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The white and half-caste population for the years 1912, 1917, and 1921 is recorded as follows :■— 1912. 1917. 1921. British .. .. .. .. ..650 048 1,035 American . . . . 105 236 292 German .. ■ . . . . 529 530 402 Swede .. .. .. .. \35 42 49 Danish .. .. .. .. .. « 39 50 80 Swiss .. .. .. .. .. 'j 26 23 47 Portugese .. .. .. .. . . ;|22 21 29 French . . .. .. .. .. M 63 68 86 Other nationalities .. .. .. .. |f4O 38 6 1,509 1,650 2,026 The following figures show the increase in white and half-caste population separately from 1912 to 1921 :— ]912 . X 921, Increase. White .. .. .. .. 513 835 322 Half-caste .. .. .. .. ..996 1,191 195 1,509 2,020 517 In compiling the figures relative- to population, Chinese and other contract labourers have not been counted. AGRICULTURAL BEPARTMEN T. Reporting for the year 1920 21, the Director of Agriculture Department says as follows :— " Beetle-searching and Clean Cultivation. —Looking broadly at the course of events during the past year, the record for the Island of Upolu is one of steady progress both in regard to the weekly search for the beetles and to the important matter of clean cultivation, which, by (Eliminating its breedingplaces, has been demonstrated by our experience to be the most effective method for keeping the post in hand. In this latter connection it may be noted that the rainy season just drawing to a close has been unusually protracted and severe. As a consequence the growth of weeds has been greatly accelerated, and the task of keeping the lands in good order has been a commensurately laborious one to undertake. " Despite the drawbacks inseparable from the inclement weather, we have been able to keep up tho standard of clean cultivation, with which the year commenced. The appearance of the trees at tin.', present time has never been so good since the arrival of the beetle here some ten years ago ; and, judging by the clusters of young nuts on the trees, there is every prospect of the crop in the year just commencing surpassing all past records. Whether it will be taken advantage of by the Natives to the fullest extent is another matter, depending entirely on tho price offered for the product being satisfactory. " Returns are attached showing the result of beetle-searching for the year. " Year's Copra-output. —Production of copra during the past year has been on a disappointing scale. Some dissatisfaction has prevailed among the Natives owing to current high prices of commodities, and tho discontent has been aggravated by the depressed condition of the copra-market. The resultant sa, or boycott, affecting both the purchase of goods at the stores and the cutting of copra, lasted to a greater or less (Extent for some months, with prejudicial effect on the prosperity of the island. Of late months the unfavourable weather experienced has made the position worse. Drying of the copra under such conditions is a difficult process, as the Native copra is sun-dried, and this factor, combined with the low prices paid for the product, has left little inducement to the Natives to keep production going. " Under more favourable circumstances the output last year would, without doubt, have eclipsed the record figures of the preceding year. The crop of nuts was a prolific one, but, for the reasons specified, it was not taken advantage of, and a large portion of it went to waste. It is more satisfactory to state that, with the advent of more settled weather, cutting operations are now being resumed. The price at present offered in Apia is 3J to 3|- cents per pound, which represents a fractional advance on that paid for some considerable time. In my opinion, the figures just quoted will be sufficient to induce the Natives to continue cutting on a barely moderate scale throughout the season just commencing ; but unless a further substantial, advance in the price takes place 1 fear we cannot hope to exceed the record output of the year 1919, when prices were at an unprecedented level. " Cinematograph Entertainments. —Two cinematograph (Entertainments have been given during the year in connection with the beetle campaign. Tickets to view these exhibitions are issued in exchange for beetles, larvae, and eggs, the shows being a very popular institution with the Natives. The latter of the two shows, owing to a heavy downfall of rain, was not so successful as it would otherwise have been. The two shows together produced a total of 1,254 beetles, 3,470 larvee, and 153 eggs. " Native Food. —A more than average supply of food has been produced on the Native plantations during tho period under review. Bananas, taro, and bread-fruit—the staple foods —were all plentiful, and in one district at least bananas were allowed to rot on the trees owing to the superabundance of food. There was some lack in tho Safata district owing to the severe winds in February last destroying many banana-trees, but the shortage was of only brief duration. The Inspectors had instructions from me to urge on the people the desirability of growing ample food-supplies for their own use, and. to encourage them to do so at every opportunity. Tho banana-plants have been remarkably free from disease-attacks. As regards the year just starting, tho outlook continues bright. Within the past week exceptional quantities of bananas have been brought into Apia by the Natives, and the prices asked have been very moderate indeed.