A.—4.

16

Bridges.—The eastern abutment of the Yaisigano Bridge was rebuilt and 600 cubic yards of filling completed. Protective groins have been erected, and it is proposed to cut a channel and build a protective wall on the western side of the river. A new footbridge was built at Lufi Lufi, and two bridges at Lauli'i strengthened. In Savai'i the traffic bridge at Saleaula was rebuilt and abutments built up. A new footbridge was constructed across the Vaipouli River near Manase. The abutments of the Safune Bridge were filled in, and all bridges in the Faaseleleaga district received, attention. Roads.—The Matautu-Matafagatele Road was re-formed, rolled, and sealed for a total distance of 48 chains. The Main Coast Road from Toamua to Yailoa was completed for a distance of 185 chains, being re-formed, metalled, coralled, rolled, and sealed with bitumen. In addition the section from Puipaa to Faleula was similarly treated for a distance of 60 chains, and the Main Road in Apia was re-formed, rolled, and sealed for a distance of 44 chains at Sogi. Sea-wall, Apia.—Qwing to erosion caused by heavy seas, groins were installed and temporary repairs to the base of the wall carried out. Street-lighting.—With the completion of the hydro - electric scheme, electric lights have been extended. The service is functioning satisfactorily, and at a later date further extensions will be made. Plant. Towards the end of the year tenders were twice invited for the leasing of the carpenters' and woodworking shop and plant with a view to allowing this portion of the Department's activities being taken up by private enterprise. These invitations met with no success, consequently the Department will have to continue to run the workshop. APIA OBSERVATORY. During 1928 the work of Apia Observatory was carried on successfully,. and with little deviation from the routine adopted in former years. The magnetic instruments maintained a continuous record of the declination and horizontal intensity. The mean value of the declination for the year is 10° 32-1' east, showing an increase of 2-6' compared with the results in 1927. The mean value of the horizontal component is 35225. The results in vertical intensity have been rendered incomplete because of the breakdown of the earth inductor, the instrument used for the absolute observations of inclination. The magnetic results for the year 1927 have been reduced and prepared for publication. The number of disturbed days observed in 1928 is greater than that in any of the previous seven years. The results in atmospheric electricity obtained both at the land station and the Lagoon House are fully equal to those obtained in previous years. The record from the seismograph has been interrupted twice owing to trouble with the driving-clock, but the results are satisfactory in other respects. Three quarterly reports, showing results up to the 30th September, have been published. The report for the last three months of the year is in type ; but pressure of other work has made it impossible to print and publish this report. The meteorological work has been completely successful. A brief summary of the results is attached to this report. The mean value of temperature is almost the same as that recorded in 1927, but these two results are higher than any other yearly value since 1920. The rainfall is less than that recorded in 1923, but it is higher than any other annual value since 1916. The investigation of the winds at high altitudes was continued, and fifty-six balloons were sent up and observed for this purpose. This is less than the number used in 1927, when more than eighty ascents were rendered possible by better weather conditions. FINANCE. Revenue. The statement hereunder shows the amount of revenue received during the financial year ended 31st March, 1929, including a subsidy contributed by the New Zealand Government. There is also shown, for purposes of comparison, the revenue for the preceding year, 1927-28.

As regards Native taxes, owing to the political disturbance at present existing only about onethird of the usual annual taxes has been collected, the estimated amount being £19,400.,

Head of Revenue. 1927-28. j 1928-29. | £ £ 1. Native taxes .. .. .. .. 2,466 6,343 2. Customs, taxes, and Marine— (a) Customs and taxes .. .. • • 73,540 81,910 (b) Harbour Department .. .. . .. 2,858 4,059 (c) S.s. "Lady Roberts" .. .. .. .. 3,812 4,276 3. Fees and charges (Court, hospital, &c.) .. .. .. 8,308 8,831 4. Post Office and Savings-bank .. .. .. .. 5,729 6,168 5. Radio-station .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,586 3,513 6. Miscellaneous (rents, interest, &c.) .. .. .. .. . 6,739 6,804 7. Subsidy, New Zealand Government .. .. .. 20,000 1 20,000 Totals .. .. .. .. .. - 126,038 141,904