A.—4a

distribution of epidemiological intelligence in the Austral-Pacific zone ; (b) quarantine procedure in regard to ships entering or trading in the zone ; (c) a policy of co-ordinated research in the zone. The special intelligence system in the zone would supplement but not replace the work of the Eastern Bureau of the League of Nations Health Organization at Singapore. Food and Drugs. The New Zealand Food and Drugs Act, 1908, with the regulations made thereunder, is in force in the Territory. During the year the following foodstuffs were condemned and destroyed under the supervision of an officer of the Department: Meat in kegs, 7,630 lb. ; canned meats, 1,005 lb. ; butter, 86 lb. ; olives, 48 lb. Sanitation. (a) European. —Permits issued, 52 ; water-closets installed, 27 ; sinks installed, 29 ; lavatorybasins installed, 10 ; cast-iron baths installed, 8 ; septic tanks constructed, 10 ; drainage, 1,448 ft. ; number of loads of rubbish removed to dump, 1,440. (b) General.—The following extracts from a report by the Assistant Inspector of Health (the Senior Inspector is absent on leave) show the work of the Department during the year : — " A systematic inspection of European and Samoan premises within Apia district, comprising the villages of Apia, Alamagoto, Tanugamanono, Vaimoso, Lepea, and Yailoa, has been carried out .through the year. Statistics of the work are given at the end of this report. " Certain outlying villages have also been visited during the year. These include all villages in Faasaleleaga district, Savai'i, with the exception of Tafua and Tapueleele, and those from Vaiusu to Saleimoa inclusive in Upolu. Several of the latter are kept in good order, and are now showing the fruit of work done in the past years. In the others there is still need for great improvement in latrine accommodation and disposal of rubbish. " The educational value on matters of sanitation of the regular inspections of the villages around Apia, together with the activities of the Village Committees, is shown by the following facts : (1) Many Samoans now remove their earth-closets without notification from the Inspector, and on removal pay attention to the fly-proofing of the building. (2) Free removal of unburnable rubbish, chiefly empty tins, in coconut-leaf baskets, to the roadside, for the rubbish contractor to pick up. This is done by the large majority of Samoan householders within the area covered by the contractor. (3) An increasing proportion of well-founded complaints as to nuisances, especially if the latter are near to the fales. " Though this represents a distinct advance on Native sanitary conditions in this place a few years ago, there is still need for great improvement. Given regular supervision and active Village Committees it only needs time to obtain satisfactory sanitation in all villages in Samoa." Inspection of premises, 4,294 ; re-inspection, 236 ; house closed for habitation, 1 ; nuisances discovered and rectified, 1,188. In addition to the work of the departmental Inspectors, the Inspectors of the Agricultural Department report on the condition of the villages inspected by them. Child Welfare . Child-welfare work has been continued during the year under review, and most of the districts in Western Samoa have now been visited by the lady Medical Officer in charge of this work. A report by this officer was printed as an appendix in the last annual report. This year a report by Dr. Roberts (nee Keyes) will be found in Appendix B. Dr. Roberts, the wife of the American ViceConsul in Western Samoa, has voluntarily given her services in the district extending from Apia to Falefa, seventeen miles east. Her report shows what can be done when a district is given careful and regular supervision, and clearly indicates that marked improvement can be obtained in a short time under the conditions prevailing in that area. It is not possible for us to give the same amount of attention to every district, but as the education of the Native improves the results obtained in the area mentioned above should eventually be equalled and even improved upon. The tables of weights at different ages up to two years show that the Samoan baby is on the average heavier than babies in New Zealand and the United States during the first several months of life, but that it drops back about the time of weaning and does not recover its position at the end of two years. It will be of interest in a few years' time to see if the work at present being carried out results in an improvement in the weight of babies from the time of weaning onwards. The infant-mortality rate for the year shows a marked decrease in comparison with former years. Prior to 1923 the rate is not ascertainable, as the method of' collecting information as to births and deaths did not permit of accurate statistics of age at death being obtained. Judging from the high death-rate, the infant-mortality rate must have been high. In 1923 it was approximately 200 per one thousand births ; in 1924 it dropped to 155, probably as the result of the extension of medical facilities in the out-districts. In 1925 it rose to 186, the increase being due to an "epidemic of whooping-cough. For the year just ended the rate was 106 per one thousand births, a rate which compares more than favourably with some European countries, but which we think is still too high for a country not cursed with many ills present in more civilized and more populous communities. Further improvement, however, is likely to be slow.

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