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7. Burials and Cemeteries. 8. District and Village Agricultural Shows. 9. Observance of Special Days, such as King's Birthday, Anzac Day, and Flag Day. 10. Building Regulations, stipulating Site and Construction of Fales (Houses). 11. Sanitation. 12. Control of Pigs. 13. Making Roads. 14. Fines and Penalties for Violation of Village Laws. 15. Investment ol Village Funds. 16. Making of Copra. 17. Allocation of Land. 18. Duties of Native Officials : —Pulenu'u (Mayor), Pule Faato'aga (Plantation Inspector), Fa'amasino (Judge). 19. Construction and Care of Water-supplies. 20. Political Districts, to each of which one Faipule is appointed to represent the people in the Fono or Government Native Council. 21. Women's Committees for Child Welfare. 22. Lease of Land to Missions for Church or School Purposes. 23. Abolition of the Aitagi or Death Feasts. The Council of Faipules has most earnestly responded to the increased powers with which it has been vested—viz., to work with its president, the Administrator, in the making of Native regulations. The granting to the leaders of the Native race these new legislative powers in place of purely advisory functions which they hitherto were limited to has been a great step in advance, and has made itself felt for the good of the Natives in every village in Samoa. It is in this Council of Faipules, which meets twice annually, that the Administrator is able to bring his influence to bear on every district; to ascertain the views and needs of the Natives, and, in conjunction with their leaders, to discuss the best means of helping them. It has been made a policy that, when practicable, no amendments to the Samoa Act, or any local Ordinances affecting the welfare of the Natives, shall be passed unless and until the Faipules have thoroughly considered the same. In these matters they are very reasonable, and readily a'gree to legislation which is obviously for the good of the Samoan race, even if it involves some sacrifice. As an instance of this : it was considered desirable, in the interests of the Natives themselves, to prevent as far as possible the giving to them of credit by traders. To give this the force of law a local Ordinance was required. I had previously pointed out the evils of the credit system to the Faipules, who thoroughly discussed the matter and then conferred with their people, many of whom no doubt disagreed. All the Faipules, however, eventually concurred in the advisability of such a law, and it has been given effect to by an Ordinance passed by the Legislative Council. The Fono of Faipules now includes thirty-three members, but it is proposed to reduce this number to twenty-six. Each Faipule will then represent appioximately two thousand people. Visit of Faipules to New Zealand. The most important event of the past year Was the visit of six Faipules to New Zealand in December last. Not one of the party had previously been out of Samoa, so that this visit gave them their first contact with modern civilization, and was a revelation to them. From the reports which each rendered to me on his return, their tour of New Zealand has resulted in—(1) Increased confidence in the sincerity of the New Zealand Government to help the Samoan people ; (2) an everlasting gratitude to the New Zealand Government and the people of New Zealand for their kindness and hospitality; (3) admiration for what the New Zealand Government has done for the Maoris, for whom they now have a better appreciation and an affectionate regard ; (4) great surprise at the progress New Zealand has made by good Government and individual effort; (5) less respect for the communal system, particularly as regards land-development. It surprised me to read the numerous lessons learnt which the various Faipules had recorded in their reports, and desired to be applied to Samoa. lam confident that an immense amount of good will be derived from this visit, as well as the previously mentioned visit of the seven Faipules to Tonga in November. Control of Native Affairs. Experience has shown that the Administrator should personally deal with all important Native questions and devote much of his time to discussing matters with Faipules, chiefs, and deputations. I am fortunate in having a Secretary of Native Affairs who has resided for many years in Samoa, and who possesses the full confidence of the Natives. It is customary with the latter to refer their own affairs to the highest authority, and in most questions that they submit to the Native Department for decision they are more content if their Kovana (the Administrator) decides.

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