COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1914.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1915 Session I, A-03

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1915. NEW ZEALAND.

COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1914.]

Presented to both Houses of the General AssemMy by Command of His Excellency.

INDEX.

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Subiect. Subject. Page SUD.iect. Memorandum by the Hon. the Minister in Charge Cook Islands. Annual Beport of the Eesident Commissioner Report of Treasurer and Collector of Customs Auditor's Report Contributions to War Funds Report of Registrar of Courts Vital Statistics Report of Acting Chief Medical Officer Report of Assistant Medioal Officer Report of Engineer Report of Fruit Inspector.. Puaau Experimental Nursery Report of Assistant Fruit Inspector Report of Superintendent of Education 3 8 11 20 21 24 24 27 29 34 35 36 36 Niue Island. Annual Report of the Resident Commissioner 87 Ordinances. Mauke.—Regulation and Control of Labour Ordinance, 1914 Sale of Immature Coconuts Ordinance, 1914 Planting and Cultivation of Lands Ordinance, 1914 Mangaia.—Moving Picture and other Shows Ordinance, 1914 Planting of Lands Ordinance, 1914 .. 49 50 50 50 51 Obdeb in Council. Duty on certain Tobacco imported into the Cook Islands 52

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MEMORANDUM. Cook Islands .Administration Department, Wellington, 7th July, 1915. The annual reports of the Eesident Commissioners at Rarotonga and Niue are attached hereto, in which particulars of the operations for the past year are fully set out. During the year Their Excellencies the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool paid a visit to the Islands, accompanied by myself. The visit was much appreciated by the people, who received Their Excellencies with great enthusiasm and hospitality, and the opportunity to discuss matters of interest to the islands was availed of. It is satisfactory to note that an improvement in the health of the people is indicated by the vital statistics, but much still remains to be done. The experimental nursery established at Rarotonga is proving its usefulness in illustrating the fact that additional products can be grown for export. An important work has been the establishment of schools, three of which have been opened during the year—two at Rarotonga and one at Aitutaki. European teachers have been appointed from New Zealand and a keen interest in the scheme is being manifested by the people, the attendance being large and the average well- kept up. M. Pomaeb.

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COOK ISLANDS. REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. SI E . Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 15th April, 1915. I have the honour to report as follows for the year ended the 31st March, 1915 :— In May and June last these Islands were visited by Their- Excellencies the Earl and Countess of Liverpool and the Hon. Dr. and Mrs. Pomare. The Hon. the Minister arrived first, on 22nd May, in the " Tutanekai," followed on the 25th by H.M.S. " Philomel," and on the 27th by Their Excellencies in. the Union Company's steamer " Willochra," from which they transhipped at once to the " Tutanekai."' On the 28th Their Excellencies landed at 10 a.m., and were formally welcomed by the Arikis, Mataiapos, Rangatiras, and Natives of Rarotonga, together with the Europeans resident in the Islands, and had all those present who wished to be presented to them. They were then escorted to the palace of Makea Ariki, and were again welcomed in true Native fashion with speeches, dancing, and feasting. On the 29th, on landing, they were escorted to Karika Ariki's house, and were entertained in a similar fashion. On the 30th His Excellency, with the Hon. the Minister, met the Arikis, Mataiapos, Island Council, and Europeans in the Courthouse, hearing their requests and discussing with them questions of importance to the Islands, chiefly such matters as the exportation of fruit and the necessary improvement in steam transport, the present chaotic state of the laws and suggested remedies, education, the medical service, and the holding of Land Titles Courts. Later Their Excellencies visited the Hospital, and in the afternoon received all the Europeans who wished to be presented to them at the Residency. On the evening of the 31st they left in the " Tutanekai " for Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Mitia.ro, and Aitutaki. At each island they were heartily welcomed by the Arikis and people. His Excellency met the leading people, and discussed with them many economic questions of interest to them and of importance to the Islands ; whilst the Minister met the Island Councils and discussed their requirements, especially the proposed laws, the Land Titles Courts, and the schools. The vice-regal party returned to Rarotonga on the sth June. On the 6th they were entertained at a " fish-drive "at Nikao by Mr. W. Browne. On the Bth Their Excellencies were escorted to Ngatangiia, where they were welcomed in true Native fashion by Pa Ariki, Kainuku Ariki, and the Mataiapos, Rangatiras, and people of the Takitumu Tribe. Next day—the 9th —they were escorted to Arorangi, where a similar entertainment was held, the hosts being Tinomana Ariki, and the Mataiapos, Rangatiras, and people of the Puaikura Tribe. On the J oth they attended a large reception and ball given in their honour by Mr. and Mrs. Tinirau (son and daughter-in-law of Rangi Makea Ariki), and on the 11th left again for New Zealand by the Union Company's steamship " Ml ana." The visit to these Islands has been undoubtedly beneficial in every sense of the word. Their Excellencies were so gracious and cordial to every one —Europeans and Natives alike—that their visit will long be remembered in these Islands, and there was universal regret at their departure. Finance. The revenue for the year amounted to £10,117 15s. 3d., which, with the balance brought forward from last year (£3,591 14s. Bd.), makes a total of £13,709 9s. lid. The expenditure totalled £10,617 2s. 6d., leaving a balance in hand of £3,092 7s. sd. at the close of the financial year. Public Works. During this last financial year many permanent public works have been carried out through the Islands. At Rarotonga police quarters and cells have been erected, also a house at Ngatangiia for a schoolteacher's residence, and a house at Arorangi purchased and put in good repair for the teacher there. A new operating-theatre has been added on to the Hospital, and a mortuary built, also two purau huts for patients suffering from tuberculous disease. An addition was made to the fumigator building to provide an office for the Fruit Inspectors. Anchors have been put down on the reef, and the harbour made as safe as possible for schooners. At Aitutaki the Courthouse has been reroofed and generally renovated, and the veranda rebuilt ; the roof of the schoolhouse at Araura has been repaired, the building generally renovated, all the windows reglazed, and the veranda rebuilt. These buildings had been damaged by the hurricane. At Atiu a substantial house has been built for the Resident Agent. At Manihiki the Resident Agent's house (damaged by the hurricane) has been renovated, and the Courthouse roofed, the walls raised and fourteen doors put in, and arrangements made to conduct water from the roof to a concrete tank hitherto unused. At Penrhyn a substantial house has been built for the Resident Agent, and also a concrete tank. At Pukapuka quarters have been erected for a Resident Agent, also two concrete tanks and a catch-water shed. Many important works that were projected last year had to be held over, owing to the increased price of materials —caused by the war —viz. : The water-supply for Muri (Rarotonga), the bores for water at Aitutaki, and at Mangaia the tram-line from, the shed to the landing ; besides other works of less importance. On inviting tenders for the pipes and other material it was found that the increase in price was so great that our estimate was totally inadequate, and it was decided to postpone these works till a more favourable occasion.

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Puaau Experimental Nursery. The whole area of 12 acres has been cleared and stumped and drained, and is now practically under cultivation, and a large collection of citrus and other useful fruit-trees has been obtained from other tropical countries. This collection would have been much larger, but unfortunately, owing to the war, we have not been able to increase our varieties as we had expected, many orders not coming to hand. However, we should during the planting season, receive a good collection of. different varieties of citrus trees from California, Florida, and Queensland. An exhaustive test was carried out of a number of varieties ot tomato, to ascertain which varieties . could be most profitably cultivated in this climate for export to New Zealand. A detailed report of the tests is given in Mr. Reid's report attached hereto. Two acres of old exhausted plantation land is being experimented on with manurial tests for banana-growing, a detailed account of all expenses being kept. Should this prove successful it will enable planters to utilize land now considered worn out and useless, and at present covered with undergrowth and rubbish. An Agricultural Committee is being formed to visit the experimental areas periodically, to view the progress and results, and to assist Mr. Reid in his experiments with suggestions from practical experience gained here and in other tropical countries. The Natives permanently employed on the experimental grounds are receiving a training in the art of cultivation, propagation, and pruning, which we hope to extend to the other islands as the opportunity offers for taking on promising youths. Any planter, Maori or European, wishing to have his trees pruned receives prompt attention on application to Mr. Reid, and demonstrations are given to him and his employees. This should prove of great benefit to all growers, and greatly increase all exports. I am sorry to say that, as reported by Mr. Reid, noxious weeds are getting a footing in these Islands, and in the present state of our laws we are powerless to prevent their introduction or to insist on their eradication. On the 3rd September, 1913, I introduced an Ordinance for the consideration of the Island Council, dealing with the question. At the first meeting of the Council the members were favourable to the measure, but wished for an adjournment to consider it more fully. At the third meeting they threw it out without discussion, outside influence having been at work. Not one of the leases in this island has the usual provisions that " the lessee will at all times during the said term of the lease use his best endeavour to keep the said land free and clear from noxious weeds and vegetation." If some legislation is not passed without delay these weeds will obtain such a hold in the Islands that their eradication will be a matter of great difficulty and expense, if. not an impossibility. We are very greatly indebted to the generosity of kindred institutions in various parts of the world for valuable gifts of plants, seeds, and pamphlets to the Experimental Nursery. Land Titles Court. No Judge has been appointed to the Land Titles Court this year ; consequently no sittings have been held, and everything that depends on land titles is at a standstill. For example, it is impossible to go on with the landing at Atiu until the ownership of the land involved is ascertained. Mr. Large, when he was Resident Agent at Atiu, got some of the Natives to agree to hand over the land required to His Majesty the King; but, as he says in his report, some of the claimants to this land did not agree to the transfer and refused to sign, wishing the titles to be first investigated by the Land Titles Court. Mr. Large was satisfied that the objectors had no title to the land, but that question can only be finally settled by a properly constituted Court, and until then the landing must wait. As I pointed out in my report of the 27th May, 1914, it is absolutely essential for the development and prosperity of these Islands that the whole of the land should be allotted to its rightful owners. The Natives themselves are most anxious that this should be done, and have asked for it repeatedly, and they were definitely promised in June last that a Court should, sit this present year. Hurricane. It was deemed advisable to despatch a schooner to visit the northern islands as soon as one was available, so ou the 4th April last the schooner " Huanui " left Rarotonga to call at all the northern islands, taking Mr. Connal and Dr. Maclurkin —the former to report on the damage done generally to the islands and on the food-supply, and, where required, to leave an ample food-supply, and to carry out certain public works immediately required, taking the necessary material with him. Dr. Maclurkin was to render any medical attention and assistance necessary, as it was considered that after what the Natives had gone through many would be in a condition needing medical attention. I append the reports of both these gentlemen. The hurricane cost the Administration £791 18s. lid., besides many incidental expenses not included in the before-mentioned sum. Outlying Islajtos. During the year I have on two occasions visited the lower group. They are fast recovering from the effects of the hurricane, and the Natives are, on the whole, doing their best to restore their islands to the old state. Mauke did not suffer from the hurricane to any great extent, and hardly a trace of its effect, is now visible. At Atiu Mr. D. B. Russell is now the Resident Agent, vice Mr. J. T. Large ; and on arrival there he wrote, " I beg leave to report ... on landing I was met by the three Arikis and the people,

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who accompanied me to the so-called ' Residency,' which I found in a most dilapidated state, both inside and out —filthy to a 4 degree —quite unfit for humanjhabitation. ... I respectfully suggest the Administration build a new Residency at once, for the reason the Government property inside this fearful and rotten structure is at the mercy of wind and rain. ... I should esteem it a favour to know definitely regarding this matter by the " Talune,' otherwise you cannot expect me to remain." I could not say Mr. Russell's strictures were groundless, as our Engineer had reported that the structure was a very poor affair, so I ordered a new residence to be built at once, similar to those at Mauke and Aitutaki, and acquainted you of the fact. Atiu is recovering rapidly from the hurricane, and if the Natives are instructed how to prune the dead wood out of their orange-trees (I have no doubt they will be now, as Mr. Russell claims to be an expert on citrus-culture), their crops will be heavier than heretofore. Mitiaro has recovered, completely -there was not a trace of the hurricane—the people having returned to their- normal state. They were very anxious that a doctor should visit them ; but, as you know, that is impossible except at rare intervals. I visited the persons reported sick, and found they were those seen by Dr. Sheldon, of H.M.S. " Philomel," who had said they should be removed to a hospital, but doubted whether it would be of any avail. As Mr. Ralfe was very desirous of going to New Zealand, owing to family illness, and the Mission steamer " John Williams " not returning to Rarotonga from the northern islands, but proceeding direct from Pukapuka to Samoa, involving a return via Fiji and New Zealand —so that if I went I should not be back before the 15th December, and Mr. Ralfe would be detained in Rarotonga until my return —I delegated him to take the northern trip in my stead. Further, I realized that this would be a saving in expense to the Administration, as Mr. Ralfe, having gone on leave, would pay his own passage back from New Zealand. Accordingly he left Rarotonga on the 23rd October last, and Aitutaki on the 24th, for Penrhyn, Rakahanga, Manihiki, and Pukapuka, taking with him from Aitutaki a large quantity of " puraka " which I had arranged with the Resident Agent at Aitutaki. (Mr. Duncan) to send to the three last-named islands, as the sea during the hurricane had destroyed nearly the whole of theirs. Mr. Ralfe held sittings of the High Court at each island visited, where required. The Natives are very desirous that sittings of the Land Titles Court should be held to allocate their lands, and so save the endless disputes over coconuts that take place every year. At Penrhyn and Pukapuka the rats are very destructive, and poison is to be sent to the Agents to see if they cannot be materially reduced in numbers, if not exterminated. The people everywhere appeared contented and cheerful, and there was every indication ot a plentiful supply of coconuts in the future. Pukapuka. On the arrival of the schooner " Huanui " at Pukapuka, on the 24th April, 1914, it was found that the three islands had been devastated by the hurricane on the 9th January. The sea had swept away most of the houses, leaving only seven. The wind, though not damaging the coconut-palms, had blown off nearly all the nuts, which had been washed away by the sea, besides some 40 tons of copra. The food patches had also been destroyed. Food was left to carry the islanders on until the " Huanui " could he sent back with more. I had for some time contemplated placing a Resident Agent at Pukapuka to prevent the smuggling that was being carried on from Samoa and the Society Islands, and generally to look after the welfare of the Natives ; so, on the 4th August, the " Huanui " was despatched with. Mr. Dyer, the newly appointed Resident Agent, Mr. Brell, carpenter and builder, to build concrete tanks, a catch-water shed, and quarters for the Resident Agent, the material required for this work going at the same time, and also sufficient food to supply the Natives until their food-supplies came in. The " Huanui " was also to bring back as many Natives as she could carry who were willing to come to Rarotonga, to relieve the congestion. It was considered that this would probably help to develop the people, who from their extreme isolation are very primitive and helpless. The " Huanui " returned to Rarotonga on the 30th September last with fifty-two Natives, who were placed on the land acquired by the New Zealand Government for a wireless station, and are working about in different parts of Rarotonga. They are not good workmen, being stupid and lazy ; possibly being here for a time help to develop them. I cannot speak too highly of Mr. Dyer's tact and management. The fact that in maintaining order, and influencing the Natives for their own good and the welfare of their islands, he has had the whole-hearted assistance of lira, who had hitherto been virtually supreme, alone speaks volumes. I propose placing lira on the estimates for- this next year as an Assessor, as asked by Mr. Dyer, whose reports you have. Education. Since my last report the New Zealand Government has provided the means for starting three schools at Rarotonga and one at Aitutaki. The Araura School at Aitutaki, had hitherto been carried on as a boarding-school, by contributions of £1 per child per annum from the parents who could afford to pay, plus a certain amount of food ; but, owing to the hurricane of last January, the people were no longer able to pay ; and on the 14th October last Geoffrey Henry and his wife were about to close the school for want of funds. The children, to the number of ninety-five, are well taught in English, writing, and arithmetic, and the attendance would have been trebled if there had been adequate accommodation and parents could have afforded to send their children. It seemed to me that it would have been criminal on our part to allow the school to close, and the children drift away and lose what they had gained after what

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must have been long and arduous labour, because of the temporary impecuniosity of their parents, so, as I had fortunately arrived in Aitutaki the day before the school broke up, I arranged with the Henrys to keep it on and give free tuition to as many as they could accommodate, at a salary of £100 per annum, the money to come out of the £2,000 appropriated on our estimates for education until the educational matters for these Islands were settled. I reported immediately to you. I made it quite clear that this arrangement would only be carried on until you had, with the Education Department, devised a definite and permanent scheme. The Araura school-buildings suffered considerably from the hurricane, and as the people had not the means to procure the material for the repairs, T arranged with the Island Council that it should find all the labour necessary if the Administration provided the material—iron and timber for veranda, glass for casements smashed by the force of the wind, and a bag or two of cement to repair the building where cracked. All this has been done, and since the Ist January, 1915, the school has been under the New Zealand Education Department and the teachers paid by it. Mr. H. Rogers, Superintendent of Education, opened the Arorangi School on the 15th February last. His report is attached hereto. I had hoped that the teacher's residence which has been built at Ngatangiia, at a cost to date of £780 95., would be ready by the end of Februaiy, as you wished, but unfortunate circumstances have prevented the fruition of this desire and very materially increased the cost. Mr. and Mrs. Smith arrived here from New Zealand on the 6th April and opened the school at Ngatangiia on the 12th April, with an attendance of 190. As the Avarua Arikis, Mataiapos. and Rangatiras repudiated the agreement contained in Mr. P. H. Hall's letter of the 10th April, 1913, the matter of a school there has been suspended for the present. Mr. Rogers has seen them, and has reported to the Secretary for Education (vide his report). Mr. Rogers has also reported on the offer made by the Mangaia people. This is undoubtedly the best offer made by any of the Natives except Aitutaki, and I sincerely hope that if their offer still holds good something may be done for them. The buildings should be erected from Government plans, and I think it would be advisable for the plans to be sent to the Resident Agent there for the people to see and decide if they are willing to erect buildings as required by the Department of Education, for the school buildings as built hitherto are only large one-roomed structures like barns. The Natives everywhere are very pleased at the prospect of having their children educated. They have never before had the opportunity, and are very grateful to the Government for giving it to them now. The New Zealand Education Department is to be sincerely commended for the manner in which it has grappled with the question. We are now for the first time trying to carry out what seems to me to be our duty to these islanders in the matter of education. Appended hereto is a copy of memoranda from the Hon. the Minister of Education to the Hon. Dr. Pomare outlining the whole educational scheme approved by Cabinet, dated the 22nd April and the 1J th. May, 1914; the report of Mr. H. Rogers, Superintendent of Education, dated sth March, 1915 ; and a letter from Mr. Cameron, Resident Agent at M'angaia, dated 6th June. 1914. Labour. This last year, owing to the devastation of some of the northern islands by the hurricane of January, 1914, the food-supply and produce output has been greatly reduced, and, in direct ratio, the earning and spending power of the Natives. Many were anxious to go abroad to earn money. Accordingly, forty-eight went from Manihiki and Rakahanga to Makatea, and eighty-five from Aitutaki and eight from Rarotonga to Maiden Island. Their contracts are for nine months, at £3 per month, all found. The}' are provided with medical treatment if sick, and returned to their own islands on the expiration of their contract at the expense of the company. If they wish it, the Natives receive £1 a month while away. The balance is to be paid to them on their return, through the Resident Commissioner. This provision is made to guard their interests : being British subjects, they really could come and go as they liked, but the Administration considers it its duty to safeguard them in every way possible. Each year there is a tendency to increase the rate of wages in Rarotonga, and this, together with the picture-house and other amusements, attracts the young men from the other islands. The Arikis, chiefs, and elder people oppose their departure, as they naturally wish them to remain and help to carry out the work necessary in their own islands, and are desirous of legislation to prevent the young men leaving. I have explained to them that, in my opinion, no such law is possible. Health. The health of the Natives in these Islands, as reported last year, still remains in a most unsatisfactory and deplorable condition. For the Islands of Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro, Aitutaki, Palmerston, Rakahanga. Manihiki, Penrhyn, and Pukapuka we are doing little or nothing, though in October, 1911, Dr. Percival reported that the health of those Islands was 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." It is true that Dr. Maclurkin visited these Islands during this last year, stopping a few days at each, but his visits wen; too short to be of any real benefit. He brought some Natives back with him, and advised others to come to the Hospital to be operated on. The health of these islanders demands our earnest attention if they are not fo be allowed to die out. Dr. Norman reports (7th April, 19.15) that "the outlook as regards the future of the Native race is far from reassuring. I refer to the frequency among the Natives of syphilis and tuberculosis. The forme)- disease is a frequent cause of sterility and premature birth, while the children that are born at full term are often destined to die before reach maturity." This report is based on

