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1935. NEW ZEALAND.
MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (FIFTEENTH REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1935.
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
gj B Prime Minister's Office, Wellington, N.Z., 16tli July, 1935. I have the honour to forward herewith the Fifteenth Annual Report 011 the Mandated Territory of Western Samoa for the year ended 31st March, 1935. This Report has been prepared by the Administrator of Western Samoa, and adopted by the New Zealand Government as its report for the purposes of Article_ 6 of the Mandate, and m conformity with Article 22 of the Covenant of the League of Nations. A copy has been forwarded direct to each member of the Permanent Mandates Commission, and 120 additional copies have been despatched to you under separate cover. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient servant, E. A. Ransom, for Prime Minister. The Secretary-General, League of Nations, Geneva.
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
PAGE. 2 I. —Introductory .. • • • • • • • • '" „ ll,— Status of the Territory .. ■ • • ■ • • • ■ " o 111. —Status of the Population .. • • ■ • • • • • " o IV. —international Relations .. • • • • - • • • ~ V. —General Administration .. • ■ • • ■ • • • f Vl.—Public Finance .. •• •• •• •• " 10 VII. —Direct Taxes .. •• •• "io VIII. —Indirect Taxes .. • ■ • ■ ■ • ■ • * ■ in IX,— Trade .. •• ■■ •• " " " n X. —Judicial Organization .. • - • • ■ ■ •• K XI. —Police and Prisons .. • • • • • • • ■ • ■ , Xll.—Defence of the Territory .. • ■ • • • ■ ■ • "15 XIII. —Arms and Ammunition .. •• •• •• " ® XIV— Social Condition of the Natives .. ■ • • • • • •• » XV. —Labour .. • ■ ■ • ■ • • 1 '' *' I fi XVI. —Freedom of Conscience .. •• •• •• lfi XVll.—Education .. .. ■ • • ■ • • ■ • '' " 1« XVIII. —Liquor and Drugs ... .. •• •• •• 1Q XlX.—Health .. .. • • • ■ •• •• '' " 01 XX. —Land Tenure ■ ■ • • • • • • ' * "99 XXI. —Forests and Agriculture .. • • • • ■ • • • '' 99 XXII. —Mines .. • • • • • • •• ' ' " "93 XXIII. —Population .. • ■ • • • • • • • • ; • XXlV.—Public Works .. • ■ • • • • •• •• APP Values of Import, Export, and Total Trade of Western Samoa, 1910-34.. .. 24 Details of Quantities of Exports, 1921-34 .. .. • • • • "9« Copra Production, 1904-34 MaP Western Samoa, with Inset showing Geographical position of the Territory.
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I.—INTRODUCTORY. m r a f t *°r^ ar r ®* e f ence l las keen made in this report to the matters considered by the Permanent Mandates Commission during the examination in its twenty-sixth session of the report for 1933-34. ne information required by members has been indexed, and particulars will be found hereunder :—
Western Samoa lies between latitudes 13° and 15° south, and longitudes 171° and 173° west, and consists of the two main islands, Upolu and Savai'i, and the smaller islets of Apolima, Manono, Fanuatapu, Namua, Nu'utele, Nu'ulua, and Nu'usafe'e. Gr^ oU P_h.as a linear disposition in a direction from west-north-west to east-south-east, alone which line Savai i has a length of forty-seven miles, its greatest breadth being twenty-seven miles ; the Apolima (strait occupies about eight miles, and Upolu has a length of forty-seven miles, its greatest breadth being only fifteen miles. All the islands are mountainous, rising to heights of 6,094 ft. in Savai'i and 3,608 ft. in Upolu, the .Native population living for the most part in villages along the seaboard. The total area is 1,133 square miles. The climate is mild and equable throughout the year. The average temperature during the last ten years has been 79-4° Fahrenheit; the average annual rainfall for"the same period was 117-76 m. The Native population is 49,501. The non-Native population is 3,586. ll,— STATUS OF THE TERRITORY. The Territory is administered pursuant to a mandate conferred upon His Britannic Majesty to be exercised on his behalf by the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand, and confirmed by the Council of the League of Nations on the 17th December, 1920. lII.—STATUS OF THE POPULATION. Native inhabitants of Western Samoa are defined in documents of travel as " British protected persons, Natives of Western Samoa." Pursuant to a resolution adopted by the Council of the League of Nations on the 23rd April, 1923 a provision for individual inhabitants of the Territory voluntarily to obtain British naturalization was 7 lla ? A T P rovls ! ons were contained in the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act 1923, which has now been repealed and replaced by the British Nationality and Status of Aliens (in New Zealand) Act, 1928. Since 1923, certificates of naturalization have been granted to sixteen Native Samoans and to iourteen others. IV.—INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS. («) International Conventions. The General International Conventions that have been applied to Western Samoa were described m the report for 1931-32 (page 24). There have been no additions during the year under review A list of Bi-lateral Agreements extended to the Territory was published' in the minutes of the twenty-second session of the Permanent Mandates Commission (page 72), and additions are shown hereunder :— Extradition Treaties between the United Kingdom and the States of Iraq, Portugal and San Marino. Convention between the United Kingdom and the United States of America relative to the disposal of real and personal property, signed on the 2nd March, 1899. Trade Agreement between the Commonwealth of Australia and the Dominion of New Zealand signed at Canberra on the sth September, 1933 (in part).
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Minutes of Twenty-sixth -r, , , or Session, Permanent Seport, (or 1934-36. bubject. Mandates Commission. Page. Chapter. j Page. Status of Territory .... i on tt \r « « ■■ ■■ ■■ ■' :: :: m, ™, m V Treaty of Berlin .. 12 9 y ' European staff .. .. " 122/123 V 3 5 Fono of Faipule ...... 190 v % Bad Debts Reserve .. .. .. # *' yj o Persons of part Samoan blood.. .. .. .. _ 125, 127 V XVII 4 18 Judicial organization .. .. .. . # _ 125 ' y 11 Arms and ammunition .. .. iog XTTT Labour •• •• •• ' " 19« XV j, SST" :: :: iS x™ „ # , s p..bL em»' :: :: :: : ;g ™ ;? Demographic statistics .. .. _ _ " 127 XXIII 23 m
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(b) Economic Equality. Save as to the protection afforded to Native Samoans in the inalienability of Native land, and their exemption from personal tax, there are no derogations from the principle of economic equality as regards concessions, land-tenure, or direct or indirect taxation ; the question of mining rights does not apply. There is a preference in Customs import duties of per cent, in favour of British goods, but no restrictions as regards countries of origin of goods imported, export trade, or shipping. Immigration is governed by the Samoa Immigration Order, 1930, as amended in 1935. V.—GENEBAL ADMINISTRATION. The executive government of Western Samoa is vested in His Majesty the King pursuant to a mandate from the League of Nations. The Administrator is charged with the administration of the Territory, subject to the control of the Minister of External Affairs of New Zealand. The laws of the Territory are made by Act of the New Zealand Parliament, or regulations issued thereunder, or by Ordinances passed by the local Legislative Council, which consists of six official members, two unofficial members elected by the taxable male adult European community, and two nominated members representative of the Native race. Two sessions of the Legislative Council were held during the year. The following legislative measures have been brought into force since last report In New Zealand — The Samoa High Court Amendment Bules, 1934. The Samoa Immigration Amendment Order, 1935. The Samoa Treasury Begulations Amendment Order, 1935. The Samoa Land and Titles Bepeal and Savings Order, 1935. In Samoa — No. 1/1934. —The Samoan Status Ordinance. No. 2/1934,— The Native Land and Titles Protection Ordinance. No. 3/1934. —The Ordinances Amendment Ordinance. No. 4/1934. —The Boad Traffic Amendment Ordinance. No. 5/1934. —The Talimatau Boad Extension Closing Ordinance. No. 6/1934. —The Water Supply Ordinance. No. 7/1934. —The Old Vini fioads Closing Ordinance. Copies of all these measures have been furnished to the Permanent Mandates Commission. Upon the departure of Mr. 0. F. Nelson from Western Samoa on the Bth March, 1934, under sentence from the High Court, there was a marked decrease in Mau activities, and a complete change in the political situation. Since that event there has been no trouble or difficulty of any kind whatever, the Mau is moribund, the great bulk of the Samoans go about their daily occupations unconcerned with it, and practical administration is in no way affected. Present conditions and the extent of the improvement in this matter are indicated by the following table of convictions relating to the political agitation since 1927 : —
Native Affairs. Statutory recognition is given to the Faipule, Native representatives who meet in Fono and confer with the Administrator in an advisory capacity. For the purposes of this representation the Territory is divided into thirty-three districts, each district is invited by the Administrator to submit the name of a representative, and the person so elected is then confirmed in the appointment of Faipule for a term of three years, when further nominations are invited. The Administrator has the benefit, also, of the advice of two Native chiefs of the highest standing, the Honourable» Mahetoa Tanum'afili, 0.8.8., and Mata'afa, the present nominated Native members of the Legislative Council. The Fono of Faipules has always supported the Administration. All matters concerning the Samoan people are placed before it and practically no action as regards legislation or procedure is taken without its concurrence. _ _ • * • Native administration is effected through representatives of the Native Affairs Department m Apia and Tuasivi, four district officers, and through district and tillage Native officials. The European staff of the Department is considered sufficient to meet present requirements, but in view of the increasingly effective co-operation now existing proposals are under consideration for an increased number of graduate trainees for service in the Native Affairs Department.
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1928. 1929-30. 1930-31. 1931-32. 1932-33. 1933-34. 1934-35. Maintenance of Authority in Native Affairs 400 100 269 51 8 4 Ordinance Intimidation Ordinance .. • • 402 .. 2 .. .. . ■ Seditious Organizations Regulations .. • • 322 42 1 .. 19 Totals 802 422 313 52 8 23* * These cases occurred after Mr. O. F. Nelson's return to Samoa.
