A. —4 A.

5

figures, the number of births has fallen below half that of 1927- —or perhaps it would be more correct to say that the number of registered births has fallen to that figure. It is quite inconceivable that such a diminution could take place in a community which has been the victim of no epidemic whatever, and which, moreover, shows only 219 registered deaths as having occurred during the year. Under the circumstances, it is felt very strongly that the reason advanced for the reduction in the expected increase during the year 1927 is again in evidence, and that there can be only one justifiable conclusion at which to arrive—namely, the non-registration of births and deaths. In the Apia Hospital alone 52 children were born, of which 50 were live births. It is a matter for grave regret that accurate information is not forthcoming in regard to the registration of births and deaths, but. in view of the continued unsettled condition of the country, and the fact that the Native organization known as the Mau is still very much in evidence, it would appear as if one will be compelled to wait for the census returns which are due to be taken at the end of 1930 in order to arrive at anything like a satisfactory conclusion. Although those responsible for the registration of births and deaths are the only official source of information, there is nevertheless good ground for believing that true records are kept for each village, the difficulty being the obtaining of such information and its verification when obtained. There is no little consolation in the fact that the census returns of 1930 will in all probability reveal the true state of affairs, though the problem of sorting out results and allotting them to their particular years looks very much as if it might be of a grave nature. It may even be that, given the opportunity during 1929 of a further investigation, many more facts re non-registration may come to light, with the added possibility of largely increasing the figures shown by actual registration and of verifying them on the spot. Births of Samoans, Western Samoa, 1928. Males. Females. Totals. Upolu .. .. .. .. .. .. 326 289 615 Savai'i .. .. .. .. .. .. 127 121 248 Total for Western Samoa . . .. 453 410 863

Births by Months, 1928.

Tliere were 9 still-births recorded which are not included either as births or deaths in the various figures and rates given in this report. The still-birth rate per 100 live births for the last four years is as follows : 1925,1-82 ; 1926, 2-44 ; 1927, 1-53 ; 1928, 1-04. Deaths. During the were registered, giving a death-rate per 1,000 of mid-year population of 5-53, whereas during 1927 and 1926 the deaths numbered 495 and 723, with death-rates of 12-82 and 19-36 respectively. The falling-off in the number of deaths is believed to be due to non-registration. In view of the fact that no epidemic had prevailed during the year under review, it is surely a feasible argument that such a low death-rate should show a correspondingly increased birth-rate. In the Apia, Tuasivi, Safotu, and Aleipata Hospitals 44 deaths were recorded for the year 1928. Deaths of Samoans, Western Samoa, 1928. Total estimated Males. Females. Total. Population, 31st December, 1928. Upolu .. .. .. .. 69 71 140 26,223 Savai'i .. .. .. ..45 34 79 13,655 Total for Western Samoa .. 114 105 219 39,878

Deaths by Months, 1928.

, ! I i I Jan. Feb. March. ; April. May. June. July. August. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total. . . Males 86 37 29 27 40 35 38 42 32 38 34 15 453 Females 65 36 39 37 33 44 37 29 31 24 21 14 410 Total 151 73 68 64 73 79 75 71 63 62 55 29 863

i ! ,' II — j Jail. Feb. March. April. May. June. July. August. Sept. I Oct. Nov. Dec. j Total. - - Males 22 15 , 8 10 14 11 8 6 3 7 8 2 114 Females 22 6 ! 6 12 10 6 6 13 7 5 7 5 105 Total 44 21 [ 14 22 24 17 14 19 10 12 15 7 219