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experience of the Natives at Rarotonga, and a few that have come in from Mangaia and Aitutaki, where the people are in a far less deplorable state than on the other islands. Dr. Norman has only been here since the 4th December, 1914. but has rendered invaluable service to the health of this island. He has taken a very genuine interest in the Natives, and has spared neither time nor labour in his efforts to ameliorate their conditions in regard to health. During his stay in Rarotonga it was considered expedient to erect an operating-theatre as an adjunct to the preexisting casualty-room. Dr. Norman has had occasion to perform numerous operations with much success, earning the gratification of the Natives. With such a keen Medical Officer the health, of Rarotonga would soon arrive at a satisfactory condition, but, unfortunately, we lose the services of Dr. Norman in May, and meantime we are doing practically nothing for the other islands, where the conditions arc steadily going from bad to worse. By the annexation of these Islands we have made ourselves responsible for the health of their Native inhabitants, and, in my opinion, we are criminally negligent if we do not adopt some more effective measure than has been hitherto taken to endeavour to reduce the enormous mass of contagious and infectious disease now existing. In the interest of our fruit trade, if for no more cogent reason, our medical service must be improved. Island Laws. The so-called Island laws are still in the same unsatisfactory state, and I can only repeat what I said in my last year's report : something ought to be done with as little delay as possible to extricate them from their present chaotic condition. I fear that in the immediate future there will be very serious trouble and much litigation unless some measure is taken with as little delay as possible to validate the proceedings of the so-called Land Titles Court sitting during the period from the 7th February, 1906, to the 19th .Angusf, 1913. During that period there was no properly constituted Court, though a large number of cases were brought forward and adjudicated upon. I cannot emphasize too strongly the imperative necessity of dealing with this urgent matter as speedily as possible. Appointment of Officers. With regard to this important question, I can only repeat what I said in my last year's report. I think that all our officers should be appointed from the Public Service of New Zealand; and the terms of their appointments should be such as to attract thoroughly good men. It is imperative that the Administration officers should be the best procurable. They have far more responsibility thrown upon them than officers of the same standing in the Dominion, and require some measure of administrative ability in addition to their other qualifications. If, as I suggest, all Island officers were appointed from the Public Service of the Dominion by the Public Service Commissioners, we should get men whose character and qualifications were known, and who were specially chosen for the position by competent judges. Further, I consider that there should be special privileges to compensate for the many disabilities here. They should be paid at the Island rates, and each year's service here should count as a year and a half towards their retiring period ; also (and I regard this point as essential), the appointment should be for a term not exceeding five years, on its expiration the officer returning to the service of the Dominion proper, with his service here to his credit in his own Department. In my opinion, a longer period here has a deteriorating effect. The isolation is too great, and an officer finds it difficult to keep his ideas thoroughly up to date ; also, he tends to lose touch with his Department. By a regular rotation of officers we should ensure having always thoroughly modern men. and the Dominion Service would benefit also by m<*re widely experienced officers. As I said last year, the Resident Commissioner will always require special judicial as well as administrative qualifications as long as he continues to act also as Chief Justice of the High Court, the cases coming under his jurisdiction including all those dealt with by a Supreme Court Judge, as well as petty Police Court Work. Shipping and Carriage Rates of Produce This is a very serious matter to the inhabitants and traders, and also to the Administration. Mr. Irvine, Union Steamship Company's agent in Auckland, writing to the local agent here, 21st September last, said, " There is no reason why rates from the Eastern Pacific should not be raised to the leve' of rates from Fiji to New Zealand." I cannot agree with him, and I would most respectfully suggest that when New Zealand is entering into a contract with the Union Steamship Company these Islands should receive special consideration, for these reasons : We are a part of the Dominion, and all New Zealand produce is imported here duty-free, which is not the case with Fiji and the French islands; there duty is charged. As shown in my last year's report, New Zealand benefited at our expense to the extent of £4,355 in one year for this cause. This year the gain to the Dominion and consequent loss to our revenue amounts to £4,886 (return attached). The mail-boat has to reserve 750 tons space for produce from Tahiti to San Francisco by contract with the French Government, with the result that our produce is frequently left on the wharf because the space has been all taken up in Sydney and New Zealand- only French space left. We had a very good trade with America for coconuts, and prices were good ; now it has been killed under the plea " want of space." Similarly, we frequently have fruit to send to Auckland, and by the time the boat arrives here there is not sufficient space left, and our produce is left to spoil. This is a very serious matter for these Islands. Seven-tenths of our revenue is derived from Customs. Reduction in the export of produce means a proportionate reduction in the spending-power of the inhabitants— less will be imported, and a big reduction in revenue will follow, The rise in rates that Mr. Irvine speaks of means, according to

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Mr. Stevenson's calculations, an immediate loss of £5,213 per annum to these Islands. If the spend-ing-power of the inhabitants is reduced by this one item alone it means a very serious reduction in the revenue. The Natives must be content to export fruit during the first months of the season for practically nothing. Will they ? I doubt it; and I cannot see how we can expect them to ; with the result that where we are now inducing them to clear their land and plant they will allow it to return to a state of nature, and our exports will be reduced to a negligible quantity. f0 What these Islands require and deserve is better steamers and more consideration from the shipping company. On the last trip of the " Taviuni " £2,000 worth of fruit was lost, though shipped in Excellent condition, through the steamer being overdue in reaching here, and then taking extra time to reach Auckland. I append the following reports, &c. : Treasurer's report; statement showing contributions to war funds ; statement showing produce and manufactures admitted into Cook Islands free of duty ; estimated expenditure for year 1915-16 ; report of Registrar, Land Titles Court; Report of Registrar, High Court; vital statistics for 1914 ; report of Dr. Norman, Acting Chief Medical Officer ; report of Dr. Maclurkin of visit to islands of Group ; report of Engineer and Surveyor; report of Mr. Connal of visit to islands of Group, and effect of hurricane therein ; report of Mr. Reid, Chief Fruit Inspector; report of Assistant Fruit Inspector; report of Mr. Reid on the Puaau Nursery ; correspondence re schools ; audit report. I have, &c, H. W. Northcroft, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

REPORT OF TREASURER. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 21st April, 1915. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual statement of revenue and expenditure for the year ended the 31st March, 1915, and the trade returns for the year ended the 31st December, 1914. The revenue for the year amounted to £10,117 15s. 3d. This is a decrease of £1,607 3s. 2d. on that of the previous year. Almost every regular item of revenue showed a decline. The Customs duties alone decreased £1,104 13s. 9d. The expenditure (summary appended) amounted to £10,617 2s. 6d., or £499 7s. 3d. in excess of the revenue. £ s , ± Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,564 18 10 Public works .. .. .. .. ..' .. 3,502 7 4 Contingencies .. .. .. .. .. .. 492 16 11 Subsidies .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 228 1 6 Hospital supplies and attendance .. .. .. .. 1,127 12 5 Experimental nursery . . .. ..* .. .. .. 168 7 10 Maintenance of lunatic .. .. .. .. .. 36 11 6 Maintenance of lepers . . . . . . .. . . . . 55 0 4 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 15 0 Assisting Natives on account of hurricane .. .. .. 427 10 10 £10,617 2 6 The balance on hand, which on the Ist April, 1914, amounted to £3,591 14s. Bd., has been reduced to £3,092 7s. sd. Liquor Account: The Government sales for the year amounted to £11 10s. 6d., and the value of stock on hand at the end of the year was £47 13s. 9d. Waterworks Account: The capital invested now amounts to £5,433 14s. 5d., from which £447 19s. Bd. was received as water rates. This is one of the most useful works carried out by the Administration, and is at the same time a regular source of revenue. Postal : The volume of business is well up to the average of former years. Money-orders numbering 1,023, value £15,209, were issued, and 1,387, value £13,748, were paid. The commission earned was £63 15s. Postal notes to the value of £418 were sold. In the savings-bank the deposits for the year were £2,451 155., and the withdrawals £756 10s. lOd. Trade : As predicted last year, there has been a falling-off both as regards imports and exports. Eliminating specie in each case, the decrease totals £43,093. Imports, £12,266, and exports £30,827. The collapse of the pearl-shell market, and a decrease of 500 tons in the copra output, combined with the low prices ruling for this product throughout the year, is the cause of the decline in trade. The Native does not save money for any length of time, and if there is a falling-off in the exports it immediately affects the imports.

9

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As regards fruit, the banana output decreased by 20,000 cases compared with the previous year, and a further shortage is predicted this year. Practically the whole of the banana output of the Group is shipped from Rarotonga, and this decline of 20,000 cases is regrettable, for it shows that the Natives are not giving the same attention to the cultivation of bananas as they formerly did. On inquiring as to the cause of the decrease, the explanation given is that all the accessible banana land is worked out through continuous cropping, and it is now necessary to go farther inland where there are no roads to obtain the rich soil for banana-cropping. The question of roading is the trouble. The orange output increased by 6,608 cases, but this is no indication of industry on the part of the people, for the orange-tree receives no cultivation in the Cook Islands, and the crop varies according to the season. The decline in the copra output is attributable to the hurricane which swept over a number of the islands in the Group in January, 1914, and it will yet take some time for the palms to attain their former producing-capacity. The price of this product has been again rising on the London market. Several of the European planters are taking up tomato-growing. The experiment was tried last season, and the results were most satisfactory, notwithstanding the difficulties accruing from the infrequent shipping service for this variety of fruit. Pearl-shell experienced a big drop in prices at the beginning of 1914, but when the war broke out the market completely collapsed, and sales have been postponed indefinitely in London. Another knock which fruit-shippers received was a rise in freights. The freight on fruit shipped to Auckland, Dunedin, and Christchurch was raised 6d. per case, while 3d. was added to the Wellington freights. It is estimated that this increase will mean a tax of fully £5,000 on the Group. The present prospects for the near future are none too bright. All that the Islands will have for export is the fruir and a small crop of copra. I have, &c, W. J. Stevenson, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. Treasurer and Collector of Customs.

Cook Islands Administration. Revenue for the Year ended 31st March, 1915. £ s. d. £ s. d. Balance, Ist April, 1914 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,59114 8 Customs duties, net —Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. 5,206 12 1 „ New Zealand .. .. .. .. 2,071 15 1 Traders' license fees .. . . . . . . . . .. 707 10 0 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. .. .". '■■ 514 10 9 Fees and fines, High Court . . . . . . .. .. 438 19 11 R.M. Court, Aitutaki .. .. 35 12 0 Mangaia .. .. .. .. 107 19 0 Mauke .. .. .. .. 30 7 6 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 5 10 ~ ~ Manihiki and Rakahanga . . .. 75 5 0 Water rates, Avarua . . . . . . . . .. . • 209 18 4 ~ Arorangi .. . . . . . . . ■ • • 94 18 4 Ngatangiia .. .. . . . . .. 45 10 0 Matavera .. .. .. .. . . .. 40 0 0 Titikaveka . . .. . . . . .. .. 57 13 0 Rents .. ..... .. .. .. •• 74 5 0 Interest .. .. .. .. .. ■■ •• 80 0 0 Shipping fees and forms . . . . .. .. • ■ 10 18 4 Hall licenses .. .. .. .. .. •■ •• 600 Ammunition Account —Cash balance . . .. .. • ■ 58 4 0 Titikaveka Water Account —Cash balance . . . . . . .. 56 16 7 Fruit-inspection Account —Cash balance . . . . .. . . 28 14 8 Liquor Account —Cash balance .. .._ .. .. •• 902 Matavera Water Account —Cash balance .." .. .. .. 6163 Post-card Account —Cash balance. . .. .. .. •• 0113 Land Titles Court, fees .. . . . . .. .. • • 131 2 0 Miscellaneous . . .. . . ■ • • ■ • • • • 13 15 0 10,117 15 3 Total £13,709 9 11 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 12th April, 1915. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer, Audited and found correct—A. G. Clarke, Auditor,

2—A. 3,

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10

Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Expenditure for Year ended 31st March, 1915.

Service. Voted. Expended. Vote, 1. Registrar of Courts .. 2. Assistant Medical Officer 3. Engineer and Surveyor 4. Interpreter and Printer .. .. ... 5. Matron, Hospital 6. Nurse, ,, 7. Foreman of Works 8. Draughtsman 9. Island Allowance, Resident Commissioner 10. ,, Collector Customs 11. Cadet, Land Office 12. ,. Registrar's Office 13. „ Post Office 14. Resident Agent, Mangaia 15. „ Atiu .. 16. „ Aitutaki 17. „ Mauke 18. ,, Penrhyn 19. ,, Manihiki and Rakahanga 20. Native Agent, Mitiaro 21. Resident Agent, Pukapuka 22. Sergeant of Police, Rarotonga 23. Native Police, Rarotonga 24. „ Aitutaki" 25. „ Mauke 26. „ Atiu 27. „ Mitiaro.. 28. ,, Manihiki and Rakahanga.. 29. ,, Mangaia 30. Native Assessors, Aitutaki 31. ,, Mangaia 32. „ Atiu 33. „ Mauke 34. ,, Manihiki and Rakahanga 35. Native Assistant Printer 36. Allowance, J. T. Large, on retirement 37. Head-money for destruction flying-fox and rats .. 38. Contingent expenditure, general 39. • „ High Court 40. „ Land Titles Court 41. Hospital supplies and attendance 42. Maintenance, lunatic Donaldson 43. ,, lepers 44. Rents 45. Subsidy, cool-chamber. . 16. Subsidy, boatman, Mangaia 17. .. ,, Aitutaki 18. ,. „ Atiu 49. ,-, „ Mauke 50. carrying mails 51. Penrhyn. house, Resident Agent 52. ,, blasting channel 53. Manihiki, blasting channel 54. ,, roofing Courthouse 55. Aitutaki, bores for water 56. ,, concrete floor in new shed 57. Mauke. improving road, northern landing 58. Mangaia, tram-line from shed to landing 59.. Rarotonga, police quarters 60. ,, increasing water-pipes, Arorangi 61. ,, Muri water-supply .. 62. ,, roads 63. ,, Takutea, clearing 64. Group, upkeep Government buildings £ s. d. 350 0 0 400 0 0 325 0 0 275 0 0 175 0 0 80 0 0 196 0 0 140 0 0 100 0 0 150 0 0 72 0 0 72 0 0 72 0 0 245 0 0 200 0 0 220 0 0 220 0 0 245 0 0 150 0 0 50 0 0 200 0 0 182 10 0 122 0 0 39 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 15 0 0 40 0 0 41 0 0 15 0 0 20 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 8 0 0 85 0 0 112 10 0 50 0 0 400 0 0 150 0 0 150 0 0 900 0 0 40 0 0 50 0 0 18 15 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 9 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 30 0 0 600 0 0 50 0 0 400 0 0 125 0 0 300 0 0 75 0 0 50 0 0 150 0 0 400 0 0 150 0 0 500 0 0 100 0 0 150 0 0 100 0 0 £ s. d. 350 0 0 413 17 9 325 0 0 275 0 0 175 0 0 83 2 2 196 0 0 140 0 0 100 0 0 150 0 0 72 0 0 72 0 0 72 0 0 245 0 0 184 14 10 220 0 0 229 3 4 208 11 8 150 0 0 50 0 0 129 11 5 182 10 0 114 10 0 39 0 0 19 11 8 20 0 0 15 0 0 35 0 0 41 0 0 15 0 0 20 0 0 8 0 0 5 0 0 5 0 0 85 0 0 112 10 0 70 1 6 341 15 8 140 19 0 10 2 3 1,127 12 5 36 11 6 55 0 4 13 15 0 100 0 0 10 0 0 9 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 30 0 0 339 12 5 129 0 6 399 2 10 2 4 8 58 6 6 100 0 0 62 12 1

11

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Cook Islands Administration— continued. Statement of Expenditure for Year ended 31st March, 1915 —continued.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th April, 1915. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer, iludited and found correct, A. G. Clarke, Auditor.

