11

A.—4a

Port of Aria. —Overseas Shipping— continued. Totals for Year. INWARD.

Marine. The yearly total of ships entering and clearing for overseas was thirty-four steamers, nine sailingvessels, ten war-vessels, and four yachts. During the year all floating plant has been thoroughly overhauled and put, in condition. Beacons and Buoys. —All buoys and moorings have been lifted, cleaned, and relaid, an extra anchor being placed on two of tho buoys. The, chains and anchors are quite good, but the buoys are very much worn and of the wrong type, and should be replaced. A beacon has been erected at Salttafata, and a concrete beacon in Apia rebuilt. Lights.— -These are very unsatisfactory, and a source of much complaint from shipmasters and owners of coastal vessels. Several experiments have been tried to get a more satisfactory light, but with no success. A new leading-light has been ordered for Apia Harbour, and should arrive by the end of the year. Maintenance. —For the past year this has been a heavy item, on account of every barge having to be properly overhauled prior to handing over to the stevedoring syndicate. The handing-over of the lighterage makes possible the great reduction in maintenance charges for the present year. Coastal Traffic. —This has been very brisk for the last two quarters, surveys of the coastal boats being carried out annually. The owners of these boats are keeping their vessels much better than formerly, and no trouble has been experienced in getting them to make better arrangements for their seaworthiness and bring their vessels up to the New Zealand standard, as required by the Marine Board of New Zealand. Everything has been done to reduce expenses, and from the 31st March, 1922, the staff has been reduced to a bare minimum, .all clerical work and cash being handled by the Customs Department. JUSTICE. The Staff. —Through the careful training of Samoan subordinates, and their keenness in their work, and owing to the organization being improved, we have been able to reduce the staff by releasing two of the higher-paid officials—this in spite of a big increase in the business done. The work of the Department is now carried on by — (a.) The Chief Judge : (6.) The Crown Solicitor, Crown Prosecutor, and Law Draftsman (who is also a Commissioner of the High Court, and helps in that capacity when necessary) : (c.) Commissioner of the High Court at Apia, who deals with practically all civil and criminal matters within the Commissioner's jurisdiction, and who acts as Registrar of the High Court, Registrar of Lands, Marriages, &c. : ((/.) Commissioners of the High Court at Savaii and Aliepata, whose other duties for the Administration take up most of their time : (c.) Two Native clerks, interpreter, and messenger. There are also two other Commissioners of the High Court- viz., the Secretary of Native Affairs, and the Chinese Commissioner, who deal with minor Samoan and Chinese civil and criminal cases respectively. The present Chief Judge took over his duties in September last. The jurisdiction of Commissioners who are solicitors of tha Supreme Court of New Zealand might very well now be extended beyond that of practically Justices of the Peace in New Zealand. Reeenue. —The revenue collected shows —Fines and Court costs amounting to £1,306 15s. 3d. ; marriage fees, £191 ; fees in stamps, £399 lis. : total, £1,897 6s. 3d. Administration of Justice. —There has been a great increase in the number of persons criminally charged, and of civil cases. The first-mentioned increase is due to the fact that a large number of Chinese labourers had in a body committed a minor offence against a local Ordinance. Most of the

Qrrarter ended Steam. Sailing. Total. Total. ,er ended No. Tons. Cargo. No. Tons. Cargo. No. Tons. Cargo. No. British 72 71,594 11,155 72 71,594 11,155 Foreign 5 2,822 59 4 2,465 745 9 " 5,287 804 77 74,416 11,214 4 2,465 745 81 76,881 1.1,959 British Foreign OUTWARD. British 70 71,224 5,664 .. I .. .. 70 71,224 5,664 Foreign 5 2,822 6,410 1 I 2,465 2,660 9 5,287 9,070 75 74,046 12,074 4 2,465 2,660 79 76,511 14,734