A.—4

Following on reductions in staff due to war conditions, it was unfortunately necessary to close the post-primary school in 1941. All staff vacancies, however, have now been filled and teaching services have been restored to more than the pre-war standard. ■ At the commencement of 1945 the New Zealand Government provided fourteen scholarships to be held by pupils from Samoa at New Zealand schools. The scholars were chosen by competitive examination. Twelve scholarships were for full-Samoan pupils. There are now nine boys attending boarding-schools in the North Island, and three girls who are pupils of the Kowhai Intermediate School, Auckland. Two boys who won the scholarships made available for pupils of mixed descent are also attending boarding-schools. It is earnestly hoped that these scholarships will be a means towards the Samoans having an increasing participation in the conduct of their affairs. XVI.—LIQUOR AND DRUGS (Information in the form recommended by the Permanent Mandates Commission in the report of its Twenty-first Session) A. There were no changes in legislation or regulations issued during the year. B. Judicial statistics showed sixty persons arrested or summoned during 1944-45 for breaches of the laws and regulations relating to liquor. Fifty-eight were convicted. Figures for preceding years were :— Arrested or Convicted, summoned. 1943-44 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 193 181 1942-43 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..180 168 1941-42 12 12 1940-41 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..11 11 1939-40 .. .. .. .. .. .. * .. 28 28 C. Spirits and alcoholic beverages imported since submission of the last report were as follows :—

Quantities issued under Medical Permit

10

Quantities imported in Gallons, Nature of Liquor and Average Year ended 31st March, Approximate Percentage Alcohol by Countries of OriVin Weight.* 6 ' 1942. 1943. 1944. 1045. Spirituous liquors— Whisky (38-5 to 51-0) .. 525 656| 2,170 140 United Kingdom, Canada, United States of America, Australia. Brandy (38-5 to 49-3) .. 30 90 60 60 France, Australia. Gin (40-6) .. .. .. 237 200 220 150 United Kingdom, Australia. Rum (40-0 to 47-0) .. .. 16 138 100 .. Jamaica, Australia. Others .. .. .. 2 .. .. .. France. Alcoholic beverages— Port, sauterne, sherry, and 291 520J 702 638 Australia, France. champagne (12-0 to 47-8) Vermouth (5-5 to 10-0) .. 18 .. .. .. France, Italy, Australia. Stout (5-5) .. .. .. 54 48 .. .. Australia. * The approximate percentages of alcohol by weight given above are those accepted by the Customs Department in New Zealand. Analyses have been made of samples of all brands of ale imported, with results showing percentages of alcohol by weight ranging from 1-51 to only 2-39. The ales imported into Western Samoa, therefore, although subject to regulations under the Samoa Act, 1921, do not come within the definition of " intoxicating beverages " as accepted by tho Permanent Mandates Commission (minutes of the Tenth Session, page 182), and have accordingly been omitted from the return.

Year ended 31st March, 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Spirituous liquors— Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Whisky .. .. .. .. .. 458 429$ 1,020$ 1,371 Brandy .. .. .. .. .. 23$ 28 57$ 76 Gin .. .. .. .. .. .. 183 160J 269$ 210 Rum .. .. .. .. .. 6 39# 85' 50 Others .. .. .. .. .. 3| Alcoholic beverages— Port, sauterne, sherry, and champagne .. .. 233f 399 J 546 822 Vermouth .. .. .. .. .. 17| Stout .. .. .. .. .. 66§ 46 13