A.—4

Hospital and Dispensary Statistics for the Year ended 31st March, 1928.

The above figures do not include children seen in our child-welfare work, cases attended to at mission stations where no nurse is stationed, nor the numbers visited by members of the European staff.

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT. Grade II Schools (Mission). The earlier part of the year proved rather troublous for these schools, and in some districts work was so seriously retarded and interfered with by Mau influence that several schools had to be closed. As the year advanced the people realized the folly of depriving children of the advantages of education, and hastily set about rectifying it. The attendance at these schools has now improved considerably, showing a total of 1,908 pupils, an increase of 141 over the previous year's figures. Of the forty-one schools established previously four have had to be closed, whilst the question of closing several others, owing to lack of support, is receiving consideration. Considerable improvement has been noticed in the teaching skill of the Native Grade II teachers, and in the ability of pupils promoted from these schools this year to Vaipouli and Avele. The improved efficiency must be attributed to the efforts of European organizers and qualified Native Inspectors, and to the results accruing from refresher courses held periodically at convenient centres. These schools have benefited to a great degree by the work of Native Inspectors, who make frequent visits to the schools in the area allotted them, and give teachers instructions in method of teaching. The important work of training teachers has been developed at the Training-schools at Poutasi, Tutaga, and Malifa. Here young Native teachers are being trained in the art of teaching by both European and skilled Native teachers, the matter and methods demonstrated in lecture being put into practice in ordinary class-work. Many of last year's probationers were attached as assistants, at the beginning of this year, to schools with increased roll numbers. District Schools. Avele (Upolu).—The allocation of 100 acres of land by the Administration four years ago for the establishment of an agricultural school has been justified. Thirty-five acres are now under cultivation with food crops, which is sufficient to render the school self-supporting. Entrants from Grade II schools, Upolu, in February, 1928, were 36 ; promoted to Malifa, 27. School work is progressing very satisfactorily, the subjects of the curriculum bearing mostly on agriculture as required by the Samoan. Roll number, 72 ; tone and discipline excellent; health good. Vai-pouli (Savai'i). —The school is now in a better condition than it has ever been. The work of reconstructing all school buildings was completed about the middle of last year. The examination results at the end of last year were very satisfactory. A mild attack of influenza was experienced during the past quarter, but no serious cases were reported. Roll number, 86 ; tone and discipline excellent; promoted to Malifa, 18. Malifa District School. —The New Zealand Proficiency Examination was held last November, and all ten candidates presented qualified, with a high percentage of marks. Eight of these proficiency pupils have since been engaged by the Department as teachers in Grade II schools. Reports on these new teachers are excellent, and a noticeable increase in roll numbers is observed in the schools where these boys are stationed. After examination, forty-five promotions were made from Vaipouli and Avele to Malifa at the beginning of the year. The number withdrawn totalled nineteen. On an average these entrants were more efficient and younger than those admitted previously, thus showing

10

Hospitals. Totals, Dispensaries. including! of In-patients. Dispensaries [ Aioi an( l Number g • Apia. Tuasivi. Safotu. Travel- Stations. of AttendP ' ling ances. 2 E 5 I Unlte - I I & j g (a) In hospital, 1/4/27 82 5 12 3 102 Fagamalo .. .. 4,975 (a) 10 51 41 Fagaloa .. .. 3,074 (b) Admitted during 1,104 74 ! 105 95 1,378 Falelatai* .. .. 311 (b) 185 888 305 year Fusi .. .. 1,670 (c) Discharged during 1,077 66 111 94 1,348 Fasitootai.. .. 5,786 (c) 178 850 320 year Gagaemalae .. 5,731 (d) Died during year 45 5 4 2 56 Lefaga .. .. 3,464 (d) 9 41 6 Lufilufi .. .. 2,115 (e) Remaining, 31/3/28 64 8 2 2 76 Malua .. .. 5,675 (e) 8 48 20 Out-patients attend- 41,541 7,059 5,635 6,927 120,191 Mulifanua .. 4,133 ances, including Samataitai .. 4,531 dressings Satalo* .. .. 6,017 Treatments for yaws 4,473 1,625 626 726 7,450 Sataua .. .. 3,046 (N.A.B.) | Satupaitea .. 5,653 Treatment for hook- 60 I 442 104 606 Vaiala* .. .. 1,054 worm | Lotofaga .. .. 1,788 Operations— i Major .. .. 218 .. j 57 42 317 Total .. 59,023 Minor .. .. 992 29 185 24 1,230 * Returns incomplete. Vaiala closed 17th September. Falelatai closed 20th October.