5

A.-—4.

The Governor of the Territory of Hawaii and the Director of the Division of Territories and Island Possessions 011 board the United States Coastguard Cutter " Roger B. Taney " paid an official visit in November. His Majesty's ships attached to the New Zealand Station—" Achilles," " Wellington," and " Leith " —and the French sloop " Rigault de Genouilly " made official calls. Postal and Radio. The territory is served by two direct monthly vessels from New Zealand —M.V. " Matua," owned by the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand, Ltd., and the New Zealand Governmentowned motor-vessel " Maui Pomare." In addition, there are mail connections with the Matson liners at Pago Pago in American Samoa and occasional tourist and trading ships. There are thus three connections with New Zealand and two with all other parts of the world each four weeks. The value of money-orders paid at Apia was £3,934 ss. 5d., a decrease of £83 19s. 2d. from last year's figure. Deposits in the Post Office Savings-bank exceeded withdrawals by £5,062 13s. The number of depositors as at 31st March, 1938, was 2,413, and the amount held to their credit (including interest, £1,894 19s. Bd.) was £70,555 os. Id. There was a further increase in the radio traffic, a total of 11,401 messages being handled, an advance of 1,675 over the previous year. The net receipts totalled £2,189 19s. 3d. In Apia Harbour ships are required to load in the roadstead, so for convenience a ship-to-shore radiophone connected with the telephone system has been installed. Lands and Survey. The work of this Department has increased steadily during the year. The death of the private surveyor retained by the New Zealand Reparation Estates caused a considerable amount of Estates work to be diverted to the Lands and Survey Department. The appointment of an additional surveyor is receiving consideration. The work in connection with the survey, roading, and development of the land-settlement schemes has made further demands upon the survey staff. In addition to numerous Crown grants and private surveys, a considerable amount of the time of the Chief Surveyor was taken up as an assessor of the Native Land and Titles Court. Public Trust Office. Expenditure amounted to £627 17s. 3d. and revenue to £662 lis. 3d., leaving a credit balance of £34 14-s., being £115 Bs. sd. less than in the previous period. This decrease in the favourable balance is accounted for by the fact that several payments to the credit of Common Fund mortgage principle have come to hand during the year, and these moneys have been lodged in the Post Office Savings-bank at a considerably lower rate of interest than that secured by the mortgages. In addition, certain salary increases were granted. Funds invested amount to £7,361 4s. 6d. The office reserve, after transferring to it the profit of £34 145., and allowing for adjustments of some £428 on realizations of Common Fund mortgage securities, stands at £505 18s. sd. The revenue of the Office is derived mainly from interest on the invested portion of the accumulated profits of £4,748 13s. 6d. and from commissions. Salaries of the staff is the largest expenditure item. The Office is self-supporting, and its accounts are kept separate from those of the Administration ; but, as a matter of convenience, all expenditure is made through appropriation of the Samoan Treasury, which is reimbursed at the end of each quarter. Hence the Treasury figures include Public Trust Office expenditure (which is also shown as a deduction from the total), but do not show receipts, which are credited direct to the Public Trustee. The Samoa Public Trust Office was established under the Samoa Public Trust Office Order, 1921, and is separate from the New Zealand Public Trust Office. Port and Harbour Service. Pilotage and harbour services, and beacons, lights, and plant have been efficiently maintained. No serious accident to shipping occurred during the year. All inter-island and coastal vessels have been the subject of survey, particular attention being paid to life-saving appliances. Reef passages and channels in Upolu and Savai'i used by local vessels have received attention and are now clearly defined. Staff. Particulars are given in the following table as at 31st March of each year :—

Persons of NTntivB Native Samoan , . Ear ° P ""' SamoaoBlood. cervices. 1937. j 1938. 1937. 1938. 1937. 1938. 1937. 1938. Classified departmental stafls — Education .. .. .. 4 8 6 6 113 192 Health .. .. .. 16 16 5 3 90 108 Native Aflairs (including Savai'i) 3 3 1 1 11 15 192 185* Police and Prisons .. .. 9 7 3 2 54 51 Other services .. .. 26 25 21 24 24 32 58 59 36 36 292 398 192 185 Casual employees .. .. .. 2 3 14 43 21 24 Totals .. .. 60 62 50 79 313 422 192 185 * Faipule (39), previously included in this return, are now omitted as they are not properly officials but elected representatives.