A.—4.

Census. As already mentioned in the Native Affairs paragraph of Chapter V, a census of the population was taken on the night of 4th November, 1936, summarized results, compared with those of the census, being detailed hereunder : —

Total increase = 15,715 (39-06%). Every precaution was taken during the census to obtain an accurate record of the population, and it can safely be said that the foregoing figures are substantially correct. With regard to the Native population this statement is supported by. the results of the unofficial census taken during the yaws campaign of 1932-33, referred to in the report for 1934-35, page 23 On comparing the European total, 367, with the total at 31st March, 1936, shown m the last report (page 25) it will be observed that a difference of 229 occurs. This is explained by the fact that over the period since the 1926 census numbers of persons with a modicum of Samoan blood who have left the Territory for a time, have, on their return, been shown m the immigration returns as Europeans, thus swelling the European total. In the 1936 census these people have been placed m their correct category as persons of part Samoan blood. The question of the infiltration of Chinese blood into the Native race received careful attention during the census, and it was definitely ascertained that there were 898 inhabitants of part ChineseSamoan blood in the Territory. It is estimated that there are others with a percentage of Chinese blood, but they have merged into the Native village life to such an extent as to be indistinguishable from their pure Samoan relations. . The great increase in the Native Samoan population as disclosed by this census can be credited mainly to the health measures carried out by the Administration, resulting in a better appreciation of sanitation and hygiene by the people. Stress has always been laid on preventive measures, and with the increase in the number of Native medical practitioners it will be possible to carry out a more extensive health campaign. . Although the Native population is steadily increasing, it will be many years before the question of food-supplies becomes a problem. The available land has been cultivated on its fringes only, and there is still sufficient area of virgin land to furnish ample sustenance to a population several times larger than the present one. Detailed particulars of the 1936 Native census, together with a summary of the 1926 census, are given in an appendix to this report. VI. —PUBLIC FINANCE. The accounts of the Territory for the year ended 31st March, 1937, show a surplus of receipts over expenditure of £1,296. pionnn j- a The accumulated surplus at that date is £24,181, excluding investments totalling £12,000 set aside for replacement of assets and not available for general purposes. The total accumulated surplus is therefore £36,181, held as shown below : Cash 15 ' 75 9 Investments and advances in Samoa .. - • • • • • 1 > o^2 Investments in New Zealand £36,181 Prices for copra and cocoa were at a higher level than in recent years, particularly in the last six months of the year, resulting in increased imports and a marked increase m the total value ot the trade of the Territory, with a corresponding increase in revenue. Details of revenue and expenditure for the year, together with corresponding figures for the previous year, are shown m the following statements : —

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Category. j 1936. j 1926. Increase. Decrease. Native Samoans (including other 52,266 36,688 15,578 (42-46%) Pacific-Islanders) _ in/ . Europeans .. •• 367 446 .. 79 (17-71%) Persons of part Samoan blood .. 2,708 2,052 656 (31-97%) •' Chinese ..522 890 .. 368 (41-35%) Melanesian labourers . . • •' 83 155 • • 72 ( 46 ' 45 %> Tota l 55,946 40,231 16,234 519