A.—4.

Infectious Diseases. These include all cases notified in the Territory during the calendar year : Beriberi, 3 ; bacillary dysentery, 595 ; chicken-pox, 11 ; dengue, 37 ; enteric fever group, 44; leprosy, 8 ; lobar pneumonia, 89 ; bronchial pneumonia, 10 ; puerperal septicaemia, 1 ; pulmonary and other tuberculosis, 23 ; influenza, 3,612. In March 5 leprosy cases and in December a further 5 were transferred to Makogai, Fiji, and patients there from Samoa on 31st December, 1931, were : Samoans, 15 ; half-castes, 3 ; Chinese, 1 ; Melanesians, 5. Quarantine. During the calendar year 149 vessels arrived from overseas, and pratique was granted in every case but one. Quarantine intelligence service : This has been maintained as described in the Tenth Report, 1930. Food and Drugs. The Sale of Food and Drugs Act, 1908 (New Zealand), with its regulations, is in force in Western Samoa. During the year the following foodstuffs were condemned and destroyed under the supervision of the Inspector of Health: Meat in kegs, 3601b.; fresh meat, 2301b.; canned meat, 1441b.; fresh fruit, 50 lb. ; butter, 43 lb. ; dried milk, 252 lb. ; canned fruit, 33 lb. ; potatoes, 300 lb. ; fish, 60 lb. There are seventeen bakers, fifteen restaurant-keepers, eleven butchers, and four barbers holding licenses to trade in the Territory. Sanitation. Ninety-four permits were issued under the Board of Health Regulations ; 14 drainage and plumbing plans were examined, 4 being altered to comply with regulations. Septic tanks constructed, 7 ; waterclosets installed, 8 ; sinks installed, 19 ; cast-iron baths installed, 5 ; hand-basins, 9; urinals installed, 3. During the year under review 51 sanitary fittings and 460 ft. of drainage were completed, as against 50 sanitary fittings and 587 ft. of drainage in 1930. Number of loads of rubbish removed to dump, 1,275.

Vital Statistics, Western Samoa, for the Year 1931.

The percentage increase in native Samoan population during 1931 was 1:5, as compared with 2-32 in 1930, 2-12 in 1929, and 1-67 in 1928. The arrivals and departures of Samoans balance each other over periods of years. BERTHS (SAMOANS). The births of 1,372 living children were registered during 1931, giving a birth-rate per 1,000 of mid-year population of 32-68. For 1930, 1929, and 1928 the figures were 1,317, 1,408, and 863, the birth-rates being 31-97, 34-94, and 21-82 respectively. There were 13 still-births reported, which are not included either as births or deaths in the figures and rates given in this report. The still-birth rate per 100 live births for the last four vears is as follows : 1928, 1-04 ; 1929, 0-92 ; 1930, 1-36 ; 1931, 0-95. DEATHS (SAMOANS). During the year 587 deaths were registered, giving a death-rate per 1,000 of mid-year population of 13-98, whereas during 1928, 1929, and 1930 the deaths registered numbered 219, 599, and 479 with death-rates of 5-53, 14-86, and 11-63 respectively.

Births and Deaths by Months, 1931 (Samoans).

5

(Last census held 31st December, 1925.) Natural Net As at 1st January, Births Deaths Mar- Arrivals Dpnartiires As at 31st Increase Increase 1931. ueatns. riages< Airivais. Departures. Decemberj 1931< or De _ or De _ crease, crease. l_ M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Native Samoans .. 21,164 20,514 735 637 308 279 146 445 291 524 369 21,502 20,794 +785 +628 Europeans and 1,499 1,316 28 21 10 3 26 262 221 253 198 1,526 1,357 + 36 + 68 half-castes Chinese labourers.. 915 6 .. .. 209 .. 404 .. 714 .. — 6 —201 Melanesian labourers 136 1 2 5 .. 129 1 — 2 —7 and dependants

i I Jan. Feb. March. j April. May. June. July. jAugust. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total. Births.. 141 81 58 229 80 37 212 94 58 236 86 60 1,372 Deaths 54 43 31 94 30 30 j 94 30 25 87 41 28 587