Auditor's Report. Sir,— Rarotonga, 11th May, 1915. I have the honour to inform you that I have completed the audit of the Administration Accounts for the year ended the 31st March, 1915, and have found them correct. On the 12th April I counted the cash, stamps, and postal notes, checked the Government bond and various bonded stores, and balanced both the Administration and the Post Office Accounts to that date. A copy of the balance-sheet is attached. Yours obediently, A. G. Clarke, Auditor. The Resident Commissioner, Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga. Cook Islands Administration. Estimated Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March 1916. £ s. d. 1. Registrar of Courts .. .. .. .. .. 350 0 0 2. Assistant Medical Officer . . .. .. . . .. 400 0 0 3. Engineer and Surveyor .. .. .. .. .. 325 0 0 4. Interpreter and Printer .. .. .. .. .. 275 0 0 5. Matron, Hospital . . . . .. . . .. 175 0 0 6. Nurse, Hospital .. .. .. .. .. .. 80 0 0 7. Foreman of Works .. .. . . .. . . 196 0 0 8. Draughtsman . . . . .. .. .. .. 140 0 0 9. Island allowance, Resident Commissioner . . . . . . 100 0 0 10. „ Collector of Customs .. .. .. 150 0 0 11. Cadet, Land Office .. .. .. .. .. 84 0 0 12. „ Registrar's Office . . .. .. .. .. 84 0 0 13. „ Post Office .. .. .. .. .. 84 0 0 14. Resident Agent, Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. 245 0 0 15. „ Atiu .. .. .. ■.. .. 220 0 0 16. „ Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 220 0 0 17. „ Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 220 0 0 18. „ Penrhyn .. .. .. .. .. 220 0 0 19 „ Pukapuka .. .. .. .. 220 0 0 20. ~ Rakahanga and Manihiki . . .. . . 150 0 0 21. Native Agent, Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 22. Sergeant of Police, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 228 15 0 23. Native police, Rarotonga . . . . .. .. .. 122 0 0 24. „ Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 39 0 0 25 „ Mauke .. .. .. .. 20 0 0

Service. Voted. Expended. Vote. 65. Experimental nursery 66. Teachers' residences, and furnishing same and schools— Aitutaki Arorangi Ngatangiia Grand Eastern Pacific Hotel Avarua Water Account Ngatangiia Water Account Hurricane Account Pukapuka shed and tank .. • House, Resident Agent, Atiu Courthouse, Aitutaki Purchase of printing plant Avarua Harbour moorings Native salaries, Pukapuka £ s. 115 15 558 13 734 10 d. II Dr. £ s. d. £ s. d. 200 0 0 168 7 10 2,000 0 0 1,408 18 2 8 12 4 26 5 1 4 15 6 427 10 10 361 3 6 398 17 11 150 15 10 27 0 0 25 0 0 6 16 0 _ , —~ . Balance on hand, including investments 11,936 15 0 10,617 2 6 1 3,092 7 5 £13,709 9 11

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Cook Islands Administration — continued. Estimated Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1916 —continued. £ s. d. 26. Native police, Atiu .. .. .. ... . i .. 20 0 0 27. „ Mitiaro .. .. .. ... .. 15 0 0 28. ~ Manihiki and Rakahanga .. .. .. 40 0 0 29. „ Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. 41 0 0 ' 30. „ Pukapuka .. .. .. .. .. 900 31. Native Assessor, Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 8 0 0 32. „ Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 500 33. „ Rakahanga .. .. .. . . 8 0 0 34. „ Pukapuka .. .. .. .. 500 35. Assistant Printer, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 85 0 0 36. Contingent expenditure, general . . .. . . .. 400 0 0 37. „ High Court .. .. .. 150 0 0 38. „ Land Titles Court .. .. .. 150 0 0 39. Head-money for destruction of flying-fox and rats ' .. . . "50 0 0 40. Maintenance of lunatic Donaldson . . . . . . .. f 40 0 0 41. Hospital supplies and attendance .. .. .. .. 900 0 0 42. Maintenance lepers .. .. .. . . .. 50 0 0 43. Rents— Wharf-site .. .. .. .. .. .. 500 Post-office site .. . . .. .. .. 815 0 Registrar's house site .. .. .. .. 1200 44. Subsidy, cool-chamber . . . . . . .. .. 100 0 0 45. ~ boatman, Mangaia . . . . .. . . 10 0 0 46. „ ~ Aitutaki .. .. . . .. 9 0 0 47. ~ „ Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 300 48. „ „ Mauke .. .. .. .. 600' 49. ~ carrying mails .. .. .. .. .. 30 0 0 6,557 10 0 Estimated public-works expenditure as per schedule .. .. 3,100 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £9,657 10 0 H. W. Northcroft, Resident Commissioner.

Cook Islands Administration. Return showing Expenditure on the Medical Department during Year ended 31st March, 1915. ■ £ s. d. Salary, Chief Medical Officer (paid by New Zealand Government) .. 600 0 0 „ Assistant Medical Officer .. .. . . .. 413 17 9 „ Matron . . .. .. . . .. .. 175 0 0 „ Nurse .. .. .. .. .. .. 83 2 2 Hospital supplies and attendance (Vote 41) .. .. .. 1,127 12 5 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £2,399 12 4 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 21st April, 1915. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer. Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Liquor Account for Year ended 31st March, 1915. £ s. d. £ s. d. Stock, Ist April, 1914 .. .. 54 1 9 Sales .. .. .. 11 10 6 Supplies.. ... .. .. 12 6 Stock, 31st March, 1915 .. .. 47 13 9 Duty .. .. .. .. 166 Freight . . .. .. .. 0 14 Balance .. .. 2 12 2 £59 4 3 £59 4 3 Profit and Loss Account. £ s. d. £ s. d. Stock, 31st March, 1915 .. .. 47 13 9 Balance, Ist April, 1914 .. .. 54 1 9 Cash transferred to general revenue 9 0 2 ~ 31st March, 1915 .. 212 2 £56 13 11 £56 13 11 Ratotonga, Cook Islands, 9th April, 1915. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.

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Cook Islands Administration. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1914.

13

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Agricultural produce, not otherwise enumerated New Zealand United States^America Tahiti £ 1,130 62 6 £ Animals, living, — Cattle Birds Dogs Fowls Horses New Zealand New South Wales .. New Zealand 1,198 27 1 7 15 j> • ■ 223 41 Tahiti" 264 1 4 Pigs Sheep Apparel and slops New Zealand >> • • ,j ■ • United Kingdom France New South Wales .. Fiji United States America Tahiti 1,155 614 13 59 1 218 362 Arms, ammunition, and explosives 2,422 New Zealand United States America 96 7 Arrowroot Bags and sacks Tahiti New Zealand United States America 103 18 966 143 Bamboo for hat-making Beer and stout Tahiti New Zealand United Kingdom Germany 1,109 270 47 112 6 165 Beverages, non-alcoholic New Zealand United Kingdom Tahiti 67 7 6 Biscuits and cabin bread New Zealand United Kingdom Victoria United States America 80 5,125 3 2 3 5,133 Bicycles, tricycles, motor-cars, and parts of New Zealand United Kingdom United States America 481 280 272 same 1,033 500 Boats and launches Boots and shoes New Zealand 5: • • United Kingdom .. Canada United States America Tahiti 534 212 92 448 2 Building material, not otherwise enumerated 1,288 New Zealand New South Wales .. > United States America 354 5 63 Butter and cheese Carriages and parts of same New Zealand 422 1,453 United State America 237 873 Casks, empty Cement New Zealand 1,110 8 New South Wales .. 359 3 362

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Cook Islands Administration— continued. Port of Rarotonga.—Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1914 —continued.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. I Coal '.. Cinematographs and accessories, also hire of films £ £ 41 New Zealand United Kingdom Tahiti 137 105 273 Confectionery .. .. .. 515 New Zealand United Kingdom United States America 154 • 4 17 Cordage and twine , 175 New Zealand United Kingdom United States America Tahiti 480 .. ■ 2 164 6 652 Cotton piece-goods New Zealand United Kingdom United States America New South Wales .. Tahiti ... 910 .. : 4,939 818 363 183 Drapery 7,213 New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales .. Germany Japan Tahiti United States America 2,122 1,854 112 10 72 9 10 Drugs and chemicals New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 347 187 31 17 10 4,189 Earthenware and glassware 592 New Zealand United Kingdom United States America Japan 298 65 83 21 Fancy goods and toys New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 481 175 31 31 5 467 723 Fish, preserved New Zealand United Kingdom British Columbia New South Wales . . United States America 786 89 629 16 237 Flour 1,757 New Zealand United States America 3,018 1,018 4,036 Furniture New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 730 66 32 49 17 # Hardware 894 New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales .. Germany United States America Tahiti 1.646 249 16 21 99 17 2,048

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15

Cook Islands Administration — continued. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1914 —continued.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Hats and caps . . ,, New Zealand United Kingdom Victoria Tahiti £ 133 1.20 5 10 £ Hops Hosiery • New Zealand 268 111 United Kingdom New South Wales . . 219 467 47 Instruments,— Dental Musical New Zealand 733 75 New South Wales . . Germany 62 10 28 100 31 Iron, — Bar, bolt, and rod .. Galvanized, corrugated New Zealand 1,366 287 107 36 United Kingdom New South Wales . . United States America 1,796 26 Pipes and fittings Wire New Zealand United States America 119 6 New Zealand Tahiti 125 Jewellery 62 52 114 Machines, sewingNew Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales . . United States America Tahiti 33 10 18 638 27 Machinery, — Aerating 726 New Zealand United Kingdom 48 75 123 Electric New Zealand New South Wales .. United States America 27 243 3 273 Printing New Zealand France United States America 14 26 1 Manures and fertilizers . . Matches New Zealand 41 71 New South Wales . . Sweden 247 16 157 MeatsFrozen Potted and preserved New Zealand 420 565 United Kingdom United States America, 8,078 6 1 Salted New Zealand 8,085 511 477 Milk, preserved Nails 600 3 is • • New South Wales .. 603 OilKerosene and benzine New Zealand United States America 771 344 1,115 Other kinds New Zealand New South Wales . . United States America 154 1 5

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16

Cook Islands Administration — continued. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1914— continued.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. PaintS'and varnish New Zealand United Kingdom United States America Tahiti .. • £ 285 88 33 3 409 Perfumery and toilet preparations New Zealand United Kingdom France United States America 19 34 4 12 69 Plants, trees, and shrubs New Zealand Victoria New South Wales .. Fiji 28 4 3 1 Photographic goods New Zealand United Kingdom 75 39 36 114 Provisions, not otherwise enumerated New Zealand United Kingdom Victoria New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 1,960 160 116 10 174 3 Rice New Zealand New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 2,423 597 95 593 77 1,362 Rugs New Zealand United States America 301 10 Saddlery and harness New Zealand United States America 311 173 82 255 7 Saccharine Silk .. United Kingdom New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales .. Japan Tahiti 84 42 6 152 7 Soap Specie Spirits, — Brandy Geneva Rum Whisky .. .. New Zealand ,, ,, ,, ,, ,, United Kingdom 291 1,209 6,400 6 14 20 236 31 Methylated Perfumed New Zealand United Kingdom Tahiti 267 10 208 1 209 23 Flavouring Stationery and books New Zealand ,, United Kingdom New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 381 348 19 19 36 Sugar New Zealand New South Wales .. United Kingdom 803 3.198 245 3 3,446

17

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Cook Islands Administration— continued. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1914 —continued.

Cook Islands Administration. Return showing the Value of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1914.

3—A. 3.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. 'ea, coffee, and cocoa New Zealand Tahiti £ 330 1 £ 'imber, sawn New Zealand New South Wales .. United States America 1,464 90 3,854 331 'imber, fruit-box 'obacco, cigars, and cigarettes New Zealand 1,134 140 9 1 17 5,408 8,156 New South Wales .. United Kingdom South Africa Tahiti 1,301 'ools New Zealand United Kingdom .. New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 201 62 41 105 6 415 'runks New Zealand New South Wales .. 207 19 226 Vine, — Claret New Zealand Victoria United States America Tahiti 18 57 11 20 Port Ginger Woodenware New Zealand 106 1 18 ,) • • ,5 New South Wales .. 203 5 Miscellaneous New Zealand United Kingdom .. New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 362 35 5 27 5 208 434 Total .. 91,132 W. J. Stevei Co raoN, ■lector of 0 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 15th February, 1915. istoms.

Article. I Where exported. Quantity. Value. Total. Fruit, fresh— Bananas New Zealand 85,184 cases 1,348 bnchs. £ 28,749 190 £ Oranges Pineapples Unenumerated IS , J 114,336 cases 3,691 „ 203 „ 126 tons 436 ., 360 „ 28,939 18,579 460 37 35 Copra, SS • • United Kingdom United States America 1,775 7,455 5,400 14,630 922 tons

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18

Cook Islands Administration — continued. Return showing the Value of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1914 —continued.

W. J. Stpjvenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 12th March, 1915. Collector of Customs. Cook Islands Administration. Table showing Total Values, Imports and, Exports, from Year 1902 lo 31st December. 1914. IMPORTS. Y„ ar Amount. Increase. Decrease. 1902 .. .. .. .. 27,623 1903 .. .. .. .. 34,866 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 1912 .. .. .. .. 93,812 4,189 1913 .. .. .. .. 110,283 16,421 1914 .. .. .. .. 91,132 .. 19,151 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 9,024 1909 .. .. .. .. 73,653 13,001 1910 .. .. .. .. 90,749 17,096 1911 .. .. .. .. 91,076 327 1912 .. .. .. .. 101,708 10,632 1913 .. .. .. .. 109,926 8,218 1914 .. .. .. .. 77,512 ■ .. 32,414 W. J. Stevenson, Collector. Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 16th April, 1915.

ArticleWhere exported. Quantity. Value. Total. Candlenuts Coffee, raw £ £ United Kingdom New Zealand Tahiti 8 tons 20,8001b. 10,800 „ 570 307 70 877 Pearl-shell Vanilla Coconuts United Kingdom United States America New Zealand United States America 27 tons 229 lb. 247,000 number 404,600 „ 31,600 1b. 760 2,019 1,350 76 2,779 Kumeras and taro Tomatoes Limejuice Honey Beeswax 'cinematograph films Carriages Instruments, musical 3hip-chandlery .. Specie New Zealand ,, • • 651,600 number! 830 cases 1,201 boxes 160 gallons 145 600 10 8 3 240 15 12 40 8,642 j? Niue New Zealand ,-, Total 77,512

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Cook Islands Administration. Return showing Total Values of Imports and Exports for Year ended 31st December J 1914. 1914. 1913. IMPORTS. £ £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 64,852 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. 10,994 New South Wales .. .. .. .. .. 1,792 British Columbia .. .. .. .. .. 629 Victoria .. .. .. .. .. .. 184 Canada .. i. .. .. .. .. 92 Fiji 2 South Africa .. .. .. .. .. 1 United States of America .. .. .. .. 10,586 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,490 Japan .. .. .. .. .. .. 245 France .. .. .. .. .. .. 43 Sweden .. .. .. .. .. .. 157 Germany .. .. . . . . .. .. 65 £91,132 £110,283 EXPORTS. New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 60,820 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. 8,875 United States of America .. .. .. .. 7,495 Niue .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. 307 £77,512 £109,926 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 12th March, 1915. Collector of Customs

Cook Islands Administration. Statement showing Cargo shipped by the Auckland and Wellington Steamers from Rarotonga to New Zealand, during Year ended 31st December, 1914. „ ~ Auckland. Wellington. Month - Tons. Tons. January .. .. .. .. .. ..234 461 February .. .. .. . . .. 437 347 March .. .. .. .. .. ..522 322 April .. .. .. .. .. ..531 570 May .. .. .. .. .. .. 479 452 June .. .. .. .. .. .. 845 584 July .. .. .. .. .. .. ..657 782 August .. .. .. .. .. ..807 771 September .. .. .. .. .. ..491 290 October .. .. .. .. .. ..489 243 ~ (second trip) .. .. .. .. .. .. 166 November .. .. .. .. .. 385 353 December .. .. .. .. .. ..606 186 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 6,483 5,527 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 23rd February, 1915. Collector of Customs.

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20

Cook Islands Administration. Principal Exports from each Island in the Cook Group for Year ended 31st December, 1914.

W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 17th February, 1915. Collector of Customs.

Statement showing Contributions by the People op the Cook Islands to the War Funds. Rarotonga — , £ s. d. £ s. d. . White population (139) .. :. .. .. 169 4 0 Native population (2,620) .. .. 90 1 9 259 5 9 Aitutaki (see footnote) — White population (16) .. .. .. 8 0 0 Native population (1,221) .. .. .. 0 8 6 8 8 6 Manihiki — White population (2) Native population (440) .. .. .. 141 17 6 — 141 17 6 Rakahanga— White population (1) .. .. .. .. 10 0 Native population (315) .. .. .. 23 5 0 24 5 0 Penrhyn— White population (2) .. Native population (332) .. .. .. 28 0 0 28 0 0 Atiu — White population (2) .. Native population (810).. .. .. .. 6 0 0 6 0 0 Mauke— White population (7) , . Native population (447) .. .. .. .. 5 12 6 5 12 6 Mangaia — , White population (4) . . .. . . .. 8 0 0 Native population (1,466) .. .. .. 118 ■ 0 0 126 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 599 9 3 Contributed to the Belgian Fund by the white people of Rarotonga .. 11 5 0 Contributed to the Overseas Daily Mail Tobacco Fund for soldiers at the front, through Dr. Baldwin .. .. .. .. 20 11 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. ..£631 5 3

Island. Bananas. lit o &c 0 ee O CO Q a s 6 a u rr eg O o in s a o o o o 1W F-4 CD ■a '3 M CD o O "ci. Ui "3 CD Ph CD O a o frl I Rarotonga .. Aitutaki Mangaia Atiu Mauke Mitiaro Manuae ! Penrhyn Manihiki Rakahanga .. Palmerston Suarrow Pukapuka .. Takutea Cases. Bches. 82,554 1,348 118 .. 2,512 .. Cases. 83,393 4,456 18,869 2,196 5,422 Cases. 296 3,379 16 Cases. 157 45 1 Tons. 82 96 21 43 136 11 62 171 124 127 33 9 7 Number 555,700 95,900 Cases. 112 98 620 lb. Tons. 6,600 Boxes. 1,201 25^000 .. 20 7 Totals 85,184 1,348 114,336 3,691 203 922 |651,600 830 31,600 27 1,201

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The people of Aitutaki being left destitute by the hurricane, and so unable to contribute, wished to give up to the War Fund the Administration grant of £50 for relief purposes. Their offer, which entailed their being short of food until their own supplies came in, was refused by the Resident Commissioner, whose action was approved by the Hon. the Minister. ' Further, the women of Aitutaki, in response to an appeal by Mrs. Duncan (wife of the Resident Agent), made and donated eight cases of hats, mats, kits, necklaces, and other island things of all kinds, which were forwarded to the Dominion, and sold in aid of the fund. A quantity of clothing was sent from the white people, through Dr. Baldwin, to the Belgian Consul at Auckland, for transmission to Belgium.

Principal Items of New Zealand Produce and Manufactures which are admitted into the Cook Islands Free of Duty. (Were the same articles imported from any place beyond New Zealand, duty would be collected according to the New Zealand Customs tariff.) Value. Approximate Duty. Agricultural produce (oats, chaff, hay, wheat, potatoes, and £ £ onions) .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,198 250 Biscuits and cabin bread .. .. .. .. 5,125 750 Building material .. .. ..' .. .. 422 100 Butter and cheese .... .. .. .. 1,453 290 Cement .. .. '.. ... .. .. 359 45 Carriag js and parts for same . . . . . . . . 237 50 Confectionery .. .. ..... .. .. 154 30 Cordage .. .. ... .. .. .. 480 96 Flour/. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,018 300 Furniture .. .. .. .. .. ... 730 180 Meats, frozen .. .. .. .. .. .. 565 115 „ preserved .. .. .. .. .. 8,078 1,600 „ salted .. .. .. 511 100 Milk, preserved .. .. .. .. .. 477 120 Provisions .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,960 400 Rugs .. . . .. .. .. .. 301 60 Soap .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,209 250 Timber .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,464 150 fruit-box* j. .. .. .. .. 8,000 r £35,741 £4,886 * It is questionable if the Administration -would charge duty on these if imported from beyond New Zealand. W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 9th April, 1915. Collector of Customs.

Cook Islands Land Titles Court. Sir,- — Rarotonga, 10th April, 1915. I have the honour to report as follows as to the work of the Land Titles Court for the year ending the 31st March, 1915 :— There has been no sitting of the Court during the year. The fees outstanding on the 31st March, 1914, amounted to £558 12s. Since that date £109 19s. has been collected and paid into the Treasury, leaving the amount outstanding on the 31st March, 1915, £448 135., as follows :— £ s. d. Rarotonga .. .. ... .. .. .. .. 309 10 0 - Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. .. 48 6 0 Mauke .. . . . . .. .. . . . . 89 17 0 Mangaia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 0 £448 13 0.