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The number of Pulenu'u (village rulers) on the staff during the year was 115, and the number of Puleja atoaga (Lands Inspectors) was 15. No major changes in general administration have been brought into operation during the year but commencing from the Ist April, 1935, the duties of Puleja'atoaga are being merged in the duties of the Pulenu u and village chiefs. The services of the 15 Puleja'atoaga are being dispensed with, and the numbers of Pulenu'u are to be increased up to an additional 30.' Progress in the matter will be dealt with in next year's report. Berlin Treaty.—The position relating to the Berlin Treaty of 1889 and the fact that it was 1 Treaty of 1899 has been fully explained to the Samoans on many occasions Early in 1934 a comprehensive statement thereon was published in the Savali, the official organ of the Administration, which is printed in the Samoan language, and distributed free of charge to every .Native family in Western Samoa. The meeting referred to on page 122 of the minutes of the twenty-sixth session of the Permanent Mandates Commission was held on the 15th day of March, 1934, all sections of the Samoan people being represented. The Mau committee made a request to the Administrator that the alleged grievances, a list of which had previously been supplied, be not referred to or dealt with in any way consequently there was little to do, and no finality was reached. 1 Trade. The trade turnover shows a total of £220,901 as compared with £324,693 for the previous calendar took' a , rease of almost 32 per cent. During the last quarter of the financial year ending 31st March J 935, there was a marked rise in the value of copra and also an increase in the value of cocoa. The price paid to growers for bananas, 4s. 6d. per case, is very satisfactory, and remained the same during the 7nnn 6ar ' * :P urln S t^le ast three months of the financial year there was an increased shipment of 4,000 cases of bananas per month. Consequent upon these improvements in all the main products of the ierntory the year ended on a very buoyant note, with the outlook for the future brighter than at any period during the last three years. Finance. The financial year closed with a surplus for the year of £2,303, detailed particulars being given m the chapter on Public Finance. 66 Pebsons op Part Samoan Blood. Every endeavour is made by the Administration to safeguard the interests of that comparatively large portion of the community which is of part Samoan blood. Considerable use is made of such persons m the Administration Service, and, indeed, in private employment, while a special endeavour has been made to throw open for settlement by this class of citizen suitable areas of Crown land, of which there is ample available, and as the value of tropical products improves it may be expected that this avenue of activities will become increasingly popular. Those part Europeans who possess, land are assured of a nome ana food, and m that respect become as independent as Samoans. To meet the case of those wJiose blood is not predominantly Samoan provision has been made in the Samoan Status Ordinance 1934, for reversion to Samoan status where they so desire, for instance, to resume their rights to bamoan lands. Ihere is no special problem concerning women of part Samoan blood. Visits. 7 + i vu R °y al Hjgtness the Duke of Gloucester honoured the Territory with a visit on the 6th and /til .bebruary, 1935, and received a warm welcome from all sections of the community, both European diici iNa"Dive. In June 1934, the Governor of American Samoa paid a visit to the Territory, a reciprocal visit being paid shortly afterwards by the Administrator. n ¥'¥f'' •" DurLed , in " and H-M.S. ." Laburnum," of the New Zealand Division of the Royal Navy called at Apia towards the end of June, 1934, while engaged in their usual annual cruises to the islands of tne feoutn raciiic. Postal and Radio. There have been three overseas mails, both inward and outward, each four weeks providing countries lOnS Zealand and on ® eacll with Australi a, and European and American A small increase in the volume of mail matter was recorded during the vear. The value of monevorders paid at Apia was £5,185 as compared with £5,522 for the previous" year, and there was also a slight decrease m the value of postal-notes and British postal-orders. Deposits in the Post Office Savings-bank exceeded withdrawals by £3,822, while the amount held on the 31st March 1935 at the credit of 1,564 depositors was £40,697 (including interest, £1,071). A further decline was shown in radio traffic, the number of messages sent being 7,535 and receipts f 'it f S co fP ared Wlt]l 8,744 and £1,773 respectively for the preceding year. This was due largely to the act that early m September, 1934, New Zealand commenced handling Papeete traffic direct instead of through Apia Radio as formerly. Lands and Survey. The members of the Department were fully occupied during the year in field work and other miscellaneous duties, amongst which may be mentioned the investigation of 109 Native village cemeteries, and surveys m connection with the Native Land and Titles Commission.
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Public Teust Office. The expenditure of this Office for the year was £545 17s. lid. and the revenue £880 14s. 2d., leaving a credit balance of £334 16s. 3d., as compared with a surplus of £40 for the previous financial year. Funds invested total £10,004, and there is an Office reserve of £650. As it is self-supporting, the accounts of the Office are separate from those of the Administration, except that as a matter of convenience all expenditure is made through the Samoan Treasury, which is reimbursed at the end of each quarter. Hence the Treasury figures include Public Trust Office expenditure (which is also shown as a deduction from the total) but do not show receipts, which are credited direct to the Public Trustee. Port and Haeboue Services. Pilotage and harbour services, and maintenance of lights, beacons, and plant continued to function very satisfactorily under contract with the Harbourmaster. There was no serious accident to shipping during the year, and the only new work worthy of mention was the construction of a new pilot launch by a local builder. Staff. Particulars are given in the following table, as at 31st March for each year : —
The staff is organized on the basis of having a European official in charge of each Department, with the minimum number of other Europeans with specialist or other necessary qualifications required for the work. The remainder of the staff is engaged in Samoa from Native Samoans or persons of part European and Samoan blood, according to the nature of the service. The officers in charge of Departments are seldom changed; those in charge of the Education, Health, Native, Public Works, Postal and Radio, Lands and Survey, and Police Departments (those most in contact with the Samoans) have an average Samoan service of fourteen and a half years each, their respective services being sixteen years, eleven years, twelve years, fifteen years, twenty years, twelve years, and fifteen years. VI. PUBLIC FINANCE. The accounts of the Territory for the year ended 31st March, 1935, show a surplus of receipts over expenditure amounting to £2,303, the accumulated surplus as at that date being £11,755, not including investments specially set aside for replacement of assets. A further sum of £3,350 (included in the £11,755 above) has been invested and may be regarded as added to reserve, the position now being that the total accumulated surplus amounts to £15,755, held as shown below : — Cash .. .. .. . ■ •■ •• •■ •• 7,428 Investments and advances in Samoa .. .. . . • • • • 977 Investments in New Zealand .. . . • ■ • • 7,350 £15,755 It should be noted that £4,000 of the investments as above has been appropriated for replacement of assets and is not available for general Administration expenditure. At the beginning of the year it appeared that a deficit on the year's activities was inevitable, but a later recovery in trade, particularly in the last quarter, was an important factor contributing
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n , _ T ,. Native Samoan Europeans Persons of Part Native District and Village UI J ' J Samoan Blood. Samoans. Officials Services. — 1934. i 1935. 1934. 1935. 1934. 1935. 1934. j 1935. Classified departmental staffs — 1 j j Education 4 4 5 6 ' 82 82 .. Health .. .. 10 10 2 2 52 53 Native Affairs (including Savai'i) 3 3 1 111 11 169 164 Police and Prisons .. 13 10 1 2 49 48 Other services .. .. 22 22 16 17 19 21 52 49 25 1 28 213 215 169 164 Casual employees .. .. .. • • 1 11 j 15 21 50 New Zealand Reparation Estates staff 16 19 9 22 3 7 Totals .. .. ..68 69 ! 45 65 1 237 272 169 164 I I I 1 " 1
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to the actual surplus. Greater copra exports than were anticipated, together with an advance in price, directly affected imports, revenue consequently showing a marked upward tendency late in the year. Close attention to collection of arrears of school fees and various items of Native and European taxation also resulted in expectations being substantially exceeded. Details of revenue and expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1935, together with corresponding figures for the previous year, are shown in the following statements :—
Revenue.
Health Department revenue includes £4,768 for sales of medicinal liquor, this item showing a decrease of £1,857, a further decrease in this Department being due to the fact that no subsidy was this year due from the Kockcfel l er Foundation on account of the yaws campaign. A decline in revenue under the heading Treasury, Customs, &c., amounting to £9,089, is chiefly due to increased refunds of copra export duty and the operation for the whole year of the full refund of cocoa export duty, partly offset by a decrease in the rate of refund of export duty on bananas and increases in collections of arrears of taxation.
Expenditure.
(a) Decrease in Section IV, Health, is accounted for by reduced expenditure under Item, Salaries, £2,021, and Yaws Injection Campaign, £1,2.39. (b) Section VIII, Police and prisons, shows a decrease of £1,868, due chiefly to reductions of staff and salaries being effective throughout the whole of the year. (c) A decrease of £1,521 under Section X, Public Works, is due mainly to curtailment of expenditure under various heads such as buildings, roads, purchase of stores, and also to reductions of staff being effective for the full year. (d) Under Section XII, Treasury and Customs, £4,000 was expended under appropriation and invested during 1933-34, whereas no amount was voted during the current year.
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Head of Revenue. 1933-34. 1934-35. £ £ 1. Education .. .. .. . . 733 8 23 II. Health .. .. .. .. io,445 7,621 III. Justice .. .. .. .. 870 794 IV. Lands and survey .. .. .. 145 179 V. Native .. .. .. .. 468 713 VI. Police and prisons .. .. .. 2,868 2 490 VII. Postal and radio .. .. . . 5,270 5,246 VIII. Public works .. .. .. 4,302 4 519 IX. Treasury, Customs, &c. .. .. 65,'512 56 ,'423 Total receipts .. .. 90,613 78,808
Head of Expenditure. 1933-34. 1934-35. T £ £ I. Permanent charges on public debt .. 9,768 9,800 II. Administrator and Government House .. 3,037 2,880 III. Education .. .. .. .. 5,097 4^910 IY. Health 17,150 13,937 V. Justice, Labour, and Public Trust .. 3,957 3,071 VI. Lands and Survey .. .. .. 1,075 L047 VII. Native .. .. .. .. 7,016 5^385 VIII. Police and prisons .. .. .. 10,652 8,784 IX. Postal and radio .. .. .. 5,136 4 779 X. Public Works .. .. .. 9,111 XI. Secretariat .. .. .. .. 6,464 6 581 XII. Treasury, Customs, &c. .. .. 11,261 7'o78 91,245 77,363 Less Public Trust (part) and Labour 1,290 858 Departments recovered — 89,955 76,505
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A comparative statement of revenue and expenditure each year from 1925-26 is shown below : —
The following comparative table shows the total cash receipts each year, together with the amounts expended on certain public services.
