A. 4
13
During tho year under review a new storage battery to replace the old one, which has been in use since about July, 1914, was installed. The work of installing a large battery of this type, despite the isolation of the station and difficulties in materials and labour, was successfully carriedjout without interfering in any way with the running of the station. The plant is iv a fair condition, with the exception of the Lcyden-jar condensers. These are in a very bad state, and are unobtainable except from Germany and Austria. At Awanui-Radio (New Zealand) Marconi oil condensers have recently been installed to replace the Leyden-jar glass type, and a similar replacement is under consideration here. The radio station serves international purposes as well as the purposes of Samoa, and because it is consequently continuously open an annual deficit must be expected. Samoan revenue should not be called upon to find this deficit, and consideration is being given to a proposal to relieve Samoan revenue in this respect by an annual subsidy from the New Zealand Treasury.
Details of Engine-running and Oil-consumption at Apia-Radio for period 1st April, 1920, to 31st March, 1921.
Traffic handled by Apia-Radio, 1st April, 1920, to 31st March, 1921.
POPULATION. The Native population for 1902 onward is recorded as follows : — 1902 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32,815 1906 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34,962 191.1 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 34,063 1917 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37,223 September, 1918 (before epidemic) .. .. .. .. .. 38,302 December, 1918 (after epidemic) .. .. .. .. .. 30,738 April, 1921 .. .. .. .. 32,953 It will be observed that for the sixteen years from 1902 to September, 1918, the Native population increased by 5,487, whilst during the succeeding two years and a half to April, 1921, the increase was 2,215, a greater rate of increase than previously. It is confidently anticipated that under the progressive policy with regard to the medical service already adopted and now in course of realization, and the propaganda to bo carried out in matters hygienic under the direction of the Department of Health, and attention to the care and health of children, the population will steadily increase.
Month. Total Engine-running Time. Monthly Consumption n i- u „•*,; i, ( .-I Consumption per 1 lour. 920 -April May .. Juno .. July .. August September October November December 921 —January February March .. His. mill. 94 15 90 0 111 0 102 0 94 15 85 15 149 45 179 45 62 30 GO 0 71 0 71 15 I Gallons. Gallons. 255 2-70 267 2-92 258 2-32 266 2-60 207 2-80 202 2-70 2-1 (i 1-60 377 2-10 292 4-50 175 2-83 211 2-97 250 3-23
Forwarded. Red - Forwarded. Received, Transmits. Month. ! ■1 Mcssagos. Words. 920—April May. . June July August September October November December .921 —January February March Messages. Words. Messages. i i 1 322 4,548 292 373 5,065 336 389 5,684 394 346 5,499 332 207 4,730 315 .. I 308 3,527 307 360 3,943 331 313 3,937 304 341 3,696 j 391 252 2,821. 298 254 2,791 266 304 3,319 267 :a_ -1 ges. Words. I 2! 3; 3! 3; 3 31 3; 3( 3! 2< 21 21 I !92 5,039 130 5,107 194 5,947 132 4,440 115 4,225 107 3,341 131 3,834 '.04 3,408 '.91 4,009 198 3,501 100 3,192 167 3,107 734 9,404 748 9,301 893 10,919 880 10,248 599 8,548 785 9,612 727 8,973 750 8,909 749 8,560 699 8,784 620 8,112 729 8,027 Totals 3,829 49,560 3,833 I Amount earned by Apia, £5,112 1 49,269 8,919 109,457 :S.