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Session 11. 1912. NEW ZEALAND.
COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1911.]
Presented, io both, Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.
INDEX.
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•Jo. of leries. Subject'. Page 1 2, 3 4, 5 6, 7 8 9 10 Cook Islands. Annual Report of Resident Commissioner Election of Rangi Makea as Makea Ariki Land acquired from Ah Sin at Rarotonga for Public Purposes Land taken lor Purposes of Meeting-house, Arorangi Land taken for Wireless-telegraph Station Duty on Tobacco Federal Ordinances— The Publio Health (Insanitary Buildings) Ordinance, 1911 The Shipmasters' Certificates Ordinance, 1911 The Cook Islands Hospital Ordinance, 1911 The Public Buildings Inspection and Licensing Ordinance, 1912 The Importation and Sale of Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, 1912 Nitje Island. 3 .. 35 .. 36 .. 36 .. 37 .. 37 ..38 .. 39 .. 39 .. 40 .. 41 11 12 1 Annual Report of Resident Commissioner .. 42 ■
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MEMORANDUM.
Cook and Other Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th August, 1912. The reports of the Resident Commissioner at Earotonga and the Eesident Commissioner at Niue are attached hereto, together with the usual selection from the official correspondence. Revenue and Expenditure. The revenue in the Cook Islands amounted to £8,924, or an increase of £656 over the previous year, while £9,430 was expended, being an increase of £1,383 as compared with the preceding year. £4,196, or £973 more than in the previous year, was spent on public works. The cash balance at the close of the year was £4,151. In the Island of Niue the revenue from all sources amounted to £1,797, or £353 more than in the previous year. The expenditure amounted to £2,089, £845 being spent on public works. The balance at the end of the year was £1,490. Trade, etc. Steady progress in trade in both the Cook and Niue Islands is being maintained. In the Cook Islands the imports for the year totalled £89,623, or £5,828 in advance of the previous year. Of this amount £66,787 represents the value of imports from New Zealand. The exports amounted to £91,076, being an increase of £327 on the exports for the previous year. At Niue Island the imports were of the value of £9,838, and the exports £12,047, being an increase of £656 and a decrease of £65 respectively as compared with the figures for the previous year. Sixty-eight per cent, of the import trade was with New Zealand. Experiments in the cultivation of sea-island cotton at Niue have been carried out, and a sample sent Home for analysis was most favourably reported upon. Endeavours are now being made to start the industry on a satisfactory basis. Health of the People. This is receiving close attention. The new hospital at Rarotonga is being taken full advantage of by both in-patients and out-patients. Two medical officers are now stationed in the Cook Islands, and one medical officer at Niue. Education. At the Cook Islands the education of the people still remains in the hands of the missionary societies. At Niue the Government school, which was opened last year, is doing good work, and a regular attendance of pupils is being maintained. A technical workshop is now nearly completed, and much promise in woodwork is shown by the native boys. Land has been taken at Rarotonga for the purpose of establishing a wireless-telegraph station. M. Pomare, Minister in Charge, Cook and Other Islands Administration.
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COOK ISLANDS.
REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. No. 1. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 30th June, 1912. I have the honour to forward to you herewith my annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1912. FINANCK. I am pleased to be able to again report an increase in both trade and revenue for the year, and to inform you that the prosperity of the group of islands under my administration still continues. Revenue. —The revenue for the year was £8,924, being an increase of £656 over the previous year. Although the revenue from Customs duties has greatly increased, and also that from the sale of postagestimps, the total revenue has been somewhat reduced owing to shortage on other items. Expenditure. —A total sum of £9,430 has been expended during the year—an increase of £1,383 over the preceding year. Out of this sum £4,196 was spent on public works, being an increase of £973 over the previous year. The principal public works carried out during the year are as follows : Water-supply for the Ngatangiia district, Rarotonga, £838 ; water-tanks for outlying islands, £487 ; improvement of road, and new bridges, Rarotonga, £688 ; Mangaia reef passage (to facilitate shipment), £625 ; furniture and fittings for new hospital, £330 ; nurses' home at new hospital, £274. The balance of the expenditure was devoted to salaries, upkeep of hospital, and minor public works. The cash balance in hand at the close of the year was £4,151, which includes £2,000 set aside as an insurance fund. Imports and Exports. In my last annual report I drew attention to the fact that a considerable increase in the volume of imports and exports had taken place, and during the year under review there has been a still further increase. Imports. —The imports for the year amounted to £89,623, being an increase of £5,828 over the imports for the previous year. Of this amount £66,787 represents the value of imports from New Zealand. Exports. —The value of the exports for the year was £91,076, being an increase of £327 over the previous year. This, however, is no indication of the greatly increased quantity of produce exported, the low prices for fruit being responsible for the small increase in value. It will be seen under the heading of " Fruit—Export, &c." that a most satisfactory increase in the output was the result of the year's work. Post Office Savings-bank. In my last annual report I indicated that arrangements had been made for the establishment at Rarotonga of a branch of the Post Office Savings-bank. At the time of writing the bank is open for business, but it is too soon for me to say whether the system under which it is being worked— i.e., that of waiting for withdrawals until advice is received from New Zealand—will suit the requirements of Rarotonga. I will report later on upon this subject. I append copy of Gazette notice in this connection :— " Post Office Savings-bank. " A Post Office Savings-bank, under the regulations of the New Zealand Postal Department, will be opened at Rarotonga on Ist July, 1912. " Interest will be allowed to each depositor at the rate of 3| per cent, per annum on the balance at the credit of his account not exceeding £300, and at the rate of 3 per cent, on the sum in excess of £300 ; but no interest will be allowed on more than,£6oo. '' Interest commences on the first day of the calendar month next following the day on which a complete pound, either in one sum or several sums of less amount, has been deposited (except when a deposit is made on the first day of the month interest commences to accrue on that day), and is calculated up to the last day of the calendar month preceding the day on which the money is withdrawn. " The interest due to each depositor is calculated to the 31st December in each year, and is then added to and becomes principal due to him. " Repayment of deposits : A depositor wishing to withdraw the whole or any part of the sum deposited by him must make application for the same on a printed form, called a ' Notice of Withdrawal,' which he can obtain at the Post-office. A warrant for the amount required, payable at the post-office savings-bank named by the depositor in the notice of withdrawal, will reach him in due course. The warrant should be presented for payment immediately, as the amount ceases to bear interest from the day of issue. " Rarotonga depositors must thoroughly understand that no money can be withdrawn from the Rarotonga Post-office Savings-bank except on warrants issued by the Auckland Office. No exceptions whatever, on any account, can be made to this rule.
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" Hours : Savings-bank business may be transacted on week-days between the hours of 10 a.m. and noon, 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., except on Saturdays. " Further information concerning Savings-bank business may be obtained from the Guide, which can be perused in the Post-office. " Chas. E. MacCoemick, Judge, " Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th June, 1912. " Acting Resident Commissioner." Wireless-telegraph Station. As far back as the 24th October, 1909, I drew the then Minister's attention to correspondence which passed between myself and M. C. A. F. Ducorron, who proposed to connect the French Territory by wireless with Rarotonga, which it was deemed, and rightly, not advisable. lam very glad to say, however, that the correspondence which has since followed has had the desired effect in the direction of contemplating the establishment of an all-red wireless from New Zealand to Rarotonga, which will eventually result in communications being made between Rarotonga and New Zealand, and possibly between Rarotonga and Fanning Island, the cable-stat on in the Pacific. Land has been taken for this purpose, which has had the approval of His Excellency the Governor, and it only remains now for the New Zealand authorities to install the plant. In view of the opening of the Panama Canal, it is impossible to state the value to the Empire of this connection. Fruit : Export, etc. There has been a very large output of bananas during the year, totalling no less than 108,520 cases and 6,441 bunches, valued at £24,907. In the previous year there were 106,568 cases and 11,814 bunches shipped, valued at £35,807. It will at once be seen that there has been a serious fall in values. This is due in no small degree to the fact that the steamer from Fiji and the mail steamer from Rarotonga arrive in Wellington at practically the same time, the result being a greater supply of bananas on the market than the demand requires. I drew attention to this matter in my last annual report, when I suggested that the Union Steamship Company should be approached with a view to some alteration being made, and the foregoing comparison of prices emphasizes the necessity of a rearrangement of the Fiji steamer's timetable if the welfare of New Zealand's Island possessions is to be considered. There was a large increase in the number of oranges exported, and I am glad to say that the returns have been of a more satisfactory character than in the case of bananas. The total output for the year was 107,612 cases, as against 94,024 cases in the previous year—an increase of 13,588 cases : the respective value being £19,922 and £14,220. As no oranges are imported from Fiji, this result only further accentuates the ill effect on our banana trade due to the simultaneous arrival of the Rarotonga and Fiji steamers in Wellington. Planting. —lt is satisfactory to note that planters, encouraged, no doubt, by the vastly improved methods now in vogue, and by the increased facilities for the shipment of their fruit, have imported a large quantity of citrus-fruit trees from Australia, with the view of replacing the old neglected trees and carrying on the industry in a systematic manner. They will have the hearty support of the Administration in this valuable work, and all possible assistance will be extended to them. During the year the Administration imported a small quantity of orange-trees of several varieties with the view of experimenting and ascertaining the varieties best suited to the Islands. I am still in communication with the United States Government with the object, as suggested in my last annual report, of engaging an up-to-date expert in the growing of oranges, with a knowledge of budding and grafting, who would proceed to the plantations and instruct Europeans and Natives alike in pruning and grafting old trees and the planting and care of new ones. It is proposed this year to spend a certain sum of money on the drainage of the Maraerenga Lagoon, and I contemplate securing the drainage-area for an experimental farm. A residence is now being erected on the Island of Mauke to accommodate the European Resident Agent, who is now on the island. Under his guidance it is anticipated that the export of oranges from this island will very much increase, as the island is a natural orange-grove, but under the present conditions the facilities for shipment of the oranges provide but a small outlet for the fruit. Inspection. —Good work has been done at the various outlying islands by the European Resident Agents in demonstrating to shippers the correct method of picking and packing for export, and the quality of fruit shipped from these islands has consequently much improved. No complaints have been received for the last two years and six months from the purchasers in New Zealand. Copra. There were 1,695 tons of copra, valued at £31,151, exported during the year, being 160 tons more than were exported in the previous year, the increase in value being £3,870. Coconuts. During the year a total of 658,840 nuts was sent away, 558,800 going to the United States of America, and the balance (100,040) to New Zealand. As pointed out in my last annual report, America is a new market for our coconuts, opened up by the San Francisco direct service, and it is a gratifying fact that although the number of nuts exported has increased during the year by some 550,000 —equal to 122 tons of copra—the amount of copra manufactured also shows a marked increase.
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Protection Sought. 1 previously pointed out that it is necessary that this most important subject should not be lost sight of, and with that view I again repeat the remarks contained in my first annual report, which were as follows :— Attention is drawn to the fact that the New Zealand Government protects its fruitgrowers by levying a duty of Id. on all imported plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, medlars, apricots, quinces, tomatoes, and grapes. From the Ist January to the 13th July in each year the duty on imported apples and pears is Id. per pound, and |d. per pound for the remainder of the year. No such protection is offered to the fruitgrower of the Cook Islands, although a part of the Dominion of New Zealand. The staple fruits of these Islands are bananas and oranges, which are admitted into New Zealand free of duty, as is the case with the same class of fruit from the Australian Commonwealth, Fiji, Tonga, and the French Society Islands. The Cook Islands adopt the New Zealand Customs tariff, with one or two slight alterations, and, as a result, practically the whole of the trade of the Group is in the hands of the New Zealand trader and producer. New Zealand has a monopoly of the trade in flour, tinned meats, butter and cheese, biscuits, and also fruit-cases ; all being admitted free of duty here because they are imported from New Zealand. Were any of the above products imported from Australia or America, the duty would be charged as enacted in the New Zealand Customs tariff. In addition to the above, almost every article of merchandise imported passes through the hands of the New Zealand trader, who undoubtedly makes his profit. In return, I think you will find, upon inquiry, the Cook-Islander receives practically nothing. Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and the French Society Islands Governments give no concessions in the way of preferential duties on New Zealand exports, yet New Zealand allows their fruits to be admitted into the New Zealand market on the same basis as it does the fruit grown in the Cook Islands. It is not encouraging to the Cook Island fruitgrowers to send large shipments of sound fruit to New Zealand in the expectation of remunerative prices, to find, on the return of the steamer, that perhaps a boat has arrived from Fiji or Tonga two or three days previously and glutted the market. As fruitgrowing is practically the only industry, with the exception of copra, in these Islands, it is only fair to suggest that New Zealand should protect the industry in return for the protection which she receives from the Cook Islands. I would suggest that the New Zealand Government levy a duty on oranges and bananas imported from outside the Cook Islands from, say, the Ist March to the 30th September in each year. If this were done an immense benefit would be conferred upon the Cook Island Group. Shipping. I would again draw your attention to my remarks regarding the freight charged from New Zealand to the Cook Islands as compared with that charged from New Zealand to Tahiti, as follows : — The freight charged from New Zealand to the Cook Islands is £2 per ton, and from New Zealand to Tahiti, £1 15s. When inquiries were made upon this subject it was stated that the difference was caused by the fact that, although the distance is much greater from New Zealand to Tahiti than it is from New Zealand to Rarotonga, the company had no charges to pay in the French possessions, j submit that they have no charges to pay in the Cook Islands. It is true that they supply their own boats and boatmen at Rarotonga, and that they have to pay for the upkeep of the wharf and the sheds —property which is leased to them by the Cook Islands Administration ; but they charge at the rate of Is. per ton on outward and inward cargo, and this is over and above the £2 per ton freight. At all the other islands of this Group at which the company's ships touch the boating is done by the Natives and traders themselves at their own cost, delivering at the ship's side outward cargo, and returning with inward cargo. Therefore I submit that the company should be approached to grant the same concessions to the Cook Islands inhabitants as are granted to the inhabitants of the French possessions. A set of tables giving the exports from the Group by the Wellington and Auckland routes up to 31st December, 1911, is appended, showing a total outward tonnage of 17,167 tons, and returns furnished by the Union Company show the approximate inward tonnage to be 6,089 tons for the year ended 31st March last. lam glad to note that freights by both services are still increasing, and that full advantage is taken of the Wellington service by shippers to southern ports. It may again be mentioned that the greater portion of the money derived from the Wellington shipments goes to Auckland, as 70 per cent, of the inward trade is done with Auckland merchants, who for years past have made a business of catering for the Island trade. The Auckland service is still very unsatisfactory," and, as previously urged by me, action should be taken for its improvement. I respectfully draw your attention to the manner in which the development of the export trade is being hampered by want of steamer space in the busy months of the fruit season. There is ample evidence that in those months it often occurs that upon the arrival of the " Talune :, at Rarotonga to proceed through the French islands and outlying islands of the Cook Group a planter or trader may be in a position to ship two thousand boxes, and he is limited to a thousand, and so on down to the man who desires to ship ten boxes. This is not only a very serious matter to the shippers, but it is a still more serious matter as affecting the progress of the Cook Island Group, for the fruit, which is perishable, is lost, and the Administration loses the increased Customs revenue in consequence. If the Union Company cannot see their way to build a suitable vessel for this growing trade, which must be faster and with greater space than the "Talune," it would be to their interest and to the interest of the Islands to provide one of their bigger boats during the busy season. It frequently happens that cargo is left behind in Auckland because the " Talune " is not big enough to accommodate the requirements of the importers owing to the amount of cargo that is being carried to French territory. The
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" Talune " is quite out of date for this trade, and great complaints are constantly being made of the meagre passenger accommodation upon her. Passengers are confined to a small margin of the deck, which has to be mainly utilized for the carriage of fruit as deck cargo owing to want of other space. If representations were made by the New Zealand Government through you to the Union Company in Dunedin, the company would no doubt see its way to comply with the reasonable requirements of the planters and traders. A faster ship is required to enable fruit to arrive in Auckland on Thursday morning, and so enable it to be rapidly disposed of by rail and coastal steamer to the outlying districts of Auckland, and south if necessary. As already stated, it is very much to be regretted that the steamer from Fiji arrives in Wellington practically at the same time as the mail steamer arrives from Rarotonga, the result being a glut in the market, and the Cook Island fruit suffe s owing to the low prices which consequently rule. I respectfully request that you make representations to the Union Steamship Company to see if it is not possible to obviate this. I need not impress upon you the importance of this to the fruit industry. Representations on the subject have been made to me from New Zealand by some fruit-merchants and also by various planters, and you will also find the matter referred to in the report of the Fruit Inspector. An unfortunate incident occurred on the 23rd February, 1912, when the R.M.S. "Maitai" left behind some four thousand cases of fruit prepared for shipment to Wellington, owing, it is stated by the Union Steamship Company, to the inclemency of the weather. I offered every possible inducement to the captain of the " Maitai " to take the cargo, but he considered it impossible, and left it behind. The loss was a very heavy one to shippers and to the revenue of this Administration, and is much to be regretted. I am very pleased to be able to inform you that arrangements have been made for the Auckland steamer to be berthed at Auckland immediately on arrival instead of waiting in the stream for medical inspection. The med'cal inspection will in future take place at the wharf, and the passengers and crew, of course, will not be allowed to land until such inspection is complete. This will very much facilitate the rapid handling of the fruit at Auckland with a view of obviating the fruit remaining in the sheds at Auckland on a Sunday. Railway Rates. It is to be regretted that so far Cook Islands fruit has not been admitted to the concession in railway rates allowed in the case of New-Zealand-grown fruit. The objection raised by the Railway Department is that they are unable to distinguish between Cook Islands and other island fruit; but I submit that the same objection might be made with regard to fruits imported from Sydney and other places which are also locally grown. It appears to me a simple matter to place on Cook Island fruit-cases a distinguishing mark—to be made by the Fruit Inspector in New Zealand if necessary —and to provide a substantial penalty to protect the Railway Department against fraud. In any case lam of opinion that the ease with which abuse of the concession could be detected would deter any one from endeavouring to take unfair advantage of it, and I urgently request that in the near future the Government of New Zealand may see its way to extend the concession to Cook Island fruit under the above conditions. Courts. High Court. On the criminal side of the Court 197 cases were heard, being 109 less than in the previous year. Of these only a comparatively small proportion were serious offences, the balance being offences inseparable from a Native community. There were fifty-six cases of drunkenness from and manufacture of bush-beer, involving 113 defendants, as compared with eighty-nine cases involving 233 defendants in the previous year. These figures indicate that drunkenness is steadily on the decrease. The system of sentencing frequent offenders to terms of imprisonment on outlying islands has had a deterrent effect on others, and has largely contributed to the decrease in crime generally. I may say here that the Native police, under the supervision of Sergeant Holmes, have carried out their duties in an efficient manner, and the quiet orderly behaviour of Natives while on their way to and from the numerous picture entertainments held in the Island of Rarotonga is not only creditable to the police, but is also an indication of the excellent general conduct of our Native people. On the Civil side of the High Court twenty-three cases were heard, as against thirty-four in the previous year. The total fees and fines imposed in the Criminal Court amounted to £151 10s. 6d., and in the Civil Court to £12 10s. 6d., a total of £164 Is. Land Titles Court. Owing to the necessity of my devoting the whole of my time to the general administration of the Group, the New Zealand Government complied with my request that a Judge of the Native Land Court of New Zealand should be sent down to hear the numerous land cases in various islands of the Group. His Honour Judge MacCormick has undertaken this work, and is at the time of writing dealing with cases on the Island of Rarotonga. Later on he will proceed to some of the outlying islands. It is intended that Judge MacCormick should continue this work for some months, but it will be impossible for him to complete the work on this visit, although it is hoped that the greater portion of the applications for investigation lodged will be dealt with. On the 31st March, 1911, there was an amount of fees outstanding of £493. During the year the fees imposed amounted to £47, and £116 has been collected, leaving a balance outstanding on the 31st March last of £424.