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Actual Revenue Ex^ure Deficit Subsidy Final Surplus Year obtamed in the , , or from or Territory. Territory. Surplus. New Zealand. Deficit. £ £ £ £ £ 1925-26 .. .. 128,638 145,687 -17,049 21,400 + 4,351 1926-27.. .. 113,812 141,710 -27,898 20,000 - 7,898 1927-28 .. 106,038 143,421 -37,383 20,000 -17,383 1928-29 .. .. 121,904 157,829* -35,925* 47,374* +11,449* 1929-30 . .. 131,416 150,728* -19,312* 39,448* +20,136* 1930-31.. .. 130,385 140,288* -9,903* 21,000 +11,097* 1931-32 .. .. 109,040 128,936* -19,896* .. -19,896* 1932-33.. .. 105,920 98,166 +7,754 .. +7,754 1933-34 .. 90,613 89,955 + 658 .. + 658 1934-35.. .. 78,808 76,505 +2,303 .. +2,303 * Includes expenditure on extra police: £27,374 in 1928-29, £19,448 in 1929—30, £16,561 in 1930-31, and £10,412 in 1931-32.
Revenues from j i, Amounts spent on External Sources. other than r Financial Year ; Vr.r; from I Loans and I " External Native Agri- Public Public Advances. re ®° ve ™ we Sources. Education culture. Health. Works, i Grants. i To £ £ ! £ £ I £ £ £ 31st March, 1921 .. .. 44,336 .. 149,027 3,176 5,405 15,840 13,796 1921-22 .. .. •• 49,229 16,000 119,569 5,237 4,444 22,690 15,418 1922-23 .. •■ 20,777 16,000 115,250 6,846 3,787 25,715 12,549 1923-24 .. .. •• 5,658 24,000 109,917 6,556 5,748 23,995 21,191 1924-25 . •• 19,140 111,774 7,609 3,030 24,425 24,737 1925-26 .. .. 5,000 21,400 128,638 9,131 3,187 25,761 26,555 1926-27 . .. .. 31,000 20,000 113,812 9,688 3,760 25,911 20,016 1927-28 . .. •• 16,500 20,000 106,038 10,222 4,990 25,597 16,842 1928-29 .. .. 25,700 20,000 121,904 7,738 4,285 24,367 13,606 1929-30 39,448 131,416 6,955 * 18,016 17,005 1930-31 21,000 130,385 7,439 * 18,224 15,726 1931-32 .. .. 6,000 .. 109,040 6,794 * 17,824 15,797 1932-33 . •• •• •• 105,920 5,459 * 21,819 11,908 1933-34 ' .. .. .. 90,613 5,097 * 17,150 10,632 1934-35 .. •• • • 78,808 4,910 * 13,937 9,111 Total .. . .. 204,200 Less amount of loan subsequently treated as a gift by New Zealand Government (not in respect of any specific year) .. 25,000 Less repayment of temporary advances .. 6,000 Less repayment of principal — 1928-29 .. .. 8,000 1932-33 .. .. 26,155 1933-34 .. .. 3,000 1934-35 .. .. 4,335 • 72,490 Public debt 31st March, 1935 £131,710 "j __ * Inspection of Native lands absorbed into Native Department and of produce for export into Customs Department.
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Loan Account. No loan-money was raised during the year. A further sum of £4,335 was utilized for debtredepiption from sinking .fund, the balance of which was Is. 7d. at 31st. March, 1935. Bad Debts Reserve. The Bad Debts Reserve shown in the estimates of revenue and. expenditure is nothing more than the reserve normally provided to allow for moneys due to the Administration, but which are unlikely to be collected. Revenue. The total amount collected at the customshouse, Apia, on account of duties and taxation during the financial year ended 31st- March, 1935, amounted to £76,849, as compared with £79,395 for the financial year 1933-34, & decrease of £2,546. Following are the receipts under the principal headings : —
Note.—Refunds of export duty on copra, cocoa, rubber, and bananas are shown in the statement below, together with net totals of duty : —
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I ' • • "I 1933-34. 1934-35. Increase. Decrease. . I : £ £ £ £ £ Import, duties (including port and .. 26,847 .. 26,055 .. 792 service tax) Export duties.— £ Copra .. .. .. 16,845 14,284 .. 2,561 Cocoa .. .. .. 1,829 2,042 213 Rubber ........ 67 67 Bananas .. .. .. 10,740 12,697 1,957 29,414 —; 29,090 Shipping-fees .. .. .. .. 2,662 .. 2,760 98 Wharfage dues and royalties .. .. 2,085 .. 1,903 .. 182 Taxes .. .. .. .. 8,626 .. 9,398 772 Miscellaneous, including medicinal liquor .. 9,761 .. 7,643 .. 2,118 79,395 .. 76,849 3,107 5,653 3,107 Decrease .. £2,546 Less refunds (see below) .. .. 12,228 .. 19,653 67,167 .. 57,196 Net decrease after making refunds of export duties .. .. . . £9,971 (Excludes taxes collected by Resident Commissioner, Savai'i, and District Officers.)
1933-34. 1934-35. Collections. Refunds. Net Duty. Collections. Refunds. Net Duty. £ £ £ J £ £ £ Copra .. .. .. 16,845 2,100 14,745 j 14,284 9,669 4,615 Cocoa .. .. .. 1,829 463 1,366 j 2,042 2,042 Rubber .. .. .. .. .. .. 67 67 Bananas .. .. .. 10,740 9,665 1,075 j 12,697 7,875 j 4^822 Total refunds .. .. .. 12,228 .. .. 19,653
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ADMINISTRATION OF WESTERN SAMOA. —BALANCE-SHEET AS AT 31st MARCH, 1935. Liabilities. Assets. Capital Account 194,044 0 5 '' " ;; JlioOO " 0 Loans — Si i '' m 47-? q 8 Public Works and General Pur- Plant and machinery T'qnfi 14 0 poses.. .. •• 136,045 0 0 Launches, boats, &c. .. • • •- :';V, o a Less 4£ per cent, loan under Buoys, beacons, and moorings .. ■■ ' Finance Act, 1926, section Motor and other vehicles n 4, redeemed out of Sinking Arms and accoutrements .. • ■ • • ■ ' Fund—(l) Maturity, 7th Fire-fighting appliances in 105 13 6 July, 1957, £3,000; (2) Furniture and fittings 10,105 id maturity, 26th August, Mechanical office appliances .. .. ,07,01 V 1957 £1 335 4,335 0 0 Medical and technical instruments and equipment I 131,710 0 0 Libraries .. .. •• •• •• «14 9. 7 Sundry creditors — ī^°? s ,? too ' s , '' '' '' '' 110 4 1 Ordinary 637 0 5 Saddlery and harness «4 2 6 Lands purchased .. .. 3,500 0 0 Live-stock.. .. •• •• 13 11 4,137 0 5 Consumable stores .. .. •• u,(/b 10 Samoan currency notes .. 32,000 0 0 Investments— _ Less unissued notes.. .. 2,000 0 0 New Zealand Government- £s. d_ 30,000 0 0 Public Debt Sinking Fund .. 0 17 Coolie Labour Account- Samoan currency 32,000 0 0 Transportation Fund .. 7,102 11 1 Assets replacement .. 4,000 0 0 Sundry creditors .. .. 010 0 Ordinary revenue . .. 3,350 0 0 Sundry deposits held .. 8 15 3 Bank of New Zealand, Apia: Bad Debts Reserve .. 791 19 3 Fixed deposit .. .. 1.910" » 7,903 15 7 Mortgage over freehold m Apia 35b lb 4 Post Office Savings-bank : Sundry Post Office Savings-bank, Apia : depositors 40,704 4 4 Deposits 462 J 8 42)0 80 0 7 Sundry deposits Held by Treasury .. .. 2,373 2 8 Coolie Labour AccountIn departmental trust accounts 258 11 9 Investments 2,631 14 5 Fixed deposit, Bank of New Depreciation Reserve .. •• •• 41,370 14 6 Zealand, Apia .. •• „ Loans Sinking Fund 0 17 New Zealand Government .. 1,150 0 0 Bad Debts Reserve 5,000 11 3 Mortgage on freehold proReserve for Writings-off in Suspense .. .. 1,130 1 8 perties m Samoa .. 7b9 ' t> 3,028 10 6 Cash in Bank of New Zealand, Apia 909 18 1 Sundry debtors .. ■■ 3,959 16 1 Interest on investments accrued but not due .. 510 11 7,903 15 7 Post Office Savings-bank — Investments in New Zealand .. 40,016 0 0 Cash in Bank of New Zealand, Apia . . • ■ ■ • 688 4 4 P 40,704 4 4 Sundry debtors — Ordinary .. •• 11,274 0 10 Tulaele Farm : Deferred principal 556 5 0 11,830 o 10 Sundry advances .. .. • • • • 6 J9 19 0 Payments in advance . . ■ • • ■ ior T k l n Interest on investments accrued but not due . . IJb 15 1U Writings-off in Suspense Account .. • ■ 1 > 130 1 8 Cash and bank balances — Cash in hand, Resident Commis- £ s. d. sioner, Savai'i .. ■ • 24 1 1 Cash in Deposits Account, New Zealand Treasury .. .. 2,361 9 0 Bank of New Zea- £ s. d. land. Apia, and Wellington .. 4,017 14 7 Less Coolie Labour above .. 909 18 1 3,107 16 6 Imprest Account, London .. 1,913 10 8 Deposits held in departmental Trust Accounts .. .. 258 11 9 Remittances in transit .. 21 10 0 ' ■ A 7,686 19 0 Balance, Revenue Account, for year .. .. 7,445 6 8 £458,632 4 2 £458,632 4 2
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A.—4.
