A.—4

During the last two years abnormally long periods of wet weather have occasioned considerable loss through " black pod " disease, and the Administration are keeping in touch with research in other countries with a view to the application of any fresh methods of treatment that may become available. Bananas continue to be a source of assistance to both European and Native producers in augmenting their diminished returns from their main products. Towards the middle of 1932 it became necessary to reduce the local price to 2s. per case of fruit supplied, but at the commencement of 1933 it was possible for this to be increased to 3s. Production was affected by reduced demand in the New Zealand market. Particulars of the banana-export scheme are given in the report on trade, at page 9. Rubber (Hevea Braziliensis) is planted to some extent, and export of a good-quality smoked sheet reached 167 tons in 1928. Owing to very low value, there is no production at present. In 1931 the European producers of the territory formed themselves into a Planters' Association, from which the Administration receive much assistance. XXII.—MINES. There are no mines nor any known mineral deposits of value in the territory. XXIII.—POPULATION. Statistics for the calendar year 1932 are as follow : —

These figures have been based on returns received over the period since last census, on 31st December, 1925, but a count of the population taken in course of the yaws campaign now gives a Native population at 31st December, 1932, as shown in parentheses above, indicating that the statistics have been conservative. The Samoan Native population is increasing steadily, the present total being 31 per cent, above that of ten years ago. XXIV.—PUBLIC WORKS. Buildings maintenance was attended to, and the year closed with buildings generally in good order. Roads were maintained in good condition ; some 116 chains were rebuilt and macadamized in preparation for bituminous surfacing. Roads suffered severely from abnormally wet weather throughout the months of December to March, which necessitated constant attention. A steel bridge at Solosolo was renewed to about 60 per cent, of the structure, and thirteen other bridges were repaired. Some 50 lineal feet of the seawall at Apia was replaced, having been damaged by heavy seas early in the year. The hydro-electric service continued to function satisfactorily.

18

Net As at 1st January, ■(..-«„ r> M tha Mar " Arrivals Dcnari-urns As at 31st Increase 1932. Births. Deaths. riages . Arrivals. Departures. December, 1932. or Decrease. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. ! V. M. F. M. F. Europeans .. .. 374 240 9 2 9 .. 5 156 75 162 | 73 368 244 - 2 Native Samoans .. 21,502 20,794 641 636 283 252 157 395 | 369 344 j 311 21,911 21,236 +851 (22,644) (21,482) Persons of European 1,152 1,117 34 37 3 3 17 118 139 122 146 1,179 1,144 + 54 and Samoan descent Chinese labourers .. 714 5 71 .. 638 .. - 76 Melanesian labourers 129 1 .... 2 8 .. 119 1-10 and dependants 23,871 22,152 684 675 302 255 .. 669 583 707 530 24,215 22,625 (24,948) (22,871) Totals .. 46,023 ' 1,359 557 179 1,252 1,237 46,840 +817 __ (47,819)