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Public Health. During the year excellent work has been done in Rarotonga in looking after the health of the Natives. The Hospital, which is now furnished and thoroughly equipped, has been taken full advantage of by both the Natives and Europeans. During the year 4,512 out-patients were attended to at the Hospital, and 506 visits were paid by the Medical Officers to patients at their homes. During the last six months of the year in-patients were received at the institution, the number passing through in that time being fifty-three. It was a matter for regret that the valuable services of Dr. Perceval, the Chief Medical and Health Officer, were lost to the Administration owing to his having accepted a much more important post offered to him in England. I append a copy of Dr. Perceval's letter of resignation : — " Sir,— "The Hospital, Rarotonga, 23rd October, 1911. " It is with regret that I ask you to accept my resignation as Chief Medical and Health Officer to your Administration, and suggest the appointment of Dr. Baldwin in my stead. lam so doing on account of having accepted an appointment at Home at a considerable advance to my present salary. " During my term of office I have received every consideration from you in carrying out my wishes with regard to work done under the Health Act. I have never found the slightest cause or reason for any friction. Personally lam sorry to have to sever my connection with you and my duties at the Hospital. " The staff under me work well, are attentive to and zealous in the discharge of their duties, and I would wish, on their behalf, to bring this under your notice. " I have, &c, " M. Perceval, P.M.O. " Captain J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga." I also append a letter addressed to me by the former Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Chesson, who was compelled, owing to the ill effect of the climate upon his health, to obtain a transfer to .the Public Health Department of New Zealand, — " Sib,— " Wellington, 12th March, 1911. " I regret to inform you that my health has not improved as rapidly as I had hoped, and I am advised by Dr. Mason that he does not consider it advisable that I should return to the tropics. I am sorry, therefore, to inform you that I have determined not to return to Rarotonga, but to accept a position in the Public Health Department of New Zealand, where I take up my duties on the 14th instant. " I take this opportunity of thanking you for at all times so readily co-operating with me in all matters relating to my department, and for the consideration shown by you at all times, especially during my illness. " I have, &c, " Herbert Chesson, " Chief Medical and Health Officer. " Captain J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga." On the resignation of Dr. Perceval Dr. Baldwin was appointed Chief Medical and Health Officer, and he has now the assistance of Dr. Maclurkin, a gentleman chosen in England by the High Commissioner for the position. This is the first time that the Administration has been in a position to send the Assistant Medical Officer round to the outlying islands to attend to the health of the Natives, numbering some 10,000 inhabitants. The Chief Medical Officer has to attend at Rarotonga to the health of some 2,600 Natives. In addition to the base Hospital, dispensaries have been established in all the villages at Rarotonga, and on stated days each week the Medical Officer attends at the various dispensaries. Those ailing Natives who are unable through illness to attend at the dispensaries are reported upon by the police stationed in each village, and the doctor proceeds to their residences to render medical aid. In the case of the islands near to Rarotonga each European Resident Agent is provided monthly with a supply of drugs, and in the case of the outlying islands, on every available opportunity, with written instructions by the Chief Medical Officer how to administer the same. As far back as the 22nd August, 1899, the following statement was made by the then British Resident, Colonel Gudgeon, in " An Act to provide for the Punishment of Offenders " —viz. : " And whereas an efficient hospital and medical staff has been provided in Rarotonga at the expense of the Federal Government, which same is open to all the inhabitants free of charge," &c. In a letter dated the 16th January, 1908 —nine years later—addressed to the then Minister (vide A.-3, 1908, page 38) by Colonel Gudgeon, the fourth paragraph reads as follows: "As for the hospital, I have to report that any objection there may be to it is entirely professional, and it is at least up to the standard of New Zealand hospitals of twenty years ago. For the last three years it has, I believe, had only one Native inmate. Under these circumstances I have not felt justified in building a £500 hospital that would not be used." These statements are somewhat misleading, as there was never a hospital that could be called such prior to my time. The building was an old rotten store, quite unfit for in-patients, and was merely used all these years as a dispensary. You yourself, when you saw the building, condemned it, and it was destroyed by fire at your request. The letter above quoted shows that for three years prior to its date only one Native patient was received in the hospital, and I am in a position to state that since that date only three in-patients were ever admitted. At the present time the new Hospital is taxed to its utmost capacity to accommodate the in-patients offering, and patients are not only attended to by the Administration free of charge, but are fed and nursed at the expense of the State. This has been paid for out of direct Customs revenue, as no taxation has been imposed upon Natives or Europeans to cover the cost.
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The foregoing, I submit, fully justifies my statement that prior to my time there never was a hospital that could be called such. The new Hospital, its furniture, instruments, and equipment, with the erection of the Chief Medical Officer's residence and the Nurses' Home, cost some £3,300, which had to be provided out of revenue as it came in. For the year under review the cost of the upkeep of the Hospital, and other recurring expenses in connection with attention to the health of the people, was £1,120, as against £910 in the previous year. I submit that all that it is possible to do under the present circumstances is being done, but it is not enough to preserve the race. Want of proper communication for the medical staff with the outlying islands seriously hampers the work in these islands, and until the New Zealand Government is prepared to assist the Cook Islands Administration as indicated in my letter to you of the 29th April last nothing further can be done. Prior to my time no visits of any value were paid to the outlying islands, in consequence of the fact that it was impossible to do so for want of our own shipping service. Flying visits have been paid by the doctors when travelling in the London Missionary Society's steam yacht " John Williams," but, as that vessel only remains for two days at the outside at any one island, the visits of the doctors were practically valueless. Arrangements have now been made for the Assistant Medical Officer to visit those islands at which the Union Company's steamer calls, but this arrangement can only be carried out in the case of two or three of the near islands. The time has now arrived when it is imperative that the health of the Natives should be thoroughly attended to, and if this is to be done I respectfully submit that, as pointed out in my letter above referred to, it will be necessary for the New Zealand Government to provide an auxiliary schooner of about 120 or 150 tons, fitted with an oil-engine with horse-power sufficient to drive her from five to six knots an hour. In it quarters should be provided for the Medical Division, with sick-bays erected to convey ailing Natives from the various outlying islands to the main Hospital at Rarotonga. At the present moment no one can tell how far leprosy has spread in the Cook Islands, but I can say, for I have seen it myself, that it is there to a considerable extent, and the manner in which the lepers now live is nothing short of disgraceful. The number of lepers, however, is not sufficient for it to be assumed that leprosy is of indigenous origin. It has evidently been imported in comparatively recent years, and steps should be at once taken to prevent it becoming endemic. In his " Tropical Diseases," Patrick Manson, M.D., an eminent authority, says with regard to leprosy, " So generally is it diffused in tropical and subtropical countries that it would be more easy to specify the tropical countries in which leprosy has not, than to enumerate those in which it has, been ascertained to exist." Dr. Manson goes on to say that an interesting and, from the etiological standpoint, an important circumstance about the geographical distribution of leprosy is its appearance in recent times and rapid spread in certain islands whose inhabitants, there is good reason to believe, had previously been exempt. In the Sandwich Islands leprosy was noted among the aborigines for the first time in 1859. Soon after its presence was recognized the disease spread so rapidly that by the year 1865 there were 230 known lepers in a population of 67,000. By 1891 the Native population, from various causes, had diminished to 44,232 ; of these 1,500 were lepers —about one in thirty. In New Caledonia leprosy was unknown until 1865, and in 1888 the lepers numbered 4,000. On page 390 of the same work Dr. Manson says, " Though we are in absolute ignorance as to the process of infection, we may be quite sure that in leprosy there is an act of infection, and that the infective material comes from another leper. Leprosy has never been shown to arise de novo." It is unnecessary for me to dwell upon the loathsome features of this terrible disease, but I may say that I have visited the known lepers of the Cook Islands —these have been isolated as far as possible —and it can only be characterized as a most painful and revolting sight. The fact that our Islands are liable to a similar increase as was experienced in the Sandwich Islands and New Caledonia, unless something is done to arrest the disease, and that at once, makes it unnecessary for me to say more than that it is of the most vital importance that the matter be tackled without any delay whatever. The Cook Islands Administration is prepared to do its part, but, as pointed out in the report of the Chief Medical Officer, the collection and isolation of lepers cannot be carried out until the Administration is in possession of a vessel of its own. The disease may be regarded as incurable in those who have contracted it, but it is those who are at present free from taint that it is our duty to protect. On page 361 of " The Principles and Practice of Medicine " (William Osier, M.D., another noted authority), the following remarks will be found under the head of " Heredity " : " For years it was thought that the disease was transmitted from parent to child, but the general opinion, as expressed in the recent Leprosy Congress in Berlin, was decidedly against this view. Of course, the possibility of its transmission cannot be denied, and in this respect leprosy and tuberculosis occupy very much the same position, though men with very wide experience have never seen a newborn leper. The youngest cases are rarely under three or four years of age." It is recognized that little can be done to alleviate the sufferings of the unfortunate lepers now existing, but the children of the afflicted ones and others liable to come into contact with the present cases can and should be protected from developing this awful disease. I append the reports of the late Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Perceval, and also of the present Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Baldwin, together with my memorandum covering the former : — " Sic, — " Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 13th October, 1911. " As indicated in my letter of the 3rd instant (No. 667), I have now the honour to enclose herewith a copy of the Chief Medical Officer's report of the health of the Natives in the Group. The report is of a very serious nature, and I respectfully request that no time should be lost to place the health of the Natives on a better footing. This, as pointed out, cannot be done unless the Government possesses a schooner of its own in these waters. I await your instructions in the matter. " I have, &c, " J. Eman Smith, " Resident Commissioner. " The Hon. Sir James Carroll, K.C.M.G., Minister for Cook Islands Administration. Wellington,"
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View of Hospital, Nurses' Home, and Medical Officer's Residence, Rarotonga.
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The Hospital, Rarotonga.
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Medical Officer's Residence, Hospital Grounds, Rarotonga.
Nurses' Home, Hospital Grounds, Rarotonga.
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" Sir,— " The Hospital, Rarotonga, 10th October, 1911. " I have the honour to report that I left Rarotonga on the 30th August on a medical inspection of the Cook Group, returning Ist October. As you are aware, I did not expect any material benefit would accrue from it to the Natives from a medical point of view, the stay on the various islands being too brief, the object being on my part to make myself acquainted with the different diseases and the requirement of the Natives in this respect, and report to you thereon. " The health of the islands as a whole was in a most deplorable condition, as was this island when I arrived —syphilis predominant, working havoc with the constitution of Natives and materially affecting the birth-rate. I found no evidence of plague amongst the residents of the various islands, nor could I hear of any ever having been heard of. I did not hear of any disease amongst rats —they are numerous at Penrhyn. " The diseases I found most prevalent were syphilis—secondary, tertiary, and constitutional (primary —few cases are seen, as the Natives treat the sores themselves, with baneful results) : intermittent fever of an irregular type, gonorrhoea, uterine diseases, phthisis, rheumatism, skin-diseases peculiar to the tropics, leprosy, beriberi (a form of which is peculiar to and endemic in the Northern Group), and other diseases which are met with amongst white races as well as coloured. " There were no medicines for the treatment of the Natives on the Northern Group, and only on two of the Southern —Aitutaki and Mangaia —there being no regular means of communication with the other islands except in the fruit season, and then at irregular intervals. You must expect a large increase in the drug account over and above my estimate to you if their requirements are to be met. " Leprosy is rife on every island except Rarotonga. I know myself of thirty-seven or thirtyeight cases —fifteen in Penrhyn, five in Rakahanga, six in Manihiki, three in Pukapuka, three in Palmerston, three in Aitutaki, one in Mangaia and one in Mitiaro —a suspect; but the Natives hide these cases, so in all probability there are many more. These cases consist of the tubercular nodular form, and one of nerve-degeneration. I cannot in this report go into the heredity and contagiousness of this disease, but draw your attention to the fact that all contagious diseases demand certain conditions for their diffusion. In some these conditions are readily complied with ; in others they are complied with with greater difficulty, and perhaps rarely occur. Leprosy in my opinion belongs to the latter class. " I would strongly advise that, in the interests of the patients, in the interests of the inhabitants, and having regard to the fruit trade, all these cases are collected by a Government vessel and isolated at Penrhyn ; that the children of leprous parents should be removed from the leprous surroundings ; that the voluntary isolation of lepers in colonies on the island should be encouraged. In countries where leprosy forms a chief centre isolation is the best means of preventing and controlling the disease. " As the leper patients are now situated the situation is distressing in the extreme—no fresh water for washing, no soap, no change of garments —filth predominates. Complaints were made to me in Penrhyn that the man in charge (not efficient) appropriated most of the rations ; at Rakahanga, that they had not sufficient food, and their relatives would not give them any. The same applies to Manihiki. At Penrhyn the Native huts were not at all suitably kept. Rations should be allowed of flour, tea, biscuits, sugar, beef, and soap to supplement their Native diet of coconuts and fish. There is no supervision of the Native in charge at Penrhyn. lam of opinion that a large shed with iron roof and tanks for water should be erected at Penrhyn, sides covered with purau, for the least affected cases, and that Native huts should be used for the worst cases, constructed on the plan of the hut occupied by the man in charge. " The island for the lepers at Aitutaki is too close to the main land, as there is frequent communication by other Natives. Water there is an urgent need—all they have is that taken to them once a week from the main island, and sometimes from stress of weather delayed several days. The same want of cleanliness applies there also. My remarks re shed apply here also. "At Palmerston the position of the two boys is still more disgraceful. They were placed on a bare sandbank without shade or water by the order of Mr. Hall, L.M.S., on account of the infectious and contagious nature of the disease ! To an adjoining island, upon which a suspect had been placed, and which I found to be leprous, I ordered these two boys to be at once removed. They complained bitterly of the way they had been treated by the people of Palmerston in refusing them food or water from their canoes in passing, and had to wait a day or longer before it was brought to them. These statements were made in the presence of the Rev. Mr. James, of the London Missionary Society, as well as myself, on the occasion of thefrecent visit. " The health of the people of Mauke, Atiu, Aitutaki, and Mangaia is in such a bad condition that it would take a medical man six months on each island to rectify before they could be visited at stated intervals. Accommodation there is none, and it would have to be provided in the shape of a hospital tent, &c, and orderly, the houses of the Resident Agents being of the most meagre description, none of them capable of offering sleeping-quarters, many of the Natives having more pretentious dwellings. I do not see how these people can be attended to medically without a suitable vessel being placed at the disposal of the Administration and practically in the hands of the Health Department. The French plan, on the other hand, might be adopted as in their outlying islands, and that is a medical man is Resident Agent with assistants for office-work. " I cannot emphasize more strongly than point out the urgent necessity that steps should at once be taken to relieve the enormous amount of suffering which exists in these islands, as I have pointed out to you in my report. " I brought eight patients back with me, two cases being beriberi, for observation and treatment, three cases for operation, and three medical cases. Had the hospital been larger I could have filled it three or four times over with deserving cases. There are ten patients in the hospital at the present time. " I naye > &c -> " Chief Medical and Health Officer. " Captain J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga,"
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I append the report of the Chief Medical and Health Officer : — ■' Sir,— " Rarotonga, 2nd April, 1912. " I have the honour to report that since the date of my appointment the health of the people on the Island of Rarotonga has been on the whole satisfactory. There has been no form of epidemic disease, unless one includes the various manifestations of syphilis. There have been very few cases of this disease in the primary form, but many hereditary and other advanced cases. The problem of fighting it is a difficult one. " The Hospital has been opened for in-patients during the year, and that it has filled a longfelt want is shown by the fact that there have been fifty-three inmates. The number of deaths was two. Most of the cases are from the Island of Rarotonga. " The appointment of Dr. Maclurkin as Assistant Medical Officer enabled me to leave Rarotonga for the purpose of paying flying visits to the Islands of Aitutaki, Atiu, and Mangaia, and in the extremely short time at my disposal at these islands I found many cases which would benefit by hospital treatment. The difficulty is that with our present insufficient means of communication it is impossible to bring such cases into the Hospital, and even if we could do so we could give no guarantee as to when the cases could be returned to their homes. The Union Company's steamers only call where there is a likelihood of cargo, and the locally-owned schooners cannot be depended upon in any way. The steamer service is a monthly one, and is practically useless owing to the fact that it means travelling via Tahiti and also a compulsory stop of four weeks on any one island, in addition to which it is only a partial service, as for some months of the year the steamer calls at the Island of Mangaia only. " The Northern Islands have not been visited since last September, and there is no chance of visiting them until next September, when I hope to be permitted to proceed there on the London Missionary Society's steamer ' John Williams.' This will be better than no visit at all, but as I shall be a passenger I shall have to leave when they want me to, whether my work is finished or not. " Under the circumstances I am left no option but to ask you to make arrangements for a vessel of our own, for this is the only way by which proper attention can be given in the outlying islands to the health of the people. lam of opinion that each island should be visited at least every three months, and until we have had an opportunity of getting acquainted with their requirements a stay of three weeks on some of the islands would be necessary. " Another most vital point which has to be considered is that of leprosy. How many cases there are scattered about I do not know, nor does any one else, for prior to the appointment of an assistant Medical Officer the cursory inspection now given to the islands was not even possible. During my next trip I hope to be able to make more satisfactory arrangements for the care of any lepers I may find, and I also desire to select a suitable island, which should be easily accessible from Rarotonga, where all the lepers in the Group could be isolated together. When a selection has been made we are, however, faced with the problem of conveying the lepers there. This can only be done with our own vessel. " An important reason for the necessity of putting our islands in a state of health is the opening in the near future of the Panama Canal. I have been in communication with the authorities of the Canal zone, and they have told me what measures they intend to take to prevent as far as possible yellow fever getting past them ; these measures, however, may not always be successful. lam aware that the mosquito which is suspected of conveying yellow fever exists in our islands, and measures must be taken for the destruction of these mosquitoes before there is any chance of the fever reaching us. " The point I wish to drive home is that there is work to be done ; the Natives are in a state such as must end in their extinction if nothing is done. I believe they can be made healthy, and I desire to do what I can to preserve what I believe to be a race worth preserving. So far you have given me what I have asked for. lam now making a big request, and I trust that you will be able to arrange it, and that something may be done during this year to provide a vessel of our own, without which the difficulties of giving proper attention to the health of our people are insurmountable. " With regard to the Hospital, I may say that what was called a hospital existed here for some years, but there was next to no provision made for in-patients. The present building is adequate for present requirements, as twelve patients can be accommodated in the main building and two or three in a Burro annexe. If, however, we are to be allowed to work the other islands as they ought to be worked an extension will have to be provided for. " During the year supplies of medicines have been sent to the various islands as opportunity offered. »» "I have, &c, " The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. " G. Pearce Baldwin." Audit. The accounts of the Administration were again audited by Mr. A. G. Clarke, of the Postal Department of New Zealand, and I attach a copy of his report for your information. General. Education. The question of the education of the Natives should receive your serious consideration. Both sides of the House are, I understand, agreed upon this, and a promise was made on behalf of the then Government by the late Under-Secretary for Justice, when in Rarotonga a short time ago, that the Government would take over the education of the people. At the present time the education (if it can be called such) given to Native children is mainly in the hands of the London Missionary Society, now about to vacate the Islands. Only in one of the Society's schools can English be said to be taught,
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that is the Tereora School, which is subsidized by the Cook Islands Government. I submit that Englibh should be taught in all the schools. All that is necessary is that the Natives should be taught to read and write and also simple arithmetic ; to this should be added a knowledge of trades, such as carpentering, plumbing, and blacksmith work. The nuns of the Roman Catholic Convent have done remarkably good work in teaching the Native children English, and they also teach the girls sewing. If a system of education is established it should, in my opinion, be not only paid for by the New Zealand Government—for the limited revenue of the Cook Islands could not stand the strain—but the education itself should be left entirely in the hands of the Cook Islands Administration. The London Missionary Society, I understand, desire that all the properties held by them for educational purposes should be purchased by the New Zealand or the Cook Islands Government. I respectfully submit that if it should be decided to establish a system of education such as I have indicated, the ownership of the properties now in the possession of the London Missionary Society should be determined by the Land Titles Court, when I think it would be found that such properties belong to the Natives. Bush-beer. I think it expedient to make the following remarks upon this subject:— The Natives have long been in the habit of manufacturing and drinking a beverage called bushbeer. There are three kinds —orange, banana, and pineapple—all of which are intoxicating. Orangebeer is manufactured by taking fallen ripe oranges, squeezing them into a tub, adding other ingredients, and leaving it for some days to ferment. The process is practically the same in the other two beers. On Sundays, principally, the brewer of the tub invites his friends into the mountain to partake of the brew, and the results will be frequently seen on Sunday evenings in some of the villages. Although endeavours have been made by my predecessors and myself to stop this practice it is very difficult to do so. As you know, the Cook Islands law does not permit (and rightly) a Native to import, purchase, or receive any European liquor ; the only means whereby he could procure it would be through the Collector of Customs, who is solely responsible for the administration of this Act, by permit from the doctors for medical purposes, or by permit from the Resident Commissioner. I may here state that during my three years' administration I have never issued one permit, nor have I assisted any one to procure one. I have seen it stated in newspapers that I personally granted permits. I would draw your attention to the fact that the London Missionary Society has been working on these Islands for eighty years, and although they possessed during that period very great influence over the Natives, they failed absolutely in suppressing bush-beer drinking. The Island of Rarotonga alone possesses 2,600 Natives, and I submit that without large expenditure to maintain an efficient body of European police, which the Cook Islands Administration cannot afford, this evil will never bo totally suppressed. It is not generally known that the only force the Resident Commissioner has to support him is one European constable and eight Native constables, and it must be evident that with this force the evil cannot be altogether abolished. By inflicting substantial penalties, in the shape of imprisonment or fines, which have been paid or carried out, 1 have endeavoured to suppress it, and I am glad to be able to point to the figures in this and my previous two annual reports showing that the penalties inflicted have not been without a beneficial effect. In 1909-10 there were seventy-two cases, involving 258 defendants ; in 1910-11 there were eighty-nine cases, involving 233 defendants ; in 1911—12 there were fifty-six cases, involving 113 defendants. These figures show that the drinking of bush-beer is decreasing. There is no doubt that the bush-beer drinking was directly the cause of the only two serious crimes committed during the past two years, both of which occurred on a Sunday. It may seem strange to place in writing the fact that after eighty years' Christian teaching by the London Missionary Society 90 per cent, of the crime is committed on Sunday, and the sworn evidence in the Noo-ongo case will show that 80 per cent, of the witnesses left church for the bush-beer tub. I may conclude by saying that the drinking of bush-beer in my three years' administration has been less than it ever was before. This can be substantiated by Court facts and by the testimony of old and highly respected inhabitants of the Cook Islands, both European and Native. Labour. In my last annual report I mentioned that the question of labour for shipping and plantation purposes was causing some anxiety owing to the prosperous condition of the Natives, they finding under the improved conditions their own plantation-work more payable than hitherto. I am glad to be able to inform you now that the labour question, as far as the Polynesian is concerned, has been practically settled by the introduction of picture-shows, no less than four being established on the Island of Rarotonga, and as much as £150 a month is being paid by the proprietors of the picture-shows for the use of the films. The Native now chooses to amuse himself by attending every night, and additional money being therefore required by him to supply his desire, he is more anxious to seek employment in the shipping and other directions, in addition to which he gives attention to his own plantation. I stated previously that I was totally opposed to the introduction of Asiatic labour in any form. I am more convinced than ever that the strictest supervision should be exercised by the authorities now that it is within measureable distance of the opening of the Panama Canal. Since my last report Chinese and Japanese have been flocking in to the French Islands which are in a direct line to Panama, and only two days' steam from the Cook Islands. Fortunately the Resident Commissioner has the power to exclude Chinese and other Asiatics from the British possessions in the Cook Islands, and just so long as I remain Resident Commissioner it is my intention to strictly enforce the law of exclusion.
