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Saipan
District
Tab
SAIPAN (Cont'd)
of which is under cultivation, with plantings of selected coconuts, breadfruit, pandanus, and imported species of fruits.
A greenhouse has been recently completed.
Instruction is given
in hog and cattle raising, and insect control.
The major task
of the station currently is the reintroduction to Saipan,
Tinian and Rota of at least 50,000 coconut plantings.
Fishing as an industry centers on catches of tuna, reef
fish and langouste. The Saipan Fishing Company, operated by
Carolinians, has a small and serviceable fleet of 7 salvaged
motor boats and 6 pulling boats, and averages 8,000 pounds
monthly, with monthly catches during certain times of the year
as high as 17,000 pounds.
Export of fish and agriculture products is dependent on
the availability of shipping.
Handicraft as yet has played little part in the native
economy of Saipan.
saa
Numbers of the native population are employed by the
U.S. armed forces present.
Surveys of all village lands are nearing completion.
Other
land titles await final decision on areas to be utilized by
U.S. armed forces.
There are three native-owned and operated importing firms,
twenty-seven retail stores, and one cooperative store on Saipan.
The importing firms were established by Saipanese in 1948, and
made it unnecessary for the Island Treding Company to commence
operations in the Saipan District. Sales of these three firms
the last calendar quarter of 1948 totalled $50,217.58; profits,
$4,814.80. The Navy has authorized shipment of goods for these
concerns between Saipan and the U.S. mainland in naval vessels
on a space-available commercial basis.
Sef
(f)
Rehabili ta tion.
Progress in rehabilitation on Saipan is satisfactory.
New homes are being built to replace war-—damaged native buildings and quonsets. Building materials have been made accessible to the people by the U.S. armed forces appraisal board.
Power for lighting is supplied from naval installations to the
villages of Chalan Kanoa and Susupe. Plans for remodelling
a vacated armed forces housing area and moving the people of
Susupe village into this area, with its superior public utilities and buildings, have the approval of the natives of Susupe.
(g)
Services.
(1)
Transportation.
Transportation presently available for the natives of
Saipan is insufficient for export and import purposes.
recommendation, page 106, Tab A.)
(See
Facilities for off-loading water-borne cargo or passengore at Saipan are sufficiently available at deep water piers
in Tanapag Harbor. Seaplane and landplane facilities at
Saipan are adequate.
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