A.—4.

Return showing the Number of Offences reported, etc. —continued.

POST AND TELEGRAPH DEPARTMENT. Savings-bank. The popularity of the Savings-bank and the confidence of local residents in it is again shown in an increased number of new accounts and transactions. During the year 269 accounts were opened and 215 were closed, thus increasing the number of live accounts to 1,438. The amount of deposits for the year was £36,127 15s. 9d., which exceeded the previous year's figures by nearly £1,000. The amount of withdrawals shows a decrease of over £6,000 compared with last year's transactions, the total amount being £31,433 15s. 4d. Thus for the year the deposits exceeded the withdrawals by over £4,694. These figures are very creditable, considering the unrest in Samoa. The amount of interest allowed being £1,808 7s. Id., brings the amount at credit of depositors to £52,335 16s. 9d. Money-orders. The money-order system is still well patronized by the public, although the figures for the year show a decrease of £8,403 compared with the previous year, the number issued being 2,259, representing a total amount of £21,850. Commission derived from this amount was £113 9s. lOd. The 200 moneyorders paid accounted for £1,227 ss. 9d. Postal Notes and British Postal Orders. The system of remitting money in small amounts to places within the British Empire is still well supported, the amount issued being £930, and the amount paid £90. The previous year's figures were £945 and £85 respectively. Stamps. The stamp-sale for the year amounted to £1,856 13s. Bd., being a decrease of £548 over the previous year's figures. Telephones. The first section of the new metallic system has now been completed, and so far has given excellent results. Revenue from telephones for the year was £1,336 12s. 2d., an increase of over £100 compared with the previous year's figures. Some difficulty has been experienced in maintaining the ApiaMulifanua line, owing to the constant malicious cutting of the circuit, but it is hoped that before long the line will be restored and kept in order. Post-office. The mail-matter delivered in Samoa during the year, estimated from a general average, was as follows : — Delivered— Letters and letter-cards .. .. 130,120 Other articles .. .. .. .. .. 70,418 — 200,538 Registered articles .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,269 Parcels .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,172 Posted — Letters and letter-cards .. .. .. .. 98,672 Other articles .. .. .. .. 19,744 118,416 Registered articles .. .. . . .. .. .. 3,601 Parcels .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 998 Customs duty amounting to £1,249 os. 9d. was collected on parcels.

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i 1926. ; 1927. ! | n r ; Offences. Wnmher ■ i Offences . Offences Offences J,. ' Number dismissed » 3 reported, reported. £££&£. convicted. g g _ , I 1 L L _J z 1 1 ■ i i [ i Miscellaneous —continued. Breach of Samoa Offenders Ordinance .. .. 1 3 3 3 .. 2 .. Breach of Immigration Ordinance .. . . .. 4 4 4 4 Breach of Harbour Regulations .. .. .. 3 .. .. .. .. .. 3 Breach of Road Traffic Ordinance .. .. 8 3 3 3 5 Breach of Bulls and Stallions Ordinance .. .. 1 .. .. .. j .. .. 1 Unlawful use of explosives .. .. .. 1 .. .. j .. j .. .. 1 Obstructing public place .. .. .. 5 .. .. .. I .. .. 5 Wilfully wounding animals .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. .. .. 1 Police Offences Ordinance .. .. .. .. 11 | 11 4 7 11 Breach of Surveyors' Ordinance .. .. .. .. 7 7 3 4 7 Breach of the Maintenance of Native Authority .. 2 2 1 1 2 Ordinance Wandering animals .. .. .. .. .. 1 1 j 1 .. 1.. Totals .. .. .. 507 361 340 287 53 81 227