A—4.

Statistics. The statistics dealing with the trade, commerce, and shipping of the Port of Apia for the calendar year 1924 have been published. The total trade for the year amounted to £636,221, as compared with £557,655 for 1923, an increase of £78,566. Exports exceeded imports by £86,615. Imports. The total value of the imports was £274,803, in comparison with £268,881 for 1923, an increase of £5,922. The following shows the countries whence imported, and a comparison for the two years : —

The principal items which call for comment in the imports are : Drapery shows a net decrease of £2,917. Benzine and gasoline show a decline of £6,431. Meats in tins and kegs show a large increase of £9,006, and sugar Timber shows a decrease from the United States of £2,205, and an increase from New Zealand of £1,070. Exports. The exports for 1924 show an increase of £72,644, the figures being £361,418 for 1924 as compared with £288,774 for 1923. Cocoa: During the tradejyearj,the export of cacao-beans was 1,016 tons, valued at £57,958, for 1924, as compared with 221 tons, valued at £12,787, for the previous year. Copra : The copra export was 13,202 tons, valued at £284,272, as compared with 13,484 tons, valued at £269,995, for 1923. Although the quantity shipped was slightly less than in the previous year, yet a better market existing in the United Kingdom and Europe more than compensated for the decrease in quantity, by the higher rates obtained. Re-exports. The re-exports in 1924 were much greater than in the previous year, amounting to £17,366, as compared with £4,932 in 1923 ; but this is accounted for by two items—namely, specie, value, £8,700, and moving-picture apparatus, £4,000. Harbour Section. Return of inward and outward shipping for the Port of Apia during the year will be found appended. Beacons and Lights.—A. new concrete tower has been built on East Reef, and the light on order for this beacon will be delivered in four months. A concrete tower on Apolima Island has been completed, and an Aga light will be placed in position there during April. Saluafata Harbour was surveyed by H.M.S. "Laburnum," and a considerable amount of blasting has been carried out in the harbour and passages around Upolu. The existing lights are in good order and condition The buoys and moorings in the harbour have been lifted, cleaned, and relaid. S.s. " Lady Roberts." —The ship conveyed lepers to Makogai, and was slipped and cleaned at Suva. She has been kept fully employed on the Pago Pago run and various charters, towing, and lifting and relaying moorings. She is in good condition, and has proved a very economical vessel to run. Maintenance. —All floating plant has been thoroughly reconditioned and is in good order ; all surplus boats have been disposed of. Buildings in use by the Harbour Department have been kept in order, and strict check kept on all stores to avoid wastage. Staff has been kept as low in number as possible, and all maintenance work possible has been done by the staff of the Department. Surveys.—All coastal vessels have been regularly surveyed; number of clearances issued, 990. Stricter regulations have been made for the licensing of coastal masters and engineers. There have been no losses of boats, and very few minor accidents, groundings, &c. No severe storms have been experienced during the bad season this year, and it has not been necessary to shift any vessel to shelter in Saluafata.

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1923. 1924. From j Value. j Percentage. Value. Percentage. I £ £ United Kingdom .. .. .. 19,788 7-3 25,340 9-2 New Zealand .. .. .. .. 77,782 28-9 87,541 31-8 Australia .. .. .. .. 98,301 36-4 99,448 36-2 United States of America .. .. 62,717 23-4 42,582 15-5 Other countries f| .. .. .. 10,293 4-0 19,892 7-3 3 lis —— Total .. .. ... 268,881 100-0 274,803 100-0