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Public Works. I think it will not be out of place for me to give here a list of some of the undertakings and public works which have been carried out in the Cook Islands during my three years' administration, as follows : Water-supply for the Arorangi District, Rarotonga ; water-supply for the Ngatangiia District, Rarotonga ; erected ferro-concrete tanks for the storage of fresh water for drinking purposes Islands of Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Rakahanga (these tanks each hold 5,000 gallons of water, and I have no doubt that their erection will materially benefit the health of the Natives on the islands mentioned, where hitherto the people have had no store of perfectly fresh water, there being no streams to draw upon) ; erection and equipment of an up-to-date Hospital and laying-out of grounds ; erection of a residence for the Chief Medical Officer in the Hospital grounds ; erection and furnishing of a Nurses' Home in the Hospital grounds ; general improvement and widening-out of main road about the wharves and from the main village of Avarua to the settlement of Avatiu ; formation of an esplanade and the erection of seats thereon ; erection of a public-works store ; reconstruction of the whole formation of the road round Rarotonga, and renewal of all old bridges ; erection at Aitutaki Island of a cargo-shed with wharf and rails ; construction of a channel between the shore and the reef at Mangaia to facilitate shipping by permitting cargo to be boated from the shore to the ship and vice versa ; establishment of a Resident Agency on the Island of Atiu, and the erection of a residence therefor ; establishment of a Resident Agency at the Island of Mauke, and the erection of a residence therefor, which is now being completed ; bringing into force fruit regulations which have so materially improved the fruit industry ; establishment of a post-office savings-bank at Rarotonga ; land taken by Order in Council for a wireless telegraph station ; importation of the thoroughbred stallion Malachi for the purpose of improving the breed of horses ; importation of prize pigs to improve the breed of pigs. Other works of minor importance were, of course, carried out. Federal Ordinances. The following Federal Ordinances were passed during the time of my administration and received the assent of His Excellency the Governor : Published in my annual report for year ended 31st March, 1910 —The Trading License Ordinance, 1909; the Desecration of Graves Ordinance, 1910. Published in my annual report for year ended 31st March, 1911—the Public Health Ordinance, 1910. Published in this report —The Public Health (Insanitary Buildings) Ordinance, 1911 ; the Shipmasters' Certificate Ordinance, 1911 ; the Cook Islands Hospital Ordinance, 1911 ; the Importation and Sale of Firearms Ordinance, 1912 ; the Public Buildings Inspection and Licensing Ordinance, 1912. Live-stock. I am pleased to be able to report that full advantage of the services of the thoroughbred stallion Malachi has been taken by both Europeans and Natives. It was not at first intended to give the services of the horse free, but it was afterwards found expedient to do so. Many of the residents, encouraged by the action of the Government in providing such a first-class stallion, have imported mares of a very good stamp from New Zealand, and we are now well on the way to possess a first-class stamp of horses for our requirements, in place of the undersized and weedy animals of Chilian breed which have for so many years been used. The pigs imported have also been much appreciated, and evidence of the improvement brought about by the introduction of first-class Berkshire stock is apparent everywhere. The results anticipated by the importation of first-class stock—both the horse and the pigs— have been more than realized, and the thanks of the Administration are again due to the Government of New Zealand for its presentation of the horse Malachi, and also to Dr. C. J. Reakes, Director of the Division of Live-stock for the Agricultural Department, for the trouble he took in the selection of suitable pigs. Firearms. I stated in my last annual report that the time had arrived when the importation and use of firearms and ammunition should be governed by legislation. An Ordinance dealing with this subject has been passed by the Federal Council, and has received the assent of His Excellency the Governor. A copy is appended on page 41. Rarotonga. The Island of Rarotonga has experienced a good year, and various works have been undertaken for the general improvement of the island. The roads are in good order, and bridges have been repaired and renewed where required. As reported elsewhere, a comfortable cottage has been erected for the purposes of a Nurses' Home, which also provides a kitchen for the Hospital. The prosperity of the Natives has enabled them to build much-improved houses, and many permits for this purpose have been issued under the building regulations during the year. Moving-picture entertainments are much in favour, and several firms are operating in the island. Two fairly large halls have been built for this purpose, and I may say that every care was taken that sufficient exits and other provisions for the safety of the public were provided. Mangaia. During the year the cutting of the reef passage was practically completed, and there only remains to be done the work of final clearing out of the coral deposited in the channel, which work is to be undertaken by the Natives. Owing to the continued rough weather at steamer times the total exports from Mangaia during the year were slightly less than in the previous year.
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The Resident Agent is making efforts to get new lands cleared and planted, and to induce the young people to work upon them instead of being kept in idleness by their parents ; but, while meeting with a good deal of passive resistance in this and other reforms, the matter is being pressed, and it is hoped that a general improvement will result, that more valuable returns will be obtained for the fruit, and that the exports will increase. Aitutaki. As in the case of Mangaia, a slight decrease in the exports was experienced, but on the whole the island is working on sound lines, and a general though gradual improvement all round is anticipated. It is proposed this year to so improve the cargo-shed that it may be used as a Government bond, and also to safely store inward cargo waiting delivery. Mr. J. McCuiloch, Resident Agent, whom it was found expedient to transfer to the Island of Mauke, was succeeded by Mr. E. F. Hawk, late Resident Agent at Penrhyn, whose place has been taken at the latter island by Mr. R. C. Morgan. Atiu. Very careful attention is being given by Major J. T. Large, the Resident Agent, to the administration of this island, and it should in time materially assist the revenue of the Administration. Mauke. I indicated in my last annual report that it was my intention to pay attention to the development of this island and to appoint a Resident Agent thereto. For this purpose 1 have taken Mr. J. McCulloch, formerly Resident Agent at Aitutaki, who is highly thought of by the Natives and very tactful in his dealings with them, and appointed him Resident Agent at Mauke to break it in to European administration. Where a Native Resident Agent is superseded by a European it is only natural that difficulties should be experienced, but I am confident that Mr. McCulloch, assisted by the late Resident Agent, Tamuera Tangata —to whom the thanks of the Administration are due for his former services -will soon have the island in good working-order. Material has been sent to the island with which to build a suitable dwelling and office for the new Government officer. In former years the splendid oranges which are grown at Mauke in great quantity have not had a fair opportunity of getting on to the market in good condition, and the Resident Agent's energies will be directed to teaching the Natives the most up-to-date methods of handling their fruit, as well as improving the general social conditions on the island. The calls of the Union Company's steamers at the Island of Mauke have in the past been most infrequent, but it is earnestly hoped that in future, owing to the increased output that may be anticipated, the Union Company will be encouraged to visit the island more frequently than at present. Penehyn. Owing to the transfer of Mr. E. F. Hawk, Resident Agent, to the Island of Aitutaki, Mr. R. C. Morgan was appointed Resident Agent. Mr. Morgan has a considerable knowledge of medicine, and should be of very great service to the Administration in this far-away island. The various departmental reports and returns are appended. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner, The Hon. the Minister in Charge of Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.
Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth May, 1912. I have the honour to forward herewith statements of revenue and expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1912, also trade returns for the year ended 31st December, 1911. The revenue for the year from all sources amounted to £8,923 18s. lid., being an increase of £656 9s. 6d. over the previous year. The principal increases are Customs duties, £864 ; stamps, £127 ; profit from Fruit Fumigation and Inspection Account, £60 ; and water rates from the Arorangi Waterworks, £81. The latter is a new item of revenue. Items showing decreases of any magnitude are Land Titles Court fees, £290 ; High Court fees, £115 ; rents, £69 ; and interest, £40. All arrears of rent and interest outstanding at the close of the year have since been collected. The total expenditure amounted to £9,430 2s. Bd., being an increase of £1,382 11s. 2d. over the preceding year, and £506 3s. 9d. in excess of the revenue. The balance to the credit of the Administration at the close of the year was £4,151 2s. 3d. Of this amount, £1,000 is invested in New Zealand Government debentures, and £1,000 on fixed deposit. Public works : The total amount expended on public works and live-stock imported for the benefit of the Cook Islands amounted to £4,195 16s. 2d. This is an increase of £972 15s. over the previous year. A perusal of the expenditure schedule will show the amount expended on the several works undertaken during the year.
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Liquor Account: The sales of liquor amounted to £194 12s. sd. Liquor is sold only on the production of a medical certificate, as provided by law. The cash balance, £71 12s. lid., transferred to the general revenue, appears excessive in comparison with the sales, but it must be noted that the stock in hand has been considerably reduced, compared with last year. Waterworks Account: The capital invested to date by the Administration in waterworks on the the Island of Rarotonga amounts to £3,369 9s. 2d., made up as follows : Avarua, £1,90J? 17s. 10d. ; Arorangi, £626 Os. 4d. ; Ngatangiia, £837 11s. As the Ngatangiia system was installed during the year, no rates have yet been collected. Fruit Fumigation and Inspection Account: The cash balance, after paying for labour and other expenses in connection with the fumigation and inspection of fruit, amounted to £387 4s. 9d. It must be noted, however, that the Fruit Inspector's salary is not charged against this account. Since its inception in 1908 the total expenditure under this head, including cost of the fumigator, amounts to £1,689 13s. 3d., and the receipts to £1,633 14s. 2d. This deficit of £55 19s. Id. will be met by fees receivable during the present year. Trade : The total oversea trade of the Group for the year is valued at £180,699 —imports £89,623, and exports £91,076. This is an increase of £6,155 over the previous year. Imports were responsible for almost the whole of the increase in value. As regards exports, the quantity exported shows a considerable increase over the preceding year. Bananas increased by 1,952 cases, oranges 13,588 cases, copra 160 tons, and coconuts by 555,000. Although the prices of fruit were not so high as in the year 1911, the increased output has enabled the year's total value to exceed that of last year. The prospects for the ensuing year appear bright. The output may not be as heavy, but prices are high, thus giving every indication of a prosperous year. I have, &c, W.. J. Stevenson, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. Treasurer, and Collector of Customs.
Sir, — Rarotonga, 9th May, 1912. I have the honour to inform you that I have audited the accounts of the Cook Islands Administration for the year-ended 31st March, 1912, and find them to be correct. I have also audited the books of the High Court and Land Titles Court, and find that all moneys received have been duly accounted for. I have, &c, A. G. Clarke, Auditor, An Officer of the New Zealand Postal Department. The Resident Commissioner, Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga.
Cook Islands Administration. Estimated Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1913. Salaries. £ s . d. Assistant Medical and Health Officer . . . . . . . . . . 400 0 0 Registrar, High Court .. .. . . . . . . . . . . 365 0 0 Engineer and Surveyor .. .. . . . . . . . . . . 300 0 0 Island allowance, Collector of Customs .. . . .. . . . . 100 0 0 Interpreter and Government Printer .. .. . . .. . . 250 0 0 Draughtsman . . .. .. . . . . . . . . . . 120 0 0 Cadet (1 at £60) . . .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 60 0 0 Fruit Inspector . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 250 0 0 Hospital Nurse . . . . . . .. .. .. .. ... 50 0 0 Resident Agent, Mangaia . . .. .. . . . . . . . . 225 0 0 Atiu . . . . .. .. . . . . . . 225 0 0 Aitutaki . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 225 0 0 Mauke . . . . .. .. . . . . .. 225 0 0 Penrhyn .. . . . . .. . . . . . . 200 0 0 ~ Manihiki and Rakahanga .. .. . . .. .. 100 0 0 Foreman of Works .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0
15
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Cook Islands Administration— continued. Estimated Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1913 —continued. Salaries — continued. Police, Rarotonga — £ s. d. European . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .. 150 0 0 1 sergeant . . . . . . . . . . .. £30 0 0 1 corporal . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 0 0 1 constable .. .. .. .. .. .. 500 5 constables, at £3 15s. . . . . . . . . 18 15 0 81 15 0 Police, Aitutaki . . ~ . . . . . . . . .. . . 29 0 0 Mangaia .. .. .. .'. . . .'. . . . . 29 0 0 Atiu .. . . . . . . . . . . 15 0 0 Mauke .. .. .. . . .. . . .. .. 600 Mitiaro .. .. . . .. . . • • . . . 400 Assessors, Aitu aid . . . . . . . . . . ■ .. 15 0 0 Mangaia . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 10 0 0 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 800 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. . . . . .. 500 Mitiaro .. ... .. .. .. . . . . 5 0 0 Clerk of Court, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 500 Mauke .. .. .. ... .. .. .. 300 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 Postmaster, Mauke .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 Mitiaro .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 300 Subsidies — Cool-chamber . . . . . . .. .. . . . . 100 0 0 Tereora School .. . . .. . .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Destruction of flying-fox . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 50 0 0 Pilot and boat, Aitutaki . . . . . . .. . . . . .. 10 0 0 Mangaia . . . . .. . . . . .. .. 10 0 0 Carrying mails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 20 0 0 Contingencies— General .. . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. 400 0 0 High Court . . . . . . .. .. .. .. .. 250 0 0 Land-titles Court .. .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 Miscellaneous — Hospital supplies and attendance . . .. . . . . . . . 800 0 0 House allowance, Registrar, High Court . . . . . . . . . . 30 0 0 Maintenance, lunatic Donaldson . . . . - . . . . . . 53 0 0 ~ Penrhyn lepers . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 0 0 Law books foi' High Court .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 25 0 0 Rents— Wharf-site .. .. .. .. .. .. £00 Post-office site .. . . . . . . . . ... 8 15 0 13 15 0 £5,831 10 0
Cook Islands Administration. Estimated Expenditure on Public Works for the Year ending 31st March, 1913. £ s. d. Mauke, offices and quarters .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 550 0 0 Upkeep, Government Buildings .. .. . . .. . . . . 100 0 0 Improvements, Avarua water-supply . . . . . . . . . . . . 500 0 0 Tanks, outlying islands . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 300 0 0 Takutea . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . 100 0 0 Drainage Marearenga Lagoon (first instalment) .. . . . . . . .. 500 0 0 Roads and bridges (Rarotonga) . . .. . . . . . . . . 500 0 0 Shed, Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 0 0 Mauke, road grant to join the two landings . . . . . . .. . . 100 0 0 Cells.. .. .. .. .. .. .. ... .. .. 200 0 0 £3,150 0 0
A.—3
16
Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1912.
Service. Voted. Expended. 1. Medical and Health Officer 2. Registrar, High Court 3. Engineer and Surveyor 4. Island allowance, Collector of Customs .. 5. Interpreter and Government Printer 6. Draughtsman 7. Cadet (1 at £50) 8. Fruit Inspector 9. Resident Agent, Mangaia 10. „ Atiu 11. „ Penrhyn 12. ,, Aitutaki 13. ,, Rakahanga and Manihiki 14. Foreman of Works 15. Police, Rarotonga, European 16. Police, Rarotonga — 1 sergeant 1 corporal 1 constable 5 constables, at £3 15s. £ s. d, 30 0 0 28 0 0 5 0 0 18 15 0 £ s. d. 350 0 0 340 0 0 300 0 0 90 0 0 225 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 250 0 0 225 0 0 220 0 0 215 0 0 200 0 0 75 0 0 120 0 0 150 0 0 £ s. d. 427 18 4 340 0 0 300 0 0 90 0 0 225 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 225 0 0 220 0 0 215 0 0 203 15 0 75 0 0 120 0 0 154 16 0 17. Police, Aitutaki 18. „ Mangaia 19. „ Atiu 20. „ Mauke 21. „ Mitiaro 22. Assessors, Aitutaki 23. ,, Mangaia 24. „ Atiu 25. „ Mauke 26. „ Mitiaro 27. Clerk of Court, Rarotonga 28. „ Mauke.. 29. „ Mitiaro 30. Postmaster, Mauke 31. „ Mitiaro .. 32. Subsidy, cool-chamber.. 33. „ Tereora School 34. „ Destruction of flying-fox 35. Pilot and boat, Aitutaki 36. ,, Mangaia 37. Carrying mails in Group 38. Contingencies, General.. 39. „ High Court 40. ,, Land-titles Court 41. Hospital supplies and attendance 42. House allowance, Registrar, High Court .. 43. Maintenance, lunatic Donaldson 44. ,, Penrhyn lepers 45. Rents — Wharf-site Post-office site £ s. d. ..500 .. 8 15 0 81 15 0 29 0 0 29 0 0 15 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 15 0 0 10 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 100 0 0 200 0 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 300 0 0 250 0 0 200 0 0 350 0 0 30 0 0 53 0 0 50 0 0 81 2 6 29 0 0 29 0 0 15 0 0 6 0 0 4 0 0 15 0 0 10 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 3 0 0 100 0 0 16 13 4 41 1 6 10 0 0 10 0 0 30 0 0 478 5 2 224 0 6 131 6 7 611 15 0 30 0 0 42 14 6 22 4 0 13 15 0 13 15 0 Public Works. 46. Mangaia Reef passage 47. Aitutaki shelter-shed on wharf 48. Roads and bridges, Rarotonga 49. Upkeep, Government Buildings.. 50. Addition to present offices 51. Avarua water-supply 52. Furniture and fittings, Hospital 53. Cells 54. Water-supply, Ngatangiia 55. Fumigator shelter-shed 300 0 0 250 0 0 250 0 0 100 0 0 200 0 0 100 0 0 50 0 0 200 0 0 750 0 0 200 0 0 624 17 4 687 13 3 104 4 11 20 10 8 330 5 8 837 11 0
17
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Cook Islands Administration — continued. Statement of Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1912 —continued.
Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer. Audited and found correct. —A. G. Clarke, Auditor. —10th May, 1911.
Cook Islands Administration. Revenue for Year ended 31st March, 1912. £ s. d. £ s. d. Balance, Ist April, 1911 .. .. .. .. . . .. 4,657 6 0 Customs duties, net —Rarotonga .. .. .. . . 4,792 15 10 „ New Zealand .. .. . . . . 1,752 0 2 Traders: licenses .. .. .. .. .. . . 569 15 0 Sale of stamps . . . . .. . . . - . . 470 811 Fees, Land Titles Court.. .. .. .. .. .. 116 19 6 Fees and fines, High Court .. .. . . . . . . 169 3 6 R.M. Court, Aitutaki .. . . . . . . 51 10 0 Mangaia .. . . . .. 93 11 6 Atiu .. . . . . . 26 10 0 ~ ~ Rakahanga and Manihiki . . . 14 3 0 Mauke .. .. .. .. 950 Water rates, Avarua .. .. . . . . . . . 148 0 0 „ Arorangi .. .. .. .. . . .. 81 4 6 Rents . • • 83 0 0 Interest .. .. .. .. . *• . . 40 0 0 Fruit Fumigation and Inspection Account —Gash balance . . . 387 4 9 Liquor Account —Cash balance .. .. .. . . . 71 12 11 Live-stock —Stallion fees .. .. .. . . . . 17 0 0 Shipping fees and forms .. .. .. 7 12 10 Medical inspection fees .. .. . . . . 110 0 Arorangi Waterworks Account, refunds '.. .. .. .. 1470 Sale of boat .. .. .. ■ . . .. . . . . 500 Miscellaneous .. .. . • • • 14 6 8,923 18 11 £13,581 4 11 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer. Audited and found correct. —A. G. Clarke, Auditor. —10th May, 1911.
3—A. 3.
