21

A.—4.

WIRELESS DEPARTMENT. Arrangements are now in hand for the erection, on modern lines, of a new station, to be situated in Apia Township, the primary reason for the change being that with the completion of the hydroelectric system in Apia the radio-station can now obtain power from that source, thus doing away with the expensive power plant at the present station and effecting a saving in working-expenses of between £1,200 and £1,500 per annum. A suitable site has been secured, on which stands a large concrete building formerly used as a school. This building is being taken over with the land, and will be adapted for the station. The area of the land secured is approximately 3 acres, having a frontage of 4 chains and a depth of 9 chains. Apia Radio and all the out-stations under the control of the Samoan Administration now carry out point-to-point transmissions by continuous-wave type signal, thus complying with the new regulations made at the International Radio-telegraph Conference, 1927. Fakaofo Radio.—This station was closed down temporarily on the 9th September, 1928, due to the death by misadventure of the Native operator. Steps were immediately taken to train another Tokelau Native in wireless operating, and he is now qualified, and will leave by first opportunity to reopen the Fakaofo Station. Tuasivi, Fagamalo, Aleipata Radios. —These out-stations are operating as well as can be expected with Native operators, and are giving fairly reliable service. Amateur Radio Receiving Licenses.—Twelve receiving licenses have been issued to amateurs in this Territory during the year. Owing to there being no local broadcasting service (the nearest broadcasting station being two thousand miles distant), only a nominal license fee of ss. per annum is charged. Radio Traffic Returns. —Traffic returns covering the operations for the year show that the total number of messages handled was 15,101, containing 573,879 words, for which the net earnings amounted to £3,406 l'ls. 2|d. QUESTIONNAIRE. The information supplied under this heading in previous reports applies in all respects, with the exceptions set out below. ARMS TRAFFIC. The following are the details of importations for the year of arms and ammunition of every description:— Arms — Smooth-bore shot-guns : 12-gauge, 18 ; 16-gauge, 36 ; 20-gauge, 20. Rifles for cattle-shooting : -44-calibre Winchester, 2. Revolvers : "22-calibre, 2. Ammunition — Total imports of cartridges, &c. : 12-gauge, 24,000 ; 16-gauge, 16,000 ; 20-gauge, 18,500 ; 410-gauge, 5,500: total, 64,000. -44-calibre ball, 3,500; -22-calibre ball, 5,500; •41-calibre ball, 50 : total, 9,050. Sporting gunpowder, 300 lb. ; sporting bird-shot, 6 cwt. Fireworks, 65 cases. This return does not include arms and ammunition imported by the Administration for police purposes and in possession of the police. Appendix A gives details of number of licenses issued for carrying firearms. TRADE AND MANUFACTURE OF ALCOHOL AND DRUGS. The following shows the imports of intoxicating liquor during the year for medicinal purposes, also the quantities issued under medical permits, with a comparison of the quantities issued during the year 1927-28 : —

.... ' Quantity issued. iZXSffiKK i r by Weight. 1 » 28 - 28 - j 1>M j ]K ,_ 28 1 I I Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Whisky .. .. 38-5 to 51-0 785 416J 378§ Brandy .. .. 38-5 to 49-3 229* 119-1 1061 Gin .. .. 40-6 164§ 145* 134# Port .. .. 12-0 to 17-8 169£ 138| 118£ Claret .. .. 5-5 to 10-0 9J U SiStout .. .. 5-5 1,237f 858| 818# Ale .. .. 3-75 1 : 487-| 1,198| 7801 Champagne .. 7-5 to 10-6 .. \ l| : _4- —— —