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The number of applications awaiting sittings of the Court is 502, distributed as follows ':— Rarotonga' .. . . . . .. .. .. .. . . 127 F4itutaki . . .. . . . . .. .. .. .. 286 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 Mangaia . . . . . . . . .. .. . . .. Nil. Atiu . . . . .. . . . . . . .. 36 Manihiki . . . . .. . . . . . . .. .. 4 Rakahanga . . . . .. . . . . .. .. .. ] Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. .... .. 9 Penrhyn .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 502 I have, &c, H. H. G. Ralfe, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. Registrar, Land Titles Court.

Cook Islands High Court. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 10th April, 1915. I have the honour to report that the following was the work done in the High Court during the year ended the 31st March, 1915 : — Criminal cases to the number of 393 were dealt with under the following heads :-— 1914-15. 1913-1914. Adultery .. .. .. .. .. .. ..12 10 Assault (common) .. .. .. .. .. 30 25 Bastardy .. . . . . . . . . . . .. 6 Breach of fruit regulations .. .. .. .. 10 4 Breach of traffic regulations .. .. .. .. .. 4 Breach of the peace . . .. .. .. . . 10 26 Bush-beer making .. .. .. .. .. 20 65 Bush-beer drinking .. .. .. .. .. 77 Drunkenness .. .. .. .. .. .. 146 60 Desecration of grave . . .. .. .. . . .. 1 False pretences .. .. . . .. .. .. 1 False declaration .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Forgery .. .. . . . . . . . . . . 1 Gambling . . . . - .. .. .. . . .. 5 Housebreaking . . .. . . . . . . .. 1 Illegal importation of liquor .. .. . . .. .. 2 6 Keeping liquor for sale .. .. .. .. .. 2 Non-registration of dogs .. .. . . . . 99 Roads, failing to work on .. .. .. .. .. 2 Setting bush on fire .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Slander .. .. .. .. .. .. ..3 14 Smuggling liquor, &c. .. .. .. .. 2 8 Theft .. .. .. .. ..' .. ..14 58 Trespass by persons . . .. .. .. .. 12 4 Wounding horse .. .. .. .. .. ~ 1 393 312 Of the number —393—charged, 116 were dismissed or withdrawn. During the whole period we have had the services of a European police officer (Sergeant Nash), who has displayed great energy and tact, and has been of great assistance to the Court officers. The return shows a reduction in the number of persons charged with bush-beer making, from sixtyfive to twenty. This, in my opinion, is due to the preliminary investigation by the European police officer as to the nature of the offence being more exact than it had been by the Native police, and resulted in charges of bush-beer drinking instead of bush-beer making, which is limited to a few individuals. The increase in charges of drunkenness is, I consider, entirely due to the efforts of the European' police sergeant to keep the Native police up to the mark. Ido not think it can be contended that drunkenness is on the increase. The number of charges resulting from bush-beer would drop very materially if there was no European police officer here. Charges of theft have fallen very considerably, and the few offences charged have been of a petty character, generally relating to produce taken from plantations. Of the fourteen charges, six were dismissed.

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Subtracting the charges for non-registration of dogs- ninety-nine- the remaining offences number 294, of which 245 were of drunkenness, or relating to bush-beer. On the civil side the High Court had before it sixty-seven cases as follows :- -1914-15. 1913-14. Damages .. . . . . . . . . .. 23 17 Debt '.. .. .. .. .'. .. ..18 14 - Divorce .. .. .. .. . . . . ..16 23 Detinue .. .. .. .. .. 3 2 Injunction .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 3 Possession of chattels .. .. .. . . .. .. 2 ~ tenement .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Trespass .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 2 Probate .. . . . . .. . . .. .... 1 67 60 Number of plaints entered during the year ~ . . .. .. 62 £ s. d. Amount sued for .. .. .. .. .. .. 478 8 5 Amount recovered .. .. .. .. .. .. 294 15 10 The fines imposed amounted to .. . . .. 405 1 0 And the costs (criminal) to .. .. .. .. .. 106 3 0 £511 4 0 The fees and fines collected and paid into the Treasury amounted to — 1914-15. 1913-14. £ s. d. £ s. d. Criminal jurisdiction .. .. .. .. 418 16 11 472 5 5 Civil jurisdiction .. .. .. 20 3 0 40 17 0 £438 19 11 £513 2 5 Fines to the amount of £165 19s. 3d. are outstanding and being collected by monthly or weekly instalments, or paid in part by labour. During the year fifty-six offenders were put to labour on the roads or public works for default in payment of fines. Two offenders were sent to the penal settlement at Manuae Island to serve terms of imprisonment. The Court office was the medium for the collection of the following sums, which were paid into the Treasury :— 1914-15. 1913-14. £ s. d. £ s. d. Dog-tax .. .. .. .. 73 4 0 60 7 6 Road rates .. .. *.. .. 94 1 6 96 7 6 Water rates . . . . .. .. .. 447 19 8 294 16 6 Refunds for pipes, &c. .. .. .. .. • 142 12 0 262 17 2 Fines under Wandering Animals Ordinance .. . . 22 19 3 14 13 0 License fees Public halls .. .. .. 6 0 0 £787 I 5 £729 I 8 The increase in water rate paid is largely due to a full rate being payable in connection with the new Titikaveka water-supply, instead of only half-rate paid last year. I have, &c. H. H, G. Ralfe, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. Registrar of Courts.

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Vital Statistics for the Year 1914.

H. H. G. Ralph, Rarotonga, 7th June, 1915. Registrar.

Report of Acting Chief Medical Officer on the Medical Work in the Island of Rarotonga FROM THE 25TH DECEMBER, 1914, TO THE 7TH APRIL, 1915. Cook Islands Hospital, 7th April, 1915. These months, during which I acted for Dr. Baldwin as Medical Officer to the Cook Islands Administration, comprise the " hot season," and I am given to understand that this year has been unusually hot and free from winds. The health of the Native population cannot be considered entirely satisfactory. Though free from many of the diseases that afflict tropical countries, such as malaria, severe dysentery, &c, and though a large number of diseases of a serious and fatal description common all over the world seem practically unknown here, still it cannot be denied that the outlook as regards the future of the Native race is far from reassuring. I refer to the frequency among the Natives of syphilis and tuberculosis. The former disease is a frequent cause of sterility and premature birth, while the children that are born at full term are often destined to die before they reach maturity. The latter disease is far too prevalent, and, as is well known, is very liable to be transmitted to descendants. With these two sinister exceptions the list of diseases treated at the Hospital is not a formidable one, from the public health point of view. The attendances at the out-patient department during this period number 2,029. The cases consist of minor complaints —minor operations, such as incising abscesses, tooth-extraction, and the like. Among this number is a fair proportion of white patients. The number is a high one, no doubt due to the unhealthy season of the year, which would make minor complaints very prevalent. fl The number of in-patients admitted amounts to seventy-nine. Of these, fifty-seven have been discharged more or less improved ; three have died in the Hospital ; five have been taken away to die.

Island and Village. I Births. Deaths. Marriagea. Rarotonga— Avarua Arorangi Titikaveka Ngatangiia Matavera 79 22 11 18 11 63 10 10 14 9 18 2 4 5 3 Totals 141 106 32 Aitutaki — Arutanga ") Reureu [> . . Nikaupara J Amuri Vaipae Tautu 20 15 7 17 8 4 14 6 8 2 4 2 Totals 49 43 15 Mangaia— Oneroa Tamarua Ivirua 34 5 9 43 7 21 6 3 4 Totals 48 71 13 Pemhyn 12 16 Pukapuka 16 11 Manihiki 12 9 Rakahanga 7 Atiu 38 34 8 Mauke (return not to hand) . . Grand totals 317 300 97 * Four still-born.

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at home, in conformity with the Native custom —the friends of the patients have a very deep-rooted objection to their dying elsewhere than at home. There are at present eighteen patients in the Hospital, several of whom will be fit to discharge before the end of the week. There have been fifty-seven operations, for which a general anaesthetic has been given. In spite of the tendency all wounds have towards suppuration, the results have, on the whole, been very satisfactory. Chloroform has been the anaesthetic invariably used, and the Natives take it and stand operations very well. There have also been many minor operations performed under local anaethesia, both in the outpatient and in-patient departments. I must tender my thanks to the, Administration for the ready assistance the Hospital has always received at its hands. During my stay here a most commodious, and withal inexpensive, operating-theatre has been thrown out from the casualty room. This has proved a great success. New beds and bedding of a very suitable quality have also been supplied. Also two Native huts have been put up in the grounds for use in advanced tubercular and other cases where isolation is advisable. Owing to the large amount of surgical work both in the in- and out-patient departments, the two nurses have been kept working at a very high pressure every day. Miss Nobbs, the Matron, and Nurse Easton (who I regret to say is leaving us in June) deserve the heartiest thanks both of myself, who have found their efforts so useful and helpful, and of the patients, whom they have always treated with the greatest kindness and attention. I must also acknowledge most gratefully the assistance I derived from Dr. Hilda Northcroft, now on a visit to the Islands. Whenever appealed to she was always ready to give most valuable assistance both at operations and consultations. During the past three months the work has been very heavy, more indeed than one man can manage properly, but with better weather coming on no doubt the pressure will be considerably relieved. As regards the other islands of the Group, I have had neither the time nor the means of communication to visit them. R. L. Norman, Acting Medical Officer.

Report on the Condition (Medical) of Aitutaki, May, 1915. My stay on this island extended from the 7th to the 24th May, 1915. During this time I was kept working at a very high pressure, as many as sixty patients being seen on one day on at least two occasions. Fifteen operations were performed under chloroform, with, on the whole, very beneficial results to the persons concerned. The whole island was visited, and practically all cases of sickness received treatment. One death (a baby) occurred, of bronco-pneumonia. The health of the Natives on this island is exceedingly unsatisfactory. The condition of affair? is accentuated by the tumble-down condition of all the Native dwellings, due to the hurricane of last year, and the poverty of many of the people, which cannot admit of their houses being put in proper re Dair. As in Rarotonga, the chief diseases responsible for the unsatisfactory condition of affairs are syphilis and tuberculosis. The former disease, having been practically allowed to run riot, has produced ravages which in many cases are truly appalling, and we may be assured that it has been, and still is being, transmitted to the children. The Women are the worst sufferers for the most part, and syphilitic disease of the rectum (a most intractable form of the malady) is very common here. Tuberculosis holds much the same position as it does in Rarotonga. Several cases of phthisis and disease of the cervical glands have come to my notice. I have also seen some bad cases of tubercular bone disease. There has been a great deal of so-called " fever " during the summer, but it appears to a large extent to have died down. I have seen about five cases. One was an ordinary pneumonia, which soon cleared up. All the others except one appeared to be of an influenza type, which was common enough about that time in Rarotonga. The remaining case has certainly puzzled me. The patient is a hoy of twelve, and he has suffered from fever for three weeks. At first his complaint was only of headache, and that soon passed off, but the fever, with temperature of 103° to 104° in the afternoon, has continued for a long time. A fair degree of intestinal catarrh combined with the continued fever at once suggested typhoid fever, but the other symptoms are absolutely at variance with this hypothesis, especially as the boy is otherwise well, and is with difficulty restrained from running about. The temperature is now coming down. Apparently this must have been the " fever " that has afflicted the island during the summer. It must he borne*[in [mind that the conditions of life as regards housing, nursing, diet, and general comfort are at a very low ebb here ; also the supply of drugs is very inadequate to cope with serious or, indeed, any real disease, so that all one can do in a medical case is to prevent the friends and relatives from doing wrong. Active treatment in medical cases, I repeat, is practically impossible. As regards the operation-work, there is no doubt that practically all patients will benefit—some of them to a great, others to a lesser, extent, but all more or less. Elaborate work was out of the question, owing to the extreme difficulties under which the work was carried on —the filth of the houses, the scarcity of water, and the necessity of going everywhere (in very hot weather) on foot with instruments and dressings.

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I resided with the Resident Agent, Mr. Duncan. His wife and daughter had been victims, some weeks previously, to the prevailing fever epidemic. Both were very ill. Miss Duncan is now quite well again. Mrs. Duncan, however, is quite a wreck, and Ido not think she runs a chance of complete recovery unless she can get away from the tropics for some six months. The tropical climate, even at its best, does not admit of satisfactory recovery from acute diseases in all cases, especially in women. In the case of an island like this, where the conditions of life are very rough and food very poor, a woman has a very poor chance. As Mrs. Duncan has done a great deal of work among the Natives in times of sickness—Work that she is by no means called upon or paid to do—it is to he hoped that the Administration will see its way to grant her a passage to New Zealand and back, as I understand they are far from well off. It must he thoroughly understood that I consider a change from the tropics to be absolutely necessary in this case. A young European came under my care. He is a young man of degenerate tendencies who had been giving a great deal of trouble for the past few weeks, owing to his mental condition. I examined him, and came to the conclusion he was suffering from delusional insanity, and I therefore advised the Resident Agent to have him taken to his home and there confined under the care of a policeman till the departure of the s.s. " Talune," by which steamer he was intending to go to New Zealand on his way to England. He has improved somewhat the last few days, hut if he is not considerably better I shall take the necessary steps to have him put under restraint in Auckland, as I understand he has no friends in New Zealand. I am, of course, fully responsible for his treatment so far. On the 19th May, I visited the leper island with the Resident Agent. I saw two of the patients ■ —Kaimoumou (a lad) and Daniel (an old man). The third patient was fishing in his canoe. The lad Kaimoumou had very little to show beyond a macular anaesthetic patch or two on the buttocks and back of the thighs. He is said to have had several larger patches of a like description on the back, but these have now disappeared. He has certainly improved, but the presence of the abovementioned patch is still suspicious. The old man, Daniel, is an old case, having been eight years on the island. His face is gnarled and disfigured by the disease, which, however, appears to be quiescent, as the ulceration which used to be a marked feature in his case is now completely healed. The island is a pretty spot, and the patients are Well cared for, being visited every month, and plenty of their own particular food is supplied. That same day I was called to see a woman, lapou Vaine, at Vaipae, one of the villages in the island. She had come up to Vaipae six months ago from Manihiki. I considered that she Was suffering from leprosy in an early stage, and she will be sent to the island as soon as possible. And here appears a difficulty. The house is a one-roomed affair, with four beds. Three of them are occupied, and the fourth is vacant. It is not desirable to place even an elderly woman as this is in the same room with men, yet the interests of public health demand that she should be isolated. For the present a screen will be placed round her bed for her to undress by, and materials will be sent to the island to erect a shed or hut for her, which, however, she will be very unlikely to sleep in at night, owing to the Natives' fear of ghosts. If possible, she should be removed to Penrhyn, as I presume there is accommodation for females there. As regards the immediate future of this island from a health point of view, the Administration is lucky in having the services of Mr. and Mrs. Wicks, who arrived in the island by the " Huanui," with myself. They are Seventh-day Adventist missionaries, with a practical knowledge of medicine and surgery, Mrs. Wicks being a trained nurse and Mr. Wicks having undergone a medical course. They have been of the greatest assistance to me, and I am confident they will do a great deal of good to the people in instructing them in the elementary rudiments of hygiene. I have made a list of dressings and such articles as they are likely to want, which Mr. Duncan can give them when they ask for it. I hope the Administration will give them every assistance in this matter, as I am confident that their stay among the people will be productive of great good from the health point of view. For the rest, the question of medical visitation is a difficult one. A suitable man could do a good deal during a two-months stay in the island ; but it must be remembered that the conditions of practice here are very rough—the climate is trying, many of the cases are of a revolting and disgusting character, and the absence of vehicles and the poorness of the roads make it necessary to do all the visiting on foot, usually carrying a bag as well. Therefore the man selected, if he is a suitable one, requires a high salary, and also a good assortment of drugs and instruments to accompany him. The stock here, though perhaps enough to place in the hands of a layman, is woefully deficient for the serious diseases one is called upon to treat. I think under normal peace conditions it would be possible to engage a man in New Zealand for a six-months job every year, during which time he could go round the entire Group, provided the schooners' time-table admitted of it. The ideal method for the tour would be a Government vessel, but the cost of this arrangement would be such that I suppose the idea must be abandoned. The Hospital at Rarotonga might be enlarged, both as to accommodation and certainly nursingstaff, so that people from the outlying islands could be sure of finding admission and treatment. As it is they are not willing to go up to the Hospital. All these suggestions entail a heavy expenditure of money, and I do not know if it can be borne by the Administration at the present time. Judging, however, from the condition of this island, which I understand is by no means the worst of the Group, the Native race is in danger of dying out, not so much from direct disease, but from the failure to bear children on the part of many of the women, as the result of untreated venereal disease. Is it worth while trying to save them ? In conclusion, I must gratefully acknowledge the assistance I received from Mr. and Mrs. Wicks (mentioned above), Mr. and Mrs. Sterling, and the Rev. G. H. Eastman, and H. Strickland, a very intelligent Native practitioner. R. L. Norman, Acting on Special Service to Cook Islands Administration.

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Report of Assistant Medical Officer on Outlying Islands. Sir,- — Rarotonga, 4th July, 1914. I have the honour to submit my report on the health of the islands visited by me in April, May, and June of this year. I left Rarotonga by the " Huanui "on the 4th April, and returned on the 3rd July. In the intervening period I was able to spend, two days on Mauke, two days on Aitutaki, one day on Atiu, six days in Palmerston, four days in Pukapuka, ten days on Manihiki, four days in Rakahanga, and fifteen days in'Penrhyn. Mitiaro and Manuae were also visited. The health of the labourers at Manuae is good, and evidently every care is taken of their comfort by Messrs. Bates and Gruning. The tank-water supply is abundant and good and well-ventilated sleeping-accommodation is provided. Mauke, Atiu, Mitiaro, and Aitutaki were visited by me recently, and reported on. The health of the people in these islands still remains good, and evidences of the ravages of the hurricane are rapidly disappearing. Progress is slowly being made with the erection of new dwellings and the repair of damage to existing ones, and there is now no occasion for anxiety on the score of food-supply. Insectlife appears to have multiplied enormously since the hurricane. Flies and other insects have proved a veritible scourge in Atiu, and in Aitutaki a plague of caterpillars has done considerable damage. Palmerston Island. This island, although visited by several severe storms during the recent hurricane season, has suffered no serious damage. The health of the inhabitants is, on the whole, good. Most of the people have suffered or are suffering from scabies, which was apparently introduced by the sailors from the French barque which stranded on the island in the blow of December, 1913. I visited the island on which the lepers are stationed. I examined the two boys suffering from this disease. On the same island the mother of the two lepers lives with some of her daughters, and another family is also resident there. There can be no doubt that these people come in contact with the lepers, and, as they pass freely backwards and forwards to the main settlement, the position is far from being satisfactory. I examined carefully all the members of the leperous family, but did not detect any fresh case of the disease. Pukapuka. This island was visited by a severe storm on the 14th December last, when the force of the wind blew down many houses and coconuts. It was again badly hit by the hurricane of the 9th January, when great damage was done, the greater part of the island being submerged and most of the buildings ruined. x4.s the crop of taro, puraka, &c, were destroyed by the sea which swept over the island, and as most of the coconuts were blown from the trees and swept away to sea along with the fowls and pigs, the inhabitants have been in some straits for food. For some time before our arrival they had been subsisting on very young coconuts and fish, which are, however, not very plentiful at this island. In spite of this, the people did not present an emaciated or even an ill-nourished appearance, and it must be assumed that the quantity and quality of their food was sufficient for their, needs, if the variety was not all they would desire. Forms of ringworm and other skin-diseases are perhaps more prevalent here than in some of the other islands, but the general health of the people is good. Few cases of acute disease were brought to my notice. The site of the present main settlement at Roto is a pestiferous one, lying as it does at the head of a bay in which the water is shallow and stagnant, with a muddy and slimy bottom. The foreshore in a Native settlement being the depository of all sorts of refuse and filth, the stench in this place is abominable, and the flies form a veritable plague. At the back of the settlement are swamps in which the Natives cultivate puraka and some taro. These form breeding-grounds for the myriads of mosquitoes which infest the village. Most of the houses having been destroyed in the hurricane, a good opportunity presents itself for the inhabitants to settle in a more suitable locality. # At present there are a few houses at the small settlement of Ngake, on the south-eastern side of the island. This village has a fine breezy aspect, and a clean shingle beach, with a good slope to the sea. The reef at this point approaches the shore, which is reached by the breakers at high water, so that there is little likelihood of such foreshore pollution as at present exists at Roto. The Natives have been advised to build their new houses on this spot, and Mr. Connal, who visited the place with me and approved of it, has instructed them as to the alignment of the houses, also other matters pertaining to his department. The island is badly supplied with fresh water. In the main settlement of Roto there are a couple of wells the water of which is brackish and must be badly polluted by surface-water percolating through the surrounding shingle, which is badly fouled by the excreta of fowls, pigs, &c, which run loose in the village, and by domestic refuse, which, as in most Native villages, is thrown on the ground in the neighbourhood of the houses. It would be well if tanks could be provided, and if it is decided to erect them it will be advisable to do so at Ngake, the site recommended for the new settlement, as thereby the people would have an inducement to do as suggested, and live in that more salubrious locality. Mr. Connal, who has discussed the position thoroughly with me, will offer suggestions as to the best method of securing collecting surface and cognate matter. I have strongly advised the Natives not to build stone or timber houses, but Native houses with " rau " roof, as this style of dwelling is most suitable for the climate.

