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to New Zealand are posted on here, all matters of importance being sent by radio. The Eastern Bureau of the League of Nations Health Organization in Singapore broadcasts returns of epidemic diseases weekly, which are picked up by the Apia Wireless Station, and they also post the weekly fasciculus regularly. In accordance with the resolutions passed at the International Health Conference held in Melbourne in December, 1926, at which Western Samoa was represented by Dr. Ritchie, and agreed to by the New Zealand Government, epidemic diseases occurring in this Territory are promptly wirelessed to External Affairs in Wellington, and from them, after notifying the Health Department, to the Director of Public Health in Melbourne, thus keeping up a constant chain of communication. In addition, a wireless message is despatched to Wellington on the Ist of every month, and a quarterly and yearly report of the health of the islands are forwarded and sent on by them as before to Melbourne. Food and Drugs. The New Zealand Food and Drugs Act, 1908, with its regulations, is in force in Western Samoa. During the year the following foodstuffs were condemned and destroyed under the supervision of the officers of the Department: Meat in kegs, 270 lb. ; frozen meat, 463 lb. ; canned meat, 774 lb. ; butter, 195 lb.; fish, 20 lb. ; fruit, 95 lb. ; bacon, 10 lb. Sanitation. (a) European. —Permits issued, 72 ; water-closets installed, 14; sinks installed, 24 ; lavatorybasins installed, 20; cast-iron baths installed, 9; septic tanks constructed, 9; drainage, 1,426 ft. ; number of loads of rubbish removed to the dump, 1,248. (b) General. —Native sanitation : Inspections for the year, 3,551 ; nuisances discovered and rectified, 1,054. It will be noted that there is a decided falling-off in the number of premises inspected, and the reason is not far to seek. The Inspectors have done their best, but, owing to the Mau feeling which has prevailed in and around Apia, in many instances it has not been possible to carry out the work owing to the various obstacles placed in their way by the owners of the land ov fales. There can be no doubt that sanitation generally has suffered very much in the past year, and it is feared that it will be some considerable time before any improvement can take place. In this, as in most matters medical, the co-operation of the Natives is essential to success. At present a lot of sanitary work is being done in and around Apia in the way of drainage, septic tanks, &c., but the Natives have unfortunately dropped far behind, especially in the matter of drop-latrines over the sea, and there are complaints from all parts of both islands as to the condition of the villages. Vital Statistics (Samoan). Population. The total Native population on the Ist January, 1927, was estimated to be 38,003. NATIVE POPULATION, WESTERN SAMOA. Males. Females. Total. At Ist January, 1927 .. .. .. .. 19,383 18,620 38,003 Live births during 1927.. .. .. .. 824 812 1,636 Arrivals from overseas .. .. .. .. 555 386 941 Deaths during 1927 .. . . . . .. 286 209 " 495 Departures for overseas . . . . .. 534 336 870 Population at 31st December, 1927 (estimate) .. 19,942 19,273 39,215 Natural increase .. .. .. . . 538 603 1,141 Excess of arrivals over departures .. .. 21 50 71 Total increase of population .. .. .. 559 653 1,212 The percentage increase in population during 1927 was 3-18, as compared with 3-58 in 1926 and 3-26 in 1925. The arrivals aiid departures will be found to balance each other over a period of years. Births. The births of 1,636 living children were registered during 1927, giving a birth-rate per thousand of mid-year population of 42-37. For 1926 and 1925 the figures were 1,965 and 2,003, the birth-rates being 52-62 and 56-3 respectively. Deaths. During the year 495 deaths were registered, giving a death-rate per thousand of mid-year population of 12-82, whereas during 1926 and 1925 the deaths numbered 723 and 857, with death-rates of 19-36 and 23-75 respectively. Infant Mortality. The infant-mortality rate for the year under review is 101 per thousand births registered, which compared with 106 for 1926, 186 for 1925, and 153 for 1924 reads very well. Owing, however, to the very strong reasons for believing that this rate is merely approximate, it is not advisable to attach much weight to it. It is a grave pity that the mortality-rate for this year has to be viewed with suspicion, as under normal conditions of registration, coupled with the absence of epidemics in any form, a low mortality-rate was confidently anticipated ; but as matters stand at present it is not possible to give more accurate figures.

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