A. —4,

LABOUR DEPARTMENT. During the year two Chinese labourers were repatriated—one at his own request, on account of sickness, and the other as an undesirable. Seven men died through natural causes,' one was accidentally killed, and one man was murdered. A coolie is being charged before the High Court in connection with this latter crime. No new Chinese labour arrived in the Territory during the year, but it is anticipated that some 464 men will arrive during the coming year to replace those time-expired men being repatriated. The general health of the Chinese is good ; beriberi has been practically stamped out among the men now in Samoa. The number of labourers required to report to the Labour Commissioner continues to show the success of the free-labour conditions, as the following figures indicate : —

The number of Chinese labourers in Western Samoa at the 31st March, 1928, was 935, as compared with 946 at the 31st March, 1927, and 1,328 five years ago. In addition to the Chinese labourers there are 146 Melanesian labourers remaining in the Territory. These labourers were introduced during the period of German administration, and remain of their own volition, not wishing to be repatriated. POLICE AND PRISONS DEPARTMENT. The criminal statistics published below deal with all offences reported during the year, and show a decrease as compared with the previous year. This reduction cannot be taken as a true index of the position. It is due largely to the activities of the political organization known as the " Mau," which has prevented the police from properly functioning. Police. At the close of the year the strength of the Police Force was sixty-nine, comprising ten Europeans and fifty-nine Samoans. The European police include six special constables from New Zealand, seconded for service in Samoa owing to the existing anti-Government movement, and the Samoan police include thirty-one special Native constables enrolled for a similar reason. Prisons. The prison staff consist of a Gaoler (a locally-born European), eight Samoan warders, and two Samoan wardresses. The total number of prisoners received during the year was 219, and the total discharged 213, a total of forty-five remaining in gaol at the 31st March. The prisoners at Tuvao Prison Farm are employed continuously on plantation work. They are taught the correct methods of the culture and treatment of cacao, cotton, copra, taro, bananas, peanuts, and the like, and also care of stock. They also repair fences, stockyards, and buildings. Prisoners serving a sentence of one year or more have 25 per cent, of their sentence remitted if their conduct and industry have been satisfactory. In addition, as an act of grace, prisoners serving a sentence of two years or more and whose conduct has been exemplary are recommended for special remission of sentence or release on probationary license. During the year eight prisoners were released under these conditions. After release from prison, prisoners are not lost sight of, and so far it has been found that they return to civil life and no complaints have been received. The health of the prisoners has been good —there have been no deaths and no infectious diseases. A Medical Officer attends at the prison, and a suitable stock of medicines is kept there. Judges of the High Court visit the prison at regular periods, and clergymen of various denominations hold services every Sunday and other holy days. Mental Patients. During the year six mental patients were admitted and nine were discharged, two patients remaining under treatment at the end of the year.

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Year ended Subsequent to Introduction of Free-labour 31st March, 1923, Conditions. Reason. . . P* ior t to t ~T~ n ,, 10 0 Year ended Year ended Year ended ! Year ended Year ended r ree-iaoour 3]st March> | 31st March, 31st March, 1 31st March, 31st March, uonaitions. lg24 | ]!)2 5. 1926. 1927. 1928. Medical examination .. 569 56 30 42 64 31 Complaint by employer .. 1,037 578 122 182 115 66 Complaint by labourer .. 276 201 73 146 23 8 Left work without permis- 470 189 42 31 50 38 sion or notice