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Manihiki. This island sustained great damage from the sea which swept over it during the January hurricane. The islet on which the main settlement of Tauhunu is situated was completely submerged, the people taking refuge in their boats, which were moored in the lagoon. Practically all the houses were destroyed, but fortunately no lives were lost. In the Settlement of Tukao the islet was only partially under water, and the people saved themselves by running to the unsubmerged portion. Here also most of the houses collapsed, owing to the foundations being washed away. The people have plenty of copra and no lack of provisions, severaljschooners having visited the island with supplies since the hurricane. The water-tank at Tauhunu and Tukao proved a great boon to the inhabitants after the storm, as they were for the time being deprived of other sources of supply. Accompanied by Mr. Williams, the Resident Agent, I visited all the habitations in both settlements and saw all the sick. The health of the people is remarkably good, and the cases I saw were mostly of a chronic character or cases of skin-disease. There are no cases of leprosy at present on the island. I examined three suspected cases, but did not find any evidence of this disease. Rakahanga. —Here also, accompanied by Mr. Williams, I visited all the dwellings and found the conditions as regards health very similar to those at Manihiki. The island, however, did not suffer so severely in the hurricane as the latter. Two new cases of leprosy I ordered to be sent to the leper island, and three suspected cases, members of one family, I ordered to be segregated until opportunity offers for examination. On the leper island, at the time of my visit, I found two persons—one a male leper, the other a woman not leperous, who has voluntarily exiled herself for fifteen years on the Molokai, nursing her husband and three children, who Were all lepers, and who have all died there. The last survivor, a girl, was drowned during the hurricane when the island was inundated. The girl was in a weak and emaciated condition, and was washed away by the sea in spite of the mother's efforts to save her. This heroic woman only saved herself by climbing a coconut-tree. I examined her carefully, and, being unable to detect any evidence of leprosy, ordered that she be liberated. Penrhyn. Penrhyn has not experienced any severe storm during the last hurricane season. There are two settlements on the island, the chief of which —Omoka —has about two hundred inhabitants. The other village —Te Tautua—is about eight or nine miles distant on the other side of the lagoon, and has approximately a hundred people. In each settlement the concrete tanks of 5,000 gallons capacity provide a good supply of drinkingwater, the church-roofs acting as collecting-surfaces. The health of the people cannot be described as satisfactory, and this is not surprising considering the circumstances under which the Natives live. The houses in the settlement of Omoka are much too close together, forming a congested area on which all sorts of filthy rubbish lie. Taking into consideration that the Native method, or want of method, of disposing of refuse is to throw it on the ground outside their houses, it may well be guessed that the soil in the neighbourhood will be badly contaminated with decaying and putrifying organic material, and that this is so is well attested by the horrible effluvium which everywhere assails the nostrils. The majority of the houses are in a dilapidated and wretched condition, unpainted, and built of old and rotting boarding. Coconut shells and busks, empty tins, &c, are thrown into the lagoon, and the beach of the small bay in which the settlement is located is littered with hundreds of such receptacles for rain-water, which thus form breeding-grounds for the mosquitoes, which are very numerous. A slimy evil-smelling mud has formed along the shore of the bay, and in calm weather the stench from this stagnant water is exceedingly unpleasant, and must be prejudicial to health. Much could be done to better the conditions by a vigorous policy of supervision. The Natives should be compelled to keep their houses in sanitary repair, suitable arrangements should be made for the disposal of household and other refuse, and on no account should pollution of the lagoon be countenanced. At the time of my visit there were no lepers fin the Molokai, which is the island set apart for sufferers from the disease. I examined, however, two female suspects who had been isolated on land near the Settlement of Tautua and four suspects (two male and two female) on the Island of Tokerau. These six people I ordered to be sent to the Molokai as lepers. Another female who had been brought from the Molokai, and was living in Omoka, I ordered to be sent back. A Note upon Leprosy in the Cook and Northern Islands. It has been asserted that leprosy is rife in the Cook Islands, but in my opinion there is nothing to justfy such a contention. Possibly a definite statement as to the actual facts will dispel the illusion that the disease is here widespread or highly prevalent. I have confidence in speaking on this subject, as during the last two years and a half I have visited all the Islands of the Cook Group, and in most of them have dwelt for days or months visiting all the settlements and practically every house'on them, and I have just returned from a tour of inspection which included all the inhabited islands of the northern group, during which I had ample time in each island to carry out the necessary investigations. ■ ■ ■-.' At present I know of fifteen cases of leprosy, distributed as follows : Aitutaki, 3; Palmerston, 2 ; Rakahanga, 3 : Penrhyn, 7. There are also three suspects in Rakahanga and one in Penrhyn, who have been isolated. In Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Atiu, Pukapuka, and Manihiki I have not discovered

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any cases of the disease. It is, of course, possible that there [may be cases as yet but there can only be few, and the above figures show conclusively that the disease cannot be looked upon as rife in these islands. A difficult problem, but one which ought, in the name of humanity, to be dealt with at once, is that of providing for the lepers. The present state of affairs is far from satisfactory and should not be allowed to continue. Ido not think that any one will deny the importance of constant medical supervision for these cases, both for their own sake and for the sake of the community. The unfortunate sufferers are made virtual prisoners and isolated from their friends and kindred in order that the community may not suffer; and it must be recognized by every one that they have every right to all that medical knowledge and skill can do for them, possibly to cure, but in any case to alleviate their condition. Proper housing-accommodation should also be erected, and suitable arrangements made for a sufficient supply of water; while clothing and food should be provided by the Administration, and not depend on the irregular impulses of charity or the ofttimes torpid sense of duty of relatives. In my opinion, the only way in which the problem can be solved satisfactorily is to collect the lepers from the various islands and segregate them in one leper colony, where they can have at least weekly visits from a medical officer, who can also supervise the food and water supply and generally attend to their welfare. As things are at present, the lepers are in instances shockingly neglected, and in few cases is the law of quarantine rigidly enforced. I have, &c, The Chief Medical Officer. A. R. Maclurkin.

Report of Engineer. Sir, — Rarotonga, 15th April, 1915. I have the honour to submit the following reportonjpublic works for the year ended the 31st March, 1915 :— Survey of Lands. During the year no Land Court was held in the Group, therefore very little surveying was required. Nearly all the sections in Rarotonga have been surveyed, and where the boundaries of the different sections are on flatfish land the Natives, as a rule, are quite content with the boundaries as passed by the Land Court; but where the boundaries extend into the hills there sometimes now arise disputes as to the proper boundary. The Natives in most cases have only themselves to blame, as in many instances when the back boundaries Were surveyed they paid little or no attention to the back land ; but now that land is becoming scarce for planting the Natives are beginning to look at the back lands, and boundary disputes arise. I submit that where just cause can be shown that the boundaries as surveyed are in error they should be amended. Another trouble arising is that of the rights-of-way through certain sections, though not shown on the plan of a section. There is a law providing against the closing of any track if the Land Court should decide that it be left open. Not much trouble has been had so far while such a section is in Native hands, but trouble arises when the land is leased to a European. With the annual report for the year ending the 31st M!arch, 1913, I forwarded a tracing of the Island of Rarotonga, and asked that 200 copies be lithographed. These we have not received yet, and they are much needed. Lands the Administration should acquire. There are several pieces of land I think that the Administration should acquire for public purposes: — At Aitutaki a strip of land on the northern side of the landing-place. At Mauke a piece of land between the Resident Agent's quarters and the landing-place. At Atiu the area of the landing-place is too small, and more land is necessary. Also, the piece of land on which the Resident Agent's quarters have been built should be properly acquired at the first sitting of the Land Court there. At Mangaia the landing area should be increased, and a piece at the back of the Resident Agent's quarters should be acquired. Both pieces are at present in the hands of the London Missionary Society. - - • - ;.-•-; Meteorological. - The total rainfall at Avarua, on the northern side of Rarotonga, for the year ending the 31st December, 1914, was 70-31 in. The average for the last sixteen years is 79-50 in. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade for the same period was 88°, on the 9th February and Bth March, and the lowest 51°, on the 24th June. The mean of the maximum was 79-2°, and the mean of the minimum 68-3°. The lowest reading of the barometer at sea-level for 1914 was 29-37 in., on the 10th January, as before reported.

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Rarotonga. Police Quarters. —30 ft. by 16 ft., divided into two rooms, with 9-ft.-wide verandas, and having two rooms on the back veranda, were built; also, a building containing two cells, with passage between, was erected. Water was laid on to the main building and the land fenced. Teacher s Quarters, Arorangi. —At the Settlement of Arorangi a building was bought and renovated for a residence for the Superintendent of Schools. Teacher's Quarters, Ngatangiia. —At the Settlement of Ngatangiia a residence was erected, 48 ft. by 24 ft., divided into five rooms, with verandas 9 ft. wide on three sides, and a veranda 12 ft. wide at back, enclosed to form dining-room, kitchen, and bathroom. A wash-house was also built, and water laid on from the Ngatangiia water-supply. Hospital. —At the Hospital an operating-room has been added to the main building on the western veranda. A mortuary was built, and other small additions and repairs effected. Fruit Inspector's Office. —The fumigator building was lengthened 15 ft., so as to provide an office 20 ft. by 15 ft., and the veranda carried round the three sides. Formerly the office was a part of the end veranda, 15 ft. by 10 ft. enclosed, which was found very close in hot weather. . Roads and Bridges. —The main road through the Settlement of Avarua has been kept in repair by the Administration, and the bridges have been kept in repair on the main road round the island. I think the time has now come that the Administration should assist the Natives in opening up some inland roads, as by so doing the Natives would plant more, and so increase the exports. Upkeep of Buildings. This year I consider a sum of £150 should be placed on the estimates for the upkeep of the buildings, as there are now more buildings to keep in repair, and the number increases each year. Swamps. There are several swamps on the Island of Rarotonga which require draining, and I do not see how the Natives are going to manage it themselves. I therefore think the Administration should help them. If the swamps were drained (the soil is generally first class) they would produce most tropical fruits and vegetables, and the draining of these swamps would lessen mosquitoes and improve the health of the people. Moorings, Avarua Harbour. Good moorings have now been laid down in Avarua Harbour, which L consider safe in anything but extremely bad weather for schooners up to 200 tons or so. Water-supplies. Avarua. —During very dry weather the Takuvaine Creek, from which the supply is furnished, gives barely sufficient water, and in years to come the supply will have to be increased by making a reservoir at the intake, or by putting in a branch pipe to the Avatiu Creek. I favour the latter method. This year the Muri water-supply will be completed, and the size of the main pipe increased at Arorangi, and the system extended. Then all the settlements in Rarotonga will be supplied with good water. Pukapuka. —At this island a shed 64 ft. by 30 ft. was erected as a catchment, and two 5,000 gallon tanks (reinforced and mosquito-proof) were erected. Penrhyn. —A residence containing kitchen, dining-room, and bathroom, also a reinforced-concrete 2,000 gallon tank, weie erected for the Agent. Atiu. —A residence for the Agent, with tanks and outhouses,- as in other islands, was erected. Aitutaki. —The old Courthouse was reroofed with iron (the roof having been blown off in the last hurricane), and the whole building put in good repair. The Native school, Araura, had part of the roof renewed, the verandas cemented, and the building generally put in good repair. Manihiki. At this island help was given to the Resident Agent to repair his house, which was damaged in the hurricane. The walls of the Courthouse were raised, a new iron roof put on, new doors put in, and the floor repaired. There is one 5,000 gallon concrete tank supplied from the Courthouse roof, but a second is much needed. Rakahanga. The Courthouse (which is only an open shed at present) requires a new iron roof (the present one is Pandanus), new rafters, posts, and part cement walls and floor. A second concrete tank is much needed, for which the new iron roof of the Courthouse would serve as catchment. Attached hereto is a list of the public works which I consider should, if possible, be carried Out during this year. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. H. M. Connal, Engineer.

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Proposed Expenditure on Public Works during the Year ending 31st March, 1915. Rarotonga — £ Muri water-supply . . .. .. . . . . . . 500 Arorangi —Increasing size, and extending main pipes. . . . . . 450 Roads and bridges—Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . 100 Upkeep of buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. 150 Experimental nursery . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Avarua—School-teacher's residence . . . . . . . . 700 Education. —School furniture, and the completion of Ngatangiia and Arorangi teachers' residences . . . . .. . . .. 300 2,400 Aitutaki—Bores for water . . . . . . . . .. . . 300 Mangaia— -Tram-line from shed to landing . . .. . . 150 Manihiki -Tram-line from lagoon to sea . . .. . . . . 150 Takutea— Clearing coconuts .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 Total .. .. .. .. .. ..£3,100

Report by Engineer on Effects of Hurricane. Sir, — Rarotonga, 4th July, 1914. I have the honour to submit this report of a trip round the northern islands of the Cook Group for the purpose principally of ascertaining the damage done by the hurricane of the 9th January last, to find out if the Natives at any of the islands were in want of food, and to report on any necessary publio works. We left Rarotonga in the schooner " Huanui " on Saturday night, the 4th April, after calling at Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro, and Aitutaki. We left Aitutaki on Saturday night, the 11th April, for Palmerston. Aitutaki. At Aitutaki it now seems to me that the first work which should be undertaken is to concrete the top of the wharf. I heard at Aitutaki that caterpillars are doing a lot of damage to the kumaras and other foodstuffs which have lately been planted. I would suggest, after our experience of the amount of good that has been done by birds in Rarotonga against, insect pests, that minahs be imported into Aitutaki, and I think that the Government might assist towards this end. Palmerston Islands. We arrived at Palmerston on Monday, the 13th April. Palmerston does not seem to have suffered very much from the recent hurricane. We left Palmerston on the 16th April for Pukapuka. Pukapuka Islands. We landed at the principal island of Pukapuka (of which there are three) on Friday, the 24th April, and found that the islands had been swept on the 9th January last by a hurricane. There was a very heavy sea which swept over the islands, and in the main island, where the settlement is, only left some seven houses standing, sweeping away all the rest. The coconut-palms have not suffered much from the wind, but nearly all the coconuts have been blown off them and washed away, and it will be at least nine months from now before the Natives will be able to make copra. Their food-patches have been destroyed by the sea, and they also had some 40 tons of copra washed away. No lives were lost. There is no food on the islands except some coconuts, and without them the Natives would starve. Messrs. Jagger, Harvey, Millar, and Co. have now started a store there, which is well supplied with provisions. I held two meetings with the head people. At the first, lira (who seems to be the leading man), speaking for the people, asked that —(1) The Government give them some food; (2) as all their foodplants had been destroyed, that the Government send them some plants of taro, banana (Samoan, Mirio, and Maori), taro-taroa, kupe, and pumpkin. In answer to the first I gave the Natives, on behalf of the Government, 1 ton of flour, f ton of rice, and 10 bags of sugar, as that was the kind of food they wanted. I put the food under the charge of Mr. Neilson and lira, to be divided out to the heads of the different taperes according to the number in each tapere. I suggest that more food be sent to them by first opportunity. And to the second, I told him that I would lay the matter before you, and I would suggest that plants be sent to them by the first opportunity. On Saturday, the 25th April, I visited the largest island of the Group and found it infested with rats, which must do an enormous amount of damage to the young coconuts on the palms. I suggest that the Liverpool virus be employed there, for there cannot be the slightest risk to human life, as the

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Natives do not live on this island except for short periods when collecting the nuts. The coconutpalms now look well here, but the coconuts have been blown off and washed away, as in the other islands. At the second meeting with the Natives I told them that I had had a good look round the principal islands, and I thought that; — 1. The present settlement is in an unhealthy place, and as some of them had started settlement on the windward side of the island, having an eastern aspect, and on high land instead of the present western one on low land infested with mosquitoes, and as their houses were mostly all now down, I recommended them not to put them up again in the same place, but at the new settlement, on the eastern side of the island. Dr. Maclurkin visited the site with me, and he, I think, will.report favourably upon it. They all agreed to shift the settlement except Laka, who is a Mataiapo and represents 120 people (the population of Pukapuka is 500), who said that he would like to live on at his end of the present settlement (he has just put up a new coral house), which is on a sandy spit and seems a healthy place. I told him I did not see any objection, but that I did not think the Government would help him in the way of water as I expected the Government were going to do for others. 2. The water at the present settlement is bad, being brackish and got from wells on the beach, into which a good deal of the surface dirt may be washed, and the water is taken from the wells by buckets ; some of them may be dirty. I told them that I would submit to you that a shed to form a catchment and two concrete tanks to be built at the new settlement, and then I said I did not think they would ever be short of good drinking-water. I asked about the land for them at the new settlement, and they told me that they could arrange that among themselves. Ura said that he would give a piece of land to the Government to erect the shed and tanks on. I therefore submit that, as this is an urgent matter, this work be taken in hand this year. The material, with a carpenter (or arrangement might be made with Mr. Neilson), might go up in December, or sooner, when the " Huanui " is expected to return to Pukapuka. If the Government put up the shed and tanks at the new settlement, soon the Natives, lam sure, will follow. The Natives have promised to give their labour free to erect the tanks, but I think that the Government should find them in food while at work. The Natives might be allowed to use the shed for any purpose they like. I propose a shed 64 ft. long, 30 ft. wide, and 10 ft. high, the two tanks to be of ferro-concrete of 5,000 gallons each in capacity. I estimate the cost of the shed and tanks at £500. An inch of rainfall on the roof of the shed would give about 1,150 gallons of water. It would take 8| in. to fill the. two tanks. 3. Now, there are about 500 people on this island, more than it can carry properly, among whom there are many strong young men (doing very little and simply eating up the coconuts), who should obtain employment in some of the other islands—say, Maiden or Rarotonga. Ido not recommend Maiden, as by sending labour to Maiden it is not advancing the Cook Islands in any way, especially Rarotonga, where labour is much needed. I therefore submit that a piece of land be obtained at Rarotonga for the Pukapuka people, and that forty or fifty young men, with their families, be assisted down by the next trip of the " Huanui " to Rarotonga, where plenty of work is to be had, leaving the older men at Pukapuka to make the copra. 4. The Natives wanted information about a debt of £150 or so they are supposed to owe to a certain Mr. Allen, of Samoa, for goods supplied to them. They say that they had some 10 tons of copra made ready for him, but it all got washed away in the hurricane. I told them to tell Mr. Allen when he came along, if there was any trouble about the debt, to make his claim on them through the Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga. I advised them to make plenty of hats and mats, as they would find a ready sale for them at Rarotonga. I also told them that I thought that they should keep the proper day as Sunday, as in the old Mission days, as they were now the only people in the Group who kept Saturday. There seems to be very few fish about Pukapuka. We left Pukapuka for Manihiki on Tuesday, 28th April. Manihiki, We arrived at Manihiki on Thursday, the 7th May. Manihiki seems to have suffered the most of any island in the Group we have visited so far. Luckily no lives were lost. Many of the houses and coconut-palms are down, and the Settlement of Tauhunu looks a perfect wreck of what it used to be. ' In building up their houses again the Natives should not build them so close together. The Natives here have a good deal of copra, and one store is fairly well supplied with provisions, so Government assistance is not required at present, but they may be short of food four or five months hence. Two schooners are expected with food-supplies in a month or so. T told. Mr. Williams that if the Natives were really short of food at any time to write to you. The Government tank at the Courthouse is leaking about half-way up, This can easily be fixed up, and Mr. Williams has promised to have it done. I borrowed 2 tons of cement from the Native missionary, to be returned when he requires it. The cement will do to fix the tank and raise the wall of the Courthouse (mixed with lime), which requires to be about 3 ft. higher, so as the water will run into the tank. I landed all the material to cover the Courthouse roof in corrugated iron. I estimate that it will cost about £30 to raise the Courthouse wall and F put on'the roof. I'told Mr. Williams to pay the men for any work done (he has some Government money in hand). I consider this is a far better method than asking the Natives to do the work and the Government feeding them, and perhaps cheaper in the end.

