A.—4

X.—JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION. The Samoa Act, 1921, proscribes the judiciary for the Territory. Almost all judicial functions are performed by the Chief Judge, the one other Judge exercising jurisdiction principally when the Chief Judge is absent from Apia. The two Commissioners of the High Court rarely have occasion to act within their limited jurisdiction. One session of the High Court was held at Sala'ilua in Savai'i. The Land and Titles Commission is a special branch of the High Court constituted under the authority of the Samoa Native Land and Titles Commission Order, 1924. It is the only Court having jurisdiction to hear and adjudicate upon claims or disputes between Samoans relating to Native land, Samoan names or titles, or succession to any property or rights in accordance with Samoan custom. During the year the Commission was occupied for twenty-eight sitting-days. Judgments were delivered in eleven cases, one case was settled by agreement of the parties, and one adjourned to next sitting of the Commission. In its civil jurisdiction the High Court recorded judgments in 179 cases ; forty-five cases were either struck out or withdrawn. The total sums sued for amounted to £6,610. Particulars of criminal cases are given in the tables hereunder which show a further decrease. One murder case was heard, the parties involved being all Samoan Natives. The trial lasted four days, and the one accused was convicted, of manslaughter and sentenced to seven years' imprisonment.

Criminal Offences in the Period 1st April, 1932, to 31st March, 1933.

10

1930-31 1931-32. „ •] Sβ Convietedin Offences withdrawn or | I Offences. || |°| ! by High | J la la III -r — " s O £ O g H I § TJpolu. Savai'i. TJpolu. Savai'i. Misleading justice— M. F. M. P. M. F. M. p. m. p. Escape from lawful custody .. .. 11 9 9 9 2 Contempt of Court . . . . .. 61 20 20 18 .. 2 41 Offences against morality— Adultery .. .. .. .. 5 4 4 2 ...... 1 1 1 Abduction carnally to know .. .. 7 10 10 6 .. 2 i .. 2 3 .. Carnal knowledge .. .. .. 1 .. .. j 1 Offences against the person— Assault, common . . . . .. 92 74 74 52 5 8 .. 8 1 18 Assault, indecent . . . . . . 6 10 10 8 2 4 .. Assault, causing actual or grievious bodily harm 8 17 16 12 1 .. .. 3 9 Rape .. .. .. .. .. 1 2 2 1 1 .. j .. .. 1 .. Murder .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 1 .. Manslaughter .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 i .. .. 1 Attempted suicide . . .. .. 1 .. . . ! ] Bigamy .. .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 2.. Buggery .. .. .. . . 1 1 Offences against property rights — Burglary .. ,'. .. .. 16 10 8 5 3 6 Theft .. .. . . . . .. 171 104 81 62 3 4 1 9 1 1 .... 67 Wilful mischief .. .. .. .. 59 18 18 15 3 41 Forgery and uttering .. . . .. 1 .. I , 1 Receiving stolen property .. . . 5 .. j .. 5 Minor offences .. .. .. .. 40 40 j 40 27 .. 8 .. 4 1 .. .. j .. Police offences — Threatening behaviour .. .. .. "I 1 1 5 Indecent exposure .. .. .. .. 6 6 6 I 6.. Disorderly conduct .. .. .. 27 35 35 18 11 1 1 4 I 8 .. Drunkenness .. .. .. .. 5 6 | 6 6 j 1 Throwing stones .. .. .. .. 11 .. .. 11 Taking part in affray .. .. .. 17 19 19 8 10 i 1 .. \ 2 .. Indecent acts .. .. .. .. 4 2 2.. .. 2 !.. 2 Resisting police .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 2 Vagrancy .. .. .. .. 10 16 16 16 6 .. Witchcraft .. .. .. .. 2 .. .. 2 Minor offences .. . . .. . . 35 19 19 3 1 2 .. 10 3 16 Dangerous drug offences (opium) .. .. 12 .. .. I 12 Liquor offences —■ Supplying liquor to Natives .. .. .. .. .. Other offences .. .. . . .. 6 17 16 15 1 11 .. Arms Ordinance, breaches of . . .. 4 12 12 9 .. 3 .. [ 8 .. Road Traffic Ordinance, breaches of.. .. 224 136 136 128 1 2 .. 2 ; 2 ] 88 Miscellaneous — Failure to pay personal tax .. .. 25 197 179 75 | .. 93 8 .. 3 .. 172 .. Immigration Order .. .. .. 5 1 1 1 j 4 Maintenance of Authority in Native Affairs ! 62 8 i 8 8 I ! .. 54 Ordinance Seditious Organizations Regulations .. j 4 .. .. ' .. 4 Native Titles Protection Order .. .. 11 4 4 4 .. [ .. 7 Minor offences .. .. . . 28 62 62 39 3 ! 19 .. 1 34 .. . i ! Totals .. .. .. .. 987 865 820 559 26 146 2 72 ! 10 5 .. 268 390 Net decrease . . .. .. .. .... .. j j .. 122