A—4

Lands and Survey Good progress has been made in overtaking - outstanding arrears of work, and, taking into consideration the size of the staff available, work, on the whole, throughout the period under review has been satisfactory. Considerable time has been spent on engineering surveys in connection with the Vaisigano and Fuluasou water-supply and hydro-electric schemes, road widening, and Native water-supplies. An additional registered surveyor joined the staff in December, 1946, but the full effects of his services will not be felt for some months, as his arrival permitted the Chief Surveyor to proceed on furlough, which was considerably overdue. The computing draughtsman returned to New Zealand in October upon the completion of his term of service, and efforts to obtain a replacement have not yet been successful. Mr. E. G. Dick, Surveyor-General in New Zealand, visited Samoa during the year and has compiled a comprehensive report on staffing and "survey requirements generally. Postal and Radio These services are maintained in conformity with the standards of the Post and Telegraph Department of New Zealand, the technical officers required being obtained from that Department. Executive and financial responsibility, however, as in other local services, rests with the Administration. Ten sub-post-offices, under the control of the Postmaster, Apia, and five radio out-stations under the control of the Superintendent, Apia Eadio, serve the islands of Upolu and Savai'i. Sub-offices and radio out-stations are also maintained at Atafu, Nukunono, and Fakaofo in the Tokelau Islands. Two seconded operators returned to New Zealand on the expiration of their terms of appointment, and one local-born operator resigned and proceeded to New Zealand. A replacement for one seconded operator is being sought. Plans have been prepared by which the plant required for ordinary commercial radio traffic) and that required for aviation direction will be combined and will operate as a single unit. The New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department has prepared estimates covering the construction of a new receiving-station separate from the existing building, which would be retained as a transmitting-station. With the completion of this it will be possible to resume the tests of a radio-telephone circuit between New Zealand and Samoa mentioned in last year's report. The establishment of a broadcasting service and the installation of approximately 150 receiving-sets in Samoan villages throughout the territory has been approved by the Government. The New Zealand Broadcasting Service is now engaged on the provision of equipment and staff for the scheme. The provision of new ship-to-shore telephone equipment at Apia is under discussion with the New Zealand Post and Telegraph authorities. Postal revenue showed an increase of £1,512 over the previous year's figures, and this is reflected in the quantity of mail-matter posted and delivered. Delivered letters showed an increase of 34,199 and posted letters an increase of 75,164. The huge increase in postings was considerably helped by the advent of the Peace Stamp issue in June, and first-day postal revenue from this locally totalled nearly £BOO.

7