SOUTH SEA ISLANDS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17084, 16 August 1917, Page 6

SOUTH SEA ISLANDS

RAROTONGA AND NIUE. ANNUAL REPORTS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, August' 15. -r to - th - e annual reports of the Resident Commissioners of Raj-otonga and Niue, the conditions in the islands have been much more favourable this year than those for flie two previous years, and tho trade and revenue have been fairlv well in f °1 fch ?.drawbacks due <rl °- f . ade( 3 uate pipping facilities. Ihe Commissioner of' the Cook Islands sta t es at publics health has improved and the census shows that the population to no longer dimuphing. There were 197 whites and half-castos living as whites, and Thl w\ CS an l lf -rastes- living- as natives, lne registrar of the high court reports that tho number of criminal cases has greatly increased, being 911 as against 559 in tho in-eviOTJs yoar The principle increases arc in the convictions for bush arm kin? and for wandering animals. The increase in the lorrner is stated to be duo, no doubt, to the appointment of permanent native pob'ce and to tho strict supervision and diligence of the European sergeant. The total value of the ironorte for Niue ™£nd for 1916 was £9512, and the exports ±.3379, Theso figures are the smallest recorded since the Government was instituted lhei island has not yet recovered from the eltects of the disastrous hurrioane of January, 1915, and the subsequent drought