17

A.—4

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.