VII.—Shipping: Charges, etc.

There is a public wharf at Apia, but as it does not extend into deep water, cargo has to be loaded and unloaded in boats or barges. There are no wharf charges, nor are there any Customs duties leviable in Samoa. Pilotage is at the rate of $1 per foot in and $1 per foot out; while a fixed charge of $5 is made for moving a vessel from one part of the harbour to another. The owner, captain, or supercargo of every vessel entering the harbour for trading purposes must take out a trading licence, the cost of which is $10, within 24 hours; failing to do so, liability to a fine of $200 is incurred. The quarantine fees are as follow; —For vessels not exceeding 50 tons, 50 cents; over 50 and under 100 tons, $1; over 100 tons, $1 for every 100 tons or fraction thereof. These fees are payable by all vessels entering the port from anywhere beyond Samoa, whether infected or not. When the pilot boards a vessel under the quarantine regulations he is to receive a fee of at least $5 pilotage. To ship or land cargo at Apia will cost about 2S. 6d, per ton, but it might be done cheaper by hiring a punt at £1 per day. The harbour is safe except during hurricanes; but I was informed that there had only been one hurricane at Apia during the last sixteen years.