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The French steamer " Cholita " took some ninety people (men. women, and children) away from the Islands of Manihiki and Rakahanga, and the " Huanui " about sixty. The present passage at Tauhunu, the principal settlement, could be opened, but as required for £50. I visited the site of the proposed other passage from the sea to the lagoon through the reef, and consider that it would cost £500 to make the passage 20 ft. wide and|3 ft. deep at, low tide. I propose that a bar should be left near the entrance at the sea end, to stop an}- outrush of water through, the channel from the lagoon. On Saturday, the 9th May, we visited Tukao. the other settlement on the Island of Manihiki. Tukao seems to have suffered to the same extent as Tauhunu, the principal settlement. The Government tank at Tukao proved of great service to the people after the hurricane, as it Was found to be full of fresh water, while the wells Were filled with salt water. The people of Tauhunu. not having at that time a catchment for their tank, got their drinking-water from Tukao. The Tukao passage is also a bad one, and could be greatly improved for £50. We left Manihiki for Rakahanga on Monday evening, the I.lth May, and arrived at Rakahanga on Tuesday morning, the 12th. Rakahanga. Rakahanga does not seem to have suffered so badly as Manihiki. The Natives here have a good deal of copra, and one store has a fair amount of provisions, and the other stores expect to be supplied in a month or so, so Government assistance is not required for the present. One life was lost here during the hurricane, a woman from the leper island being drowned. In Manihiki and Rakahanga the food-plants (principally puraka) have been destroyed by the seas, and fresh plants are much needed, and I submit that the Government should render them assistance in this direction in obtaining plants for them from Aitutaki. The present reef passage is a bad one, and a much better one could be made nearer to the settlement. This passage I estimate would cost £250. The Government tank at Rakahanga is working well, and is much appreciated by the Natives. It was full at the hurricane-time, and provided the Natives with good drinking-water. Another Gale, On the 20th April last Manihiki and Rakahanga experienced another gale, which did not do much damage. The people thought at the time that they were in for another hurricane. More tanks. I consider that at Manihiki and Rakahanga the tanks should be doubled -that is, the tanks should be in twos. One more tank at Tauhunu, Tukao, and one more at Rakahanga, making three more new tanks in these islands. This would give the Natives a chance of cleaning out one tank at a time at each tank-site and be using the water from the other. Penrhyn, We arrived at Penrhyn on Wednesday, the 27th May. Penrhyn has not suffered from the gales we have had lately throughout the Cook Islands. There was a heavy sea on the Bth January, which did little damage except to some coconut-palms on the outer side of the island. The Natives have copra, and there is food in the stores, and more expected, so no Government assistance is required here at present. I consider that a new house for the Resident Agent is much needed, and should be taken in hand as soon as possible. The present house, which the Omoka Natives put up at their own cost, has never been paid for by the Government. As this is a matter which occurred some twelve years or so ago, Ido not think that any claim will be made for it now. But the old house, which is falling to pieces, might be sold, and the money obtained for it handed over to the Island Council. I submit that the new house should be placed about the middle of the present Government wharf, well out from the beach and clear of all coconut-palms. The present house is at times infested with mosquitoes. The present wharf would have to be enlarged by about 80 ft. long, 40 ft. wide, and roughly an average of 3 ft. high—say, 350 cubic yards of material required. This material could be got by boats and from the outer side of the island. The house, I consider, should he much on the same plan, and of wood, as the houses already built for Resident Agents in some of the other islands of the Cook-Group. I am pleased to see the great improvement that has taken place in the Settlement of Omoka since my last visit some eleven years ago. The Natives have now some good, neat wooden houses. They have made some good roads, which could still be extended with, advantage. The pigs have been removed from the settlement. The houses are not now too crowded together like before, and the whole place looks clean. I consider that permission to build should be first obtained from the Resident Agent before any building is put up, as in Rarotonga, and this rule should be carried out in all the Islands. On Friday, the sth June, we visited the Settlement of Tautua. This settlement has been improved by a good load.fand the place looks clean but deserted. A fanatic of a Native missionary and his wife have encouraged some of the Natives away to another islandlby miracles they are going to perform, but the miracles have not come off yet. The present Government tank at Omoka, alongside of the church, is working well, but it is rather far from the settlement. I submit that, if a chance occurs, a tank be built in the settlement, and the water be caught from the roofs of the school and Courthouses. The water from the present tank

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might be used as it is mostly used at present —for the purposes of washing clothes— the new one to furnish the other necessary water for the people. At Tautua the tank is also working well. Two lengths of 2 in. pipe are required to complete the job properly. There are three passages into the Penrhyn Lagoon, at the north-east, west, and north-west. The western one is near the Settlement of Omoka, and. is the one principally used. To improve this passage some, twenty patches have to be blown away. When completed the passage will have at least 18 ft. of water all over at low tide. There are also some three or four patches in the north-east passage to remove. The whole work, I consider, could be done for £75. The Penrhvn Natives want the leper-station shifted from Morokai (where it is at present) to Tekase, a motu on the western side of the north-west passage.. Tekase is about 5 acres in area. The most of it is about 12 ft. above sea-level, but it is almost barren of vegetation, except a few coconutpalms, so I do not think it would suit as a leper-station. There are three islands or motus between the western and north-western passages —Morokai, Tehaia, and Tekase. The Natives complain that by giving Morokai as a leper-station they are losing too many coconuts. Morokai is about 30 acres in area, and. covered with bearing coconut-palms. The only island of the three which seems properly suited for a leper-station is Morokai, ar.d I submit that this island be acquired for that purpose by the Government. Morokai might be properly fitted out, as a leper-station, and the lepers of the whole Group put there. We left Penrhyn on Thursday, the 11th June, for Palmerston, Aitutaki, and Rarotonga. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner. H. M. Connal, Engineer.

Report of Fruit Inspector. The work of inspection of fruit for export is proceeding smoothly, and although the orange shipments were heavy, the percentage of condemnations in New Zealand was light. During the season Mr. Mark Estall was appointed Assistant Fruit Inspector, and his assistance, coupled with the services rendered by Instructor Taylor during the height of the orange season, greatly facilitated the work of inspection, and enabled the inspection to be executed with more care and thoroughness. We are under a considerable disability as to the enforcement of the law, owing to the validity of the Ordinance having been attacked, and the point is not yet, settled. Competition. The competition for the shield kindly donated by Mr. T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., Director of Orchards, &c, New Zealand, was keenly contested. The district of Ngatangiia ultimately won it by the narrow margin of 5 points from Titikaveka, with Matavera a close third. On. present indications the competition this season will again be keen. This competition will do much to improve the packing of export, fruit, and more competitions on similar lines should prove of benefit to our principal industry. Other Islands. Instructor Taylor has charge of the work in the outlying islands, and his report is attached. Noxious Weeds. I regret to report that the Lantana camera and Xanihium slrummarium, are rapidly spreading. Both these weeds are difficult of eradication, and the latter is poisonous to stock. Mr. Gordon, the Chief Inspector of Stock for Queensland, states that " its action is to induce paralysis of the heart, causing death without struggle, and apparently without, pain. . . . Dr. Bancroft, of Brisbane, undertook experiments which conclusively proved the poisonous nature of the weed " (N.Z. Agric. Dept.'s Leaflet No. 5, by T. W. Kirk, Esq.). With regulations controlling the introduction of these pests, they could be eradicated when first detected without creating any hardship ; but once they get a start in rich soil, and with the favourable climatic conditions in these Islands, eradication is a matter of considerable, expense and difficulty. Importation of Plants, Fruit, Second-hand, Cases, &c This branch of work is an important, one. We have only one species of fruit-fly (Dacus rarotongensis), and so far have been lucky enough to escape the rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros), bur, once let this beetle or the Mediterranean fruit-fly (Halterophera capitata) get a start in this Group, and our citrus and copra industry will get a very severe check, if it be not ruined. Importers will be rendering the Islands of this Group a service in promptly informing us of any fruit, plants, or secondhand fruit-cases or second-hand sacks which may be consigned to them. Depredations by Rats. No systematic, effort has apparently yet been made to check the ravages of this pest. It is obvious that some vigorous method will have to be adopted before long, no effective natural enemy being present; and, food being abundant, these rodents must thrive and increase, with disastrous results to plantations and stores, &c. Many people are averse to using poison, especially where children are

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likely to be roaming in the proximity, and poison, especially strychnine and arsenic, in the hands of a careless person might be the cause of a regrettable fatality ; hence it is a difficult matter to suggest a universal means of control by poison. J. Ferguson, C.M.G., in his book " All about the Coconut-palm " states, " They (rats) breed in the trees, and find both food and drink in the young nuts. I know of no effectual remedy for this pest. Traps and poison are useless under the circumstances." Messrs. H. Hamel Smith and F. A. G. Pope, in " Coconuts, the Consols of the East," state, " Laying poison in the shape of yams or rice, &c, impregnated with strychnine or arsenic will only serve once or twice, and is also to be deprecated, because it might reach domestic animals and even children." Mr. H. F. Macmillan, in his book on " Tropical Gardening and Planting," states, " Bait poisoned with arsenic is perhaps the best way of extirpating them." Mr. F. P. Jepson, 8.A., F.E.S., in his " Report on Economic Etomology, Fiji," states, " Traps and poisons of various kinds have been tried, but not with much success." The Administration is at present in communication with New Zealand regarding the importation of a colony of the New Zealand owl, or morepork. Once acclimatized these birds should prove useful in preying on tho rats. .In conclusion, I wish to thank the Director of Orchards, &c, Wellington, and also InspectorGeorge Harnett, of Auckland, for prompt reports forwarded ou condition of fruit, &c, landed in New Zealand from these Islands. These reports are of great assistance in carrying out the work of export inspection in this Group.

« Pua-au Nursery. Good progress has been made in this work. The whole area of 12 acres is now practically under cultivation. Shelter-belts of Tamarindus indica, Prosopis juliflora, and Ganarium commune, with nurse-trees of Aleurites, or candle-nuts, have been planted round the area. The nursery of IJ acres is now planted throughout with 2,640 seedling orange-trees for propagation with suitable varieties later on. About forty of these seedlings have already been successfully budded with mandarins. The following is a list of trees planted permanently : —

A further collection of useful fruit and timber trees is making a good show in the pots. These will shortly be planted out permanently. Unfortunately, mainly owing to the war, I was unable to increase our collection of varieties of citrus trees, but hope to have the orders at present placed with nurserymen in California, Florida, and Queensland delivered for planting during the coming season. A variety test of tomatoes and water-melons was carried out, reports in detail on which have been supplied. . The formation of an Agricultural Committee is under way. This committee will visit the experimental area—say, monthly—note work in progress, suggest experiments, and assist the horticultural officers by exchange of experiences, and will also serve as a medium to bring the work before the other planters and the Natives, thus creating a general interest in the work being undertaken.

No. Name. Common Name. Country procured from. 38 16 2 LO 50 2 2 2 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 26 30 10 1 2 i00 1 2 1 3 Citrus tree Prosopis duliflora Cassia fistula Paw-paw Tamarindus indica . . Mangifera indica Anona reticulata Zizyphus jujube Flacourtia sepiaria .. ,, cataphracta Sapota Terminalia belerica .. Sapota Melicocca bejuga Sapota Carica papaya ■ .. Ganarium commune . . Piper nigrum Anona cherymoyer Persia gratissima Gros Michel Litchi Mammoth loquat White Smyrna fig Varieties grapes Mixed varieties Fodder-tree .. Queensland and Victoria. Hawaii. 55 • • j? 5, • • Sweet tamarind Honey-mango Custard-apple.. Jujube India. )> IS ,1 s, 3, ,, 5, 55 ,1 • • Naseberry Guinep Sapodilla Paw-paw Java Mt. Almond Black pepper . . Custard-apple. . Avacado pear. . Bananas 55 Jamaica. Tahiti. Ceylon. 5 J ?. Fiji. Queensland. Turkey fig ,, 55

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A further plot of Administration land (area, about 2 acres) has been placed under the control of the Horticultural Division for experimental purposes. The plot is old plantation land, and will be used for carrying out manurial tests for banana-growing during the coming season. Should a manure prove beneficial and economical, it will enable planters to utilize much of the old plantation land at present producing no income. This manurial test should prove of great interest and, I hope, benefit to local planters. In addition to the actual field-work, the more promising Natives employed on the experimental area receive a training which has already proved of value to local planters. Should a planter wish to have any planting or pruning carried out, on application to the horticultural officer the matter receives prompt attention. I wish this branch of work to prove of practical benefit to planters, and by so doing play a prominent part by increasing our exports. My thanks are due to the agricultural authorities in Ceylon, and the Sibjur Gardens, India, for the collections of seeds kindly forwarded, and also to the Government of Fiji for supply of Gros Michol banana shoots. E. A. Reid, Fruit Inspector.

Report of Assistant Fruit Inspector. Owing to steamer arrangements, I was only- able to visit the Islands of Mauke and Atiu. 1 left Rarotonga, per " Toafa," on the 18th June, 191.4, for Mauke, and arrived there on the 23rd, after touching at Atiu and Mitiaro. At Mauke fruit-fly maggots were found in the oranges ou the trees, and also in those oranges ■presented for inspection before export, but, being very slight, little trouble was experienced. Atiu was visited on the Ist October, and I returned to Rarotonga on the 15th October. The trees on this island are in a bad state, being full of dead wood and requiring a vigorous pruning, this state being caused by the recent hurricane. Owing to bad weather and my short stay at Atiu, I was unable fo instruct the Natives how to renovate their trees by pruning. Fruit was examined in plantations and also when gathered for shipment, and no trace of fruit-fly was discovered. At both Mauke and Atiu the packing was very good, but with the fruit-case at present in use first-class packing cannot be expected ; thus the fruit will never be able to compete successfully with more up-to-date countries. I intend visiting Mangaia this month (March) to locate infection of fly and scale, which is rendering necessary the fumigation, and possibly the destruction, of Mangaia fruit in New Zealand. I hope to visit Aitutaki in September to initiate the fumigation of pines for shipment. E. T. Taylor. Assistant Fruit Inspector.

Report re Cook Islands Education. 1 opened the Arorangi School on the 15th February with an attendance of 113 —sixty-one boys and fifty-two girls. There are now sixty-seven boys and fifty-nine girls—total 126 —on the roll, with an average attendance for the three weeks of 11.6-3. There are fourteen children over the age of fifteen. Four boys and three girls know a few English words, but the remainder know no English at all. Both parents and children are most keen on their school, following persons have been elected as a Committee to assist the teacher in matters appertaining to attendance : (1) Tinomana Ariki (Chairman), (2) Timona, (3) Tauei Napa, (4) Imene, (5) Teariki Maurangi (Secretary and Interpreter). Kindly send Tinomana the usual Chairman's certificate. A young woman named Ngapoko Pirangi, born the 21st July, 1896, the granddaughter and adopted child of the Ariki, has assisted in the school since the commencement. I recommend that she be appointed on the staff of the Arorangi School, the appointment to date from the I.sth February, 1915. At present I know of no other person suitable for an appointment. Each person sending children to school will contribute one shilling per quarter towards the cost of future school material. To avoid as much as possible the greatest heat of the day, which has ranged from 86° to 96° in the shade, the school hours are from 7 a.m. to 12 noon, with two breaks of ten minutes and half an hour respectively. Extra time will later on be devoted to the more promising pupils who wish to be trained as assistant teachers. The school is a one-room coral-and-concrete building, 60 ft. by 40 ft., with a tin roof and an uneven concrete floor. Ventilation is obtained by means of four doors, one at each corner. The windows do not open, and the building falls very short of modern requirements, but it is the only one available or at all suitable. There are fifty old-style dual desks and an old table in the school. A large lock-up cupboard is being made for the safe-keeping of the school records. I have given the Native pastor permission to use the school as a Sunday school as hitherto. The residence, which is about a mile from the school on the Avarua side, has been thoroughly renovated and painted inside and out. A new range, bath, wash-tubs, and other conveniences have been put in, and our comfort has been considered in every possible way. I cannot adequately express my thanks to the Resident Commissioner and also to Mrs. Northcroft for the many kindnesses they have shown us. Our welfare and comfort have been their constant consideration both before and

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since out arrival here. I have asked Mr. Reid, of the Department of Agriculture, to report on the plantation which adjoins the residence. Some of the land is very good, and I suggest that when all the schools are working this should be the centre for teaching elementary agriculture, and that the teacher appointed to this school should be specially qualified to take this subject for the older boys. I also suggest that Ngatangiia be the centre for technical work. There would be no difficulty in getting the boys to the different centres for special work, as the parents are quite willing to provide conveyances. Ngatangiia. I. visited Ngatangiia on the 28th February. The residence is uearing completion, and the, people are anxious for the school to start as soon as possible. Thej-e will probably be considerably over two hundred ohildren, as the school draws from Titikaveka and Matavera, as well as from Ngatangiia. Avarua. The Mataiapos and Chiefs of Avarua are now unanimous in their desire for a school. Their offer of land for school and residence is herewith enclosed. The Mataiapos, who are the trustees of the old sohool building, cannot dispose of it absolutely, as it was left to the people of Avarua in trust by the late Queen Makea. They say that the letter sent to the Department by Mr. Hall offering the school was written without their knowledge or consent. They assure me they are anxious to do all in their power to comply with tho Department's wishes and to hasten the opening of the school. It is estimated that there are upwards of four hundred children of school age. The two sites offered are excellently situated and suitable in every way. Mangaia. The offer to build a school and residence and to pay a contribution of £1 per annum for each scholar is all the Mangaia people-can afford. I understand that in addition to the above they are asked to give 100 acres as an education endowment. This, they say, is impossible, as their estates are all small. 1 think these people are deserving of every consideration. When forwarding the material for Ngatangiia School, please add an extra case of slates, as there are none in stock. I should also like a quantity of wall-pictures for the schools. H. Rogers, Superintendent^ofjEducation.

