A.—4a

3

but only gradually so. With the introduction of systematic treatment for yaws throughout the group one of the principal causes of debility in children under two years of age is being rapidly eliminated ; but the chief factor —improper feeding when the child is being weaned—will disappear only with the education of the mothers. Such education is being undertaken. Dental inspection of schools was commenced in February, 1924, and medical inspection will be commenced as soon as the necessary arrangements can be made. Quarantine. Of the eighty-six vessels arriving at Apia from overseas, two were quarantined on account of the presence of influenza on board. These are the only two occasions on which it has been found necessary to refuse pratique since January, 1921. Food and Drugs. During the year 6,658 lb. of meat was condemned as unfit for human consumption, as compared with 7,393 lb. during tho previous year. But whereas during the previous year most of the meat condemned was canned meat, this year the amount of such condemned was much reduced. The following shows tho proportion of this class of meat to the total amount condemned : canned meats, 1,850 lb. ; meat in kegs, 4,630 lb. ; curod and frozen meats, 178 lb. : total, 6,658 lb. Rice to the amount of 18 tons 11 cwt. was condemned as unfit for human consumption. Sanitation. During tho past three years the sanitation of Apia has been considerably improved. Until 1920 sanitation may bo said to have been practically unknown. There were no men with a sufficient knowledge of plumbing and drain-laying, and the work carried out was in most cases crude and unsatisfactory. Sinks and bathrooms discharged their contents on the ground under the floor, or just outside the house. The average pit privy was most insanitary and unsightly. Some of the septic tanks installed prior to that date have worked satisfactorily, but many have required to be remodelled. With the introduction of civil administration a commencement was made to improve conditions ; and regulations, consisting largely of detailed specifications of the standard of work required, were drafted. A Health Inspector with qualifications in plumbing and drain-laying was appointed. A careful survey was mado of the condition of every building in Apia and tho immediate vicinity. The various points noted in tho survey were : — (1.) Address. (2.) Site. (3.) Nature of soil. (1.) Surroundings: Access of light and air; obstruction by trees or buildings; open space at front, sides, back (area) ; proximity (distance in feet) of stables, cow-sheds, jugsties, manure heap, foul ditches, stagnant water, offensive accumulations, offensive trades, or other sources of effluvia. (5.) Yards and outbuildings : Condition as to cleanliness, paving, drainage, area, closets, workshops, &c. (6.) Foundations: Damp-proof course; banking of soil against walls ; ventilation of space beneath ground floor, and short description of foundations. (7.) Walls. (8.) Roof. (9.) Floors, windows, doors, ceilings' (soundness). (1.0.) Rooms: Number: area and height; number of bedrooms ; windows (area, space, made to open, and whether bottom or top) ; other means of ventilation ; walls (painted or papered). (11.) Drainage: Sink; bath; lavatory; floor-gullies; soil-pipes; gullies; gutters around eaves ; rain-pipes; ventilation of drains ; means of access for inspection ; drain under house. (1.2.) Septic tank (if any) : Position ; construction ; dimensions ; ventilation ; watertight; effluent-disposal; risk of pollution of any water-supply. (1.3.) W.C. : Type; fly-proof; sanitary condition; distance from nearest window or door; distance from wells or other water-supplies. (14.) Household refuse : Method of storage ; position ; method of disposal; frequency of disposal. (15.) Water-supply: Public (from mains) spring; well; distance from house; sufficiency; purity ; risk of pollution. If well, depth, construction, lining, coping, cover, distance in feet of nearest source of pollution (closet or filth-accumulation of any kind) ; if cistern, note position, construction, cover (mosquito-proof), cleanliness, connection with W.C, discharge of overflow-pipe. (1.6.) Cleanliness of premises: Light, ventilation, cleanliness. (17.) Animals kept (hens, dogs, pigs, &c.) : Description, number, where kept, nuisance resulting. (1.8.) Inmates : Adults (male) ; adults (female) ; children under sixteen (ages). (111.) Remarks: Quarters of servants (number and race); fuller replies to other questions than space allowed. (20.) Recommendations.