed on the London market appears to have been due partly to the firmer attitude of West African shippers, and partly to the extraordinary absorption of stocks compared with the heavy holdings of 1923. The year closed with prices firm, and the immediate general outlook for our planters appears to be very favourable. Careful attention has been given to the quality of cacao produced, and as a consequence of close inspection, along with the modified system of grading which came into operation in 1923, a material improvement has been obtained, and our planters are now taking more care in the preparation of the beans than formerly. Cotton. In last year's report it was stated that an attempt would be made to reintroduce the cultivation of cotton in Samoa. Many years ago cotton was successfully grown here, and although the quality was undoubtedly equal to that produced elsewhere at the time, the competition from other countries where cheaper labour was available, coupled with low prices, forced the abandonment of this cultivation. Our present effort at reintroduction of cotton-cultivation, however, is confined to inducing the Natives to undertake this themselves for their own benefit, so that the cost of labour should not be a factor in the present movement. A small supply of seed was obtained from Queensland for experimental purposes, and this was distributed to the Faipules of the several districts where it was thought conditions were most suitable to its cultivation. Very satisfactory results were obtained where sufficient care and attention was given to the cultivation of the cotton. As to the quality of the cotton produced, the British Cotton-growing Association, Manchester, reported as follows : " Value, 17-50 d.; classification, fairly clean ; good colour ; staple full 1| in.; very strong, inclined to be harsh. At the present time (13/2/25) this class of cotton is worth 4d. or sd. ' on ' the price of American futures, so that with futures at 13d. this cotton would be worth 17|d." Every encouragement is being given to the Samoans to stimulate their interest in the new cultivation. A further 2 tons of seed has been obtained from Queensland, and has been distributed amongst the various districts, and the Inspectors of the Agricultural Department have been directed to, wherever possible, personally supervise the planting of the seed and to advise the Natives in the matter of proper cultivation. Plant Diseases and Pests. Rhinoceros-beetle (Oryctes nasicornis). —The position generally as regards this pest is increasingly satisfactory, the results of the campaign waged during the past few years becoming more and more evident with the passing of time. It is apparent from the Inspectors' reports that the beetles are more difficult to find, and requests to reduce the weekly quota required from all able-bodied male Samoans are frequently received. The quota is modified according to circumstances. Canker (Phytophthora faberi). —This most serious disease to the cacao-tree has been less in evidence during the past twelve months than for a number of years. Years ago canker devastated whole

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cultivations devoted to cacao, but with the introduction of the Forastero type and the consequent hybridization with the original Criollo type a much hardier type of cacao-tree has been produced which is largely immune from the attacks of this disease. Black-pod disease —canker of the pod—has, however, been more prevalent on some plantations due to overshading. In these cases the excision of much of the shade trees and judicious pruning of the cacao as a necessary means of treatment has been recommended. Pink Disease (Croticum javanicum).—Quite an unusual amount of this disease was seen in the earlier part of the year. Although not fatal as a rule in the earlier stages, the disease becomes a menace if allowed to spread, and this fact has been brought to the notice of those planters on whose cultivations the disease is spreading. Flying-fox (Pteropus sp.).—As a result of the campaign which extended from the Ist January to the 30th June, 1924, a total of 3,709 flying-foxes was killed in Upolu and Savai'i. On the whole this most troublesome pest has not been so much in evidence of late months, its appearance in the plantations being largely confined to those periods when its natural food in the bush is scarce. Breadfruit-plants exported to New Guinea. At the request of the New Guinea Department of Agriculture a consignment of twenty breadfruittrees, comprising eight different varieties, was forwarded to Rabaul. Notification has been received from the Director of Agriculture there that the cuttings arrived in excellent condition.

Beetles collected on Native and European Plantations.

CUSTOMS AND MARINE DEPARTMENT. The trade year just closed lias been a decided advance on the previous year, and nearly equals the years 1921 and 1922. The total trade increase over 1923 amounted to £78,566. The figures for the past four years are as follows : — imports. Exports. Total Trade. £ £ £ 1921 .. .. .. .. 408,892 241.539 650,431 1922 .. .. .. .. 282,939 365,610 648,549 1923 .. .. .. .. 268,881 288,774 557,655 1924 .. .. .. .. 274,803 361,418 636,221 Revenue. The total moneys collected by the Department during the year amounted to £73,606, as compared with £68,450 for the previous year. Import duties show an increase of £1,067 as compared with 1923. Export duties have increased £3,323 over the same period. Shipping fees show a slight increase. Taxes show a decrease of £586, but " Miscellaneous " shows an increase of £1,512. The receipts under the principal headings, also figures for the previous year, are as follows

20

Native. J European. Beetles. Larvae. Eggs. Beetles, j Larvse. Eggs. Upolu .. .. .. 84,008 2,560.993 308,730 16,792 227,581 31,513 Savai'i .. .. .. j 71,234 1,840,785 246,148 2,063 15,738 j 4,014

1923-24. 1924-25. Decrease. Increase. £ £ £ £ Import duties .. .. .. 41,948 43,015 .. 1,067 i Export duties — Cocoa .. .. .. •• •• 954 1,790 .. 836 Copra 10,731 13,218 .. 2,487 11,685 15,008 .. 3,323 Shipping fees .. .. •• •• 2,195 2,268 .. 73 Lease of sheds and lighters .. .. .. 1,029 796 233 Taxes .. 9,495 8,909 586 Miscellaneous, including sale of medicinal liquor 2,098 3,610 .. 1,512 68,450 73,606 819 5,975 819 f Increase (net) .. .. ..... .. .. 5,156

A—4.

Statistics. The statistics dealing with the trade, commerce, and shipping of the Port of Apia for the calendar year 1924 have been published. The total trade for the year amounted to £636,221, as compared with £557,655 for 1923, an increase of £78,566. Exports exceeded imports by £86,615. Imports. The total value of the imports was £274,803, in comparison with £268,881 for 1923, an increase of £5,922. The following shows the countries whence imported, and a comparison for the two years : —

The principal items which call for comment in the imports are : Drapery shows a net decrease of £2,917. Benzine and gasoline show a decline of £6,431. Meats in tins and kegs show a large increase of £9,006, and sugar Timber shows a decrease from the United States of £2,205, and an increase from New Zealand of £1,070. Exports. The exports for 1924 show an increase of £72,644, the figures being £361,418 for 1924 as compared with £288,774 for 1923. Cocoa: During the tradejyearj,the export of cacao-beans was 1,016 tons, valued at £57,958, for 1924, as compared with 221 tons, valued at £12,787, for the previous year. Copra : The copra export was 13,202 tons, valued at £284,272, as compared with 13,484 tons, valued at £269,995, for 1923. Although the quantity shipped was slightly less than in the previous year, yet a better market existing in the United Kingdom and Europe more than compensated for the decrease in quantity, by the higher rates obtained. Re-exports. The re-exports in 1924 were much greater than in the previous year, amounting to £17,366, as compared with £4,932 in 1923 ; but this is accounted for by two items—namely, specie, value, £8,700, and moving-picture apparatus, £4,000. Harbour Section. Return of inward and outward shipping for the Port of Apia during the year will be found appended. Beacons and Lights.—A. new concrete tower has been built on East Reef, and the light on order for this beacon will be delivered in four months. A concrete tower on Apolima Island has been completed, and an Aga light will be placed in position there during April. Saluafata Harbour was surveyed by H.M.S. "Laburnum," and a considerable amount of blasting has been carried out in the harbour and passages around Upolu. The existing lights are in good order and condition The buoys and moorings in the harbour have been lifted, cleaned, and relaid. S.s. " Lady Roberts." —The ship conveyed lepers to Makogai, and was slipped and cleaned at Suva. She has been kept fully employed on the Pago Pago run and various charters, towing, and lifting and relaying moorings. She is in good condition, and has proved a very economical vessel to run. Maintenance. —All floating plant has been thoroughly reconditioned and is in good order ; all surplus boats have been disposed of. Buildings in use by the Harbour Department have been kept in order, and strict check kept on all stores to avoid wastage. Staff has been kept as low in number as possible, and all maintenance work possible has been done by the staff of the Department. Surveys.—All coastal vessels have been regularly surveyed; number of clearances issued, 990. Stricter regulations have been made for the licensing of coastal masters and engineers. There have been no losses of boats, and very few minor accidents, groundings, &c. No severe storms have been experienced during the bad season this year, and it has not been necessary to shift any vessel to shelter in Saluafata.

21

1923. 1924. From j Value. j Percentage. Value. Percentage. I £ £ United Kingdom .. .. .. 19,788 7-3 25,340 9-2 New Zealand .. .. .. .. 77,782 28-9 87,541 31-8 Australia .. .. .. .. 98,301 36-4 99,448 36-2 United States of America .. .. 62,717 23-4 42,582 15-5 Other countries f| .. .. .. 10,293 4-0 19,892 7-3 3 lis —— Total .. .. ... 268,881 100-0 274,803 100-0

A.—4.

Overseas Merchant Shipping, Port of Apia, for Year ended 31st March, 1925.

22

Steam. Sailing. Total. Quarter ended — , No. | Tons. Cargo, j No. | Tona. Cargo. No. { Tons. Cargo. INWARDS. June quarter, 1924 .. British 18 14,741 2,185 .. .. .. 18 14,741 2,185 Foreign 4 16,016 277 4 16,016 277 22 30,757 2,462 22 30,757 2,462 September quarter,1924 British 17 18,553 2,072 .. .. .. 17 18,553 2,072 Foreign 2 5,441 .. 1 294 142 3 5,635 142 19 23,994 2,072 1 294 142 20 24,188 2,214 December quarter, 1924 British 21 18,967 3,356 .. .. .. 21 18,967 3,356 Foreign 2 4,987 573 2 4,987 573 23 23,954 3,929 23 23,954 3,929 March quarter, 1925 .. British 17 15,383 2,079 17 15,383 2,079 Foreign .. .. .. 1 520 421 1 520 421 17 15,383 2,079 1 520 421 18 15,903 2,500 Year ending31st March, British 73 67,644 9,692 .. .. .. 73 67,644 9,692 1925 Foreign 8 26,444 850 2 814 563 10 27,158 1,413 81 94,088 10,542 2 814 563 83 94,802 11,105 OUTWARDS. June quarter, 1924 .. . British 18 i 15,069 1,156 .. .. .. 18 15,069 1,156 ! Foreign 4 16,016 1,844 4 16,016 1,844 22 31,085 3,000 .. .. .. 22 31,085 3.000 September quarter,1924 British 17 18,622 2,432 17 18,622 2,432 Foreign 2 5,441 436 1 294 .. 3 5,735 436 19 24,063 2,868 1 294 .. 20 24,357 2,868 December quarter, 1924 British 21 18,898 3,336 .. .. .. 21 18,898 3,336 Foreign 2 4,987 2,613 2 4,987 2,613 23 23,885 5,949 23 23,885 5,949 March quarter, 1925 .. British 16 15,361 3,490 .. .. .. 16 15,361 3,490 Foreign .. .. .. 1 520 70 1 520 70 16 15,361 3,490 1 520 70 17 15,881 3,560 Year ending 31st March, British 72 67,950 10,414 72 67,950 10,414 1925 Foreign 8 26,444 4,893 2 814 70 10 27,258 4,963 80 94,394 15,307 2 814 70 82 95,208 15,377 In addition to the above, three overseas yachts and six war-vessels entered and cleared the port.

A.—4

Total Net Receipts at Customhouse, Apia.