NIUE ISLAND. REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 19th April, 1915. I have the honour to forward herewith my report for the year ended 31st March, 1915, together with Statement of Revenue, Statement of Expenditure (with substatements C, D, E, and F), Statement of Liquor Account, Return of Imports, and Return of Exports. I have, &c, 11. Cornwall, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington. FI Nan c E. The receipts derived from all sources amounted to £1.957 13s. Bd., and the expenditure to £2,323 Bs. 6d. As compared with the year 1913-14 the receipts show a falling-off of £533 18s. Bd. The expenditure was £365 14s. lOd. more than the receipts, but £744 18s. 10d. less than the expenditure for the previous year. The outbreak of war, and the consequent dislocation of trade, and the serious fall in the price of copra has affected the revenue to a great extent. The balance at credit of the Administration on the 31st March, 1915, amounted to £907 Is. 4d. The expenditure may be classified as follows : — £ s . d. General administration, including school and medical service .. 1,737 12 1 Public-works expenditure .. .. .. .. .. 585 16 5 £2,323 8 6 Full particulars of the receipts and expenditure will be found in Statements A and B and the supporting statements herewith. A statement showing the estimated expenditure for the year 1915-16 is appended hereto. Trade. The total value of the imports for the year 1.914 was £11,200, and the exports £9,503, the value of the total trade being £20,703. These figures do not compare favourably with those for preyious years, the decline being wholly due Io the disturbance to trade caused by the war.

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Hurricane. On the I.3th and 14th January last a very severe hurricane was experienced in Niue. On the afternoon of the Uth January the barometer commenced to fall, and continued falling gradually, until at noon on the 12th January the barometer showed 29-50. As the fall still continued, mounted messengers were despatched to all parts of the island to warn the people of the probable approach of a hurricane, and to direct them to take steps fo safeguard their houses, stock, &c. The barometer continued to fall, and at 3 a.m. on the 13th January, with the barometer at 29-33, the wind commenced to blow with hurricane force from the south-east, and continued until 6 a.m. on the 14th, when its fury abated. The lowest barometer-reading was 28-99, al, 6 a.m. on the 13th January. A noteworthy feature was that the hurricane came from the south-east and kept in that quarter, with bill slighl variation, during the whole period of the storm. The Natives are unanimous in saying that the recent storm was the most severe experienced in Niue within their memory, and the damage wrought has been very heavy. At Mutalau the large church was completely destroyed, and the church at Lakepa was unroofed, while several churches in other villages were considerably damaged. Altogether there were 992 Native houses and huts blown down, and 12,647 bearing coconut-trees were destroyed. The Native huts destroyed were, lor the most part, the " fale pola," or frames covered with sugar and coconut-leaf thatch, and are easily replaced. By far the most serious loss is the 12,617 bearing coconut-trees, which will mean an annual loss of income to the Natives for the next ten or twelve years until other trees come on to take their places. The bearing-trees destroyed represent about 4 per cent, of the total trees on the island that have reached the bearing stage. At the time of the hurricane there was a heavy crop of coconuts on the trees, and with few exceptions they were all blown down. As only a small proportion of those nuts are sufficiently mature for copra-making, the loss sustained under this head was considerable. The coconut-trees that have weathered the storm bear a very dilapidated appearance, and it will probably take them at least a year to pick up again. As regards the food crops, nearly all the banana and breadfruit trees were blown down, but the taro and other root crops have not suffered to any extent. While the Natives will sutler considerably, and will have to economize in many ways, I do not think there will be any shortage of food. Since the hurricane the Natives have been very busy repairing the damages, rebuilding their houses, and making new food-plantations. Already the island is beginning to look quite itself again, the vegetation everywhere having made a wonderful recovery. The barometer-readings taken during the storm, which may be found interesting, were as follows :— January 12 — January 13— 9 a.m. .. .. .. .. 29-95 10 p.m. .. .. .. .. 29-08 10 a.m. .. .. .. .. 29-53 11p.m. .. .. .. .. 29-15 Noon .. .. ..' .. 29-50 January 14 — 2 p.m. .. .. .. .. 29-48 2 a.m. .. .. .. .. 29-18 4 p.m. .. .. .. .. 29-44 3 a.m. .. .. .. .. 29-22 1.1 p.m. .. .. .. .. 29-41 4 a.m. .. .. .. .. 29-24 January 13— 6 a.m. . . . . . . . . 29-35 3 a.m. .. .. .. .. 29-33 8 a.m. . . .. .. .. 29-48 9 a.m. .. . . .. .. 29-23 9 a.m. .. .. .. . . 29-50 Noon .. .. .. .. 29-18 1.30 p.m... .. .. .. 29-57 1.30 p.m. .. .. .. 29-13 2 p.m. .. .. .. .. 29-56 3.30 p.m. .. .. .. 29-04 2.45 p.m. .. .. .. 29.53 6 p.m. .. .. .. .. 28-99 4 p.m. .. .. .. .. 29.57 8 p.m. .. .. .. .. 29-04 All the above readings were recorded on a standard Fortin barometer. Public Works. Owing to the fall in the revenue and the disturbed condition of trade, there has been but little money available for public works. However, the sum of £585 16s. sd. was spent as follows :■«— Beta Hill (Widening and Regrading). —A full account of this work was given in. my last report. The £1.43 9s. 4d. which falls into this year's account represents payments for work done after the end of the last financial year. Additions to Medical Officer's Residence. —A new addition to the house has been made, comprising a bathroom, a new storeroom, also a kitchen. Water supplied from an elevated tank is laid on to the bathroom and kitchen, while suitable drains have been laid. The cost was £79 9s. lid. Additions to Headmaster's Residence. —These additions include an extra bedroom (detached), also a bathroom and storeroom. The bathroom is supplied with water from an elevated tank, and suitable drainage has been provided. The total cost was £152 7s. Id. Additions Io Police Officer's Residence. —These include a detached kitchen and stove, also a watertank. The total cost was £19 10s. 6d. Furniture for Government Residences. —Owing to frequent changes in the staff and the heavy charges made for carrying furniture and household goods from and to New Zealand, it has been decided to gradually furnish all the Government residences with, plain substantial furniture, excepting glassware, crockery, cutlery, pictures, and house-linen. The sum of £1!() ss. 2d. was spent in completing the furnishing of the Medical Officer's residence, and providing necessary furniture for the Police Officer's residence.

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Prison Site. —The freehold of a suitable piece of land adjoining the Police Officer's section has been procured at a cost of £40. With the advent of new laws it will be necessary to provide a small prison. At present there is no lock-up for prisoners : they merely work on the roads. Residence for Assistant Master. Tufu School.- A residence is to be, provided for the assistant, master, who is at present, occupying the house of the headmaster, the latter being on leave. The expenditure of I'll) 2s. 7d. represents part of the material which has come Io hand. Erection of Public Conveniences. As then! is a considerable influx of people to Alofi at, ship and other times, the Health Officer recommended that suitable conveniences be erected. This has been done, at, a cost of £18 2s. sd. Improvement of Live-slock.- The expenditure of £6 9s. Bd. represents outstanding accounts of the previous year. As mentioned in my last report, this work has been terminated, and the remaining animals sold. Proposed Public Works. Residence for Assistant Master, Tufu School.—The. erection of a residence for the newly appointed assistant master at Tufu School will be commenced shortly. A suitable piece of the Tufu School grounds has been set aside as a site. The house will contain four living-rooms, bathroom, pantry, storeroom, and a detached kitchen. The estimated cost is £600. Boys' Dining-room, Tufu School, — A building 71 ft. 8 in. in length by 13 ft. wide, with a veranda 4ft. wide each side of the building, is Io be erected shortly. Provision is made for eight tables, each table to accommodate eight boys, or sixty-four boys in all. There will be a food-locker of ample proportions for each boy to keep his food in. Provision is made for concrete floors throughout. The estimated cost of erection is £250. Education. Gratifying work has been accomplished by the pupils of Tufu School during the past year. The present number of pupils on the roll is forty-eight, the average roll being 49-24. The average attendance was 44-42, being 90-2 per cent. During the past year the number of pupils on the roll was reduced from sixty-four to a maximum of fifty, as it was found that the teaching of such a large number, with the addition of technical classes after ordinary school, entailed too much strain on the, headmaster, who was working single-handed. On the 3rd January last Mr. A. M. Cowan, the newly appointed assistant master, arrived in Niue, and a week- later Mr. W. C. Smith, the headmaster, left for New Zealand, on a well-earned, holiday. By a mail just to hand I am advised that Mr. W. (.'. Smith has been appointed headmaster of the new Government school at Ngatangiia, Rarotonga, and that a successor to Mi-. Smith will be. appointed shortly. While lam pleased, to hear of Mr. Smith's advancement, yet the people of Niue will be very sorry to lose him. As the result of the last examination held the pupils were classified as follows : Upper sth, 3 boys ; Lower sth, 6 ; Standard IV, 10 ; Standard 111, 11 ; Standard 11, 10 ;P. 2, 5 ; P. 1, 4. The senior boy of the school (Fasene) was appointed an assistant teacher on the 16th November last at a salary of £24 per annum, and is now assisting Mr. Cowan. This boy has special aptitude for teaching, and is a very earnest student. He has been specially trained with the view of taking charge of the village school at Avatele, which it is hoped to establish shortly. With the proposed gradual establishment in most of the eleven districts of Niue of village schools in charge, of Native teachers specially trained at Tufu, it is hoped that in the course of a few years to give every boy on the island a chance to acquire a knowledge of English. According to the last census, taken on the 17th November, 1911, there were 439 boys and 358 girls over five years of age and under fifteen years, being a total of 797. Under the proposed village-school scheme no provision is made for girls, and. from past experience it is found that if girls are to be educated, separate institutions must be provided. Medical and Health. Dr. C. M. Dawson left Nine on transfer to Rarotonga on the 17th September, 1914. During his stay at Niue, lasting some fifteen months, he worked very hard and accomplished a great deal of good for the people. Dr. J. Pirie Cameron, the newly appointed Medical and Health Officer, arrived in Niue on the 11th September, 1914, and immediately took up his new duties. It was obvious from the beginning that he was not physically fit to undertake the work offering in Niue, but he struggled on manfully with his work until about the beginning of March last, when he complained of feeling unwell. However, he kept, to his work, and. did as much as he could until the 12th March, when he was compelled to give in and take to his bed. On the morning of the 13th March he took a bad turn, and died suddenly from heart-failure. Through the death of Dr. Cameron we are left without a Medical and Health Officer, and, as there is a good deal of sickness on the island, the position is a difficult one. 1 have some hope of securing the services of a practical chemist who is at present employed in trading-pursuits here. If I can make the necessary arrangements I propose to give him a temporary appointment for a fewmonths, or until such time as a new doctor reaches Niue. By these means the present difficult position will be considerably relieved. The chemist will bo able to dispense medicines for many of the common ailments here.

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The cost of the Niue medical service during the past year amounted to £928 3s. 6d., made up as follows :— £ s. d. Medical Officer's salary .. .. .. .. 246 5 0 „ travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. 3 9 0 (local) .. .. .. 80 11 9 Purchase horse, trap, harness, and bicycle . . . . .. 80 6 6 ' Trap-shed and stable .. .. .. .. ..11190 Medical supplies and assistance, as per statement C .. .. 457 7 2 Maintenance, leper-station (one leper) .. .. .. . . 48 4 7 £928 3 6 From the above total must be deducted £200 os. 2d., being voluntary contributions received from the Natives, and £125, being contribution received from the New Zealand Government towards the cost of the service, leaving|aj[sum of £603 3s. Id., which was paid by the Niue Island Administration. Vital Statistics. The following are the total number of births, deaths, and marriages registered during the year 1914 15 and the four preceding years : — Year. Births. Deaths. Marriages. 1910 11 .. .. .. .. .. ..80 93 46 1911 12 .. .. .. .. .. .. 100 77 44 1912-13 .. .. .. .. .. .. 106 99 45 1913-14 .. .. .. .. .. ..94 80 48 1914-15 .. .. .. .. .. 93 73 70 The increase in the number of marriages in 1914-15 is largely due to the operation of the Niue Island Marriage Registration and Divorce Ordinance, 1913, which came into force in September, 1913. Under that law twenty-nine divorces have been granted, twenty-two of which were granted during the past year. The number at first sight appears large, but the great majority of the cases were old-standing ones, in which the parties had for years been trying to obtain relief, but could not do so in the absence of any law of divorce. Subsidized Service. During the year the " Kereru " made six round voyages from Auckland to Niue and back, under a new contract. The experience of the past year has once more amply demonstrated the fact that the " Kereru " is too small and too slow for the Niue service. This condition of things has led to overloading both as regards cargo and passengers, and while these things are taking place right under my eyes I. am powerless to act in the absence of the necessary laws. It is quite time that the " Kereru " was replaced by a larger and faster boat, as under the present state of things trade is being seriously hampered. During the past year the ship has been called upon on several occasions to carry ten or twelve passengers, while she is only licensed to carry nine passengers. The accommodation for the most part, and the conditions under which the passengers have to live while on board, are wretched in the extreme. Tf cleanliness was only understood in a minor sense the conditions would be much more tolerable. The following is a schedule of the voyages made by the " Kereru " last year : —

Auckland to Niue.

Niue to Auckland.

Left Auckland. Route, Arrive Niue.* Number of Days. April 1 May 26 July 14 Sept. 3 Oct. 17 Dec, 14 Direct .. .. April 18 .. . . "June 7 .. .. July:|26 .. Sept, II .. .. Nov. 1 .. . . Jan. 3 .. 18 13 13 9 16 21 * Local time one day behind New Zealand time. Average per trip, 15 di lys.

Loft Nine.* Route. Arrive, Auckland. Number of Days. April 24 June 12 July 31 Sept. 17 Nov. 7 Jan. 9 Direct May 16 .. July 5 .. Aug. 22 .. Oct. 5 .. Dec. 4 .. Jan. 29 .. 21 22 21 17 26 19 Average per trip, 21 di * Local time one day behind New lealand time. ys.

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Emioration and Immigration. During the year ninety-one persons, including thirty-two Europeans, left Niue for other places, while forty-one persons, including thirty Europeans, arrived in Niue. The movement of Natives was the smallest for many years. This was due to the absence of inter-island ships and a falling-oil' in the recruited labourers. The following are the particulars of the departures and arrivals :

Visit op Hon. the Minister to Niue. On the 14th June the Hon. Dr. Pomare, Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands Administration, paid an official visit to Niue, and stayed two days. This visit, which was the second official visit from a Minister of the New Zealand Government in fourteen years, was all too short, and the people were very disappointed that the Minister was not able to make a tour of the island. J sincerely hope that when the next official visit is contemplated arrangements will lie made to stay in Niue a time sufficient, to enable a tour of the island to be made. It is only by these means that the various settlements may be seen ; also the development works that have been carried out by the Administration. Such a visit would afford the people of Niue great pleasure, and much permanent good would result. Resident Commissioner's Court. Since the setting-up of the Resident Commissioner's Court in Niue in June, 1909, the number of cases dealt with by the Court has year by year shown a steady increase. The Natives are, fast coming to realize that their own Magistrates are incapable of dealing out impartial justice, and there is a growing disposition on their part to throw most of the work on tho Resident, Commissioner's Court. This attitude has become very pronounced during the past year, when no less than 192 criminal cases and thirty-three civil cases were dealt with. The appointment of a European policeman has, to some extent, assisted to bring this position about. Following is a summary of the cases dealt with during the past year : — Criminal cases— Adultery .. .. .. .. .. .. ..62 Immoral conduct .. .. .. .. .. .. 32 Carnal knowledge of females under age . . . . . . . . 3 Spreading venereal disease .. . . . . .. . . 2 Assault .. .. . . .. . . .. . . 26 Breach of the peace .'. .. . . . . . . ..18 Drunkenness .. .. .. .. .. .. . . I Theft .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..11 Forgery . . . . .. . . . . . . . . 1 Perjury .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Insanitary premises .. .. .. .. .. ..15 Wandering animals .. .. .. .. .. .. Id Failing to register births within the prescribed time .. .. .-. 2 Miscellaneous petty offences . . . . . . . . . . 6 rv -i 192 Civil cases — a Damages .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 5 Divorce .. .. .. .. .. . . . . 22 27 The amount of Court fees and fines paid into the revenue during the year amounted to £149 Bs. 9d. Meteorological. The following is a summary of the meteorological readings for the year 1914 : —

6—A.. 3.

Place of Departure to or Arrival from. Departures. Arrivals. New Zealand German Samoa Maiden Island Australia Rarotonga .. 33 1 32 [4 51 4 7 Totals 41 m

Te iporaturo in Shade. Rainfall. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Pahr. 96-0 February 57-0 Highest. Month. Lowest. „ 4 . M? an M Mean Mean Range Month. Maximum Minimum for y.* for Year. for Year. T , , Deg. Fahr. ! Deg. Fahr. Dog. Fahr. July and fo-6 15-8 August Number ol _ ,, , r. ... Fall for Days on which ,, „ Rain fell. ltl ° Yoar - 151 Inches. 48-19

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Want of Laws in Niue. Owing to the faulty character of many of the laws now in force in Nine, and the absence altogel her of laws governing many important matters, administrative officers are year by year finding increased difficulty in carrying out their work. 1 am pleased to note that there is sonic prospect of this important matter being dealt with this year, as the present condition of affairs is extremely unsatisfactory. H. Cornwall, Niue, 19th April, 1915. Resident Commissioner.

Niurc Island Administration. Estimated Expenditure for Year ending 31st March, 1916. Ordinary — £ £ Councillors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. LO5 Magistrates . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 50 Police, European . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150 „ Native .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 90 Dispenser, temporary appointment until new Medical Officer arrives .. .. 75 Medical Officer, local travelling-expenses . . . . . . . . . . 50 Medical supplies and assistance .. .. . . . . .. ~ 300 Leper-station . . .. -.. . . .. . . .. 50 Police uniforms .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Rent of Police Officer's residence .. . . . . . . . . . . 6 Printing and stationery .. . . . . . . . . . . . , 30 Tufu School, working-expenses . . . . .. . . . . . . 60 Public library .. . . . . . . . . . . 7 Maintenance, Government buildings .. .. . . . . .. 75 ~ reservoirs .. . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 ~ jettyj boats, &c. . . . . . . . . . . 10 Miscellaneous services .. .. . . .. .. . . .. 100 1,238 Public works- - Residence for assistant master, Tufu School .. .. .. .. 600 Dining-room for pupils, Tufu School . . . . . . . . . . 250 850 Total estimated expenditure .. .. .. .. .. £2 088 H. Cornwall, Niue, 19th April, 1915. Resident Commissioner.

