A.—4,

6

Quarantine. During the calendar year seventy-five vessels arrived from overseas, and pratique was granted to all but one, to which partial pratique was given. Two vessels were fumigated. Quarantine intelligence service : As before, this consists of weekly radios from New Zealand, giving information as to existent epidemic diseases prevalent in that country, and also any valuable information in respect to other parts of the Pacific. In addition, fortnightly messages from London to New Zealand are posted on here, all matters of importance being sent by radio. The Eastern Bureau of the League of Nations Health Organization in Singapore broadcasts returns of epidemic diseases weekly, which are picked up by the Apia Wireless Station, and they also post the weekly fasciculus regularly. In accordance with resolutions passed at the International Health Conference held in Melbourne, 1926, and agreed to by the New Zealand Government, epidemic diseases occurring in this territory are promptly wirelessed to the Department of External Affairs in Wellington, and from there through the New Zealand Health Department to the Director of Public Health in Melbourne, thus keeping up a constant chain of communication. In addition a wireless message is despatched to Wellington on the Ist of every month, and a quarterly and yearly report of the health of the islands are forwarded and sent on by them as before to Melbourne. Food and Drugs. The New Zealand Food and Drugs Act, 1908, with its regulations, is in force in Western Samoa. During the year the following foodstuffs were condemned and destroyed under the supervision of the Health Officer : Meisfc in kegs, 640 lb. ; frozen meat, 1,011 lb. ; canned meat, 790 lb. ; fish, 20 lb. ; fruit, 145 lb. During the year under review 2,606 lb. of foodstuffs were condemned and destroyed, as against 1,827 lb. in 1927. Seven samples of milk were taken for examination by the Government Analyst for comparison with standard formulation under the above Act. Three failed to pass the test. There are twenty bakers, eight restaurant-keepers, and four butchers holding licenses to trade under the above Act. A large new building, 50 ft. by 70 ft., has recently been erected for the purpose of a public market, where foodstuffs are being sold. It is built of steel frame, iron roof, and concrete floor sloping to gully-traps and drained to sea, with high-pressure water installed for hosing the floor and other purposes. There are fifty stalls, and the whole building is electrically lighted. This building was erected by private enterprise, and complies with the Board of Health Regulations. Sanitation. (a) European. —105 permits were issued under the Board of Health Regulations ; 18 drainage and plumbing plans examined (5 were altered to comply with the above regulations) ; septic tanks constructed, 13 ; water-closets installed, 17 ; sinks installed, 30 ; cast-iron baths installed, 5 ; basins installed, 13; grease-trap installed, 1 ; drainage, 933 ft. ; two drainage systems were drained direct into the sea. During the year under review 81 sanitary fittings were installed and 933 ft. of drainage, as against 76 sanitary fittings installed and 1,426 ft. of drainage in 1927. Number of loads of rubbish removed to the dump, 1,260. (b) General. —Native sanitation : Inspections for the year, 2,511 ; nuisances discovered and rectified, 701. Vital Statistics (Samoan). These are calculated for the calendar year 1928. The total Native population on the Ist January, 1928, was estimated to be 39,215. The reduction in the birth and death rates is believed to be due to non-registration, and the figures in both cases are far too low to be of any statistical value. Native Population, Western Samoa. Males. Females. Total. At Ist January, 1928 .. .. .. ..19,942 19,273 39,215 Live births during 1928.. .. .. .. 453 410 863 Arrivals from overseas .. .. .. .. 706 544 1,250 Deaths during 1928 ~ .. .. .. 114 105 219 Departures for overseas.. .. .. .. 685 546 1,231 Population at 31st December, 1928 (estimated) .. 20,302 19,576 39,878 Natural increase .. .. .. .. 339 305 644 Excess of arrivals over departures .. .. 21 — 2 19 Total increase in population .. .. .. 360 303 663 The percentage increase in population during 1928, according to these figures, was 1-67, as compared with 3-18 in 1927 and 3-58 in 1926. The arrivals and departures will be found to balance each other over a period of years. Births. The births of 863 living children were registered during 1928, giving a birth-rate per 1,000 of midyear population of 21-82. For 1927 and 1926 the figures were 1,636 and 1,965, the birth-rate being 42-37 and 52-62 respectively. The falling-off in the number of births this year is believed to be due to non-registration, as it is difficult to find any other cause. The year was a prosperous one, and the Native unrest obviously had no bearing.