Dry Spell Ends in Samoa

From a Special Correspondent

Apia, Oct. 20.

HHE abnormal period of dry L weather which has lasted nearly three months has at ist ended.

The dry spell caused an acute lortage of taros and bananas and Aversely affected the copra output 3 coconuts did not mature to full ze.

The cocoa crop now being har ssted has not suffered and is ex ected to constitute a record yield.

For months it had been difficult ) buy bananas and taros in Apia

and even in outside districts of Upolu and Savaii, the Samoans had to depend on food supplies from the stores.

One astute Samoan planter who had a large area of taros on the west coast, 15 miles from Apia, is reported to have made several hundred pounds a month.

It is expected that for several months ahead only small quantities

of bananas will be available for export, as they are still badly needed for local consumption.

Rainfall in September amounted to only 2.44 inches against a nor mal rainfall for that month of 5.50 inches.

With the expected rising on Oc tober 22 of the Palolo, it is certain that rainfall from now on will be sufficient for agricultural purposes.