A.—4

Maintenance has been a heavy item this year on account of storm damage and heavy wear-and-tear on floating plant whilst salvaging the s.s. " Lady Roberts." Both launches have been redecked and overhauled, and new engine fitted to one launch. A new engine for the "Tahatu" is due to arrive at an early date. New pumping plant has been obtained to replace worn-out plant. All Harbour Department machinery is now of high-class English manufacture, burning kerosene, and proves very economical in running-costs as well as lessening the risk of fire. S.s. " Lady Roberts " returned from Suva and resumed her run in September. The port shaft seized and was drawn by the master of the ship at Pago Pago with a cofferdam, and after being refitted has given no further trouble. A new foremast was made and stepped, as the old mast showed considerable dry-rot and was not considered safe. General.—Auxiliary schooner " Teine Yineula " wrecked at Nukunono ; auxiliary ketch " Tokelau " wrecked at Fakaofo ; both total loss, but no loss of life. The cutter " Siliafai " was burnt out at Apia, resulting in two deaths. New Zealand Reparation Estates launch " Tuakolo " damaged by fire at sea, one man (Chinese) being drowned.

Overseas Merchant Shipping, Port of Apia, for the Year ended 31st March, 1927.

In addition to the above, seven warships, two New Zealand Government steamers, and three yachts entered and cleared the Port of Apia.

24

Steam. Sailing. Total. Quarter ended. — No. Tons. Cargo. No. j Tons. 1 Cargo. No. j Tons. Cargo. INWARDS. June quarter, 1926 .. I British 16 | 11,879 ! 2,543 I .. I .. .. 16 11,879 | 2,543 Foreign 3 8,096 739 .. [ .. 1 .. 3j 8,096 739 19 19,975 3,282 19 19,975 | 3,282 September quarter, 1926 British 20 19,726 3,319 . .. .. 20 j 19,726 3,319 Foreign 3 5,363 613 1 1,898 : 659 4 7,261 , 1,272 23 25,089 3,932 1 1,898 659 24 26,987 4,591 December quarter, 1926 British 20 22,947 3,073 .. .. .. 20 22,947 3,073 Foreign 2\ 4,704 280 .. j .. .. 2 4,704 280 22 27,651 3,353 22 . 27,651 ! 3,353 March quarter, 1.927 .. British 12 24,163 1,910 .. .. .. 12 ; 24,163 , 1,910 Foreign .. j .. ; ■ • j • • ! • • j • • ! 12 1 24,163 1,910 .. | .. .. 12 j 24,163 1,910 Year ending 31st March, British 68 78,715 10,845 .. .. .. 68 78,715 10,845 1927 Foreign 8 18,163 1,632 1 1,898 659 , 9 20,061 2,291 76 96,878 j 12,477 1 1,898 659 > 77 98,776 13,136 OUTWARDS. June quarter, 1926 .. I British 14 11,772 1,897 .. .. .. 14- 11,772 1,897 Foreign 3. 8,096 1,442 3 8,096 1,442 17 19,868 3,339 17 19,868 3,339 September quarter, 1926 British 20 j 19,714 3,216 .. .. .. 20 19,714 3,216 Foreign 3 5,363 907 J 1,898 .. 4 7,261 907 23 25,077 4,123 1 1,898 .. 24 26,975 4,123 December quarter, 1926 British 19 19,562 2,230 .. .. .. ]9 19,562 2,230 Foreign 2 4,704 780 2 4,704 780 21 24,266 3,010 21 24,266 3,010 March quarter, 1927 .. British 13 27,548 1,624 13 27,548 1,624 Foreign 13 j 27,548 1,624 j 13 27,548 1,624 I I I Year ending 31st March, British 66 78,596 1 8,967 .. .. 66 78,596 8,967 1927 Foreign 8 18,163 3,129 1 1,898 .. 9 20,061 3,129 74 j 96,759 | 12,096 1 1,898 .. 75 98,657 12,096