CHINESE DEPARTMENT. The conditions of free labour under which the Chinese are now employed continue to give general satisfaction. Naturally there is a fair amount of shifting round from one employer to another, and labourers have taken full advantage of the privilege under this head. The reasons for this are that employers are always on the lookout for the best men ; likewise the labourers seek the employers whom they think they can best work with. Thus on the one hand employers readily discharge men they have found unsatisfactory, and, on the other, a labourer promptly gives notice if he thinks he has a chance to better his position. Taken as a whole the labourers may be considered as good average workers, and it does not follow because a man has been discharged on one or more occasions that he is a bad worker. It is a matter of temperament, as these same men have proved good workers under other employers, hence the advantage of the present system. That both employers and labourers are more satisfied under the present free-labour conditions is indicated by the following figures relative to the number of labourers required to report to the Chinese Commissioner during each of the last three yearly periods : —

The number of Chinese labourers in Western Samoa at the 31st March, 1923, was 1,328 ; at the 31st March, 1924, 967 ; and at the 31st March, 1925, 752. During the year 207 men were repatriated to China, nine died from natural causes, whilst one man returned to Sa noa from New Zealand after completion of the sentence of imprisonment which he was serving there. For the twelve months ended 31st March, 1925, £1,635, representing savings of wages bylabourers, was remitted to China to their relatives there, whilst a further sum of £400 was taken in cash to China by labourers being repatriated. The relations existing between the Chinese Consul and the Administration during the past year have continued to be most cordial. POLICE AND PRISONS DEPARTMENT. The criminal statistics published below represent all offences reported during the year, and show an aggregate net decrease of 114 as compared with the figures for the previous year. The'proportion of reported offences to the population was 1-43 per cent, as against 1-76 per cent, for the previous

23

(To nearest pound sterling.) Stevedoring and Taxes, R . T . „ o,. . Lease of Sheds Native Travel . , j- D t .w < Year Import Export I Shipping , , . , . « p including Rotal Net * ear ' - Duty Duty. , Fees. „ ana UgMers, passes, Kale of Teceipts. * Launch-hire, and MoHiVi ol and Towage, j Water Rates. Liquor £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1924-25 .. 43,015 15,008 2,268 796 8,909 3,610 73,606 1923-24 .. 41,948 11,685 2,195 1,029 9,495 2,098 68,450 1922-23 .. 45,673 16,272 1,962 889 10,125 1,017 75,938 1921-22 .. 56,824 14,395 1,779 1,209 9,540 653 84,400 1920-21 .. 79,567 9,563 1,383 4,661$ 9,524 3,053 107,751 1919-20 .. 43,022 8,035 . 746 235 11,268§ 448 63,754 * Lighters purchased outright by stevedoring syndicate, and rents ceased July, 1924. Travelling passes since 1st April, 1924, collected by Police Department. j Includes lighterage charges when Administration did stevedoring. j Includes Native taxes now collected by Police Department.

Subsequent to Introduction of Freex Otll 0I1C10CI 1 -1 f-* j». • 31st March, 1923, labour Conditions. Beason. prior to Introduction , of Free-labour ,, .. Conditions Year endlll « I Year ending 31st March, 1924. 31st March, 1925. Medical examination .. .. .. .. 569 56 30 Complaint by employer .. .. .. 1,037 578 122 Complaint by labourer .. .. .. 276 201 73 Left work without permission or notice .. 470 189 42

A.—4.

year and 1-98 per cent, for the year 1922. The percentage of arrests or summonses issued out of the total number of offences reported was 98-5 per cent., the figure for the previous year was 96-93 per cent. Police. At the close of the year the strength of the Police Force was thirty-three of all ranks, being the same number as at the 31st March, 1924. These totals comprised the following : European police — Commissioner of Police and Prisons, 1 ; Sub-Inspector, 1 ; Sergeant, 1 ; mounted constable, 1 : total, 4: Native police —Senior Sergeant, 1 ; sergeants, 3 ; corporals, 5 ; constables, 20 : total, 29 : grand totals, 33. The proportion of police to population was Ito 1,137, and the cost per head of the Police Force to the population was 2s. ll|d. Prisons. The total number of prisoners received at the gaol during the year was 237, as compared with 420 for the previous year—the total remaining in gaol at the end of the year being twenty-three. The total cost of maintenance of prisoners per head per day was 2s. 6d. The prisoners have been employed during the year in cleaning and keeping clean departmental offices, premises, and grounds, and Government properties generally. Towards the end of the year arrangements were made whereby a certain area of land at Yailima has been set aside for cultivation by good-conduct prisoners. It is intended that the prisoners should grow all the taro required for the gaol and hospital, and also grow sugar-cane for use in the making of thatches for the Samoan fales at the hospital and Other Government institutions. A small area of this land has also been set aside for cotton-cultivation with the idea of showing its possibilities to the prisoners, who will, later on, when they return to their villages after discharge from gaol, be in a position to demonstrate the cultivation there. Mental Patients. The total number of patients at the close of the year was two—both Samoans —one male and one female. This compares with a total of four as at the close of the previous year. During the year three patients were received and five discharged.

Return showing the Number of Offences reported, the Number of Offences for which Persons were apprehended or summoned, the Number of Persons convicted or dismissed, and a Comparison of Crime during the Year ended 31st December, 1924.

24

1923. 1924. Offences reported. Nnmhpr Number . . Offences Offences nr Number dismissed « « reported, reported. convicted. or § g withdrawn. 3 9. _ S a Misleading justice— [ [m. 6 f. f m. j. f. Bribery, attempted .. .. .. .. .. 1 X !*!;••[ .." .. £ 1 Perverting course of justice .. .. .. 1 .. .. .." .A .. .. 1 Seditious words .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 .. l Escape from legal custody .. .. .. 1 10 10 10 £ .. 9 £ Offences against morality—tAdultery .. .. .. .. .. 15 1 IS it 11 6 4 1 .. 4 Abduction to carnally know .. .. .. 30 20 [20 17 .. 3 .. .. 10 Aiding abduction .. .. .. .. 4 1 1 1 3 Bigamy .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 .... 1 Offences against the personAssault, common .. .. .. .. 72 60 [60 50 7 3 .. 12 Assault, indecent .. .. .. .. 3 10 110 6 4 7 Assault causing bodily harm .. .. .. 4 7 7 7 3.. Carnal knowledge .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 Rape .. .. .. .. .. 3 1 1 1 ...... .. 2 Rape, aiding .. .. .. .. 3 .. .. 3 Manslaughter .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 .... Threats to kill .. .. .. .. 3 .. .. 3 Conspiring to murder .. .. .. .. 4 4 4.. .... 4 Offences against rights of property— £r. Burglary .. .. .. .. .. 12 9 9 8 1 3 Thefts from dwellings .. .. .. 18 17 16 14 2 .... I Unlawful entry .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 2 Theft .. .. .. .. .. 88 108 101 84 5 12 .. 20 Forgery .. .. .. .. .. 2 3 3 3 1 B Uttering forged documents .. .. .. .. 3 3 3 3 t Trespass .. .. .. .. .. 20 32 32 31 .. 1 12 i Wilful damage .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 2.. [. Wilful mischief .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 1 Receiving stolen property .. .. .. 7 .. .. 7 Gaming offences .. .. .. .. 2 .. .. 2 Breach of arms ordinance—• Unlawful transfer .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1.. Unlawfully in possession of .. .. 2 .. .. 2 Unlicensed firearm .. .. .. .. 1 3 3 3 2.. Presenting a gun at another .. . . .. 1 .. .. ]

A.—4.

Return showing the Number of Offences reported, etc. —continued.

TOST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. Savings-bank. The expansion of business is indicated by an increase in deposits during the year of over £11,000 as compared with the previous year, whilst withdrawals exceeded the previous year's figures by some £400 only. Deposits exceeded withdrawals by £6,821, whereas during the previous year withdrawals exceeded deposits by nearly £4,000. The total balance at credit of depositors at 31st March, 1925, was £44,906 Is. 5d., which includes interest amounting to £1,344 4d. sd. credited to depositors' accounts during the year. The number of new accounts opened during the year was far above expectations, being 278, while eighty-six accounts were closed, leaving a total at 31st March, 1925, of 607 accounts open, an increase of 192 for the year. It is gratifying to note the improvement made in Savings-bank transactions during the year, demonstrating the confidence of the people of Samoa in the Post Office Savings-bank and also the improved financial outlook. The following figures show the increasing extent to which the Native Samoans are taking advantage of the Savings-bank to protect their savings. Native accounts opened in the year ending 31st March, 1921, 28; 1922, 30; 1923, 22; 1924, 41 ; 1925, 135: total Native savings-bank accounts opened as at 31st March, 1925, 256. Money-orders. The number of money-orders issued was 1,653, for a total of £12,207 7s. lid. Commission on such money-orders amounted to £107 16s. lid. Money-orders paid numbered 205, totalling £1,135 16s. Id, Both items show a substantial increase over the previous year's figures.

4 —A.. 4.

25

1»24 reported. Offences Oiteooas ar N r estedor ' Number dLrtdsscfd | | reported reported. g a ™^ e d i 0 ™' icted - „ « S £ withdrawn. £ « ! 1 Police offences— Breach of the peace .. .. .. .. 30 15 15 8 7 15 i Disorderly conduct .. .. .. .. n 47 47 29 n 1 .! I 36 Drunkenness .. .. .. .. 14 9 9 * 8 .. 1 5 Cruelty to animals .. .. .. .. 9 4 4 r 4 _ _ j g Indecent acts .. .. .. .. ., 2 2 2 '' ! ' 2 Stone-throwing .. .. .. .. 5 4 4 ?3 .. 1 Damaging property .. .. .. .. 3 _ . j .> Unlawfully removing sand .. .. .. 1 1 1 j Insulting language .. .. .. .. 1 ,, ., ' j Converting animals or vehicles to own use .. 3 5 5 5 2 Threatening language .. .. .. .. 4 4 4 4 Opium offences— Opium-smuggling .. .. .. . . I 2 .. .. 2 Opium-smoking . . .. . . .. I 1 3 3 3 2 In possession of opium .. .. . . J 1 5 5 5 4 Liquor offences— Manufacturing liquor .. .. .. j 21 12 12 11 1 .. 9 Liquor found on occupied premises .. .. ! 3 .. .. .. .. 3 In possession of liquor .. .. ..I 4 4 4 4 Importing liquor .. .. .. .. 6 1 1 1 .. .. .... , 5 Concealing liquor .. .. . . .. 1 .. .. | 1 Selling liquor .. .. .. .. 4 1 1 .... 1 3 Breach of Distillation Act .. .. .. j 2 3 3 2.. 1 .. j 1 Consuming methylated spirits .. .. .. 1 30 18 18 18 .. I .. i 12 Samoans consuming liquor .. .. ..j.. 6 6 6.. .... I 6 By-law breaches— Wandering cattle .. .. .. .. 10 9 9 9 I .. 1 Trespassing cattle .. .. .. ..j 6 3 3 2.. 1.. .. 3 Driving unlicensed .. .. .. .. I 66 10 10 10 .. . . .. 56 Driving without lights .. .. .. 36 10 10 9 1 ., 26 Furious riding and driving .. . . .. | 17 17 17 17 .. Motor-vehicle without number-plates .. .. . . 1 1 1 .... 1 Unlicensed vehicle .. .. .. .. .. 6 6 6 6 Negligent driving .. .. .. .. 27 11 11 10 1 .... 16 Driving with improper brakes .. .. .. 1 1 1.. .... 1 Unattended vehicles .. .. . . .. 1 .. . . .... .... .. I Negligent riding .. .. . . .. 7 .. .. 7 Public nuisance .. .. .. .. 1 .. . . 1 Miscellaneous— Breach of Pacific Island Contract Labourers Ordi j 44 .. .. 44 nance Breach of Permits Ordinance .. .. .. 2- 4 4 4 .. .. .. 2 Breach of Dog Ordinance .. .. ..[ 3 3 3 2 1 Breach of Samoa Offenders Ordinance .. .. .. 4 4 4 . . j .. 4.. Trader unlawfully giving credit .. .. .. 1 1 1 .. j .. 1 Trader failing to account for goods .. .. .. 1 1 1 .. I .. 1 Breach of Immigration Ordinance .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 Breach of Harbour Regulations .. ..[.. 2 2 2 2 Bathing nude .. . . . . .. 2 .. .. 2 Totals .. .. .. 652 538 530 453 34 42 1 162 276

A.—4.

Postal Notes and British Postal Orders. This very convenient method of remitting small sums to places within the British Empire still maintains its popularity. The amount issued was £667 18s. and £91 Os. 9d. was paid. Stamps. The amount derived from the sale of postage and revenue stamps was £2,509 3s. 2d., as compared with £1,287 3s. 9d. for the previous year. Post Office. Mail-matter delivered and posted in Samoa during the year, estimated from a general average, was as follows : — Delivered— Letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 93,317 Other articles .. .. .. .. .. 72,106 165,423 Registered letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,438 Parcels .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,136 Posted — Letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 90,424 Other articles .. .. .. .. .. 12,230 102,654 Registered articles .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,765 Parcels .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 860 Customs duty amounting to £796 13s. was collected on parcels. Private Boxes.—The private boxes have all been let, and the revenue received under this head amounted to £102 16s. Bd. Telephones.—Fees collected amounted to £1,232 ss. Bd., as compared with £1,206 7s. 10s. for the previous year. Work performed for other Departments. —Amounts collected on behalf of New Zealand Government Departments were as follows : —Superannuation, £700 os. 6d. ; Government Insurance, £100 2s. lid.; National Provident Fund, £31 13s. 4d. ; miscellaneous, £10 ss. sd. : total, £842 2s. 2d. Amounts paid in were as follows : Pensions, £395 Is. 2d. ; superannuation, £354 Bs. lid. ; miscellaneous, £19 16s. lOd. : total, £769 6s. lid.

