11

A.—4

In accordance with the policy of the New Zealand Government, the New Zealand Reparation Estates are being administered for the benefit of this Territory. During the past year the rubber industry has been revived, and the results so far have been very satisfactory. The cacao plantations forming part of the New Zealand Reparation Estates, and leased to private planters, suffered from the effects of the six months' drought last year, and also from the storm which visited these islands on the Ist January last. In spite of these setbacks it is estimated that the output of cocoa this year will not be materially reduced. In addition to clearing bush and planting new areas of land adjoining the existing coconut plantations of the New Zealand Reparation Estates, it is intended to employ the Native prisoners from the Apia Gaol to convert an area of European land into a coconut plantation and " prison farm," where they will receive instructions in fencing, care of cattle, cultivation of various tropical products, forestry, &c. By this means it is hoped that they will learn how to improve their own lands on release, while the institution should ultimately prove to be self-supporting. V. COTTON-CULTIVATION. The experiment carried out last year of distributing cotton-seed to the Natives to test their ability to grow and cultivate cotton was not so successful as I had hoped for, owing to lack of industry on the part of some of the Natives in not keeping their plots clean and the plants clear of weeds. The cotton produced for export, although small in quantity —only 2 tons —was, however, of splendid quality, and further efforts are being made this year to increase the areas under cultivation and to popularize the industry in the interests of the Natives. VI. CHINESE LABOUR. The number of Chinese coolie labourers at present in this Territory is 890. Of this number it is intended to repatriate about a hundred and to import two hundred others during the present year. The additional labourers are required to develop new areas of the New Zealand Reparation Estates and for rubber-production. Generally speaking, these labourers are contented, well behaved, and give little trouble. Their satisfaction with the conditions of free labour under which they are working is shown by the desire of large numbers to remain in this country in preference to returning to China on completion of their three years' engagement, but renewal of this coolie period of service is not in accordance with the policy of the Administration. On the other hand, complaints have been received, principally from cacao-planters, to the effect that the Free Labour Ordinance does not work satisfactorily in all respects for the employer, as it permits dissatisfied labourers to leave their plantations and obtain new employment at a time when their services can ill be spared —such as during the picking season. While, even at the present rate of increase in the Native population, it will necessarily be a number of years before the Samoans can be relied upon to provide all the labour required for European plantations in addition to their own, there are indications that economic pressure, due to their increasing numbers and gradually increasing needs, is causing them to take up employment on Government and private plantations. This enables the number of imported labourers in Western Samoa to be reduced to a minimum. VII. PUBLIC WORKS. The public-works programme, outlined in the last report, was not entirely completed, partly owing to an insufficient staff of professional officials for supervision, and partly to the extra work thrown upon the Department in the repair of damage caused by the storm on the Ist January last. During the ensuing year it is intended to continue the installation of pipe-lined water-supplies and cement-tanks, as part of a programme which will take several years to complete, in order to provide every village with a good supply of pure water. In addition to the above, provision is made for the following works to be carried out this year : — (1.) A new lighthouse on the island of Fanua Tapu, at the eastern end of Upolu. (2.) Extend the Apia water-supply to Moata'a. (3.) Complete the stone wall protecting the sea-front of Apia, and beautify the foreshore. (4.) Rebuild the Tivoli Wharf. . (5.) Construct new traffic-bridges at Solosolo, Luatuanu'u, Salani, and Levi, also footbridges on the south coast of Upolu. (6.) New roads to be formed at Safata, Amaile to Falevao, Mulifanua, and improvements to part of the wireless-station road. (7.) New roads and bridges at Savai'i. (8.) Reconstruct the Apia Harbour leading-light. VIII. WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS. The locations of wireless stations are given on Map No. 2 issued with this report. In addition to the two out-stations now established at Fagamalo and Aleipata, it is intended during the ensuing year to install two other stations in the Island of Savai'i, at Tuasivi Hospital and Salailua respectively. Native boys are being trained as operators for all these out-stations, which should prove of great benefit to merchants and Natives and facilitate the work of the Administration.