VII.—DIRECT TAXES. The direct taxes are —
In addition there are the usual motor-vehicle licenses, water rates, and similar fees. VIII.—INDIRECT TAXES. The principal revenue of the Territory is derived from Customs duties —see the annual reports on " Trade, Commerce, and Shipping "—store and copra house and other taxes as set out in the Revenue Ordinance, 1929, and the port and shipping fees defined in the Port Control Ordinance, 1932. The law as to stamp duties was brought up to date in the Stamp Duty Ordinance, 1932. Imports in 1934 were 72-4 per cent, of the value of exports, as compared with 86-8 per cent, in 1933. This decrease was due to acute economic conditions prevailing during the year, imports and exports showing a decrease on the previous year's figures of £58,072 and £45,720 respectively. IX,— TRADE. The trade figures for the calendar year 1934 show a decrease of 31-97 per cent, as compared with those of the previous year, but during the last quarter of the financial year —that is, the months of January, February, and March, 1935 —there was a marked improvement in trade conditions in the Territory. The average price for South Seas copra on the London market for the whole of the year 1934 was £7 17s, 6d. per ton, but in January and February, 1935, this rose suddenly and the price to growers doubled. During 1934 cocoa was difficult to sell, the market at most times being overloaded and the price falling as low as £1 12s. 6d. per hundredweight. During recent months there has been an increased demand, and sales are being effected at from £40 to £45 per ton. The price of bananas has been very satisfactory throughout. During the year negotiations were carried out between the Governments of Hew Zealand and Fiji resulting in an increase of nearly onethird in the quantity of bananas to be shipped from Samoa during the year 1935. The increased shipments commenced in January, and the extra money in circulation as a result thereof has greatly improved trading conditions. As mentioned in last year s report, the export duty on cocoa was remitted temporarily, and two remissions, amounting to a total of £1 per ton, were granted off the export duty on copra. The export duty on cocoa has not yet been restored, but the full duty on copra was again brought into operation on the Ist March, 1935. The following return shows the principal exports, and the total values of the exports, imports, and total trade of the Territory for recent years : —
10
Received 1933-34. 1934-35. £ £ (a) Personal tax of £1 5s. per annum payable by male adult Europeans 664 1,009 (b) Graduated salary-tax, from £1 on £200-£300, to £30 over £1,500.. 427 405 (c) Building-tax, 1 per cent, per annum of capital value of European 1 2,274 2,524 buildings
Exports. Imports. Calendar Year. Copra. Cocoa. Bananas. Total : Total T v . Trade - Value Total Value. Tons. Value. Tons. Value. Cases. Value. £ ~ £ £ I £ £ 1927 .. 11,66.5 242,672 792 48,216 .. .. 335,978 304,369 640 347 1928 .. 15,989 319,259 959 69,507 22,815 j 11,219 422,175 ! 326 553 748 728 1929 .. j 12,941 205,330 677 46,286 53,652 j 24,640 293,938 288 849 582'787 1930 •• 12,285 166,221 1,007 61,294 95,867 i 44,259 284,515 275 355 559*870 1931 .. 11,062 109,220 620 35,284 85,231 39.022 194,447 164 950 359*397 1932 .. 10,879 108,098 825 49,712 66,715 20,016 183,028 150,902 333*930 1933 11,526 101,347 899 41,813 81,983 26,999 173,837 j 150!856 324*693 1934 .. i 8,948 j 60,654 1,027 29,498 96,225 | 35,796 128,117 ! 92,784 220^90]
A. —4.
Imports. The following is a table of the principal countries of origin : ~ i
Exports. Copra, Cocoa, Rubber, and Bananas are dealt with in the report on Agriculture. Further details relative to trade are given m Trade, Commerce, and Shipping of the Ternt y of Western Samoa for the Calendar Year, 1934," and in the graphs appended to this repor,. Shipping.
Overseas Merchant Shipping entering Port of Apia.
~ Six British warships entered, and cleared the port during the period. No sailing-vessel, called. X. JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION. The Samoa Act, 1921, prescribes the judiciary for the Territory. In September, 1934, the Chief Judge returned to New Zealand and was not replaced, his functions now being performed by a New Zealand Magistrate who visits the Territory on circuit at stated mtaWals. In the absence of a Judge minor cases'are dealt with by one of the resident Commissioners of the High Court. . 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, which has now been placed by the Native Land and Titles Protection Ordinance, 1934. It is the only Court having jurisdictio 11 hear and adjudicate upon all claims or disputes between Samoans relating to Native land, Samoan names or ot succession to any property or rights in accordance with Native custom. During the year the Commission was occupied for twenty sitting-days, and heard nine cases involving over seven hunSlu'SiSSthe High Court recorded judgments in 152 cases ; 38 cases were struck out. The total sums sued for amounted to £2,317. One divorce was granted. Particulars of criminal cases are given in the tables hereunder, which show a substantial increase m the number of cases reported. In this connection it will be noted that the increase mainly occurs m cases which are not of a serious nature.
11
1932. 1933. 193 4 - Countries. ; Value. Percentage. Value. | Percentage. Value. Percentage. £ £ £ United Kingdom .. 32,213 21-3 30,762 20-4 14,457 15-6 NewZeSand •• 54 403 36-1 51,034 33-8 33,171 35-7 Aurtralia ' •• 31 707 21-0 33,643 22-3 20,562 22-2 United States of America .. 12,105 8-0 12,117 8-0 8,949 9-6 Other countries .. .. 20,474 13-6 2M00 15-5 15,645 16 9 Totals .. •• 150,902 100-0 j 150,856 ! 100-0 92,784 100-0
Financial Year ended 31st March, 1934. 31st March, 1935. British. j Other, j Total. British. Other. | Total. -T , 1 75 42 117 68 28 96 Tomiage °vessels " •• 69,361 34,977 104,338 83,725 35,960 119,685 ionnage, vessels . 6 24 j g6() g;184 :: :: :: H,*» 6; 89 3 19,399 13,025 7,134 20,159 - _ . • 1 • i n . _n
A.—4.
Criminal Offences in the Period 1st April, 1934, to 31st March, 1935.
12
1933-34. 1934-1935. I . ~~ ~ : — © © 0flences ' IS ! 1| Number Arrested or Summoned. Convicted in High Court. Dismissed or Withdrawn i I | g ! |*| . ■ ' ' — ■ -j | g ° £ c £ Samoans. Chinese. Europeans. Samoans. Chinese. j Europeans. Samoans. Chinese. j Europeans. " Misleading justice- m. f. m. f. m. f. m. f. m. f. m. 1 f. m. f. m. f. m f iscape from lawful custody .. ..3 4 3 1 ........ 3 1 Contempt of Court .. .. .. 4 .. .. ., ., ,, _ _ '' j " '' '' '' '' '' '' '' .. .. 1 ] Conspiring to pervert course of justice .. 2 3 3 .. .. .. .. .. .* " " " " 'j " " " | " Offences against morality — " *' ! '" "' *' " * '' " .. j .. 1 j Abduction .. .. ..11 9 9 7 2 1 9 Carnal knowledge .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. _ _ ' " " '" " " " " • • • • R ape .. .. .. .. 1 8 8 !! " !! " 'ê ô " "n ! 1 Adultery .. .. .. .. 2 1 1 \ .. _ '' " • '' Offences against the person — *' ' * '' '' '' '' '' '' "' • • " I Assault, common .. .. 38 51 47 I 4 .. 37 4 10 ,., Assault, indecent . . .. .. 2 1 1 .. .. I [[ X " " " " " " " '' " ! " j Actual or grievous bodily harm .. 11 7 4 .. .. ., 1 3 .. 2 .! !! '' 2 ' ' 2 I '' ' 1 I Murder .. .. .. .. 2 2 1 X .. .. .. '' X '' '' " *' ' i * ! '' ' * '' "I Manslaughter .. .. .. 2 .. .. .. .. j '' '' " '' " " '' '' '' '' '' '' Attempted suicide .. .. .. 3 .. .. .. ., .... '' .! '' '' '' '' " '' '' '' '' " '' '' o Bigamy .. .. .. .. .. .. _ " " " " '' '" " • • • • • • • • '' Buggery .. .. .. | j '' " '' | " Offences against property rights — Theft •• ■' 133 131 109 8 .. .. X0 .. 96 8 6 13 a 9 Trespass .. .. .. .. 47 49 47 2 46 2 " X " '9 Wilful damage .. .. .. 7 9 7 .. 1 .. X 5 .. i *' i " 2 9 Unlawful entry of dwelling .. .. .. 2 2 .. .. .. .. 2 ' ' * I " " '' '* 9 Burglary .. .. .. .. 2 3 2 ." !! !! ' ' '.'.12 " 7 Breaking and entering .. .. 9 .. _ '' '' '' '' " '' •' ■ • • • 1 • ■ Receiving stolen property .. .. 5 3 X .. .. 2 '' 1 X " '' '' '' ' -j '' '' 9 Forgery .. .. .. .. 5 X2 12 '. !! " .. " XX " " " " '[ " 'U False pretences .. .. .. 4 14 14 iq 1 Fraud x .. 'i ;; ;; ;; ;; _ 'i " •••■•• 1 i ™ Unlawful conversion .. .. .. 4 6 4 .. .. .. 2 '! "4 " " " ( " I " " '9 " o Found in dwellinghouse by night .. 2 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. " " j .. 2 .. 2 .. Police offences — " '' ' '' '' '' '' '" " '' '" '' • • • • ■ • * Threatening behaviour ••••3 11.. ...... .1 i Riding horses without reins .. .. X9 54 53 .. .. i " 48 " " " "j " k " " " " " Ôk Disorderly conduct .. .. .. 7 34 29 2 3 " 29 2 !! " 3 " 9? Failing to clear road frontage .. ..15 72 66 2 1 .. 3 .. 65 2 i " 3 " i " " " " " J] Throwing stones .. .. .. 2 7 7 .. .. .. .. ' j 7 "' '' '' '' '' '' '' ' Allowing animals to wander .. .. 2 29 19 7 9 1" X8 7 " " 9 i i " " " " " nS Witchcraft 3 2 X " !! .T 2 X " " I Cruelty to animals .. .. .. 5 23 21 .. 1 !! i 20 .. i '' 'x "i 1« Casting offensive matter .. .. X 8 8 .. .. .. .. 8 ' * " " '' '' '' '' " 2 Drunkenness .. .. .. .. 2 1 ! i X i •••■■• .. .. .. .. /
A.—4.