Service. Voted. Expended. 56. Water-tanks, outlying islands 57. Live-stock, buildings and stores 58. Atiu shipping facilities 59. Addition to Post-office, Rarotonga Medical Officer's residence Assistant Medical Officer's residence Aitutaki cargo-shed Store, Public Works Department, upper floor Boat and shed, Rarotonga Grand Eastern Pacific Hotel Nurses' Home Compensation for land resumed Wigmore trial Salary, Messenger ,, Cook, Hospital ,, Nurse ,, .. .. .. ,, Judges and police, Rakahanga and Manihiki „ Resident Agent, Mauke Post-card Account, Dr. balance £ 600 100 400 100 s. d. 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 £ s. d. 486 11 8 182 14 4 112 7 7 89 13 1 21 17 6 6 0 5 14 14 2 129 10 0 129 12 8 274 9 5 165 0 0 154 2 7 36 0 0 35 11 0 23 10 0 32 0 0 86 19 6 11 18 6 Total expenditure Balance, including investments 9,430 2 8 4,151 2 3 13,581 4 11
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Cook Islands Administration. Details of Vote 38, General Contingent Expenditure. £ s. d. Boatmen, Rarotonga .. .. ~ .. .. .. 35 -13 6 Stationery and printing-material .. .. .. .. .129 9 4 Furniture and fittings, Government Buildings and Residency .. . . 62 4 5 Salary, Printer .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 16 0 Electric-bell fittings .. .. .. .. .. ..052 Flags .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..188 Fruit-cases .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 17 4 Passage, destitute Native .. .. .. .. .. ..150 Salary, Chief of Federal Government .. . . . . 812 0 Lawn-mower repairs .. .. .. .. .. ..030 Newspaper subscriptions .. .. .. . . .. 314 4 Labour, Residency .. . . . . .. .. 016 6 Court-room alterations .. .. .. .. .. 10 19 6 Gates, Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. . . ..2811 Repairs, Government Buildings, Mangaia . . .. . . 016 6 Wireless investigations .. .. .. .. .. ..356 Boatman, Atiu .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 10 0 Audit expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 912 0 Government Buildings, Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 12 12 10 „ Penrhyn Island . . . . . . ..550 Manke .. . . . . .. .. 0 16 0 Cables and telegrams .. .. .. .. .. .. 317 6 Bicycle repairs .. .. .. .. .. .. ..059 „ lamp .. .. .. .. .. .. 012 0 „ hire .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 012 0 Destruction of old building .. .. .. .. ..650 Removal of rain-gauge .. .. .. .. .. 019 6 Clearing grounds, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. 2126 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. 3 19 6 Transferring offices .. .. .. .. .. 10 5 3 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 73 14 3 Horse and buggy hire .. .. .. .. .. 515 0 Packing furniture .. .. .. .. .. 16 2 5 Painting fences .. . . .. . . .. . . 0 18 0 Carting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..060 Benevolent allowance, John Snow .. .. .. .. ..1196 Funeral expenses, John Snow .. .. .. .. ..289 Filters .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 19 9 Photos and negatives .. .. .. .. .. 414 6 Blasting rocks, Avarua Harbour .. .. .. .. ..180 Residency, material .. .. .. .. .. 3 10 0 Clearing watercourse .. .. .. .. .. 117 0 Freight, Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. ..016 £478 5 2 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.
Cook Islands Administration. Details of Vote 39, Contingent Expenditure, High Court. £ s. d. Meals, prisoners and police .. .. .. .. 72 5 10 Buggy-hire .. .. .. .. .. .. ..280 Tools and goal appliances .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 17 10 Travelling-allowances, police .. .. .. .. .. 28 16 0 Police uniforms .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 18 8 Assessor, Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 Police, Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. .. ..600 Passages, prisoners' .. .. .. .. .. ..940 Bonus, constable.. .. .. .. .. .. 5 10 0 Relieving-expenses .. .. .. .. .. ..500 Salary, acting-constable .. .. .. .. .. ..690 Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. ..220 Passage, ex-Inspector .. .. .. .. .. 610 0 Destruction of wandering animal .. .. .... ..050 Noonga trial ~ jury accommodation and attendance ~ .. .. 815 2 ~ witnesses' fees .. .. .. .. .. 811 0 jury fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 4 0 „ typewriting .. .. .. .. .. ..220 Kiu trial, witnesses' fees .. .. .. .. .. ..220 £224 0 6 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.
18
19
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Cook Islands Administration. Details of Vote 40, Contingent Expenditure, Land Titles Court. £ s. d. Stationery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 16 4 Labour " .. . . . . . . . 14 0 6 Instrument-repairs .. .. . . . . . . . . 0 15 0 Office fittings .. .. . . . . . . . . 10 6 9 Buggy-hire .. . .. . . . - .080 Travelling-allowance, Chief Judge . . . . . . . . 100 0 0 £131 6 7 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.
Cook Islands Administkation. Details of Vote 41, Hospital Supplies and Attendance. Dr. U s. d. Or. £ a. ■d. Drags ... ... ... 227 8 5 Payments of patients ... ... 29 4 6 Horse-feed ... ... ... 42 9 5 Sale of drugs ... ... ... 3 0 5 Shoeing ... ... ... 0 12 6 j Balance, charged against general Horse and buggy hire ... ... 20 10 9 revenue ... ... ... 611 15 0 Assistance, Native ... ... 53 2 10 C0a1... ... ... ... 20 2 2 Washing ... ... ... 14 14 11 Travelling-expenses ... ... 80 10 10 Photographs ... ... ... 250 Bicycle-repairs ... ... 2 5 0 Balance salary, late Chief Medical Officer ... ... ... 0 12 9 Insurance premium, trap ... 0 10 2 Printing ... ... ... 3 2 0 Milk ... ... ... 18 2 0 Bread ... ... ... 12 13 5 Groceries, meat, and provisions ... 141 0 9 Harness-repairs ... ... 0 10 6 Travelling-cape ... ... 3 6 6 £643 19 11 £643 19 11 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.
Cook Islands Administration. Table showing Amounts spent on Public Works from Year 1902 to 31st March, 1912. Yea,, A—. D ™" £ s."fd. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1902-3 .. .. .. .. .. 1,623 9JIO 1903-4 .. .. .. .. .. 1,163 9 10 .. 460 0 0 1904-5 .. .. .. .. . 607 15 7 .. 555 14 3 1905-6 .. .. .. .. .. 1,159 12 3 551 16 8 1906-7 .. .. .. .. .. 2,644 19 11 1,485 7 8 1907-8 .. .. .. 2,134 15 .. 510 18 6 1908-9 .. .. .. .. .. 1,320 14 6 .. 813 611 1909-10 .. .. .. .. .. 3,807 14 2 2,486 19 8 1910-11 .. .. .. .. .. 3,223 12 .. 584 13 0 1911-12 .. .. .. .. .. 4,195 16 2 972 15 0 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.
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20
Cook'lslands Administration. Statement of Liquor Account jor the Year ended 31st March, 1912. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. Stock, Ist April, 1911 ~ .. 97 16 3 Sales .. .. .. 194 12 5 Supplies .. .. .. 63 1 9 Stock on hand, 31st March, 1912 .. 54 0 5 Freight .. .. .. 16 9 Duty .. .. .. 57 18 6 Labour .. .. .. 0 12 6 Balance .. .. .. 27 17 1 £248 12 10 £248 12 10 Profit and Loss Account. £ s. d. £ a. d. Stock .. .. .. .. 54 0 5 Balance, Ist April, 1911 .. 97 16 3 Cash transferred to general revenue 71 12 11 „ 31st March, 1912 .. 27 17 1 £125 13 4 £125 13 4 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer
Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Receipts and Expenditure, Fruit Fumigation Account. Dr. £ s. d. Gr. £ s. d. Labour .. .. .. 351 15 2 Fumigation and inspection fees . . 793 19 2 Stationery .. .. .. 516 6 i Proceeds sale of fruit .. . . 619 2 Plants .. .. .. 8 8 9 „ jars .. . 212 6 Material and tools .. .. 24 5 1 Fruit purchased.. .. .. 4 10 0 Cases and battens .. .. 2 17 6 Chemicals .. .. .. 9 6 7 Buggy-hire .. .. .. 9 6 6 416 6 1 Balance, transferred to general revenue .. .. .. 387 4 9 £803 10 10 £803 10 10 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.
Cook Islands Administration. Details of Vote 57, Live-stock, Buildings, and Stores. Stallion— £ s. d. £ s. d. Feed .. •• •• .. 46 5 2 Attendance • • • ■ • • • • 49 15 0 Freight .. •• .. •• 9 16 2 Paddock and stable .. .. „... .. 17 13 1 Drugs .. .. .. .. 0 3 7 Shoeing .. .. .. .. 2 11 7 Harness-repairs .. .. .. .. 0 10 126 5 7 PigsFeed .. .. .. .. .. 25 1 6 Attendance .. .. .. .. .. 24 0 0 Paddock .. .. .. .. .. 593 Freight .. .. .. .. .. 1 18 0 56 8 9 £182 14 4 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1912. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.
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Cook Islands Administration. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1911.
21
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. £ Agricultural produce, not otherwise enumerated .. New Zealand Tahiti United States America.. £ 897 12 16 Animals, living, — Cattle Dogs Horses New Zealand .. 92 1 ,, . . . . 602 73 Tahiti" Fowls Pigs .. . . . . • Sheep Apparel and slops New Zealand .. ,, .. ,, .. 2,804 314 4 30 7 95 561 1 675 19 18 44 United Kingdom New South Wales France Germany United States America.. Tahiti Maiden Island Arms, ammunition, and explosives Arrowroot Bacon and hams Bags and sacks New Zealand Tahiti New Zealand .. 3,816 413 44 141 United States America.. Tahiti 930 57 8 Bamboo, for hat-making Beer and stout New Zealand United Kingdom Germany United States America.. Tahiti 54 67 29 9 2 995 343 Beverages, non-alcoholic Biscuits, cabin bread New Zealand .. 3,757 75 161 202 United States America.. 3,832 Bicycles, tricycles, and parts New Zealand Victoria France United States America.. 576 24 11 10 Boots and shoes New Zealand United Kingdom Canada France United States America.. ..Tahiti 500 6 21 5 172 8 621 Building-material, not otherwise enumerated New Zealand United States America.. 712 649 62 Butter and cheese Carriages, carts, &c, and parts of same.. New Zealand .. 233 2 1,390 711 1,392 New South Wales United States America.. 1,625 27 573 Casks, empty Cement Coal New Zealand .. ,, United States America.. 64 1 65
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22
Cook Islands Administration — continued. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1911 —continued.
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Cinematographs and accessories, also hire of films New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti £ 758 81 19 7 236 £ Confectionery 1,101 New Zealand United Kingdom Tahiti 287 1 5 Cordage and twine New Zealand Victoria United States America.. Tahiti 273 14 100 27 293 Cotton piece-goods New Zealand United Kingdom France United States America.. Tahiti Maiden Island 1,031 4,271 26 1,066 1,131 10 414 Drapery New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales Germany Ceylon United States America.. Japan Tahiti 2,900 1,390 5 243 5 9 28 51 7,535 Drugs and chemicals 4,631 New Zealand United Kingdom United States America.. Tahiti 467 25 3 13 Earthenware and glassware New Zealand United Kingdom Germany United States America.. Tahiti 508 436 12 37 49 4 538 Fancy goods and toys New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales France Germany United States America.. Tahiti Japan 517 80 58 3 41 63 19 45 Fish, preserved 826 New Zealand United Kingdom British Columbia United States America.. Tahiti 814 79 143 74 4 Hour 1,114 New Zealand United States America.. 2,821 927 Furniture New Zealand New South Wales Germany United States America.. Japan Tahiti 759 8 4 14 8 10 3,748
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23
Cook Islands Administration — continued. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1911 —continued.
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Hardware New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales France Germany United States America.. Tahiti Maiden Island £ 1,669 207 7 8 29 71 49 4 £ Hats and caps 2,044 New Zealand United Kingdom Germany Tahiti 418 47 54 12 Hops Hosiery New Zealand .. 531 11 )> • • • * United Kingdom France Tahiti 229 592 60 241 Instruments, — Dental Musical 1,122 New Zealand .. 23 ,, United Kingdom Germany United States America.. 51 32 79 1 163 Iron, — Bar, bolt, and rod Galvanized, corrugated Pipes New Zealand .. 78 1,267 ,, ... New South Wales 220 1,181 Tanks .. New Zealand Tahiti 1,401 279 5 Wire New Zealand Germany United States America.. Tahiti 236 15 2 1 284 Jewellery 254 New Zealand Tahiti 110 96 Launches and boats Machines, sewing, and parts of same New Zealand .. 75 1 49 564 113 206 186 United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 802 131 Machinery, oil-engine Matches United States New Zealand Germany 229 48 MeatsFrozen Preserved 277 New Zealand 5,172 25 478 Tahiti" 5,197 692 317 Salted .. Milk, preserved Nails New Zealand .. ,, United Kingdom Canada Tahiti 530 30 33 13 606
A.—3.
24
Cook Islands Administration — continued. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1911 —continued.
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Oars New Zealand Tahiti £ 76 5 £ Oil, — New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti Maiden 81 Kerosene and benzene 858 3 16 1 878 Other kinds New Zealand United Kingdom Tahiti 205 108 2 Paints and varnish New Zealand United Kingdom United States America.. Tahiti 315 253 264 42 7 566 Paper New Zealand Germany 113 22 Perfumery and toilet prepaiations New Zealand United Kingdom France United States America.. Tahiti 31 37 7 7 6 135 Photographic goods 88 New Zealand United Kingdom Victoria 62 89 8 Provisions not otherwise enumerated New Zealand United Kingdom Victoria United States America.. Tahiti 1,542 118 48 190 29 159 Saddlery and harness 1,927 New Zealand United States America. . Tahiti 303 136 20 Silks New Zealand United Kingdom Tahiti Japan 459 365 27 12 372 776 Soap New Zealand Tahiti Maiden Island 1,482 4 3 Spirits, — Brandy Gin and geneva 1,489 New Zealand . . 25 9 7 United Kingdom 34 Rum New Zealand United Kingdom Tahiti 9 5 3 Whisky 17 New Zealand United Kingdom 150 34 Methylated Perfumed New Zealand .. 184 6 ,, .. United Kingdom France Tahiti 5 56 88 8 157 i
25
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Cook Islands Administration— continued. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1911 —continued.
W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth February 1912, Collector of Customs, 4—A. 3,
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Stationery and books Specie Sugar New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti Samoa £ 386 84 20 12 36 1_| 2.320 3 3 | £ 539 9,501 2,326 241 New Zealand United Kingdom Tahiti Tea and coffee Timber, — Fruit-box Sawn New Zealand .. ,, .. 1,455 2,106 9 8,331 ,, . . . . United States America.. Tahiti Tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes.. New Zealand New South Wales India Tahiti 1,214 173 19 6 3,570 Tools New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti Maiden Island 118 149 19 92 25 6 1.412 1.412 Trees and plants New Zealand Victoria New South Wales 409 409 39 14 190 243 Trunks New Zealand New South Wales Hong Kong Tahiti 40 19 32 2 243 Wines, — Claret New Zealand Victoria United States America Tahiti 15 99 5 17 93 93 Port New Zealand Tahiti 4 2 136 136 Sparkling Woodenware .■;. New Zealand .. 6 6 3 ,, . . . . United States America 194 13 3 207 New Zealand United Kingdom Victoria United States America Tahiti 207 Miscellaneous 184 26 17 83 61 Total 371 371 £89,623
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26
Cook Islands Administration. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Exports for Year ended 31st December, 1911.
W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth March, 1912. Collector of Customs.
Cook Islands Administeation. Return showing Total Values of Imports and Exports for Year ended 31st December, 1911. IMPORTS. 1911. 1910. £ £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 66,787 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,244 United States of America .. .. ' .. .. .. .. 7,654 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,379 New South Wales .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,757 Germany .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 608 Japan .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 453 France .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 238 Victoria .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 224 British Columbia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 143 Canada .. .. . . .. . . . . .. . . 54 Maiden Island .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 25 Hong Kong .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 India .. .. .. . . . . .. .. ~ 19 Ceylon .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 5 Samoa .. .. .. .. .. .. , .. 1 Total ~ , ~ .. £89,623 £83,795
Article. Where exported. Quantity. Value. Total. Fruit, fresh— Bananas New Zealand 108,520 cases 6,441 bnchs. £ 24,427 480 £ Oranges Pineapples Unenumerated 107,612 cases 3,792 „ 25 „ 96 „ 24,907 19,922 234 ,, ... United States America 4 84 88 Copra . .. New Zealand United Kingdom United States America Tahiti 121 cases 178 tons 1,205 „ 274 „ 38 „ 2,890 22,590 5,101 570 31,151 Coffee, raw New Zealand Tahiti 1,695 tons 6,000 lb. 10,000 „ 150 280 430 16,000 lb. Coconuts New Zealand United States America 100,040 numbe: 558,800 „ 437 2,515 2,952 Pearl-shell Apparel Carriages Cordage Furniture Instruments, musical Limejuice Meats, preserved Specie Woodenware United Kingdom New Zealand 658,840 number 5 tons 150 30 14 15 50 9 50 20 11,049 950 gallons Tahiti 5 Total £91,076
27
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Cook Islands Administration— continued. Return showing Total Value of Imports and Exports for Year ended 31st December, 1911 —continued. 1911. 1910. EXPORTS. £ £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59,781 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22,740 United States of America .. . . . . .. . . .. 7,700 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 855 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £91,076 £90,749 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth March, 1912. Collector of Customs.
Cook Islands Administration. Table showing Total Values, Imports and Exports, from Year 1902 to 31st December, 1911. IMPORTS. „ Amount. Increase. Decrease. Year. £ £ £ 1902 .. .. .. .. .. 27,623 1903 .. .. .. .. .. 34,886 7,263 1904 .. .. .. .. .. 33,399 .. 1,487 1905 .. .. .. .. .. 36,993 3,594 1906 .. .. .. .. .. 41,437 4,444 1907 .. .. .. .. .. 50,756 9,314 1908 .. .. .. .. .. 55,021 4,265 1909 .. .. .. .. .. 67,737 12,716 1910 .. .. .. .. .. 83,795 16,058 1911 .. .. .. .. .. 89,623 5,828 EXPORTS. 1902 .. .. .. .. .. 34,821 1903 .. .. .. •■ •• 34,740 .. 81 1904 .. .. .. .. .. 38,248 3,508 1905 .. .. .. .. .. 34,890 .. 3,358 1906 .. .. .. .. .. 45,925 11,035 1907 .. .. .. .. .. 51,578 5,653 1908 .. .. .. .. . • 60,652 9,074 1909 .. .. .. .. .. 73,653 13,001 1910 .. .. .. .. .. 90,749 17,096 1911 .. .. .. .. .. 91,076 327 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth March, 1912. Collector of Customs.
Cook Islands Administration. Principal Exports from each Island in Cook Group for the Year ended 31st December, 1911.
W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 9t February, 1912. Collector of Customs.
Bant mi as. 60 q O CO Q s CD 6 a P a u a o o to s a o © o O d o '£ S 13 o W o O m u Ph Aitutaki .. .. .. ..102,833 Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 471 Mangaia ... .. .. .. 5,216 Atiu Mauke Mitiaro Manuae .. Penrhyn Manihiki Rakahanga Palmerston .. Suarrow Pukapuka Bches. 6,441 Cases. 59,113 14,299 12,996 14,072 7,132 Cases. 392 3,125 275 Cases. 121 Tons. 215 288 171 170 193 92 101 75 196 119 68 Number 643,840 15,000 Gal. 950 Lb. Tons. 4,000; .. 11,0001 .. l,000i .. '.. h 7 Totals, 1911 .. .. ..108,520 108,520 6,441 107,612 3,792 121 1,695 658,840 950 1 16,000! 5
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Cook Islands Administration. Statement showing Cargo shipped by the Auckland and Wellington Steamers from Rarotonga during the Year ended 31st December, 1911. Month. Auckland. Wellington. Tons. Tons. January . . .. .. .. .. .. 557 160 February . . .. .. .. .. 398 412 March.. .. .. .. .. .. ..878 119 April .. .. .. .. .. .. 742 405 May .. .. .. .. .. .. ..740 530 June .. .. .. .. .. .. ..730 819 July .. .. .. ~ .. .. ..791 628 August .. .. .. .. .. ..393 295 September .. .. .. .. .. 212 355 October .. .. .. .. .. ..456 267 November .. .. .. .. .. 364 307 ~ (second trip) .. .. .. .. .... 450 December .. .. .. .. .. 611 427 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 6,872 5,174 TOTALS. 1909. 1910. Tons. Tons. Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. .. 11,305 12,046 Other islands .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,131 5,121 Total .. .. .. .. .. 16,436 17,167 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 6th March, 1912. Collector of Customs.
Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Cargo shipped from the undermentioned Islands in the Cook Group during the Years ended 31st December, 1910 and 1911.
Tons. Total tonnage, 1910 .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,246 1911 .. .. .. .. .. .. 5,121 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands 9th February, 1911. Collector of Customs.
