A.—4,

20

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 .. 45 Withdrawn by leave of Court ..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 .. 728 Withdrawn or struck out ..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.