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accountant, and on Savai'i the Resident Commissioner acts as deputy to the Inspector. In addition there are 56 Samoan police, including 9 non-commissioned officers, stationed at Apia headquarters or at district outposts, and an appropriate Samoan clerical and messenger staff. The Samoan police are trained and uniformed. The elected Samoan police-messengers (Leoleo) attached to the District Courts under the Native Department are not a part of this force, being untrained part-time officials. 30. The work of the Police Department includes, besides regular police work, the registration of vehicles, and the registration and control of all firearms, ammunition, and explosives imported into the Territory. The Department also controls immigration and emigration, and the issuing of passports and travel permits. The Inspector of Police is also responsible for the operation of the fire brigade. The constables at the out-stations work as agents for most of the Government Departments, and maintain contact by radio with the central office via the Apia radio station. Any serious crime committed in the outer areas can be reported immediately in this way. All investigations in connection with serious crimes are carried out by European officers. 31. There are two prisons in the Territory. One is run on the lines of a self-supporting farm school, which provides an educational as well as a corrective service. The prison farm staff comprises a European gaoler and 7 Samoan warders, in charge of an average of 70 prisoners. The second prison, under a Samoan sergeant and 6 warders, is for the more refractory prisoners. It has an average of 30 inmates, who are provided with useful work. 32. For 1947 to 1948 the appropriation for the Police and Prisons Department totals £16,240, or about 4s. 4d. per capita. J. Judicial Organization 33. The basic law of Western Samoa was laid down in the Samoa Act, 1921, which provides a criminal code as well as opening the way to subordinate legislation (see " Legislative System"). The law of England as existing on 14 June, 1840, the date on which New Zealand received the constitution, is brought into force with certain modifications. The statute law of New Zealand is declared inapplicable to the Territory •except as specifically provided, and other aspects of New Zealand law are defined as having application or otherwise. Special provisions relating to Samoans are made in the Samoa Act as regards. certain matters, including discretionary enforcement of contracts, rights of succession to property, and land tenure (see " Land "), the last two mentioned requiring that Samoan custom be taken fully into account. 34. The Samoa Act sets up the High Court of Western Samoa, to consist of a Chief Judge and other such Judges, Commissioners, and Fa'amasino (Samoan Judges) as the Minister of Island Territories may think necessary. Appointments of the Chief Judge and Commissioners are made by the Minister, and they hold office during his pleasure. The Chief Judge exercises all the powers of the High Court in both criminal and civil matters, whereas the Commissioners have jurisdiction over less serious cases only. In addition, the Administrator may appoint
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