Month. Mangaia. Ait itaki. Atiu. Mauke. 1911. 1910. 1911. 1910. 1911. J I I ■ 1910. 1911. 1910. January . . • February March April May .. June .. July .. August September October November December 75 70 117 146 179 180 165 149 93 118 65 230 43 93 150 161 161 117 149 173 148 45 70 269 83 99 143 290 327 396 321 158 203 166 66 152 210 347 223 183 261 296 97 313 474 272 218 36 386 528 346 95 70 100 198 144 Totals.. 1,587 1,579 2,020 1,904 1,374 1,296 265 342
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The High Court of the Cook Islands. IR > —' Registrar's Office, Rarotonga, Ist April, 1912. I have the honour to report on the work of the High Court for the year ending 31st March, 1912. The number of cases heard by the Court in its criminal jurisdiction was 197. The following are particulars of the cases as compared with the previous year :— 1911-12. 1910-11. Adultery and illegal cohabitation .. .. .. 13 15 Drunkenness from and manufacture of bush-beer .. 56 89 Assault .. .. .. .. .. ' .. 26 32 Theft .. .. .. .. .. .. 23 45 Trespass .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 19 Wandering animals .. .. .. .. .. 12 12 Breach of Customs law, &c. .. ;. .. .. .. 4 Breach of Fruit Regulations .. .. .. .. 14 37 Breach of Licensing Act .. .. .. .. .. 6 3 Manslaughter .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Forgery .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 1 Miscellaneous petty offences . . .. .. .. 29 54 Totals .. .. .. .. .. ..197 306 The fifty-six cases of drunkenness from and manufacture of bush-beer involved the appearance of 113 defendants before the Court, as compared with eighty-nine cases and 233 defendants the previous year. In its civil jurisdiction the Court heard twenty-three cases, of which the following are particulars, as compared with the previous year : — 1911-12. 1910-11. Debt .. .. .. .. .. .. ..9 12 Divorce .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 15 Breach of contract .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 1 Probate and administration .. .. .. .. .. 2 Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 6 Totals .. .. .. .. .. ..23 34 The fees and fines imposed for the year amounted to £164 Is., of which the following are particulars, as compared with the previous years : — 19LJ-12. 1910-11. £ s. d. . £ s. d. Criminal jurisdiction .. .. .. .. 151 10 6 259 12 0 Civil jurisdiction .. .. .. 12 10 6 21 17 6 Totals .. .. .. ' .. £164 1 0 £281 9 6 The total amount of fees and fines collected for the year and paid into the Treasury to the credit of general revenue was £169 3s. 6d., as compared with £283 14s. the previous year. During the year eight prisoners who had been sentenced to terms of imprisonment were sentjto serve same on outside islands. Six of these prisoners were sent to Manuae Island under the provisions of the Offenders' Punishment Act, 1899, and two prisoners were ordered to join a labour party for Maiden Island in accordance with the provisions of the Labourers' Emigration Restriction Act, 1900. A European offender who had been convicted of a crime under the Criminal Code Act, 1893, was, in addition to a term of imprisonment, ordered to leave the Cook Islands. The term of imprisonment was served, and the offender left the Islands. The punishments inflicted by the Court have been carried out under the supervision of the police, and of the fines inflicted for the year but a small amount remains uncollected, portion of the uncollected amount being payable by instalments. The carrying-out of punishments inflicted by the Court will be more effectually done when new police cells are built for the accommodation of prisoners, the present cells being of little practical use. The Native police at Rarotonga, numbering eight, under the direction of Sergeant Holmes, have been more assiduous in their work than formerly. Better order is now kept in all the settlements, as is evidenced by the fewer number of cases brought before the Court. In Avarua especially, where there is a large attendance at picture-shows and other entertainments four or five evenings each week, the people behave in a quiet and orderly manner, due in a great measure to the efficient way in which Sergeant Holmes and his Native police discharge their duties. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. E. Blame, Registrar.
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The Cook Islands Land-titles Court. Sir, — Registrar's Office, Rarotonga, Ist April, 1912. 1 have the honour to report on the work of the Land-titles Court for the year ending 31st March, 1912. Fees. The fees outstanding on the 31st March, 1911, amounted to £493 Is. 6d. Since that date the fees imposed have amounted to £47 75., making a total, with fees outstanding, of £540 Bs. 6d. During the year the sum of £116 4s. 6d. has been collected as follows : — £ a. d. Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 74 12 6 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 10 0 Registrar's Office fees .. .. .. .. .. ~ 31 2 0 £116 4 6 This amount of £116 4s. 6d., plus 15s. overpaid, has been paid into the Treasury to the credit of general revenue. The fees outstanding on 31st March, 1912, amount to £424 45., as follows : — £ s. d. Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. .. 210 3 0 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 2 6 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. .. 165 15 0 Rakahanga .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 3 6 Mangaia .. .. "'.. .. .. .. .. 550 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 550 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 15 0 Manihiki .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 15 0 £424 4 0 The total amount of fees paid into the Treasury since the inception of the Court amounts to £3,704 14s. lid. Sittings of the Court. During the year sittings of the Court were held at Rarotonga on ten days, the orders made being as follows : Succession, 34 ; confirmation of alienation, 3 ; partition, 2 ; investigation of title, 1 ; compensation claim, 1. New Applications. The following applications were lodged in the Registrar's Office during the year : — Rarotonga : Investigation of title, 4 ; partition, 4 ; appointment of successors, 6 ; confirmation of alienation, 5 ; amendment of title, 3. Aitutaki: Investigation of title, 34 ; partition, 12 ; confirmation of alienation, 4 ; exchange,!. Atiu : Investigation of title, 8. Mauke : Appointment of successors, 2. There are numerous applications for investigation of title, partition, confirmation of alienation, &c, lodged in previous years which have not yet been dealt with by the Court, but now that a Judge of the Native Land Court of New Zealand has been specially deputed by the New Zealand Government, at the request of the Cook Islands Administration, to continue the work of the Cook Islands Land-titles Court, and such Judge (Judge McCormick) has already arrived and is engaged in the work, the present year should see the greater portion of the lodged applications, which mostly concern Rarotonga and Aitutaki, dealt with and the work of the Court brought up to date. Issue of Titles. The Survey Office has completed the title plans of the lands at Mauke and Rakahanga which have passed through the Court. During the year forty-three Native titles were issued at Rarotonga, seventeen at Aitutaki, and fourteen at Mauke. The number of Native titles issued to date at Rarotonga and Aitutaki is as follows : Rarotonga, 760 ; Aitutaki, 292. The balance of perfected titles at Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mauke, and Rakahanga are available for issue to the owners on payment of outstanding fees due thereon. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. E. Blame, Registrar.
Sir, — Rarotonga, 16th April, 1912. I enclose herewith particulars of vital statistics (births, deaths, and marriages) for the year 1911 in respect of the Islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Rakahanga. Returns for other islands are not yet to hand. I have, &c, E. Blame, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. Registrar, High Court.
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Cook Islands Administration. Vital Statistics for Year 1911.
E. Blame, Registrar, High Court.
Str,— Rarotonga, 10th April, 1912. I have the honour to submit the report on the public works for the year ended 31st March, 1912. Mangaia Reef Passage. The weather for blasting-operations was not so good this time as in 1910 ; out of the four months I was at Mangaia we were only able to work ten days on the bar or outer reef. The channel is now 450 ft. long, 40 ft. wide, and roughly 4 ft. deep. It is difficult to estimate the average depth, as the channel so far has not been properly cleaned out, which according to the original arrangement the Natives have to do free of cost. The time has now come when the Natives should use boats ; as the canoes wear out they should be replaced by boats. To show the advantage of the passage, on the 6th December, 1911, one of the largest cargoes was shipped at Mangaia, composed of about 114 tons of fruit and about 101 tons of copra, altogether about 215 tons, and some 30 or 40 tons of inward cargo landed, and this was easily put on board and cargo landed from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., seven working-hours (allowing one hour for meal-time). This could, I believe, -easily have been done in six hours had the Natives been pushed for time. The work was done with very much lesss labour to the Natives (having the channel) than formerly when at low tide all cargo had to be carried between the shore and the reef.
Island and Village. Births. Deaths. Marriages. larotonga — Avarua jf. • Arorangij .. Titikaveka Ngatangiia Matavera .. 61 25 15 16 8 23 13 Id 12 6 13 8 LO 3 8 Total 125 64 41 Htutaki — Arutanga .. Reureu Nikaupara Amuri Vaipae Tautu 32 21 16 6 II 13 10 7 4 Total 49 47 27 Mangaia — Oneroa Tamarua .. fvirua 34 10 11 34 11 7 II 4 4 Total 55 52 19 D enrhyn — Omoka Te Tautua Molokai (lepers) 5 2 3 4' 4 3 Total 11 Manihiki Rakahanga .. 4 6 8 4 3 Total 10 12 Mauke — Oiretumu . . Kimiangatau 4 12 10 7 3 Total 17 1(1
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The Natives did not turn out to remove the stones as often or as well as they should have done. I therefore think that they should pay interest on the money expended, or on part of it, something after the manner the Aitutaki Natives are, I believe, doing for their shed and tramways —a tax on fruit exported, and collected by the Union Steamship Company and refunded to the Government seems the best method. It is necessary on the outlying islands to have two landings as nearly opposite as possible, and connected by a road or tramway line ; then as a rule either the one landing or the other will be workable. I therefore, when at Mangaia, went.to the other landing at Atuakoro and opened out the entrance and blew away a coral patch which gave some trouble while working when there was anything of a sea. From experience gained at Mangaia I would not advise this Government to undertake the blasting of any more openings through reefs (unless blasting away patches or undermined reefs), on account of the heavy cost; also, any small passage made through a reef will only be workable in fairly good weather. Roads and Bridges. The main road through part of the settlement of Avarua has been improved and widened, and the whole road through the settlement kept in good repair by the Government; also, several of the wooden bridges round the island have been repaired and in some instances almost renewed. The Natives are expected to keep the main beach-road round the island in good order, as they do not pay a road-tax. This I think must be admitted they have failed to do. I therefore submit that the present system be abolished and that a road-tax be substituted instead. The Europeans contribute to the Road Fund about £70 in rates, under the Public Works Rating Act, and from other sources about £20 is realized, making altogether some £90 per annum. Some years ago very little planting was done by the Maoris for export, but now a banana trade has sprung up and the Maoris are in a far better position financially than they were a few years back ; I therefore consider that the Maoris should be placed on the same footing as the Europeans and pay a road-tax, as many of them are anxious to do. I submit that all adult males over the age of sixteen years pay a road-tax of 10s. per annum, men over sixty to be exempt. The population of Maoris and half-castes in Rarotonga by the 1911 census was 2,620. I estimate the number of adult males between sixteen and sixty years old at, say, 800, at 10s. each = £400 ; taxes from Europeans f &c, say £100 : total, £500. And I submit that the Government contribute £1 for £1 raised in taxes, say £500, and that a road overseer be appointed. With this sum (£1,000) per annum the road round the island would first be put in thorough repair, then the branch roads inland might be put in order. The system of the Government contributing £1 for £1 collected in taxes might also be adopted in the other islands of the Group, and all compulsory labour done away with, as what might have been suitable some years back does not seem to work now. Addition to Post-office, Rarotonga. Part of the room formerly used as a bond for bonded goods was added on to the Post-office, as the Post-office was found to be too small, and the bond was not much used, as the merchants have now private bonds for their goods. The partition wall was taken out, room floored and ceiled, counter extended, and the Post-office made large enough for many years to c "come. Survey of Lands. The surveying of land in Rarotonga is practically finished, excepting a few pieces and some subdivisions. In the Island of Aitutaki there is still plenty to do. A tracing of the Island of Rarotonga was sent to New Zealand some two years ago for the purpose of getting lithographs. I submit that at least one hundred copies be made ; some of them might be sold to the public. Meteorological. The total rainfall at Avarua, Rarotonga, for the year 1911 was 73-30 in., which was below the average. The average for the last thirteen years is 80-85 in. The highest reading of the thermometer in the shade for the year was 91°, on the 27th December, and the lowest 56°, on the 6th September. The mean of the maximum for the year was 79-3°, and the mean of the minimum 69-8° in the shade. The lowest reading of the barometer since my last report, at sea-level, was 29-56 in., about midnight on the 3rd March, 1912, when we had a stiff gale which did considerable damage to bananaplantations. Fumigation of Fruit. The present fumigating-chambers are far too small for the requirements of Rarotonga, and, instead of erecting new or extending the present fumigator, it is now proposed to use tents, which would save a great deal of handling of the fruit. With the tents the fruit would be stacked in lots of, say, 500 boxes, and a tent would be placed over each stack. The fruit after fumigation need not then be touched until it is to be conveyed to the boats for shipment. Formerly at Id. per box for fumigation, this amount hardly covered the cost of handling. Water-tanks, Outlying Islands. Five reinforced-concrete tanks were built; two tanks were built at Manihiki, one at Rakahanga, and two at Penrhyn. Each tank will hold 5,000 gallons.
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Hospital Nurse's Quarters. During the year quarters were erected for the hospital nurse and fitted with conveniences for cooking for the Hospital patients. Ngatangiia Water-supply. A water-supply for the settlement of Ngatangiia was laid down during the year, and some fortyfive houses were connected by service-pipes. The main pipe from intake on the creek to main road at settlement is 3 in. in diameter, being from intake to main road at settlement 7,850 ft., with a fall of 222 ft. The pipe will give about 3,900 gallons per hour, with a pressure of 96 lb. per square inch. The main along the main road each way is 2 in. in diameter. Avarua Water-supply. The main pipe is 6 in. in diameter, of spiral steel, manufactured by Messrs. Mephan, Ferguson, and Co., New Zealand. The length of the main pipe at present is 6,347 ft., having a fall of 133 ft. from present intake to the main road at Government Buildings near the beach, and there has a pressure of about 58 lb. per square inch. It is now proposed to take the water from further up the creek, about 1,000 ft. in length, which would increase the head to about 170 ft. and have a filter-bed something after the one at Papeete, Tahiti. Or it may be considered better this year to go, instead of 1,000 ft., say about 2,000 ft. further up the creek, and increase the head to at least 200 ft. and do without the filter-bed for some time yet, and increase the mains along the main road to 3 in. (as much as funds will allow), and use the present 2 in. mains for the water-supplies of the settlements of Muri and Matavera. I would prefer this. At any rate, I consider that a sum of £500 should be placed on the estimates to improve the Avarua water-supply. Island of Tahitea. The Island of Takutea is Government property, and lies about twelve miles to the north-west of Atiu. It is 302 acres in area to high-water mark, of which some 227 acres are fit for and have been planted with coconuts at 25 ft. apart, sixty-nine plants to the acre (15,663) —say 15,000 coconut-palms. The planting was completed some three years ago. The coconuts are very much in need of the scrub being cut down, and I submit that a sum of £200 be placed on the estimates to put the island in proper order. The island, as was proposed some years ago, might be turned into a settlement for prisoners of long terms of sentence, and they then could keep the place in order. In a few years this island, if looked after, will become a valuable property and form a good source of revenue, as it should produce at least 100 tons of copra per annum. Drainage of Maraerenga Swamp. I have taken levels of the swamp and find that an outlet can be got where the swamp formerly drained out into the creek on the eastern side of the Government Buildings. The swamp at present receives the drainage from a watershed of roughly 200 acres with practically no outlet, carried into the swamp by three watercourses. The most eastern watercourse has an opening into the sea, and if cleared and deepened would run part of the water at present coming into the swamp directly into the sea. The other two must come through the proposed drain to be cut to drain the swamp. The lowest level of the swamp is 3 ft. above high-tide level. The main drain, some 60 chains long, and cross-drains with four new culverts and one new small bridge on main road, would cost at least, £1,000. And I submit that a sum of £500 be placed on this year's estimates to do part of the work. I also submit that the Government should acquire the swamp area, which is about 20 acres, and when drained might be turned into an experimental farm. Other Necessary Public Works. A proper prison is necessary. Another shed is necessary at Aitutaki, to be partly closed in, to form a bond for inward cargo. Shipping facilities are required in the outlying islands in the way of sheds and roads connecting the landings. I have, &c, H. M. Connal, The Resident Commissioner. Engineer, Public Works.
g IR; Rarotonga, 13th April, 1912. I have the honour to present my second annual report on the fruit industry of the Cook Islands for the year ending 31st March, 1912. My remarks will mainly be directed to the industry in Rarotonga. I have been unable to visit any outside islands during the year under review, as my presence was necessary in Rarotonga to deal with the fruit by the Wellington steamer, which departs for New Zealand while the Auckland steamer is traversing the Group. At the present moment there appears to be no prospect of a change in the steamer's time-table, which would permit me to give attention to the industry in the outlying islands this comingjyear.
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Progress and Prospects, Rarotonga. The fruit-output for the year shows an advance of over 15,000 packages, the highest increase being oranges. The orange crop last year was admittedly good, but the marked increase is also due to the fact that the Natives picked " hard," allowing no fruit to remain on the trees. Bananas : The comparatively dry winter and spring, together with the cool weather prevailing at that time, retarded growth and development of this fruit. These conditions largely influenced the banana-output for the year, the greater portion of the previous year's planting not coming in till January and February of this year. In Wellington particularly and the southern ports of New Zealand generally the supply of Island fruits has been on occasions greater than the demand, hence reduced values resulted. This unfortunate condition of affairs was brought about by the clashing of the mail-steamer with the Fiji fruit-boat at Wellington. The present arrangement is an injustice to both Fiji and Rarotonga, and from reports one can hold out little hope of improvement the ensuing year. The average amount of yearly clearing and planting has been undertaken by European planters. A fair extent of new blocks of bananas have been set by Natives. This work was not as large as the previous year when hurricane prices ruled. Last spring 1,450 citrus trees were imported from Australia by private enterprise. The Administration also introduced for testing purposes six varieties ; these were placed with three growers who have undertaken cultivation, &c. It is agreed and arranged to distribute buds from these trees to test their success on the wild-orange stock. Export Inspection. This branch is on a good basis ; nothing but well-packed and good average-quality fruit is passed for export. Dealing with bananas, all direct shipments turned out in good order and condition. Some southern transhipments via Auckland turned out badly ; indifferent results at southern ports can generally be anticipated by this route. Bananas from May to October were below average quality, the weather prevailing being against good development of the fruit. A very noticeable feature when inspecting oranges for fruit-fly was the large amount of infection in the egg stage ; very few fully grown maggots were found in the oranges submitted for export. This can be accounted for in two ways —the exercise of greater care on the part of the packer, and in submitting the fruit for inspection the same day that it is picked from the tree, or the earliest opportunity thereafter. This new method, which has been adopted by numerous Natives, is a great mistake, and certainly makes the work of detecting the presence of " fly " much more difficult. When oranges are condemned in Rarotonga it means loss of fruit only, whereas if condemned in New Zealand there is a further loss of the case, freight, destruction and other charges, amounting in all to at least 3s. per case. To reduce the risk of condemnation to a minimum at Rarotonga, and particularly at New Zealand ports, oranges should be kept after picking for at least three or four days before being packed, and submitted for inspection. During the year ninety-five cases of oranges from Rarotonga were condemned for fruit-fly infection in New Zealand, against over nine hundred the previous year. There were no condemnations for this disease from the other islands of the Group. The packing of oranges is all that can be desired, but the fruit suffered greatly in the large amount of handling at the fumigator. lam of opinion that export of oranges should be prohibited from December to April. The fruit that has been sent forward at this period during my three years' experience has been green and unripe. Green oranges contract what is commonly known as " spotting," a disease causing numerous small discolorations of the skin. When oranges are more advanced and fully coloured the disease is almost entirely absent. Spotting is also noticeable on oranges from the other islands of the Group, so it cannot be put down to fumigation, though I am of the opinion if oranges are wet when fumigated the gas aggravates the disease. This spotting spoils the saleable appearance, and no doubt discredits the orange industry in this island. Oranges shipped from April on develop little or no spotting. Brands. A system of marking cases whereby the fruit from each individual island of the Group could be readily distinguished at the port of destination should be instituted. With such a system in operation the fruit from each island would be sold on its merits. At the present time it is possible by using the same mark to sell Rarotonga oranges for Atiu, and Mauke fruit for Aitutaki, and so on. The local system at present applicable to Native shippers at Mtfngaia could well be applied to the other islands. Mangaia has in use a circle, Aitutaki could have a diamond, Atiu a triangle, and Mauke a square or oblong. Mangaia shippersiuse figures inside the circle ; letters would be equally as serviceable. Rarotonga marks could remain as at present, with the exception of a few which would cause confusion with the foregoing method. A way would need to be provided whereby such marks now registered could be cancelled. "*!"-'"' Fumigation. Fumigation of oranges and pines was carried out in accordance with the Fruit Ordinance. The capacity of the fumigator was quite inadequate to deal with some of the large orange cargoes, and much of the fruit had to remain for some time in the open. Fortunately the weather was very favourable and little or no fruit got wet. The practicability of fumigating in tents on a large scale will be tested the coming season, a special tent for the purpose having been ordered. The Union Steamship Company have agreed to allow the testing to be carried out in their large open cargo-sheds. If this method proves safe, practicable, and successful, it will result in material benefit to the orange'industry, as it will save two or three handlings of the fruit.