13
i . i i 2 Obstructing police .. .. .. • • 2 1 1 I • • • • • • * * * * j # # # .. Indecent act in public place .. .. 1 j 1 • • • • • • • • 1 * • " " 2 1 .. .. • • 7 Affrays .. • • • • • • | j | " " ' * '" 2 * i * * Breach of the peace .. .. .. 3 3 2 1 .. .. • • • • i * * * * .. .. • • • • • • • • • • * * *"* Insulting language to an official .. j 1 1 j • • • • * * j | * * | " | j j .. j .. .. .. • • I * Depriving parent of child .. .. j 1 • • i • • • • '**1**1**1** .... • • ! .... .. • • 2 Resisting police 2 , .. .. .. ■■ ■■ ■■ " j 20 i . •• I 20 Vagrancy .. .. .. • • • • - ' • • - ' • * * j j j j .. [ .. .. ! • • j * Wandering pigs .. .. •• - ■■ •• •• I j "a " !. j .. " o Furiously riding horses .. .. 4 - " ..j.. ..j.. ... •• ..j.. •• • • I * Removing stones from foreshore .. 2 .. .. • • I j '' j I .. I .. .. • • . • I Discharging gun to intimidate . • 1 • • • • • • ...... j • • " | " j j .. | • • • • I Placing stones in public place .. .. 1 • • • • • • j • • | j '' | . I • • • • ■ • • • j * Exposing indecent document .. .. 1 • ■ • • • • ...... j • • I '' '. .. j .. .. .. .. i • • 1 Threatening police constable .. . ■ 1 • • • - • • ...... .. , .. • • • • j I x .. 1 10 Opium offences 11 21 .. ; 21 j | •• 20 .. •• , •• •• 4 Liquor offences .. •• 10 6 3 .. 1 .. .. - • • " j 1 .. 1 .. .. ...... 5 Breaches of Arms Ordinance .. .. 3 8 7 .. .. 1 By law breaches — Q | 4 .......... 2 .. 3.. Driving unlicensed .. .. .. j 12 15 ; 9 j .. o .. • • • • " 1 10 ■ 4 .... I 3 .. 1 • • ® Overloading public vehicles .. .. j 51 46 33 .. .. .. 13 .. - •• •• , •• i j.| Driving without lights .. .. 5 19 , 11 .. 2 5 1 11 .. 2 .. o i .. .. , 1 Failing to give name to traffic officer .. 1 ..j.. [ • • • • ■ j • • "1*3 i 2 .. .. .. .. 1 Using unlicensed vehicles .. .. 8 7 2 1 .. • • • • • • ° 1 1 .. .. .. .. .. Driving without number plates .. 5 2 1 .. .. .. | 1 .. •• • ■ •• ,. .. 10 Failing to stop when called upon .. 13 3 2 .. .. 1 •• • • j 1 .. .. 3 Negligent driving .. .. .. ® 3 .. .. .. .. • • •• •• ! .. .. 1 Failing to equip public vehicle .. 9 10 • • • - | ' ° '' " j 2 .. 1 .. .. .. j 10 ! Parking outside parking-area .. .. 2 12 10 . . .. .. " I " .. .. .... 1 Failing to keep to right .. .. 1 ■ • ...... .. • ■ • • ■ • • ■ .. .. • - ■ • j .. 1 .. .. J .. ! .. 1 Driving without rear light .. ., 1 •• •• •• j j 'j !! 1 •• •• •• i 2 Carrying passengers without license .. 4 2 1 .. .. .. 1 • • • • • • • • 1 " o 1 .. 35 I .. Bicycles with no lights .. .. I 7 52 27 .. 1 .. 24 .. i 24 .. 1 j .. 23 .. . 3 .. •• _ _ j _ 1 Parking on wrong side .. .. 2 1 .. .. .. .. 1 ■■ • • • ■ !! 1 .. .. ! j .. j 4 Driving on wrong side .. .. 4 • • . . j .. .. .. .... .. j .. - • • • • • 1 1 j 1 3 Failing to stop after an accident .. 3 .. . , .. .. .. .. • • .... . • • ■ • • ..!.... Driving while intoxicated .. .. 1 1 • • ■ ■ .... 1 - ■ • • .... j 1 10 Dangerous driving .. .. .. 1 H •• I o ! " in ' " ' " S " .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 Parking without lights .. • ■ • • 18 10 .. I | '' " .... .. .. .. ! .. 2 j .. Riding on mudguards of vehicles .. .. 2 2 .. .. .. .. | I '' " ' .. .. .. .. •• 1 Driving without brakes .. . . ■ • 1 1 • ■ • • • • • • ' ' '' '' ', .... .. .. ! • • i 7 Dangerous riding .. .. •• •• " ® ■ ■ •• ■ ■ ' • . ' j '' ' " . .. 1 2 Obstructing traffic .. • • • • . • 2 1 .. 1 .. • • • • j '*1*1 '! .. .. . ■ • • ' Driving so as to cause injury .. .... 1 •• •• •• j- ■■ •• •• " " ,,, "-j \ 2 2 .. 7 .. 94 Breaches of Dog Regulations .. 15 109 79 6 4 .. 19 1 74 4 I .. 1- 2 2 1 Breach of Labour Ordinance .. 38 17 .. .. 17 I 1 —— I J — » Evidence showed that no murder was committed.
A.—4.
Criminal Offences in the Period 1st April, 1934, to 31st March, 1935— continued.
14
1933-34. 1934-35. " ' " * — ; r— 7 ; ■ ; — ® ® • • i Offences. |'i Number Arrested or Summoned. Convicted in High Court. Dismissed or Withdrawn. § © at at : , i © g a> o © o i . ;—; —- — —— — —— © og O 2 Samoans. Chinese. Europeans, j Samoans. Chinese. Europeans. Samoans. Chinese. Europeans. Miscellaneous M . F. M. F. M. P. M. I'. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. E. M. F 1!ailing to pay personal tax .. 10 ..................... in Breach of Immigration Order .. .. 6 2 2 .. .. .. .. .. 2 .. " ' * '' " " " " " " '' . Maintenance of authority in Native Affairs 18 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. *° ' ° " " " " " " " " Ordinance Seditious Organizations Regulations 32 .................... . Breach of Shops Ordinance .. .. 4 5 1 .. I .. 2 1 1 .. 1 2 i '' '' '' '' ' '' i Port Control Ordinance .. .. 2 .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. .. _ _ '' '' '' '' '' '' 'A Overseas Permit Ordinance .. .. 4 4 1 .. .. .. 3 ., 1 .. ' '3 Breach of section 240 (Samoa Act) .. 1 1 .. .. .. . . .. ,. .. .. '' '' ' * '' '' '' '' '" '4 Overseas Labour Control Ordinance .. ! 2 1 .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. 1 Overseas Contract Ordinance .. .. 3 . . .. .. . . .. .. .. .. '' '' '' '' '' "' '' , Burying body on land not approved by 1 .. .. .. .. .. .. ,, .. . _ '' '' .... • - • • • • Chief Medical Officer | . Breach of building regulations .. .. | 2........ 1 1 ...... 1 1 o Unlicensed butchers .. .. .... 2 .. .. 2 .. .. .. .. '' 2 '' '' - ■ | • •• •• Breach of Water Supply Ordinance .. .. 4 .. .. 2 .. 2 .. .. .. 2 2 *' '' '' '' '' 4. Killing protected game .. .. ! 2 2 .. ., .. .. .. 2 '' ' ' * " " o Breach of Ordinances Amendment Ordi- .. 1 .. .. .. .. • 1 .. j ' '' '' '' '' '' , nance, 1934 .... .............. Breach of Market Ordinance .. .. 8 6 2 ...... 6 2.. g Totals I 678 I 993 714 37 76 .. 149 j 12 649 33 j 71 .. 126 | 12 j 65 4 5 ~ 23 ~ 494 179~ Net increase .. .. | .. j .. .. .. .. j , # # # # f |
A.—4.
XI. —POLICE AND PRISONS. Establishment. The total European strength was eleven on 31st March, 1935, as compared with fourteen at the commencement of the year. The Native uniformed strength was thirty-six, and m addition there are two Native clerks and "ten messengers under the control of the Inspector of Police. There are four police posts in the outside districts under the control of District Officers. Prisons. On the Ist April, 1934, the total number of prisoners was 79. During the year 351 prisoners were admitted and 348 discharged, 82 remaining in custody on 31st March, 1935. General. Statistics for 1934-35 given in the preceding chapter show a fairly large increase in crime in the Territory As already explained, however, the type of case showing an increase is not very serious. Warrants held for execution on Ist April, 1934, were—For arrest, 3 ; for commitment, 7 : and on 31st March, 1935, the figures were 3 and 15 respectively. XII.—DEFENCE OF THE TERRITORY. No military forces or defensive bases are maintained in the Territory. XIII.—ARMS AND AMMUNITION. Transactions in firearms and ammunition are controlled by the Arms Ordinance, 1921. There is no suggestion of illicit traffic in Samoa, and the subject is of no special significance. Importations during 1934-35 were as follows : — Arms---Smooth-bore shotguns, 1. Rifles (-22), 2. Ammunition — Shot cartridges, 26,000. Rifle cartridges (-22 calibre only), 1,500. Sporting gunpowder, 50 lb. No importations were made by the Administration, the above quantities being imported by private firms. The reduction in importations as compared with those of the previous year is explained by the fact that a large portion of the current year's supplies was imported just prior to the end of the previous financial year, and of course helped to swell that year's figures. This will explain the apparent heavy increase of importations shown in the report for the year ending 31st March, 1934. The following table gives the total of registered firearms in the Territory as at 31st March, 1935
With reference to M. Sakenobe's questions during the examination of the report for the yea J ended 31st March, 1934, the following explanations in regard to the amendments to the Arms Ordinance are submitted : — (1) Subsection 6. —Previously a fee was required before a permit to purchase any explosive could, be issued, but it was found that frequently the value of the explosive was less than the cost of the permit, and hardship to the purchaser resulted. This hardship has now been removed. (2) Subsection 7. —This was brought into force with the object of controlling the movements of firearms XIV.—SOCIAL CONDITION OF THE NATIVES. The conditions of life and living of the Samoans have been described in the two previous reports. The extension of Native medical practitioner services, referred to elsewhere (Chapter XIX), is expected to be of great benefit to them. . Unquestionably a major event in the Native life during the year has been the visit ol ills Koyai Highness the Duke of Gloucester. The Samoan appreciation of a meeting, especially with travellers, has a peculiar richness of meaning, that gives such an occasion much charm, promoting keen interest and enthusiasm. Native life normally is not very eventful, and the ceremonies of the meeting with such an eminent Royal visitor will be remembered with warm appreciation throughout the present generation. . . ... ... The retention of proper Native customs is a subject of interest m all native countries ; it, is inevitable that such observances as were enforced bv phvsical violence in former times must undergo some change when confronted with Christian teachings and European law. The more responsible Samoan chiefs continue to take great interest in their district and village affairs, they remain at home among their people and lands, with the consequence that the people remain _ closely knit m their customary observances ; their conservatism, already remarked upon, is preserving their social structure from too rapid change.