Post and Telegraph Department Statistics for the Year ended 31st March, 1925.

Money-orders and Savings-bank.

26

Mail-matter delivered. Mail-matter posted. : r : : : Year 1924-25. || | j Parcel,. j | SB * J B jj <3 .• | '| No. Duty. 5® £ "I t S 3 _S &_ £ £ s. d. April-June .. .. 24,300 14,500 612 562 182 14 2 24,000 3,000 872 173 July-September .. .. 22,350 20,010 508 596 149 4 5 20,087 3,012 911 206 October-December .. .. 26,246 21,273 703 1,177 289 1 11 27,500 3,375 886 371 January-March .. .. 20,421 16,323 615 801 175 12 6 18,837 2,843 1,096 110 Totals .. .. 93,317 72,106 2,438 3,136 796 13 0 90,424 12,230 3,765 860 Totals for previous year .. 113,000 81,141 2,635 2,331 j 776 6 11 95,513 16,068 3,053 902

Money-orders issued. Monev-orders paid. „ postal Notes and F British Postal Orders. Year 1924-25. No. j Commission.! Amount. No. j Amount. Issued. \ Paid I i | £ 8. d. £ S. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. April-June .. .. 390 25 2 0 3,693 15 0 47 547 8 8 188 8 0 19 14 0 July-September .. .. 447 29 16 0 3,334 16 6 72 172 6 9 161 0 1 17 5 3 October-December.. .. 437 25 8 2 2,769 11 10 45 276 6 1 170 5 2 30 10 5 January-March .. .. 379 27 10 9 2,409 4 7 41 139 14 7 148 4 9 23 11 1 Totals .. .. 1,653 107 16 11 12,207 7 11 205 1,135 16 1 667 18 0 91 0 9 Totals for previous year 1,582 95 2 1 10,233 15 7 199 1,102 13 1 683 5 5 98 8 2

A.—4

Savings-bank.

Receipts due to the Samoan Administration.

Transactions on Account of the New Government.

Radio Station. Apart from natural causes (lightning, storms, and severe atmospherics), Apia Radio has continued to give uninterrupted service as a link between New Zealand and Samoa, and as a relay station between New Zealand, Tahiti, Rarotonga, and Tonga. A Radio-phone station for communication with Apia-Radio only was opened at Niue Island during the past year, and is giving satisfaction, reliable communication by speech being possible by day and night. A 100-watt radio-phone transmitter unit is also being added to the Apia equipment, to enable two-way communication by wireless telephony with Niue. The work of chipping and scraping the 400 ft. wireless tower and all ironwork in connection therewith has just been completed, the work being performed by Native labour. An important step, a direct result of the training class for tuition to Samoan-born boys, in wireless telegraphy has been the employment of one of these boys at the station. He has shown such good promise that it has been found possible to utilize his services in replacement of an officer from New Zealand. The following details of traffic show that the volume handled has been well maintained during the year: —

27

Vear 1924-2-% Accounts Accounts nennsita I Withdrawals Amount at Credit j Accounts opened. closed. Deposits. | Wltnarawais. o( Dopo3itorj . , 0pen . £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. April-June .. .. 60 19 6,879 14 9 7,061 0 2 36,558 15 8 456 .July-September .. 43 18 7,287 11 0 7,947 11 8 35,898 15 0 481 October-December .. 72 23 7,883 7 7 7,172 10 1 36,609 12 6 530 January-March .. 103 26 10,912 3 7 3,959 19 1 44,906 1 6 607 Totals .. 278 86 32,962 16 11 26,141 1 0 Totals for previous year 137 103 21,850 8 8 25,795 0 5 .. 415

Ycac U ' 24 - 25 ' j Stamp Sate, |sadlo Fees. fit Bo»£ AdSos. 3'Sts. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ 8. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. April-June .. .. 844 14 2 504 19 6 0 7 6 0 12 6 51 0 9 5 0 0 .. 2,238 2 10 July-September .. 402 1 9 601 19 8 0 5 0 0 15 0 404 18 3 4 16 8 October-December .. 557 10 4 551 7 11 0 18 6 .. 37 16 5 .. 0 8 8 January-March .. 704 16 11 483 3 3 1 16 0 .. 738 10 3 93 0 0 15 0 0 Totals .. 2,509 3 22,141 10 4 3 7 0 1 7 61,232 5 8 102 16 8 15 * 8 8 2,238 2 10 Totals for previous year 1,287 3 92,005 19 8 4 7 0 4 8 10 1,206 7 10 76 8 5 13 4 4 5,766 18 10

Receipts. Payments. Year 1924-25. Supe_ Gov—t National Miacellaneoua . Penaion , Superanoua- £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ a. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. April-June .. 172 11 G 35 10 1 8 7 4 1 9 11 90 3 8 52 19 6 0 5 0 July-September.. .. 128 3 3 22 1 3 6 16 1 6 3 8 94 19 5 105 19 0 19 11 10 October-December .. 302 11 3 34 11 0 12 5 1 0 2 6 86 17 4 105 19 0 January-March.. .. 96 14 6 8 0 7 4 4 10 2 9 4 123 0 9 89 11 5 Totals .. .. 700 0 6 100 2 11 31 13 4 10 5 5 395 1 2 354 8 11 19 16 10 Totals for previous year .. I 825 3 6 129 11 4 30 2 10 9 14 5 433 7 7 361 11 9 187 4 9 I

A.—4,

Return of Traffic handled by Apia-Radio, for the Year April, 1924, to March, 1925.

Details of Engine-running, Oil-consumption, &c.

LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT. Thejdemands on the Department for the year ended 31st March, 1925, for the survey of Native villages and lands, together with engineering surveys of Native water-supplies and tracks, has been heavy, and very little time has been available for pushing on the standard coastal traverse. Compass surveys'of eighty-nine villages in Savai'i and twelve in Upolu were completed, and plans of same are completed. These will be of considerable value for various Departments in dealing with different matters, as all details are marked. They will also prove very valuable in the laying-out of villages on model lines, and in the compilation of a new lithograph of Savai'i. 'remodelling the layout of nine villages was gone into, and the plans are now in course of preparation. A road reconnaissance of a very difficult tract of country between Aleipata and Falefa was made, and a very successful route marked out and properly located. When formed this route will be a very important one for the Natives and others living on the eastern end of Upolu, as at the present time it is about twenty-seven miles by the existing tracks, as against twenty miles by the new route, which in no case has a grade exceeding 1 in 16. Surveys and plans of three water-supplies which would supply twenty Native villages were completed for the Public Works Department, and also a detailed survey of the swamp to the rear of Apia was made, and plans showing levels of various drains made, in order to investigate the question of drainage for health purposes. The survey of land for the Natives for Land and Titles Commission purposes are made by a surveyor in practice locally, and are subject to check by the Department. A road deviation of about two miles in Savai'i, with plans, was also completed for the Public Works Department. Surveys of three Crown Estates properties were made for the purposes of lease, and details of cultivation and buildings shown.

28

Month. Messages. Words. ! Amount ei^ d b y A P ia " Kadio. ; ; j 1924. £ s. d. April .. 1,441 15,982 326 0 1 May j .. .. .. .. 1,516 16,488 327 14 11 June! .. .. .. .. 1,239 15,222 303 15 0 July .. .. .. .. 1,462 15,700 315 12 5 August.. .. .. .. 1,522 18,231 370 16 9 September .. .. .. 1,360 17,888 357 18 4 October .. .. .. 1,528 17,554 332 12 2 November .. .. .. 1,434 16,026 325 15 6 December .. .. .. 1,342 15,674 302 1 3 1925. j January| .. .. .. 1,301 14,226 286 107 9 February .. .. .. 1,257 13,710 278 0~ 2 March .. .. .. .. 1,427 16,314 339 8 3 Total .. .. .. 16,829 193,015 3,866 5 7

Month. j i Consumption Consumption | running Time. j 0rude per Hour. 1924. Hrs. mill. Gallons. Gallons. April .. .. .. .. 90 15 204 j 2-3 May .. .. .. .. .. 90 0 236 ! 2-5 June .. .. .. .. .. 83 9 185 2-2 July .. .. .. .. .. 69 30 255 ; 2-8 August; .. .. .. .. 76 20 266 I 3-4 September .. .. .. .. 75 30 211 I 2-8 October .. .. .. .. 77 50 187 ' 2-6 November .. .. .. .. 75 0 182 j 2-5 December .. .. .. .. 84 30 202 ! 2-4 1925. January .. .. .. .. 79 40 232 2'9 February .. .. .. .. 74 20 197 I 2-6 March .. .. .. .. 83 30 180 2-2

A.—4

Levels for the proposed hydro-electric scheme for Vailima, Avele, and immediate surroundngs were made, and a plan is now in course of preparation. The coastal traverse was advanced another three miles and a quarter from Saluafata to Falefa, all surveys being connected, and all bearings on true meridian. In conjunction with this work a considerable jamount of details of Native villages and topography was fixed, and also the boundary of the Vaa-o-Fonoti district north of Falefa. A considerable amount of office-work as per schedule was put through, and also routine work for other Departments dealt ]with, including 759 blue-prints of standard schemes for model villages, and blue-prints of points of interest for the Faipules on their visit to New Zealand were also completed.

Work for the Year.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. The demands on the Department for the year ended 31st March have been heavy, owing to the increased work with Crown Estates buildings. The usual maintenance to residents and Government buildings has been carried out, and with the new workshop and machinery better and more economical results are being obtained. Hospital.—Considerable repairs were carried out to the white hospital, the Chinese wards, and the hospital kitchen. A new stove with high-pressure hot-water supply was installed; three icechests were built in wall of kitchen ; new pantry erected, with necessary tables, shelves, and sink. A new fale was erected, with concrete floor, for Native nurses. The Native nurses' dining-room was extended 14 ft. to accommodate the extra nurses. Shelving was erected in the laboratory ; the operating-theatre was repaired. The whole of the fales in connection with the Native patients have been rethatched. Extensive repairs to W.C., taps, and general plumbing have been undertaken from time to time. A new ice-chest for laboratory use was erected and installed. A new destructor was erected. Administration Offices. —The balcony floor-joists on the north and east sides were renewed ; several veranda and balcony posts renewed ; entrance-porch roof repaired ; a considerable amount of balcony bearers and flooring renewed ; one new string on stairway renewed ; roof and valleys repaired ; Judge's room and Courtroom painted out; furniture renovated, and a considerable amount of minor repairs carried out. Office of Native Affairs. —A new public convenience for exclusive use of Natives was erected adjacent to the Native Office at Mulinu'u. The Native Office building was thoroughly renovated and altered to suit the existing conditions, and a large new three-roomed office was erected. The whole of the Natives' official fales have been put into good working-order. The Guest-house and Native Museum erected by the Natives were completed, the necessary concrete-work being executed by the Department. Vaimea Gaol. —Considerable alterations were carried out to the gaoler's quarters and those belonging to the female wardresses, making the building a great deal more habitable ; a new nest of female cells with concrete floors were erected on the ground floor ; the mental fale was re-roofed; the door of the ammunition-room was repaired; the whole of the compound fence was thoroughly repaired, and a large quantity of posts renewed ; the warders' office and storeroom was repaired ; the drainage from the gaoler's quarters was thoroughly overhauled and put into good condition, and a number of minor jobs executed. Wireless Station. —One of the disused buildings was put in order to accommodate the engineer, and a new fence was erected round the section. Pilot Station. —The old residence and the big boatshed at the pilot station have been pulled down, and all timber stacked for future use, a big proportion of the iron being used in the construction of sheds in the new Public Works yard. The old fence was also removed. Residences. —Eleven residences were thoroughly renovated during the year, and partial renovations were carried out to thirteen others.

29

Field-work. I Office-work. j 1 Plans plaoed . . d w rn • r wr i i on Instruments £ m "cLEhtj Class of Work. : 1., ® 2 s® a tu g m . i of Title. fl.a a > u g 2 *2 Acres Miles Total — .3 3 .3 2 73 '3 g 1 3 & Acres. | Miles. c t » g J o t Free- * 2" § fl 13 a a Leases ' hold. ® 08 £ 3 £ £ ' Topography* .. 16,000 .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 1 Rural .. .. 0-60 .. 5-50 15 44 24 21 4 90 Town .. 0-25 0-26 6-70 2 7 4 4 4 18 .... Native .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 11 .. 43 Standard traverse — Road boundaries .. 3-25 26-20 . . Rural boundaries .. .. 1-10 11-50 .. .. Miscellaneous . . 273 41-89 322-55 .. .. .. .. 64 38 320 759 Total .. 16,273-85 46-50 372-45 17 51 49 36 74 190 320 759 Cost included in " Miscellaneous—Aleipata-Falevao Road reconnaissance."

