A.—4,

5

Number of Samoan Officials in the Service as on 31st March, 1929 (Native Department only).

HEALTH DEPARTMENT. During 1928 all visiting lias been carried out from the hospital as a base, and this plan, which was quite satisfactory, will be continued next year. Both Tuasivi and Aleipata Hospitals will shortly be staffed by Native medical practitioners —indeed, Aleipata has had one in charge for some months. Periodic visits will be paid to these hospitals by a European Medical Officer. Public Health. With the exception of a small outbreak of enteric fever and a mild type of influenza there has been no epidemic of any kind during the past year, and the health of the community has been excellent. In spite of these facts, however, the year under review has been a very disappointing one as far as natural increase of population is concerned, the actual number of registered births being just under half that of 1927. The figures indicate a very low death-rate as well, and taken in all it seems clear that the results shown are due to a failure to register. The matter will be dealt with at length under the heading " Vital Statistics." It has not been possible to carry out any medical mulagas though most parts of both islands have been visited by Native medical practitioners during the past year. Free treatment for the Samoans has been continued throughout the year, with the one exception of operations not considered absolutely essential, in which case a receipt for taxes has been insisted upon before operating. Treatment for hookworm and yaws has been carried on throughout the year, most parts of both islands having been visited for that purpose. Owing to a further shortage of trained Native nurses, due to defections from various causes, it has been found necessary to close several outstations staffed previously by them. A Native medical practitioner was sent to Falelima, on the south-west coast of Savai'i, early in December, and is already doing good work, as he is able to cover all of the western side of the island, which is otherwise very inaccessible. In January of this year (1929) the first Native medical practitioner to obtain the three-years certificate granted by the Medical School at Suva, Fiji, returned to the Apia Hospital. His services will be utilized shortly in Safotu, Savai'i, and later he will be given charge of the Tuasivi Hospital. It would appear that the. Native students at Suva are well taught, and they should prove capable practitioners. Infectious Diseases. These returns do not include all cases reported in the Territory, but only those notified from the Apia Hospital; Dysentery (bacillary) 3 ; pneumonia (lobar), 45 ; pneumonia (bronchial), 11 ; enteric fever group, 22; leprosy, 3; Pulmonary tuberculosis, 27; tubercular peritonitis, 2; meningitis (simple), 3 ; gonorrhoea, 3 ; beriberi, 4 ; tetanus, 3 ; puerperal septicaemia, 5 ; varicella, 2 ; influenza, 50 ; erysipelas, 1 ; measles, 1. (1) Influenza : A mild catarrhal epidemic broke out in August and lasted into November. No deaths were reported. (2) Yaws : 6,615 treatments were given throughout the Territory, malagas being made for the purpose where required. (3) Hookworm : 564 cases were treated in all, no serious case being met with. (4) Leprosy : Two cases were sent to Makogai in May last, and two fresh cases were admitted to hospital in November and December, There are now twenty lepers at Makogai, as follows : halfcaste Europeans, 5 ; Samoans, 11 ; Chinese, 1 ; Solomon-Islanders, 2; Melanesian, 1. The two cases mentioned are awaiting transfer. (5) Enteric fever group : Twenty-two cases were admitted to the Apia Hospital, of which nine occurred at the Methodist Mission's Girls' School at Faleula. This number about represents the average admissions for this disease, which is endemic in Western Samoa, and has a very small deathrate. The epidemic at Faleula began in September, and there was one death, due to an intercurrent broncho-pneumonia. Every effort was made to trace the origin of the outbreak, and for this purpose visits were made to the intake of the water-supply, about three miles inland from Afega. Samples were taken, as well as from the taps in various parts of the villages supplied from the reservoir. The drains, privies, &c., were also inspected and found in good order. The analysis of the watersupply showed a pure drinking-water. The outbreak was finally traced to a carrier whose home is in Savai'i, and she was isolated until all tests were negative. Only two cases occurred in the village from which the carrier came, and to date no further case has been reported.

Rank. j Upolu. I Savai'i. [ Total. I I I Fautua (Native Advisers) .. .. . . • 2 Faipule (members of Fono of Faipule) .. 16 , 12 28 Pulefaatoaga (Plantation Inspectors) . . ... 8 ; 3 11 Faamasino (District Judges).. .. .. J 17 i i) 26 Komisi (Land Commissioners) .. .. .. 17 17 Pulenu'u (Village Rulers) .. .. .. 77 ! 41 118 Failautusi (clerks) .. .. . . .. 1 21 10 31 Leoleo (village jjolicemen) .. .. .. ! 29 15 44 Teuala (roadmen) .. .. .. .. 3 .. 3 173 107 280