15
~ ~~ ~ r> o European. Samoan. Total. Revolvers .... 9 . • 9 Rifles .... 34 .. 34 Shotguns .. • - 185 366 551 Total .. • • • • 594
A.—4,
The report made by Dr. Christopherson, referred to in the previous annual report, has now been issued by the Bernice P. Bishop Museum of Honolulu, and is entitled " Flowering Plants of Samoa." Copies have been supplied to the Permanent Mandates Commission. The report made by Mr. G. McGregor, also referred to last year, has not yet been published. XV,— LABOUR. Engagement by Samoans in regular employment for wages is quite strange to the style of living of the bulk of the Native population ; and, as economic conditions leave the people completely free of need for such employment, there is no codification of conditions. Plantation work, when availed of, is usually arranged by contract with the heads of the families engaged. The work is not over arduous, being mainly weeding or cutting of copra, and the total number of Samoans so employed at any one time would probably not exceed four hundred. These conditions apply to the Reparation Estates equally with other plantations, but, as already stated, there is no economic or other compulsion on Native Samoans to accept them. On the Ist April, 1934, there were 632 Chinese labourers in the Territory. During the year 408 were repatriated to China and 279 new recruits arrived, leaving a total on 31st 1935, of 503. The conduct of the labourers during the year has been satisfactory, the number of visits to the Commissioner s office being 1,560 as compared with 4,156 for the preceding year. Service is still contracted for periods of three years, but a small number of labourers with good records is permitted to re-engage. Of the 98 Melanesian labourers in the Territory on the Ist April, 1934, four died during the year, leaving a total of 94 on 31st March, 1935 ; these are all in the employ of the New Zealand Reparation Estates. The " restricted free settlers " referred to by M. Sakenobe during the examination of last year's annual report comprise a small number of coolies who were brought into the Territory very many years ago (in some cases before the New Zealand administration) and who have now become so completely identified with Samoa that their return to China is impossible on the grounds of humanity. It has been necessary, therefore, to treat them on a different plane from the coolies who are regularly imported and returned. The number is not large and becomes smaller year by year as a result of death. They are liable to repatriation at any time under the provisions of the Immigration Order, 1930, and cannot engage in business without the consent of the Administrator. Every effort is made to prevent miscegenation between the Samoans and the imported labourers, who are prohibited from marrying Samoans. The position is closely watched. The criminal offences referred to by Lord Lugard were under clause 9 of the Labour Ordinance, 1933, which was subsequently disallowed by the Governor-General of New Zealand. The prosecutions referred to by Mr. Weaver of three Samoans were erroneously stated as having been under the Labour Ordinance, 1933. They were actually under the Overseas Labourers Control Ordinance, 1931. The following comments are made in regard to Mr. Weaver's further questions : — (i) The demand for labour is such that there is practically no unemployment except where an occasional labourer is dismissed for incompetence, or other reasons. In such a case he draws no wages during the short period which elapses before he is again absorbed, but lives with his compatriots in the meantime. (ii) The standard rate of wages (Is. 9d. per diem) applies generally, but it is quite common for employers to pay a higher rate to good workers as a bonus. In no case does the rate fall below Is. 9d. per diem. (iii) The increased number of visits to the Commissioner's office in 1933-34 was due to a large number of unemployed coolies who were required to report daily pending repatriation. The arrival of a transport from Hong Kong in July, 1934, relieved the position, and, as stated above, there is now practically no unemployment. XVI.—FREEDOM OF CONSCIENCE. All Samoans profess Christianity. There is complete freedom of conscience, and Article sof the Mandate is observed entirely. Mission work in education is referred to in the next succeeding chapter of this report, and in health services in Chapter XIX. XVII. —EDUCATION. The general scheme of progressive education is as follows :— Grade I Schools (Village, Pastor, or Catechist Schools—Missions). London Methodist Seventh Day Latter Day Roman Mission (79) Adventist Saints Catholic (170) I (1) (27) (81) I I I I I Grade II Schools (Missions and Administration). Village Administration Sisters' Schools. . Schools. - L , : (2) Training School (36) (3) (1) Vaipouli Malifa Intermediate I J Avele Senior Resident Resident Resident Resident Resident I N Colleges Colleges Colleges Colleges College» Ifi Ifi (European) (8) (4) (2) (4) (13) I I Day Schools Special day (2). schools (all grades) (2)-
16
A.—4.
Mission Schools. Grade I Schools (for boys and girls) .—These are village schools taught by the village pastor, who is supplied by the mission concerned. Girls' Schools (Resident).— The girls of these schools are prepared lor a higher standard of village life than is the. lot of the average village girl. Samoan life is affected by the marriage of these girls with members of their villages. Being mission schools, Christian education is one of the principal subjects. Boy si Schools (Resident). —Boys here are prepared as pastors or teachers or for artisan work m the missions. . Girls' Schools (Day). —These are found in the more densely populated districts. Religion, music, typewriting, and sewing are important subjects of the curriculum. Marist Brothers' Boys' School (Day).—This is an old-established school, situated in Apia. It is an undenominational primary school which educates boys to the New Zealand proficiency standard, and also prepares them for a commercial life in the business houses of Apia. The Grade II Schools (which are partly Administration and partly mission) are dealt with below. In the following table, relating to purely mission schools, the attendance figures for the more elementary schools are approximate : —
Table showing Number of European and Native Teachers in respective Schools.
General. The majority of teachers in mission schools are Samoan, but a number of Europeans belonging to the various missions are also engaged in the work, especially in resident schools. The school-age varies from three to four years (in pastors' schools) to thirty years (in colleges). Grade II Schools. These are to be found in the chief villages. The school buildings (Native fales) are made available by the respective missions, while the teachers are paid, trained, and supplied by the Administration. All teachers are Samoan, and instruction is given in that language, only a limited amount of English being taught. Samoan teachers are considered more suitable for teaching the vernacular and more capable than Europeans of imparting their knowledge in their own tongue. All these schools are under the direction and close supervision of the Superintendent of Schools ; the Samoan teachers are also brought to Apia for an annual refresher course, while Native Inspectors visit them frequently to report progress. There are now 39 of these schools, having total roll numbers at 31st March, 1935, of 3,334. The Samoan teaching staff numbers 156, of whom 42 have passed the New Zealand Proficiency Examination. Administration Schools. Avele (Resident). —This school is now functioning under Native teachers, whose work is supervised by the European Superintendent. Boys are taken to the proficiency standard, and a number subsequently find work in the Government Departments. Malifa and Vaipouli (Resident).— The boys are educated to Standard IV and then proceed to Avele for further training. As at the school just mentioned, Malifa and Vaipouli are under Native teachers, supervision being exercised by the European Superintendent, Agriculture is an important subject in the syllabus of each of the three schools above referred to, and they are self-supporting as far as food-supplies are concerned.
3—A. 4.
