A.—4

27

Statistical Figures for the Year ended 31st March, 1924.

OBSERVATORY. I The work of the Apia Observatory embraces the observation of terrestrial magnetism, se;ismology, atmospheric electricity, investigation of the upper air, meteorology, determination of time, and the general supervision of the stations in the South Pacific weather-reporting system. Magnetism. Continuous photographic records of the magnetic elements, declination, horizontal and vertical force have been obtained during the past year. Absolute, observations for declination and horizontal intensity were taken about once every ten days* and for inclination about once every three; days. The magnetic values were reduced to absolute units, and the following table gives the summarized results : — 1922. 1923. Declination (oast) .. .. .. .. .. 10° 13-6' 10° 16-3' Dip (south) .. .. .. .. .. .. 30° 5-6' 30° 6-6' Horizontal force, C.G.S. unit . . .. .. .. -35241 -35248 Vertical force, C.G.S. unit .. .. .. .. -20423 -20440 Total force, C.G.S. unit .. .. .. .. -40731 -40746 These values have been communicated to the British Admiralty and to the leading hydrographic offices of the world. Tho magnetic character of each day, and tho hourly values for those days, decided upon by the Commission de Magnetism Terrestre et d'Electricite Atmospherique, have been sent regularly each quarter to the proper authorities at De Bilt, Holland. At the time of the eclipse of the sun on tho 10th September, 1923, special control observations were taken, and reductions were carried out in compliance with the request of Dr. Bauer, Director, Department Terrestrial Magnetism of the Carnegie Institution of Washington, who is collecting information from all piarts of the world for determining the effect of the eclipse of the sun on the earth's magnetism. Seismology. Complete records have been obtained for the past year on both the 1000 kg. horizontal component Wiechert seismograph, and. the 180 kg. vertical seismograph, except for the; period August October, when the clock mechanism for tho former instrument was being repaired in New Zeajand. A monthly repiort of all seismic disturbances has been sent to Professor 11. 11. Turner, of the British Association Seismology Committee, and to Dr. C. E. Adams, Government Astronomer for New Zealand, to whom also special wireless reports were sent in regard to earthquakes occurring on the Ist September (Japan) and the 2nd November (off coast New Guinea).

First Quarter. Second Quarter. Third Quarter. Fourth Quarter. Total. (a.) Indents received from Departments.. (b.) Orders placed Locally— For the Administration For Samoa Crown Estates (c.) Indents despatched overseas— For the Administration For Samoa Crown Estates (el) Orders placed by agents for indents, included in (c)— In New Zealand In Australia, &c. (e.) Overseas invoices dealt with (/.) Reejuisitions issued for stores from Samoa Crown Estates for other Departments (e/.) Requisitions issued for stores from Public; Works Department, &c, for other Departments (h.) Value of local purchases — For the Administration For Samoa Crown Estates (i.) Value of goods imported — For the Administration For Samoa Crown Estates (j.) Value of goods transferred — Between Departments From Samoa Crown Estates 287 310 50 131 21. 235 107 316 58 277 285 22 76 34 160 68 374 64 218 213 2 59 16 .100 48 231. 37 283 191 1 48 5 103 3! L83 36 1,065 999 75 314 76 598 254 1,104 195 174 133 108 • 105 520 £ 1,145 460 £ 1,574 425 £ 736 60 £ 759 60 £ 4,214 1,005 6,597 3,933 6,477 5,944 5,354 3,173 4,404 1,688 22,832 14,738 1,640 214 985 170 812 81 645 223 4,082 688 Total, turnover of Supplies Purchase Department for Year ending 31st March, 1924 52,759