A. -4,

Savai'i Buildings.—The Resident' Commissioner's residence has undergone minor repairs, and in addition a better system of drainage has been put in. Medical Out-station, Tuasivi. —The dispensary and residence at Tuasivi have had minor repairs, and new hospital fales for the Natives are now in course of erection. Schools. —Minor repairs to the buildings at Malifa and Avele were made, and new fales were erected as follows : At Yaipouli, Savai'i, three ; at Malifa, two ; at Avele Agricultural School, five. Central Hotel. —Minor repairs have been carried out to the building, and two flats have been fitted up, one for the Visiting Medical Officer and one for a District Inspector. Cemeteries. —A pig-proof stone wall was erected at the new cemetery, and two roads formed. Casino.—A new septic tank and modern drainage was installed. The whole of the outside was painted two coats. New lavatory and bath-room were fitted for women downstairs. A considerable portion of the old drainage was remodelled. An old building was shifted from the west end to the east end and remodelled as a pantry. The kitchen and storeroom was remodelled, and the stove ex Central Hotel fitted. Extensive repairs were carried out to the east wing and the whole of the northern verandas ; lower shutters were fitted on the ground-floor veranda to enable the dining-room to be extended. A new coralled drive-way was laid down. Several rooms were partitioned off to form extra living-rooms, and a considerable number of minor repairs and improvements were carried out. Bridges.—Two new bridges were erected in Australian hardwood at Saleimoa and Moataa, and the large bridge across the Vaisigano redecked in Australian hardwood, and old stringers renewed. The following bridges were dealt with : Fagalii —repairs to decking ; Tuaefu—repairs to decking ; Luatuanuu —repairs to decking ; Sauniatu—redecked with old hardwood from Vaisigano and stringers and piles supplied by the mission ; Aleipata —renewals of decking and stringers ; Falealili —temporary repairs carried out by Samoans, decking supplied ; Letogo —renewal of part of decking. General. —All bridges on the south side of Upolu are only temporary structures, and the Samoans are maintaining these, only a small amount of material being supplied by the Department. Roads and Bridges, Savai'i. —A new bridge at Paia was erected ; repairs to bridges at Saleaula, Manase, Safotu, Palauli, and Faasaleleaga were carried out. A concrete ford was put in at Sapapalii, the Samoans transporting the material free of charge. Apia Waterworks. —A new 2 in. main for supplying the hospital and residents on the high levels was laid from the Vailima supply, and all connections made. With this alternative scheme the hospital is never without water, and during floods this supply is used, as the Apia supply becomes discoloured during heavy rains. An extension to the 2 in. main at Lotopa was completed for a distance of 90 chains, and all connections made. A new 2 in. main to supply residents on the Tulaele Road and the Government Farm was laid for a distance of 40 chains, and all connections made. The intake has received constant attention, mains have been flushed out regularly, and all hydrants and valves have been examined. During the year sixty-two connections were made to the mains, making a total of 368 connections to date. Filter-chambers of the gravity type are in urgent need, as at the present time the water becomes very dirty during the wet season. Maintenance of Roads. —Early in the third quarter the crusher was erected at Afega, on the main coast road, and was kept going continuously until the end of the present year. The following statement shows the principal work carried out: — Apia to Mulifanua Road : The road from Faleula to Afega has been metalled and rolled for a distance of 5,000 yards, and from Faleasiu to Mulifanua several bad stretches were metalled and blinded, and the road is now in good order. Apia to Falefa : A gang of Samoans was engaged on the repairing of this stretch, and three contracts by the Samoans, in making a deviation at Saluafata, and metalling at Laulii and Luatuanuu, were successfully completed. Safata Track : About three miles and a half of new formation by the Samoans under the leadership of Ama, Faipule, was satisfactorily completed, and further work will be done in the coming year. Aleipata to Falefa : Work was commenced on this track, and about two miles dealt with by the Samoans. This route will be an important one, and work will be pushed on in the coming year. Hospital Road : Portions of this road were coralled and rolled, and concrete culverts put in in place of unsatisfactory wooden ones. Apia and Surrounding Roads : Minor repairs to these roads have continuously been carried out. Native Water-supplies. —During the year several old tanks have been repaired and numerous drinking-pools improved. A new 12,000-gallon reinforced-concrete cistern has been erected at Satupaitea, and further tanks are now in course of erection. In order to supply urgent needs, corrugated-iron tanks are being supplied until the position can be fully dealt with. Three gravitation schemes, at Paia, Fagamalo, and Afega, have been fully investigated, and will be started in the coming year. The Paia scheme will supply 150 Samoans, Fagamalo 800 (and will include Government Residency), and over 2,000 on the Afega scheme. Wharves and Beacons. —Mulifanua Wharf : This wharf was extended in hardwood for 20 ft., new stringers were fitted throughout, and the whole wharf redecked. Three new concrete piles with hardwood rubbing-pieces were erected on the outer end, the old concrete piles were repaired, and the wharf is now in first-class condition ; loading can now be done at any state of the tide. Tivoli Wharf : Minor repairs were carried out, but the wharf will have to be replaced in the next year. Reinforced-concrete pipes for the rebuilding of a beacon in Apia Harbour were supplied to the Harbour Department. Street-cleaning and Rubbish-collection.—These services have been carried out continuously, and the rubbish-dump is considerably improved.

30

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Surveys.—This work is now carried on mainly by the Survey Department under supervision and instructions from the Department, and a considerable amount of levelling and road location has been carried out. During the year a five weeks' malaga of Savai'i was made by the Officer in Charge, Public Works Department, and a surveyor from the Survey Department and all details of Native villages as set out in the Survey Report were obtained. This also included details of water-supplies (present and proposed), bathing-pools, bridges, roads, and other matters affecting the Department. Frequent short malagas to parts of Upolu have been made, and several matters dealt with. In the coming year the Engineer in Charge and Assistant Engineer will each make separate malagas of each island, and will thus be in constant touch with Native wants. An overseer for Savai'i has been appointed, and he is dealing with all Public Works matters there. Sea-wall.—During the year contracts for the supply of stone were made and about 1,000 tons of stone delivered. Work was commenced at the Customs and 110 yards of wall constructed. Now that the stone is to hand it will be possible to complete the greater portion of the protection work at the eastern end of Apia in the coming year. STORES DEPARTMENT. This Department commenced operations on the 1 r,t, April, 1924, taking the place of the Supplies Purchase Office, the purpose being to amalgamate and concentrate all stores and to effect economy in the buying and distribution of same to the various Departments of the Administration and the Samoa Crown Estates. Stock to the value of £4,629 9s. 7d. was taken oyer from the Public Works Department, and to the value of £13,795 15s. 4d. from the Crown Estates, making a total value of £18,426 4s. lid. Although purchases amounting to £29,511 12s. 4d. were made during the year, the stock at the close of the year stood at £11,076 10s. Bd., showing a satisfactory reduction of £7,349 14s. 3d. in the value of stocks carried. This indicates a satisfactory absorption of stocks, combined with economy in quantities of stocks ordered by the Department. Requisitions filled by the Department during the year numbered 1,847. Invoices for goods purchased numbered 955 and totalled £29,511 12s. 4d. Considerable saving has been effected by the opportune purchase of various lines. For instance, two lots of cement, each 100 tons, from England, have been delivered to the Public Works Department at a shade under £6 per ton, resulting in a saving of £2 ss. per ton over what it could have been delivered at from New Zealand. Rough lumber has been delivered at £1 ss. per 100 superficial feet, A contract for 100 bales of copra-sacks enabled this Department to sell same to the Crown Estates at 14s. 3d. per dozen during a time when they rose to 17s. 3d. F f.o.b. Sydney, meaning an average saving of £5 per bale delivered. APIA OBSERVATORY. The work of the Apia Observatory embraces a study of the earth's magnetism, earthquakes, meteorology, and atmospheric electricity. Each of these four main branches requires subsidiary activities, including the determination of time, tide observation, and storm forecasting. Magnetism. In magnetism continuous photographic records have been obtained throughout the year of the declination, horizontal magnetic force, and vertical magnetic force. The mean value of these elements for each hour has been determined and tabulated. The average mean values for each of the past three years are as follows : — -p. i Horizontal Vertical Declination tj, , Force, Force, 8 C.G.S. Unit. C.G.S. Unit. Mean, 1924 .. .. ..10° 19-2' 0-35249 —0-20453 Mean, 1923 .. .. .. 10°!,16-3' 0-35248 -0-20440 Mean, 1922 .. .. . . 10° 13-6 0-35241 -0-20423 Compared with the large number of magnetic observations taken in the Northern Hemisphere, those in the Southern are few, and therefore each added station below the Equator furnishing magnetic observations is proportionately a larger gain to hydrographic offices in the preparation of navigators' charts and to investigators of the problem of the earth's magnetism. That future changes in the earth's magnetic field cannot be predicted on the basis of past changes is well exemplified at Apia ; for eighteen years (1904-22) there was a steady annual decrease in the horizontal intensity, yet in 1923 this suddenly changed without assignable cause from a decrease of 0-08 per cent, to an increase of 0-08 per cent., which increase was further maintained in 1924. In co-ordination with other observatories, quarterly reports in regard to the magnetic character of the days were sent to the Comite Meteorologique International, De Bilt, Holland. A quarterly statement descriptive of the occurrence and duration of magnetic storms has been prepared for publication in the Journal of Terrestrial Magnetism, and in January, 1925, a summary of the magnetic observations for 1924 was sent to the hydrographic offices of the leading nations of the world. Seismolo&y. The Observatory is equipped with two Wiechert seismographs ; both have given continuously satisfactory service throughout 1924. During this period 366 earth-movements were recorded, which

31

A.—4

were classified as follows : 232 instrumental, of local origin and very feeble ; 44 local, not reported felt; 10 local, reported felt ; 58 epicentres within 1,000 km. almost all from Tongan Deep ; 22 epicentres more than 1,000 km. distant. Radio reports of earthquakes were sent to the New Zealand Government Seismologist; monthly reports to Professor H. 11. Turner, President, Seismological Section of the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics, and to several prominent seismologic observatories. A complete report for the period July, 1923, to December, 1924, with a determination of the epicentres of the larger earthquakes occurring in the Pacific, was prepared [for publication, and sent to the Honorary Board of Advice, New Zealand, for printing. Meteorology. During 1924 continuous records were obtained of temperature, barometic pressure, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine. The extreme high and low values of the temperature and pressure during each month, with the mean humidity and rainfall, are given in the following table : —

Ten co-operating stations have been established on the Island of Upolu and the adjacent Island of Savai'i. These are located on plantations, and, due to changes in personnel, interruptions in the service have occasionally occurred; yet as the ownership of the plantations gradually becomes more permanently settled the reports will improve in standardization. It is hoped that steps will be taken to co-ordinate the efforts of the various meteorological observers in the South Pacific Ocean — the year Apia Observatory has urged that this be done. In the enormous area included between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn and the meridian of 140° W and 160° E, there are at present fifteen stations regularly reporting weather conditions. But these reports are not all sent to the same destination ; seven go to the British Meteorological Office, three to the Meteorological Branch of the Marine Department, New Zealand, and seven to the Australian Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology. A few stations send reports to more than one office. There are also scattered and unclassified returns from business organizations and missionary societies. Recent developments in analytic world meteorology indicate the probability of more nearly accurate long-time forecasting, provided all obtainable data are assembled on a single weather map. A determined effort has therefore been made to centralize the observing stations and to make the summarizing of conditions reported and the deductions resulting from them collectively more accessible to all concerned. Complete details of the meteorological elements are published in the annual report of the Observatory : the report for 1923 in is the Press. In view of the unavoidable delay in making available to the world the meteorological data collected it was deemed advisable to issue, beginning January, 1925, a monthly summary to be sent to those investigators and institutions, both scientific and commercial, that have immediate use for weather information. About forty copies per month are distributed. A fundamental investigation of atmospheric tides has been initiated at the instigation of Professor S. Chapman, F.R.S., with the aid of a grant from the Royal Society. Dr. Wagner had reported the components of atmospheric tides at Apia and at Batavia, basing his deductions on observations made from 1903 to 1906. As regards Batavia, later Dutch investigators subsequently deduced values only one-third of those given by Dr. Wagner. In view of the importance of the subject not only in meteorology but in magnetism and atmospheric electricity, the investigations as regards Apia has been taken up again, using the data from 1914 to 1924, and a different method of mathematical analysis. Solar Radiation—A research has been undertaken on solar radiation, employing the Moll thermopile and the Richard recording millivoltmeter to measure the intensity of the radiation. The

