A—£

Medical and Health With the co-operation of Health Officers, the Education Department has continued to stress throughout the schools the importance of children's health. Pupils are inspected daily for skin and hair troubles, and are given formal instruction on matters relating to health and the prevention of disease. Teachers in training take a practical course in hygiene. The schools form convenient centres for the Native medical practitioners to carry out mass inoculations and, to give periodical talks on health subjects. XV. LIQUOR AND DRUGS The importation and manufacture of all liquor containing more than 3 per cent, of proof spirit is absolutely prohibited by the Samoa Act of 1921, sections 336 to 341, except importation by the Administration for medical, sacramental, or industrial purposes (as provided by section 340). Such importations and the disposal of such liquors so imported are controlled by the Sale of Intoxicating Liquor Regulations 1920. Sale to both Europeans and Natives is prohibited except when prescribed by a duly qualified Government Medical Officer, and for medicinal purposes only (see also Board of Health Regulations No. 1). All liquor on board visiting ships must be declared in writing on arrival, and at once placed under Customs seal, which must remain unbroken until the ship sails. The police and Customs maintain a watch over every overseas vessel, and ships are frequently searched. The police also take steps to prevent local manufacture. There is no Native beverage containing alcohol. The Native ceremonial drink, kava, if allowed to stand does not ferment, and after a few hours becomes stale and unpalatable. It is not consumed in sufficient strength or quantity to have any toxic effects. Spirits and alcoholic beverages imported during the year ended 31st March, 1947:

* The approximate percentages of alcohol by weight given above are those accepted by the Customs Department in New Zealand. The maximum alcohol content permitted for wines is 40 per cent, proof spirit. There is no limitation as regards the alcohol content of ale and other fermented liquor, and analyses of samples of all brands of ale imported show percentages of alcohol by weight ranging from 1-51 to only 2-39. The ales imported into Western Samoa, therefore, although subject to regulations under the Samoa Act, 1921, do not come within the definition of " intoxicating beverages " as accepted by the Permanent Mandates Commission (minutes of the Tenth Session, page 182) and have accordingly been omitted from the return. For sacramental purposes, 131 gallons of wine; rectified spirits of wine for industrial purposes, 220 gallons"

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Nature of Liquor. Average Approximate Percentage Alcohol by Weight.* Quantity imported, 1946-47. Quantities issued under Medical Permits, 1946-47. Countries of Origin. Spirituous liquors— Gallons. Gallons. Whisky-38-5 to 51-0 878 1,455 United Kingdom, Canada. Brandy 38-5 to 49-3 126 100 Australia. Gin 40-6 59 243 United Kingdom, Australia, Canada. Rum 40-0 to 47-0 91 85 British West Indies. Alcoholic beverages— Liqueurs 25-0 to 30-0 28 Australia. Port, sauterne, sherry, 12-0 to 17-8 '502 509 Australia. and champagne Vermouth 5-5 to 10-0 190 98 Australia. Stout 5-5 96 276 New Zealand.