Papers Past | Parliamentary Papers | Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives | 1926 Session I | MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (SIXTH REPORT...

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1926. NEW ZEALAND.

MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (SIXTH REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31st MARCH, 1926. Prepared by Direction of the Minister of External Affairs for the Information of the League of Nations, pursuant to Article 6 of the Mandate.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

Sis,- — Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, N.Z., 31st May, 1926. I have the honour to forward herewith the Sixth Annual Report on the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa, for the year ended 31st March, 1926. This report has been prepared by His Excellency the Administrator of Western Samoa, and adopted by the New Zealand Government as its report for the purposes of Article 6 of the Mandate. I have further to transmit a Supplementary Report by the Department of Health covering the same period, which, for the purpose of convenience, has been printed separately. Copies of both reports have been forwarded direct to each member of the Permanent Mandates Commission, and one hundred additional copies have been despatched to you direct under separate cover. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, J. G. Coates, The Secretary-General, League of Nations, Geneva. Prime Minister.

CONTENTS. PAGE Administrator's Report .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Departmental Reports .. .. .. . . . . .. 13 Questionnaire .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 40 PAGE PAGE Administration .. . . . . 12,13 Liberty of Conscience .. .. .. ~ 43 Agriculture .. .. .. .. 7,20 Marine .. .. .. .. 21, 22 Alcoholic Liquor .. .. .. .. 43 Medical. (See Public Health.) Arms Traffic .. .. . . .. 42 Military Organizations .. .. .. 44 Cacao .. . . .. . . 7, 20 Moral, Social, and Material Welfare .. .. 46 Child Welfare .. .. .. .. .. 4* Municipality .. .. .. .. 12 Chinese Labour. (See Labour.) Native Affairs .. .. .. 3,13 Companies .. .. ... .. ..19 Native Lands. (See Lands, Native.) Cotton .. .. .. .. 7,11,20 Observatory .. .. .. .. ..32 Copra .. .. . . . • 7,20 Police and Prisons .. .. .. 24 Customs .. . . .. .. .. 21 Population. (See Statistics.) Drug Traffic .. .. .. . . .. 43 Post and Telegra-ph .. ... .. 26 Economic Equality .. .. .. ..44 Public Health . . .. .. .. 4, 15,45* Education .. .. .. ■. 5, 6, 17, 44 Public Trust .. .. .. .. 37 Electric-light Policy .. .. .. ..12 Public Works .. .. .. .. 11,29 European Community .. *. . .. .. 12 Quarantine .. .. .. .. .. 16* Finance .. .. .. .. 34,47 Radio .. .. .. .. 11,40 Food and Drugs .. .. .. .. 16 Rubber .. .. .. .. .. 20 Harbour .. .. .. .. .. 22 Sanitation .. .. .. .. .. 16* Health Department. (See Public Health.) Slavery .. .. .. .. .. 40 Infectious Diseases .. .. .. .. 15* Staff .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 Justice .. .. .. • • 19 Statistics—Demographic .. .. 47 Labour .. .. . . . - 11, 24,41 Vital .. .. .. 9, 16* Lands and Survey .. .. . . .. 28 Stores Department .. .. .. .. 37 Lands, European .. .. . . 8, 9, 10 Trade .. .. .. .. 2 Lands, Native . . .. • . 7, 8, 10 Visit of Samoan Chiefs to Tokelau Islands .. 13 Land-tenure .. .. .. .. .. 46 Water-supply .. .. .... 4, 31 Legislation .. . . .. .. 9, 13 Maps (2). * See also Supplementary Export of the Department of Health, referred to above.

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ANNUAL REPORT BY THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE YEAR 1925-26. The following Annual Report on Western Samoa for the year 1925-26 is submitted in a similar form to the one for the previous year in order that comparison may be more readily made. It comprises (1) the Administrator's covering remarks, (2) departmental reports, and (3) answers to the League of Nation's Questionnaire. I. TRADE. The year 1925 was more successful than the previous one from the point of view of trade, the total value being £725,377, or approximately £18 per head of population. These figures, together with those for the previous year, indicate a complete recovery from the effects of the two abnormal or boom years of 1920-21, when the excessive imports at high prices reacted unfavourably on the steady progress of the Territory for several years. There are two satisfactory features of last year's trade —viz., (1) that the increase is entirely due to greater production on the part of the Natives, and (2) that the balance of trade in our favour is £33,399. The outlook for trade during the ensuing year is good, for, in spite of the storm which visited these islands on the Ist January last, it is considered that the damage done thereby will only diminish the copra crop to a small extent. Except in one or two cacao plantations, where a number of trees have been damaged beyond recovery, the cacao crops should be equal to last year. Furthermore, as endeavours are being made to produce a much larger quantity of rubber and cotton this year, increases in these products should make up for any deficiencies in copra and cacao.

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11. NATIVE AFFAIRS. Policy. The policy of the Government to invest the Natives with as much authority as possible in the control of their own local affairs, and for the retention of the authority of the chiefs within certain limits, under close supervision of the European officials of the Native Department and its Inspectors is being adhered to. The progress made varies very much in districts and villages, according to the intelligence and energy of the leaders. The principal method adopted to give effect to this policy is to work through various Native Councils or Committees composed of chiefs legally constituted with authority to carry out certain laws and regulations, and also such instructions as are issued from time to time by the Administrator. European Inspectors are deputed to regularly visit every district and village to assist the Natives and to report to the Administrator. In the first place all new laws are explained by the Administrator to the thirty-two district representatives (Faipules) at their Council meetings, held twice a year and lasting for about ten days. At these assemblies regulations are revised, or new ones adopted after discussion and approval by the members. New regulations and all instructions are promulgated by the Secretary for Native Affairs to all concerned through channels shown below. District Councils and Village Committees also assemble periodically and carry out their duties for furthering the interests and controlling the local affairs of their respective districts or villages. By these means the Natives are gradually learning to think for themselves, to initiate schemes for their own advancement, and to appreciate that real progress can be made only by their personal and combined efforts. , They are an emulative people, and the example set by one village has a stimulating effect upon others.

CHANNELS OF AUTHORITY IN NATIVE AFFAIRS

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I mentioned in last year's report that the Government policy of concentrating on the three essentials for developing the Natives—-viz., health, education, and agriculture—was producing good results. The progress in t iese matters can be judged from the departmental reports, but the following brief facts will assist in making comparisons with the previous year — (1.) Health: Natural increase in Native population last year, 1,176, or 3-26 per cent.; increase previous year, 1,123. (2.) Education : Children attending schools under Government supervision, 2,600; number attending previous year, 1,700. (3.) Agriculture: Copra produced by Natives last year, 11,700 tons; previous year, 10,185 tons. Only time will show whether these facts indicate merely a temporary response on the part of the Natives to the efforts being made on their behalf, or whether they are the beginning of a permanent progressive development. Health of the Natives. The work of the Health Department is gradually producing better sanitation, improved watersupplies in a large number of villages, better-equipped hospitals, an increasing number of dispensaries in out-districts, treatment of all Natives suffering from tonas (yaws) and hookworm, segregation of lepers for treatment at Makogai (Fiji), the training of youths as Native medical practitioners and women as Native nurses, and an awakening conscience amongst the mothers in regard to child welfare, as well as eliminating those evils which have undermined the health of the Samoan people and prevented them in the past from becoming an increasing race. The advance already made in these matters represents only a small part of what remains to be carried out before every village is fully provided for. The difficulties in the way of rapid progress are limited finance and other resources, and the slow process of education in changing the habits of the people, who do not readily adopt new customs, but rather tend to hold on to their former unsanitary habits and Native methods of medical treatment. During the past year an epidemic of whooping-cough was responsible for a number of deaths of young children, and at the time of writing there is a mild outbreak of dysentery in several villages. Under existing conditions of Native life it is difficult to prevent such outbreaks occurring from time to time no matter how efficiently organized the Health Department may be. A satisfactory feature in connection with the above-mentioned outbreaks has been the good control maintained by the Health authorities through its dispensaries and trained nurses distributed around the islands, by means of which information regarding sickness is quickly obtained and treatment made available. The two large water-supply schemes started last year (one in Savai'i and one in Upolu) should be completed within the next few months. They will be the means of providing pipe-lined supplies of pure water to many villages which have hitherto had to depend on inadequate supplies of drinkingwater drawn from small pools, and flush latrines with septic tanks, in place of the former primitive sanitation. This important work could not have been carried out but for the financial assistance rendered by the New Zealand Government, and by the Natives on their part helping themselves by providing a large portion of the labour, in addition to voluntarily taxing themselves to pay their share of the costs. (Vide Map No. 1.) The three hospitals (two in Upolu and one in Savai'i) are being gradually improved and better equipped. An X-ray apparatus has been obtained for the main hospital in Apia, and a specially constructed fale has been built for maternity cases. These hospitals are becoming more popular with the Natives, who are gradually learning to avail themselves of early hospital treatment in preference to their former methods of first using their own primitive medicines, reverting only to hospital treatment when these failed and the patient was practically beyond the power of the medical authorities to treat effectively. It is intended to shortly increase the number of dispensaries shown on Map No. 2 during the coming year, and to further add to this number as trained nurses become available. European Medical Officers have periodically visited every district during the past year and given treatment for tonas (yaws) and hookworm., which diseases appear to have been almost eradicated from Western Samoa. The use of the cinema to educate the Natives in the causes and cure of hookworm has been of inestimable value. Good reports continue to be received of the treatment and progress of the Samoan lepers at Makogai, Fiji, and we are greatly indebted to the authorities and nursing sisters of that leper institution for their sacrificing efforts and good work on behalf of the sufferers. The child-welfare scheme initiated by Dr. Ritchie, Chief Medical Officer of this Territory, provides for letters and instructions to be issued monthly from the Health Department to the Women's Committee in every village, and for the periodical visitation of villages by the two lady doctors (Dr. Mabel Christie and Dr. Roberts, the latter giving her services voluntarily) to inspect the children, advise the mothers, and help the Women's Committees. Unfortunately, these ladies cannot personally visit every outdistrict as frequently as they would like, but they do splendid work, which is gradually making itself felt in every district of Samoa and awakening the consciences of Native mothers to the importance of child welfare, the results of which can best be judged by reference to the vital statistics.

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Education. The number of Samoans attending schools in December last was as follows : — (a.) Mission schools, including theological training institutions, and village schools for infants, under Native pastors .. .. .. 8,800 (ib.) Second-grade or district schools, where Government and missions cooperate (teachers paid by Government) .. .. .. 1,800 (c.) Third-grade Government schools, chiefly for boarders (European and Native teachers) . . .. .. .. .. .. 800 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,400 or 31 per cent, of the population. The above figures indicate a considerable expansion of the education system during the past two years, owing chiefly to increased demands for schools on the part of the Samoans themselves, who are beginning to more fully appreciate the value of education for their children. In accordance with the Government policy to place educational opportunities within the reach of all, steps were taken, in co-operation with the missions, to establish district schools for imparting instruction in standards of education in advance of that given by pastors in the village mission schools, and as a means of qualifying pupils for entrance to the third-grade Government schools. These district schools are yearly increasing, the number now established being forty. The Native teachers in these schools are being well trained by the European staff under the direction of the Superintendent of Schools, and are becoming very efficient. By this means we are gradually building up an educational organization which within a few years should be capable of carrying on with a complete Native staff under the direction of a Superintendent and about two assistants from New Zealand, whose special functions should be to train Native teachers and supervise the schools throughout the Territory. With a view to ensuring continuity of policy in Native education, a conference was held in New Zealand in January last under the direction of the Minister of External Affairs, which was attended by the Director and leading officials of the Department of Education, New Zealand, and representatives from various South Pacific islands under New Zealand control, including Samoa. At this conference it was agreed that the education of the Natives should be adapted to their environment, and should prepare the great majority of pupils to become more self-reliant, and to return to their village life contented and loyal citizens, able to play their part in all schemes for the improvement and progress of their race. A syllabus to give effect to this policy was drawn up, and, amongst other things, made provision for the following : — (1.) All education to be based upon Native life and not on foreign conditions. (2.) Every pupil to have a thorough knowledge of the Samoan language. (3.) English to be taught as a subject and not to replace the Native language. (4.) Native teachers to be specially trained in the methods of imparting knowledge. (5.) Manual work, agriculture, carpentry, plumbing, &c., to form an important part of the syllabus. (6.) Hygiene, adapted to local needs so as to enable the Natives to better protect themselves from the ravages of hookworm, yaws, and epidemics common to the country, to be treated as an important subject. (7.) Text-books to be adapted to Samoan conditions. (8.) Two scholarships per year to be given to boys to receive higher education in New Zealand. (9.) Native teachers to periodically visit New Zealand to widen their knowledge by seeing some of the Maori and technical schools in that country. This information has been given wide publicity amongst the Natives, in order to enable them to understand the aim and object of education, which formerly they considered to be only a means of attaining to the position of a pastor or Government official. The £20,000 per annum given by New Zealand as a subsidy is at present allocated thus : £14,000 for medical services, and £6,000 for education. Last year the expenditure on the latter was £9,130. This subsidy enables education to be given entirely free to the Natives.

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WESTERN SAMOA EDUCATION SCHEME.—ORGANIZATION CHART.

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Agriculture. The extent to which the Natives increase their efforts to utilize their lands for something more than the mere growing of food —namely, to produce copra and other agricultural products for export —is the best indication of their advancement and of the fruits of the money spent on their health and education. Although copra is their main source of wealth, steps have been taken to interest the Natives in cotton and cacao cultivation, and as soon as suitable shipping facilities are available they will be encouraged to grow fruit for export to New Zealand. The total amount of copra produced last year was 15,210 tons, of which amount the Natives produced 11,700 tons, or 77 per cent. This constitutes a record.

Copra Production by Natives.

The Natives were induced last year to grow small areas of cotton in various districts, with a view to educating tliem to the possibility of supplementing what is practically the only source of revenue they now have —viz., copra. The results have shown that cotton can be successfully grown here, and that it is a very suitable " peasant industry " for Native families. While only 2 tons were exported last year, I am hopeful, as steps have been taken by the Natives to plant larger areas with cotton during the ensuing year, that this industry will grow. To encourage the Natives to improve their plantations and increase production the sum of £214 was distributed last year in prizes, awarded —one to the best district in each island, and two (first and second) to villages in each district. While this scheme has done good, it is only one of many means adopted to promote in the minds of the Natives a livelier interest in agriculture. Their response is slow, and many difficulties have to be overcome, but there has undoubtedly been an all-round improvement as compared with the previous year. Native Lands. The diagrams on page 8 have been corrected to date, and show, by comparison with last year, increased areas of Native coconut plantations, and smaller cultivated areas of food-supplies —bananas and taro. The variations from last year's figures are the result of a recent and more accurate survey of the cultivated lands than that previously made, and upon which last year's report was based. New areas of land are gradually being planted with coconuts under a system of compulsory planting whereby Natives occupying land are required to plant a given number of nuts every year, the number varying according to local conditions. The object is to plant not more than can be properly cared for during the first four years of growth. While the Natives realize the need for increasing their coconut areas, and comply with the instructions re compulsory planting, our Inspectors have great difficulty in getting them, to give the young plants that constant care and attention to protect them from the prolific growth of weeds, and damage by pigs and cattle. There are, however, new areas coming into bearing every year with a consequent increasing production of copra, bringing greater prosperity to the Natives themselves and increased trade in which the European community also benefit. As explained in the annual report for last year, all Native land is held communally under a form of family tenure. The Natives in each village are a separate and self-contained community. They jealously guard against encroachment of the boundaries which divide their lands from those of the adjacent villages, but within their village boundaries very frequently large areas of land are lying

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Ownership of Land in Savai'i.

Total number of acres, 450,000. Cultivatable land available for Natives : 50 per cent, of 394,870, or approximately 200,000 — approximately 16 acres per head of population—approximately 60 acres per man and youth over seventeen years of age. Native land planted and under cultivation : Approximately 1-2 acres of coconuts and 0'32 acres of foodstuffs per head of population.

Ownership of Land in Upolu.

Total number of acres, 275,000. Cultivatable land available for Natives: 80 per cent, of 186,500, or approximately 151,200 —-6-3 acres per head of population—24 acres per man and youth over seventeen years of age. Native land planted and under cultivation: Approximately 0-98 acres of coconuts and 0-33 acres foodstuffs per head of population.

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idle. The planted areas are, however, definitely assigned to some chief or Matai, who in turn subdivides his land amongst the members of his family. It is this system, which offers no encouragement or incentive for individual enterprise, that is holding back the development of new areas of Native lands in Samoa. The advantages of individual ownership of land are, however, becoming appreciated by the Natives themselves, and the principle has already been adopted by the Faipules, who, after fully discussing the question with their own people, passed a regulation to the following effect: Each taxpayer shall be entitled to 10 acres of land. If he has no land to cultivate for himself, a section shall be assigned to him with a formal lease for his lifetime. He shall pay a rent of Is. per acre per year to the District Council; the money from this source to be used for roads and land development. The lessee shall not have the power to sublease or sell any land assigned to him. He must cultivate his land under certain regulations providing for a specified portion to be planted in coconuts. With a view to giving effect to this regulation the land in several districts is being surveyed and divided into sections, which will be assigned to landless taxpayers as soon as the work is completed. The fact that in a number of districts the Natives have themselves already put the regulation into force and divided the land without survey indicates their appreciation of the benefits to be derived from this new regulation. But it is only by proper surveys of the land to be divided and by the issue of formal leases that future trouble can be avoided, and these surveys can only be completed for two districts during the ensuing year. Native Legislation. The Faipules assembled on two occasions during the year and passed Native regulations on many matters, of which the following are the more important:— (1.) Division of Native lands to provide for individual ownership. (2.) Making of wills. (3.) Succession to titles of chiefs. (4.) Registration of births and deaths. (5.) Burials. (6.) Limitation of days for Native games, such as cricket and football. (7.) Prohibition on contracting debts with traders. (8.) Fa'a Samoa marriages. (9.) Restriction on young men and girls leaving their districts to reside in or near the Town of Apia. (10.) Care of animals. (11.) Duties of District Councils and Village Committees. 111. CENSUS. Details of the census taken on the 31st December last are given in the departmental reports. The greatest care was taken on this occasion to ensure accurate records, and these figures may be accepted with confidence as truly representing the state of the population on the date mentioned. A satisfactory feature of the census is the increase in the Native population; indicating that the Samoans are no longer a declining but a virile and rapidly increasing race. The natural increase last year constitutes a record —viz., 1,176. The following is a summary of the census :— Europeans, of whom only 446 are of pure European blood .. .. 2,498 Samoans .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 36,688 Chinese coolies (890) and Solomon Island labourers (155) .. .. 1,045 Total .. .. .. .. ■■ 40,231 IV. EUROPEAN LANDS. These comprise 143,630 acres (vide graph on page 10), or about 20 per cent, of the total area of these islands. All these lands are held under Court grants, and were alienated prior to British occupation of Samoa in 1914. They comprise the following : —■ (a.) Residential sites, principally in the Municipal area and suburbs of Apia, also one abandoned rubber plantation owned by a private company, and a few small copra and cacao plantations owned by local residents. (b.) Land acquired by missions. (c.) Cultivated land forming part of the New Zealand Reparation Estates. (d.) Uncultivated land belonging to the New Zealand Reparation Estates, comprising about 84 per cent, of the total area of European land. During the past year several Native villages have been removed from unsanitary areas and rebuilt on the land given to the Natives by the New Zealand Government from its Reparation Estates, and in other instances sections of privately owned European land, in or near a village requiring more land for expansion, have been acquired on behalf of the Natives concerned. The area of land suitable for cultivation of cacao, referred to in last year's report as being reserved for locally born European boys, is still lying idle for want of applicants,

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In accordance with the policy of the New Zealand Government, the New Zealand Reparation Estates are being administered for the benefit of this Territory. During the past year the rubber industry has been revived, and the results so far have been very satisfactory. The cacao plantations forming part of the New Zealand Reparation Estates, and leased to private planters, suffered from the effects of the six months' drought last year, and also from the storm which visited these islands on the Ist January last. In spite of these setbacks it is estimated that the output of cocoa this year will not be materially reduced. In addition to clearing bush and planting new areas of land adjoining the existing coconut plantations of the New Zealand Reparation Estates, it is intended to employ the Native prisoners from the Apia Gaol to convert an area of European land into a coconut plantation and " prison farm," where they will receive instructions in fencing, care of cattle, cultivation of various tropical products, forestry, &c. By this means it is hoped that they will learn how to improve their own lands on release, while the institution should ultimately prove to be self-supporting. V. COTTON-CULTIVATION. The experiment carried out last year of distributing cotton-seed to the Natives to test their ability to grow and cultivate cotton was not so successful as I had hoped for, owing to lack of industry on the part of some of the Natives in not keeping their plots clean and the plants clear of weeds. The cotton produced for export, although small in quantity —only 2 tons —was, however, of splendid quality, and further efforts are being made this year to increase the areas under cultivation and to popularize the industry in the interests of the Natives. VI. CHINESE LABOUR. The number of Chinese coolie labourers at present in this Territory is 890. Of this number it is intended to repatriate about a hundred and to import two hundred others during the present year. The additional labourers are required to develop new areas of the New Zealand Reparation Estates and for rubber-production. Generally speaking, these labourers are contented, well behaved, and give little trouble. Their satisfaction with the conditions of free labour under which they are working is shown by the desire of large numbers to remain in this country in preference to returning to China on completion of their three years' engagement, but renewal of this coolie period of service is not in accordance with the policy of the Administration. On the other hand, complaints have been received, principally from cacao-planters, to the effect that the Free Labour Ordinance does not work satisfactorily in all respects for the employer, as it permits dissatisfied labourers to leave their plantations and obtain new employment at a time when their services can ill be spared —such as during the picking season. While, even at the present rate of increase in the Native population, it will necessarily be a number of years before the Samoans can be relied upon to provide all the labour required for European plantations in addition to their own, there are indications that economic pressure, due to their increasing numbers and gradually increasing needs, is causing them to take up employment on Government and private plantations. This enables the number of imported labourers in Western Samoa to be reduced to a minimum. VII. PUBLIC WORKS. The public-works programme, outlined in the last report, was not entirely completed, partly owing to an insufficient staff of professional officials for supervision, and partly to the extra work thrown upon the Department in the repair of damage caused by the storm on the Ist January last. During the ensuing year it is intended to continue the installation of pipe-lined water-supplies and cement-tanks, as part of a programme which will take several years to complete, in order to provide every village with a good supply of pure water. In addition to the above, provision is made for the following works to be carried out this year : — (1.) A new lighthouse on the island of Fanua Tapu, at the eastern end of Upolu. (2.) Extend the Apia water-supply to Moata'a. (3.) Complete the stone wall protecting the sea-front of Apia, and beautify the foreshore. (4.) Rebuild the Tivoli Wharf. . (5.) Construct new traffic-bridges at Solosolo, Luatuanu'u, Salani, and Levi, also footbridges on the south coast of Upolu. (6.) New roads to be formed at Safata, Amaile to Falevao, Mulifanua, and improvements to part of the wireless-station road. (7.) New roads and bridges at Savai'i. (8.) Reconstruct the Apia Harbour leading-light. VIII. WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS. The locations of wireless stations are given on Map No. 2 issued with this report. In addition to the two out-stations now established at Fagamalo and Aleipata, it is intended during the ensuing year to install two other stations in the Island of Savai'i, at Tuasivi Hospital and Salailua respectively. Native boys are being trained as operators for all these out-stations, which should prove of great benefit to merchants and Natives and facilitate the work of the Administration.

