A.—4.

C. Imports of spirits and alcoholic beverages during the year 1935-36 : —

For sacramental purposes, 164 gallons of wine ; rectified spirits of wine for industrial purposes, 55 gallons. D. Production within the Territory is prohibited by law. E. Revenue derived from duties on importation, 1935-36 : — Medicinal liquor (import duty 17\ per cent, or 25 per cent., and Port and Customs £ s. d. service tax 5 per cent.) .. .. . . • • • • • • 542 14 0 Industrial liquor (import duty 17§ per cent, or 25 per cent., and Port and Customs service tax 5 per cent.) .. .. • • • • • • • • Nil. Sacramental liquor (free of import duty ; Port and Customs service tax 5 per cent.) 2 3 0 These duties are the ordinary ad valorem rates applying to all goods not subject to specific rates of duty ; there is no authorization for higher specific rates of duty on liquor, for the rate of duty is immaterial, having regard to the fact that all liquor is sold by and for the Administration at prices approximating current retail prices in New Zealand. F. In view of the position explained in E, there are no other duties, license fees, or taxes. G. There is no Native beverage containing alcohol. The Native drink " kava," if allowed to stand, does not ferment, and after a few hours becomes stale and unpalatable. It is not consumed in Western Samoa in sufficient strength or quantity to have toxic effects. H. General information with regard to liquor, in addition to the above, was given in the Eighth Report, 1928. During 1935-36 there were no offences reported under the Samoa Dangerous Drugs Order, 1930. XIX. —HEALTH. The staff now consists of three European medical officers, nine Native medical practitioners, and bacteriological and nursing staff, the complete Health service comprising fourteen Europeans, fiftyeight Native Samoans, and two Chinese dressers. For nine months of the period under review the Acting Chief Medical Officer was absent in New Zealand and Australia undergoing a refresher course, being relieved by a Medical Officer of the New Zealand Health Department who had had the benefit of much experience in public-health measures among the Maoris of New Zealand. The whole medical organization was subject to review and reorganized on a better footing, which it is hoped will in due course be felt in improved health conditions of the v Samoans. Hospitals and Dispensaries. Admissions to Hospitals : — Apia Hospital— 1 935 - 1934 - Europeans .. .. . • ■ ■ • • • • 183 I^B Samoans .. . • • • • • • • • • 889 542 Chinese .. ■ • ■ ■ • • • • • • 4TI. 328 Melanesians . . .. • • • • • • • • 25 24 1,508 1,042 Tuasivi Hospital • • • ■ • • • ■ • 182 171 Aleipata .. . ■ • • • • • • ■ ■ ■ • 138 Total admissions .. .. •• •• •• 1,838 1,351 Out-patients: All hospitals and dispensaries.. .. .. 16,297 15,178 Grand total ..18,135 16,529 Deaths in hospitals .. . ■ ■ ■ • • ■ • 39 33

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Quantities issued under Average Approxi- Quantity Medical Permits. mate Percentage of imported, - Countries of Origin. Alcohol by Weight.* 1935-36. 1934-35, | 1935-36. L LJ ±_ Spirituous liquors— Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Whisky .. 38-5 to 51-0 450 430 558§ United Kingdom. Brandy .. . . 38-5 to 49-3 20 31J 30| France and Australia. Gin 40-6 100 199A 187 United Kingdom and Holland. Alcoholic beverages— Port and sherry .. 12-0 to 17-8 56 187£ 103|- Australia, France, Spain, and New Zealand. Vermouth .. 5-5 to 10-0 40 . . 14f France and Italy. Stout .. .. 5-5 36 62 t % 73|| United Kingdom. Champagne .. 7-5 to 10-6 .. If .. France. * The approximate percentages of alcohol by weight given above are those accepted by the Customs Department in New Zealand. Analyses have been made of samples of all brands of ale imported, with results showing percentages of alcohol by weight ranging from 1-51 to only 2-39. The ales imported into Western Samoa, therefore, although subject to regulations under the Samoa Act, 1921, do not come within the definition of " intoxicating beverages " as accepted by the Permanent Mandates Commission (minutes of the tenth session, page 182), and have accordingly been omitted from the return.