Tab A
(Saipan District)
ROTA
Rota Island was inspected on 28 January, after arrival from Saipan by
R4D plane on the airfield. The inspection party was conducted on a tour of
the island by Mr. Frank L. Brown, resident CivAd Representative since Cctober
1948. Inspection included the native council hall, school, church, dispensary, boat and pier facilities, store, farms, construction and repair shops,
and the CivAdRep offices.
The population of Rota is 669, of whom 404 are
under 16 years of age. The insvection party observed that there had been
a great improvement in living conditions for the Rotanese over those report-
ed in mid~'48, and that the island generally is in excellent condition and
has an industrious and ambitious population.
Ae
‘Administrative program.
(a)
Suite
Self-government.
The Chief Commissioner and Treasurer of Rota is Thomas
Mendalia, There is a high council of four members. H1sc=
tions of officials are by secret ballot.
The council memoers
are being encouraged by CivaAdRep to rely on their own judgement and actions in the conduct of community affairs. The
Chief Commissioner is judge of the community court, There
is a native Insular Constabulary.
balanced, budget,
REPRODUCED FROM HOLDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES
(b)
.
wet
Rota has a small, but
Health and sanitation.
(1) Health services on Rota are administered by a Chinese
health aide, whose training apparently had been thorough. He
is assisted by a native student nurse. The disvensary was
much above the average in cleanliness, condition of records,
supplies and equipment, of any similar one visited during
this insnection of the Trust Territory.
The general nutrition of the natives appeared to be very
good, These people comoared very favorably with other island
inhabitants in health, energy and general well-being. The
U.5.5. WHIDBEY has completed its medical survey of Rota, and
had found some incidence of tuberculosis, the serious cases
of which are to be transferred to the Civijd disnensary at
Saipan for treatment, There are some cases of yaws and these
are receiving prescribed treatment. Leorosy is not present,
The birth rate for 1948 exceeded the death rate by 34.
(2)
Sanitation measures are supervised by a trained native
sanitation aide. CividRep has fostered a home and yard
beautification program which is having beneficial results,
Water supply on ttota is ample, and most dwellings have pined
in spring water.
Some screening material for latrines is
needed,
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enn