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IX. ELECTRIC-LIGHT POLICY. The Town of Apia is at present lighted from three small-power stations run by the Administration. Plans have now been prepared for replacing these plants by hydro-electric power, generated from the Vaisigano River. Provision has been made for a number of Native villages to be included in the scheme. A hydro-electric plant has been installed during the past year for lighting Government House, the Native Boys' School at Avele, and the London Missionary Society Girls' School at Papauta. Endeavours have been made to interest the Natives in electric lighting, and one village has already, on its own initiative, installed a generating plant for lighting the Native houses (fales) and the precincts of the village. Other villages have also applied for electric-light installations, and these will receive consideration when the necessary finance is available. X. EUROPEAN COMMUNITY. As shown by the census returns, 6 per cent, of the total population are registered as Europeans, of whom 90 per cent, reside in or near Apia and form the commercial and trading community of this town ; the remainder are engaged as traders and planters around the islands. In matters of legislation the Europeans have a voice in their own affairs through their representatives elected triennially to the Legislative Council. A list of the Ordinances passed by this Council last year is given on page 13. As mentioned in my report last year, the Administration prepared plans for a municipality to be formed in Apia to give the European citizens the opportunity of controlling their own civic affairs in accordance with their previously expressed wish. At a public meeting called to consider this question it was resolved that " In view of the lack of public interest now shown in the proposed formation of a municipality for Apia, the matter be dropped and remain in obeyance for the present." It would be very helpful to the Administration if the citizens accepted some of the responsibility which the provision and maintenance of roads, electric light, telephones, water-supplies, and other purely municipal works involve, but the above decision indicates that citizens are perfectly satisfied with present arrangements. While the primary duty of the Administration is to help that large proportion of the population to whom the country belongs and who are in greatest need of help —viz., the Natives —the interests of the European community receive equal protection and consideration at the hands of the Government.

Administrative Channels.

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The taxation for Europeans is, in accordance with Government policy, kept as low as possible in ordei to encourage trade development, and is probably lower than in any other country of corresponding commercial development, as shown by the fact that out of a total revenue of £8,910 only 6-8 per cent, is obtained by direct taxation from European sources. Although the trade of the country is gradually expanding, it is doubtful whether in the near future there will be sufficient outlets for employment for the large number of young Europeans born in the country and now attending the European schools in Apia, unless the majority take up land, for which provision has already been made. As a further means of helping these boys the New Zealand Government has decided that not only shall all appointments in the Public Service of Western Samoa be open to those qualified, but that a proportion of vacancies in the Civil Service of the Dominion may be filled by boys from Samoa who qualify by examination and are recommended as suitable in all other respects. XI. ADMINISTRATION. I am pleased to be able to report that the Administration is fortunate in having a very efficient staff of public servants, who endeavour to do their utmost to serve the people and to carry out their duties in the spirit of the Mandate. The peculiar circumstances of the Territory necessitate a high standard of efficiency on the part of Government officials, many of whom have great responsibility, and require to exercise originality and initiative probably to a greater degree than officials holding corresponding positions in more advanced communities. XII. LEGISLATION. The following legislation concerning the Territory was passed during the year ended 31st March, 1926: — In New Zealand — The Samoa Board of Trade Amendment Order. The Samoa (Shipping) Act, 1925. The Native Regulations (Samoa) Order, 1925. The New Zealand Reparation Estates Amendment Order, 1925. The Samoa Roman Catholic Land Order, 1925. The New Zealand Reparation Estates Amendment Order, 1926. In Samoa— No. 3/1925. —The Taxation Licensing and Revenue Amendment Ordinance, 1925. No. 4/1925. —The Cacao Diseases Ordinance, 1925. No. 5/1925. —The Samoan Individual Property Ordinance, 1925. No. 6/1925. —The Census Ordinance, 1925. No. 7/1925. —The Cotton Ordinance, 1925. No. 8/1925. —The Electric Lines Ordinance, 1925. Copies of the several Orders and Ordinances have been forwarded to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations and to each member of the permanent Mandates Commission. DEPARTMENTAL REPORTS. NATIVE AFFAIRS. The following are some of the outstanding features of Native administration during the year under review : — (1.) The census taken on the 31st December last, the records of which show that during the past five years the Natives have increased by 4,087. (2.) The passing of legislation by the Fono of Faipules for the individualization of Native land. In this connection one district has already been surveyed, and the surveys of other districts should be completed within the next few months. (3.) In September last four Samoan chiefs visited the Tokelau Islands, where they invited the Natives to transfer to Samoa any surplus population of those islands.* (4.) The increasing confidence the chiefs are placing in the Government is indicated by their addresses to the Governor-General and the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand in December last. (5.) Increased activities in health, education, and agriculture, which have benefited the moral and material well-being of the Natives, as shown by the statistics of each of the Departments. (6.) The good work done by the special committee of Faipules, appointed by the Administrator to investigate on his behalf, all important Native troiibles, and disputes, and offences committed by chiefs, thereby ensuring that Native matters are fully considered from the point of view of the Natives themselves. (7.) The passing of a Native regulation prohibiting Samoans from leaving or residing in other than their own villages without permission. This regulation has thrown a lot of work on the Faipule Committee in the investigation of a large number of individual cases of young men and girls who had drifted to the Town of Apia and endeavoured to evade returning to their districts, where they are required to work on their village lands.

* The control of the Tokelau Islands has recently been placed by the Imperial Government under the Government of New Zealand, which administers the Islands through the Administrator of Samoa, The Islands are small, the present population being 300 —all Polynesians.

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Numbers of Samoan Officials in the Service as on 31st March, 1926 (Native Department).

Cases dealt with by High Court (Native Department).

(8.) Surveys of a large number of villages and the making of survey plans for their remodelling. A number of villages are now in process of being remodelled. (9.) Greater activity and better work on the part of the District Councils, a number of which have got their people to agree to local taxation for village improvements, such as sanitation, water-supplies, and electric light. Funds raised in this manner are deposited in the bank and audited by this Department. Numbers of Samoan Officials in the Service as on 31st March, 1926 (Native Department). Rank. Upolu. Savai'i. Total. _ Fautua (Native Advisers) .. .. .. 2 .. 2 Faipule (District Judges) .. .. 17 14 31 Pulefaatoaga (Plantation Inspectors) .. 10 7 17 Komisi (Land and Titles Commissioners) .. I 8 6 14 Faamasino (District Judges). . .. . . 1 14 14 28 Pulemru (Village Rulers) .. . . .. 93 56 149 Teuala (Roadmen) .. . . . . . . 6 . . 6 Failautusi (Clerks) .. .. 17 14 31 Leoleo (Policemen). . . . . . . . 33 23 56 Totals .. .. .. 200 134 334 Cases dealt with by High Court (Native Department). Total T,. Referred to Cases dealt lna / .. Land and Titles Adiourned. with. dls B° sed 01 Commission. TJpolu. Land disputes .. .. .. .. 26 20 6 Title disputes . . . . . . . . 15 10 3 2 Enforcements of judgments .. .. .. 36 36 Civil claims .. .. .. .. 20 20 Insult .. . . .. .. .. 5 5 Contempt of Court .. .. .. .. 3 3 Wandering pigs .. .. .. .. 2 2 Appeal .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 Unpaid poll-taxes .. .. .. .. 88 88 Breaches of Beetle Ordinance .. .. 15 15 Breaches of Cricket Ordinance .. . . 1 1 Breaches of Burial Regulations . . . . 3 3 Breaches of Yaws Regulations . . . . 28 28 Unpaid dog-taxes .. .. . . . . 67 67 Assault .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 Theft .. 2 1 .. 1 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. 63 63 Totals .. .. 377 365 9 3 Savai'i. Land disputes .. .. .. .. 58 58 Title disputes .. .. .. .. 28 27 1 Civil claims .. .. .. 90 88 .. 2 Contempt of Court .. .. .. .. 3 3 Breaches of Beetle Ordinance ... . . 1 1 Assault .. .. .. .. 16 15 .. 1 Theft .. .. .. .. .. 15 14 .. 1 Breaches of Copra Ordinance.. .. .. 28 28 Adultery .. .. .. .. .. 5 4 .. 1 False pretences .. .. .. .. 4 4 Bigamy .. . . .. . . . . 1 1 Divorce .. .. .. .. .. 35 35 Breaches of Native Ordinances . . . . 59 57 . . 2 Totals.. .. .. ..343 335 1 7

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HEALTH DEPARTMENT. The activities of the Health Department during the year are dealt with in detail in a special medical report, which has been published as a separate document. The following particulars, however, give an outline of the work accomplished. Infectious Diseases. The return given below does not include all cases of infectious diseases occurring in the Territory, but only those which have been reported by European Medical Officers. The numbers, however, give an indication of the relative frequency of the various diseases enumerated, with the exception of whooping-cough, which was prevalent for the greater part of the year. Tetanus .. .. 4- Enteric (Para. B.) . . 6 Gonorrhoea .. 13 General tuberculosis . . 3 Leprosy . . .. .. 6 Tubercular peritonitis . . 1 Lobar pneumonia .. 72 Chicken-pox .. . . 11 T.B. broncho-pneumonia . . 1 Gastro-enteritis .. . . 2 Dysentery (shiga) . . 4-5 Pulmonary tuberculosis . . 14 Enteric (typhoid) .. .. 20 Influenza .. 4 Pertussis.. .. ..168 Total .. ..370 (a.) Whooping-cough (Pertussis) This disease made its appearance at the beginning of the year 1925, and spread slowly throughout the Territory. That it did not to any appreciable extent affect the death-rate during the first six months of the year is shown by the figures given under "Vital Statistics." But with the commencement of the unusually dry weather experienced from July onwards the number of deaths of infants markedly increased. The enteritis, which always becomes more prevalent amongst infants during dry weather, associated with whooping-cough or with debility following this condition, was, as far as can be estimated, the cause of the increased mortality. Whether whooping-cough was introduced at the end of the year 1924, or whether endemic whoopingcough became epidemic at that time, it is impossible to say definitely. Although very few cases have been seen in Samoa for some years, the disease is well known to the Natives, who call it tale umiumi (the long cough). That it was introduced into Fiji about the same time that it made its appearance here indicates that it was probably introduced to both countries from the same source overseas. (b.) Ankylostomiasis.—Treatment for this condition was continued throughout the year, 15,613 treatments being given. It is now carried out at the same time as treatment for yaws, the travelling party giving treatment for yaws on the occasion of the first visit to each village, and the treatment for hookworm to those not receiving treatment for yaws, on the occasion of the second visit a week later. The third injection for yaws is given on the third visit, another week later. The present method of treatment is the same as that outlined in last report —Oil of chenopodium, 1 part; carbon tetrachloride, 5 parts. The dose is 2 minims to the year of age, with a maximum of 35 minims. During the year the film " Unhooking the Hookworm " was shown in every district in Samoa, and was seen by the great majority of the Natives. This was made possible by the obtaining of a small portable cinematograph outfit, a photograph of which is shown. Although the engine used was a very small one, weighing, with the generator, only 120 lb., the picture obtained was clear, and large enough to be properly viewed by some hundreds of Natives each night. This year it is intended to show the life-history of the fly and of the mosquito, and so, by the eye as well as the ear, educate the Natives as to the necessity for cleanliness. (c.) Ascariasis. —This condition is very common in Western Samoa, especially in the young. In children over three years of age the oil of chenopodium, given in the treatment of hookworm, deals with this condition. Under the age of three years children are given Santonin, a drug which the Natives have now come to know and appreciate. Records of such treatments are not kept separate from the general treatments given in the various dispensaries and by travelling units, but the amount of drug issued from the central dispensary indicates that several thousand children are treated for this condition each year. (d.) Yaws (Framboesia tropica).- —The systematic campaign against yaws, which was commenced at the beginning of the financial year in ] 923, has resulted in a marked improvement in the general health of the Natives, especially the little children. The numbers of injections of Novarsenobillon given each year since the commencement of systematic treatment were : 1923-24, 32,366 injections ; 1924-25, 21,222 injections ; 1925-26, 12,012 injections. Since the whole of the Territory was not covered during the first year, the figures given above do not show the differences between each complete treatment of the whole area. This is better shown as follows : First round —April, 1925-June, 1924 —36,304 injections ; second round —July, 1924-March, 1925 —17,284 injections; third round —April, 1925-March, 1926 —12,012 injections. (e.) Dysentery. —In February of this year an outbreak of bacillary dysentery occurred in two villages in Savai'i, with a few cases in several other villages. Fortunately, the steps taken to prevent it becoming epidemic were successful —at least, for the time being—but sporadic cases are still occurring, and with the dry season approaching it will be necessary to keep careful watch to prevent it gaining a hold.

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(/.) Leprosy. —During the year seven lepers were transferred from Samoa to the Leper Asylum on the island of Makogai, Fiji. These consisted of two male and three female Samoans, and two male Solomon-Islanders. Of the fifteen lepers mentioned in last year's report as being at Makogai, one Chinaman died, and one was discharged on parole. The numbers of lepers from Samoa under treatment at Makogai at the end of the year under review were : Samoans, seven males, four females ; Chinese, three males ; Half-caste Europeans, two males, one female ; Solomon-Islanders, two males ; Cook-Islanders, one male. (g.) Filariasis.—The Research Expedition from the London School of Hygiene and Tropica] Medicine, which arrived in Samoa in January, 1924, departed for London in December, 1925. The report of the work carried out by this Expedition is awaited with interest. Quarantine. During the year 102 visits of inspection were made to vessels arriving from overseas, and in one instance (the monthly mail-steamer for April, 1925), owing to the prevalence of infantile paralysis in New Zealand, quarantine was imposed. Samoa is kept well informed as to conditions in the Pacific by regular weekly wireless messages from New Zealand, with extra messages at irregular intervals detailing any special information which may be of value to Samoa. Food and Drugs. The New Zealand Food and Drugs Act, 1908, with the regulations made thereunder, is in force in the Territory. During the year the following foodstuffs were condemned and destroyed under the supervision of an officer of the Department : Meat, in kegs, 10,380 lb. ; canned meats, 1,045 lb. ; frozen meats, 1,426 lb. ; canned fish, 343 lb. ; frozen fish, 180 lb. ; bacon and ham, 247 lb. ; cheese, 6 lb. European Sanitation. Number. Plumbing and drainage permits issued .. . . . . . . 62 Septic tanks installed . . . . . . .. . . . . 23 Feet of drainage laid .. .. .. .. .. • • 2,297 Water-closets connected .. . . . . . . . . . . 56 Sinks connected . . . .. . . . . .. ~ . . 20 Baths connected .. . . . . .. . . . . . . 5 Loads of rubbish removed to dump .. . . . . .. 1,248 Native Sanitation. Progress has been slow but steady, except for the setback due to the storm on the Ist January. Many of the latrines built out over the sea were destroyed by the heavy seas which accompanied the storm, and naturally the Natives in some districts feel that their labour of rebuilding may be labour in vain. Gradually, in those districts where good water-supplies are available, water-carriage disposal of excremental matter will be introduced, and properly constructed buildings will replace the present crude ones. In other districts where a water-carriage system is out of the question, drop latrines over the sea will have to remain, and in those villages where the unprotected nature of the coast-line is such as to render this type of latrine unsuitable, pit privies are the only solution. During the past few years there has been a marked improvement in the general cleanliness of the villages, and with the education of the women's committees, which is being carried out in connection with the child-welfare campaign, the improvement should be still more rapid. The Native Health Regulations, a draft copy of which was published on page 33 of last year's special medical report, came into force during the year. These regulations deal with the building of Native fales (Samoan houses) ; latrines ; the disposal of rubbish, refuse, and dead animals ; watersupplies ; the keeping of animals ; and gatherings of Natives in villages. Native Water-supplies. These are dealt with in the general report under " Public Works." Vital Statistics (Samoan). The first six months of the year was an exceptionally satisfactory period. The births numbered 1,015, and the deaths 303, of which 111 were of infants under one year of age. The second half of the year, unfortunately, did not fulfil the promise of the first half, the deaths being 554, of which 268 were of infants. The increase was due partly to the prevalence of whooping-cough, and partly to the exceptionally dry season. Although whooping-cough was prevalent during the first half of the year it had very little effect on the death-rate. But in conjunction with the increase in enteritis amongst children, which occurred from July to November, it raised the mortality markedly. In spite of the increase in the number of deaths, the natural increase in population was greater than in any previous year, the births (2,033) exceeding the deaths (857) by 1,176.

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Population. The Native population of Western Samoa, estimated from the census of 1921, amounted to 35,976 but the census of Ist -January, 1926, showed it to be 36,688. The discrepancy of 712 is due to one or more of the following causes : —• (a.) The census of 1921 may not have been accurate. (b.) The present system of registration of births and deaths only commenced in 1923, and the records previous to that date may not be accurate. (c.) The records of arrivals from and departure for overseas showed an excess of departures over arrivals of more than 500 during the first four and a half years following the census of 1921. A more careful check for the six months ending 31st December showed no such discrepancy. The explanation of the greater part of the difference between the estimated and the census figures is probably to be found in these returns. Births. The births of 2,033 living children were registered during 1925, as compared with 1,900 in 1924, and 1,701 in 1923. On only one other occasion since 1906 has the number of births exceeded 1,700 : this was in 1912, when the mid-year population was 33,939, and the number of births 1,792, the birthrate being 52-8 per thousand. The birth-rate for 1925 was 56-30 per thousand of mid-year population, as compared with 55-38 for 1924 and 50-49 for 1923. Deaths. The number of deaths registered during the year was 857, as compared with 766 in 1924 and 1,398 in 1923. The death-rate was 23-75 per thousand of mid-year population, the rates for 1923 and 1924 being respectively 41-50 and 22-29.

Hospital Statistics for Period ended 31st December, 1925.

