A.—4a

12

offences were of a minor nature —of a class similar to those charged under by-laws and Police Offences Act in New Zealand, calling for small fines or short terms of imprisonment. In the early part of the year a number of serious offences were dealt with. There were two cases of manslaughter, one being the result of a collision of a motor-car with a Chinaman, causing the death of the Chinaman ; and the other arose by a Samoan youth riding down with a horse a young child. In the first case the driver of the car, a Samoan, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment, and in the second case the Samoan was ordered to the south side of Upolu. There were five cases of forgery and uttering, two being against a Chinaman in connection with causing an official to act on a forged document, and a fine of £100 was imposed. In another case, a Samoan youth was ordered from Upolu to Savaii for a period of two years ; and the remaining two cases were against Samoans, one receiving one year's imprisonment, and the other being fined £25. One Samo-an was charged with perjury, and, although the case was dismissed through the evidence not being sufficiently strong, the prosecution had a very good effect. Breaking and entering, and theft: There were seven charges of this nature : one was withdrawn by leave of the Court; one was dismissed on the merits ; two coolies (jointly charged) received two years' imprisonment; another coolie, received three years ; while one Samoan received a sentence of three years' imprisonment, and another Samoan twelve months' imprisonment; a half-caste youth was admitted to probation on very strict conditions. Indecent assault : There was one bad case of this class, in which a Samoan received four years' imprisonment—the offence almost amounted to rape. The heavy penalty was imposed with a view to putting down a class of case which was reported to be prevalent amongst the Samoans. For attempting to carnally know a Samoan girl under the age of twelve years a young Samoan was convicted and sentenced to eighteen months' imprisonment. On charges of keeping gaminghouses, lines of £50 in three cases, and £.100 in another case, were imposed. Liquor cases : There is little doubt that a fair amount of surreptitious brewing of beer and manufacturing of spirits of a kind, and importing of spirits, is gong on ; the vigilance of the police keeps these almost, inevitable offences fairly well within bounds. There were two convictions for importing liquor, in each case only a bottle or two being imported, and resulted in fines of £25 and £50. The Chief Judge has indicated to the public, that deliberate importing by Europeans, especially by those who should know better, will probably be met by imprisonment. For manufacturing spirits three men (a German, an Englishman, and a Pole) were, fined £100 each. For making beer of oyer 3 per cent, proof spirit, two men (half-castes) were fined £10 and costs ; the excuses were accepted that it was made for home consumption and the excess of spirits was not, intended. For smuggling opium there were two convictions, fines of £25 and £50 being inflicted. The offence, from its nature, is very hard to detect. Bodily harm : These cases were few, being chiefly confined to Samoans and not of a very serious nature. Five coolies wore sentenced to imprisonment for life and two others received seven years' imprisonment for attempting to murder a Chinese interpreter who had given help to the police against the coolies. The number of cases of theft still continues high. The communistic ideas inherent in the Samoan make it difficult for him to resist temptation to take what belongs to others, and the time appears to have come for the judicious infliction of punishment by whipping in cases against young persons. There have been seventeen cases of sufficient maguitudc to invoke trials by Assessors. There were nine convictions and eight acquittals. loands and Titles Commission. —There was one sitting during the year, when thirty-one cases were set down, eleven judgments were given, fifteen reconciliations arrived at, and five cases adjourned. Ordinances. —Twenty-three Ordinances wore, drafted by the Crown Law Draftsman and passed through the, Legislative Council; some others have also been drafted. Land Register.-—The, new Land Register has been completed. 11l documents have been registered during the year, made up as follows : Mortgages, 16 ; conveyances, 25 ; releases, 15 ; and miscellaneous, 56. Faamasinos (Native Judges). —These officials have, been given a status by tho Samoa Act, and it is proposed, as soon as the new edition of the tulafonos (Native laws, which are now being printed) is ready, to arrange for tho training of the faamasinos in their judicial duties. PUBLIC WORKS. Buildings. Maintenance of and Improvements to Resiliences. During the year a considerable amount of minor repair work was done to public buildings and residences. In addition, ton residences were provided with mosquito-rooms, and four residences were completely overhauled. New Construction and other Improvements. The following statement shows the most important constructional work carried out: — Vailima. —The renovation of this building was completed, and minor structural alterations carried out. Electric light has been installed. Plumbing-work has been brought up to a reasonable standard. New coolie quarters, with modern drainage, septic tank, &c, have been constructed.