32

Temperature, Extreme. Barometer, Extreme. Month. 1 j Humidity. Rainfall. High. Low. i High. I Low. I I F°. F°. Inches. Inches. Per Cent. Inches. January .. .. .. 88-7 72-9 29-97 29-54 85-30 17-70 February .. .. .. 90-1 72-0 29-94 29-68 85-33 14-06 March .. 89-8 72-9 29-93 29-74 83-12 10-06 April .. 88-7 72-0 29-94 29-69 83-10 8-30 May .. 88-9 72-1 29-97 29-76 83-97 5-82 •Tune .. 88-3 71-4 30-03 29-80 81-87 10-05 July 86-4 70-5 30-00 29-78 85-84 9-61 August .. .. 86-5 70-9 30-02 29-79 84-29 5-35 September .. .. .. 88-9 68-9 30-04 29-80 81-63 3-82 October .. .. .. 88-5 70-5 30-02 29-76 81-58 8-08 November .. 88-3 71-8 29-94 29-72 84-23 10-24 December .. .. .. 88-2 72-9 29-92 29-59 83-45 15-91 Mean and total .. .. .. .. .. .. 83-64 I 119-00 I I I

A.—4,

apparatus was set up in November, 1924, and since then measurements have been taken on all occasions when conditions permitted. TJpper-air Work.—The research on winds at high altitudes has been carried on during the year: sixty-one pilot baloons were released, and thirteen were followed to a height of 10 km. or more. An extreme height of 16-5 km. was reached on the 10th October. Reduction of all observations, including also those of 1923, are now well advanced, so that publication of the results may be- expected in June or July. These will furnish facts regarding the heights above sea-level attained by the south-east trades —information long desired for theoretical study, but recently more urgently and more practically needed by aviators intending trans-Pacific flights. A paper giving a resume of the upper-air observations up to that time was presented by the Director to the Physics Section of the British Association meeting at Toronto, 1924. Atmospheric Electricity.—Potential gradient records have been taken throughout the year at the land station in the Observatory grounds and at the Lagoon House, a special observation-house built on concrete pillars about one-third of a mile from the shore. An article was published in the September, 1924, issue of the Journal of Terrestrial Magnetism, giving a summary of the observations from April, 1922, to April, 1924. The results from the Lagoon House during the year June 1923-24 were not satisfactory. In collaboration with the staff of the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism, new apparatus was designed to overcome the special instrumental difficulties caused by the prevailing high humidity. The new device has been found efficient, and the records from this station are now of a high order. The tidal records, which were first undertaken with a view to interpreting the potential gradient observations on the basis of a changing water-level underneath the instrument, have since been made use of in giving further data for forecasting tides. Officers of the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey have undertaken a considerable share of this computation in addition to the final harmonic analysis on their magnificent tide-predicting machine. Time Service. —A time service, accurate to two-tenths of a second, has been maintained throughout the year. Accuracy in the standard clock has been regularly verified by weekly meridian observations. Correct time was supplied daily to the Post Office Department, and bi-weekly to the pilot station for firing the noon gun. Eight chronometers have been rated during the year, mostly for the small trading-vessels going to the island groups. South Pacific Weather-reporting System.—-The Observatory prepares twice daily a weather report, which is sent to the pilot station and to the wireless station for broadcasting. The reports from Papeete (Tahiti), (Tonga), Norfolk Island, and Vila (New Hebrides) have been carefully analysed. During the year no cyclonic storms were reported as having occurred in the Pacific throughout the area between the Equator and the Tropic of Capricorn and east of the 165 th meridian east. The weather-reporting system has been greatly aided by the unfailing courtesy and help of the officer in charge of the wireless station and his staff. Ocean Currents.—Bottle-drift papers and supplies have been distributed to ships, and co-operation courteously promised. Only four out of the one hundred and fifty bottles thrown overboard in the South Pacific have so far been received ; all were found in Fiji, and indicate a persistent westerly drift of the surface waters in the latitude of Apia. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. During the past year this Department has progressed steadily in the cleaning-up of the various branches of work now coming within its compass, and thus has considerably increased its value to the community. Public Trust Office Work. —Much work has been accomplished in realizing with satisfactory results estates which have been placed in the hands of the Public Trustee for administration. Some of these estates had been neglected for many years before coming into the hands of this office, and in several which were regarded as almost hopeless of realization the assets have been disposed of to the complete satisfaction of all parties. Clearing Office Work.—k great deal more has been done in finalizing the accounts of ex-enemy subjects not now resident in the Territoty, and with the exception of a little revision this may be said to be complete. Considerable sums have been remitted direct to deportees in accordance with the promise of the New Zealand Government. Official Assignee Work. —The number of bankruptcies occurring in Western Samoa'is not large, but this is no doubt to a certain extent contributed to by the very extended local credit system. There was only one bankruptcy declared during the year. General.—The operations of the Public Trust Office during the year again resulted in the office being self-supporting. An actual profit of £631 18s. lOd. was made during the year after providing for all charges. The amount advanced on mortgages and securities to planters and others as at 31st March, 1925, was £8,791 os. 4d. CROWN ESTATES DEPARTMENT. The year just closed has been the most successful experienced since this Department was constituted, the profits from all sources amounting to approximately £22,000. This has fully justified the decision arrived at in December, 1923, to place the running of the Department under a Board of Control. Whilst maintenance costs have, by a more economically sound distribution of labour, been reduced by some £17,891 as compared with the previous year, the output of copra has been increased by some 310 tons —the production for the year as compared with the previous year being as follows : 1923-24, 2,428 tons 4 cwt. 0 qr. 24 lb. ; 1924-25, 2,738 tons 19 cwt. 2 qr. 16 lb. ; increase, 310 tons 15 cwt. 1 qr. 20 lb.

5—A. 4.

33

A.—4.

A comparison of the daily average number of labourers employed on the four plantations now being carried on by the Board as compared with the previous year is as follows : — 1923-24. 1921-25. Mulifanua ;. .. .. 276 201 Vaitele .. .. .. .. .. 207 92 Vailele .. .. .. .. .. 137 106 Magia .. .. .. .. 85 53 The plantations throughout are now in a beautifully clean condition, and have in this respect doubtless improved during the year under review. The average price obtained in London by the Board for copra during the year was £29 Bs. per ton, as compared with £26 13s. lOd. for the previous year. FINANCE. Revenue. The statement hereunder shows the amount of revenue received during the financial year ended 31st March, 1925, including a subsidy from the New Zealand Government. There is shown also, for comparative purposes, the revenue for the preceding financial year : — 1923-24. 1924-25. £ £ 1. Native taxes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9,899 7,219 2. Customs, taxes and Marine — (a.) Customs and taxes .. .. .. .. .. .. 63,219 66,243 (b.) Harbour Department .. .. .. .. .. 2,634 2,379 (c.) S.s. " Lady Roberts".. .. .. .. .. .. 2,389 4,030 3. Fees and charges —(Court, hospital, &c.) .. .. .. .. 16,969 7,247 4. Post Office and Savings-bank .. .. .. .. .. 5,206 5,404 5. Wireless station .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,212 3,215 6. Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,389 6,037 7. Subsidy —New Zealand Government .. .. .. .. .. 24,000 19,140 Totals .. .. .. .. .. .. ..£133,917 £130,914 Note. —The Native Medical Subscription for 1924-25 (£7,705) included under item 1 above, but was in item 3 in 1923-24, hence the rather large variation in these items. The subsidy to the Samoan revenue from the New Zealand Government is based on the additional cost due to the extension of the medical and educational services in the interests of the Native population. A large increase in expenditure under the latter head is estimated for in 1925-26. An extra amount of £1,140 was contributed during 1923-24 to cover the cost of a new power plant for the Apia radio station. Expendituke. The ordinary expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1925, is as follows, a comparison being shown with the figures for the previous year:— 1923-24. 1924-25. £ £ 1. Permanent charges on account of public debt .. .. .. 4,916 5,057 2. Administrator, Government House and Legislative Council .. 7,084 5,888 3. Secretariat .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,418 2,046 4. Native Affairs Department — (a.) Upolu and General .. .. .. .. .. 9,546 9,891 (b.) Savai'i Section .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,702 6,279 (c.) Aleipata Section .. .. .. .. .. 608 5. Treasury and Audit .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,926 2,431 6. Customs, taxes, and Marine — (a.) Customs and taxes .. .. .. .. .. 2,501 2,285 (6.) Harbour Department .. .. .. .. .. 4,106 2,738 (c.) S.s. " Lady Roberts " .. .. .. .. .. 3,102 3,931 7. Justice Department .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,599 2,744 8. Police and Prisons Department.. .. .. .. .. 8,509 8,031 9. Health Department .. .. .. .. .. .. 23,995 24,425 10. Agriculture Department .. .. .. .. .. 5,748 3,031 11. Chinese Department .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,609 1,620 12. Post Office and Savings-bank .. .. .. .. .. 5,669 4,971 13. Wireless station .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,330 5,933 14. Education Department .. .. .. .. .. 6,556 7,609 15. Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. 14,781 9,783 16. Lands and Survey Department.. .. .. .. .. 2,114 2,092 17. Public Works (general and maintenance) .. .. .. 16,649 19,434 18. Public Works (new works) .. .. .. .. .. 4,542 5,304 Totals ~ f . ~ .. .. .. £143,010 £135,523

34

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Direct Native Revenue and Expenditure. The revenue derived directly from, and the amounts expended directly on, the Natives during the year may be stated approximately as follows : — £ Revenue directly from the Natives .. .. .. .. .. 18,170 Expenditure directly on the Natives .. .. .. .. .. 32,000 These amounts are arrived at as follows :— Revenue derived directly from the Natives. 1924-25. £ Native taxes (including medical levy, £7,705) .. .. .. .. 17,219 Native travelling passes .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 Native water rates .. .. .. .. .. .. 62 Land and title fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 251 Court fees, fines, and costs (say) .. .. .. .. .. 600 £18,170 In addition to the above, the Natives indirectly contribute to revenue through purchase of goods on which import duty is charged. An estimate of the amount is, however, very difficult to arrive at. Such fees as motor licenses, boat licenses, and shipping fees could also be included. The medical levy is £1 per adult male Samoan, and the poll-tax £1 4s. and £1 for Matais and Taulealeas respectively. Expenditure directly on the Natives. (a.) Payments directly to Natives : — Salaries and wages (approximate) —- 1924-25 Native Affairs Department—Samoan staff and officials : Upolu, £ £4,709; Savai'i, £3,406 .. .. .. .. ..8,115 Other Departments —Samoan staff (police, medical, &c.) .. .. 10,054 Casual labour employed by Public Works Department, Harbour Department, Engineering Department, &c. (say) .. .. .. 1,600 (b.) Payments directly on behalf of Natives : — Salaries, European staff, Native Department (Upolu, £1,943 ; Savai'i, £1,629) 3,572 Cost printing Savali (Native Gazette) .. .. .. .. .. 374 Fono expenses (Native Parliament) .. .. .. .. .. 468 Expenses, Land and Titles Commission .. .. .. .. 150 Travelling-expenses (Native Department) .. .. .. .. 380 Entertainment of Samoans .. .. .. .. .. .. 432 Native dog-collars .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 126 Dog-tax bonus .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 96 Clothing, Native police and messengers .. .. .. .. 300 Rations, police and prisons .. .. .. .. .. .. 590 Flags and badges for Native officials .. .. .. .. .. 144 Expenses of visit of Faipules (Native M.P.s) to New Zealand .. .. 522 Upkeep of Samoan lepers at Fiji .. .. .. .. .. 933 Upkeep of Samoan pupils at Auckland .. .. .. .. 120 Establishment expenses —Grade II schools .. .. .. .. 338 Native water-supplies .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 Native pensioners .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 60 Rents of Native houses (Savai'i) .. .. .. .. .. 36 Rations, Samoan patients and staff at hospital .. .. .. 744 Transport and travelling expenses of Health Department in carrying out medical treatment of Natives (say) .. .. .. .. 500 School food-supplies .. .. .. .. .. .. 92 Native Museum and Guest-house, Mulinu'u .. .. .. .. 1,085 Land surveys on behalf of Natives .. .. .. .. .. 59 Agricultural competitions .. .. .. .. .. .. 110 Vocational training —Education Department .. .. .. .. 329 Expenses, Avele Agricultural School .. .. .. .. .. 321 Native burial-grounds .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 £32,000 Note. —In addition it may be mentioned that the Medical Department and the Education Department exist mainly for the benefit of Samoans, and large sums have been spent in these directions (£24,425 and £7,609 respectively in 1924-25). Practically the whole of the expenditure of the Agricultural Department is on behalf of Samoans generally, while that of the Police Department is mainly incidental to the Natives.