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Plantation Inspection and Control of Fruit-fly. Regulations under the Fruit Ordinance setting out that mangoes, guavas, and oranges shall be gathered and destroyed on certain days of the week were gazetted last July. The island is divided into six districts, each in charge of a Native inspector, whose duty it is to see that the regulations are duly carried out. It is essential to enforce the regulations stringently, and to control and reduce the pest this work should be rigidly carried out. With only one European Inspector one cannot expect the best results ; from December to April and July to October European assistance is highly desirable. When it is a matter of rigidly administering law I find a Native has too many friends. Mangoes being the first fruit to come under the regulations, a good deal of latitude was given with the early and midseason crop : when the time came to make no allowance I found the result as indicated in the preceding paragraph. Without constant European supervision it is impossible to bring all offenders to book. There are on record 926 plantations in Rarotonga, bearing mangoes 2,860 ; guava and rose-apple trees (excepted under the regulations) 853. It is impossible to estimate the number of orange-trees. A start was made at the beginning of December enforcing clause 1 (a) and 1 (c) of the Fruit-fly Regulations. In January a number of growers were prosecuted for failing to gather and destroy the fallen mangoes in their plantations. Acceptable work, considering this is the first period under the new law, has since been performed, but it must be understood it is by no means as thorough as is desirable. Nearly all guava and rose-apple trees except those excepted under the regulations have been cut down. A good deal of trouble will always be experienced with guavas. When once cut, the tree is not finished with. —it immediately shoots again—and I have known fruit come on this young growth in four months. When cut in December and January the fruit-crop is destroyed, and the little fruit that is likely to come on the new growth that season need hardly be taken into account. Now the regulations are in full swing, provision should be made this coming season to have the hills and numerous unused valleys thoroughly scoured and all trees known to carry fruit-fly totally destroyed. To cope with this disastrous pest it would be reasonable to declare areas in which all oranges, mangoes, and guavas should bo cut down—viz., land carrying fruit-trees which from a commercial point of view is inaccessible. I am pleased to report that during the year I have not found fruit-fly infection in fruits other than mentioned in last year's report. Other Pests. Rats do an enormous amount of damage in coconut plantations, causing large quantities of young nuts to fall. Another form of destruction is stripping the bark from young citrus and other trees, death resulting in very many instances. To reduce this pest I think wholesale poisoning would be practicable. My idea is to lay bait of grated coconut for three or four days and then poison the food. This has been tried on a small scale on the island with splendid results, arsenic being the poison used. I suggest baiting at intervals in both kainga and plantation, and if possible poison the whole island the same day. When once a rat locates the bait he frequents it constantly and brings friends to share the food. No doubt poisoning would have to be undertaken several times to reduce the pest to an appreciable extent; good results can only follow systematic and universal poisoning. I feel sure if wholesale poisoning were adopted planters would be more than compensated by greater yield of matured nuts alone, not taking into consideration the various other vices of the rodent. The various s,cale pests attacking vegetation, though still numerous, appear to be decreasing. In the spring black aphis appeared a great deal thicker on oranges than it did the former year, and threatened to kill the young growth and destroy the flowers. Fortunately there are working against this pest at least three parasites which after a very short time destroyed all evidence of its presence. The small ladybird (Platyomous lividigaster) played a very prominent part in this work, and was ably assisted by syrphus and lacewing flies. Ladybirds. Last autumn Mr. T. W. Kirk, of the Department of Agriculture of New Zealand, kindly supplied the Administration with a colony of steel-blue ladybirds (Orcus chalybeus). A portion were sent to Mangaia, the balance were liberated in Rarotonga. This ladybird preys on various species of scale insects, and its work as a controller of scale is highly esteemed by orchardists in New Zealand. I cannot say whether this beneficial insect is acclimatized or not; I have only seen two or three specimens since they were liberated, and these some months ago. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. *• Gordon Esam, Fruit Inspector.
ELECTION OF RANGI MAKEA AS MAKEA ARIEL No. 2. g IE) Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 19th August, 1911. Referring to my letter of the 15th May last (M 4/1213/11/250), regarding the death of Makea Ariki, I have the honour to inform you that at a meeting of the Council held on the sth July last Rangi Makea was unanimously elected Makea Ariki. This is in accordance with section 1 of Federal Ordinance No. 26, an Ordinance to regulate the Election of Arikis, and has my approval. Before carrying the election into effect I shall be glad to know that you also approve. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.
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No. 3. Sib, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 2nd September, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th August, reporting the election of Rangi Makea to succeed Makea (deceased), as Makea Ariki; and, in reply, to inform you that the election is approved. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.
LAND ACQUIRED FROM AH SIN AT RAROTONGA FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES. No. 4. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 22nd September, 1911. I have the honour to inform you that on the 10th July last it was reported to me by the Chief Medical and Health Officer that the premises occupied by Ah Sin, situated on the foreshore between the Union Company's wharf at Avarua and that of A. B. Donald (Limited) at Avatiu, and opposite the Cook Islands Trading Company's store, were unfit for human habitation and a menace to the public health. The premises were used as a bakery, tea-shop, and dwellinghouse. This land is part of the Beach Reserve, which was taken for public purposes by order of the Land-titles Court on the 4th July, 1904, under subsection 10a (repealed by Order in Council dated 28th October, 1904) of section 10 of Order in Council (vide Cook Islands Gazette of Ist December, 1904, page 234). As it is desirable that the whole of the foreshore between the points mentioned should as soon as possible be maintained as an open space, arrangements were made to take over Ah Sin's lease and find for him another suitable site upon which to carry on his business. This has been done, and the old buildings, which are dilapidated and an eyesore, are being burned. The sum of £150 has been paid to Ah Sin in full payment of compensation for the cancellation of the lease and loss of business pending the erection of new premises. The property adjoining this was, in July, 1904, taken over for public purposes, the amount of compensation being £135, and there yet remains one other property to be acquired, now in occupation by Ah Kiev. The latter is at present away in China, and the matter is being held over pending his return. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.
No. 5. Sir, — • Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th October, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd September last, reporting that the premises situated on the foreshore between Avarua and Avatiu and occupied by Ah Sin as a bakery, tea-shop, and dwellinghouse, have been condemned by the Medical Officer and burned, and that the lease has been taken over and a sum of £150 paid to Ah Sin as compensation. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.
LAND TAKEN FOR PURPOSES OF MEETING-HOUSE, ARORANGI. No. 6. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 9th August, 1911. I have the honour to transmit herewith for the signature of His Excellency the Governor order under section 20 of the Cook Islands Government Act, 1908, taking land at Arorangi for public purposes. The land is that upon which is erected the old Courthouse at Arorangi, and the circumstances in connection with the same are as follows : The old Courthouse was built by the people of Arorangi many years ago on land of Tinonlana's, but in 1901 or 1902, when the Arikis Court at Arorangi was abolished, the land and building was no longer used at a Courthouse. When the land was before the Land-titles Court in July, 1903, it was given to John Salmon and John (an adopted son) by Tinomana Mereana, and no objection was made by the people, but it might be that they were unaware of what was being done. Lately the people of Arorangi have been wishing to use the house, but as the portion of land on which it stood was vested in John Salmon there was a difficulty in the way. I have now been asked by the people to take the land for public purposes, and I have agreed to do so. I have arranged with Mr. Salmon to pay him £15 as compensation for his interest in the land, and he has been paid that amount. I may add that I consider it necessary that the Government should have a small piece of land at Arorangi, as same may be required for police or medical purposes. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.
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No. 7. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 2nd September, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th August, forwarding draft notification taking land under section 20 of the Cook Islands Government Act, 1908, at Rarotonga, for public purposes ; and in reply to return the warrant duly signed by his Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Barotonga. J. Carroll.
[Enclosure.] Land Taken for Public Buildings at Aroragi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Islington, Governor. Whereas the land mentioned in the Schedule hereto is required to be taken, under the Cook Islands Government Act, 1908, for certain public works, to wit, for public buildings at Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands : Now, therefore, I, John Poynder Dickson-Poynder, Baron Islington, the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities in me vested by the said Act, and of every other power and authority in anywise enabling me in this behalf, do hereby notify that, on the date of the publication hereof in the Cook Islands Gazette, the land mentioned in the Schedule hereto is taken for the purpose of public buildings at Arorangi, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. SCHEDULE. All that piece of land, containing 20 ars. being part of Allotment 2, Tapere of Akaoa, District of Arorangi, Island of Earotonga, commencing at a point on the main road distant 13-4 meters south from the north-east corner of said Allotment 2 ; thence southerly along the main road, 22-3 meters ; thence westerly, 100-2 meters, to high-water mark ; thence northerly along high-water mark, 20 meters ; and thence easterly, 1024 meters, to the commencing-point. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this first day of September, one thousand nine hundred and eleven. J. Carroll.
LAND TAKEN EOR WIRELESS-TELEGRAPH STATION. No. 8. Following is the Order in Council taking land at Rarotonga for the purposes of a wireless-telegraph station, referred to on page 4: — Land taken for Wireless-telegraph Station at Rarotonga. Cook Islands.
Islington, Governor. Whereas the land mentioned in the Schedule hereto is required to be taken, under the Cook Islands Government Act, 1908, for certain public works —to wit, for a wireless-telegraph station at Rarotonga, Cook Islands : Now, therefore, I, John Poynder Dickson-Poynder, Baron Islington, the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities in me vested by the said Act, and of every other power and authority in anywise enabling me in this behalf, do hereby notify that,on the date of the publication hereof in the Cook Islands Gazette, the land mentioned in the Schedule hereto is taken for the purpose of a wireless-telegraph station at Rarotonga, Cook Islands. SCHEDULE. All that piece of land in the Island of Rarotonga, being part of Section 107, Tapere of Pokoinu, District of Avarua, starting from a peg on the southern side of the main road which is north-easterly 95 meters from concrete block No. 93 ; thence south-easterly, 235 meters ; thence north-easterly, 500 meters ; thence north-westerly, 325 meters, to high-water mark ; thence south-westerly along highwater mark, 500 meters ; thence south-easterly, 60 meters, to the starting-point. Area, 15 hectare, exclusive of main-road. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this seventh day of June, one thousand nine hundred and twelve. Te Rangihiroa.
DUTY ON TOBACCO. No. 9. Special provision is made whereby black twist tobacco the genuine invoice value of which does not exceed Is. 3d. per pound is admitted into the Cook Islands on payment of Is. per pound duty in lieu of the usual duty of 3s. 6d. per pound. There was found to be nothing to prevent such tobacco
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being brought into New Zealand without further payment of duty, and to protect the Customs revenue of New Zealand it was found necessary to pass the following Order in Council: — Duty on certain Tobacco imported into the Cook Islands.
Islington, Governor. Order in Council. At the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-fourth day of June, 1912. Present: His Excellency the Governor in Council. In pursuance and exercise of the powers conferred on him by section fifteen of the Cook Islands Government Act, 1908, and of all other powers enabling him in this behalf, His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said Dominion, doth hereby revoke the Order in Council dated the sixth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and six, made under the authority of the Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1902, and the Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1903, and published in the Gazette of the eighth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and six, at page 2905, and in lieu thereof doth hereby declare that on all black twist tobacco hereafter imported into the Cook Islands, of which the genuine invoice value at the time of importation is proved to the satisfaction of the Collector of Customs not to exceed one shilling and threepence per pound, there shall be payable a duty of one shilling per pound in lieu of a duty of three shillings and sixpence per pound (being the duty fixed by the Customs Duties Act, 1908) ; and doth hereby further declare that an additional duty of two shillings and sixpence per pound shall be paid on the importation into New Zealand proper of all such tobacco on which duty has been paid in the Cook Islands. J. F. Andrews, Clerk of the Executive Council.
FEDERAL ORDINANCES. No. 10. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 4th October, 1911. I have the honour to forward to you herewith three Federal Ordinances for the signature of His Excellency the Governor. One is intituled "An Ordinance to deal with Insanitary or Condemned Buildings." The Chief Medical Officer strongly urges that the provisions contained in this Ordinance be adopted, and I have therefore framed it to meet the case. The second Ordinance provides for the management of the Cook Islands Hospital. With regard to section 9, I might explain that the Ordinances being repealed have been a dead-letter for the last eleven years. Ido not think it would be possible to retain the services of any medical man if he were liable to be interfered with in the control of the Hospital by either Natives or Europeans ; in fact, both Medical Officers at present employed by the Administration have informed me to this effect. The third is an Ordinance providing, under certain conditions, for the issue of certficates to shipmasters to trade in the Cook Islands waters. You will remember that correspondence passed between yourself and this Administration on the subject— vide my letter of 17th May, 1911 (C 3/1911/294), and your reply of 31st May (C.I.A. 11/27, No.' 242). I shall be exceedingly obliged if the Ordinances can be signed as quickly as possible and returned. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.
Federal Ordinance No. 32.—An Ordinance to deal with Insanitary or Condemned Buildings. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook Islands as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is the Public Health (Insanitary Buildings) Ordinance, 1911. 2. On the certificate of the Chief Medical and Health Officer or Assistant Medical and Health Officer that any building or part of a building is, by reason of its insanitary condition, dangerous to public health, the Resident Commissioner may give notice to the owner thereof requiring him to pull down the same within a time named in the notice, or require him to make such structural alterations or additions to the building as the Chief Medical and Health Officer or Assistant Medical and Health Officer directs. 3. If the owner fails to comply with such requisition within the time named in the notice, the Resident Commissioner may order such building or any part thereof to be pulled down at the expense in all things of the owner. 4. Where any building or portion of a building used as a dwelling, workshop, or for any business purpose whatever is condemned by the Chief Medical and Health Officer or Assistant Medical and Health Officer as unfit for human occupation, it shall be unlawful for any person to remain in occupation of such building or portion thereof after the expiration of twenty-one days from the date of the notice of condemnation, and every person who remains in occupation after the
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said twenty-one days is liable to a fine not exceeding two pounds for every day he so remains in occupation. 5. Where a building or any part thereof is required under this Ordinance to be pulled down, it shall not be removed for the purpose of being re-erected as a dwellinghouse, shop, or factory, or as a dairy or place where any article of food for human consumption is kept, nor shall any part of the materials of which such building or part thereof was composed be used without the consent of the Chief Medical and Health Officer or Assistant Medical and Health Officer in the construction of any building used for any such purpose. Passed this thirtieth day of September, nineteen hundred and eleven. S. Savage, Approved. Clerk to Council. J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 25th October, 1911. Islington, Governor.
Federal Ordinance No. 33.—An Ordinance to provide for the Issue of Shipmasters' Certificates. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook Islands as follows ;■ — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is the Shipmasters' Certificate Ordinance, 1911. 2. Upon its being proved to the satisfaction of the Besident Commissioner that any person, other than a Polynesian Native, had, prior to the month of June, nineteen hundred and one, been in command or charge of any vessel voyaging in the Cook Islands by virtue of a,ny certificate granted by any official of the Cook Islands Federation, and upon further proof that any such certificate was granted after examination of such person by not less than two qualified master mariners, it shall be lawful for the Eesident Commissioner to grant to such person a master's certificate, which certificate shall entitle such person to take command or charge of any vessel voyaging within the limits of the Cook Islands. 3. All such certificates shall be made in duplicate, one part to be delivered to the person entitled to the certificate and one part to be preserved in the office of the Collector of Customs at •Earo tonga. 4. It shall be lawful for the Eesident Commissioner, upon due cause being shown, to suspend or cancel any certificate granted by virtue of this Ordinance. Passed this thirtieth day of September, nineteen hundred and eleven. S. Savage, Approved. Clerk to Council. J. Eman Smith, Eesident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 25th October, 1911. Islington, Governor.
Federal Ordinance No. 34.—An Ordinance to provide for the Management of the Cook Islands Hospital. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook Islands as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is the Cook Islands Hospital Ordinance, 1911. 2. The Cook Islands Hospital at Earotonga and any branch thereof at any other of the Cook Islands shall be under the medical control and charge of the Chief Medical and Health Officer of the Cook Islands. Any Assistant Medical and Health Officer appointed to the said hospital or any branch thereof shall act in conformity with the instructions of the Chief Medical and Health Officer. 3. No person shall be placed in medical charge of the said hospital or any branch thereof unless the name of such person shall have been first placed in the Medical Register of New Zealand. 4. The Chief Medical and Health Officer shall from time to time requisition the Eesident Commissioner for all supplies required for the said hospital or any branch thereof. 5. The Chief Medical and Health Officer shaft be responsible for all medicines, drugs, instruments, furniture, fittings, and other property contained in or supplied to the said hospital or any branch thereof, and when required by the Eesident Commissioner shall furnish in writing a full inventory of same. 6. The Chief Medical and Health Officer shall have full control of all persons appointed to employment in the said hospital or any branch thereof, and shall be responsible for their efficiency. Every appointment to employment shall be subject to the approval of the Eesident Commissioner. 7. All Natives of the Cook Islands and all persons resident in the Cook Islands for a period of not less than six months shall be entitled to medical and surgical relief at the said hospital or any branch thereof, and also to the services of the Medical Officer or Assistant Medical Officer free of charge. All other persons shall be entitled to such medical and surgical relief and to the services of the Medical Officer or Assistant Medical Officer upon payment of such fees as may be fixed by regulations to be made under section 8 hereof: Provided that the Eesident Commissioner may, under the special circumstances of any particular case, direct that no fees shall be payable either for medical or surgical relief or for the services of the Medical Officer or Assistant Medical Officer in respect of any such case.
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8. The Chief Medical and Health Officer may from time to time, with the approval of the Eesident Commissioner, make regulations as to any of the following matters : — (a.) Eegulating the admission and discharge of patients and other persons entitled to the benefits of the said hospital or any branch thereof: (b.) Maintaining order, discipline, decency, and cleanliness among the inmates of the said hospital or any branch thereof: (c.) Prescribing the duties of the officers, nurses, attendants, and servants of the said hospital or any branch thereof: (d.) Preventing trespass upon the premises or grounds of the said hospital or any branch thereof: (c.) Prohibiting the introduction of any specified articles into the said hospital or any branch thereof: (/.) Eegulating the grant of medical or surgical relief to persons not being inmates of the said hospital or any branch thereof : (g.) Prescribing the fees payable by any person under section 7 hereof: (h.) Generally making provision for all matters affecting the management, care, control, and superintendence of the said hospital or any branch thereof: (i.) Providing for the breach of any such regulation a fine not exceeding five pounds: No such regulation shall come into force until the same has been published in the Cook Islands Gazette. 9. The following are hereby repealed: The Hospital Board Act, No. 5, 1896; the Medical Officers Act, No. 8, 1898; and all regulations made under either of the said Acts. Passed this thirtieth day of September, nineteen hundred and eleven. S. Savage, Approved. Clerk to Council. J. Eman Smith, Eesident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 25th October, 1911. ' Islington, Governor.
ORDINANCE TO PROVIDE FOR THE INSPECTION AND LICENSING OE PUBLIC BUILDINGS, No. 11. Owing to the number of moving-picture entertainments now being given, and with a view of preventing the springing-up of unregulated billiard-rooms and other undesirable classes of entertainment, the following Ordinance was passed. Pictures showing cow-boy incidents and indiscriminate shooting would perhaps have no ill effect on the European mind, but, in my opinion, may have a very different effect on the Native mind. J. Eman Smith, Eesident Commissioner.
Federal Ordinance No. 36.—An Ordinance to provide por the Inspection and Licensing of Buildings for Public Meetings, Entertainments, Billiards, etc. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook Islands as follows : — 1. The. Short Title of this Ordinance is the Public Buildings Inspection and Licensing Ordinance, 1912. 2. It shall not be lawful to use any building or part of a building for public meetings, or as an assembly-room, or as a theatre or music-hall or dancing-hall, or as a cinematograph or lantern showroom, or for any public performance or public amusement whatsoever, whether a charge is made for admission thereto or not, or as a public billiard-room, except upon the conditions hereinafter set forth. 3. The owner or occupier of any such building shall apply in writing to the Eesident Commissioner for a license, stating the situation and description of the building, the names of the owner and occupier, and the purpose for which it or any particular part thereof is to be used. 4. Such building shall be inspected by the Government Surveyor or some other person appointed by the Eesident Commissioner in that behalf, and, if satisfied upon his report that such building is secure and suitable for the purposes proposed, and that it has sufficient means of ventilation and of ingress and egress, the Eesident Commissioner shall issue to the applicant a license under his hand for a period not exceeding one year to the said building or any particular part thereof for the purpose stated in the application ; and such building or such part thereof may be used accordingly. 5. The fee for the issue of such license shall be the sum of one pound, and the Eesident Commissioner may refuse to issue such license until the said fee is duly paid. 6. No entertainment of any kind shall be held or given or game played in any licensed building on any Sunday, Good Friday, or Christmas Day without the written consent of the Eesident Commissioner, and then only subject to such conditions in every respect as the Eesident Commissioner may impose. The Eesident Commissioner may exercise this power either generally or in any particular case or class of cases, and may delegate such power to any European Eesident Agent.
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7. The Resident Commissioner shall cause a book or books to be kept, in which shall be registered all buiidings licensed as above provided, with all the particulars stated in the application for a license. 8. The Government Surveyor or other person appointed by the Resident Commissioner in that behalf may at all reasonable times enter and inspect any such licensed building. Any member of the police may at any time while any licensed building is open to the public enter into the same for the purpose of keeping order therein and for the purpose of enforcing the provisions of this Ordinance. 9. Upon the Resident Commissioner being satisfied that any licensed building has become insecure or is being used in a disorderly manner so as to be obnoxious to the public or to the neighbouring inhabitants, or that it is being used for other purposes than those stated in the license, or if any picture or any representation is exhibited in such licensed building contrary to the prohibition hereinafter mentioned in section eleven, the Resident Commissioner may cancel or suspend such license either wholly or for such period as he thinks fit, and shall forthwith give notice to the licensee of such cancellation or suspension. 10. If any owner or occupier or person having the control of any such licensed building uses it or allows it to be used for any of the purposes mentioned in section two hereof, not having a license for the same, or during the time when such license is cancelled or suspended as above provided, he shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds for every such offence. 11. The Resident Commissioner or any person or committee of persons authorized by him in that behalf may prohibit the exhibition in any obscene nature, or which in the opinion of the Resident Commissioner or such person or committee of persons as aforesaid is calculated to be subversive of public morality or public order. The Resident Commissioner or such person or committee of persons shall forthwith give notice of such prohibition to the licensee of such building. 12. (1.) Every licensed building shall be closed from half-past ten o'clock at night until eight o'clock the following morning, except on Saturdays, when, subject to the provisions contained in section six hereof, it shall be closed from eleven o'clock at night until eight o'clock the following Monday morning. The Resident Commissioner may in writing consent to any licensed building being kept open upon such occasion and for such time beyond the hours of closing as aforesaid as the Resident Commissioner may from time to time deem expedient. (2.) No entertainment shall be given or game played in any licensed building during the hours the said licensed building is required to be closed. (3.) Every person is liable to a fine not exceeding ten pounds who being the proprietor or manager of any licensed building fails to close the said licensed building as aforesaid, or permits any entertainment to be given or game played therein during the hours the licensed building is required to be closed. (4.) Every person found in any licensed building during the hours the said licensed building is required to be closed is liable, unless he satisfies the Court that he was lawfully there, to a fine not exceeding two pounds. (5.) Smoking shall not be allowed in any licensed building other than a public billiard-room during such time as such licensed building is open to the public. Every person infringing the provisions of this subsection is liable to a fine not exceeding two pounds. 13. For the purposes of this Ordinance "public biliiard-room " means a billiard-room where billiards or any similar games are played for payment, and the words "licensed building" shall include such part of a building as to which a license has been issued under this Ordinance without reference to any other part of the said building. 14. This Ordinance shall not apply to any building used exclusively for purposes of public worship, or to any Courthouse or Court-room the property of the Government. Passed by the Federal Council this twentieth day of March, nineteen hundred and twelve. S. Savage, Approved. Clerk to Council. J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 25th May, 1912. Islington, Governor.