Nationality of In-patients. Europeans. , Samoans. Chinese. In hospital, Ist April, 1925 .. .. .. 9 23 8 Admitted during nine months .. .. .. 133 1,199 301 Discharged during nine months .. .. .. 129 1,102 286 Died during nine months .. .. .. 6 73 10 Remaining, 31st December, 1925 .. .. 7 47 13 This table does not include visits made to patients in their homes, nor does it include the large number of children seen by the lady Medical Officers in connection with their child-welfare work. EDUCATION DEPAKTMENT. During the year an important conference was convened to discuss the question of education of the Native races in the Pacific islands under New Zealand administration. This conference was attended by the principal officers of the New Zealand Education Department, as well as by representatives from Fiji, Samoa, and the Cook Islands. After considerable discussion, the following resolutions were adopted with regard to policy : — (1.) The instruction should be closely related to the Native environment and traditions. (2.) Nothing should be taught that is not serviceable to the Natives in their present social state or not likely to be serviceable in the near future. (3.) The system should aim to develop agriculture in its widest sense, and also the manual and domestic arts. (4.) The possibility of broadening and intensifying interest in village life by means of manual training, nature-study, drawing and design, music, and games should be recognized.

3—A. 4.

Hospitals. Dispensaries. *• c3 e3 &tt . 2 "3 oi • a ~i- i § . I -a = li n ■§ ■§ S & S -S . >'3 JS •I S -s | & a s ■§ f na gt> 3 ft 3 -S 3 rttaopfflog o H 3 t« is co M i> PH h H In hospital, 1st April, 1925 .. 30 6 2 2 40 Admitted during nine months .. 1,156 117 215 5 140 1,633 Discharged during nine months .. 1,058 113 203 5 138 1,517 Died during nine months .. 69 9 11 .. .. 89 Remaining, 31st December, 1925 59 1 3 4 67 Out-patients: Attendances, in- 22,578 8,032 9,733 66511,573 5,412 4,346 5,480 5,582 4,333 534 56178,829f eluding dressings Treatments for hookworm .. 491,8631,992 .. 1,012 .. ; 3,106 7,59115,613 Treatment for yaws (injections of 3,260 2,5371,128 .. 1,573 3,51412,012 N.A.B.) Operations— Major .. .. .. 80 2 14 .. 96 Minor .. .. .. 172 76 190 .. 239 677 * Dispensary closed for three months, due to illness and subsequent death of dispenser. Returns incomplete. t Includes 36S Chinese out-patients attendances.

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(5.) Prominence should be given to the teaching of hygiene. (6.) As far as practicable, instruction should be given both in the English language and in the vernacular. (7.) That full and free scope be allowed for the observance of religious exercises. (8.) That for a limited number selected by each administration special provision be made in the islands for advanced classes that will enable such students to proceed to New Zealand and undertake higher and professional courses. In the general discussion of the curriculum the importance of handwork and manual training generally was emphasized. The opinion was emphatically expressed that there had been in the past too great a tendency towards an academic type of education. Grade II. —Mission Schools. These schools continue to increase in numbers, there now being forty-five Grade II schools established. The numbers of Native teachers who have undergone training and the numbers who have been appointed are as follows :— L.M.S. Methodist. L.D.S. Total. Teachers trained .. .. .. 39 11 7 57 Teachers appointed .. .. .. 33 9 3 45 Refresher Courses for Grade II Teachers. —As a means of assisting the Native teachers of the Grade II Schools, refresher-course classes were held at Malifa School in the month of January. These classes were organized for the purpose of outlining the work for the ensuing year, as well as for giving the co-ordinating officers the opportunity of correcting weaknesses in the subjects of the curriculum. Modern methods of teaching are demonstrated by European and trained Native teachers, and opportunities given to observe the European teachers at work in the Government district schools. Teacher Glasses at Malifa and Mission Colleges.—Consequent upon the establishment of the Grade II schools and refresher courses, there have been repeated requests from missions for the institution of classes at Malifa where teachers already at work in the mission colleges might attend for the purpose of receiving the benefits of modern methods in teaching. Although this work requires specialized teachers, it is so important for the welfare of the Grade II schools that it has been necessary to establish classes immediately. From the mission colleges the Education Department is to receive its best teachers, and to enable a progressive policy to be followed it is necessary that the teachers employed at these colleges should receive the latest tuition. In order to meet the necessity, the Superintendent of Schools and a staff of five Native teachers entered the mission colleges of the London Missionary Society and Methodist mission respectively for the purpose of training the outgoing students in school method. In addition to the above, two Native Inspectors have been appointed to assist the recently appointed organizing assistants. These assistants (two) have been placed respectively at Sapapalii (Savai'i) and Poutasi (Upolu), where they have training-schools as their headquarters. Though there is still great need for more training ill school method, and for more supervision of the outlying schools, a marked progress is revealed. Government Schools. Malifa (District School). —This is the senior Native school, staffed by one European teacher and. three Native assistants. It is chiefly a boarding-school, and draws its pupils from the Avele and Vaipouli Schools. The teaching is wholly in English. Rigid discipline, regular meals, ample exercise through games, combined with much hard work on the food plantations, have accounted for the many fine Samoans who have passed through the school, and who are giving excellent service to their country. Vaipouli (Savai'i) and Avele (Upolu) Schools.—These are the agricultural schools, and the admission is from the Grade II schools. The schools are each staffed by one European teacher and three Native assistants, and the teaching is chiefly in English. The subjects of the curriculum bear mostly on agriculture as required for the Samoan. A preponderance of the practical over the formal or theoretical dominates the syllabus. Simple experimental work is carried out, especially where this work relates to operations on the plantations. Care of school-grounds, beautification of environment, tree-planting, and the formation of garden-plots have been specialized in at Avele School, whereas the preparation of copra and the care of stock have been extensively carried out at Vaipouli, where some 300 acres are in bearing. In addition to the training in agriculture, instruction is given by Native assistants in the use of simple tools in carpentry and plumbing, and elementary engineering. Electric lighting has been installed at Vaipouli, and is being installed at Avele. Areas of cotton were successfully specialized in during the year. At each school carefully built Samoan houses have been erected. Concrete floors were laid down and sanitation specially attended to. A European open-air school building has been erected at each school. Ifi Ifi School (for Europeans). —This school, staffed by five Europeans, has made good progress during the year. The syllabus followed is practically that of the New Zealand schools ; consequently the standard of attainment is the New Zealand Proficiency Examination, which is held annually. The gaining of this certificate carries with it the same privileges as accrue in New Zealand. Proficiency examination : Candidates presented, 6; candidates successful —proficiency 5, competency 1. Besides preparing pupils for the above, examination, the teachers conduct classes in the afternoon for the purpose of assisting ambitious pupils for the higher departmental examinations. Examinations. Examinations for the University of New Zealand, Board of Surveyors, Post and Telegraph Department of New Zealand, and accountancy of New Zealand and Australia were supervised by the Superintendent during the year.

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Roll Numbers and Average Attendance at Government Schools during the Year ended 31st March, 1926.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT. Staff. This is the same in number and personnel as last year. Although fully employed, it has been able to deal expeditiously and efficiently with the work of the Department. Administration of Justice. The return shows an increase in civil cases of 121, and an increase in criminal cases of sixty-eight, as compared with the previous year. There were very few criminal cases of a serious nature. The civil cases include seventy-nine petitions for divorce —a number quite abnormal. It has been a common practice in the past among the Native Samoans for couples unsuitably married to part by mutual consent, and thereafter for one or both parties to take another spouse without the formality of divorce and remarriage. As a result of the legislation passed by the Fono of Faipules, and enforced largely through their influence and that of the missionaries, many of these irregular unions of long standing have been legalized by divorce and remarriage. Hence the increase in the number of petitions for divorce. During the year one session of the Land and Title Commission has been held, from the Bth to the 20th June, in which twenty-six cases were dealt with and twenty-two final judgments given. Some alterations in the procedure have been made, notably by giving litigants a right to challenge Native Commissioners for interest or bias, and fuller opportunities for cross-examining their opponents. This has, it is believed, resulted in enhancing the authority of the decisions of the Commission in the eyes of the Natives and satisfying them of its impartiality. The replacing of one of the European assessors by the Secretary of Native Affairs is a distinct advantage. During the year the Chief Judge field a session of the High Court in the Island of Savai'i, where the Court is usually represented by a Commissioner. Satisfaction was expressed by representative Natives at this innovation, and it is proposed to hold sessions there by the Chief Judge periodically in future. For the first time a course of instruction has been given for Native Judges (Faamasinos). The course was given by the Chief Judge, and the Faamasinos attended from both islands almost without exception. The points upon which it was found most necessary to insist were the impartiality of Faamasinos and the equality of all persons before the law. Instruction is to be continued from time to time, and promises to prove of great value in ensuring suitable men for the position and in advancing the Natives along the road of self-government in legal matters. Crown Law Work. Five local Ordinances have been drafted by the Department and have become law, of which|one, the Samoan Individual Property Ordinance, 1925, marks a most important advance in the law towards the individualization of the property of Natives, and coincides with the policy of the Administration on this subject as agreed to by the Fono of Faipules, Several Orders in Council for submission to the Governor-General in Council have been drafted, of which two have been passed. One of these has for its purpose the vesting of the lands of the Roman Catholic Church in Samoa in the bishop for the time being, for greater convenience in dealing therewith. Drafting of new legislation, and acting as solicitor and counsel for the various departments, and as Crown Prosecutor, has, with his many other duties, kept the Crown Solicitor very fully employed. During the absence of the Chief Judge on furlough during the last two months of the year the Crown Solicitor has been appointed a Judge of the High Court. Land Registration, etc. The returns show an increase of forty in the number of registrations as compared with last year's figure. Twenty-five instruments under the Chattels Transfer Act have been registered, and 1,001 marriages recorded. Ten probates and other authorities to administer deceased estates have been taken out. There have been no bankruptcies. Companies. Two private companies were registered during the year, making now a total of five companies since the Companies Order came into force on the Ist July, 1922.

Ifi Ifi. Malifa (Sen.). Malifa (Jun.). Vaipouli. Avele. Total. r)fl tp Grand J-Jaie. Total. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boys. Girls. Boll Numbers. 30th June, 1925 .. 87 103 93 j 11 119 j 50 68 88 455 164 619 30th September, 1925 .. 83 105 80 11 119 I 50 68 92 442 166 608 31st December, 1925 .. 96 100 75 6 118 I 56 66 75 430 162 592 31st March, 1925 80 93 82 6 120 j 87 84 75 441 186 647 Average Attendance. 30th June, 1925 .. 168 85 146 62 50 .. .. 511 30th September, 1925 .. 155 88 144 62 82 .. .. 531 31st December, 1925 .. 160 72 156 65 70 .. .. 523 31st March, 1925 .. 156-5 78 180 80 68 .. .. 562-5 i

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Revenue. The estimated revenue lias been exceeded, falling short by only £238 12s. lOd. of the expenditure for the year. High Court of Western Samoa, at Apia. Return of Criminal Cases for the Year ended, 31st March, 1926. Sitting-days .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .117 Persons charged .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 714 Convictions recorded .. .. .. .. .. .. ..611 Dismissed on merits .. .. .. .. .. .. 45 Withdrawn by leave of Court .. .. .. .. .. 58 ReUirn of Civil Cases for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Sitting-days .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 119 Actions filed .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 874 Actions heard .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 813 Judgments given .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 728 Withdrawn or struck out .. .. .. .. .. .. 154 Land Registration: Return of Documents registered for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Conveyances .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 Mortgages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 Releases .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31 Leases .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 64 Crown grants .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Miscellaneous.. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 AGRICULTURE DEPARTMENT. Although adversely affected to some extent by weather less favourable than usual, the record of the past year is one of substantial progress. Heavy rains and strong winds in May, 1925, did damage to cacao, and from this date on till November, 1925, an unusually dry period retarded the maturing of crops generally. On the Ist . January, 1926, a heavy gale was experienced, and, although it caused some temporary damage in the heavy fall of coconuts not fully matured and in the destruction of a certain number of native breadfruit-trees, it is gratifying to be able to report that no permanent substantial damage was done. Copra. The output of this staple product exceeded all previous records, being 15,210 tons, as compared with 12,024 tons for the previous year. As the average production for the decennial period 1914-25 was only 10,815 tons, the increase must be regarded as distinctly satisfactory, more especially so as the Natives produce 77 per cent, of the copra output of the Territory. As the result of the constant and continuous inspections carried out by the Administration officials appointed for that purpose, the quality of the copra has been maintained well up to the standard insisted on. The constant aim of the Administration is to improve the quality of Samoan copra, and to endeavour to ensure that those Natives who produce superior-quality copra shall reap the benefit in increased prices. Cacao. At the beginning of the year under review the prospects for this crop were exceptionally bright, but unpropitious weather from May onwards reduced the output considerably. Market conditions also were not so favourable as had been anticipated by the planters. The conditions which have existed during the past year have brought home to the local producers the necessity for ensuring that only cacao of good quality is exported, and that all cacao should be graded prior to shipment. To this extent the experience of the past year may be considered to have been of permanent benefit to Samoa. The following figures show the quantity of cacao produced during 1925 as compared with the previous year : 1925, 678 tons ; 1924, 838 tons. Rubber. Following on the rise in the market price of rubber during the past year, the Administration decided to carry out certain experiments locally, with a view to ascertaining the possibility of resuscitating the production of rubber in Samoa. No rubber had been exported from the Territory since 1918, but the result of the experiments carried out by the Administration proved so satisfactory that it is hoped that the export of rubber will reappear in the trade returns for 1926 to quite an appreciable extent. Cotton. In spite of the most unfavourable weather conditions prevailing during the past year, a relatively appreciable quantity of cotton was produced by the Natives. Taking into consideration the conservatism of the Samoans, the results are regarded as satisfactory. However, the degree of success attendant on the endeavours of the Administration to further the cultivation of cotton by the Natives should not be measured in terms of avoirdupois, since the activities brought to bear in this instance form part only of the larger propaganda intended to further habits of greater industry amongst the Samoans along with the provision of additional avenues of employment.

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Agricultural Education. School gardens have been established in connection with the Native second- and third-grade schools, and the scholars receive practical lessons in agriculture, with demonstrations by the District Inspectors. Pests and Diseases. (a.) Rhinoceros-beetle (Oryctes nasicornis) : There is little evidence of the beetle's presence except in a few villages where the attack originates from adjacent bush. . The losses sustained from the ravages of this pest are" a gradually diminishing quantity. The weekly search for beetles— almost a habit now with the Samoans—continues, but this method of control is always ancillary to clean cultivation, which in the long-run is the only effective means of suppression. (b.) Canker (Phytophthera faberi) : This disease, as well as other lesser diseases affecting cacao, has been less noticeable during the past year, probably in consequence of the rainless spell experienced from June to November last. (c.) Rats : Rodents are the most destructive of pests, but the easiest to control if a safe method of systematic poisoning be organized on systematic lines. During the year a rat-poisoning campaign was organized, and, although it is yet too early to give definite results, it is hoped that the coming year will prove the adequacy of the methods adopted. (d.) Flying-foxes : This pest is less conspicuous than in former years, and for the present does not constitute an appreciable danger to copra and cacao plantations.

Beetles collected on Native and European Plantations.

CUSTOMS AND MARINE DEPARTMENT. The financial year 1925-26 has from a trade point of view been a considerable advance on the previous year ; the total trade has increased over 1924-25 to the amount of £89,156. Revenue. The total moneys collected by the Department during the year amounted to £81,463, as compared with £73,606 for the previous year. The following headings show an increase over 1924-25 : Import duties, £8,061 ; export duties, £437 ; shipping fees, £171 ; taxes, £600 ; but decreases amounting to £1,412 are shown in various miscellaneous items, including lease of sheds, towage, &c. The receipts under the principal headings, also a comparison with the previous year, are as follows : —

The actual revenue under Customs, taxes, and marine is £13,640 in excess of the estimated revenue for the financial year 1925-26. Customs Statistics. Statistics dealing with the trade, commerce, and shipping of the Port of Apia for the calendar year 1925 have been published. The total trade for the year amounted to £725,377, as compared with £636,221 for the year 1924, an increase of £89,156. With the exception of the abnormal years of 1919 and 1920 this constitutes a record. The balance of trade is in favour of the Territory to the extent of £34,399.

Native. j European. Beetles. Larvse. Eggs. Beetles. Larvae. Eggs. j i i I I Upolu .. .. .. : 70,796 2,064,426 288,011 13,267 150,908 28,722 Savai'i .. .. 122,510 1,554,400 253,528 : 1,525 j 12,235 3,535 I

1924-25. L925-26. Decrease. Increase. £ £ £ £ Import duties .. .. .. .. 43,015 51,076 .. 8,061 Export duties — Copra .. .. .. .. 13,218 14,068 Cocoa .. .. .. .. .. 1,790 1,306 Rubber .. .. .. .. .. 71 15,008 15,445 .. 437 Shipping fees .. .. .. .. 2,268 2,439 .. 171 Lease of sheds, towage, &c. .. .. 796 700 96 Taxes .. .. .. .. .. 8,909 9,509 .. 600 Miscellaneous, including sale of medicinal liquor 3,610 2,294 1,316 73,606 81,463 1,412 9,269 Less .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,412 Increase (net) .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,857

A.-4

Imports. The total value of imports for the calendar year 1925 was £345,989, as compared with £274,803 for 1924, an increase of £71,186. The following table shows the countries whence imported, also a comparison with the year 1924 : —

The outstanding feature of the trade returns for 1925 is the large increase in importations direct from the United Kingdom, amounting to £63,885, as compared with £25,340 for the previous year. The principal items of imports which may be commented upon are : Drapery increased £21,671, the United Kingdom contributing £19,284 and the United States of America £3,711, with a slight decline from other countries. Metal manufactures show an increase to the extent of £6,489, in pipes imported direct from the United Kingdom for new water services. Preserved fish have increased £7,259, practically all from Canada. Timber has increased £7,484-, supplied by United States of America. Sugar shows a marked decline of £4,249 ; this is accounted for by the big drop in the price of sugar in 1925. Exports. The exports for 1925 show an increase of £17,970, the figures being £379,388, as compared with £361,418 for 1924. Copra : The export of copra for the calendar year 1925 was 14,519 tons, valued at £331,274, in comparison with 13,202 tons, valued at £284,272, for the year 1924. Cdcoa : The cocoa export was 664 tons, valued at £39,626, as compared with 1,016 tons, valued at £57,958 for the previous'year. Probably the falling-off of crops and the decline in the market value of Samoan cocoa owing to the largely increased production from other countries is accountable for the decrease in this export. Rubber : The year 1925 marks the first export of rubber since the year 1918, and although only a small quantity —viz., 3 tons —valued at £1,165 was shipped, the present year should show a big increase in the export of this commodity. Re-exports. These amount to £6,844 for the year 1925, as compared with £17,366 for 1924. The high figures for 1924 are accounted for by re-exports of bullion, £8,700, and moving-picture apparatus valued at £4,000.

Total Net Receipts at Customhouse, Apia.

* Lighters purchased outright by Stevedoring Company (Limited), and rente ceased, July, 1924. f Travelling passes since Ist April, 1924, collected by police. j Includes lighterage charges when Administration did stevedoring. § Includes Native taxes, now collected by Native Department. HARBOUR SECTION. Shipping- —Returns of inward and outward shipping for the Port of Apia during the year will be found appended. Lights, Buoys, and Beacons. —New Aga lights have been installed on Apolima Island, East Reef, and Lower Leading-light. The light on East Reef was washed away in the storra on Ist January,

1924. 1925. From —- Value. Percentage. Value. Percentage. £ £ United Kingdom .. .. .. 25,340 9-2 63,885 18-5 New Zealand .. .. .. .. 87,541 31-8 91,542 26-5 Australia .. .. .. .. 99,448 36-2 103,748 29-9 United States of America .. .. 42,582 15-5 55,767 16-1 Other countries .. .. .. 19,892 7-3 31,047 9-0 Total .. .. .. 274,803 100-0 345,989 100-0

(To nearest pound sterling.) Stevedoring and Taxes, ,, t i Lease of Sheds Native Travel . e< ? ei P s > E t X ! S1 ™5 , and Lighters,* Passes,t ™lud,ng Total Net Duty Duty. Fees. . Launc s h . hire ' j and '' »ec«pto. and Towage, i Water Rates. , e . lcma | Liquor. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 1925-26 .. 51,076 15,445 2,439 700 9,509 2,294 81,463 1924-25 .. 43,015 15,008 2,268 796 8,909 5,657 73,606 1923-24 .. 41,948 11,685 2,195 1,029 9,495 2,098 68,450 1922-23 .. 45,673 16,272 1,962 889 10,125 1,117 75,938 1921-22 .. 56,824 "14,395 1,779 1,209 9,540 653 84,400 1920-21 .. 79,567 9,563 1,383 4,661J 9,524 3,053 107,751 1919-20 .. 43,022 8,035 746 235 11,268§ 448 63,754

A.—4

and the work of replacing it is now in hand. Buoys and moorings have been examined and overhauled, and are in good order. Passages. —A considerable amount of Wasting Las been done around the islands. Maintenance. —Floating plant has been subject to heavy wear-and-tear during salvage operations on " Lady Roberts," and will have to be thoroughly overhauled at the first opportunity. Plant is old, and replacement will probably be needed. General.—The following casualties have occurred during the past year : Schooner " Samoa " was wrecked at Nassau : total loss. The crew were taken of! by the " Lady Roberts." Motor-cutter " Lily " was destroyed by fire in Apia Harbour. Ketch " Fetu Ao " was wrecked at the Tokelaus : total loss. Apia was visited by a severe storm on the Ist January, and considerable damage was done. S.s. " Lady Roberts " and motor-ketch " Siliafai " were driven on the reef at Apia during the gale and were salvaged badly damaged. " Lady Roberts " has been towed to Suva by the New Zealand Government steamer " Hinemoa " for repairs.

