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A.—4

All the matters raised by the Mail Committee are directed to break up the peace and upset the foundations of the House Beautiful of Samoa. The name of that house is " Manuia," and that house is founded in the wisdom and knowledge of the noted master builder, Sir George Richardson, Your Excellency. We proudly make known to the world our opinion, as follows : That even though men may blame this leader for the troubles they have caused—they who are working for their own interests and who claim to love Samoans —they are not so, they are the enemies of the country, and have led astray a great number up to the present time. We are thankful to have the decision of the Royal Commission, and now the minds of all intelligent men of the world are clear as to the cause of this .unrest. But this wrong should be stopped, and right established. We thank Your Excellency for your patience during insults and the many unjust criticisms and foolish conduct, whieh is even still continued. We recall the words of the wiseman, " Many enemies are risen up against me, but they will be overcome, and authority will be established." APPENDIX B. Detailed Replies to Inquiries made by Members op the Permanent Mandates Commission at its Twelfth Session. Note. —The page numbers refer to Document C. 545, M. 194, 1927, VI. Page 110.—Copy of Proceedings of a Fono of Faipules. —Copy of the proceedings of the May Fono are attached to this report as an appendix. Copies of Laws and Ordinances. —Bound copies of these documents are now being supplied for each member of the Permanent Mandates Commission. In subsequent years all such documents will be printed (as in this instance) as an appendix to the annual report. Administration of the Smaller Islands. —The following are particulars of the smaller islands of the Group : — Apolima is situated between the islands of Savai'i and Upolu, and is formed of a single crater-wall open to the sea. The crater-walls have steep profiles rising to a height of 472 ft. above sea-level. The inner slopes are very fertile, and, owing to the impervious nature of the tuff, numerous small springs, and a small stream draining to the north across the crater, render the island habitable. The island has an area of 150 acres, with a population of 157. The village is situated on a pretty coral sand beach near the entrance of the crater. The greater part of the island is planted in coconuts, bananas, taro, yam, and breadfruit. The boat-passage is narrow and tortuous, and is only passable for small Native boats in fine weather. An Aga light located on the higher part of the crater-wall serves as a guide to shipping. Manono is situated to the south-east of Apolima, being within the fringing reef of Upolu. The island has a rounded top, with the steepest slopes to the north-east, and running out very flat to the south-west. This part is mostly composed of coral sand, with occasional outcrops of vesicular basalt, whilst the rock nearer the summit is more massive. It has an area of about 730 acres, and is very fertile. With the exception of a small area of bush in the centre, the island is well planted with coconuts, bananas, taro, yam, and breadfruit. The population is 719, and all the villages are scattered at fairly regular intervals along the coast-line, all of which are connected with a good walking-track. Launches and Native boats have no difficulty in reaching the island from the mainland, as there is deep water inside the reef, and channels are well defined. There are no streams on the island, and the few springs are brackish. Water is obtained from five reinforced-concrete cisterns erected by the present Administration, and one mass concrete cistern, with a total capacity of 75,000 gallons for the whole of the island. There are two very small outlying islands which are not inhabited, but which are used as cemeteries. The larger, Nuulopa (area about J acre), lying to the west, contains a lava tunnel of historical interest. Fanuatapu lies to the east of Upolu, and is situated on the edge of the fringing reef. It has fairly steep sides rising to a height of 170 ft., and is very barren. It is not inhabited owing to absence of water ; and, apart from a few coconut-trees on the eastern side, the island is covered with patches of scrubby bush and light fern. There are few wild goats on the island, which has an area of about 30 acres. An Aga light is located on the top of the island, and serves as a guide to shipping. Namua lies close to Fanuatapu in a south-westerly direction on the edge of the reef. The island is composed of a well-bedded tuff, and has an area of 37 acres, of which 22 acres are planted in coconuts, with the balance in bush. The island is fertile, rising to a height of 120 ft. on the eastern side, but there is no water. The island, which belongs to the Samoa Administration, is at present leased to a European planter, and is not inhabited. It is easily reached from the mainland. The only cultivation, apart from coconuts, is bananas, cocoa, and breadfruit. There is an outstanding number of poumulitrees (local hardwood) on the island, otherwise the bush is poor. Nuutele Island is situated due south of Namua Island, but is outside the reef, and is very similar to Apolima. It is formed of a crater-wall with particularly steep slopes on the south side, and is open to the sea on the east side. The area is about 265 acres, and the highest point 178 ft. above sea-level. The inner .slopes are fertile, and owing to the impervious nature of the tuff a number of springs make the island habitable. Some few years ago the island was used as a leper station, but the buildings were demolished and the station abandoned. The island is now used only by Natives whilst fishing. The cultivation of coconuts, which is approximately 75 acres, is very poor. There are small cultivations of bananas, a few yams and taro, and the balance scrubby bush. The boatpassage on the eastern side of the island is very rough, and there are no roads on the isla.nd,

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