A.—4

Every week a wireless message from New Zealand gives us information as to the epidemic diseases present in that country, and also any information of value to us regarding other parts of the Pacific. The fortnightly cables regarding epidemic diseases received in New Zealand from London are posted to Western Samoa, but anything likely to be of importance is sent by wireless message. The weekly returns broadcasted from the Eastern Bureau of the League of Nations Health Organization at Singapore are picked up by the wireless station in Apia., and the weekly fasciculus is received regularly from Singapore. For some time it has been realized that these returns, although valuable, do not give the island groups in the Pacific sufficient information. It is of great importance to us to know of the prevalence or otherwise of the minor epidemic diseases in the groups surrounding us and in communication with us. At the International Pacific Health Conference convened by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, and held in Melbourne in December, 1926, at which this Territory was represented, agreement was reached on the following points, subject to their ratification by the various Governments and Administrations concerned : (а) The collection and distribution of epidemiological intelligence in the Austral-Pacific zone; (б) quarantine procedure in regard to ships entering or trading in the zone ; (c) a policy of co-ordinated research in the zone. The special intelligence system in the zone would supplement, but not replace, the work of the Eastern Bureau of the League of Nations Health Organization at Singapore. Food and Drugs. The New Zealand Food and Drugs Act, 1908, with the regulations made thereunder, is in force m the Territory. During the year the following foodstuffs were condemned and destroyed under the supervision of an officer of the Department: Meat in kegs, 7,630 lb. ; canned meats, 1,005 lb. ; butter, 86 Ib.; olives, 48 ]b. Sanitation. (a) European. —Permits issued, 52 ; water-closets installed, 27 ; sinks installed, 29 ; lavatorybasins,'lo; cast-iron baths, 8 ; septic tanks constructed, 10 ; drainage, 1,448 ft. ; number of loads of rubbish removed to dump, 1,440. (b) General.—A systematic inspection of European and Samoan premises within Apia district, comprising the villages of Apia, Alamagoto, Tanugamanono, Yaimoso, Lepea, and Yailoa, has been carried out through the year. Certain outlying villages have also been visited during the year. These include all villages in Faasaleleaga district, Savai'i, with the exception of Tafua and Tapueleele, and those from Yaiusu to Saleimoa inclusive in Upolu. Several of the latter are kept in good order, and are now showing the fruit of work done in the past years. In the others there is still need for great improvement in latrine accommodation and disposal of rubbish. The educational value on matters of sanitation of the regular inspections of the villages around Apia, together with the activities of the Village Committees, is shown by the following facts: (1) Many Samoans now remove their earth-closets without notification from the Inspector, and on removal pay attention to the fly-proofing of the building. (2) Free removal of unburnable rubbish, chiefly empty tins, in coconut-leaf baskets, to the roadside, for the rubbish contractor to pick up. This is done by the large majority of Samoan householders within the area covered by the contractor. (3) An increasing proportion of well-founded complaints as to nuisances, especially if the latter are near to the fales. Though this represents a distinct advance on Native sanitary conditions in this place a few years ago, there is still need for great improvement. Given regular supervision and active Village Committees, it only needs time to obtain satisfactory sanitation in all villages in Samoa. Inspection of premises, 4,294; re-inspection, 236 ; houses closed for habitation, 1 ; nuisances discovered and rectified, 1,188. In addition to the work of the departmental Inspectors, the Inspectors of the Agriculture Department report on the condition of the villages inspected by them. Vital Statistics (Samoan). Population. The census taken on the night of the 31st December, 1925 - Ist January, 1926, showed the Native population of Western Samoa to be 36,688, of which number 18,641 were males and 18,047 females. The movement of population during the year is shown below :— NATIVE POPULATION, WESTERN SAMOA. Males. Females. Total. At census of 31/12/25-1/1/26 .. .. .. 18,641 18,047 36,688 Live births during 1926 .. .. .. 1,056 909 1,965 Arrivals from overseas .. .. .. .. 427 300 727 Deaths during 1926 .. .. .. .. 376 347 723 Departures for overseas.. .. .. .. 365 289 654 Population at 31st December, 1926 (estimated) .. 19,383 18,620 38,003 Natural increase .. .. .. .. 680 562 1,242 Excess of arrivals over departures .. .. 62 11 73 Total increase in population .. .. .. 742 573 1,315 The percentage increase in population during 1926 was 3-58, as compared with 3-26 in 1925 and 3-35 in 1924.

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