Overseas Merchant Shipping, Port of Apia, for Year ended 31st March, 1926.

Steam. Sailing. Total. Quarter ended — j 3 ; * > No. Tons. Cargo. No. Tons. Cargo. No. Tons. Cargo. 1 | _J | I INWARDS. June quarter, 1925 .. British 21 15,676 2,214 21 15,676 2,214 foreign 3 7,417 1,264 1 1,409 .. 4 8,826 1,264 24 23,093 3,478 1 1,409 .. 25 24,502 3,478 September quarter,1925 British 19 15,268 3,218 .. .. .. 19 15.268 3,218 Foreign 5 11,207 1,129 1 520 101 6 11,727 1,230 24 26,475 4,347 1 520 101 25 26,995 4,448 December quarter, 1925 British 18 16,431 2,703 .. .. .. 18 16,431 2,703 Foreign 1 3,821 10 1 485 1,204 2 4,306 1,214 19 20,252 2,713 1 485 1,204 20 20,737 3,917 March quarter, 1926 .. British 16 12,370 2,134 16 12,370 2,134 Foreign 3 6,458 1,336 .. .. .. 3 6,458 1,336 19 18,828 3,470 19 18,828 3,470 Year ending 31st March, British 74 59,745 10,269 .. .. .. 74 59,745 10,269 1926 " Foreign 12 28,903 3,739 3 2,414 1,305 15 31,317 5,044 86 88,648 14,008 3 2,414 1,305 89 91,062 15,313 OUTWARDS. June quarter, 1925 .. British 22 15,767 3,828 .. .. 22 15,767 3,828 Foreign 3 7,417 1,816 1 1,409 .. 4 8 ; 826 1,816 25 23,184 5,644 1 1,409 .. 26 24,593 5,644 September quarter,1925 British 20 15,296 2,940 .. .. .. 20 15,296 2,940 Foreign 5 11,207 1,137 1 520 .. 6 11,727 1,137 25 26,503 4,077 1 520 .. 26 27,023 4,077 December quarter, 1925 British 16 16,312 1,932 .. .. .. 16 16,312 1,932 Foreign 1 3,821 804 1 485 .. 2 4,306 804 17 20,133 2,736 1 485 .. 18 20,618 2,736 March quarter, 1926 .. British 18 12,478 1,791 .. .. .. 18 12,478 1,791 Foreign 3 6,458 1,027 .. .. .. 3 6,458 1,027 21 18,936 2,818 21 18,936 2,818 Year ending31st March, British 76 59,853 10,491 .. 76 59,853 .10.491 1926 Foreign 12 28,903 4,784 3 2,414 .. 15 31,317 4,784 88 88,756 15,275 3 2,414 .. 91 91,170 15,275 I In addition to the above, lour overseas yachts and nine war-vessels entered and cleared the Port of Apia.

A.—4

CHINESE DEPARTMENT. During the year 134 Chinese labourers were repatriated to China and ten died from natural causes, and to meet the necessary requirements of the Territory 280 Chinese labourers were introduced. The new labourers have proved themselves very desirable immigrants, and appear to be quite satisfied with the conditions of their employment. For the twelve months ended 31st March, 1926, £1,356, representing savings of wages by labourers, was remitted to China to their relatives there, whilst a further sum of £500 was,taken in cash to China by the labourers being repatriated. The free-labour conditions continue to give satisfaction, especially to the labourers, who take full advantage of the opportunity afforded of changing their employers from time to time. The advantages gained under the principle of free imported labour greatly outweigh any disadvantages suffered by employers through the shifting-round of the labourers. Under present conditions the labourer works much better than he previously did, and malingering may now be said to be non-existent. During the year a Chinese labourer who had been sent to the leper station at Makogai, Fiji, for treatment was discharged as cured and returned to Western Samoa. The number of labourers required to report to the Chinese Commissioner showed an increase over the previous year, consequent to a certain extent upon the introduction of new labourers. The comparative figures are as follows

The number of Chinese labourers in Western Samoa at the 31st March, 1923, was 1,328 ; at the 31st March, 1924, 967 ; at the 31st March, 1925, 7-52 ; and at the 31st March, 1926, 888. POLICE AND PRISONS DEPARTMENT. The criminal statistics published below represent all offences reported during the year, and show an aggregate net decrease of fifty-eight as compared with the figures for the previous year. The proportion of reported offences to the population was I*l9 per cent., as against 143 per cent, for the year 1924. The percentage of arrests effected or summonses issued out of the total number of oifences reported was 96-25 per cent., the figures for the previous year being 98-5 per cent. The principal increases and decreases in particular crimes appear under the following headings : — Increases. —Adultery, 8 ; unlawful entry, 7 ; receiving stolen property, 2 ; gaming offences, 19 ; unlawful possession of firearms, 3 ; breach of the peace, 15 ; opium smuggling, 3 ; selling liquor, 2 ; driving unlicensed vehicles, 17 ; negligent riding, 6 ; breaches of Road Traffic Ordinance, 8. Decreases. —Escape from custody, 9 ; indecent assault, 3 ; burglary, 7 ; thefts from dwellings, 2 ; theft, 49 ; trespass, 13 ; disorderly conduct, 3 ; drunkenness, 5 ; opium-smoking, 2 ; in possession of opium, 5 ; manufacturing liquor, 6 ; consuming methylated spirits, 17 ; Samoans consuming liquor, 6. Serious crime may be said to be non-existent in the Territory, and expert criminals are unknown. The operations of Village Committees and Native officials have done much to suppress and discourage petty offences, minor offences amongst the Samoans being more systematically dealt with by Native Judges. Police. At the close of the year the strength of the Police Force was thirty-two —five European (including two locally born) and twenty-seven Natives —as compared with thirty-three at the 31st March, 1925. The locally born European officers recently added to the staff, although without previous police experience, are adapting themselves to their duties in a satisfactory manner, and their intimate knowledge of the Samoan language is a very considerable advantage, dispensing as it does with the loss of time and other disadvantages attendant upon working through an interpreter. Prisons. The total number of prisoners received at the gaol during the year was 121, as compared with 237 for the previous year and 420 for the year 1923. The number of prisoners remaining in gaol at the 31st March, 1925, was thirty. The daily average of prisoners during the period was thirty-five— the greatest number on any occasion being forty-three, and the least number twenty-five. The conduct of the prisoners during the year has been good. There have been the usual cases of minor breaches of Prison Regulations and insubordination, but nothing of a serious nature has been reported.

Subsequent to Introduction of Free-labour Year ended Conditions. 31st March, 1923, Reason. prior to Introduction! of Free-labour i Year ending Year ending Year ending Conditions. j 31st March, 31st March, 31st March, 1924. 1925. 1926. Medical examination .. • ■ 569 56 , 30 42 Complaint by employer .. .. 1,037 578 122 182 Complaint by labourer .. .. 276 201 73 146 Left work without permission or notice 470 189 42 31

A.—4,

The prisoners have been employed during the year in clearing and keeping clean departmental offices, premises, and grounds, and Government properties generally. In addition they have continued to cultivate the land at Yailima set aside for them, as referred to in the last annual report, thereby producing taro and bananas for their own food purposes and also cotton for export. Mental Patients. The total number of patients at the close of the year was four —two Samoan males and two Samoan females —as compared with two at the 31st March, 1925. During the year six patients were received and four discharged, inclusive of one European male transferred to a mental hospital in New Zealand. Return showing the Number of Offences reported, the Number of Offences for which Persons were apprehended or summoned, the Number of Persons convicted or dismissed, and a Comparison of Crime during the Year ended 31st December, 1925.

Apia, Western Samoa.

4 —A. 4.

1924. 1925. Offences r reported. Offences. Number Number Offences Offences nr Number dismissed « « reported, reported. convicted. or $ $ summoned. withdrawn. 8 g a n ! ; M 1=1 Misleading justice— m. f. m. it. Bribery, attempted .. .. .. . . 1 .. .. 1 Seditious words .. . . .. . . 1 .. . . .. . . .. . . .. 1 Escape from legal custody . . . . .. 10 1 . . 9 Offences against morality— Adultery .. .. .. .. ..11 19 19 13 4 1 1 8 Abduction to carnally know .. .. .. 20 22 22 21 1 2 Aiding abduction .. .. .. .. 1 2 2 2 1 Bigamy .. .. .. . . .. 1 1 I .. 1 Offences against the person — Assault, common .. . . .. . . 60 57 57 45 10 2 .... 3 Assault, indecent .. .. .. .. 10 7 7 3.. 4.. .. 3 Assault causing actual bodily harm .. .. 7 G 6 6 .. 1 Carnal knowledge .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 Rape .. .. .. .. .. 1 I 1 .. .. 1 .. .. .. Manslaughter . . .. .. .. 1 .. .. 1 Conspiring to murder .. .. .. .. 4 .. .. . . . . .. .. . . 4 Offences against rights of property— Burglary .. .. .. .. .. 9 2 2 2.. .. .. .. 7 Thefts from dwellings .. .. .. .. 17 15 11 8 2 1.. .. 2 Unlawful entry .. .. . . .. 2 9 7 6 1 7 Theft .. .. .. . . 108 59 48 38 5 3 2 .. 49 Forgery .. .. .. .. .. 3 1 1 1 2 Uttering forged documents .. . . . . 3 .. .. 3 Trespass .. .. .. .. .. 32 19 19 19 . . 13 Wilful damage .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 2 Wilful mischief .. .. .. . . 1 .. .. 1 Receiving stolen property .. .. .. .. 2 2 1 1 2.. Gaming offences— Found in gaminghouse .. .. .. .. 19 19 19 19 Breaches of the Arms Ordinance— Unlawful transfer .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 Unlawfully in possession .. .. . . .. 3 3 3 3 Unlicensed firearm .. .. .. . . 3 2 2 2 1 Unlawfully importing arms .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 .. .. .. 1 Pnlifp AffpnoAa. Breaches of the peace .. .. ..15 30 30 15 10 4 1 15 Disorderly conduct .. .. . . . . 47 44 44 34 7 3 3 Drunkenness.. .. .. .. .. 9 4 4 4 ........ 5 Cruelty to animals .. .. .. .. 4 7 7 4 1 1 1 3 Stone-throwing .. .. .. 4 2 2 2........ 2 Indecent acts .. .. .. .. 2 . . .. .. .. .... .. 2 Unlawfully removing sand .. .. .. 1 .. .. 1 Insulting language to officials .. . . .. .. 1 1 1 . . .. . . 1 Converting animals or vehicles to own use .. 5 3 3 2 I .... 2 Threatening language .. .. .. 4 1 1 1 3 Opium offences — Opium-smuggling .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 3 ..... . 3 Opium-smoking . . .. .. .. 3 1 1 1 ........ 2 In possession of opium .. .. .. 5 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Liquor offences— Manufacturing liquor .. .. .. .. 12 6 6 3 3 6 Liquor found in occupied premises .. .. .. 2 2 2 2 In possession of liquor .. .. .. 4 6 6 5 1.. .. 2.. Importing liquor .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 .. Selling liquor . . .. .. .. 1 3 3 3 . . . . .. 2 Breach of the Distillation Act .. .. .. j 3 2 2 2 .. . . ., .. 1 Consuming methylated spirits .. .. .. j 18 1 1 1 .. 17 Samoans consuming liquor .. .. . , I 6 i ,, ' ., ., ., ., 6

A.—4.

Return showing the Number of Offences reported, etc. —continued.

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. Savings-bank. The business of the Savings-bank continues to show satisfactory expansion, the deposits for the year totalling £40,208 14s. lid., as compared with £32,962 16s. lid. for the previous year and £21,850 Bs. Bd. for the year ended 31st March, 1924. The number of accounts open at the 31st March last was 992, being a net increase of 385 accounts for the year. It is worthy of note that of the total accounts remaining open 515 were in favour of Samoans, as compared with 256 a year ago. It is significant that the Natives exhibit a progressive tendency to invest savings in the Post Office Savings-bank, as the following figures setting out the number of Native accounts opened at the end of each year since the Savings-bank was established in Samoa will show: Year ending 31st March, 1921, 28 accounts; 1922, 58 accounts; 1923, 80 accounts; 1924, 121 accounts ; 1925, 256 accounts ; 1926, 515 accounts. The amount at credit of depositors at the end of the year was £46,364 6s. 4d. Money-orders. The number of money-orders issued was 2,145, representing a total of £23,866 10s. lid., being an increase of £11,659 3s. over the previous year. Commission on such money-orders amounted to £118 10s. 9d. Money-orders paid numbered 241, for £1,529 18s. 6d. Postal Notes and British Postal Orders. The system of forwarding small sums of money by this method still maintains its popularity, £820 Is. 7d. being issued and £129 17s. sd. paid, as compared with £667 18s. and £91 os. 9d. respectively for the previous year. Stamps. Stamp-sales amounted to £1,737 13s. 6d., a« compared with £2,509 3s. 2d. for the year ending 31st March, 1925. Post Office. Mail-matter delivered and posted in Samoa during the year, estimated from a general average, was as follows :— Delivered —• Letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 105,800 Other articles .. .. .. .. .. 71,230 — 177,030 Registered letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,124 Parcels .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,019 Posted — Letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 103,319 Other articles . . . . . . . . . . 15,376 —— 118,695 Registered articles .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,115 Parcels ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ .... 791

Return showing the Number of Offences reported, etc. —continued. 1924. 1925. Offences. lsr.m.hpr Number • Offences Offences " JLi __ Number dismissed 2 3 reported, reported. convicted. or £ g summoned. withdrawn. g § 5 £ I I By-law breaches— m. y. m. f. Wandering cattle .. .. .. .. 9 2 2 2 .. ..I.. .. 7 Trespassing cattle .. .. .. .. 3 4 4 4.. .. j .. 1 .. Driving, unlicensed .. .. .. .. 10 27 27 27 .. .. [ . . 17 J .. Driving without lights .. .. .. 10 13 13 13 .. .. . . 3 t Furious riding and driving .. .. .. 17 15 15 15 2 Motor-vehicles without number-plates .. .. 1 .. . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 Unlicensed vehicles .. .. .. .. 6 8 8 8 2.. Negligent driving k . .. .. .. 11 12 12 11 1 1 Driving with improper brakes .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 Negligent riding .. .. .. .. 6 6 6 .. .. .. 6 .. Miscellaneous— Breach of Labour Ordinance .. .. .. j 1 1 1 1 Breach of the Permit Ordinance .. .. 4 j .. .. .. .. . . .. 4 Breach of Dog Ordinance .. .. . . 3 I 3 3 3 Breach of Samoan Offenders Ordinance .. .. 4 i 2 2 1.. 1.. .. 2 Traders unlawfully giving credit .. .. 1 1 1 1 Traders failing to account for goods .. .. J 1 2 2 1.. 1.. 1 Breach of Immigration Ordinance .. .. 1 3 3 3 2.. Breach of Harbour Regulations .. .. 2 1 1 1 .. 1 Breach of Bull and Stallion Ordinance .. .. .. 2 2 2 2 Breach of Road Traffic Ordinance .. .. .. 8 8 8 8 Breach of Shop Ordinance .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 Totals .. .. .. ..538 480 462 386 45 26 5 116 174 . POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. Savings-bank. The business of the Savings-bank continues to show satisfactory expansion, the deposits for the year totalling £40,208 14s. lid., as compared with £32,962 16s. lid. for the previous year and £21,850 8s. 8d. for the year ended 31st March, 1924. The number of accounts open at the 31st March last was 992, being a net increase of 385 accounts for the year. It is worthy of note that of the total accounts remaining open 515 were in favour of Samoans, as compared with 256 a year ago. It is significant that the Natives exhibit a progressive tendency to invest savings in the Post Office Savings-bank, as the following figures setting out the number of Native accounts opened at the end of each year since the Savings-bank was established in Samoa will show: Year ending 31st March, 1921, 28 accounts; 1922, 58 accounts; 1923, 80 accounts; 1924, 121 accounts ; 1925, 256 accounts ; 1926, 515 accounts. The amount at credit of depositors at the end of the year was £46,364 6s. 4d. Money-orders. The number of money-orders issued was 2,145, representing a total of £23,866 10s. lid., being an increase of £11,659 3s. over the previous year. Commission on such money-orders amounted to £118 10s. 9d. Money-orders paid numbered 241, for £1,529 18s. 6d. Postal Notes and British Postal Orders. The system of forwarding small sums of money by this method still maintains its popularity, £820 Is. 7d. being issued and £129 17s. 5d. paid, as compared with £667 18s. and £91 0s. 9d. respectively for the previous year. Stamps. Stamp-sales amounted to £1,737 13s. 6d., a« compared with £2,509 3s. 2d. for the year ending 31st March, 1925. Post Office. Mail-matter delivered and posted in Samoa during the year, estimated from a general average, was as follows : — Delivered —• Letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 105,800 Other articles .. .. .. .. .. 71,230 — 177,030 Registered letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,124 Parcels .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,019 Posted — Letters .. .. .. .. .. .. 103,319 Other articles . . . . . . . . . . 15,376 —— 118,695 Registered articles .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,115 Parcels ,. ,, ,, ,. ,, .... 791

A.—4

Customs duty amounting to £1,038 6s. lid. was collected on parcels. Private Boxes. —During the year an additional ninety-eight- private boxes were erected, of which twenty-two have already been rented. The revenue from this source amounted to £113 4s. sd. Telephones. —The revenue from telephones amounted to £1,166 19s. lid. During the coming year it is intended to change over the present inconvenient earth-return system to a metallic-circuit system. Work performed for other Departments. —Amounts collected on behalf of New Zealand Government Departments were as follows : Superannuation, £2,693 6s. 9d.; Government Insurance, £101 13s. Id.; National Provident Fund, £33 4s. 9d. ; miscellaneous, £107 14s. 4d. ; total, £2,935 18s. lid. : whilst amounts paid were —Pensions, £614 16s. 2d. ; superannuation, £238 7s. 9d. ; miscellaneous, £44 4s. 3d. : total, £897 Bs. 2d.

Mail-matter.

Money-orders.

Savings-bank.

Receipts due to the Samoan Administration.

Mail-matter delivered. Mail-matter posted. a! to cc oi Quarter, 1925-26. "gl § Parcels. -g a ? ~£ o-C S ? t; g1S bS "2 ~ s£ t f f II J§ a 'a . No. Duty. 5® S. g> u _ _ Sf s a gj | g «_ £ s. d. April-June .. .. 25,420 19,365 661 730 170 9 0 24,650 3,700 927 198 July-September .. .. 24,219 14,965 737 1,225 292 12 0 21,802 3,864 989 173 October-December.. .. 32,380 23,400 732 1,1X8 336 7 5 31,598 4,376 1,147 330 January-March .. .. 23,781 13,500 994 946 238 18 6 25,269 3,436 1,052 90 Totals .. .. 105,800 71,230 3,124 4,019 1,038 6 11 103,319 15,376 4,115 791 Totals for previous year .. 93,317 72,106 2,438 3,136 796 13 0 90,424 12,230 3,765 860

Money-orders issued. Money-orders paid. Brfflsh^SoMers. Quarter, 1925-26. No. Commission.; Amount. No. | Amount. Issued. Paid. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. April-June .. .. 453 23 9 0 3,421 5 4 54 503 10 8 199 4 3 40 0 6 July-September .. .. 536 30 2 6 6,163 18 0 75 408 16 7 247 15 7 17 14 6 October-December .. .. 634 33 14 9 7,137 10 7 53 353 6 2 183 7 0 25 13 5 January-March .. .. 522 31 4 6 7,143 17 0 59 264 5 1 189 14 9 46 9 0 Totals .. .. 2,145 118 10 9 23,866 10 11 241 1,529 18 6 820 1 7 I 129 17 5 Totals for previous year.. 1,653 107 16 11 12,207 7 11 205 1,135 16 1 667 18 0 91 0 9

3 • $ . .2 sa'g g-s Amount g Quarter. 1925-26. o p o« Deposits. Withdrawals. at Credit Invested. In Hand. § £ Sft §•§ of Depositors. go 1 <1 ° <»; I £ s. d.) £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. April-June .. ..120 28 8,525 17 0 11,011 10 3 42,420 8 2, 44,65& 0 0 3,331 9 1 699 July-September .. 148 25 9,715 11 10 11,111 16 4 41,024 3 8 44,658 0 0 2,867 1 11 822 October-December .. 100 35 11,460 6 2j 8,356 14 2 44,127 15 8 51,538 0 0 6,605 17 3 887 January-March .. 132 27 10,506 19 111 9,831 10 3 46,364 6 4j 57,538 0 0 2,894 11 11 992 Totals .. ..500 115 40,208 14 11 40,311 11 0 .. | Totals for previous year 278 86 32,962 16 11 26,141 1 0 .. j

Sale of Miscel- Telenhnnp Private Pnrip Collected Quarter, 1025-26. Stamp Sales. Radio Fees. Gazettes, laneotts Receipts. Boxes. Addresses. for other &c. Receipts. F Departments. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. April-June .. .. 246 18 9 528 19 5 0 3 6 0 10 0 59 10 9 4 17 6 .. Discontinued. July—September .. 490 16 7 482 10 2 1 6 0 .. 352 14 7 5 16 4 October-December .. 43112 4914 10 196 .. 20 94 123 024 January—March • • 568 17 0 459 7 3 0 14 6 .. 734 5 3 101 8 4 7 0 0 Totals .. .. 1,737 13 61,962 1 8j 3 13 6 0 10 01,166 19 11 113 4 5 7 2 4 Totals for previous year 2,509 3 22,141 10 4 3 7 0 1 7 61,232 5 8102 16 8 15 8 8 2,238 2 10

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Transactions on Account of the New Zealand Government.

LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT. During the year under review work was commenced both in the office and in the field on compilation of plans of survey districts, in order that the position of Native villages, Court grants, Crown grants, leases, New Zealand Estates and Administration lands could be recorded. A register of all titles to land was compiled from records in the Land Registrar's office, and each title tabulated under its respective survey district, in order that as the field-work progresses the position of each parcel of land may be fixed. In addition to this all Survey records were filed in their respective survey districts, and two registers of plans compiled. Field-work along the coast-line was completed in the Aleipata, Lepa, and Lotofaga districts, and also a portion of the coast-line in the Aana district (Falelatai). Owing to the absence on leave of two members of the staff the work had to be suspended in order that current work could be kept up to date. Plans on a scale of 1 to 4,000 were completed as follows : Aleipata district, four ; Lepa Lotofaga district, seven ; and Aana district, three. These will be brought up to date, in the forthcoming year, and the rest of the districts dealt with similarly. This work will be of considerable value in the remodelling of villages, investigation of Native water-supplies, determining best position of tradingstation leases in Native villages, and for all Departments dealing with Native affairs, as all details are shown on plans. Surveys for the remodelling of seven Native villages were made, and the positions of European lands within village areas marked. During the latter part of the year the outstanding field-work on the standard survey of Apia was completed, and the balance of the plans are now being brought up to date. The standard coastal traverse was extended for a short distance only, owing to shortage of staff and the more urgent work of compiling plans of survey districts. In addition to the above work, and minor field-work as set out in schedule, a considerable amount of field-work was carried out for the Public Works Department, as follows : — Native Water-supplies. —An exploration of the whole of the Aleipata, Lepa, and Lotofaga districts was made in order to determine the possibilities of piped gravitation schemes. In connection with this work the survey of these districts, already mentioned, was of great value, and suitable supplies were located and preliminary details obtained. In addition to this, levels of the existing water-supply at Falelatai were obtained in order that the extension and rearrangement of the scheme to Samatau could be proceeded with. Exploration work in the location of a pipe gravitation scheme was made in the important district of Faasaleleaga, but the only source of supply available presented too many difficulties and was abandoned. This scheme involved the laying of about seven miles of main over difficult country, in addition to which the water would have to be pumped or siphoned out of an old crater. Preliminary levels and traverse of a gravitation scheme for the village of Tafua, in Savai'i, was investigated, and plans prepared. Levels in connection with the Afega dam were carried out during the excavation of the dam, and also during construction. Hydro-electric Scheme. —A considerable amount of time was spent in taking levels, traversing, and preparing plans and blue-prints in connection with an alternative scheme for hydro-electric power from the Vaisigano River for Apia. Light-railway Scheme.—A location survey for a light-railway route on Mulifanua Plantation was carried out, and the selected route was pegged, traversed, graded, and levelled. Plans showing route and longitudinal sections were prepared and blue-prints made. In all, twelve miles of route was located. Miscellaneous.—Levels were taken at the Post-office, Engineering-shop, and Public Works yard for sewerage schemes, and longitudinal sections made. Levels of 30 chains of road at Avele Agriculture School were made and plans prepared. During the construction of the sea-wall to the Tivoli Wharf levels were carried out as required. Theodolite survey of a metal reservation at Laulii was made and plans prepared. General. In addition to the office-work already mentioned and as set out in schedule, the records of the Department have been kept up to date and the system of filing improved. A great amount of time has also been devoted to checking plans, tracings, and other documents submitted by a local surveyor in private practice, and also attending to searches and tracings for the public and other Departments.

Receipts. j Payments. Quarter, 1925-26. j i — ~ j Superannua- Government National M j aop n anM ,,,,, Pension* Superannua- Misceition. I Insurance. Provident. J "aneous. iensions. tioQ _ | !aneous . £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. April-June .. .. 201 5 9 23 1 11 8 8 3 2 9 4 77 16 9 79 9 3 3 12 5 •July-September . . 175 0 0 22 12 1 6 9 3 4 0 0 292 5 5 79 9 3 19 5 11 October-December . . 176 4 2 24 7 3 8 0 3 1 0 0 135 7 5 79 9 3 19 5 11 January-March.. .. 2,140 16 10 31 11 10 10 7 0 100 5 0 109 6 7 Totals .. .. 2,693 6 9 101 13 1 33 4 9 107 14 4 614 16 2 238 7 9 42 4 3 Totals for previous year .. 700 0 6 100 2 11 31 13 4 10 5 5 395 1 2 354 8 11 19 16 10

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Applications to lease Native land for trading sites were investigated and reported on as to rental and whether the site would affect the remodelling of villages or interfere with food-supplies. During the forthcoming year work will be commenced on the survey of Native lands, which will have to be dealt with by a larger staff of field surveyors. The present system of survey has been based on the New Zealand system with modifications to suit local conditions, with the result that surveyors engaged for service in Samoa from New Zealand readily adapt themselves to local conditions. This will mean practically no delay in the survey of Native land when the question of individualizing the land comes into operation.

Work for the Year.

PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT. During the year ending 31st March, 1926, the demands made upon the Department have again been particularly heavy. Buildings. The usual repairs and maintenance to residences and Government buildings have been carried out, and owing to the fact that the workshop machinery is in good order more economical results are being obtained. Apia Hospital. —Two new pans fitted in Native lavatories ; all W.C.s in Native quarter overhauled ; veranda-floor and roof of European Hospital repaired ; mosquito gauze renewed where required ; twelve new cots made for Native Hospital; shelving erected in laboratory ; new maternity fale with concrete floor, 50 ft. by 30 ft., erected, with all necessary cupboards, sinks, tables, operatingtable, &c. All the Samoan fales have been overhauled, and the necessary repairs carried out to thatches and polas. A new porcelain slop-sink, W.C., and lavatory-basin were fixed in the Samoan ward, with all the necessary drainage and plumbing-work. All conveniences, baths, sinks, and taps have been overhauled from time to time during the year. A new bottle-store was erected. General minor repairs to cupboards, doors, windows, &c., have been carried out during the year. Aleipata Hospital. —Repairs were carried out to taps and tanks, shelving was fitted where required, and a track formed from residence to hospital. Tuasivi Hospital. —Minor repairs to doors, steps, and mosquito-proofing of doctor's residence. Four new fales erected and three concreted. Nurses' Quarters.—A. new septic tank, W.C., and all necessary fittings and drainage fitted in bathroom ; new cast-iron bath, chip heater, and vent-pipe erected ; new blinds fitted, and general minor repairs carried out to building. Medical Superintendent's Residence. —Repairs carried out to mosquito-proofing ; new wire fence erected ; new doors made for garage. Doctor's Residence. —New louvre shutters made and fitted ; mosquito-proofing repaired. Quarantine Station. —Mosquito-netting repaired ; two new doors fitted ; new tank supplied and spouting repaired ; locks renewed where required. Administration Office. —Repairs and alterations were made to record-cabinets in library ; new book-cases were erected in Judge's room ; new W.G. fitted ; and general minor repairs carried out. Native Department Buildings. —Fifteen new desks made for Land and Title Commission ; twentyseven W.C.s made for Faipules ; office roof repaired, and a new set of steps made and fitted ; shed made for stores ; veranda and partition extended in Accountant's office ; three new fales erected, and one fale re-erected in new position. Vaimea Gaol. —General repairs carried out to buildings, and fence repaired. Post Office. —The arrangement of the private letter-box was altered, and 105 new boxes installed, making a total of 200 ; a large window was fitted above the boxes, giving more light and ventilation ; improvements were made to the general public counter ; a new 6 in. drain for dealing with stormwater and sewerage ; three new flush W.C.s were erected for the European and Native staff, and for the cottage attached ; a washbasin was fitted ; general repairs were carried out to the buildings.

Field-work. ' Office-work. Plans placed . ® n, p ttt , 011 Instruments „ 1> £ g! H Class of W ork. of Titles. SS || 8 .f SjgS | Acres. Miles. c ° ® - - - gi gg, „ 1 jf-d o 0ost " T Free- W g & g £ 1 § § Leases. , ° <£ e- 1 j 5 hold. plj m pq £ Rural .. .. 37 .. 10-0 14 16 14 11 10 49 14 .. Town .. .. 5 .. 23-5 14 53 13 8 5 32 1 .. Native .. .. .. .. .. 41 2 13 11 8 26 31 10 Standard traverse — Town boundaries . . .. 2-80 28-0 . . . . . . . . 2 1 Rural boundaries . . .. 1-75 20-0 . . . . .. . . 1 Miscellaneous .. 117 66-05 159-2 41 59 57 45 Totals .. .. 159 70-60 240-7 69 71 40 30 67 167 103 55

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Schools. —Extensive additions have been carried out at Avele School : the floor;: of fivefales have been concreted, two additional fades have been built, and a new schoolroom, 50 ft. by 30 ft., has been built, and bathhouse and additional sanitary arrangements are in the course of construction. A new schoolroom, 73 ft. by 30 ft., is in course of erection at Vaipouli, also six new fales. The main beams and timber are being supplied by the Administration, and each Native district is supplying thatch and the necessary Samoan carpenters for the erection of the fale. Vailima.- —Dining-room pannelled out, balcony renewed over west wing ; new pergola, and porch erected over drive-way; new house for good-conduct prisoners erected in that portion of grounds set aside as prison-garden ; new window fitted in Administrator's bedroom. Savai'i Residency.—New gaol compound erected; a small dispensary and a copra-drier erected at Safotu; bathhouse repaired and furniture repaired. Central Hotel. —Alterations to provide accommodation for flats and rooms for lady dentist made ; considerable minor repairs executed to louvres, roof, and verandas. Casino Hotel. —Minor repairs executed to veranda, louvre sashes, and doors ; new sink fitted at kitchen. Sogi Cottage.—Old building dismantled, and new dwelling suitable for the tropics erected. Wireless Station.—Septic tank, W.C., and necessary drainage erected at single men's quarters. Public Trustee Buildings.- —Extensive repairs were carried out to eleven buildings under the jurisdiction of the Public Trustee. Residences.—Considerable repairs were effected to sixteen residences during the year. Tuvao. —Old residence renovated for the accommodation of the goaler in connection with the prison farm to be established at Tuvao. Public Works Department. —Yard-fence repaired ; timber-rack repaired ; two new W.C.s for yard and office, with necessary drainage, erected, provision being made for surrounding occupiers to connect; a new W.C. intermittent flush erected at engineering-shop. Bridges. A new traffic-bridge, 100 ft. in length, constructed of hardwood, was erected at Letogo, painted, and all piles sheathed. Nine new footbridges were erected in the Fagamalo district, the labour and local hardwood being supplied by the Samoans free of charge, and the work supervised by a Public Works Department overseer. Six footbridges were erected in Upolu during the year under review, solely by the Samoans, all labour and material, with the exception of nails, being supplied by the Samoans free of charge. Unfortunately, during the storm on the Ist January, practically all were washed away ; but the Samoans have agreed to re-erect them on the same terms as those. erected at Fagamalo. Three footbridges were also erected on the north coast of Savai'i, and new traffic-bridges were erected at Safotu and Fagafau. Two traffic-bridges were rebuilt at Fugalei. and Levi, and general repairs were carried out to bridges at Mpnase, Safune, Eva, Luatuanu'u, Solosolo, and Gasegase. The steel bridge on the Magiagi was chipped and painted, and the large steel bridge at Solosolo was chipped and is now being painted. During the January storm three of the piles on the Vaisigano Bridge were damaged, and it was found necessary to replace, them with longer piles, which were obtained locally. Fords were constructed at Fusi and Magia, and the two fords on Moamoa Road were repaired. Public, Roads. Owing to increased motor traffic, road-maintenance during the year under review has been particularly heavy. The chief factors responsible for heavy maintenance in Samoa are the heavy rainfall in the wet season, poor foundations on roads, increased motor traffic, and particularly narrow road-reservation. The latter factor is responsible for heavy maintenance in Apia, due to the fact that where a double line of traffic has to be provided for, the watertables and overhanging trees caused the channels to become blocked very quickly in a tropical shower, causing considerable damage to the road-surface unless sealed with bitumen. The present policy is to seal the more important roads, and during the year 347 chains of the Hospital Road (Ifi Ifi Street) were properly consolidated, rolled, and sealed with bitumen. The main coast road from Faleula to Afega was also rolled, consolidated, and sealed with bitumen for a distance of 240 chains. In addition, 20 chains of the main coast road was resurfaced from Puipa'a to Vailoa. Metalling has been carried out as follows : Letogo, 52 chains ; Racecourse Road, 90 chains ; Vailele Street, 28 chains ; Vaea Street, 27 chains. The main coast from Letogo to Falefa was metalled for a distance of three miles, and coralling carried out over a distance of eleven miles. A deviation of the road of Fusi was made for a distance of 72 chains, on which three 2 ft. culverts were put in. From Falefa to Lufilufi a large amount of rock had to be blasted off the surface of the road, and this section is now quite passable for traffic. New culverts were put in where required from Letogo to Falefa, and the metalling of the deviation will complete this section of the road, so that Falefa can now be reached by car at any time of the year. All this work with the exception of blasting was carried out quite satisfactorily with Samoan labour. The new track from Aleipata to Falevao has been opened up for foot traffic, the section from Falevao to the Togaiono saddle being done by the Samoans free of charge. From the Togaiono saddle to Aleipata the track was cleared of all vegetation and bush, and minor formation carried out. This section of track opens up the important district of Aleipata to Apia, and also gives improved access to Lepa and Lotofaga districts. A new 15 ft. road into the Avele Agricultural School was formed and installed by the Samoans for a distance of 40 chains, and the work carried out according to the conditions for roadmaking passed by the Fono of Faipules.

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A bad section of road in the Lepa district was re-formed by the Samoans, and a quantity of rock blasted by the Department's overseer. All roads in Apia have been maintained, and the Vailima Road was re-formed with coral, consolidated and rolled for a distance of 76 chains, and a number of old wooden culverts replaced with 18 in. concrete ones. This road will be completed in the forthcoming year and sealed with bitumen. During the storm on the Ist January practically all roads were blocked with fallen trees and debris and by a large washout on the main coast road between Luatuanu'u and Lauli'i. The work of clearing trees and debris was put in hand immediately, and all roads and tracks were open to traffic within ten days. Apia Water-supply. The new 2 in. main from Yailele Street to Talimatau Street was laid for a distance of 84'55 chains, and all necessary connections made, the necessary labour being done by Samoans under Fonoti, Faipule. During the second quarter the Vaisigano River was very low, the rainfall for the period being only 3'55 in., and it was necessary to erect a temporary dam across the river near the intake. A considerable number of rubber rings used on pipe-connections have had to be renewed owing to the action of the borer. All fireplugs have been inspected, cleaned out, and are to undergo repairs in the forthcoming year. Temporary mains which were put in at the commencement of the scheme are being disconnected and taken up, and all mains have been cleaned out periodically. During the year thirty-eight connections to the main have been made, and a new valve at the intake renewed. Wharves and Beacons. Owing to the very heavy seas and rough weather, the re-erection of the Tivoli Wharf was not proceeded with, but all material is on the site, and the work will be expedited early in the forthcoming year. Surveys. In addition to the surveys reported on in the Lands and Survey Department report, malagas of inspection were carried out by the Engineer in Charge. Sea-wall. The construction of the sea-wall was continued for a further distance of 840 ft., and provision made at two sections for access to the beach and for the rebuilding of the Tivoli Wharf. The wall has been subjected to heavy seas during the wet season, but, with the exception of a small portion near the proposed Tivoli Wharf, has suffered no damage. It will be necessary to construct groins near the Tivoli Wharf, and blast a passage through the reef, owing to the fact that all seas coming over the reef in this locality have their only outlet at the Tivoli Wharf, and during heavy weather a 12-knot current runs past the site. Samoan labour was engaged throughout, and also on the filling-in at the back of the wall. Street-lighting. This service has been carried out continuously, and extra street-lamps installed on the main water-front. Sanitation. Late in the year under review work was commenced on the erection of a public convenience for Samoans in Apia on the main beach-front. The building is being erected in reinforced concrete, and is on the same principle as the convenience erected at Mulinu'u, designed by the Department. The type of convenience now being erected is to be installed in all villages having good water-supplies. Twenty-six flyproof W.C.s were supplied to the Faipules and, erected. The collection of rubbish in Apia has been carried out as usual with two labourers continuously employed at the dump. A small shed for tools was erected at the dump, and the rails shifted and laid through the mangrove swamp. The dump has been under the constant supervision of the Department, and street-sweeping has been continuously carried out on the main waterfront. Native Water-supplies. During the year under review the installation of good water-supplies in all villages has been expedited, but up to the present the Department has not been able to meet all demands, especially with regard to the piped water-supplies. In order that this important branch of the Department's activities may be expedited a qualified plumber from New Zealand was engaged, and owing to later requests from the villages for good water-supplies a second man is being engaged. The most important work of the year, and the largest supply in Samoa, was commenced at Afega late in the second quarter. The supply is from springs about three miles inland of Afega, and the conditions are practically ideal for a water-supply. The springs, twelve in number, are situated high up on the bank of a stream, and consequently are not affected by flood-waters. The supply will provide drinking and washing water for 2,547 Samoans, in addition to which flush privies will be installed. At each end of the scheme the large London Missionary Society and Methodist Mission establishments, where, at certain seasons of the year, during festivals, as many as 2,000 Samoans congregate, will be supplied. At the end of the year 711 lengths of 6 in. pipe had been laid, 350 lengths of 4 in., 55 lengths of 3| in., and also all necessary valves fitted. A masonry dam, 147 ft. long and 8 ft. high, was constructed at the springs, which involved a large amount of excavation work. The work of excavating

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the site at the springs was carried out by the Samoans under the direction of Toeiupe, to whom great credit is due. The present capacity of the reservoir is 150,000 gallons, but this will be increased later on to 200,000 gallons. The supply from the springs does not vary with a regular flow of 160 gallons a minute. This work received a set-back during heavy weather in the New Year owing to large trees falling across the main near the reservoir, where the pipes could not be buried. This been rectified, and the laying of all mains and necessary connections should be completed early in the forthcoming year. A gravitation scheme —the first piped supply for Savai'i—was put in at the inland village of Paia, which has a population of 125. Bathhouses and service connections were put in, and flush privies of the Department's design will be installed at a later date. The piped gravitation scheme for Fagamalo (Savai'i) was commenced late in the year under review; 1,700 ft. of main was laid and the intake constructed. This scheme is exceptionally good, the water being obtained from the Vaipouli River. The scheme will supply a population of 1,072 Samoans, in addition to the Commissioner's residence, as well as other European residents in the area. Bathhouses and flush privies to the Department's design will be installed. Repairs to the following piped gravitation schemes were effected during the year under review : Saleaaumua to Satitoa and A'Ufaga. Reinforced-concrete cisterns of the Department's design were erected at Satufia, Si'ufaga, Eveeve, Fatausi, Fogapoa, and Lu'ua, all in Savai'i. These cisterns are erected alongside of churches and in localities where piped supplies are not possible. Further cisterns are now in course of erection, and this work is now being carried on continuously until all villages depending on rain-water are supplied. Repairs to existing redwood cisterns and mass concrete cisterns have been carried out, and as a temporary measure twelve 600-gallon tanks for isolated villages have been supplied. Repairs to bathing and drinking pools have been carried out to improve the pools. Apprentices, etc. During the year plumbing and carpentry apprentices were appointed and local Native boys engaged. On Native water-supplies a Samoan of each village on the scheme engaged is appointed to the foreman plumber, and is taught to lay pipes, and also to do any necessary repairs that may be required after the scheme has been completed. In case of a break on the main these men are immediately available for the job, and maintenance costs are consequently kept low. APIA OBSERVATORY. The establishment of national geophysical organizations in the Northern Hemisphere, the advances made in the past five years in theory of isostasy, the changes brought about in current thought in regard to former climates of the world by the publications of Wegener and Clark, are indications of the energy being devoted to the study of the physics of the earth. The forecasts of the Indian monsoons several months in advance of their arrival, and the information supplied to aviators, are examples of the use that has been made of these investigations. Most of the theoretical work has been initiated in the Northern Hemisphere, and requires for its confirmation data from the Southern Hemisphere, where observatories are less numerous on account of the greater extent of ocean. It is for this reason that increased emphasis has been placed on securing and publishing reliable statistics on as many departments of geophysics as the finances and facilities of the Observatory will permit. During the year 1925 the programme of the Observatory has included terrestrial magnetism, seismology, and meteorology, together with subsidiary activities such as the determination of time and tidal observations. Terrestrial Magnetism. Continuous photographic records were obtained of the variations in the earth's magnetism. Weekly determinations were made independently of each of the elements horizontal force, declination, and vertical force, by means of which the hourly values obtained from the photographic records were reduced to absolute units. These have been tabulated in full, and the average mean values for 1925, with those of the two previous years for comparison, are as follows : — Declination: Horizontal Force : Vertical Force: East. C.G.S. Units. C.G-.S. Units. Mean, 1925 .. .. .. 10° 22-8' 0-35239 —0-20453 Mean, 1924 .. .. .. 10° 19-2' 0-35249 —0-20453 Mean, 1923 .. .. .. 10° 16-3' 0-35248 —0-20440 In co-ordination with other observatories, quarterly reports in regard to the magnetic character of each day were sent to the Comite Meteorologique International, De Bilt, Holland. A quarterly statement descriptive of the occurrence and duration of magnetic storms has been prepared, and published in the Journal of Terrestrial Magnetism. In February, 1926, a summary of the magnetic observations for 1925 was sent to the hydrographic offices of the leading nations. Photographic records were loaned to the Christchurch Observatory for the purpose of studying magnetic disturbances, and blue-print copies of magnetograms showing the sudden commencements of the more violent magnetic storms were supplied to the Department of Terrestrial Magnetism for their investigation of this subject.

