A.—4,

Imports. Shown hereunder is a table of the principal countries of origin :—

The main items imported are as follows: Tobacco (8,519 lbs.), drapery, hardware, iron and steel, benzine (160,739 gallons), and kerosene (57,002 gallons), butter, preserved fish, tinned meats, rice, sugar, provisions, soap, timber (614,293 super, feet), motor-vehicle parts. In most cases it is not possible to quote the actual quantities of the individual items of importations, as for Customs purposes the values only are Further details will be found in « Trade, Commerce, and Shipping of the Territory of Western Samoa for the Calendar Year 1936." Exports. Copra, cocoa, rubber, and bananas are dealt with in the reports on Trade and Agriculture pages 4 and 24 respectively. Further details relative to trade are given in the report on " Trade, Commerce, and Shipping of the Territory of Western Samoa for the Calendar Year, 1936," and in the graphs appended to this report. Shipping.

Overseas Merchant Shipping entering Port of Apia.

Six American warships, 4 American yachts, and 1 Tongan yacht entered port during the year. X,— JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION. The Samoa Act, 1921, prescribes the judiciary for the Territory. The functions of a Chief Judge were until recently performed by a Magistrate from New Zealand, who paid periodical visits, but in March, 1937, a permanent Chief Judge was appointed, and is now carrying out his duties. The Land and Titles Commission is a separate Court of exclusive and final jurisdiction in matters relating to Native land and Samoan names and titles. It was constituted in 1903, and is required to make its decisions only in accordance with native usage and custom. During the year the Commission was occupied for fourteen sitting-days, involving an attendance of 565 natives. The number of disputes brought before the Commission fluctuates from year to year. Some 840 cases have been heard since this Court was established, which is an average of twenty-five cases per year ; on this average the number of disputes now coming forward shows a slight decline. The cases are popularly attended by all Samoans claiming to be interested, even if only distantly related to the principals involved and unlikely to be affected by the decisions. The re-establishment of the District Native Magistrates (Faamasino) was recommended by the now Fono oi Faipule, and although the remarks in last year's report ( 2 ) as to the sufficiency of the present judiciary system still apply, the Mandatory is sympathetic to this request in view of the special value of Native Judges, both as to implementing the extent of Native self-administration and in conveying an appreciation of law among their people. It is expected they will be re-established during 1937-38° Witchcraft. The three cases referred to by M. Palacios during the examination of the last report ( 3 ) occurred in Savai'i, consisting of fortune telling by cards by an Ellice Islander, and a native of Rotumah island (two offences). In each case it was found that Samoans went to the fortune tellers inquiring about lost property. These incidents are of an isolated nature and are of no special significance and! as noted above, the culprits are not members of the Samoan race. Witchcraft in its generally accepted form is not practised by the Native Samoans. In its civil jurisdiction the High Court recorded judgments in 61 cases : 30 cases were struck out. The total amount sued for amounted to £812 3s. 4d. Four divorces were granted. Particulars of criminal cases are given in the tables on the following pages.

(*) See minutes of the Thirtieth Session of the Permanent Mandates Commission, page 121. ( 2 ) See minutes of the Thirtieth Session of the Permanent Mandates Commission, pa«e 121 ( 3 ) 8«« minutes of the Thirtieth Session of the Permanent Mandates Commission, page 124.

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1934. 1935. 1936. Countries. __ Value. Percentage. Value. j Percentage. Value. Percentage. £ £ £ United Kingdom .. .. 14,457 15-6 22,855 16-84 31,165 18-66 New Zealand .. .. 33,171 35-7 51,384 37-85 53,218 31-86 Australia .. .. 20,562 22-2 22,032 16-23 27,530 16-48 United States of America .. 8,949 9-6 14,151 10-42 11,636 6-97 Ja P an •• •• 3,038 3-3 13,662 10-06 10-65 Other countries .. .. 12,607 13-6 11,673 8-60 25,690 15-38 Total8 •• •• 92,784 100-0 135,757 100-00 167,020 100-00

Financial Year ended 31st March, 1936. 31st March, 1937. British. Other. Total, j British, j Other. | Total. Number of vessels .. .. .. 72 40 112 59 22 81 Tonnage, vessels .. .. .. 93,026 35,732 128,758 84,085 26,872 110 957 Tons cargo, inwards .. .. .. 8,605f 1,975| 10,581$ 10,927 3,366 14'293 Tons cargo, outwards .. .. .. 13,729| 12,223f 25,953f 18,145f 8,814j26'960