Calling Dr. Lambert . . .

Photographer R. F. Rankin of Apia, Western Samoa, who sent us this photo was scathing in the caption he sent with it. “Scenic abomination” he this view of a Western Samoan sea-shore, and went on to say, “Samoan seaside toilets are a blot on the word’s most beautiful scenery. They foul the waters of every good beach in the Territory, and it is high time something less ‘picturesque’ was devised.”

This type of latrine was devised by the American doctor, S. M. Lambert, who undertook an anti-hookworm campaign in the Pacific in the 20’s. This sort of thing is by no means confined to Samoa—Fiji, Papua, New Guinea and other islands have the same type of Lambert “convenience”. However, in Samoa they seem to be more prevalent, the Samoans seem to have a talent for putting them in the most conspicuous places, and they certainly are in a greater state of disrepair there than anywhere else.