Samoa in 1913 445 



disease known to the writer which has so far 

 appeared in Samoa, but not the only pest. 



In 1909 the Rhino beetle made its first 

 appearance close by the Customs wharf, where 

 all goods have to be landed. It is supposed 

 that epp~s of this insect arrived here in some 



oo 



of the cases which contained rubber plants. 

 Before attention was seriously called to this 

 plague, it had already spread to westward 

 about eight miles and eastward about two 

 miles from the wharf. The alarm was given, 

 and very drastic measures were proposed for 

 calling in a large force of natives, declaring 

 the copra industry and every man's welfare 

 threatened, and asking the diligent collabora- 

 tion of everyone concerned. However, other 

 counsels prevailed and a great opportunity was 

 lost. 



The beetle meanwhile has spread over about 

 one-half the extent of the fine Island of Upolu, 

 to which it is still limited, and is costing the 

 administration a heavy sum each year ; and 

 also, as all able-bodied natives in the infected 

 districts are commanded to hunt beetles every 

 Monday morning, they are suffering more or 

 less further inconvenience as well. Soft wood 

 and coco-nut logs are thrown together in 

 squares of about 10 ft., and the centres then 

 filled up with vegetable refuse so as to provide 

 congenial breeding-places for the beetles, 

 which patronize them with remarkable industry. 

 Thus, the eggs and the larvae are continually 



