A.—4

Tapatapao Experimental Station. Following on the initial opening of this estate as an experimental station in September, 1926, a good deal of progress has been made. At the time of the Department's taking over the estate was more or less in an abandoned condition. The station has devoted a good deal of time towards developing some of the minor industries, and to educating the Natives of the rising generation in the general principles of modern agriculture. In pursuance of this policy, Samoan youths have been received at the station as cadets and given free training and instruction in plant-propagation, grafting, and general agricultural work. The knowledge that these youths have gained should at least serve to encourage them in the habit of growing useful food crops. Of late months, however, owing to the growth of the political agitation among the Natives, this work has ceased, and the youths have been prevented from availing themselves of the facilities afforded by the station. Pests and Diseases. There have been no serious outbreaks of disease reported during the period. In conjunction with Tapatapao Station, experiments for combating field pests have been carried out with various sprays and insecticides. Belumnite, a new preparation, proved to be most powerfully effective in use against aphis. Canker (Pytophthora faberi) : This disease remains normal ; and, since there has been no serious outbreak for the past eight or nine years it may be stated with some measure of confidence that the present-day Samoan hybrid cacao is resistant to this disease to a considerable degree. Oryctes nasicornis (rhinoceros-beetle) : This pest, which has been referred to earlier in the report, is noticeably on the increase as the result of the neglect of Native plantations. Rats : Destruction by rodents has not been as heavy as usual, due no doubt to the increase in precipitation, which was responsible for the destruction of large numbers in their nests. Limumea and pink disease : Limumea was found to be in evidence among the rubber-trees on the Aleisa property. The disease, however, is reported as being now well under control, and all trees affected have either been destroyed or otherwise treated. Pink disease has been more in evidence this year, but has been confined mainly to cacao estates. In most cases the disease received attention in its early stages, and therefore was not responsible for serious damage. Flying-foxes (Pteropus sp.) : The damage done by bats has not been so serious this year. They appear to have confined their attentions more to forest-trees. This may be accounted for by the fact that the period of fruiting of many of the forest-trees has coincided with those under cultivation. An attempt was made to retain flying-foxes in captivity, with the object of testing the efficacy of a cholera virus which is obtained from diseased chickens. All attempts to keep the foxes alive for the required period, however, have so far been unsuccessful. Other pests and diseases are of minor importance and call for no special mention.

Beetles (Oryctes nasicornis) collected on Native and European Plantations.

CUSTOMS AND MARINE DEPARTMENT. The total trade of the Territory for the calendar year 1927 amounted to £640,347, being a decrease of £5,376 as compared with the previous year. This decrease would have been much greater but for the fact that produce awaiting export to the value of £34,000 was held over from the year 1926 owing to shortage of shipping facilities, and shipped during the year 1927. Revenue. The total money collected by the Department during the year, including amount from the Public Works Department for goods sold, amounted to £78,580, as compared with £70,505 for the financial year 1926-27, an increase of £8,075. The following headings show increases: Import duties, £3,864 ; export duties, £4,721 ; lease of sheds, wharfage, &c., £377 ; taxes, £90, Decreases were shown in shipping fees, £258, and miscellaneous, £719.

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(Last year's figures are also given for comparison.) Native Plantations. | European Plantations. Beetles. Larvae. | Eggs. Beetles, J Larvae ; Eggs. Upolu— Year ended 31/3/28 .. 68,521 2,559,816 420,155 49,077 359,857 43,531 31/3/27 .. 76,298 3,026,185 298,480 11,325 156,604 30,745 Savai'i — Year ended 31/3/28 .. 34,945 771.166 157,026 2,553 30,784 5,983 31/3/27 .. 63,602 1,391,069 197,317 4,121 42,709 10,076 Totals — Year ended 31/3/28 103,466 3,330,982 577,181 : 51,630 390,641 49,514 31/3/27 139,900 4,417,254 495,797 j 15,446 199,313 40,821