A.—4

B. Endemic and epidemic diseases: The chief endemic diseases in Western Samoa are ankylostomiasis, framboesia (yaws), filariasis. The first two mentioned are dealt with in the body of the annual report, and also in Appendices B and E. Filariasis is the subject of research work at present being carried out by a Research Expedition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (see Appendix D). Both endemic and epidemic diseases are being combated by the education of the Natives, the enforcement of sanitation, the training of Native medical practitioners and nurses, and the provision of dispensaries in the various districts. 2. All Natives receive free medical treatment. The points at which such treatment is available are shown on the small map accompanying this report. 3. The keeping of brothels is forbidden. There are no brothels or common prostitutes in Samoa. 4. See annual report and answers to questions 1 and 2. 5. The only reliable statistics available are those of the Apia Hospital, which are given in the report. Native reports as to the cause of death cannot be relied upon. 6. See report on vital statistics on pages 4 to 9 of the Supplementary Health Report. 7. The regulations governing the registration of births and deaths were published in the annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1923. The new system of registration has now been in operation for two years, and is working so satisfactorily that the returns of vital statistics may be taken as accurate. 8. Not applicable. X. LAND-TENURE. 1. What system of land-tenure and forest law exists ? How are they legally recognized ? What lands are considered as belonging to the State, and what are regarded as communally owned ? 2. What measures are being adopted for the registration of landed property ? 3. What other regulations for the alienation of land in which Natives or Native communities exercise rights by virtue of heredity or use ? 4. What other measures are being taken to protect the rights and interests of Natives and Native communities in respect to land (usury, forced sale, &c.) ? 1. All land is either —(a) Crown land, being the land of the former German Government and such other land as may be acquired by the Administration from time to time for public purposes in accordance with sections 271 and 273, Samoa Act, 1921 (the term " public purposes " includes public health, education, public recreation, the burial of the dead, water-supply, drainage, lighting, the provision of public buildings, the provision of sites for townships, the provision of wharves, harbours, tramways and railways, and all lawful purposes and functions of the Government of Samoa) ; (b) European land, being all the other land of which the title is individualized (this is held as by grant from the Crown) ; (c) Native land, being the land held by Samoans under the usages of the race (these lands are vested in the Crown in trust for the Samoans : See Part IX of the Samoa Act, 1921). Native land is vested in the Crown in order that the interests of the Natives (present and future) might be suitably protected. When any Native land is leased or sold, the Administration undertakes the collection of the money resulting from the transaction and sees that this money reaches the Natives really entitled to it. 2. The titles to Crown and European land are registered under an efficient system by the Government. The titles to Native land are, when in dispute, adjudicated on by a Commission, whose proceedings are on record. (See Samoa Land Registration Order, 1920). 3. Alienation of Native Land by sale, lease, or mortgage, other than alienations in favour of the Crown, are prohibited. Leases up to forty years may be granted if in the interests of the Natives. (See Part IX, Samoa Act, 1921, section 280.) Native land within the Apia town area (i.e. lying within a radius of two miles of the Customhouse, Apia) is alienable by way of sale with the consent of the Administrator if in accordance with the interests and desires of the Native owners. (See Sale of Apia Native Land Ordinance, 1923.) 4. Usurious contracts with Natives are unenforceable (see section 366, Samoa Act, 1921). Native land is not capable of being taken in execution, nor in payment of debts of the owner on his decease or insolvency (see section 280, Samoa Act, 1921). No security over property of a Samoan is enforceable without the leave of the High Court (see section 367, Samoa Act, 1921). XI. MORAL, SOCIAL, AND MATERIAL WELFARE. What are, generally speaking, the measures adopted to ensure the moral, social, and material welfare of the Natives ? (Measures to maintain the interests, rights, and customs of the Natives, their participation in public service, Native tribunals, &c.) The moral welfare of the Natives has been the care of the missions for nearly a hundred years, and to the missions is due the fact that the whole of the Native people are christianized and possess elementary education in the vernacular. The missions are the London Mission Society, the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Roman Catholic Mission, the Latter-day Saints Mission, and the Seventhday Adventists. Every endeavour is made by the Administration to assist and co-operate with the missions, and it is in complete harmony with them. Since New Zealand assumed the mandate for the Territory it has instituted equal incidence of the criminal law for Europeans and Natives. The social system of the Natives is based upon the family, at the head of which is a Matai, who is appointed to use the family name or title and to rule over the family. Families are gathered together in villages, and the village is presided over by a Pulenu'u (or Town Ruler), who is chosen by the Matais and appointed by the Government. Every endeavour is made to maintain the authority of the Pulenu'u and Matai, and to preserve beneficial customs whilst eliminating undesirable ones.

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