A.—4.

18

Return of Criminal Cases for the Period 1st April, 1922, to 31st March, 1923.

Hich Court of Western Samoa, Ai.eipata Division. In respect of Civil Procedure for Period covering Ist April, 1922, to 31st March, 1923. Number of days on which Court sat .. .. .. .. ..35 Number of actions commenced .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 Number of actions heard .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 Number of judgments given .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 In respect of Criminal Proceedings for Period covering Ist April, 1922, to 31st March, 1923. Number of days on which Court sat .. .. .. .. 14 Number of persons chargec I .. .. .. .. .. ..17 Number of cases heard .. .. .. .. .. ..17 Number of judgments given .. .. .. .. .. ..17 Number of cases dismissed .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Land Registior, Western Samoa, at Apia. Return of Documents registered for the Period Ist, April, 1922, to 31st March, 1923. ('onveyances .. .. . . . . . . .. .. 31 Mortgages .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 15 Discharges of mortgages .. .. .. .. .. ..24 Leases .. .. .. .. . . . . .. 21 Miscellaneous.. .. .. .. . . .. 19 Total .. .. .. • .. .. ..113 High Court of Western Samoa, at Apia. Return of Fines and Fees for the Period Ist April, 1922, to 31st March, 1923. £ s. d. Fines and costs, criminal cases .. .. .. .. .. 1,254 9 0 Fees in civil cases collected by means of stamps, including land registration .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 535 6 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £1,789 15 0 N.B.—Does not include fees collected at Saviai'i, Aloipata, Native Department, and Chinese Department. POLICE AND PRISONS. The criminal statistics accompanying this report deal with all offences reported during 1922, and show an aggregate net increase of 188 on the figures for 1921. This increase, as will be seen from the tables, is mainly in minor offences. The proportion of offences to the population was 1-98 per cent, as against 1-52 per cent, for the previous yea i. The percentage of arrests or summonses resulting from the total offences reported dining the year was 96 per cent. —the figures of the preceding year being 95 per cent. So far there are no confirmed criminals here of the type known in New Zealand and other countries. The communal customs and habits of the Samoans are responsible! for many of the petty thefts committed. During the year advantage was taken of the, resignation of the Inspector (for health reasons) to reduce the commissioned officers of the Police Department to two —viz., a Commissioner of Police and a Sub-Inspector. As the Force lacked a man trained and experienced in the investigation of Clime and offences, a detective-sergeant was secured on loan from the New Zealand Police Department.

Sitting Days. Persons charged Convictions recorded. Dismissed Withdrawn on by leave of Merits. Court. Quarter ending I I 1922. 32 37 40 238 141 181. 208 126 139 June September .. December .. ..I 32 .. t 37 40 22 8 10 5 32 10 1923. March Totals 50 159 50 162 122 29 II 722 595 93 34