II

In September 1924 the Health Inspector—who had been a plumber in New Zealand—travelled round Savaii in the cause of sanitation. The results of his labours struck me as being not only ludicrous but, from the viewpoint of an official of that page 186island, humiliating. Privies in many instances were erected on the crown of the beach consisting of three or four coconut-fronds thrust into the sand and knotted together at the top. This apparently was considered satisfactory, although it was obvious that the first high wind must blow them down. Orders, having been given, should at least have been enforced, more especially as the Health Inspector wholeheartedly approved of the new "system."