NEWS FROM SAMOA

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21925, 8 October 1934, Page 6

NEWS FROM SAMOA

DROP IN REVENUE SURPLUS OF £658 FOR YEAR [from ouk own correspondent] / APIA, Sept. 26 'The annual report of the administration to titie League of Nations reveals gome interesting facts. Owing to the decreased price of copra and cocoa, the ' exports of these products drop;ped from £108,698 in 1933 for copra to £101,347 in 1934; cocoa, from £49,712 to £41,813, hut bananas increased from £120,016 to £26.999. The value of exports was £173,837 and the imports £150,856. The revenue for last year wa3 £90,613, against £105,920 in the previous year. The expenditure was £89,955,, against £104,166, leaving the small surplus of £658, which, all things considered, is satisfactoiy. The population is given as: European, 368 males, j 244 females; total, 612. Samoans, males, 22,644; females, 21,482; total, 44,136. European and Samoan 1179 males; 1144 females; total, 2323. The grosu total is 47,071. The Duke of Gloucester will visit Samoa from February 4 to 6. A fitting welcome will be arranged, and already steps are being taken to that end. The natives will have a most spectacular function at which the high chiefs and others will gather in force. The Administrator, Mr. Hart, is making his annual malaga (official visit) to the outposts of the islands. The Savai'i trip has been completed, and the party are now visiting the island of TJpolu. • When the Governor-General was in Samoa last year, he was so charmed with the singing of the scholars at itue various schools' that he presented a handsome cup for annual competition among choirs from the schools. On the first occasion it was won by the Government school Malifa. This year there were choirs from the Methodist and Latter Dav Saints' missions and Malifa , and TJpolu Grade 11. Government schools. Tifaga Playhouse was crowded last Saturday, when the competition took place, and again Malifa gained first honours, with Upolu Grade 11. a close second. Some of the choirs contained over 100 voices, and the sieging was of a hijrh order. Two set "God is n Spirit," and "Drink To Me Only," with 'an own selection comprised the programme. The Administrator, Mr. Hartj presented the cup to the winners. Mr. >). "Wadsworth and Mrs. Furrie were adjudicators. The Apia Sports Club held a successful meeting on Flngraising Day, when there were 5000 persons at Apia Park. The Richardson Shield, for competition amoncr the various schools, was won by the Marist Brothers' team, w'th total points of 65} : Avele school) was second with 45} points; Vainouli, 23: Malifa. 20; TJpolu, 10; Hi Tlix, 7 The onen events were well .contested. The Administrator presented the. jshield to the winning team. The steamer Anten lifted 2000 tons of copra and 55 tons cocoa for Ameritan and British ports.