A.—4,

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. Staff. This is the same in number and personnel as last year, and has been able to cope efficiently with a somewhat increased volume of work. Administration of Justice. There has been an increase of 269 in the number of civil cases, owing probably to action being held over from last year. Criminal cases have decreased by ninety-six, and cases of serious premeditated crime continue rare. No sitting of the Samoan Land and Titles Commission has been found necessary during the year, the number of cases requiring settlement not having warranted a session. This is regarded as showing a satisfactory disposition among the Natives to settle their land disputes between themselves. Crown Law Work. Three local Ordinances have been drafted by the Department and have become law. The Native Trade Debts Ordinance, by placing further restrictions on the recovery of debts from native Samoans, should materially reduce the number of civil claims to be dealt with by the Court, and should be reflected, though not immediately, in future returns. Ten Orders in Council have been made by the Governor-General in Council under the authority of section 45 of the Samoa Act, of which five are amending or consolidating orders. The Crown Solicitor has been very fully employed in advising and drafting for the different Departments and appearing as Crown Solicitor and Crown Prosecutor. Land Registration, etc. The returns attached show an increase in the number of land transactions to 153, as against ninety last year. One local company has been incorporated and registered here, and one foreign company^registered. Twenty-three instruments under the Chattels Transfer Act have been registered, and 209 'marriages recorded. Fifteen probates and other authorities to administer estates have been taken out. One bankruptcy petition has been filed. General, A valuable addition to the Law Library in the form of a complete set of Law Journal Reports has been made. The staff has been fully occupied throughout the year. The estimated revenue has been exceeded. High Court of Western Samoa at Apia. Annual Return of Criminal Cases for the Year Ist April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. Sitting-days .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ 132 Persons charged . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 646 Convictions recorded .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 574 Dismissed on merits]] .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 Withdrawn by leave of 4 Court .. .. .. .. .. .. 53 Annual Return of Civil Cases for the Year Ist April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. Sitting-days .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. ]02 Actions filed .. .. ~ .. .. .. .. . 753 Actions heard .. .. .. .. .. .. 539 Judgments given .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ 520 Withdrawn or struck out .. .. .. .. .. 81 Return of Documents registered for the Year Ist April, 1924, to 31st March, 1925. Conveyances .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 40 Mortgages .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 31 Releases .. .. .. .. .. .. . .. 19 Leases .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 17 Crown grants including Crown leases ~ .. .. .. .. 14 Miscellaneous .. .. .. ~ ~ .. .. 32 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 153 1 AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT. Copra. An analysis of the figures showing output of our chief product last year in conjunction with those for preceding years affords ground for very considerable satisfaction, inasmuch as the average of production has not only been markedly increased, but, for the first time in the records of this industry in Samoa, the feature of consistency and stability in output has been attained. Hitherto, as the following table shows, an abnormally large output for any one year has been invariably followed by disappointing returns, and that apparently irrespective of market conditions or the natural harvest

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