35

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Public Works Department Loan Account Expenditure. The total amount spent under this head]to 31st March, 1924 (viz., £120,000) is shown in full in last year's report. Since then nothing further has been expended.

Table showing a Comparison between Revenue and Expenditure over Five Years.

Statement of Current Assets and Liabilities on 31st March, 1925. Assets. £ a. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Cash in hand and at bank .. .. 6,614 311 Reserves .. .. .. .. 15,459 0 3 Imprests .. .. .. .. 130 0 0 Deposits .. .. .. .. 9,206 4 1 Advances .. .. .. .. 6,963 0 7 Currency notes .. .. .. 45,000 0 0 Unallocated stores —Stores Department, Loan Account, N.Z. Government, provided Public Works and Engineering Depart- under section 26, Finance Act, 1921-22, ment .. .. .. .. 23,630 17 3 at 5 per cent, interest and 1 per cent. Plant, buildings, and machinery .. 0 0 redemption fund, section 33, Samoa Loan, Public Works Ac- Act, 1921 (authority for £100,000) (see count— £j s.|d. contra) .. .. .. .. 95,000 0 0 Drainage andJT water- Chinese Accounts—Repatriation costs, &c. 6,902 6 1 supply .. .. 22,136 4 8 Samoa Crown Estates— £ s. d. Other works.. .. 72,863 15 4 (a) Advances in Welling95,000 0 0 ton .. .. 8,000 0 0 Public Works Loan —Redemption Eund (b) Stores, machinery, &c., Investment Account .. .. \2,983 5 4 taken ovei .. 6,762 1 9 S.s. "Lady Roberts"—Preliminary ex- 14,762 1 9 penses and permanent improvements.. 900 0 0 Suspense— Investments — N.Z. Government deben- General .. .. 746 0 10 tures and inscribed stock .. .. 56,790 0 0 Trading .. .. 62 19 10 809 0 8 Surplus and Deficit Account—Balance at 31st March, 1925 .. .. .. 10,606 14 3 £197,745 7 1 £197,745 7 1 Note. —Regarding assets, these accounts do not include value of land, buildings, and other real property under the control of the Administration, as such chiefly belong to the Territory; or book debts, Departments' stocks (except Public Works), furniture and fittings (office and house), horse, trap, and motor transport, &c., paid for out of revenue in previous years. Samoan Post Office Savings-bank.—Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st Mabch, 1925. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Cash held by Postmaster .. .. 100 0 0 Depositors — Total balance at credit of Current Account with Samoan Treasury 6,984 16 9 accounts, including interest to date Investments —N.Z. Government inscribed (£1,344 4s. 5d.) .. .. .. 44,906 1 5 stock .. .. .. .. 41,658 0 0 Balance due on transfers with New Zealand .. .. .. .. 3,836 15 4 £48,742 16 9 £48,742 16 9 STAEE. Careful attention continues to be given to the question of the staffing of the various Departments, having regard to the services required of them by the public. The slight increase shown in the subjoined table is accounted for by (a) the extension of the benefits of the Public Service to the officers of the s.s. " Lady Roberts," which is conducted as a trading operation, and (b) the appointment

36

Revenue Expenditure. y P9r (including Subsidy from New Zealand Government). Ordinary. j Loan Account. Total. £ £ £ i £ 1921-22 .. .. 135,569 137,180 49,229 186,409 1922-23 .. .. 131,250 132,658 20,777 153,435 1923-24 .. .. 133,917 143,010 5,658 148,668 1924-25 .. .. 130,914 135,523 .. 135,523 1925-26* .. .. 130,200 130,200 5,000 135,200 * Figures for 1925-26 are according to estimates only.

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of locally-born juniors and cadets who will in time enable resultant reductions to be made in the senior positions.

37

Department. Beport for 1922. Staff as at 31st March, 1923. Staff as at 31st March, 1924. Staff as at 31st March, 1925. Administrator's .. Administrator Administrator Administrator Administrator A.D.C. A.D.C. A.D.C. Number 2 2 2 1 Secretariat .. Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Clerk Clerk Typist Clerk Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Billeting and Relieving Billeting and Relieving Junior Typist Officer Officer Number 6 6 4 6 Agriculture .. Director Director Director Director Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Number 5 5 5 5 Chinese .. Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Assistant Commissioner Clerk Clerk Number 2 1 2 2 Customs and Har- Collector of Customs Collector of Customs Collector of Customs Collector of Customs bour Examining Officer Examining Officer Examining Officer Examining Officer First Clerk First Clerk First Clerk First Clerk Clerk Clerk Tax Clerk Tax Clerk Fumigation Officer Fumigation Officer Fumigation Officer Fumigation Officer Harbourmaster Harbourmaster Harbourmaster Harbourmaster Master, "Lady Roberts " Engineer, "Lady Roberts " Number 6 6 6 8 Education .. Director Supt. of Schools Supt. of Schools Supt. of Schools Headmaster Headmaster Headmaster, District Headmaster Headmaster, District Headmaster, District School Headmaster, District School School Headmaster, District School Mistress Mistress School Headmaster, District Assistant Master, Assistant Master Assistant Master School Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher Headmaster, District Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher School Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher Travelling Teacher Assistant Teacher Organizing Teacher Travelling Teacher Pupil Teacher Assistant Teacher Pupil Teacher Pupil Teacher Pupil Teacher Number 9 9 9 9 Justice Chief Judge Chief Judge Chief Judge Chief Judge Crown Solicitor Crown Solicitor Crown Solicitor Crown Solicitor Assist. Crown Solicitor Assist. Crown Solicitor Registrar of Court and Registrar of Court and and Registrar of and Registrar of Deputy Registrar of Deputy Registrar of Court and Lands Court and Lands Lands Lands Number 3 3 3 3 Lands and Survey Chief Surveyor Chief Surveyor Chief Surveyor Chief Surveyor Field Surveyor Computing Draughts- Field Surveyor Field Surveyor Computing Draughts- man Computing Draughts- Computing Draughtsman Assistant Surveyor man man Assistant Surveyor Assistant Surveyor Assistant Surveyor Surveyor's Assistant Assistant Surveyor (Samoan) Cadet Cadet Number 5 4 4 6 Public Works .. Engineer in Charge Engineer in Charge Engineer in Charge Engineer in Charge Draughtsman Draughtsman (included in Lands (included in Lands Chief Clerk Chief Clerk and Survey Dept.) and Survey Dept.) Clerk and Ledger-keeper Clerk and Ledger-keeper Draughtsman and Assistant Engineer Storeman Storeman Engineer's Assist. Clerk Buildings Overseer Buildings Overseer Chief Clerk Clerk Roads Overseer Roads Overseer Clerk Buildings Overseer Foreman Joiner Foreman Painter Buildings Overseer Roads Overseerj Foreman Plumber Roads Overseer Foreman Painter Foreman Mechanic Foreman ShipwrightSanitation Foreman Number 13 8 5 5

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STAFF—continued.

38

Department. Report lor 1922. Staff as at 31st March, 1923. Staff as at 31st March, 1924. Staff as at 31st March, 1925. Health .. Chief Medical Officer Chief Medical Officer ! Chief Medical Officer Chief Medical Officer Hospital Supt. Hospital Supt. j Hospital Supt. Hospital Supt. Medical Officer Medical Officer I Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer District Medical Officer District Medical Officer District Medical Officer District Medical Officer Dispenser District Medical Officer District Medical Officer District Medical Officer Assistant Dispenser Assistant Dispenser Dispenser Dispenser Secretary and Steward Secretary and Steward Assistant Dispenser Secretary Storekeeper Storekeeper Secretary and Steward Storekeeper Matron Matron Storekeeper Clerical Cadet Sister Sister Typist Matron Sister Sister Clerical Cadet Sister Sister Sister Matron Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Inspector of Health Sister Sister Sister Bacteriological Assist. Sister Laboratory Assistant Assistant Pathologist Health Inspector I Health Inspector Asst. Health Inspector Number .. 19 20 25 23 Native Affairs .. Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Clerk of Court Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Accountant Clerk of Court Inspector Inspector Chief Translator Accountant Chief Translator Chief Translator Chief Translator Number 4 5 4 4 Police and Prisons Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Inspector Sub-Inspector Sub-Inspector Sub-Inspector Sub-Inspector Detective Sergeant i Detective Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Sergeant Gaoler Gaoler Gaoler Gaoler Constable Constable Constable Constable Accounting Officer Acct. and Storekeeper Acct. and Storekeeper Acct. and Storekeeper Number ..7 7 7 6 Postal . . Postmaster Postmaster Postmaster Postmaster Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Line Foreman Line Foreman Line Foreman Line Foreman Number 4 4 4 4 Resident Commis- At Aleipata At Aleipata At Fagamalo : At Fagamalo sioners At Fagamalo At Fagamalo Secretary at Fagamalo Secretarj' at Fagamalo Secretary at Fagamalo Secretary at Fagamalo Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Beetle Inspector, Faga- Beetle Inspector, Faga- Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Dist. Inspector, Savai'i malo malo Number 4 4 4 4 Stores .. Supplies Purchase Supplies Purchase Stores Manager Stores Manager Officer Officer Clerk Clerk Clerk Storekeeper Clerk Number 2 1 3 4 Treasury .. Treasurer Treasurer Deputy Treasurer Deputy Treasurer Accountant Accountant Senior Clerk Senior Clerk Assistant Accountant Assistant Accountant Cashier Cashier and Audit Officer and Audit Officer Clerk and Typist Clerk Clerk Number 4 4 3 4 Radio-station .. Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Senior Operator Senior Operator Senior Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Engineer Engineer Engineer Engineer Second Engineer Second Engineer Second Engineer Cadet Number 8 7 8 8 Miscellaneous .. .. • • Billeting and Relieving Billeting and Relieving Officer Officer Number .. .. . . 1 1 Grand totals for Adminis- 103 I 96 98 103 tration Departments

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QUESTIONNAIRE. I. SLAVERY. (a.) 1. What measures are being taken with a view to insuring the suppression of the slave trade ? 2. What results have been obtained ? (b.) 1. Is slavery recognized legally ? 2. Does domestic or other slavery still exist ? Give statistics. 3. What are the principal causes of slavery (gambling, drink, &c.) ? 4. Is the pledging of a person recognized legally ? 5. Under what conditions can a slave get his freedom ? 6. What measures have been taken, or are being taken, to provide for the emancipation of slaves and to put an end to all slavery, domestic or otherwise ? 7. Is there any time-limit fixed for the emancipation of slaves ? If in the affirmative, how long is the period ? (a.) 1. Slavery does not exist in the Territory. (b.) 1-7. Slavery is not recognized legally. 11. LABOUR. (a.) 1. Have measures been taken to ensure, in accordance with Part XIII of the Treaty of Versailles, the taking into consideration of conventions or recommendations of International Labour Conferences 1 2. Are these conventions or recommendations being carried into effect ? 3. By what other provisions is free labour protected ? (b.) 1. What are the measures intended to ensure the prohibition of forced labour for purposes other than essential public works and services, and what are the effective results of these measures ? 2. For what public works and services is forced Native labour required ? How is this regulated ? 3. Are there any other forms of forced labour, such as labour in lieu of taxation, maintenance of highways, &c. ? If in the affirmative, how are these regulated ? (c.) 1. How is the recruiting of labour required by private enterprise organized and regulated ? Does Administration participate in this recruiting ? 2. Does the Administration allow recruiting in the mandated area of labour for another territory ? If so, under what conditions ? 3. Is there any system of indentured (Chinese or other) labour in the Territory ? If so, what are the conditions of indenture, and what steps are being taken to provide for the moral and material well-being of the Natives of the Territory, vis-a-vis the indentured labourers ? 4. What compulsory and disciplinary measures are authorized with respect to Native labour ? 5. What powers has the Administration for controlling labour contracts in order to ensure their loyal fulfilment both on the part of the employed and employer, and what powers does it possess to prevent any abuses in this respect ? (a.) 1-3. Those conventions or recommendations are not applicable in the Territory. Labour has the same protection that similar labour enjoys in the Dominion of New Zealand. (b.) 1, 2. No measures are necessary, as there is no forced labour. 3. There is no form of forced labour in lieu of taxation. As to maintenance of highways, the weeding and keeping-clean of the sides of roads and streets is required of all landowners, Native and non-Native. Suppression of the rhinoceros-beetle by collection of beetles, larvae, and eggs is required of all male Natives, who own most of the coconut-palms, and of all other owners of plantations. (c.) 1. There is no recruiting of Samoans for definite periods under contract, and no organization exists. Native Samoans are employed as day labourers by private enterprise and by the Administration. Samoans are also encouraged to take contracts for roadmaking, &c. 2. No. 3. Chinese labour is imported by the Administration under the terms of the Chinese Free Labour Ordinance, 1923, for work mainly on the European plantations. A copy of the Ordinance referred to has already been forwarded to the Librarian of the League of Nations. The labourer undertakes to serve in Samoa for a period of three years, and the Administration undertakes to pay the cost of passage to and from Samoa, and that the labourer shall receive a wage of not less than 3s. per diem so long as he complies with the terms of the Ordinance. If he is dissatisfied with his employer the labourer is free to seek another employer. Whilst serving in Samoa the labourer is subject only to the statute law of the Territory. The moral well-being of the Samoan Native is not affected by the presence of the Chinese under the conditions existing. Neither is their material well-being affected, except beneficially, through the maintenance of trade and revenue by means of this labour. Further, without this labour the cultivated plantations would soon be devastated by the rhinoceros-beetle, and become breeding-grounds for this pest, and so a real menace to the existence of all Native plantations. There are 161 Melanesians employed as plantation labourers. These labourers were recruited under indenture in the Solomon Islands during the period of German Administration of Samoa, but although their terms of indenture have long since expired, they continue voluntarily to remain in Samoa rather than take advantage of the opportunities which have been offered them for returning to the Islands from which they came. 4. None. 5. Chinese labour can be imported by the Administration only, and therefore the allocation of such labour is entirely in the hands of the Administration. An officer called the Chinese Commissioner has been appointed to watch the interest of the labourers. Further, the labourer is free to leave an