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Seismology. The Observatory is equipped with a 1,000 kg. horizontal seismograph and a 180 kg. vertical seismograph of Wiechert design ; both have given continuously satisfactory service throughout 1925. During the year 311 earth-movements were recorded, which were classified as follows : 187 instrumental, of local origin and very feeble ; 30 local, not reported felt; 21 reported felt; 45 with epicentres less than 1,000 km. distant, the majority of them, occurring in the Tongan Deep ; 28 with epicentres more than 1,000 km. distant. The most severe local shock occurred on the 30th December at 9.17 local time, with an intensity 5 on the Rossi Porel scale (1-10). A small hand-press has been set up, and copies of a quarterly report have been printed and distributed to about eighty seismic stations throughout the world. Radio reports of the more severe shocks were sent to the New Zealand Government Seismologist. Meteorology. There are five main divisions in the meteorological work : (1) Upper-air investigations with pilot balloons ; (2) atmospheric electricity; (3) solar radiation ; (4) supervision of weather stations in Samoa and in other islands ; (5) observations at Apia. Upper-air Investigation. By using better-quality balloons and employing colour filters on the eye-piece of the observing theodolite, balloons have been followed to greater heights than in previous years. Seventy balloons were followed to heights greater than 10 km. (32,800 ft.), and two balloons to heights greater than 25 km. (82,000 ft.). In general it has been found that the south-east trade-winds extend up to 2-5 km. (8,200 ft.), the height varying slightly with the season. Above the trade-winds westerly winds prevail to the highest levels reached. The results for 1923-24 were published in a pamphlet " Upper-air Observations, 1923-24," copies of which have been widely distributed. An article on the same subject was published in the Monthly Weather Review. Atmospheric Electricity. The measurement of the electrical potential of the air has been carried on at the Observatory from 1906 to 1925, a longer period than at any other station in the Southern Hemisphere. During 1925, in addition to continuous records from a station in the Observatory grounds, records were obtained from a second station erected above the waters of the lagoon about one-half mile from the shore. Thus a comparison was afforded not only between simultaneous values of the electrical potential on land, but also with observations taken on the ocean. (Ocean observations have presented anomalies to land stations.) An article giving the preliminary results of the investigations will be published shortly in the Journal of Terrestrial Magnetism. An unsuccessful attempt was made to determine the effect of height on electrical potential. Solar Radiation. The object of this investigation is to determine the amount of the solar radiation reaching the surface of the earth after absorption in passing through the atmosphere. Three instruments are employed —the Gorczynski pyrheliometer, of elaborate design, used on cloudless days to measure the intensity of the heat in the direct rays of the sun ; the Wilson and the Buxton radio heat-intergrators, in continuous use to measure the total quantity of heat received from sunrise to sunset. Island Stations. No effort has been spared to collect meteorological data from the islands scattered in the South Pacific. On account of the distance involved and the infrequent mail-service, progress has necessarily been slow. In the past year observations have been received regularly from stations in Tonga and Niue and from the Gilbert and Ellice Groups. A third-order station has been established in the Union Group. On the stations of Upolu and Savai'i six stations are regularly taking rainfall observations. Observatory. At the Observatory continuous records were obtained of temperature, barometric pressure, rainfall, humidity, and sunshine. A resume of this data is given in the following table :■ —

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Temperature Extremes.! n „ , I xiftroniGuGr • i c i, • Month-of 1925. : Mean iTotaJ 8 Hours Humidity. Rainfall. n - , T Values. High. Low. ° Fahr. 0 Fahr. Inches. % Inches. January .. .. •. 88-0 73-0 29-78 47-7 82-3 12-25 February .. .. .. 88-5 72-7 29-81 189-8 82-5 6-67 March .. .. .. 88-2 72-9 29-81 51-5 84-6 13-01 April .. .. ... 88-7 71-6 29-85 71-9 86-1 9-70 May .. .. .. 86-9 69-4 29-85 45-3 86-4 23-58 June .. .. • • 87-3 70-5 29-86 85-0 82-0 2-94 July .. .. .. 86-7 67-3 29-91 77-8 82-8 1-42 August .. .. .. 89-6 69-8 29-87 83-4 83-6 0-74 September .. .. .. 87-1 69-4 29-90 88-2 79-9 1-39 October .. .. .. 89-6 71-1 29-86 71-4 83-5 5-09 November .. .. .. ! 88-9 69-8 29-85 165-4 86-0 8-29 December .. .. .. I 87-8 72-1 29-74 158-6 : 87-3 18-49 ; l___ Means and totals . .| 88-11 70-80 29-841 1,136-0 83-92 103-57

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The rainfall for 1925 was 3-28 in. less than normal. Of more importance to the plantations was the relative drought for the four months of the winter season —June to September —when only 649 in. of rain fell. Fortunately, the preceding month of May had been unusually wet, having a precipitation of 23-58 in., which prevented any serious hardship. The mean temperature of the year was 0-78° P. above normal, indicating that the slow increase in temperature of Samoa since 1890 is still in progress. A large barograph by Richard Freres, having a scale capable of showing small and rapid fluctuations in atmospheric pressure, has been set up, and is working satisfactorily. Owing to a misunderstanding an anemometer was not purchased, but a Dines type of this instrument with the latest improvements will be purchased during the present year. Various instruments and thermometers have been purchased. On account of the corrosion and rapid deterioration of instruments caused by the high humidity prevailing, and the difficulty of getting repairs, it is necessary to cany on hand duplicates of all standard instruments. Rain-gauges have been provided for a number of stations. In view of the unavoidable delay in printing the meteorological data in an annual report, it was deemed advisable to issue a monthly meteorological summary to those investigators and institutions, both scientific and commercial, that have use for current information from this locality. Beginning in January, 1925, with forty copies per month, this has been increased, on account of requests from various sources, to sixty-five copies per month. Time Service. —A time service, primarily for the magnetic and seismic work, accurate to twotenths of a second, has been maintained throughout the year. Accuracy in the standard clock has been regularly verified by weekly observations with the transit circle. Correct time was supplied daily to the Post Office Department, and weekly to the pilot-station for firing the noon gun. Seven chronometers have been rated during the year, mostly for small trading-vessels going to the islands. System of South Pacific Weather Reports.—The Observatory prepares twice daily a weather report, which is communicated to the harbourmaster and to the wireless station for broadcasting. Similar reports are sent to the Apia Wireless Station from Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji, Norfolk Island, and New Hebrides. Through co-operation of the navigating officers on the New Zealand Fleet the barometers at the various stations have been examined and compared with a standard instrument. A statement of the probable error of the observer's individual readings and of the barometer were sent to certain stations. A persistent effort has been made to ensure the all-round accuracy at stations making meteorological reports. Ocean Drift. —Since May, 1924, about three hundred bottle-drift printed forms have been given to ships' officers, who have been requested to fill them in and enclose in bottles to be thrown overboard within the tropics in the South Pacific. Out of this number only eleven have so far been reported found. Ten of these, thrown over in the latitudes lying between the Equator and 20° south, have shown a westerly drift. The eleventh bottle, thrown over in the neighbourhood of the Marshall Islands, floated far to the eastward in the narrow but swift counter-equatorial drift. Tide Records. —Except for three interruptions, totalling eleven days, a year's record of the rise and fall of the tide was registered at the lagoon-house by the Rude automatic tide-gauge. From these marigrams the hourly height of the tide has been tabulated, and the data forwarded on special forms to the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey for harmonic analysis, which will serve as a basis for improved tide-tables for the harbour. FINANCE. Revenue. The statement hereunder shows the amount of revenue received during the financial year ended 31st March, 1926, including a subsidy contributed by the New Zealand Government. There is also shown, for comparative purposes, the revenue for the preceding financial year : — 1924-25. 1925-26. £ £ 1. Native taxes .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17,219 20,032 2. Customs, taxes, and Marine — (a.) Customs and. taxes .. ~ .. .. .. .. 66,243 76,730 (b.) Harbour Department .. .. .. .. .. 2,379 2,488 (c.) S.s. " Lady Roberts " .. .. .. .. .. 4,030 3,585 3. Fees and charges (Court, hospital, &c.) .. .. .. .. 7,247 8,149 4. Post Office and Savings-bank .. .. .. .. .. 5,404 5,379 5. Wireless station .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,215 5,441 6. Miscellaneous (rents, interest, &c.) .. .. .. .. .. 6,037 6,834 7. Subsidy, New Zealand Government .. .. .. .. .. 19,140 21,400 Totals .. .. .. .. .. ..£130,914 £150,038 Note. —Under item (1) is included the Native medical levy of £1 per adult male Samoan, which produced the sum of £9,186. The poll-tax of £1 4s, and £1 for chiefs and men respectively realized practically the same amount,

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The subsidy to the Samoan revenue from the New Zealand Government is based on the additional cost due to the extension of the medical and educational services in the interest of the Native population. An extra amount was contributed during 1924-25 to cover the cost of a radio-telephone transmitter for the Apia Radio Station. There is a very large increase in the total revenue, chiefly in the Customs and Marine Department. Expenditure. The ordinary expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1926, is as shown hereunder, the figures for the previous year also being given for purposes of comparisons : — 1924-25. 1925-26. £ £ s. d. 1. Permanent charges .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,057 6,384 11 11 2. Administrator, Government House, Legislature . . . . . . 5,888 4,933 13 0 3. Secretariat .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,046 2,394 9 2 4. Native Affairs Department — (a.) Upolu and general .. .. .. .. .. 9,891 10,244 9 8 (b.) Savai'i section .. .. .. .. .. 6,279 6,495 511 5. Treasury and Audit . . .. .. .. .. .. 2,431 2,117 12 7 6. Customs, taxes, and Marine — («.) Customs and taxes .. .. .. .. .. 2,285 2,636 5 3 (b.) Harbour Department .. .. .. .. .. 2,738 3,769 7 0 (c.) S.s. " Lady Roberts ".. .. .. .. .. 3,931 3,812 11 6 7. Justice Department .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,744 2,650 4 9 8. Police and Prisons Department .. .. .. .. 8,031 7,968 18 3 9. Health Department .. .. .. .. .. .. 24,425 25,761 16 7 10. Agriculture Department .. .. .. .. .. 3,031 3,187 0 3 11. Chinese Department .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,620 1,639 15 4 12. Post Office and Savings-bank . . .. .. .. .. 4,971 4,951 8 8 13. Radio station .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,933 6,731 0 6 14. Education Department . . .. . . . . 7,609 9,130 12- 3 15. Miscellaneous .. ... .. .. .. .. 9,783 11,952 1 3 16. Lands and Survey Department .. .. .. .. 2,092 2,371 12 5 17. Public Works Department (general and maintenance) .. .. 19,434 17,668 510 18. Public Works Department (new works).. .. .. .. 5,304 8,886 15 3 Totals .. .. .. .. ..£135,523 £145,687 17 4 Direct Native Revenue and Expenditure. The revenue derived directly from the Native population, and the amounts expended directly thereon, during the year may be stated approximately as follows : — £ (a.) Revenue directly from the Natives .. .. . . . . 21,500 (6.) Expenditure directly on the Natives .. .. .. .. 64,300 These amounts may be set out in greater detail as hereunder (a.) Revenue directly from the Natives. Native taxes (poll-tax, medical levy, fines, gun and dog taxes, water rates, £ and travelling-passes) .. .. .. .. .. .. 20,032 Land and Titles Commission fees .. .. .. .. .. 368 Court fees, fines, and costs (say) .. .. .. . . .. 600 Licenses and fees —boat, motor, marriages, &c. (say) .. .. .. 500 £21,500 In addition to the above, the Natives, along with other sections of the community, contribute indirectly to the revenue through the purchase of goods on which import duty is charged. A reliable estimate of this amount is, however, difficult to arrive at. Such fees as motor licenses, boat licenses, shipping fees, marriage fees, store and trading licenses, as included above, are collected from Natives engaging in these directions on the same basis as from Europeans. (b.) Expenditure directly on the Natives. (1.) Payments directly to Natives : — Salaries and wages, Native Affairs Department—Samoan staff and £ officials: Upolu, £4,746 ; Savai'i, £3,282 .. .. .. 8,028 Other Departments — Samoan staff (Police, Education, Harbour, Medical, &c.) .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,360 Casual labour (approximate) employed by Public Works Department, £6,500; Engineering Department, £1,500 ; various (say) £500 8,500 £27,888

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(2.) Payments directly on behalf of Natives : — Native Affairs Department — Salaries, European staff, Native Affairs Department (Upolu, £2,122 ; £ Savai'i, £1,894) .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,016 Cost of printing Native Gazette .. .. . . .. .. 405 Fono expenses (Native Parliament) .. . . . . . . . . 839 Land and Titles Commission expenses . . . . . . . . 365 Travelling-expenses, Native Department .. .. .. .. 1,041 Entertainment of Samoans .. . . . . . . . . 412 Dog-collars and dog-tax bonus .. . . . . .. . . 136 Clothing, rations, &c., for messengers . . .. . . . . 253 Police and Prisons Department — Salaries, European staff (part) .. .. .. '.. .. 2,000 Rations, clothing, utensils, &c. .. .. .. . . .. 786 Medical Department — Salaries, European staff (part) .. .. .. .. .. 7,000 Samoan Lepers Account (Fiji) . • • • ■ • ■ • 1,183 "Rations for patients . , . . . . .. . . . . 726 Transport and travelling-expenses (say) .. .. . , .. 634 Dental subsidy . . .. .. . .. . . . . 180 Drugs, &c. (say) .. .. .. . . . . .. .. 3,000 Education Department — Salaries, European staff (part) .. .. .. .. .. 3,000 Food-supplies, &c. .. .. .. .. .. 307 Expenses, vocational classes .. . . . . . . . . 335 Transport and travelling-expenses .. . . . . . . . . 636 Expenses, Grade II schools. . .. . . .. . . . . 323 Avele Agricultural School expenses . . . . .. . . 215 Public Works Department — Building new school, &c., at Avele .. .. .. .. 1,736 Native water-supplies .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,000 Leper buildings at Fiji . . .. . . . . .. .. 400 High Chief's fale (Malietoa) .. .. .. .. .. 148 Native staff fales, Fagamalo and Malifa .. .. .. .. 122 Sanitary closets for Faipules .. . . .. . . . . 392 Native maternity fale, Apia Hospital .. .. .. .. 483 New fales at Mulinuu .. . . . . . . . . .. 339 £64,300 In addition, considerable payments are made to the Natives for supplies such as coral for roads, thatches, &c., for fales; and charges such as maintenance of buildings, parts of salaries of other Departments not mentioned above, &c., may be considered as applicable to the Natives. The expenditure of the Agriculture Department is to a great extent for the benefit of Samoans generally. Public Works Programme ex Loan-money. Up to the 31st March, 1925, the sum of £120,000 had been granted by New Zealand and spent on various public works, chiefly Apia water-supply, roads and bridges, hospital extensions, &c. During 1925-26 an additional £5,000 was spent on Native water-supplies, making £125,000 in all, of which £100,000 is on loan at 5 per cent, interest and 1 per cent, sinking fund, repayable in thirty years, and £25,000 is a gift from the New Zealand Government.* The programme for 1926-27 calls for an additional loan at the same rate, to be spent as follows : £ Native water-supplies .. .. .. .. .. .. 20,000 New wharf and shed at Customs landing .. .. .. .. 12,000 New metallic circuit telephone system . . .. . . . . 2,500 New roads and bridges .. .. .. .. .. .. 13,500 £48,000 Also, information is now being collected in regard to the capital cost and annual maintenance of an hydro-electric scheme for Apia and nearby districts. The following table gives a comparison between the revenue and the expenditure of the Territory over a period of five years : —: Revenue, including Subsidy from Expenditure. New Zealand Government. £ s. d. £ s d 1922-23 .. .. .. 131,250 3 4 132,654 18 7 1923-24 .. .. .. 133,917 2 7 143,010 3 7 1924-25 .. .. •• 130,914 7 8 135,523 18 9 1925-26 .. .. .. 150,038 13 I 145,687 17 4 1926-27f .. •• •• 133,500 0 0 133,500 0 0

* These amounts are distinct from the animal subsidy granted by New Zealand for Education and Health purposes, •f Figures for 1926-27 are estimates only.

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Statement of Current Assets and Liabilities on 31st March, 1926. Assets. Liabilities. £ s. d. Cash— £ s. d. Reserves .. .. .. .. 18,849 10 4 In hand and at bank .. .. 2,356 12 7 Deposits .. .. .. .. 24,494 19 11 Imprests .. .. .. •. 250 0 0 Currency notes .. .. .. 45, 000 0 0 Advances.. .. .. .. 6,523 17 11 Loan Account, N.Z. Government, under Unallocated stores— section 26, Finance Act, 1921-22, at Stores Department, Public Works, and 5 per cent, interest and 1 per cent. Engineering Department .. .. 37,131 7 3 redemption fund, section 33, Samoa Plant, buildings and machinery, .. 6,215 0 0 Act, 1921 (see contra) .. .. 100,000 0 0 Loan, Public "Works Account — Chinese Accounts—Repatriation cost .. 3,795 7 5 Drainage and water- £ s. d. Samoa Crown Estates—Balance current supply .. .. 22,136 4 8 account .. .. .. .. 7,714 2 8 Other public works .. 77,863 15 4 Surplus and Deficit Account—Balance at 100,000 0 0 31st March, 1926 .. .. .. 14,957 10 0 Public Works Loan Redemption Investment Account .. .. .. 4,540 9 4 S.s. " Lady Roberts " —Preliminary expenses and permanent improvements .. 450 0 0 Suspense— £ s. d. Trading (various) .. 860 12 2 Less Suspense (general) 306 8 11 554 3 3 Investments — N.Z. Government debentures and inscribed stock .. .. 56,790 0 0 £214,811 10 4 £214,811 10 4 Note. —Regarding assets, these accounts do not include value of land, buildings, and other real property under the control of the Administration, as such chiefly belong to the Territory ; or book debts, departmental stocks (except as shown), furniture and equipment (office and house), horse transport, &c., paid for out of revenue.in previous years. Samoan Post Office Savings-bank. Statement of Assets and Liabilities as at 31st Mabch, 1926. Assets. £ s. d. Liabilities. £ s. d. Cash held by Postmaster .. .. 100 0 0 Depositors — Total balance at credit of Current Account with Samoan Treasury.. 8,278 9 11 accounts (including interest to date, Investments—N.Z. Government inscribed £1,561 Is.) .. .. .. 46,364 6 4 stock .. .. .. •• 41,525 0 0 Balance on transfers with New Zealand.. 3,539 3 7 £49,903 9 11 £49,903 9 11 PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. During the year this Office again proved self-supporting, the revenue being £1,920 2s. lOd. and the expenditure £1,903 6s. 6d. Several new estates were placed in the hands of the Office for administration and realization, but now that most of the long-standing estates that at the establishment of the Office required to be dealt with have been cleared up, the actual Public Trust Office work is not large. The existence of the Office, however, is useful, and a protection to the public. Clearing Office. —The work devolving upon the Public Trust Office in connection with Clearing Office procedure may now be said to have been completed. Official Assignee.—There have been no bankruptcies during the year, but two estates are being administered under Part IV of the Administration Act to which the rules of bankruptcy apply. General. —The amount advanced on mortgages and securities to planters and others as at the 31st March, 1926, was £8,677 os. 5d., whilst £2,135 15s. 9d. was held on deposit in the Post Office Savingsbank, and £500 on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand. STORES DEPARTMENT. This Department made further progress during the year in liquidating the accumulation of stocks that had on the formation of the Department been taken over from other Departments. Stocks in hand at the Ist April, 1924, amounted to £18,426 4s. lid., whereas stocks at the close of the year under review were valued at £9,129 18s. 6d., showing a very satisfactory absorption of stocks during the two years that the Department has existed. Purchases for the year ended 31st March amounted to £43,218 17s. 7d., on which the small buying commission charged by the Department covered all the expenses of running the Department, including salaries, and, in addition, resulted in a profit of £883 4s. lOd. after setting aside £1,014 Bs. 9d. for depreciation of stock. The Stores Department, having served its useful purpose of working off old departmental accumulations of stocks, is now being abolished in favour of a system of yearly contracts for the Administration's requirements in stores and supplies, entered into with local merchants. It is hoped that this system will result in further economies in the purchase of stores, and should benefit both the Administration and local traders.

