A.—4

24

Radio Station. The station has maintained, without interruption, communication with New Zealand and those island stations for whose radio traffic it is responsible. A 70 horse-power " Allen " engine and generator to replace the German one which broke down in February, 1923 —as referred to in the last report —has now been installed, and has been running for two months. It is proving quite; satisfactory, and the station is now complete. A more comprehensive scheme of weather reporting to shipping was commenced on the Ist October, 1923. Apia-Radio now collects reports from Tonga, Tahiti, Rarotonga, Fiji, Norfolk Island, New Hebrides, and, together with Apia's report, broadcasts the information twice daily during the hurricane season and once daily in the non-hurricane season. Radio-telegraph communication with Savai'i was inaugurated on the Ist October, 1923, since which date reliable daylight communication has been maintained. With a view to ascertaining if Samoan boys can be trained to fill positions as operators, a training class has been recently formed. Sufficient time has not yet been spent in training to be able to report on progress.

Return of Traffic handled by Apia-Radio for the Year April, 1923, to March, 1924.

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

LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT. During the year the plan of the business portion of Apia was completed, and the lithographs of same have now been published. Compass surveys of Native; villages, a hydro-electric scheme, and Crown Estates land for Native cultivations were undertaken. Theodolite surveys of isolated Court grants were made and based on true meridian from stellar and solar observations, and others, as enumerated on the accompanying schedule, connected to the standard coast traverse. The standard coast traverse was extended four miles to the east of Apia, and all surveys within the scope of the work connected up. Preliminary engineering, road surveys, and of Native water-supplies were undertaken for the Public Works Department,

Month. ! Messages. Words. Amount earned by ApiaRadio. 1923. April May June . . July .. August September Oetober November December 1924. 1,352 1,261 1,207 1,202 1,392 1,324 1,275 1,228 1,240 14,616 15,329 13,907 14,279 16,610 16", 026 14,753 14,090 13,400 £ s. d. 288 0 6 287 16 10 268 6 9 267 18 3 322 17 4 307 13 7 275 18 2 270 4 6 255 16 2 January February Marcli 1,182 1,250 1,485 13,517 13,931 16,720 255 6 6 275 2 4 336 7 5 Total . . 15,398 177,178 3,414 8 4

' Total Enginerunning Time. Monthly Consumption Crude Oil. Consumption per hour. High-power-Transmitting Time. Month. 1923. April May lune luly .. August .. September October .. November December 1924, Hrs. min. 120 30 144 45 138 30 136 45 137 15 137 45 142 30 141 15 140 45 Gallons. 300 455 350 340 361 389 360 271 374 Oallons. 2-5 2-9 2-6 2-5 2-6 2-5 2-5 1-9 2-6 Hours. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 lanuary February* March! ".. 14.5 15 120 00 96 45 393 658 255 2-7 5-5 2-6 2 2 2 * Now Allen engine installed and tested this month. t Allen startei at 24 times, Swiderski 3 times.