A.—4.

cultivations devoted to cacao, but with the introduction of the Forastero type and the consequent hybridization with the original Criollo type a much hardier type of cacao-tree has been produced which is largely immune from the attacks of this disease. Black-pod disease —canker of the pod—has, however, been more prevalent on some plantations due to overshading. In these cases the excision of much of the shade trees and judicious pruning of the cacao as a necessary means of treatment has been recommended. Pink Disease (Croticum javanicum).—Quite an unusual amount of this disease was seen in the earlier part of the year. Although not fatal as a rule in the earlier stages, the disease becomes a menace if allowed to spread, and this fact has been brought to the notice of those planters on whose cultivations the disease is spreading. Flying-fox (Pteropus sp.).—As a result of the campaign which extended from the Ist January to the 30th June, 1924, a total of 3,709 flying-foxes was killed in Upolu and Savai'i. On the whole this most troublesome pest has not been so much in evidence of late months, its appearance in the plantations being largely confined to those periods when its natural food in the bush is scarce. Breadfruit-plants exported to New Guinea. At the request of the New Guinea Department of Agriculture a consignment of twenty breadfruittrees, comprising eight different varieties, was forwarded to Rabaul. Notification has been received from the Director of Agriculture there that the cuttings arrived in excellent condition.

Beetles collected on Native and European Plantations.

CUSTOMS AND MARINE DEPARTMENT. The trade year just closed lias been a decided advance on the previous year, and nearly equals the years 1921 and 1922. The total trade increase over 1923 amounted to £78,566. The figures for the past four years are as follows : — imports. Exports. Total Trade. £ £ £ 1921 .. .. .. .. 408,892 241.539 650,431 1922 .. .. .. .. 282,939 365,610 648,549 1923 .. .. .. .. 268,881 288,774 557,655 1924 .. .. .. .. 274,803 361,418 636,221 Revenue. The total moneys collected by the Department during the year amounted to £73,606, as compared with £68,450 for the previous year. Import duties show an increase of £1,067 as compared with 1923. Export duties have increased £3,323 over the same period. Shipping fees show a slight increase. Taxes show a decrease of £586, but " Miscellaneous " shows an increase of £1,512. The receipts under the principal headings, also figures for the previous year, are as follows

20

Native. J European. Beetles. Larvae. Eggs. Beetles, j Larvse. Eggs. Upolu .. .. .. 84,008 2,560.993 308,730 16,792 227,581 31,513 Savai'i .. .. .. j 71,234 1,840,785 246,148 2,063 15,738 j 4,014

1923-24. 1924-25. Decrease. Increase. £ £ £ £ Import duties .. .. .. 41,948 43,015 .. 1,067 i Export duties — Cocoa .. .. .. •• •• 954 1,790 .. 836 Copra 10,731 13,218 .. 2,487 11,685 15,008 .. 3,323 Shipping fees .. .. •• •• 2,195 2,268 .. 73 Lease of sheds and lighters .. .. .. 1,029 796 233 Taxes .. 9,495 8,909 586 Miscellaneous, including sale of medicinal liquor 2,098 3,610 .. 1,512 68,450 73,606 819 5,975 819 f Increase (net) .. .. ..... .. .. 5,156