AN ORDINANCE TO REGULATE THE IMPORTATION AND SALE OF FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION. No. 12. It was considered expedient to pass the following Ordinance. There is in the greater number of the Cook Islands no game to justify the large number of firearms owned by the Natives, and the Ordinance will minimize the danger of gun-accidents happening. J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner.
Federal Ordinance No. 35.—An Ordinance to Regulate the Importation into and the Sale or Firearms and Ammunition within the Cook Islands. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook Islands as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is the Importation and Sale of Firearms and Ammunition Ordinance, 1912. 2. On and after the date of the publication of this Ordinance in the Cook Islands Gazette it shall not be iawful for any person (other than is authorized by this Ordinance) to import into the Cook Islands, or to sell or expose or keep for sale therein, any firearms, or any cartridges, cartridgecases, gunpowder, bullets, shot, or other ammunition.
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3. Any Customs officer, constable, or other person appointed for that purpose by the Resident Commissioner may detain and examine the contents of any package imported into the Cook Islands in respect whereof a violation of the provisions of section two hereof is reasonably suspected. 4. Immediately upon the publication of this Ordinance as aforesaid, all cartridges, cartridgecases, gunpowder, bullets, shot, or other ammunition in the possession, custody, or control of any person within the said islands shall be delivered up by such person to such officer or officers in each island as may be appointed for that purpose by the Eesident Commissioner, and in default of any such delivery any such officer may take possession of all cartridges, cartridge-cases, gunpowder, bullets, shot, or other ammunition in the possession, custody, or control of any person who fails to make such delivery as aforesaid, and for that purpose may enter into and upon any land, building, or other place. There shall be paid to the owner or owners of any cartridges, cartridge-cases, gunpowder, bullets, shot, or other ammunition delivered or taken as aforesaid such reasonable compensation as may be arranged between the said owner or owners and such officer as aforesaid. If such owner or owners and such officer do not agree as to the amount of compensation the same shall be fixed by the Eesident Commissioner. 5. Notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained, it shall be lawful for any officer or officers appointed for that purpose by the Eesident Commissioner to import into the Cook Islands, and to sell or give to any person or persons, subject to such conditions as may from time to time be imposed by the Resident Commissioner, firearms and cartridges, cartridge-cases, gunpowder, bullets, shot, and other ammunition. Such officer shall keep a correct and true account of all firearms and ammunition imported or received by him on behalf of the Government, and o£ the names of all persons to whom any firearms or ammunition is sold or given as aforesaid. 6. Every person who commits a breach of any of the provisions of this Ordinance is liable to a penalty for each such offence not exceeding twenty pounds, or in default to imprisonment with or without hard labour to a term not exceeding three months. 7. The word " firearms " where used in this Ordinance shall mean and include all weapons from which a shot is discharged by the force of an explosive substance or by compressed air. Passed by the Federal Council this twentieth day of March, nineteen hundred and twelve. S. Savage, Approved. Clerk to Council. J. Eman Smith, Eesident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 25th May, 1912. Islington, Governor.
NIUE ISLAND. REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. No. 1. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 29th April, 1912. I have the honour to forward herewith my report for the year ended the 31st March, 1912, together with Statement of Revenue, Statement of Expenditure (with, substatements C, D, and E), Statement of Liquor Account, Return of Imports, and Return of Exports. I have, &c, H. Cornwall, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister, Cook and other Islands Administration; Wellington.
Revenue and Expenditure. The receipts from all sources amounted to £1,797 3s. 5d., and the expenditure to £2,089 10s. lid. The receipts were £353 Bs. lid. more that the preceding year, but they include a new item-—viz., £150, " Contribution by Natives towards medical service." Apart from this, however, the receipts show an increase of £203 Bs. lid. over those for the year 1910-11. The expenditure amounted to £292 7s. 6d. more than the receipts. The establishment of the medical service and a considerable expenditure on public works accounted for this ; but nevertheless the year ended with a balance of £1,489 16s. lid. to the credit of the Administration. The expenditure may be classified as follows.: — £ s. d. Permanent charges (salaries, medical service, school, &c.) .. .. 1,032 10 10 Public works, as per statement C .. .. .. .. 845 10 5 Other charges .. .. .. .. .. .. 211 9 8 £2,089 10 11 Full details of the revenue and expenditure will be found in statements A and B, and the supporting statements attached hereto,
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Imports and Exports. The trade of Niue for the year 1911 exceeded that of the previous year by £591, notwithstanding that, owing to the breakdown in the running of the subsidized schooner " Kereru," there was no vessel from Auckland to Niue between the 24th June and 7th December, and only one opportunity to ship produce to Auckland in that time. The value of the imports was £9,838, or £656 more than the preceding year, while the exports amounted to £12,047, or £65 less than the year 1910. The total external trade of the island was £21,885. Of the total imports, £6,717, or 68 per cent., came from New Zealand, while £8,300 worth, or 69 per cent., of the produce of Niue was sent to New Zealand. These figures do not compare favourably with those of last year, for the reason that, owing to the breakdown in the " Kereru's " running, the traders had perforce to obtain their goods and ship their produce from and to Australia and Samoa as opportunity offered. The return of imports and exports which is appended hereto gives full details of the trade. Teade Prospects. The business in Niue plaited hats has fallen off considerably during the past year. Only 4,782 dozens were exported in 1911, as against 5,716 dozens during the previous year. In the past three years there has been a steady decline in the demand and also in the price offered by New Zealand merchants. It appears that the principal factor in the decline is that the New Zealand market is being flooded with a cheap machine-made Java hat, which for appearance and durability cannot compare with the hand-plaited Niue hat. I am strongly of opinion that some further protection should be given to the Natives of Niue by the imposition of extra duties on this class of hat. I may say that the Natives show a strong disinclination to plait hats for the prices now being offered, and unless some assistance is granted to them the Niue hat trade, which has flourished for so many years, will soon be a thing of the past. The indications for the copra crop for the coming season appear to be distinctly good, and with reasonable shipping facilities ihe output will be large. During the past year I have gone into the question of the great waste of young coconuts in Niue for drink, food, fish-bait, &c. As a result of my investigations I find that during each year young coconuts which, if left on the trees until they matured, would make approximately 1,000 tons of copra are wasted. By far the greatest waste in this direction is caused by the practice of using the young nuts for drinking purposes. The efforts of the Administration in providing a concrete reservoir in each village has to some extent minimized the practice, but the habits that have become so thoroughly ingrained in the daily life of the Natives are not changed in a year or two. As an illustration of the great waste, I may say that in one village in Niue where there are between two and three hundred people living, with a concrete reservoir of 12,000 gallons capacity nearly always fu.l of water in the centre of the village, there are less than a dozen people who habitually drink the water. The remainder still drink the young coconuts, despite the fact that the reservoir has been built over five years. The Administration has now commenced to place tanks along the roads in the waterless interior to supply water for drinking purposes with the view of further reducing the waste, but much patience is necessary in dealing with these people. From the investigations I have made it is clear that, but for this extensive habit of drinking the young nuts, the output of copra would be something between 1,500 and 2,000 tons annually. I estimate that the annual waste arising from the foregoing causes represents a money value of at least £3 10s. per head per annum of the total population. In November last, when the census was taken, an attempt was made to count the coconut-trees, and as many as 546,037 trees (young and old) were returned by the owners, while it is known that a great number of trees situated in the more remote parts of the island were not counted at all. The evidence of those Natives most qualified to express an opinion on the subject goes to show that the bearing trees approximate somewhere about 200,000, but great numbers of them are not attended to, belong to absentees, or are planted in unsuitable soil and bear but poorly. On the other hand, many of the Natives tend their trees well and are planting largely every year, and it is only reasonable to expect that their example will be emulated by others as soon as the advantages are brought home to them. With the gradual decline in the waste of young nuts, and the large number of young trees that are each year reaching the bearing stage, and the better care of the trees by the Natives which will come gradually, there is every reason to believe that the output of copra from Niue will now go on increasing year by year. The Natives have during the past year expressed a strong desire to participate in the banana trade, but with the present service by sailing-ships the thing is impossible. The Natives have my sympathy in this matter, as I know that Niue can produce bananas of a superior quality and flavour to most of those produced in the islands now engaged in the trade. It is for this reason that a service by steamer between Niue and Nukualofa, to connect with the Union steamers, would best suit Niue, as, owing to the great distance from Auckland, it probably would not pay a steamer to trade direct. If this could be arranged it would place Niue within seven days of Auckland, and I am confident that a considerable trade in Niue fruit would quickly spring up. The experiments in cotton-cultivation which have been going on for some time past have proved eminently successful, and it is highly probable that Niue will become a cotton-producing country ere long. I have referred to this matter in another part of.this report.
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Public Works. During the year a sum of £845 10s. sd. was expended on new works, details of which are given hereunder. Medical Officer's Residence. —This building, which was not quite finished at the end of last year, has been completed. The total cost of the work was £609 125., of which £575 4s. 10d. was charged in the account for the year 1910-11, the balance, £34 7s. 2d., falling into this year's account. A description of the house was given in my last report. Dispensary and Consulting-rooms. —Upon the arrival of the Medical Officer in May last steps were at once taken to erect a building in the grounds attached to the Medical Officer's residence to serve as a dispensary, consulting-room, &c. After conferring with Dr. Schumacher, a building 37 ft. long by 12 ft. wide, divided into three rooms, was decided upon, and has been erected. The structure consists of a timber frame embedded in plaster made from coral lime. The interior has been fitted up in accordance with the doctor's requirements, which included the installation of porcelain sinks and a water-service in each of the three rooms. ' The water is obtained from an elevated tank which derives its supply from the roof of the building, while a satisfactory system of drainage has been put down. Dr. Schumacher reports that the building has proved very suitable for the work, and that it will probably answer all requirements for some years to come. The total cost of the work was £144 10s. Of that amount £14 os. 3d. was charged to the year 1910-11, while the balance, £130 9s. 9d., falls into this year's account. Mana to Lahepa Road. —In last year's report I intimated that it was intended to undertake this important work during this year. In September last the track was carefully measured, and it was found that the total length was 5 miles 73 chains. On the 25th September work was commenced, and kept going until the 15th March, when the task was completed. The formation-work was of an extremely heavy character, and it was found necessary to use a large quantity of explosives ; but the Natives were enthusiastic about the road and worked at it almost every day from daylight to dark until it was finished. The road lias been made of a uniform width of 18 ft. throughout, and an excellent, job has been made of it. This road brings the village of Lakepa some three and a half miles nearer to Alofi, and provides an alternative route to the northern part of the island, besides tapping one of the most fertile districts in Niue. 1 should explain that Mana, the starting-point of the road, is situated three miles and a quarter from Alofi, on the Alofi-Liku Road. The total cost of the work amounted to £407 25., or about £69 per mile. Roadside Tanks. —A start was made this year to erect a number of small iron tanks along the roads in the interior where there is no water of any kind. The principle adopted is the erection of a small shed roofed with corrugated iron to serve as a catchment for the tank, which is placed underneath. The shed merely consists of a roof supported on four posts. Seven of these erections have been placed at suitable spots, and so far have been greatly appreciated. It is hoped by these means to prevent, to some extent, the great waste that goes on in Niue through the Natives drinking the young coconuts. ft is proposed to erect about twenty-five of these tanks as soon as suitable tanks and the necessary material can be obtained. The cost of eight tanks, together with material therefor, seven of which have been erected, amounted to £41 ss. 2d. Of that amount £24 14s. will be found charged in this year's account, while £16 11s. 2d. was charged in a previous year. New Bond Store and Receiving-shed. —With the increasing business of the island it was found that much larger storage accommodation was required to satisfactorily deal with inward cargoes. A new building has been erected on the Landing Reserve at Alofi in close proximity to the old store. The dimensions of the new building are 36 ft. by 27 ft., divided into two stores each measuring 18 ft. by 27 ft. The site selected for the new shed required a considerable amount of filling, and the opportunity was taken to cut down and widen the road leading down to the jetty and to use the spoil therefrom to fill up the site. The new store will prove very convenient, and with the alterations to the Jetty Road it is now practicable for the traders to cart their goods direct from the store instead of having them carried by Natives as heretofore. The cost of widening the Jetty Road was £33 7s. 2d., and of the new bond and receiving-shed £142 6s. Id. Technical Workshop, Tufu School. —The erection of this building, which was delayed owing to the change of masters at the school, was almost completed at the end of the year. All that remains to be done is to put down a timber floor inside, and concrete the verandah. This will be done as soon as the necessary material comes to hand. ■ The dimensions of the building are 36 ft. long by 14 ft. wide, with a verandah 7 ft. wide round three sides of the building. The expenditure up to the end of the year has been £104 14s. Id. Of that amount the erection-of the building has absorbed £60 18s., while £43 16s. Id. has been spent on tools (including lathe), and equipment. £41 Is. 2d. will be found charged to the account for 1911-12, while the balance was charged in previous years. Further expenditure will be necessary to complete the floor and verandah. Hakupu-Liku Road, Avatele-Fatiau Road, and Tuapa-Hikutavake Road. —The expenditure shown in the accounts against these roads is merely the cost of explosives imported for the works, which will be undertaken during the year 1912-13. Experimental Cotton-cultivation. 1 mentioned in my last report that experiments were being made in the cultivation of sea-island cotton, and published a number of letters that had passed between the British Cotton-growing Association and myself on the subject. The plants grew remarkably well and threw a good crop. A fair sample of the lint was baled and despatched to the association in November last for analysis and report. I have just received advice from the secretary of the British Cotton-growing Association that their broker reports that the Niue cotton was " clean, bright, extra fine, long staple, well worth growing;
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value, Is. Bd. per pound if in commercial quantities." This report is much better than I had expected, and it clearly demonstrates that Niue can produce this class of cotton equal to anything produced in other parts of the world. lam now putting the matter before the traders and Natives with the view of starting the project ofi on a proper commercial basis. There should not be any further difficulty in the matter, but unfortunately we have lost a season, and a period of five or six months must elapse before the people can begin planting. In the meantime lam endeavouring to obtain a further supply of seed. I hope that in my next report I may be able to state that the cotton-growing industry has been started in Niue on a satisfactory basis. Proposed Public Works. During the year 1912-13 it is proposed to complete the formation of all the public roads that were dedicated to the Crown in 1906, and render them suitable for vehicular traffic ; also, as far as possible, widen and regrade some of those roads that were only roughly made in the first two or three years after the establishment of the Government. The proposed works are as follows : — Hakupu to Liku Road (distance six miles). —Three miles of this road is very rocky, and considerable blasting will be necessary. The remaining three miles are in fair order and will require but little attention. Tuapa to Hikutavake Road (distance two miles). —This is but a very rough bridle-track at present, and forms the only means of access to the village of Hikutavake from the south side. Avatele to Fatiau Road (distance one mile). —Only a rough bridle-track exists at present, and forms the only means of access to the village of Fatiau. Alofi to Haliufu Road (distance seven miles). —This road has been open for vehicular traffic for some years, but for several miles it is so narrow that it does not admit of two vehicles passing one another. There are also several bad places that require regrading. Alofi to Liku Road (distance nine miles and a quarter). —This road was made about the same time as the Alofi-Hakupu Road, and is in much the same condition. The work on these two last-named roads will not be of a heavy character. The Niue Island Council has passed a vote of £500 for work on the above-named roads, and an effort will be made to complete them all this year, if funds permit. Roadside Tanks. —The success of the first eight roadside tanks has brought forth a strong demand for many more, and the Council has authorized a further expenditure of £100 for the purchase and erection of more tanks. The work will be gone on with as soon as the necessary tanks and material can be imported. Quarantine Station. —A sum of £100 has been voted for the establishment of a permanent quarantine station, and the erection of necessary buildings. Education. The Tufu School was reopened on the 18th August last in charge of the newly appointed headmaster, Mr. W. C. Smith, late of Grovetown State School; Marlborough, New Zealand. Some fifty boys were enrolled, most of the old pupils returning. On the 31st March last there were fifty-two boy pupils on the roll, of whom forty-seven were in residence at the school, while the remaining five, being children of Europeans, attend as day scholars. The subjects of instruction are the following, as in the New Zealand syllabus : English (reading, writing, spelling, recitation, and composition), arithmetic, geography, drawing, history, singing, moral instruction and health, physical drill (including breathing-exercises). All the subjects are correlated with the teaching of English. The pupils show a great improvement in expressing thought in English, and in pronunciation, and altogether they have made very satisfactory progress during the eight months that have elapsed since the school was reopened. The ages of the fifty-two pupils range from seven to twenty years, twenty-five of the number being over fifteen years of age. At the end of the year the classification of the pupils, according to the New Zealand Standards was : Standard V, 1 pupil; Standard 111, 14 pupils ; Standard 11, 12 pupils ; Standard I, 19 pupils ; primary class, 6 pupils : total, 52. Very many more pupils could easily be obtained, but it is found that fifty-two boys is as many as Mr. and Mrs. Smith can manage, owing to the number of classes that require different instruction. Interest in the school has been well maintained, and the boys are working under their new teachers with an enthusiasm that would gladden the hearts of many New Zealand schoolmasters. The technical workshop was almost completed at the end of the financial year. The building, which measures 36 ft. by 14 ft., is designed to accommodate six double carpenters' benches, turninglathe, &c. The benches are now being made by the pupils under the supervision of the headmaster, and shortly the workshop will be fully equipped. Already many of the boys are showing great promise in woodwork, and this branch of the school bids fair to become very popular with the pupils and profitable to the island. Owing to the extremely dry weather experienced during the latter part of 1911, and the consequent failure of the taro crop, the parents have during the past two months found considerable difficulty in providing adequate food for their boys at school. The situation has been met by allowing the boys to go to their homes each Friday to assist their parents in obtaining the food necessary for the ensuing week, the boys returning with their food each Monday morning in time for school. This arrangement has interfered to some extent with the school-work, but the position was rather a delicate one, and had to be met in the manner most satisfactory to the parents. That the attendance has been kept
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up to maximum during this trying period is extremely satisfactory. The practice of allowing the boys to go to their homes at the week-ends will be continued until such time as the food crops regain their normal condition. Health of the People. During the past year there have not been any epidemics on the island, and, generally speaking, the health of the people has been normal. Dr. Schumacher, the newly appointed Medical Officer, arrived in Niue on the 27th May, 1911, and commenced his duties on the 15th June in temporary premises. The erection of a building to serve as a dispensary, consulting-room, &c, was held over until the doctor's arrival in order that his advice might be obtained as to the accommodation required. Work was commenced at once on the dispensary building, but unfortunately it was delayed owing to the non-arrival of material, and the doctor was not able to move into his permanent working-quarters until the 12th September. Dr. Schumacher from the first was popular with the Natives, and, judging from the amount of work he has been doing ail along, there has been no abatement of his popularity. He has succeeded in doing a great amount of good, but has found it impracticable to travel from village to village or to arrange any set times to visit the distant settlements. The matter was given a good deal of consideration, and it was finally decided that in order to do the greatest good to the greatest number the people would have to visit him in Alofi, the central village, the doctor merely going to the distant settlements on receipt of urgent calls. This system has worked well, judging by the large numbers that consult the doctor every day. In my report for 1909-10 I mentioned that the Natives had agreed to subsidize the medical service by contributing a sum of £150 per annum for a term of three years, as soon as a doctor was appointed. When Dr. Schumacher arrived the Natives set about collecting their first year's contribution, and at the first meeting of the Niue Island Council they paid in the total amount to the Administration. It may be of interest to review the cost of the Niue medical service in its first year. The expenditure has been as follows : Salary of Medical Officer, £337 12s. Bd. ; medical supplies and assistance, £271 Bs. ; travelling-expenses, New Zealand to Niue, £45 11s. : total, £654 lls. Bd. : less subsidy received from Natives (£150), £504 lls. Bd. It will be seen that the total cost for the first year was £654 lls. Bd., of which £504 lls. Bd. became a charge against the Niue Island Administration, but this will be reduced by £100 as soon as the first annual subsidy promised by the New Zealand Government is received. I may further mention that the cost to the Niue Administration on account of the land and buildings requisite for the establishment of a medical service, up to the 31st March last, has been as as follows : Purchase of land, £60 ; Medical Officer's residence, £609 12s. ; dispensary, consultingroom, &c, £144 10s. : total, £814 2s. The setting-up of this service has proved rather a severe drain on the slender resources of the Administration, but, with the increase of the trade of the island and the consequent increase in revenue, it is hoped that the Administration will be able to meet all charges without curtailing the expenditure on necessary public works. Quarantine Station. With the experiences of the past year it became evident that a suitable place must be acquired for the purpose of establishing a quarantine station. Fortunately, when the " Kereru'" arrived in July last with measles on board part of the school-grounds and the teacher's residence was available and a temporary quarantine station was established there, but a permanent place is absolutely necessary. This matter is receiving attention, and I hope to be able to announce shortly that a piece of land, suitably situated, has been secured. When the land is acquired, buildings in the way of bare necessities will be put in hand at once. Vital Statistics. I give hereunder the number of births, deaths, and marriages for the year 1911-12, as compared with the four preceding years : — Year. Births. Deaths. Marriages. 1907-8 .. .. .. .. ..97 104 31 1908-9 .. .. .. .. ..115 95 56 1909-10 .. .. .. , .. 104 79 40 1910-11 .. .. .. .. ..80 93 46 1911-12 .. .. .. .. .. 100 77 44 The number of deaths during the past year was the smallest recorded in any year since the establishment of the Government in Niue. During the past eleven years the total number of births numbered 1,081, while in the same period there were 1,082 deaths. Census. As mentioned in last year's report, the census books and forms for Niue went astray, and it was not possible to take the census on the date appointed. However, new books and forms were received on the sth October, and the count was made on the 17th November. The census was taken as carefully as possible, and I am satisfied, as far as the population is concerned, that the figures are very reliable. With regard to the figures relating to live-stock, coconutpalms, &c, those for the first-named item are fairly accurate, while in the latter case it is known that the figures have been largely understated. Full returns have been forwarded to the Government
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Statistician, Wellington, but 1 give hereunder a few comparisons with the countings made in Niue in the years 1902 and 1906, which may be found interesting : —
The latest figures disclose an increase of 142 in the population of the island since 1906. Of this increase the gain from natural causes amounts to 32 only, while the excess of arrivals over departures accounts for 110. That the excess of births over deaths should be so small is not surprising when it is remembered that tuberculosis and syphilis were introduced to Niue some thirty-five years ago, and until the past year the people have not had the advantage of a qualified medical man. It is surprising, in the circumstances, that there has been a natural increase at all. A census of the live-stock and coconuts was taken on the same day. The figures for the firstnamed item, which are regarded as fairly accurate, are —295 horses, 1,949 pigs, 149 dogs, and 12,517 head of poultry. The count of the coconut-trees is referred to under the heading " Trade Prospects." Meteorological. The following is a summary of the meteorological readings for the year 1911 : —
The rainfall during the months of October, November, and December was the lowest recorded in those months for many years, the fall in that period being only 7-08 in., or about 15 in. below the average. The total rainfall for the year was also considerably below the average. As a consequence, of the very light rainfall in the latter part of the year the taro crop failed, and for the past few months the Natives have been rather short of food. However, good rains fell during the early part of this year, and there will be plenty of food coming in shortly. A phenomenally heavy sea was experienced at Niue on the 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th January. The waves were of great height, it being estimated that many of them rose well over 30 ft. before they broke on the reef. The most noteworthy feature of the disturbance was the almost total absence of heavy winds, as at no period of the storm did the wind exceed in strength what is usually termed a fresh breeze. This was undoubtedly the same disturbance that wrought such destruction in the Haapai, Fiji, and other islands in the Pacific. Very little damage was caused in Niue. The lowest barometerreading recorded during the disturbance was 29-63. Subsidized Service. The three-years contract for a service by sailing-ship of not less than 80 tons, which was commenced in the year 1909, expired with" the last voyage of the " Kereru "in December. For some time past, owing to the growth of the trade of Niue, it has been found that the " Kereru " was much too small to carry away all the produce offering. Latterly nearly every voyage cargo was shut out, and with the high prices ruling for copra during the past year there has been much dissatisfaction among the trading community at not being able to get their produce to the markets within a reasonable time.