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STAFF. Careful attention continues to be given to the question of staffing the various Departments, having regard to the service required of them by the public. The slight increase shown in the subjoined table is accounted for mainly by the increased activities in education and public works.

Department. Staff as at 31st March, 1923. Staff as at 31st March, 1924. Staff as at 31st March, 1025. Staff as at 31st March, 1926. Administrator .. Administrator Administrator Administrator Administrator Number 1 1 1 1 Secretariat . . Secretary Secretary i Secretary Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary j Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Clerk Typist ! Clerk Clerk Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Typist Billeting and Relieving Junior Typist Officer Number 6 4 6 5 Agriculture .. Director Director Director ' Director Clerk Clerk Clerk I Clerk Inspector Inspector Inspector i Inspector I Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector Inspector I Inspector Number .. 5 5 5 5 Chinese .. Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner ' Commissioner Clerk Clerk ! Clerk Number 1 2 2 2 Customs and Har- Collector of Customs Collector of Customs Collector of Customs Collector of Customs bour Examining Officer Examining Officer Examining Officer Examining Officer First Clerk First Clerk First Clerk First Clerk Clerk Tax Clerk Tax Clerk Tax Clerk Fumigation Officer Fumigation Officer Fumigation Officer Fumigation Officer Harbourmaster Harbourmaster Harbourmaster Cashier Master, "Lady Harbourmaster Roberts " Master, "Lady Engineer, " Lady Roberts " Roberts " Engineer," Lady Roberts " Number 6 6 8 9 i Education .. ! Supt. of Schools Supt. of Schools Supt. of Schools Supt. of Schools ] Headmaster Headmaster, District Headmaster Headmaster Headmaster, District School Headmaster, District Headmaster, District School Headmaster, District School School Mistress School Headmaster, District Headmaster, District Assistant Master Assistant Master School School - Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher Headmaster, District Headmaster, District Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher School School Assistant Teacher Travelling Teacher Assistant Teacher Organizing Teacher Travelling Teacher Pupil-teacher Assistant Teacher Organizing Teacher Pupil-teacher Pupil-teacher Technical Master Pupil-teacher Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher Assistant Teacher Pupil-teacher Clerk Number ..9 9 9 13 Justice .. Chief Judge Chief Judge Chief Judge Chief Judge Crown Solicitor Crown Solicitor Crown Solicitor j Crown Solicitor and Assist. Crown Solicitor Registrar of Court and Registrar of Court and Registrar of Court and Registrar of Deputy Registrar of Deputy Registrar of Deputy Registrar Court and Lands Lands Lands Number 3 3 3 3 Lands and Survey Chief Surveyor Chief Surveyor Chief Surveyor Chief Surveyor Computing Draughts- Field Surveyor Field Surveyor Field Surveyor man Computing Draughts- Computing Draughts- Field Surveyor Assistant Surveyor man man Computing DraughtsAssistant Surveyor Assistant Surveyor Surveyor's Assistant, man (Samoan) Surveyor's Assistant Cadet (Samoan) Cadet Cadet Cadet Number 4 4 6 7 Public Works .. Engineer in Charge Engineer in Charge Engineer in Charge Engineer in Charge Draughtsman (included in Lands (included in Lands (included in Lands Chief Clerk and Survey Dept.) and Survey Dept.) and Survey Dept.) Clerk and Ledger-keeper Draughtsman and Assistant Engineer Assistant Engineer Storeman Engineer's Assist. Clerk Chief Clerk Buildings Overseer Chief Clerk Clerk Clerk Roads Overseer Clerk Buildings Overseer Buildings Overseer Foreman Painter Buildings Overseer Roads Overseer Roads Overseer Roads Overseer Yard Foreman | Plumber Plumber's Assistant Works Overseer,Savai'i Number .. i 8 I 5 5 9

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Department. Staff as at 31st March, 1923. Staff as at 31st March, 1924. Staff as at 31st March, 1925. Staff as at 31st March, 1926. Medical .. Chief Medical Officer Chief Medical Officer Chief Medical Officer Chief Medical Officer Hospital Supt. Hospital Supt. Hospital Supt. | Hospital Supt. Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer , Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer Medical Officer District Medical Officer District Medical Officer District Medical Officer | District Medical Officer District Medical Officer District Medical Officer District Medical Officer Medical Officer of Child Assistant Dispenser Dispenser Dispenser Welfare Secretary and Steward Assistant Dispenser Secretary Dispenser Storekeeper Secretary and Steward Storekeeper Secretary Matron Storekeeper Clerical Cadet Storekeeper Sister Typist Matron Clerical Cadet Sister ' Clerical Cadet Sister Matron Sister Matron Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister - Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Sister Inspector of Health Sister Sister Sister Sister Bacteriological Assist. Sister Sister Laboratory Assistant Bacteriologist Assistant Pathologist Inspector of Health Inspector of Health Inspector of Health Inspector of Health Assistant Inspector of Laboratory Assistant Health Number .. 20 25 23 24 Native Affairs .. Secretary Secretary Secretary Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Assistant Secretary Clerk of Court Inspector Inspector Inspector Accountant Chief Translator Chief Translator Chief Translator Chief Translator Number 5 4 4 4 Police and Prisons Commissioner Commissioner Commissioner Inspector Sub-Inspector Sub-Inspector Sub-Inspector Sergeant Detective Sergeant Detective Sergeant Sergeant Gaoler Sergeant Sergeant Gaoler Constable Gaoler Gaoler Constable Constable Constable Constable Accounting Officer Constable (Temporary) Acct. and Storekeeper Acct. and Storekeeper Accounting Officer Number 7 7 6 7 Postal .. Postmaster Postmaster Postmaster Postmaster Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Clerk Line Foreman Line Foreman Line Foreman Line Foreman Number 4 4 4 4 Resident Commis- At Aleipata At Fagamalo At Fagamalo At Fagamalo sioners At Fagamalo Secretary at Fagamalo Secretary at Fagamalo Secretary at Fagamalo Secretary at Fagamalo Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Beetle Inspector, Faga- Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Dist. Inspector, Savai'i malo Asst. Dist. Inspector, Savai'i Number 4 4 4 5 Stores .. Supplies Purchase Stores Manager Stores Manager Stores Manager Officer Clerk Clerk Storekeeper (TempoStorekeeper rary) Clerk Clerk Number 1 2 4 3 Treasury .. Treasurer Deputy Treasurer Deputy Treasurer Treasurer Accountant Senior Clerk Senior Clerk Senior Clerk Assistant Accountant Cashier Cashier Cashier and Auditor Clerk and Typist Typist Clerk Number 4 3 4 4 Radio Station .. Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Superintendent Senior Operator Senior Operator • Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Operator Engineer Operator Operator Engineer Second Engineer Engineer Engineer Second Engineer Cadet Second Engineer Cadet Cadet Number 7 8 8 8 Miscellaneous .. .. Billeting and Relieving Billeting and Relieving Officer Officer Number .. .. 1 1 Grand totals for Adminis-\ gg j jjg tration Departments /

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WIRELESS DEPARTMENT. The normal working of this Department is confined to the purely routine business of reception and transmission of radio-telegrams, which is covered by the' attached schedule. Economies in staff expenditure have been effected by the training of local boys, two of whom have proved proficient and are now doing regular operating duties, enabling the European staff to be reduced by a like number. Another local station was erected in November at Aleipata, forty miles distance from Apia, and is working reliably. The class of Samoan boys is showing fair progress, and it is hoped to use these boys to operate the local out-stations in the near future. Experiments in short-wave transmission have been very successful using a 50-watt valve, and we are now awaiting a 1-kilowatt valve in order, if possible, to dispose of commercial traffic on the low-wave lengths.

Return of Traffic handled by Apia Radio during Year ended 31st March, 1926.

Details of Engine-running, Oil-consumption, etc.

QUESTIONNAIRE. I. SLAVERY. (a.) 1. What measures are being taken with a view to ensuring the suppression of the slave trade ? 2. What results have been obtained ? (b.) I. Is slavery recognized legally ? 2. Does domestic or other slavery still exist ? Give statistics. 3, What are the principal causes of slavery (gambling, drink, &c.) ?

M ,, Number of Number of Amount earned by ivlonm ' Messages. j Words. Apia Radio. 1925. £ s. d. April .. .. .. .. i 1,400 14.239 291 9 6 May .. .. .. .. 1,533 16,622 365 12 6 June .. .. .. : 1.156 15,158 314 6 2 July .. .. .. .. 1,384 20,408 357 0 0 August.. .. .. .. 1,326 14,383 305 13 2 September .. .. .. 1,220 12.619 261 8 10 October .. .. .. 1,263 12,405 26112 10 November .. .. .. 1,037 9,381 216 18 8 December .. .. .. 1.012 12.662 278 13 6 1926. January .. .. .. 1,164 12,564 267 4 2 February .. .. .. 1,068 10,898 218 11 3 March .. .. .. .. 1,427 16,314 339 8 3 14,990 167,653 3,477 18 10

! Month. „ . Total Consumption of Consumption Engine-running Time. Crude Oil. p 1925. Hr. min. Gallons. Gallons. April . . . . . . . . .. 80 0 220 2-7 May .. . . . . .. . . 88 50 199 2-3 June .. .. . . .. .. 96 35 221-6 2-3 July .. .. . , .. .. 96 30 24|> 2-5 August .. .. .. .. 85 10 199 2-3 September . . . . . . .. 95 5 227 2-4 October . . . . . . . . 92 0 233 2-5 November . . . . . . . . 83 30 245 2-9 December . . . . . . . . 99 50 242 2-4 1926. January . . .. . . . . 96 15 223 2-3 February .. .. . . . . 82 10 205 2-5 March .. . . .. . . 93 30 226 2-4 On hand, 31st March, 1926 —Fuel, 384 gallons ; lubricating-oil, "&0 gallons.

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4. Is the pledging of a person recognized legally 1 5. Under what conditions can a slave get his freedom ? 6. What measures have been taken, or are being taken, to provide for the emancipation of slaves and to put an end to all slavery, domestic or otherwise ? 7. Is there any time-limit fixed for the emancipation of slaves ? If in the affirmative, how long is the period ? (a.) 1. Slavery does not exist in the Territory. (b.) 1-7. Slavery is not recognized legally. 11. LABOUR. (a.) 1. Have measures been taken to ensure, in accordance with Part XIII of the Treaty of Versailles, the taking into consideration of conventions or recommendations of International Labour Conferences ? ■2. Are these conventions or recommendations being carried into effect ? 3. By what other provisions is free labour protected ? (&.) 1. What are the measures intended to ensure the prohibition of forced labour for purposes other than essential public works and services, and what are the effective results of these measures ? 2. For what public works and services is forced Native labour required ? How is this regulated ? 3. Are there any other forms of forced labour, such as labour in lieu of taxation, maintenance of highways, &c. ? If in the affirmative, how are these regulated ? (c.) 1. How is the recruiting of labour required by private enterprise organized and regulated? Does the Administration participate in this recruiting ? 2. Does the Administration allow recruiting in the mandated area of labour for another territory ? If so, under what conditions ? 3. Is there any system of indentured (Chinese or other) labour in the Territory ? If so, what are the conditions of indenture, and what steps are being taken to provide for the moral and material well-being of the Natives of the Territory, vis-a-vis the indentured labourers ? 4. What compulsory and disciplinary measures are authorized with respect to Native labour ? 5. What powers has the Administration for controlling labour contracts in order to ensure their loyal fulfilment both on the part of the employed and employer, and what powers does it possess to prevent any abuses in this respect ? (a.) 1-3. In the present stage of development of the Territory there is no necessity for generally applying, in statutory form, the International Labour Conditions and Recommendations or the New Zealand labour laws and regulations. Under existing conditions labour is well protected without any special general labour legislation. The available labour consists of (a) Chinese, (b) Samoans, (c) Europeans. (a.) The employment of Chinese labour is governed by the Chinese Free Labour Ordinance, 1925, which gives satisfaction to both employers and labourers. (b.) Samoans form 90 per cent, of the total population of the Territory, and not more than 3 per cent, engage themselves as labourers or in other paid employment, and then mostly casual or part time. Apart from the Administration, the largest employer of casual Native labour is the Stevedoring Syndicate, and one of the conditions under which it carries out its operations is that the hours of work and rates of pay of Native labour shall be such as are approved of by the Administration. There is no real necessity for Natives to seek paid employment should they not wish to do so, as all Natives can meet their ordinary requirements and necessities by cultivating their family lands. Forced labour does not exist, and section 366 of the Samoa Act, 1921, safeguards contracts entered into by Samoans. (c.) Apart from those employed as (i) managers and overseers on New Zealand Reparation Estates plantations at rates of pay and under conditions approximating to those applicable to the Samoan Public Service, and (ii) independent planters as owners or lessees of plantations, the bulk of the European workers are employed in the Samoan Public Service, and in the shops and stores of local merchants and traders. As to those employed in the Public Service, the rates of pay are open to criticism by the Legislative Council when estimates for the financial year are considered. So far as those employed in shops and stores are concerned, the hours of work are laid down in the Hours for Shops Ordinance, 1921, in which also due provision is made for a weekly half-holiday, as well as a minimum of eight public holidays each year. Regarding other matters referred to in the Conventions and Recommendations, children are, under the Native Regulations, bound to attend school, consequently child labour is prevented. Women do light work at rates of pay and under conditions which they consider suitable.The Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act, 1908 (N.Z.), is in force in the Territory, so that an action can be maintained for the benefit of the wife, parent, or child of the person whose death has been caused by any wrongful act, neglect, or default on the part of the employer. As to unemployment, it may be said to be non-existent in the Territory. Individual cases of temporary unemployment occur from time to time, but those concerned become again absorbed into employment. The proof of this lies in the fact that no general scheme of charitable aid or unemployment assistance has been found necessary, nor even, been asked for by the residents in the Territory. Should it appear necessary at any time or from time to time ,to afford labour any special protection, the Administration will act promptly in the matter. (b.) 1, 2. No measures are necessary, as there is no forced labour.

6—A. 4.

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3. There is no form of forced labour in lieu of taxation. As to maintenance of highways, the weeding and keeping-clean of the sides of roads and streets is required of all landowners, Native and non-Native. Suppression of the rhinoceros-beetle by collection of beetles, larvss, and eggs is required of all male Natives, who own most of the coconut-palms, and all other owners of plantations. (c.) 1. There is no recruiting of Samoans for definite periods under contract, and no organization exists. Native Samoans are employed as day-labourers by private enterprise and by the Administration. Samoans are also encouraged to take contracts for roadmaking, &c. 2. No. 3. Chinese labour is imported by the Administration under the terms of the Chinese Free Labour Ordinance, 1923, for work mainly on the European plantations. A copy of the Ordinance referred to has already been forwarded to the Librarian of the League of Nations. The labourer undertakes to serve in Samoa for a period of three years, and the Administration undertakes to pay the cost of passage to and from Samoa, and that the labourer shall receive a wage of not less than 3s. per diem so long as he complies with the terms of the Ordinance. If he is dissatisfied with his employer the labourer is free to seek another employer. Whilst serving in Samoa the labourer is subject only to the statute law of the Territory. The moral well-being of the Samoan Native is not affected by the presence of the Chinese under the conditions existing. Neither is their material well-being affected, except beneficially, through the maintenance of trade and revenue by means of this labour. Further, without this labour the cultivated plantations would soon be devastated by the rhinoceros-beetle and become breeding-grounds for this pest, and so a real menace to the existence of all Native plantations. There are 158 Melanesians employed as plantation labourers. These labourers were recruited under indenture in the Solomon Islands during the period of German administration of Samoa, but, although their terms of indenture have long since expired, they continue voluntarily to remain in Samoa rather than take advantage of the opportunities which have been offered them for returning to the islands from which they came. 4. None. 5. Chinese labour can be imported by the Administration only, and therefore the allocation of such labour is entirely in the hands of the Administration. An officer called the Chinese Commissioner has been appointed to watch the interest of the labourers. Further, the labourer is free to leave an protection employer if not satisfied with his treatment, and in case of ill treatment can invoke the of the statute law of the Territory. As regards prevention of abuses by the labourer, he is entitled to a day's wages for an honest day's work, and the principle "No work, no pay" applies. The employer is entitled to dispense with the labourer's services if the latter does not carry out his work satisfactorily. 111. ARMS TRAFFIC. 1. What measures are being adopted to control the traffic in arms and ammunition ? 2. What are the statistics relating to imports of arms and ammunition of different categories ? 1. The Arms Ordinance, 1921, prohibits the importation or sale of arms or ammunition except under permit and license. All owners of firearms must hold a license. There is no smuggling or illicit sale of arms or ammunition. Only single-barrelled shot-guns are licensed to Natives for pigeon and pig shooting for food-supplies. No rifles or revolvers whatever are licensed to Natives. 2. The following are the details of importation of arms and ammunition of every description : — Arms. Double-barrel breech-loading sporting shot-guns .. .. .. 10 Single-barrel breech-loading sporting shot-guns .. .. .. 70 •22-calibre sporting rifles .. .. .. .. .. 6 •38-calibre sporting rifle.. .. .. .. .. .. ..1 •300-calibre sporting rifle .... .. .. .. 1 Ammunition. 12-bore shot cartridges .. .. .. .. .. .. 50,000 16-bore shot cartridges .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,000 20-bore shot cartridges .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,000 32-bore shot cartridges .. .. * .. .. .. .. 600 410-bore shot cartridges .. .. .. .. .. .. 500 ■22-calibre ball cartridges .. .. .. .. .. 7,600 •300-calibre ball cartridges .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 •38-calibre ball cartridges .. .. .. .. .. .. 600 •44-calibre ball cartridges .. .. .. .. .. .. 500 Sporting gunpowder .. .. .. .. .. (lb.) 100 Bird-shot .. .. .. .. .. .. .. (cwt.) 5 Percussion caps .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7,600 Chinese fire-crackers .. .. 1. . .. .. (cases) 98 Distress signals .. .. .. .. .. .. „ 1 A large quantity of this ammunition is still held in stock by licensed vendors for retail sale to licensed owners of firearms, (i. large portion of shot cartridges are used for destruction of flying-foxes.

