Rain And Gales Break
p. 54 · Read in the full issue
W. Samoan Records
RAINFALL recorded by Apia Obser vatory during December, 1950, amounted to 33.78 inches and con stituted a record for this month since observations first began in 1890.
A deep depression which passed to the east of Samoa on December 31 caused pressure to drop to 997.3 millibars which is the lowest recorded in December since 1925. The normal average rainfall for December is 14.02 inches.
Abnormally heavy rains have continued during the first half of January. The torrential and continuous downpour has caused heavy damage to the cocoa crop on both Upolu and Savaii. The crop had promised to be exceptionally heavy but growers now expect only half of the normal crop.
Easterly winds of gale force (51 miles per hour which is unusual for W. Samoa) on December 31 caused damage to build ings and Samoan houses in the Fa’asale leaga district of Savai’i and in the Aleipata district of Upolu. At Faga, Savai’i, a large Samoan house, used as a picture theatre was demolished and at Tuasivi a garage collapsed and a Samoan policeman was injured by the wreckage.
A French judge recently visited Santo, where he held Court on several civil and criminal cases.
It is reported that approximately 20 Tonkinese were tried on charges of sup plying liquor to natives. Confirmation of penalties has yet to come from Noumea.