A.—4

29

they are examined and, if suitable, are sent to out-stations for a further year's service under the District Medical Officer. The contract terminates at the end of three years, but they may re-engage, if they so desire, for a further period. Samoan cadets : This is in its infancy. Suitable youths are engaged as cadets at the hospital. They help in the practical work, in the wards and the out-patient department. They receive theoretical instructions 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 ailments. They are not encouraged to undertake senior cases beyond their capabilities. Operative work is confined to Ihe 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. In; is sent to an out-station to work under the District Medical Officer. At the end of that time, if lie is suitable, he is given the rank of Native Medical 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. Veterinary. —No arrangements have been made for training in this particular work, but up to the present the services of experienced white officials cm ployed by the Agricultural Department and Crown Estates have been availed of. Technical. —Leulomoega High School : At this school the London Missionary Society have had for years a carpenter's shop where instruction is given in carpentery and cabinetmaking ; training is also given in smithery and instruction in practical agriculture. Methodist High School and College, Luli Lufi : Practical instruction in carpentery and cabinet,making has been given in these and other Methodist district schools, and it is hoped to extend the work. Government schools: At all Government schools instruction in woodwork is given. Scholarships. —Six boys have been sent to New Zealand to attend St. Stephen's College, Auckland, for a period of three years' general education. It is proposed to send four boys every year. 3. In what languages is instruction given in the different categories of schools ? In all Government schools instruction is given entirely in English. Instruction in English is also given at the Marist Brothers' and Sisters' Schools, Apia, likewise tit all Mormon schools. The Administration has recently appointed a travelling teacher lo assist in the teaching of English at, Malua L.M.S. College ; at Piula Methodist College ; at Moa Moa Roman Catholic College. The only other language in which instruction is given is the Native tongue —Samoan. 4. Are Mission schools compelled to submit to certain conditions ? If so, what ? Mission schools are not compelled to submit to certain conditions as yet, but in the near future it is hoped that registration of all schools in Samoa will take place. This will enable the Superintendent of Schools to enter all village schools. Compulsory attendance at these schools will then follow. 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 ? (a.) Organization and Administration. A preliminary survey of Western Samoa in 1920 showed the necessity for the establish ment of a Division of Public Hygiene in addition to the Division of Clinical Medicine and Hospitals already established. By the Samoa Health Order, 1921 (New Zealand Gazette Extraordinary, No. 17, of 16th February, 1921), a Department of Health was formed, consisting of the two divisions mentioned above. Under this order a Board of Health was also set up, with power to make regulations for the conservation and promotion of the public health. The Samoa Act, 1921, section 34, altered the constitution of the Department of Health, and in February, 1923, the two divisions were amalgamated, the Medical Officer of Health becoming also Chief Medical Officer. Since its inception in 1921 the Board of Health has made the following regulations : — No. 1 : Regulations for the Sale of Intoxicating Liquors. No. 2 : Regulations for the Purpose of Preventing and Checking the Spread of Infectious Diseases. No. 3 : Regulations providing for the Registration of Births and Deaths of Samoans. No. 4 : Regulations as to Rubbish and Refuse Containers. No. 5 : Regulations in respect of Buildings, Drainage, and the Structure and Cleansing of Privies. No. 6 : Regulations as to the Prevention of the Breeding of Mosquitoes.