17
lotais. Pastors' and Catechists' Colleges, Colleges, Special Special „• Schools, Villages. Boys', Girls', Day Schools, Day Schools, g Atten(ianceg Grade I. Resident. Resident. Boys. Girls. Attendances. o Missions. i —- ■ • I Boys. Girls. Total. a Is 'Sill I II H II E B °y s - Girls - _| jg 3* I | 3" g 5« I 3* I London Mission .. 170 4,365 3,344 7,709 7 245 1 150 178 4,610 3,494 Roman Catholic .. 81 870 882 1,752 2 120 11 544 1 430 5 350 100 1,420 1,776 Methodist .. 79 968 1,482 2,450 3 116 1 41 2 26 .... 85 1,110 1,523 Latter Day Saints.. 27 406 214 620 2 85 2 80 31 491 294 Seventh Day Ad- 1 30 20 50 1 30 1 1 — ?! 358 6,639 5,942 12,881 15 596 16 821 3 456 5 350 397 7,691 7,113 L ; . ;
"^techists' d Colleges, Colleges, Special Special Schools, Bovs,' Girls,' Day Schools, Day Schools, Totals. Villages. Resident. Resident. Boys'. Girls'. Grade I. Missions. " I ~ i I l I ! I ! I ! I ! i ?l§laa§s§a|a | 1 I i ■ I I I 1 I 1 I I London Mission .. 1 170 2 12 1 7 .. .. .. .. 4 189 Roman Catholic .. .. 1 81 2 3 1-; 16 6 .. o 5-6 lOo Methodist 79 2 5 1 4 1 3 .. .. 4 91 Latter Bay Saints .. .... 27 3 4 3 4 .. .. .. .. 6 3o Seventh Day Adventist .. .. 2 2 2 .. .. .. .. .. •. & 4^ 42 424
A.—4,
Training-school. —This is a day school for both sexes, and is functioning well under a Native staff Ifi Ifi School (European). —The roll number has been maintained and good work is being done. Particulars of average attendance and teaching staffs are given in the following table : —
In the New Zealand Proficiency Examinations at the end of 1934 the following results were obtained : —
The policy of the Administration is to encourage the use of the Samoans in their own government and education, and in no direction has this policy been more successful than in education and in medicine. The Samoan teachers and the Samoan medical practitioners are carefully selected from the most promising of the younger Samoans, and their work is in all respects admirable. It is undoubtedly a fact that the Samoans, in some instances, continue their education to an age much greater than is customarily the case in European countries, but this is not considered necessarily a disadvantage nor is the position limited to Western Samoa. No distinction is drawn between Europeans and persons of part Samoan blood in the matter of education. The same syllabus is used for both types of pupils and they receive instruction together in the same class-rooms. XVIII.—LIQUOR AND DRUGS. (Information in the form recommended by the Permanent Mandates Commission in the Report of its Twenty-first Session.) A. There were no changes in legislation or regulations issued during the year. B. The judicial statistics in Chapter X show six persons arrested or summoned during 1934-35 for breaches of the laws and regulations relating to liquor. All were convicted. Figures for preceding years were — Arrested or „ . , , summoned. Con ™ted. 1933-34 .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 10 1932-33 .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 16 1931-32 .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 4 The following figures are supplied in reply to Count Garcia's request concerning the eleven offences referred to in last year's report : — Being in possession of opium .. .. .. . . . . . . 5 Smoking and being in possession of opium .. . . .. .. 1 Being found on premises where opium was being smoked .. . . 5 C. Imports of spirits and alcoholic beverages during the year 1934-35 : —
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Date ' (Boys 1 »!!™Girls), Gttfe)!' (Boys' only). Totals ' 31st March, 1934 .. .. 222 423 68 85 798 30th June, 1934 .. .. 230 380 70 75 755 30th September, 1934 .. 232 382 78 75 767 31st December, 1934.. .. 228 526 74 80 908 31st March, 1935 .. .. 253 695 70 92 1,110 Teachers—European. . .. 10 . . .. .. 10 Samoan .. .... 17 4 6 27
School. Candidates presented. | Pass Proficiency. Competency^ Ifi Ifi .. .. .. 16 14 1 Marist Brothers' ...... 17 7 5 Marist Sisters' ...... 7 3 Avele ........ 13 10 2
Quantities issued under Average Approxi- Quantity Medical Permits. mate Percentage of imported, Countries of Origin. Alcohol by Weight.* 1934-35. 1934 _ 35 . 1933-34. Spirituous liquors— Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Whisky .. .. 38-5 to 51-0 210 430 697f United Kingdom. Brandy .. .. 38-5 to 49-3 10 31| 40J France and Australia. Gin .. .. 40-6 100 199J 344f United Kingdom and Holland. Alcoholic beverages — Port and sherry .. 12-0 to 17-8 150 187J 134J \ Claret .. .. 5-5 to 10-0 .. . . 8 Australia. Stout .. .. 5-5 162 62 t 3 2 608 United Kingdom and Australia. Champagne .. 7-5 to 10-6 .. If 1 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.
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For sacramental purposes, 138 gallons of wine; rectified spirits of wine for industrial purposes, 271 gallons. D. Production within the Territory is prohibited by law. E. Revenue derived from duties on importation, 1934-35 : — Medicinal liquor (import duty 17| per cent, or 25 per cent., and Port and £ s. d. Customs service tax 5 per cent.) .. .. • • .. 466 14 6 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.) •• •• •• •• •• 160 These duties are the ordinary ad valorem rates applying to all goods not subject to specific rates of dutv ' 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 tp have toxic effects. H. General information with regard to liquor, in addition to the above, was given in the Eighth Report, 1928. . . , a During 1934-35 there were twenty-one offences reported and twenty convictions under the bamoa Dangerous Drugs Order, 1930. XIX,— HEALTH. The staff consists of two European Medical Officers, nine Native medical practitioners, and bacteriological and nursing staffs, the complete Health service comprising twelve Europeans, forty-two Native Samoans, as well as two Chinese dressers. Hospitals and Dispensaries. Admissions to Hospitals : — Apia Hospital— 193 J- 19 g g Europeans .. •• •• •• ■■ •• Samoans . . • • • • • • • • • • 463 Chinese .. • • • • • • • • • • 3^® Melanesians • ■ • • • • • • • ■ 24 23 1,042 890 Tuasivi Hospital .. • • ■ • • • ■ • |^3 Aleipata .. .. ■ • • • • • ■ • 138 uo Total admissions .. •• •• •• •• 1,351 1,113 Out-patients: All hospitals and dispensaries .. .. 15,178 11,979 Grand total .. .. •• •• 16,529 13,092 Deaths in hospitals .. • • • • • • • • 33 In addition to the dispensaries at Manono, Mulifanua, and Fagaloa Bay, dispensaries have lately been opened at Falealili in Upolu, and at Sala ilua and Fagamalo in feavai i. Epidemics. Influenza broke out in a mild form in September and did not disappear till the middle of November. It spread gradually round both Islands. No fatal cases were reported. Main Diseases. Gastric and Duodenal Ulcers.—Twenty cases were operated on for this condition. Attention has not been called to this before, but many Samoans between thirty and forty years of age rapidly develop pyorrhoea, and no doubt with toxaemia due to yaws and filanasis it probably brings about this Yaws. Following the intensive campaign carried out in conjunction with the Rockefeller Foundation, free treatment up to fourteen years of age has been commenced for this infection and will be continued. . . , en ■n i. mote Levrosy —Eleven cases were transferred to Makogai m June, 1934, and four more m March, 1935 , two Samoans returned cured in June, 1934, leaving a total of 32 lepers from this Administration under going treatment at 31st March, 1935. Tuberculosis. —One hundred and forty-three cases were notified. Enteric. —Fifty-eight cases were notified. Beri Beri. —Eight cases were notified. Pneumonia and Broncho-pneumonia.—One hundred and twenty-one cases were notified. Venereal Disease.—Twenty-one cases of gonorrhoea were notified. There were no cases of dysentery reported. There are at present in Vaimea Prison six cases of mental defectives.
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Native Medical Practitioners. Last June one Native medical practitioner was sent to the Central Medical School at Suva for a post-graduate course. He returned in January. Two new graduates, after a four years' course, also returned with him. Three boys were sent to Suva to commence their studies. One student will be returning to Samoa next January on the completion of his four years. Native medical practitioners have been stationed at the new dispensaries at Falealili, Fagamalo, and Sala'ilria. In December all Native medical practitioners were brought to Apia and given a refresher course for one week. During this time all teachers of the Education Department were also brought to Apia and the opportunity was taken to give them lectures in health matters and first aid so that they could instruct the school-children thereon. Programmes have now been made out for the ensuing year for Native medical practitioners to inspect all Government and many mission schools and give free treatment for yaws, scabies, conjunctivitis, helminthic diseases, and sores, and give health lectures to children. All teachers are to be given health lectures and first-aid instruction regularly. By this means it is hoped to educate the younger generation in health matters so that good habits will gradually become natural to them. The Medical and Education Departments are co-operating very closely in this matter. Prepared health lectures are incorporated in the school syllabus, and it is expected that the influence in the villages of the Native medical practitioners, where it is proposed that they should enter into the closest possible relations with the chiefs and with the women, should have a distinct effect on health matters generally, and particularly on sanitation. Visits. In May of last year Dr. Heiser and Dr. Lambert of the Rockefeller Foundation visited Samoa. Their visit was much appreciated and Dr. Heiser's advice, with his vast experience of tropical diseases and problems, was of great use to the Administration. In October, Dr. Watt, New Zealand Director-General of Health, accompanied by Dr. Lambert, visited Samoa. Dr. Watt carried out a careful and valuable survey of the territory, and a number of suggestions are being put into operation with a view to improving the medical services. In addition, the Chief Medical Officer has been sent to New Zealand for a twelve-months' " refresher," and in order to enable him to obtain further experience in public health activities, while for this period he is being replaced by a Public Health expert from the Department of Health in New Zealand. At the same time steps are being taken to combat the heavy infant mortality by special instructional methods through the Native medical practitioner system and by a general health campaign.
Infant Mortality. Deaths (Samoans) at Different Ages.
Tie infant-mortality rates, per 1,000 registered births, have been as follow :— Year. Year. Year. Year. 1923 .. 200 1926 .. 106 1929 .. 70 1932 .. 121 1924 .. 153 1927 .. 101 1930 .. 61 1933 .. 114 1925 .. 186 1928 .. 58 1931 .. 11l 1934 .. 104-8 The rate is still high and is likely to continue so until sufficient time elapses for the community to benefit from the instructional work now proceeding. The figures for the years 1928-30 are of little value, owing to the non-notification of births and deaths during this disturbed period.
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Number of Deaths. Percentage of Total Deaths. 1932. 1933. 1934. 1932. 1933. 1934. Under 1 week .. .. .. .. 20 18 32 3-74 3-70 7-24 From 1 week to 1 month .. .. 16 24 17 2-99 4-94 3-85 From 1 month to 3 months .. .. 13 31 17 2-43 6-38 3-85 From 3 months to 6 months .. . . 26 41 20 4-86 8-44 4-53 From 6 months to 12 months .. .. 79 55 65 14-77 11-32 14-70 From 1 year to 2 years .. . . .. 36 33 42 6-73 6-79 9-50 From 2 years to 3 years .. . . . . 27 19 12 5-05 3-91 2-72 From 3 years to 4 years .. . . . . 14 16 11 2-60 3-29 2-48 From 4 years to 5 years .. .. .. 7 12 5 1-31 2-47 1-13 From 5 years to 10 years .. .. 24 16 14 4-49 3-29 3-17 Over 10 years .. .. .. .. 273 221 207 51-03 45-47 46-83 Totals .. .. .. 535 486 442 100-00 100-00 100-00
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Participation by Missions in Medical Work. All the missions of different, denominations purchase stocks of drugs and dressings at the Apia Hospital dispensary from time to time, and use them in their schools. Laboratory. Specimens examined number 3,330 ; X-ray examinations, 49.
