A.—4a

Bikths. The births of 1,900 living children were registered during the year, compared with 1,701 in 1923, and 1,622 in 1922. This number of births is a record for Western Samoa, the next highest figures being 1,792 in 1912, with an estimated population of 34,239, and 1,701 in 1923. It is interesting to note that the large number of births in 1912 followed epidemics of dysentery and measles in 1911, in which year there were 1,827 deaths, and the record number in 1924 followed an epidemic of dysentery in 1923, with 1,398 deaths. The birth-rate for 1924 was 55-38 per thousand of mean population; the rates for 1922 and 1923 being respectively 48-52 and 50-49 per thousand. (Note : Still-births, of which 32 were registered during the year, are not included either as births or as deaths in the various numbers and rates given in this report.) Births of Samoans, Western Samoa, 1924. Males. Females. Total. Upolu .. .. .. .. .. 645 616 1,261 Savai'i .. .. .. .. .. 319 320 639 Total, Western Samoa .. .. 964 936 1,900

Births by Months.

Deaths. The number of deaths registered during 1924 was 766, as compared with 1,398 in 1923 and 899 in 1922. Last year's figures were abnormally high, owing to an epidemic of dysentery (bacillary). This year the number of deaths is considerably below the average. With a birth-rate of 55-38 per thousand it was to be expected that there would be an increase in the number of children dying in the first year of life. That such did not happen is shown by the infant-mortality rate being only 155 per thousand births, a figure considerably below the average, and one which compares favourably with many more advanced communities. Since the chief loss of life in Western Samoa occurs between the ages of six months and two years, it is anticipated that the coming year will not be as satisfactory as this one, but steps are being taken to reduce the wastage at this period of life. This is referred to more fully under " Child Welfare." The death- rate was 22-29 per thousand of mean population. The new system of registration of births and deaths, described fully in the annual report for the year ending 31st March, 1923, and introduced on the Ist January, 1923, has made it possible to tabulate the deaths under one year of age accurately. In last annual report deaths during the twelfth month could not all be separated from deaths at age " one year," as many of the deaths were of children born before the new system of registration was inaugurated. This difficulty has now disappeared. Ages of children dying are now checked by the Births Register, and thus accurate information regarding age at death is obtainable for those born since the Ist January, 1923.

Western Samoa. —Deaths of Samoans: Ages at Death.

5

I Jan. Feb. March. April. May. June. July. August. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Total. I i Males .. 78 66 71 97 77 81 83 73 82 79 80 97 964 Females 92 77 80 80 77 58 80 85 74 80 70 83 936 Total 170 I 143 151 177 154 139 163 158 I 156 159 150 180 1,900 ___ I J

J2 Age in Days. j Age in Weeks. s i 3 ! 0-1. | 1-2. 2-3. 3-4. 4-5. 5-6. 6-7. TotalJ 1-2. 2-3. 3-4. Total. j co _ — — — —y Upolu— Males .. .... 5 2 2 2 ... 2 13 9 1 1 24 Females .. .... 2 2 1 1 J 1 8 5 1 1 15 Total 24 7 4 3 3 1 3 21 14 2 2 39 . . Savai'i — Males .. .. •• 3 3 1 7 2 1 1 11 Females .. .. .. 2 1 2 .. 1 .. 6 .. 1 2 9 Total .. 8 5 4 2 1 1 13 | 2 2 3 20 TOTAL, Western Samoa — Males .. .... 8 5 2 2 .... 3 20 11 2 2 35 Females .. .... 4 3 3 1 1 1 1 14 5 2 3 24 Total 32 12 8 5 3 1 1 4 34 16 4 5 59