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employer if not satisfied with Ms treatment, and in case of ill-treatment can invoke the protection of the statute law of the Territory. As regards prevention of abuses by the labourer, he is entitled to a day's wages for an honest day's work, and the principle "No work, no pay " applies. The employer is entitled to dispense with the labourer's services if the latter does not carry out his work satisfactorily. 111. ARMS TRAFFIC. 1. What measures are being adopted to control the traffic in arms and ammunition ? 2. What are the statistics relating to imports of arms and ammunition of different categories ? 1. The Arms Ordinance, 1921, prohibits the importation or sale of arms, guns, or ammunition except under permit and license. All owners of guns must hold a license. There is no smuggling or illicit sale of arms or ammunition. Only single-barrelled muzzle-loading shot-guns are being supplied to the Natives for pigeon-shooting for food-supplies. The number is, in addition, restricted. 2. Following are the details of importation of arms and ammunition of every description during the year: Arms —Three double-barrelled breach-loading sporting shot-guns; four single-barrelled breach-loading sporting shot-guns ; four No. 22 sporting pea - rifles ; two big-game rifles ; one revolver (war souvenir). Ammunition —27,500 rounds sporting shot-gun No. 12 cartridges ; 28,800 rounds sporting shot-gun No. 16 cartridges ; 41,000 rounds sporting shot gun No. 20 cartridges ; 8,500 rounds sporting shot-gun No. 410 cartridges ; 500 rounds sporting rifle No. 32 cartridges ; 500 rounds sporting rifle No. 44 cartridges ; 12,500 rounds sporting pea-rifle No. 22 cartridges ; 13,250 percussion caps ; 100 dynamite caps; 25 empty sporting brass shells; I,ooolb. sporting powder ; 1 ton sporting shot. IV. TRADE AND MANUFACTURE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. 1. What steps are being taken to assure the prohibition of abuses of the liquor traffic ? 2. How is the campaign against alcoholism organized ? 3. What are the effects of these measures ? (Statistics relative to the import and to the local manufacture of alcoholic liquors, &c.). 4. What are the countries of origin of alcoholic liquor, other than wine and beer, imported into the Territory ? 5. What measures have been taken to assure the prohibition or regulation of the importation, production, and consumption of dangerous drugs ? 1. The importation and manufacture of all liquor containing more than 3 per cent, of proof spirit is absolutely prohibited by the Samoa Act, 1921, sections 336 to 341, except importation by the Administration for medicinal, sacramental, or industrial purposes (as provided by section 340). Such importations and the disposal of such liquor so imported is controlled by the Sale of Intoxicating Liquor Regulations, 1920. Sale to both Europeans and Natives is prohibited except when prescribed by a duly qualified Government Medical Officer and for medicinal purposes only. (See also Board of Health Regulations No. 1.) 2. All liquor on board visiting ships must be declared in writing on arrival and at once placed under Customs seal, which must remain unbroken until the ship sails. The Police and Customs maintain a watch over every overseas vessel, and ships are frequently searched. The police also take steps to prevent local manufacture. 3. Convictions for liquor offences show a considerable decrease as compared with the previous year, as the following figures will indicate : — Convictions. 1923. 1924. Drunkenness .. .. .. .. .. 14 8 Manufacturing liquor .. .. .. .. 18 11 Liquor found on premises .. .. .. .. 3 In possession of liquor .. .. .. .. 3 4 Importing liquor .. .. . . . . .. 6 1 Concealing liquor .. .. .. .. .. 1 Selling liquor .. .. .. .. .. 4 Distilling liquor .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 Consuming methylated spirits .. .. .. .. .. 29 18 Samoans consuming liquor .. .. .. .. .... 6 Totals ... .. .. .. .. 80 50 Imports of intoxicating liquors during the year were ; For medicinal purposes —Whisky, 1,036 gallons; brandy, 139 gallons ; gin, 101 gallons ; port wine, 70 gallons ; claret, 20 gallons; stout, 658 gallons ; ale, 231 gallons. For sacramental purposes—Wine, 288 gallons. For industrial purposes —Rectified spirits of wine, 28| gallons. For laboratory attached to Apia Hospital, 2 gallons alcohol absolute. 4. Whisky —United Kingdom ; brandy —France. 5. The New Zealand Opium Act, 1908, and Amendment, 1910, and regulations made thereunder, controlling the importation of opium, morphine, heroin, cocaine, and such preparations under license, are in force in Western Samoa. These regulations are in furtherance of the terms of the Opium Convention, and in particular provide for the introduction of the " imports certificate " system. There is no local production of opium or dangerous drugs in Samoa. All precautions are taken by the police and Customs to prevent illicit traffic in prohibited drugs. With the exception of one reputable chemist, all dispensing and sale is in the hands of Administration doctors.

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V. LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE. 1. What measures are being taken to guarantee liberty of conscience and religion ? 2. What restrictions have been laid down for the maintenance of public order and morality ? 3. Is there free exercise of religious worship and instruction ? 4. If not, what restrictions are there to limit such exercises ? 5. What are the results of such restrictions ? 1. Missionaries in Samoa pursue their calling without restriction. There is absolute freedom of conscience. 2. In general, the restrictive laws for the maintenance of public order and morality are the same as those of the Dominion of New Zealand. 3. Yes. 4. 5. There are no restrictions. VI. MILITARY CLAUSES. 1. Are there any fortresses or military or naval bases ? 2. What are the forms of Native military organization, and instruction ? 3. Are there any police forces, independent of the military, charged with the defence of the Territory ? AVhat is the respective importance of these two forces, and the amount spent on each ? 4. In what respect is the military organization of the Mandated Territory different from that in force in the neighbouring possessions of the Mandatory Power ? 1, 2. There are none. 3, 4. There is no military organization in the Territory. VII. ECONOMIC EQUALITY. 1. What derogations are there to the principle of economic equality as regards (a) concessions (6) land-tenure, (c) mining rights (in particular prospecting), (d) fiscal regime (direct or indirect taxation), (e) Customs regulations (imports, exports, transit) ? 2. What immigration laws are there ? 1. (a), (b), (c), (d). None. (e.) An import duty of 22| per cent, on non-British goods, as against 15 per cent, on British goods. There are no restrictions as regards country of origin of goods imported. 2. See Samoa Immigration Consolidation Order, 1924. VIII. EDUCATION. 1. What steps are being taken for the elementary education of the Natives of the Territory, (organization and statistics) ? Is this education free to all Natives, and, if not, in what cases is it free ? 2. What steps are being taken to provide for higher education of the Natives, such as medical, veterinary, and technical ? 3. In what languages is instruction given in the different categories of schools ? 4. Are mission schools compelled to submit to certain conditions ? If so, what ? 1. In the past the elementary education of the Natives has been almost entirely in the hands of the missions, and in the interest of the Natives themselves it is intended that it should remain so. The London Mission Society, the Methodist Mission, and the Roman Catholic Mission principally, and to a lesser extent the Church of the Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists, have for many years past carried on the work of education in the Territory, and the proof of the sterling work accomplished by them is in the fact that few, if any, Samoans are unable to read and write in the vernacular. The organization of the schools is referred to under the heading of " Education Department " earlier in this report. The numbers being educated by the various missions during the past year were—London Missionary Society, 8,000; Methodist Mission, 2,087 ; Roman Catholic Mission, 1,800; Latter-Day Saints Mission, 500 : there are also the Marist Brothers' and Marist Sisters' Schools in Apia, with roll numbers of 305 and 170 respectively. The Administration, in addition to a school for white and half-caste children (roll number 197, made up chiefly of half-caste children), has a school for Native boys and girls in Apia, with a roll number of 274; a school for boys at Vaipouli (Savai'i), with a roll number of 72 ; and an agricultural school at Avele, near Vailima, with a roll number of 43 boys. Education in purely Native schools is free, but a small charge is made a't schools established for whites and half-castes. 2. Medical. —The Education Department arranges for tuition, in English only, for selected Native nurses and Native cadets employed by the Medical Department. The latter Department itself undertakes the organized training of these nurses and cadets. Samoan nurses : Suitable girls, drawn largely through the missionary societies, but not restricted to these sources, are engaged as probationer nurses at the Apia Hospital. They do the work of a probationer nurse in the ward (both European and Samoan) under the supervision of the white sisters. They receive theoretical instruction from the Matron and Superintendent. They attend lectures devoted to general medical principles, to the special diseases prevalent in Samoa, and to the cases of children and infants. At the end of two years they are examined and, if suitable, are sent to out-stations for a further year's service under the District Medical Officer. They are also sent to the mission dispensaries, where they reside. The missionary supervises them, and the service rendered

6—A. 4.