Meteorological. (Readings taken at Apia Observatory, Mulinu'u Point, at Sea-level.)
Notes on Tropical Storms and other Disturbances, 1934. January 15.—Cyclone in New Hebrides. Barometer fell to 28-93 in. at Port Vila, and the wind rose to force 10 from north-west. January 31.—Strong north-west winds at Rarotonga, Look Islands. March. 22. —Cyclone in Tonga. Barometer 29-41 in. at Vavau and high winds from north-west. December 27,—Cyclone of moderate intensity in Tonga. Barometer 29-24 in. at Keppel Island. XX.—LAND - TENURE. Under the Samoa Act, 1921, all land is legally— (a) Crown land, vested in the Crown free from Native title or any estate in fee-simple, of which there are (including New Zealand Reparation Estates) 103,630 acres , or (,b) European land, being land acquired (mainly prior to 1900) for an estate m fee-simple, of which there are 40,000 acres ; or . (c) Native land, being land vested in the Crown as trustee of the beneficial owners thereof, and held by the Crown subject to Native title—i.e., Native land communally owned, of which there are 581,370 acres. Titles to Crown land, European land, and European interests in Native land (leases) are registered bv the Administration. Titles to Native land, when m dispute, are adjudicated upon by the k and Titles Commission referred to in Chapter X of this report, and determined m accordance with th customs and usages of the Samoan race. _ Usurious contracts with Natives are unenforceable at law, and Native land is incapable of beingtaken in execution for the payment of the debts of a Samoan on his decease or insolvency. Generally alienation of Native land is prohibited, save an alienation or disposition m favour of the Crown Provision has been made for sale of Native land in the Apia town area and His Majesty may „rant a lease of Native land for a period not exceeding forty years, but m each instance the grant is made only if tte Administration is satisfied that the transaction is in accordance with the desires and m the interest of the Native owners and in conformity with the public interests. Although large areas in the interior of each of the two main islands are incapable of cultivation, there is more than ample Native land available for all requirements of the indigenous population.
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Month Pressure. (Temperature. Rainfall. Humidity. Sunshine.* Wind. ) _____ ' Per Cent. Miles per J o F In , (9 a.m.) Hours. Hour - January .'. .. 29-794 79-4 15-25 80 144-1 5-1 February 29-827 79-4 11-54 81 •• 3 6 March .. 29-776 78-6 20-03 84 .. 4-0 April .. •• 29-824 78-7 7-42 79 .. 3 8 May .. 29-851 79-0 6-09 81 .. 4-9 June .. 29-865 78-7 1-64 78 .. 7-5 July .. 29-859 78-3 7-74 81 .. 6 9 Auaust .. 29-892 78-1 1-10 73 .. 9-4 September !! .. 29-372 78-7 10-41 77 225-4 7-0 October •. 29-873 78-9 4-90 75 243-6 6 9 November .. .. 29-806 79-4 14-05 79 188-8 7-7 December .. .. 29-742 79-4 20-05 81 171-5 Total.. .. -- •• 120 ' 22 7Q •• Mean.. .. 29-832 78-88 .. 79 .. bl * No readings from February to August. Glass ball lost.
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XXI,— FORESTS AND AGRICULTURE. Forests. The mountainous interior, comprising by far the greater portion of the area of both principal islands, is completely covered with virgin native forest. The Territory has been visited on occasion bv representatives of milling interests, who have formed the opinion that the indigenous forest has insufficient unliable trees to the acre to be profitable, whilst afforestation with exotic species is rather discouraged by the steep and ravine-cleft nature of the country. On European plantations teak is planted in a small way, but quite successfully, for general utility. Agriculture. The circumstances of the Territory do not warrant the maintenance of a separate Administration Department of Agriculture, but there is inspection of all produce exported. Copra is the staple product of the Territory ; it is produced approximately 75 per cent, by Natives and the output of the New Zealand Reparation Estates accounts for roughly two-thirds of the balance! Exports for the three years 1932-34 averaged 10,451 tons. The reduction in the quantities exported during 1934-35 is due mainly to the low price prevailing during that period, but is partly accounted lor by a considerable carry-over of stocks in store. There is considerable fluctuation in local stocks held between shipments, and for this reason records are kept of Native production as distinct from export, as indicated in the following : — Year. Exported. Native Production. Tons. Tons. 1932 10,879 11,103 1933 •• •• •• .. 11,526 8,271 1934 •• •• •• •• .. 8,948 7,907 Cocoa is produced in Western Samoa primarily by Europeans, and is of very high quality being a standardized hybrid of Criollo and Forastero, but with the Criollo predominating, and in a fairly recent report of the Imperial Economic Conference on Cocoa, which classified the world's production into three broad divisions as to quality, Samoan was included in the finest. Export during the three years 1932-34 averaged 917 tons, an increase over the figures shown in the last report. Bananas have again proved to be of great assistance to the Territory. During the calendar year 1934 the total number of cases shipped was a record, the figure being 96,225 cases, and an amount of over £21,000 was paid to the growers. Both Europeans and Natives participate in the scheme the number of shippers being approximately three hundred, of whom not more than ten as a rule ship one hundred cases or more on each occasion. The quotas allotted to each producer range from two hundred cases to ten cases per shipment, according to the capacity of his plantation. Other particulars of the banana-export scheme are given in the report on Trade (Chapter IX) Rubber (Hevea Braziliensis) is planted to some extent, and export of a good-quality smoked sheet reached 167 tons in 1928. Owing to the depressed state of the market, however, production ceased entirely in 1933, and no rubber was shipped from the Territorv either in that year or 1934. With a revival in prices attention is once more being directed to the product, and the first shipment since 1932 was made recently ; particulars will appear in the next annual report. In 1931 the European planters formed themselves into a Planters' Association, which assists the Administration considerably in all questions concerning products of the Territory. Following on the visit to the Territory of Mr. H. W. Simmonds, Entomologist to the Fiiian Government, referred to in last year's report, steps have been taken to control some of the most important pests attacking plant life in the Territory. The Administration's efforts up to the present to combat the rhinoceros beetle by scientific methods have met with little success, though the scientific basis of the problem has been thoroughly explored. Provision has been made for a further attack on the problem for the forthcoming year. Colonies of the Lantana Bug, Telonomia lantanae, were introduced from Fiji, and did good work in destroying the Lantana plant in the area in which they were released. A colony of the dung-burying beetle, Copris incertus, which is useful in cultivating the ground and destroying the breeding-places of flies was imported, and is now well established. The leaf-mining beetle, Promecotheca reichei, which does great damage to the leaves of the coconut, received attention, and a parasite, Pelurotropis parvulus, was received from Fiji and liberated in Vailele Plantation. Definite results have not as yet been ascertained. The banana weevil, which damages bananas, has a parasite, the Plaesius javanus beetle, and efforts are being made to import a large colony from Java. A parasite, Coccophagus gurneyi, of the mealy bug, which attacks cocoa was received from New Zealand, and good results have been obtained. Other recommendations made by Mr. Simmonds are now being considered, and will be applied when practicable. XXII.—MINES. There are no mines or any known mineral deposits of value in the Territory.
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XXIII,— POPULATION. Statistics for the calender year 1934 are as follows: —
I ! ! ! ! -J — These figures are based on a count taken during the course of the yaws campaign in 1932-33. The increase referred to by M. Sakenobe in connection with the examination of last year's report is due to the greater accuracy of the census taken during the yaws campaign. The figures taken at that time are undoubtedly correct, and the statistics now published indicate a further increase m the Native population. XXIV,— PUBLIC WORKS. Heavy floods in January, 1935, caused great damage to the east coast road from Apia to Falefa, three bridges being washed away and the approaches to four others being destroyed. Twelve also occurred and three weeks elapsed before the road was once again clear for ordinary traffic. Washouts also took place on other important roads, but the effects were not so serious and the damage was quickly repaired. , , , ... , During the year a total of 60 chains of road was reconstructed, metalled, and sealed with bitumen, while 20 chains were formed and metalled. A length of new road to a distance of 40 chains was also formed. The sea wall at Apia was reinforced, and 110 ft. of new wall was erected between Luatuanuu and Solosolo. . . „ In addition to the above works a considerable amount of maintenance was carried out on all roads, bridges, wharves, water-supplies, buildings, and the hydro-electric scheme.
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"Net As at 1st January, Births. Deaths. riaaes Arrivals. Departures. December? 1934. In or" LVA • ' Decrease. M F. M. P. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. w , „ Vrt 248 3 5 1 1 2 142 77 162 72 335 257 - 9 Native Samoans " 24,696 23,790 759 682 231 211 138 256 223 225 238 25,255 24,246 + 1,015 Persons of European 1,217 1,164 39 28 6 2 23 40 69 59 94 1,231 1,165 + 15 and Samoan descent 40g 503 _ _ 12 9 Chinese labourers 632 •• •• __ , Melanesianlabourers 98 1 • • * .. and dependants 26,996 25,203 801 715 242 214 163 717 369 404 27,418 25,669 + 888 Totals .. 52J99 IMG 456 1,086 1,258 53,087
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APPENDICES.
Values of Import, Export, and Total Trade of Western Samoa, 1910-34.
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Details of Quantities of Exports, 1921-34.
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COPRA PRODUCTION Copra Production, 1904-34.
Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (1,020 copies, inelnding maps and graphs), £42 10s.
Authority : G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington—l93s.
Price is.]
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WESTERN SAMOA
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MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (FIFTEENTH REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1935., Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1935 Session I, A-04
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12,585MANDATED TERRITORY OF WESTERN SAMOA (FIFTEENTH REPORT OF THE GOVERNMENT OF NEW ZEALAND ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1935. Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1935 Session I, A-04
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