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IV. TRADE AND MANUFACTURE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. 1. What steps are being taken to assure the prohibition of abuses of the liquor traffic ? 2. How is the campaign against alcoholism organized ? 3. What are the effects of these measures 1 (Statistics relative to the import and to the local manufacture of alcoholic liquors, &c.) 4. What are the countries of origin of alcoholic liquor, other than wine and beer, imported into the Territory ? 5. What measures have been taken to assure the prohibition or regulation of the importation, production, and consumption of dangerous drugs ? 1. The importation and manufacture of all liquor,containing more than 3 per cent, of proof spirit is absolutely prohibited by the Samoa Act, 1921, sections 336 to 341, except importation by the Administration for medicinal, sacramental, or industrial purposes (as provided by section 340). Such importations and the disposal of such liquor so imported are controlled by the Sale of Intoxicating Liquor Regulations, 1920. Sale to both Europeans and Natives is prohibited except when prescribed by a duly qualified Government Medical Officer and for medicinal purposes only. (See also Board of Health Regulations, No. 1.) 2. All liquor on board visiting ships must be declared in writing on arrival and at once placed under Customs seal, which must remain unbroken until the ship sails. The police and. Customs maintain a watch over every overseas vessel, and ships are frequently searched. The police also take steps to prevent local manufacture. 3. Convictions for liquor offences show a considerable decrease as compared with the previous two years, as the following figures will show : — 1923. 1924. 1925. Drunkenness . . . . .. .. .. 14 8 4 Manufacturing liquor . . .. . . .. 18 11 6 Liquor found on premises .. .. . . .. 3 .. 2 In possession of liquor .. ... .. .. ~3 4 6 Importing liquor .. .. .. .. ..6 1 1 Concealing liquor . . .. .. .. J Selling liquor . . .. .. . . .. 4 .. 3 Distilling liquor .. .. .. .. ..2 2 2 Consuming methylated spirits .. .. .. 29 18 I Samoans consuming liquor . . . . . . .... 6 80 50 25 The following shows the imports of intoxicating liquor during the year for medicinal purposes, also the quantities issued under medical permits, with a comparison of the quantity issued during the year 1924—25 : — Quantity imported, Quantity issued, Quantity issued, 1925-26. 1925-26. 1924-25. Whisky .. .. .. (Gallons) 845 590 1,058 Brandy .. .. 122 99 166 Gin .. .. .. .. „ 19 44 51 Port .. .. .. .. „ 123 120 121 Claret .. .. .. 20 24 12 Stout .. .. .. 667 548 697 Ale .. .. .. .. „ 724 901 225 Champagne .. .. .. 2 k 1| For sacramental purposes : Wine, 255 gallons. For industrial purposes : Rectified spirits of wine, 176 gallons ; alcohol, 15f pounds ; opium, 7| lb. In the report of the Inspector of Police will be found a detailed account of all cases dealt with in regard to liquor for the past year. It should be noted that the quantity of liquor imported for medicinal purposes during any one year is no index as to the quantity issued for medicinal purposes during that year, as bulk quantities are purchased from time to time as a favourable market offers. 4. Whisky —United Kingdom ; gin—United Kingdom ; brandy— France. 5. The New Zealand Opium Act, 1908, and Amendment, 1910, and regulations made thereunder, controlling the importation of opium, heroin, cocaine, and such preparations under license, are in force in Western Samoa. These regulations are in furtherance of the terms of the Opium Conventions, and in particular provide for the introduction of the " imports certificate " system. There is no local production of opium or dangerous drugs in Samoa. All precautions are taken by the police and Customs to prevent illicit traffic in prohibited drugs. With the exception of one reputable chemist, all dispensing and sale are in the hands of Administration doctors. V. LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE. 1. What measures are being taken to guarantee liberty of conscience and religion ? 2. What restrictions have been laid down for the maintenance of public order and morality ? 3. Is there free exercise of religious worship and instruction ? , 4. If not, what restrictions are there to limit such exercises ? 5. What are the results of such restrictions ?

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1. Missionaries in Samoa pursue their calling without restriction. There is absolute freedom of conscience. 2. In general, the restrictive laws for the maintenance of public order and morality are the same as those of the Dominion of New Zealand. 3. Yes. 4. 5. There are no restrictions. VI. MILITARY CLAUSES. 1. Are there any fortresses or military or naval bases ? 2. What are the forms of Native military organization and instruction ? 3. Are there any police forces, independent of the military, charged with the defence of the Territory ? What is the respective importance of these two forces, and the amount spent on each 1 4. In what respect is the military organization of the Mandated Territory different from that in force in the neighbouring possessions of the Mandatory Power ? 1, 2. There are none. 3, 4. There is no military organization in the Territory. VII. ECONOMIC EQUALITY. 1. What derogations are there to the principle of economic equality as regards (a) concessions, (b) landtenure, (c) mining rights (in particular prospecting), (d) fiscal regime (direct or indirect taxation), (e) Customs regulations (imports, exports, transit) ? 2. What immigration laws are there ? 1. (a), (b), (c), (d). None. (e.) An import duty of per cent, on non-British goods, as against 15 per cent, on British goods. There are no restrictions as regards country of origin of goods imported. 2. See Samoa Immigration Consolidation Order, 1924. VIII. EDUCATION. 1. What steps are being taken for the elementary education of the Natives of the Territory (organization and statistics) ? Is this education free to all Natives, and, if not, in what cases is it free ? 2. What steps are being taken to provide for higher education of the Natives, such as medical, veterinary, and technical ? 3. In what languages is instruction given in the different categories of schools ? 4. Are mission schools compelled to submit to certain conditions ? If so, what 1 1. In the past the elementary education of the Natives has been almost entirely in the hands of the missions, and in the interest of the Natives themselves it is intended that it should remain so. The London Missionary Society, the Methodist Mission, and the Boman Catholic Mission principally, and to a lesser extent the Church of the Latter-day Saints and Seventh-day Adventists, have for many years past carried on the work of education in the Territory, and the proof of the sterling work accomplished by them is in the fact that few, if any, Samoans are unable to read and write in the vernacular. The organization of the schools is referred to under the heading of " Education Department " earlier in this report. The number being educated at the various Government and mission schools, according to a census taken on the 31st December last, was 11,400 ; of this number 2,600 were attending schools that are under Government supervision. 2. Medical.—The Education Department arranges for tuition, in English only, for selected Native nurses and Native cadets employed by the Medical Department. The latter Department itself undertakes the organized training of these nurses and cadets. Samoan nurses : Suitable girls, drawn largely through the missionary societies, but not restricted to these sources, are engaged as probationer nurses at the Apia Hospital. They do the work of a probationer nurse in the ward (both European and Samoan) under the supervision of the white sisters. They receive theoretical instruction from the Matron and Superintendent. They attend lectures devoted to general medical principles, to the special diseases prevalent in Samoa, and to the cases of children and infants. At the end of two years they are examined, and, if suitable, are sent to outstations for a further year's service under the District Medical Officer. They are also sent to the mission dispensaries, where they reside. The missionary supervises them, and the service rendered by these trained nurses is much appreciated. At the end of three years they may re-engage, if they so desire, for a further period. Samoan medical cadets : Suitable Native youths are engaged as cadets at the hospital. They help in the practical work in the w;ards and the out-patients department. They receive theoretical instruction in elementary anatomy and physiology, materia medica, and therapeutics. They receive lectures —theoretical and clinical —in medicine and surgery as it applies to Samoa. No attempt is made to give them a comprehensive knowledge of medicine. Only such diseases as are likely to be seen in Samoa are dealt with, and the aim is to make them thoroughly conversant with the common

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ailments. They are not encouraged to undertake serious cases beyond their capabilities. Operative work is confined to the opening of superficial abscesses. More serious cases are sent to the hospital. The course at the hospital lasts two years, and the instruction is carried out by the medical staff. At the end of the third year, if the cadet has made sufficient progress, he is sent to an out-station to work under the District Medical Officer. At the end of that time, if he is suitable, he is given the rank of Native Assistant, and is sent on visits to a district where sickness is unduly prevalent. They all receive laboratory training, assist in the operating-theatre and in the dispensing of medicines. Technical. —At the district and high schools conducted by the missions practical instruction is given in carpentry, cabinetmaking, smithery, and practical agriculture. The London Missionary Society also has its own printing-office, staffed by mission boys under the supervision of a trained European printer, where most excellent work is done. At Government schools instruction is given in woodwork, plumbing, wireless operating, typewriting, and elementary engineering. 3. See section of report under Education Department. In Grade I (missions' pastor schools) the instruction is in Samoan. All children from five to ten years of age attend these schools. In Grade II mission schools the instruction is in Samoan, but English is taught as a subject. In Grade 111 (Government schools) the instruction is in English. Instruction in English is also given at Marist Brothers' and Sisters' Schools, Apia, and likewise at all Mormon schools. 4. Mission schools are not compelled to submit to certain conditions, except that in the Grade II (mission) schools (where the Native teacher is selected by the missions but is paid by the Administration) a common syllabus, laid down on the advice of the Board of Education, has to be followed. The Grade II schools are also subject to inspection by an officer of the Education Department, whose functions are to assist the Native teacher and co-ordinate the work in these schools. IX. PUBLIC HEALTH. 1. What steps are being taken in the Territory to provide for public health, sanitation, and to combat endemic and epidemic diseases ? 2. What provisions are made for medical assistance ? 3. What is the actual situation as regards prostitution, and what steps are being taken in this matter ? 4. What public-health organization for the investigation, prevention, control, and treatment of diseases exists in the Territory ? 5. What endemic diseases are responsible for the greatest morbidity and mortality in the Territory ? Please supply as complete statistics as possible regarding the morbidity and mortality attributable to such diseases, where possible by months and age and sex. 6. Please indicate the birth-rate, the death-rate from all causes, and the infant-mortality rate for those portions of the Territory, if any, for which such information may be available. 7. Describe the measures in force for the collection of vital statistics in the Territory. 8. Please supply such other information of epidemiological interest concerning the Territory as may be available, with special reference to the incidence of such serious diseases as sleepingsickness, &c., where this information does not come within the scope of question 5 above. 1. (a.) Public health —that is, that section of the medical service which deals with hygiene and sanitation —is provided for by a staff consisting of the Chief Medical Officer, who is also Medical Officer of Health, and who is an official of the New Zealand Department of Health on loan to the Samoan Administration ;and two Inspectors of Health, one of whom must be a plumber registered in New Zealand under the Plumbers Registration Act, 1912, and both of whom must have qualifications in sanitary science to the satisfaction of the Director-General of Health, New Zealand. In addition, Medical Officers in out-stations, of which there are two, are responsible for the control of their districts, and the Inspectors of the Agriculture Department also report regularly on the general condition of the villages inspected by them. (b.) Endemic and epidemic diseases : The chief endemic diseases in Western Samoa are ankylostomiasis, framboesia, and filariasia. Of epidemic diseases the chief ones from which Western Samoa has suffered during the past twenty years have been influenza, dysentery, measles, and whooping-cough. Influenza in epidemic form last appeared in 1918, measles in 1921, dysentery in 1923, and whooping-cough during the past year. An outbreak of dysentery occurred in February and March of this year (1926), but, fortunately, it was brought under control before it had time to become epidemic. With the advent of the dry season in a few months, however, it may again appear. These conditions are more fully dealt with in the report of the Health Department. 2. All Natives receive free medical attention and treatment. The points at which such treatment is available are shown on Map No. 2 accompanying this report. 3. The keeping of brothels is forbidden. There are no brothels or common prostitutes in Western Samoa. 4. See annual report, and answers to questions 1 and 2. 5. The only reliable statistics available are those of the Apia Hospital, which are given in the report. Native reports as to the cause of death cannot be relied upon. 6. See report on vital statistics in the separate Health Report accompanying the General Report. 7. The regulations governing the registration of births and deaths of Samoans are published in full this year in the Health Report. 8. Not applicable.

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X. LAND-TENURE. 1. What system of land-tenure and forest law exists ? How are they legally recognized ? What lands are considered as belonging to the State, and what are regarded as communally owned ? 2. What measures are being adopted for the registration of landed property ? 3. What other regulations for the alienation of land in which Natives or Native communities exercise rights by virtue of heredity or use ? 4. What other measures are being taken to protect the rights and interests of Natives and Native communities in respect to land (usury, forced sale, &c.) ? 1. All land is either —(a) Crown land, being the land of the former German Government and such other land as may be acquired by the Administration from time to time for public purposes in accordance with sections 271 and 273, Samoa Act, 1921 (the term "public purposes " includes public health, education, public recreation, the burial of the dead, water-supply, drainage, lighting, the provision of public buildings, the provision of sites for townships, the provision of wharves, harbours, tramways, and railways, and all lawful purposes and functions of the Government of Samoa) ; (6) European land, being all the other land of which the title is individualized (this is held as by grant from the Crown) ; (c) Native land, being the land held by Samoans under the usages of the race (these lands are vested in the Crown in trust for the Samoans : see Part IX of the Samoa Act, 1921). Native land is vested in the Crown in order that the interests of the Natives (present and future) might be suitably protected. When any Native land is leased or sold, the Administration undertakes the collection of the money resulting from the transaction and sees that this money reaches the Natives really entitled to it. 2. The titles to Crown and European land are registered under an efficient system by the Government. The titles to Native land are, when in dispute, adjudicated on by a Commission, whose proceedings are on record. (See Samoa Land Registration Order, 1920.) 3. Alienation of Native land by sale, lease, or mortgage, other than alienations in favour of the Crown, are prohibited. Leases up to forty years may be granted if in the interests of the Natives. (See Part IX, Samoa Act, 1921, section 280.) Native land within the Apia town area (i.e., lying within a radius of two miles of the Customhouse, Apia) is alienable by way of sale with the consent of the Administrator if in accordance with the interests and desires of the Native owners. (See Sale of Apia Native Land Ordinance, 1923.) 4. Usurious contracts with Natives are unenforceable (see section 366, Samoa Act, 1921). Native land is not capable of being taken in execution, nor in payment of debts of the owner on his decease or insolvency (see section 280, Samoa Act, 1921). No security over property of a Samoan is enforceable without the leave of the High Court (see section 367, Samoa Act, 1921). XI. MORAL, SOCIAL, AND MATERIAL WELFARE. What are, generally speaking, the measures adopted to ensure the moral, social, and material welfare of the Natives ? (Measures to maintain the interests, rights, and customs of the Natives, their participation in Public Service, Native tribunals, &c.) The moral welfare of the Natives has been the care of the missions for nearly a hundred years, and to the missions is due the fact that the whole of the Native people are Christianized and possess elementary education in the vernacular. The missions are the London Missionary Society, the Methodist Church of Australasia, the Roman Catholic Mission, the Latter-day Saints Mission, and the Seventh-day Adventists. Every endeavour is made by the Administration to assist and co-operate with the missions, and it is in complete harmony with them. Since New Zealand assumed the mandate for the Territory it has instituted equal incidence of the criminal law for Europeans and Natives. The social system of the Natives is based upon the family, at the head of which is a Matai, who is appointed to use the family name or title and to rule over the family. Families are gathered together in villages, and the village is presided over by a Pulenu'u (or Town Ruler), who is chosen by the Matais and appointed by the Government. Every endeavour is made to maintain the authority of the Pulenu'u and Matai, and to preserve beneficial customs whilst eliminating undesirable ones. The material welfare of the Natives, as well as their moral and social welfare, receives the most sympathetic consideration of the Administration —indeed, the progress and advancement of the indigenous inhabitants are always its first consideration. The land of the Natives is held under their customs and usages, and is preserved to them by the prohibition of alienation. (See Samoa Act, 1921, sections 278 to 283.) The energies of the Natives are directed to the production of copra from their coconut-palms, and to the production of foodstuffs from their plantations. They produce the greater part of the copra exported. The local price of the copra is regulated by the competition of buyers, and their sales of copra produce to the Natives a sufficiency of money for their needs. They are protected from exploitation in the purchase price of goods required by them by the provisions of the Samoa Board of Trade Order, 1921. The administration of the government of the Natives is entrusted largely to themselves through their own officials. The Fono of Faipules, or Native Parliament, has been given statutory recognition by the Samoa Amendment Act, 1923, and all matters affecting the welfare of the Natives are discussed by the Administrator with the Faipules at their Fono, which assembles twice yearly. In addition, the Native Regulations (Samoa) Order, 1925, provides for the constitution and establishment of District Councils and Village Committees, with certain well-defined duties and statutory powers, providing to a large extent for local government by the Natives so far as concerns

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local affairs. Copies of the Native Regulations (Samoa) Order, 1925, have been forwarded to the Secretary-General of the League of Nations, and to each member of the Permanent Mandates Commission. The following table will indicate the extent to which the indigenous inhabitants participate in the Public Service : —

Summary of Staff, showing the Extent to which Native Samoans participate in Public Service.

Note. —In addition to the above, some eighty Samoans and half-castes are employed as casual staff in the Harbour, Public Works, Postal, Lands and Survey, and Medical Departments, and as crew of the " Lady Roberts." All these also receive instruction in trades or other useful occupations. XII. PUBLIC FINANCES. The general schedule of receipts from and expenditure on the Territory, Budget system, indication of the nature and assessment of taxes. (a.) See particulars on pages 34 to 37 for receipts from and expenditure on the Territory. (b.) Budget System. —Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the ensuing year are issued on or prior to the first, day of the financial year. Under the Samoa Act (section 32) the Administrator, subject to the control of the Minister of External Affairs, New Zealand, directs expenditure from the Samoan Treasury. (c.) Nature and Assessment of Taxes. —Customs : See Samoa Customs Consolidation Order, 1923. Building-tax, salary-tax, store-tax, and business licenses : See Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Ordinance, 1921, and amendments thereof. Personal tax : See Taxation, Licensing, and Revenue Ordinance, 1921, and amendments thereof. Personal tax is payable as follows : Every male Samoan seventeen years of age and over —(a) if a Matai, £1 4s. per annum ; (b) if a Taulealea, £1 per annum. Every male person of eighteen years of age not being a Samoan, £1 ss. per annum. Medical subscription : Every male Samoan seventeen years of age and over pays a medical subscription of £1 per annum, in exchange for which universal free medical treatment, medicines, and attention are given to all Samoans. The levying of this subscription was asked for by the Samoans themselves. All persons other than Samoans have to pay for whatever medical treatment and attention they receive.

XIII. DEMOGRAPHIC STATISTICS. Births, Deaths, Marriages; Immigration and Emigration. Return showing the Births, Deaths, and Marriages, Immigration and Emigration, for the Year ended 31st December, 1925.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 926.

Price 2s. 9d.]

Europeans. Half-castes. Native Samoans. 31st March,klst March, 31st Marchj31st March, 31st March, 31st March, 1925. 1926. 1925. 1926. 1925. j 1926. ; 1 I Departmental officials .. 81 86 22 25 148 142 Temporary departmental officials .. 1 1 . . 1 New Zealand Reparation Estates .. 4 2 1 2 Samoa Public Trust Office .. .. 2 2 1 1 Part-time Native officials .. .. .. .. .. .. 330 334 Native nurses and teachers .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 86 , Totals .. .. 88 91, 24 29 526 562

Births. Deaths. Marriages. [Immigration. Emigration. Native Samoans .. .. .. 2,033 857 853 1,495 1,512 Europeans and half-castes .. .. 50 3 34 ,520 590 Chinese labourers .. .. .. , 11 • • 281 134 Melanesian labourers .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. 2 Totals .. .. .. 2,083 871 888 2,296 2,238 Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (1,375 copies, including graphs, illustrations, and maps), £215.

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Sea-wall, Apia, under Construction, January, 1926.

Apia Street re-formed with a Coral Surface and Tar-sealed.

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Apia Street with Tar-sealed Surface.

New Bridge erected at Letogo.

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Natives voluntarily working on Afega Water-supply Dam-site.

Afega Bridge, carrying Pipe-line for Water-supply.

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Afega Water-supply: Completed Dam.

Opening of Afega Water-supply: The Administrator, with Toelupe (Faipule), operating Valve.

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Stone-crusher at Work on Main Coast Road to Mulifanua.

Concrete Cisterns for Native Water-supplies: In Course of Construction.

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Cistern completed.

Convenience erected for Native Department at Mulinu'u, with Drainage direct to Sea.

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Sun-drier for Copra, erected in Native Village.

Pupils of Malifa School (Upolu).

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Pupils of Vaipouli School (Savai'i).

Pupils of Avele School (Upolu).

(Note. —Observe open-air schoolroom).

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Native Grade II School-teachers at Refresher Course held at Malifa School (Apia), January, 1926.

A Feast at a School "Breaking-up" Ceremony.

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Schoolboy Members of the "Fetu" at a Sports Meeting at Apia Park. (Seated in formation to spell the word "Samoa.")

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Types of Samoa Police and Prison Service. European police officer. European mounted constable. Native police sergeant. Native police constable. Native prison warder. Native police messenger.

MAP SHOWING ROADS AND NATIVE WATER SUPPLY

Map No.l. A-4

Map JVo.Z. .A— -4

WESTERN SAMOA

Map No. 3. A — 4».

POLITICAL MAP OF WESTERN SAMOA SHEWING DISTRICTS REPRESENTED IN THE NATIVE PARLIAMENT (FONO OF FAIPULES)

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MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (SIXTH REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31st MARCH, 1926. Prepared by Direction of the Minister of External Affairs for the Information of the League of Nations, pursuant to Article 6 of the Mandate. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1926 Session I, A-04

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MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (SIXTH REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED THE 31st MARCH, 1926. Prepared by Direction of the Minister of External Affairs for the Information of the League of Nations, pursuant to Article 6 of the Mandate. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1926 Session I, A-04

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