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by these trained nurses is much appreciated. At the end of three years they may re-engage, if they so desire, for a further period. Samoan medical cadets : Suitable Native youths are engaged as cadets at the hospital. They help in the practical work in the wards and the out-patients department. They receive theoretical instruction in elementary anatomy and physiology, materia medica, and therapeutics. They receive lectures —theoretical and clinical —in medicine and surgery as it applies to Samoa. No attempt is made to give them a comprehensive knowledge of medicine. Only such diseases as are likely to be seen in Samoa are dealt with, and the aim is to make them thoroughly conversant with the common ailments. They are not encouraged to undertake serious cases beyond their capabilities. Operative work is confined to the opening of superficial abscesses. More serious cases are sent to the hospital. The course at the hospital lasts two years, and the instruction is carried out by the medical staff. At the end of the third year, if the cadet has made sufficient progress, he is sent to an out-station to work under the District Medical Officer. At the end of that time, if he is suitable, he is given the rank of Native Medical Assistant, and is sent on visits to a district where sickness is unduly prevalent. They all receive laboratory training, assist in the operating-theatre and in the dispensing of medicines. Technical. —At the district and high schools conducted by the missions practical instruction is given in carpentry, cabinetmaking, smithery, and practical agriculture. The London Mission Society also has its own printing-office staffed by mission boys under the supervision of a trained European printer, where most excellent work is done. At Government schools instruction is given in woodwork, plumbing, wireless operating, typewriting, and elementary engineering. 3. See section of report under Education Department. In Grade I (missions' pastor schools) the instruction is in Samoan. All children from five to ten years of age attend these schools. In Grade II mission schools the instruction is in Samoan, but English is taught as a subject. In Grade 111 (Government schools) the instruction is in English. Instruction in English is also given at Marist Brothers' and Sisters' Schools, Apia, and likewise at all Mormon schools. 4. Mission schools are not compelled to submit to certain conditions, except that in the Grade II (mission) schools (where the Native teacher is selected by the missions but is paid by the Administration) a common syllabus, laid down on the advice of the Board of Education, has to be followed. The Grade II schools are also subject to inspection by an officer of the Education Department, whose functions are to assist the Native teacher and co-ordinate the work in these schools. IX. PUBLIC HEALTH. 1. What steps are being taken in the Territory to provide for public health, sanitation, and to combat endemic and epidemic diseases ? 2. What provisions are made for medical assistance ? 3. What is the actual situation as regards prostitution, and what steps are being taken in this matter ? 4. What public health organization for the investigation, prevention, control, and treatment of diseases exists in the Territory ? 5. What endemic diseases are responsible for the greatest morbidity and mortality in the Territory ? Please supply as complete statistics as possible regarding the morbidity and mortality attributable to such diseases, where possible by months and age and sex. 6. Please indicate the birth-rate, the death-rate from all causes, and the infant-mortality rate for those portions of the Territory, if any, for which such information may be available. 7. Describe the measures in force for the collection of vital statistics in the Territory ? 8. Please supply such other information of epidemiological interest concerning the Territory as may be available, with special reference to the incidence of such serious diseases as sleeping-sickness, &c., where this information does not come within the scope of question 5 above. 1. A. Public health —that is, that section of the medical service which deals with hygiene and sanitation—is provided for by a staff consisting of the Chief Medical Officer, who is also Medical Officer of Health, and who is an official of the New Zealand Department of Health, on loan to the Samoan Administration ; and two Inspectors of Health, one of whom must be a plumber registered in New Zealand, and both of whom must have qualifications in sanitary science to the satisfaction of the Director-General of Health, New Zealand. In addition to the above, Medical Officers in out-stations, of which there are two, are responsible for the control of their districts, and the Inspectors of the Department of Agriculture also report regularly on the general condition of the villages inspected by them. The Legislative enactments concerning the health of the community are— (a.) The Samoan Quarantine Order, 1920, which gives adequate powers for the prevention of the introduction of disease into Western Samoa. (b.) The Samoa Act, 1921, and the Samoa Health Order, 1921, under the latter of which a Board of Health is constituted, with power to make regulations for the conservation and promotion of the public health. (c.) The Samoa Health Ordinance, passed by the Legislative Council of Western Samoa in 1921, which deals with nuisances, infectious diseases, water-supplies, and sanitation. (d.) Regulations made by the Board of Health. Those directly concerned with public health are : No. 2—Regulations for the Purpose of Preventing or Checking the Spread of Infectious Disease; No. 4—Regulations as to Rubbish and Refuse Containers ; No. s—Regulations5—Regulations as to the Prevention of the Breeding of Mosquitoes ; No. 6— Regulations in respect of Buildings, Drainage, and the Structure and Cleansing of Privies ; No. 7 —Regulations for the Prevention of the Introduction of Foot-and-mouth Disease into Western Samoa (Temporary). (e.) Native Sanitary Regulations : These, of which a draft copy is included in the Health Survey of Western Samoa (Appendix F of the annua] report) were agreed to by the Fono of Faipule, or Native advisory body, at the Fono of June, 1924, and have now come into force by Order in Council in New Zealand.

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B. Endemic and epidemic diseases: The chief endemic diseases in Western Samoa are ankylostomiasis, framboesia (yaws), filariasis. The first two mentioned are dealt with in the body of the annual report, and also in Appendices B and E. Filariasis is the subject of research work at present being carried out by a Research Expedition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (see Appendix D). Both endemic and epidemic diseases are being combated by the education of the Natives, the enforcement of sanitation, the training of Native medical practitioners and nurses, and the provision of dispensaries in the various districts. 2. All Natives receive free medical treatment. The points at which such treatment is available are shown on the small map accompanying this report. 3. The keeping of brothels is forbidden. There are no brothels or common prostitutes in Samoa. 4. See annual report and answers to questions 1 and 2. 5. The only reliable statistics available are those of the Apia Hospital, which are given in the report. Native reports as to the cause of death cannot be relied upon. 6. See report on vital statistics on pages 4 to 9 of the Supplementary Health Report. 7. The regulations governing the registration of births and deaths were published in the annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1923. The new system of registration has now been in operation for two years, and is working so satisfactorily that the returns of vital statistics may be taken as accurate. 8. Not applicable. X. LAND-TENURE. 1. What system of land-tenure and forest law exists ? How are they legally recognized ? What lands are considered as belonging to the State, and what are regarded as communally owned ? 2. What measures are being adopted for the registration of landed property ? 3. What other regulations for the alienation of land in which Natives or Native communities exercise rights by virtue of heredity or use ? 4. What other measures are being taken to protect the rights and interests of Natives and Native communities in respect to land (usury, forced sale, &c.) ? 1. All land is either —(a) Crown land, being the land of the former German Government and such other land as may be acquired by the Administration from time to time for public purposes in accordance with sections 271 and 273, Samoa Act, 1921 (the term " public purposes " includes public health, education, public recreation, the burial of the dead, water-supply, drainage, lighting, the provision of public buildings, the provision of sites for townships, the provision of wharves, harbours, tramways and railways, and all lawful purposes and functions of the Government of Samoa) ; (b) European land, being all the other land of which the title is individualized (this is held as by grant from the Crown) ; (c) Native land, being the land held by Samoans under the usages of the race (these lands are vested in the Crown in trust for the Samoans : See Part IX of the Samoa Act, 1921). Native land is vested in the Crown in order that the interests of the Natives (present and future) might be suitably protected. When any Native land is leased or sold, the Administration undertakes the collection of the money resulting from the transaction and sees that this money reaches the Natives really entitled to it. 2. The titles to Crown and European land are registered under an efficient system by the Government. The titles to Native land are, when in dispute, adjudicated on by a Commission, whose proceedings are on record. (See Samoa Land Registration Order, 1920). 3. Alienation of Native Land by sale, lease, or mortgage, other than alienations in favour of the Crown, are prohibited. Leases up to forty years may be granted if in the interests of the Natives. (See Part IX, Samoa Act, 1921, section 280.) Native land within the Apia town area (i.e. lying within a radius of two miles of the Customhouse, Apia) is alienable by way of sale with the consent of the Administrator if in accordance with the interests and desires of the Native owners. (See Sale of Apia Native Land Ordinance, 1923.) 4. Usurious contracts with Natives are unenforceable (see section 366, Samoa Act, 1921). Native land is not capable of being taken in execution, nor in payment of debts of the owner on his decease or insolvency (see section 280, Samoa Act, 1921). No security over property of a Samoan is enforceable without the leave of the High Court (see section 367, Samoa Act, 1921). XI. MORAL, SOCIAL, AND MATERIAL WELFARE. What are, generally speaking, the measures adopted to ensure the moral, social, and material welfare of the Natives ? (Measures to maintain the interests, rights, and customs of the Natives, their participation in public service, Native tribunals, &c.) The moral welfare of the Natives has been the care of the missions for nearly a hundred years, and to the missions is due the fact that the whole of the Native people are christianized and possess elementary education in the vernacular. The missions are the London Mission Society, the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Roman Catholic Mission, the Latter-day Saints Mission, and the Seventhday Adventists. Every endeavour is made by the Administration to assist and co-operate with the missions, and it is in complete harmony with them. Since New Zealand assumed the mandate for the Territory it has instituted equal incidence of the criminal law for Europeans and Natives. The social system of the Natives is based upon the family, at the head of which is a Matai, who is appointed to use the family name or title and to rule over the family. Families are gathered together in villages, and the village is presided over by a Pulenu'u (or Town Ruler), who is chosen by the Matais and appointed by the Government. Every endeavour is made to maintain the authority of the Pulenu'u and Matai, and to preserve beneficial customs whilst eliminating undesirable ones.

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The material welfare of the Natives, as well as their moral and social welfare, receives the most sympathetic consideration of the Administration —indeed, the progress and advancement of the indigenous inhabitants are always the first consideration. The land of the Natives is held under their customs and usages, and is preserved to them by the prohibition of alienation (See Samoa Act, 1921, sections 278 to 283.) The energies of the Natives are directed to the production of copra from their coconut-palms, and to the production of foodstuffs from their plantations. They produce the greater part of the copra exported. The local price of the copra is regulated by the competition of buyers, and their sales of copra produce to the Natives a sufficiency of money for their needs. They are protected from exploitation in the purchase price of goods required by them, by the provisions of the Samoa Board of Trade Order, 1921. The administration of the government of the Natives is entrusted largely to themselves through their own officials. The Fono of Faipules, or Native Parliament, has been given statutory recognition by the Samoa Amendment Act, 1923, and all matters affecting the welfare of the Natives are discussed by the Administrator with the Faipules at their Fono, which assembles twice yearly. The following table will indicate the extent to which the indigenous inhabitants participate in the Public Service : —

Summary of Staff, showing extent to which Native Samoans participate in Public Service.

Note. —In addition to the above, some eighty Samoans and half-castes are employed as casual staff in the Harbour, Public Works, Postal, Lands and Survey, and Engineering Departments, and as crew of the ss. " Lady Roberts." All these also receive instruction in trades or other useful occupations. XII. PUBLIC FINANCES. The general schedule of receipts from, and expenditure on, the Territory, Budget system, indication of the nature and assessment of taxes. (a.) See particulars on pages 34 to 36 for receipts from and expenditure on the Territory. (b.) Budget System.—Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the ensuing year are issued on or prior to the first day of the financial year. Under the Samoa Act (section 32) the Administrator, subject to the control of the Minister of External Affairs, New Zealand, directs expenditure from the Samoan Treasury. (c.) Nature and Assessment of Taxes. Customs : See Samoa Customs Consolidation Order, 1923. Building-tax, salary-tax, store-tax, and business licenses : See Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Ordinance, 1921, and amendments thereof. Personal tax : See Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Ordinance, 1921, and amendments 1 hereof. Personal tax is payable as follows : Every male Samoan seventeen years of age and over—(a) If a Matai, £1 4s. per annum ; (b) if a Taulealea, £1 per annum. Every male person of eighteen years of age not being a Samoan, £1 ss. per annum. Medical subscription : Every male Samoan seventeen years of age and over pays a medical subscription of £1 per annum, in exchange for which universal free medical treatment, medicines, and attention are given to all Samoans. The levying of this subscription was asked for by the Samoans themselves. All persons other than Samoans have to pay for whatever medical trea'.ment and attention they receive.

XIII. DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS. Births, Marriages, Deaths, Immigration and Emigration. Return showing the Births, Deaths, and Marriages, also Immigration and Emigration, for the Year ended 31st December, 1924.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,190 copies, including illustrations and maps), £135.

By Authority: W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l92s.

Price 2s.]

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Europeans. Half-casteb. Native Samoans. I 31/3/1924. j 31/3/1925. | 31/3/1924. 31/3/1925.j 31/3/1924.J 31/3/1925. Departmental officials .. .. 8-3 81 14 22 149 148 Samoa Crown Estates .. .. 8: 4 3 1 2 Samoa Public Trust Office .. .. 2 2 1 Part-time Native officials .. . . .. .. .. .. 318 330 Temporary officers .. .. 7 1, 1 .. 4 Totals .. .. 100 88 18 24 473 I 478

i I I I I Births. Deaths. j Marriages. {Immigration.! Emigration. Native Samoans .. .. .. 1,900 766 198 1,156 1,273 Europeans and half-castes .. .. 119 17 32 399 496 Chinese labourers .. .. . . . . 5 1 1 207 Melanesian labourers .. .. .. 1 10 1 .. 36 Totals .. .. .. 2,020 ! 798 232 1,556 ! 2,012 ■ . I i

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Samoan Fale being assembled for (London) Exhibition, 1924.

Native Village.

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Native Fishing.

Education Board, Samoa.

(left). —Rev. A. Hough, L.M.S. Mission; Major-General G. S. Richardson, Administrator of Samoa; Rev. G. Shinkfield, Methodist Mission. Standing (left.) —D. A. J. Rutherford, Superintendent of Schools; Rev. Father Deihl, Roman Catholic Mission; C. McKay, Secretary; Elder Butler, Mormon Mission. Absent.—H. S. Griffin, Secretary for Native Affairs; Hon. 0. F. Nelson, M.L.C., Samoan representative.

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Native sun-drying Cocoa.

Native sun-drying Copra.

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Samoan Taro-cultivation.

A Turtle Catch.

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Malifa District School.

Where refresher courses are held for the training of Native teachers.

Fetu o Samoa.

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Samoan Teachers of Grade III (Government) Schools and Grape II (Mission) Schools.

Avele Agricultural School, recently established.

After a course extending over two years, boys proceed to Malifa and Vaipouli District Schools.

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POLITICAL MAP OF WESTERN SAMOA SHEWING DISTRICTS REPRESENTED IN THE NATIVE PARLIAMENT (FONO OF FAIPULES)

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WESTERN SAMOA