A.—4

14

There has been no marked change in the number of cases as compared with last year, the slight decrease in civil cases being probably due to the temporary absence of one legal agent and the death of another. Speaking generally, the increased familiarity of the public with the present legal system, which has now been in vogue nearly four years, and the replacement of German law by Ordinances of the; Legislative; Council, has progressively lightened the work of the Department. The present cost of tho Department in salaries is now less than it has been at. any time since 1914. Administration of Justice. The Chief Judge at present deals with practically all cases in Apia, whether within the jurisdiction of Commissioners or -not, except those now, as heretofore, dealt with, by the Chinese Commissioner and the Secretary for Native Affairs. This frees the Crown Solicitor and Prosecutor (who is also a member of the Legislative Council, Begistrar of Court, and Begistrar of Land) from the necessity of sitting as a Commissioner, and enables him to give his whole time to his other duties. Samoan Lands and Titles Commission. —This Court dealt with eighty-eight cases during two sessions, as follows : — 13th to 29th June, 1923 : Number of cases dealt with, 47. How disposed of : Judgments, 13 ; reconciliations, 5 ; adjournments, 29. 6th November to 3rd December, 1923 : Number of cases dealt with, 41. How disposed of : Judgments, 32; reconciliations, 7; adjournments, 1; dismissed, I. Laws and Ordinances. —Nine local Ordinances drafted by the Department have been passe;d by the; Legislative Council during the year, and, having received the Administrator's assent, have become law. A number of amendments to the Samoa Act have been made law by the New Zealand Parliament. Ten Orders in Council have been made by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of section 45 of the Samoa Act. Land Begistration. The return attached shows the number of transactions put through the Land Begister : — Return of Documents registered for Period Ist April, 1923, to 31st March, 1924. Conveyances .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ...12 Mortgages .. . . . . . . . . . . 18 Discharges . . . . .. . . . . . . 12 Leases .. .. .. . . .. . . .. .. 2 Crown grants, including Crown leases . . . . .. . . 18 Miscellaneous .. .. . . . . ... . . . . . . 26 Total .. .. . . . . .'. .. .. 88 High Court of Western Samoa. Annual Return of Revenue for the Year, Ist April, 1923, to 31st March, 1924. Fees collected in stamps : — £ s. d. £ s. d. Begistrar's Office, High Court .. .. .. .. . . 277 13 0 Land Begistrar's Office .. .. .. . . .. 53 0 0 — £330 13 0 Bevenue received in cash :— Fines, costs, marriage fees, and Court grants .. .. .. 1,385 16 .10 Legal fees . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 600 3 0 1,985 19 10 £2,316 12 10 Annual Return of Criminal Cases for the Year, Ist April, 1923, to 31st March, 1924. Sitting-days . . .. .. . . . . . . .. .. 160 Persons charged .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 742 Convictions record .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 618 Dismissed on merits .. .. .. .. .. .. 54 Withdrawn by leave of Court .. .. .. .. .. .. 80 Annual Return of Civil Cases for the Year, Ist, April, 1923, to 31sl March, 1924. Sitting-days .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 93 Actions filed .. .. .. .. .. ... .. ■ .. 484 Actions heard . . . . . . . . . . .. .. 428 Judgment given .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 385 Withdrawn or struck out .. .. .. .. .. 55 AGRICULTURAL. Copra. This is by far the most important product of Western Samoa, representing last year approximately 90 per cent, of the total value of our exports. The far-reaching effect of anything that can be done to benefit this industry is therefore clearly apparent.