Census, 1911. Census, 1906. Census, 1902. Under five yea.rs— Males Females Five years and under fifteen years — Males Females Fifteen years and over — Males Females 201 191 439 358 252 240 528 430 352 312 502 424 1,215 1,539 978 1,373 1,039 1,422 Total males Total females 1,855 2,088 1,758 2,043 1,893 2,158 Total population 3,943 3,801 4,051 Europeans (including half-castes living as Europeans) included in the above totals— Males Females 22 15 18 4 15 8 Total .. .. 22 23 37
Highest. Month. Temperature in Shade. Ra Mean Mean Mean * j. Lowest. Month. Maximum i Minimum ; Range " ° f^\ i for Year. for Year, j for Year. ! £".*,, I ; Ram fell. infall. Fall for the Year. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. T , , Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. 96 February. I 57 J , ul ? , j 85 68-7 16-2 J j August. 144 Inches. 77-55
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In June last the " Kereru " arrived from Auckland with five active cases of measles on board, and was placed in quarantine by the Health Officer for twenty-three days. After this delay the captain, acting on the instructions of his owner, proceeded on the 18th July on a non-contract voyage to Tonga, and on the return voyage from Tonga to Niue the vessel was dismasted and had to make for Vavau for repairs. After repairs had been effected the vessel returned to Niue, arriving here on the 11th October. This non-contract voyage resulted in a delay of three months, in the busy season, during which time the traders of Niue had no opportunity of shipping their produce direct to Auckland. As a consequence of these delays, the vessel was only able to complete three of the five voyages contracted for between|Auckland and Niue. The effect of the absence of shipping facilities was that the Natives did not dry all their copra, and the trade of the island, which, given reasonable facilities, shows signs of steady expansion, was retarded. The following is a schedule of the voyages made : —
Auckland to Niue.
Average per trip, 20-23 days.
Niue to Auckland.
Average per trip, 19f days. Negotiations are now going on with the view of obtaining an improved service, either direct or via Nukualofa, Tonga. In the meantime the schooner " Kereru " has been subsidized for two more direct voyages between Auckland and Niue. Emigration and Immigration. During the year ninety-one persons, including three Europeans, left Niue for other places, while 168 person, including eleven Europeans, arrived in Niue, the gain being seventy-seven persons. The following are the particulars of the departures and arrivals : —
Of the ninety-one departures, seventy went to Maiden Island in August last under a ten-months labour contract which provides for the return of the men to Niue at the expiration of the contract term. I pointed out in my last report that the recent legislation by the Tongan Government was likely to considerably lessen the number of Niue emigrants to Tonga, and, as the above figures show, that has been the case. Simultaneous with the taking of the census in November last a return was compiled of the Niueans resident abroad, and no less than 513 Natives were accounted for. Of that number 222 were returned as living in the Tongan Islands, 104 in German Samoa, and the remainder scattered all over the Pacific islands. The exodus of Niueans to other islands has during the past five years fallen off considerably, the arrivals during that period having exceeded the depa-itures by some 150 persons, but the majority of those now away have made their homes in other islands and will probably never return to Niue. H. Cornwall, Niue. 29th April, 1912 Resident Commissioner
i " j Left Auckland. Route. Arrived Niue.* Number of Days. J i Lpril 6 .. i Direct .. .. j April 28 .. 23 'une 6 .. .. | .. .. .. J June 24 .. 19 Tovember 18 .. .. j „ .. .. December 7 .. 20 * Local time one day behind New Zealand time. r r
Left Niue.* Route. Arrived Auckland. Number of Daya. May 8 October 16 December 15 Direct tl .. May 24 November 6 January 9 .. 15 20 24 * Local time one day behind New Zealand time.
Place of Departure to or Arrival from. Departures. Arrivals. few Zealand Lustralia 'ongan Islands lerman Samoa anerican Samoa lalden Island look Islands I ' 5 7 9 70 19 3 64 13 6 56 7 Totals ■■■ 91 168
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(A.) Niue Island Administration. Statement of Revenue for the Year ended 31st March, 1912. £ s. d. £ s. d. Ist April, 1911—Balance .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,782 4 5 Customs duties collected in Niue .. .. . . .. .. 923 17 4 Customs duties collected in New Zealand .. .. .. .. 339 13 J Court fines and fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 116 16 3 Licenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 68 2 6 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 143 1 7 Shipping fees .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 10 0 Interest on investments .. .. .. .. .. 30 0 0 Sundry receipts.. .. .. .. .. .. 2 16 5 Emigration fees.. .. .. .. .. .. 14 12 0 Annual contribution by Natives towards medical service .. .. 150 0 0 Profit on liquor sales .. • .. . . .. .. .. 414 3 1,797 3 5 £3,579 7 10 H. Cornwall, Niue, 25th April. 1912. Resident Commissioner.
(B.) Niue Island Administration. Statement of Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1912. Salaries ."""d. £s."""d. £ s. A. Assistant] .. .. .. .. .. .. 162 18 8 Councillors .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 16 5 Magistrates .. .. .. .. .. .. .50 0 0 Police . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 58 19 4 Medical Officer .. .. .. ' . . .. .. 337 12 8 .687 7 1 Medical supplies and assistance .. .. .. .. .. 271 8 0 Quarantine-station expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 11 6 Police uniforms .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6011 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 16 10 Fireproof safe .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 22 10 6 Tuiu School —Working-expenses, as per statement C .. .. .. 42 1 10 Medical Officer—travelling-expenses to Niue .. .. .. .. 45 11 0 Public library .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 6 9 Furniture, official quarters .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 5 5 Miscellaneous services, as per statement D .. .. .. .. 3113 11 Maintenance, jetty, boats, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 11 6 Maintenance, Government buildings .. .. .. .. .. 30 3 4 Maintenance, reservoirs .. . . .. .. .. .. 3 5 5 Maintenance, plant and tools .. .. .. .. .. .. 49 12 3 Cost of collection of Customs duties in New Zealand .. .. .. 4 14 3 Public-works expenditure, as per statement E .. .. .. .. 845 10 5 Total expenditure.. .. .. .. .. .. 2.089 10 11 Balance, 31st March, 1912— Cash .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 286 12 0 Account current, Bank of New Zealand .. .. .. 203 4 11 Fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand .. .. .. 1,000 0 0 1,48!) 16 11 £3.579 7 10 H. Cornwall, Niue, 25th April, 1912. Resident Commissioner-.
C. Niue Island Administration. ... Details of Item, " Tufu School — Working-expenses." £ Caretakers (Native couple) .. .. .. .. 32 2 0 Porterage .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 16 10 Interpretei .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 012 0 Lighting .. .. .. .. . ■ • • • • 2 5 0 Stationery .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 011 6 Locks .. .. .. ... ... .. .. .. 0 2 0 Native hut for caretakers .. .. .. .. . . 2 0 0 Labour erecting bunks .. .. .. .. .. . . 0 9 0 Repairs to stove .. .. .. .. .. . . 0 3 0 £42 1 10 H. Cornwall, Niue, 25th April, 1912. Resident Commissioner.
7—A. 3.
A.—3
50
D. Niue Island Administration. Details of Item " Miscellaneous Services." £ s. d. Boat crew .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 14 0 Interpreter .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 116 0 Customs tidewaiter .. .. .. .. . . . . 4 2 0 Supervision prison labour . . .. . . .. ' .. 2 8 0 Rent of gaol-site .. .. .. .. .. .. 012 0 Messengers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 116 7 Money-order commission.. .. .. .. .. .. 046 . Food for Native labourers .. .. .. .. .. 442 Native assistance .. . . . . .. .. .. 7 19 2 Charing and cleaning .. .. .. .. .. .. 400 Porterage . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 014 0 Seeds .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 0 10 0 Weeding Medical Officer's grounds .. .. .. .. 0136 £31 13 11 H. Cornwall, Niue, 25th April, 1912. Resident Commissioner.
E. Niue Island Administration. Statement of Public Works Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1912. £ s. d. Medical Officer's residence .. .. .. .. 34 7 2 Dispensary and consulting-room, &c. . . .. .. .. 130 9 9 Roadside tanks .. .. .. .. .. 24 14 0 Experimental cotton-cultivation . . . . .. .. .. 40 6 Mana-Lakepa Road . . .. .. .. .. .. 407 2 0 Hakupu-Liku Road . . .. .. .. .. 18 14 8 Avatele-Fatiau Road .. .. .. .. .. .. 327 Tuapa-Hikutavake Road .. .. .. .. .. 654 Technical workshop, Tufu School .. .. .. 41 1 2 Widening Jetty Road, Alofi .. .. .. .. 33 7 2 New bond store and receiving-shed .. .. .. .. 142 6 1 £845 10 5 H. Cornwall, Niue, 15th April, 1912. Resident Commissioner.
F. Niue Island Administration. Statement of Liquor Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1912. £ a. d. £ s. rl. I £ s d To Stock on hand, Ist April, By Sales . . .. . 413 6 1911 ■ • ■ • ■ • 413 6 Liquor sold and reshipped .. 4 7 0 Supplies .. ..3199 Drawback of duty .. .. 319 6 Freight .. ..073 Duty .. .. 3 19 6 ■ 8 6 6 £13 0 0 £13 0 0 Profit and Loss Account. I o Stock .. .. .. .. By Balance, Ist April, 1911 .. 413 6 Profit transferred to Niue Trea- Profit on liquor sold and reshipped 0 0 9 sury .. .. .. 4 1.4 3 £4 14 3 £4 14 3 H. Cornwall, Niue, 15th April, 1912. Resident Commissioner.
A.—B.
Niue Island. Port of Alofi. — Returns of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1911.
51
Article. Whence imported. j Value. Total. Agricultural produce, not otherwise enumerated . . £ New Zealand .. . . 5 Australia . . . . 1 £ Animals, living— Horses Goats (i Tonga .. .. 179 New Zealand . . . . 3 182 Apparel and slops ..J 320 Australia .. .. 1 97 United Kingdom . . i 39 Tonga . . .. 89 United States of America 148 German Samoa .. 39 Fiji .. .. .. 8 Maiden Island .. 12 752 Arms, ammunition, and explosives New Zealand .. .. 148 Australia .. . . 6 Tonga .. .. 8 United States America.. 12 German Samoa. . . 6 Bacon and hams Bags and sacks New Zealand 146 Australia .. . . 1 180 6 Beer and stout Beverages, non-alcoholic German Samoa New Zealand . . .. 10 Australia .. .. 5 147 2 Bicycles, and parts of same Biscuits 15 18 New Zealand 267 Australia ..' .. 38 Tonga .. .. 4 German Samoa .. 6 Maiden Island .. 1 Blue Boots and shoes New Zealand . . . . .. 23 Australia .. .. 7 Tonga .. .. j 2 German Samoa .. I 1 Maiden Island .. 2 316 6 Building material, not otherwise enumerated 35 New Zealand . . .. j 40 Australia .. .. j 23 63 Butter and cheese New Zealand .. .. 64 Australia .. .. 7 71 Carriages, and parts of same aNew Zealand .. .. '■ 98 Australia .. .. 1 Rarotonga .. .. 38 Tonga .. .. 13 Cement and hydraulic lime New Zealand .. .. 15 Australia .. .. 4 150 19 Confectionery New Zealand .. .. 19 Australia .. .. 5 United Kingdom \. 1 German Samoa .. : 1 Cordage and twine 26 New Zealand .. .. j 12 German Samoa .. 1 L3
A—3
52
Niue Island— continued. Port of Alofi. — Returns of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1911— continued.
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Cotton piece-goods New Zealand Australia Tonga United States America.. German Samoa £ 654 513 34 22 209 £ Drapery New Zealand Australia Tonga United Kingdom German Samoa Maiden Island 1,432 262 245 62 1 125 1 Drugs and chemicals .. 696 New Zealand Australia German Samoa 226 75 1 Earthenware and glassware New Zealand Australia Tonga German Samoa 302 26 3 1 1 31 Fancy goods and toys New Zealand Australia United Kingdom Tonga German Samoa 18 11 9 2 2 Fish-hooks and lines .. 42 New Zealand Australia Tonga German Samoa 35 15 6 15 Fish, preserved New Zealand Australia United States America.. United Kingdom German Samoa 71 172 23 4 1 4 204 Flour New Zealand Australia Tonga German Samoa 168 73 12 2 Fruits, preserved New Zealand Australia United Kingdom German Samoa ■ 255 14 2 2 1 19 Furniture New Zealand Australia Tonga Maiden Island 198 9 2 3 Hardware New Zealand Australia Tonga United Kingdom German Samoa Maiden Island 269 39 9 1 7 8 212 333 Hats and caps New Zealand Australia German Samoa 14 2 2
A.—3
Niue Island— continued. Port of Alofi.-Returns of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1911— continued.
53
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. £ 18 4 £ Hosiery New Zealand Australia 22 Instruments, musical New Zealand Australia United Kingdom Tonga German Samoa 97 3 7 1 2 Iron— 110 Galvanized corrugated New Zealand Australia 473 50 523 I Pipes and fittings New Zealand .. Jams Australia United Kingdom 12 1 1 Machines, sewing New Zealand Australia Tonga German Samoa 54 6 104 6 14 Matches New Zealand Australia Tonga German Samoa Maiden Island 170 148 36 8 9 1 202 Meats— Preserved New Zealand Australia United Kingdom Tonga United States America.. Maiden Island 395 20 2 1 3 37 Salted .. Milk, preserved 458 19 New Zealand .. Australia United Kingdom German Samoa 43 7 7 4 61 Nails New Zealand Australia 20 1 21 OilsKerosene New Zealand Australia Tonga German Samoa Maiden Island 81 20 5 3 4 113 Not otherwise enumerated New Zealand Australia Tonga German Samoa 9 3 4 7 Paints and varnish 23 New Zealand Australia Tonga 3 6 1 10 9 Paper Perfumery New Zealand .. ,, . . . . Australia German Samoa 40 11 6 57
A.—B
54
Niue Island— continued. Port of Alofi. — Returns of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1911 —continued.
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Pipes, tobacco New Zealand Australia German Samoa £ 20 2 2 £ Potatoes New Zealand Australia German Samoa 3 2 1 24 Provisions, not otherwise enumerated New Zealand Australia United Kingdom United States America.. German Samoa 70 22 9 8 12 6 Rice 121 New Zealand Australia United Kingdom Tonga Maiden Island 66 14 1 1 19 Saddlery and harness 101 New Zealand Australia Tonga 42 10 12 Salt 64 New Zealand Australia 2 2 Silks Soap New Zealand .. 134 5 5 4 4 18 j, Australia German Samoa Maiden Island 148 825 Specie Spirits— Brandy Gin New Zealand .. I 1 ,, ,, German Samoa 3 5 8 Whisky New Zealand German Samoa 1 3 Methylated Perfumed Australia New Zealand Australia Tonga German Samoa 4 2 21 15 3 6 45 Stationery and books New Zealand United Kingdom German Samoa 32 6 1 1 Sugar New Zealand Australia United Kingdom Tonga German Samoa 40 65 4 2 3 1 75 Tanks, iron New Zealand Australia German Samoa 13 9 1
A.—3
Niue Island — continued. Port of Alofi. — Returns of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1911- continued.
Total Values. £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,717 Australia .. .. ... .. ' .. .. 1,541 Rarotonga .. . . .. .. .. .. 38 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. .. 85 Fiji .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Tonga .. . . .. . . .. .. .. 578 United States America . . . . .. _ . . .. 197 German Samoa .. . . . . .. .. .. 567 Maiden Island .. . . .. .. .. .. 107 £9,838 H. Cornwall, Niue, 25tli April, 1912. Resident Commissioner.
55
Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. £ 18 1 1 £ Tea .. J New Zealand .. Australia United Kingdom 20 Timber, sawn New Zealaud .. Australia 169 4 173 Tobacco .. i New Zealand .. Australia German Samoa 471 44 60 575 Cigars and cigarettes New Zealand .. Australia 4 4 8 Tools .. | New Zealand . . Australia Tonga German Samoa Maiden Island 19 9 12 2 15 57 2 Trunks— WineClaret .. Port Colonial Woodenware.. New Zealand .. German Samoa New ealand . . Australia German Samoa 2 3 1 8 14 1 23 Total .. £9,838
A.—3
56
Niue Island— continued. Port of Alofi. — Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1911.
Total Values. £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. 8,300 Australia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,801 German Samoa .. .. .. .. .. ..1.941 American Samoa .. .. .. . . .. . . 5 £12,047 H. Cornwall, Niue, 25th April. 1912. Resident Commissioner Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing 1,100 copies, including illustrations), £45.
By Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington—l9l2
Brice Is. 3d.
Article. Where exported. Quantity. Value. Total. [ Arrowroot Copra .. I German Samoa New Zealand Australia .. German Samoa 428 lb. 321 tons 81 „ 118 „ £ 5,716 1,498 1,883 £ 5,716 1,498 1,883 £ 5 - 9,097 £ 5 Cotton, raw Fancy goods New Zealand 38 5 5 2 9,097 2 j, German Samoa American Samoa 38 5 Fungus 5 3,786 lb. 1,09.1 ,. 531 „ 57 19 9 48 8f, 48 New Zealand Australia .. German Samoa 57 19 9 Hats, plaited New Zealand German Samoa 4,772 doz. 10 „ l_ 2,440 6 2,440 6 — OO -i 5U4.fi 85 Yams .. Australia .. German Samoa I i 1 2,446 1.6 tons 5 „ 147 25 147 25 — 2,440 -I 172 Vegetables M 3 172 3 Goods re-exported, 11,858 11,858 Specie .. New Zealand Australia German Samoa Australia . 47 . 47 56 5 81 56 5 Total I .. 81 12,047 12,047
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1912-II.2.1.2.3
Bibliographic details
COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1911.], Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1912 Session II, A-03
Word Count
33,711COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1911.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1912 Session II, A-03
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