NOTES FROM SAMOA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19807, 30 November 1927, Page 18

NOTES FROM SAMOA.

EXTENSION OF INDUSTRIES. BANANA AND RUBBER CROPS. [FROM OUR. OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] APIA, Nov. 18. Notwithstanding all it 3 troubles Samoa Ktill continues to march along with improvements. Reports regarding the banana industry show that some extensive planting has been done in various districts. The Salawa plantation has a big area under cultivation and arrangements are being made to have the fruit conveyed by tramline to the haibour at Saluafata in readiness for the new ship which is expected early next year. A considerable area in bananas is being planted at Mulii'anua, The natives in some instances are keeping their own plantations in ord-'r for the. new export Private planters are going to experiment with the produce, and have planted accordingly. The first few shipments will not reach the required standard, but it is believed that some 8000 cases will be ready for the boat when she arrives. The outlook is a good deal brighter than was supposed. Rubber is being kept to the fore with the Administration taking over the Aliesa plantation, which has over 30,000 trees to tap. Mr. Hughes, late of the Solaua Rubber Estates, is now managing Aliesa, and is very pleased with the prospects in view. The bungalow, smoke-house, and all the necessary machinery has been set up, and the making of the rubber is steadily proceeding. No returns are yet to hand, but it is understood the trees are giving a satisfactory yield, which should increase after tho first month / Cocoa planters have had a good year up to the present, and if the country escapes a storm during the wet season next year's return will be excellent. The planters are very hopeful and are looking forward with confidence to the future. There will be a falling off with regard to copra, and even the Government plantations will show a drop in production. The natives, as already indicated, have not been doing much work of late. There is sure to be a pinch with the copra, but it will only be of a temporary nature. / Mr. Meidicke, the engineer in charge of the hydro scheme for Apia and its environs, reports that, good progress is being made with the development work. The darn near Vailirna has been completed and the gear in connection with the work is being landed. Pipes, poles, and machinery arrived by the last two Ehips. The Lady Roberts made a satisfactory trip to the Tokelaus to collect the tax copra from tie islanders. The result of the voyage was better than anticipated, the Tokelaus producing five tons in excess of their quota, thus wiping out a deficit of last year, and leaving a creilit balance for the ensuing year. The output brought by the steamer was 35 tons.