A. Nick Island Administration. Statement of Revenue for Year en tied V, hi March, 1915. £ s. d. £ s. d. Ist .April, 1914—Balance brought forward .. .. 1.212 16 2 Customs duties .. .. .. .. .. .. 1.230 10 7 Court, lines and fees . . . . . . . . . . . . I lit 8 9 Licenses .. .. .. . . . . . . 93 19 7 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 110 12 8 Interest . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 0 0 Sundry receipts .. .. ■ .. . . .. . . 9 15 7 Profit on liquor sales . . .. . . . . . , . . 0 3 4 Contribution by Natives to medical service . . . . . . 200 0 2 Contribution by New Zealand Government to medical service .. 125 0 0 Shipping fees . . .. . . . . . . .. . . 3 3 0 1,957 13 8 £3,230 9 10 11. Cornwall, Nine, 19th April, 19.15. Resident Commissioner. Audited and found correct, —F, J. Brooker, Auditor. Willi May, 1915,

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B. Niiii-i Island Administration. Statement of Expenditure for the Year ended, 31st March, 1915. £ s. d. Councillors . . .. .. . . . . . . . . , . .. 109 3 3 Magistrates . . .. .. .. . . .. .. . . ~ 45 0 0 Police, European .. .. .. .. ' .. .. .. '~ 162 10 0 „ Native .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 91 8 11 Medical Office) . .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ 246 5 0 ~ travelling-expenses, local .. .. . . .. .. 80 I I 9 3 9 6 ~ purchase horse, trap, harness, and bicycle .. . . . . 80 6 (i „ trap-shed and. stable .. .. .. .. .. .. Ll 19 0 Medical supplies and assistance, as per statement C .. .. .. ... 457 7 2 Leper-station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 4 7 Police uniforms ~ .. .. ■ .. .. .. .. .. 2 15 0 Rent of Police Officer's residence . . . . . . . . . . . , 6 0 0 Police Officer, travelling-expenses, New Zealand to Niue . . . . . . . . 8 15 1] Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 16 8 Tufu School, working-expenses, as per statement D . . . . . . . . 72 4 0 Public library . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .. 6 110 Maintenance, Government buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. 97 14 5 ~ reservoirs . . . . . . .. . . . . .. 25 5 1 „ jetty, boats, &c. . . ... .. .. . . . . 318 0 Miscellaneous services, as per statement E . . . . . . . . .. 125 11 8 Expenses in connection with the Hon. the Minister's visit . . . . . . 7 0 0 Repairing damage to Government buildings caused by the hurricane of 13th 14th January, 1915 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 16 0 Expenses in connection with the death of the late Medical Officer (Dr. Cameron) .. 17 8 Customs tidewaiters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 110 Public-works expenditure, as per statement F . . . . . . . . .. 585 1(i 5 2,323 8 6 Balance, 31st March. — £ s , d. Cash in hand .. . . . . .. . . .. 329 10 10 Current account, Bank of New Zealand . . . . . . 77 10 (i Fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand . . . . .. 500 0 0 907 I I Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £3,230 9 10 11. Cornwall, Niue, 19th April, 1915 Resident Commissioner. Audited and found correct. —F. J. Brooker, Auditor, Kith. May, 1945.

Auditor's Report. Niue, 16th May, 1915. I have the honour to report that I have audited the accounts of the Resident Commissioner at Niue for the year ended the 31st March, 1915, and have found them to be correct. F. J. Brooker, Auditor. To the Clerk in Charge, Cook Islands Administration Department, Wellington.

C. Niue Island Administration. Details of Item " Medical Supplies and, olssislance." £ s. d. Drugs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 369 7 5 Instruments and appliances . . . . . . . . .. 33 0 5 Utensils .. . . .. . . . . . . . . 0 7 6 Towels . . . . . . . . . . .. . . 0 13 0 Kerosene .. .. .. .. .. .. I 10 10 Bent of branch dispensary .. .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Washing and cleaning . . .. .. .. . . . . 7 0 0 Interpreter .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 18 0 Native assistants .. .. .. .. .. 27 10 0 £457 7 2 H. Cornwall, Niue, 19th April, 1915. Resident Commissioner.

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Niue Island Administration. Details of Item " Tufu School — Working-expenses." £ K> <j. Caretakers (Native couple) . . .. . . . . .. 36 0 0 Lighting .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 0 Stationery . . . . . . .. .. . . .: 10 2 11 Erecting conveniences .. .. .. .. .. t: 13 7 7 Native assistant teacher .. .. .. .. .. 9 0 0 Carriage, assistant master's furniture . . .. . . .. 2 5 6 £72 4 0 11. Cornwall, Niue, 19th April., 1915. Resident Commissioner,

E. Niue Island Administration. Details of I lent " Miscellaneous Services." £ «. d. Boat-crew .. .. .. . . . . . . .. 3 6 0 Interpreter .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 4 0 0 Porterage, errands, &c. .. . . . . . . .. ' .. 4 10 Food for Native labourers .. .. .. . . . . 15 2 1 Native assistance .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 14 11 Charing and cleaning . . . . .. .. . . .. 4 19 9 Council meetings . . .. . . .. . . . . 3 8 0 Lighting . . . . .. . . . . . . ... 5 6 3 Weeding and clearing Government grounds . . . . . . 9 5 0 Bicycle repairs and sundries . . . . . . . . . . 3 18 Landing and shipping mails . . . . . . . . . . 0 (i 3 Horse-feed .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 4 0 Travelling-expenses, Resident Commissioner . . . . . . I I I 0 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 12 0 Office fittings . . .. .. .. . . . . . . 117 2 Food for prisoners .. .. .. . . . . . . 20 8 7 Sundries .. .. .. .. . . .. . . 2 8 0 £125 II 8 11. (ioRNWALL, Resident Commissioner Niue, 19th April, 1915.

K. Niue Island Administration. Statement of Public Works Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, .1915. £ s. (1. Peta Hill Road, widening and icgiading . . . . . . . . 143 9 4 Additions to Medical Officer's residence .. . . ~ .. 79 911 Additions to headmaster's residence . . . . . . J52 7 1 Additions to Police Officer's residence . . . . . . . . 19 10 6 Furniture for Government residences .. .. .. .. 110 5 2 Purchase of site for prison . . . . . . . . . . 40 0 0 Residence for assistant master, Tufu . . . . . . . . 16 2 7 Erection of public conveniences . . . . .. .. 18 2 5 Improvement of live-stock . . . . .. .. .. 6 9 5 £585 16 5 11. Cornwall, Niue, 19th April, 1915. Resident Commissioner

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Niue Island Administration. Statement of Liquor Account for Year ended 31st March, 1915. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Supplies .. .. .; 212 8 By Sales , ■. .. .. 4 5 0 Freight .. .. ..026 Customs duty .. .. .. 16 6 Balance .. .. .. 0 3 4 £4 5 0 £4 5 0 Profit and Loss Acccount. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cash transferred to general revenue .. 0 3 4 Balance 31st March, 1915 .. .. 0 3 4 H. Cornwall, Niue, 19th April, 1915. Resident Commissioner.

Niue Island Administration. Port of Alofi. — Return of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1914.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Agricultural produce, not otherwise enumerated New Zealand Australia £ 12 4 £ Animals, living — Horses New Zealand Australia 46 29 24 53 .Apparel and slops New Zealand Australia Cook Islands Fiji United Kingdom United States Germany 820 36 11 13 21 25 4 Arms, ammunition, and explosives Bacon and hams Bags and sacks Beer and stout New Zealand 930 69 8 231 55 .. ,5 • ■ 55 • • Australia 10 5 15 16 Beverages, non-alcoholic Bicycles, and parts of same New Zealand '26 ' 8 55 German Samoa 34 Biscuits New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 661 27 2 Blue .. Boots and shoes New Zealand 690 5 55 ' * Australia United Kingdom 115 4 7 Brooms 126 New Zealand United Kingdom 7 I 8 98 Building-material, not otherwise enumerated Butter and cheese New Zealand 47 2 Australia 19 Carriages and parts of same New Zealand Australia 244 42 286

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Niue Island Administration — continued. Port of Alofi. —Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1914—continued.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Carriages, motor-car Cement and hydraulic lime Clocks New Zealand £ £ 220 41 55 55 United Kingdom 1 2 Q o Confectionery New Zealand Australia 23 I Cordage and twine 24 New Zealand Australia 78 1 79 Cotton piece-goods New Zealand Australia Cook Islands United Kingdom . . ■ 676 313 12 151 Cotton, sewing Drapery 1,152 10 New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 617 20 8 Drugs and chemicals New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 304 645 I • 2 307 20 Earthenware and glassware Fancy goods and toys New Zealand 55 Australia United Kingdom Germany 212 16 2 Fish-hooks 15 245 New Zealand Australia 31 8 39 Fish, preserved New Zealand United Kingdom 244 3 Flour 24-7 New Zealand Australia 187 40 Fruits — Fresh Preserved New Zealand 227 5 United Kingdom 20 3 Furniture 23 New Zealand United Kingdom 30 3 33 Hardware .. .. New Zealand Australia Maiden United Kingdom 132 124 4 17 11 at s and caps 277 New Zealand Australia 45 I 46 12 11 Hosiery Instruments, musical, not otherwise enumerated New Zealand United Kingdom Iron, — Galvanized, corrugated Pipes and fittings Wire netting Wire fencing Tanks New Zealand '478 9 United Kingdom New Zealand 6 5 55 ' * Australia 18 5 ■

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Niue Island Administration — continued. Port of Alofi. — Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1914 —continued.

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Article. Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. L £ Jams <. New Zealand Australia United Kingdom £ 6 1 2 9 Jewellery New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 7 1 3 11 Lamps and lanterns New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 31 5 9 45 Machines, sewing New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 17 3 21 41 Matches New Zealand Australia 241 1 242 2 Mats .. Meats, preserved New Zealand Maiden . . United Kingdom 512 65 3 580 Milk, preserved New Zealand United Kingdom 31 8 39 Nails New Zealand United Kingdom 27 2 29 OilsKerosene and benzine New Zealand Australia 124 7 131 9 Linseed Not otherwise enumerated New Zealand 55 United Kingdom German Samoa 11 I 9 21 Paints and varnish New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 34 7 3 4.4 Paper New Zealand Australia 9 1 10 Perfumery and toilet preparations New Zealand Australia German Samoa Germany 68 7 2 7 84 Pipes, tobacco New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 16 1 2 19 29 10 3 Plated ware Potatoes and onions Portmanteaux and travelling-bags Provisions, not otherwise enumerated United Kingdom. New Zealand 55 Australia United Kingdom 110 2 6 118 Rice ., New Zealand Australia Maiden 98 30 22 150

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Niue Island Administration— continued. Port of Alofi. — Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1914 —continued.

Total Values. £ New Zealand .. .. .. ..- .. .. .. 8,367 Australia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,215 Cook Islands . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23 Fiji 13 Maiden .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 104 United Kingdom .. .. .. . . .. .. .. 408 United States America .. . . .. . . . . .. 25 Germany .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 German Samoa .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 £11,200 11. Cornwall, Alofi, Niue, 27th January, 1915. Resident Commissioner,

Artiole. Whence imported. Total. Total. £ £ Hugs Saddlery and harness New Zealand Australia 85 13 12 Salt .. Silk .. New Zealand 98 2 26 Soa,]> 55 ' ' 55 Australia United Kingdom 173 2 5 Specie Spirits, Whisky Cin and Geneva Stationery and books I 180 1,400 Australia New Zealand 15 7 55 55 Australia United Kingdom 54 19 58 Sugar New Zealand Australia United Kingdom 102 3 I 131 Tea, coffee, and cocoa 106 New Zealand I nited Kingdom 27 4 31 Timber, sawn New Zealand Australia 339 2 Tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes 341 New Zealand Australia 230 17 247 Tools New Zealand Australia Maiden United Kingdom 54 5 13 11 Trunks Wines, not, otherwise enumerated .. 83 13 Australia New Zealand Australia 5 1 Woodenware, not otherwise enumerated 6 New Zealand United Kingdom 21 1 22 Total £11,200

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Niue Island Administration. Port of Alofi.—Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1914.

ORDINANCES. Mauke Island Local Ordinance (No. 1.) Whereas it has been found necessary and expedient to regulate! and control the wages and conditions under which the labour employed in handling cargo on the reef at Mauke Island shall be conducted : Now, therefore, be it enacted by the Island Council of Mauke, by virtue of the powers conferred, upon it by the Cook Islands Government Act, 1908, as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall, be the Regulation and, Control of Labour Ordinance, 1914. 2. A wage at the rate of ten shillings shall be payable by shippers in respect to each ton of merchandise landed and of each ton of copra loaded. The aggregate sum received or earned shall be equally divided among the labourers employed3. A wage at the rate of fourpence per case shall be payable for the loading of oranges. 4. The labourers employed shall exercise all reasonable care in the handling of cargo, and may be sued for loss or damage resulting from their neglect or carelessness. 5. All labourers engaged in the landing or loading of cargo shall be under the control of a " Rangatira angaanga " to be appointed by the traders, and he shall be responsible for the proper carrying-out of the Work. 6. If any labourer shall demand, or any employer pay, a rate of wages higher than the rate above mentioned he shall be guilty of an offence, and shall be liable to a penalty of not exceeding five pounds, and in default of payment thereof to be put to hard labour for not exceeding thirty days. Passed by the Mauke Island Council this nineteenth day of March, nineteen hundred and fourteen. W. Saunderson Cooper, Resident Agent, Approved. President of the Council. H. W. Northcropt, Resident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 17th August, 1914. Liverpool, Governor.

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Article. Where exported. Where exported. Quantity. Value. T( Quantity. Value. Total. Arrowroot Copra Aim Nev Ami lerican Samoa w Zealand lerican Samoa £ 2001b. 390* tons 6,892 4| „ 90 £ £ American Samoa New Zealand American Samoa 2001b. 390* tons i\ 6,892 90 3 Curious. . .-.- .. Fancy goods Fungus.. Hats .. ••'..■'■ Ami Nev Ami American Samoa New Zealand 55 • ■ American Samoa New Zealand Lerican Samoa w Zealand 55 Lerican Samoa 394-f tons 6 > 6,656 1b. 100 doz. 47 394f tons 6,656 lb. 100 doz. 3.172 ., 6,982 15 18 115 Ne\, iv Zealand 3,172 „ 1,976 O OTA J«_ Ci 47 1.976 3.272 doz. 2,023 Apparel and slops Carriages Motor-car Cordage Drapery New Aus Goods re-exported. New Zealand 5, Goods re-exporteu w Zealand 5, 55 55 ■itralia d. 3,272 doz. 2, 1 10 92 1 4 200 55 ' ' I 55 • • Australia 10 92 102 1 12 7 20 Fancy goods Hats' Meats .'. Oils—Benzine .. New New Zealand I 55 • ■ 55 • • 55 ■ ■ ,v Zealand 55 55 55 12 doz. 24 cases i 12 doz. 24 cases I I. . ■ . Totals .. i. . £9, £9,503 New Zealand Australia American Samoa Summary. £ .. 9.256 92 ... .. .. 155 £9.503 • Alofi, Niue, 27th January, 1915. H. Cornwall, Resident Commissioner.

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Mauke Island Local Ordinance (No. 2.) An Ordinance to restrict the Sale of Green Coconuts. Whereas it has been found necessary to take measures to prevent the use of immature coconuts for the making of copra : Be it therefore enacted by the Island Council of Mauke as follows: — 1. Tho Short Title of this Ordinance shall be the Sale of Immature Coconuts Ordinance, 1914. 2. From and after the passing of this Ordinance it shall not be lawful to pick any immature coconut for the purpose of making copra therefrom, and any person, Native or European, who shall be found guilty of so doing shall be liable to the punishment hereinafter provided3. Any person who shall sell or attempt to sell any copra made from immature coconuts shall be liable to the punishment hereinafter provided. 4. Any person who shall buy copra made from green or immature coconuts shall be liable to the punishment hereinafter provided5. Any person offending against this Ordinance shall be liable to a fine not exceeding five pounds, and in default of payment thereof to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one month. Passed by the said Council this sixteenth day of April, nineteen hundred and fourteen. W. Saunderkon Cooper, President. Approved. H. W. NORTHCROFT, Resident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 17th August, 1914. Liverpool. Governor. Mauke Island Local Ordinance (No. 3.) An Ordinance to encourage the Planting and Cultivation of their Ijands by the Natives. Whereas it has been found desirable in the best interests of the Island to take measures to encourage the Maoris in the cultivation of their lands : Be it enacted by the Island Council of Mauke as follows : — 1. The, Short Title of this Ordinance shall be the Planting and Cultivation of Lands Ordinance, 1914. 2. After the passing of this Ordinance all men shall be required to plant and cultivate their lands, and to keep the same clean and free from weeds. 3. It is hereby enacted that every able-bodied man of the age of sixteen years shall be required to plant each month not less than ten coconut-trees, ten banana-plants, and ten orange-trees, and such amount of taro and kumaras as may be necessary for his sustenance. 4. All such trees shall be properly planted- —coconuts, in straight rows not less than twenty feet apart; bananas, in straight, rows not less than ten feet apart; oranges, in straight rows not less than fifteen feet apart. 5. Those men whose lands are already planted to the limits of their capacity shall be required to exercise due diligence in keeping such lands properly Weeded and clear of all kikau. 6. In order to ensure the provisions of this Ordinance being duly observed, the Island Council, or any persons who may be appointed on that behalf, shall have power to call upon any man who comes within the provisions of section three hereof to show the work done, by him in the then last preceding month. 7. Any person who shall fail to satisfy the said Council, or the person or persons appointed as in section six hereof, that he has fulfilled the obligations imposed on him by this Ordinance shall be guilty of an offence punishable by a fine not exceeding five pounds, and in default of payment to imprisonment for any term not exceeding one month. Passed by the said Council this sixteenth day of April, nineteen hundred and fourteen. "W. Saunderson Cooper, President. Approved. H. W. Northcroft, Resident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 17th August, 1914. Liverpool, Governor. Mangaia Island Ordinance (No. 4.) An Ordinance to license and control all Moving-picture Shows, Merry-go-rounds, Motor-cars, and Exhibitions and Entertainments of whatsoever Kind, for which a Charge is made to the Public. Be it enacted by the Mangaia Island Council: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is the Moving-picture and other Shows Ordinance, 1914. 2. From and after the passing of this Ordinance it shall not be lawful for any person to give at Mangaia Island any moving-picture show, theatrical performance, exhibition, or entertainment of any kind whatsoever, mechanical or otherwise, for which a charge is made for admission, or to run any motor-car, merry-go-round, billiard-table, or other machine or instrument of whatever nature or kind, for which money is to be paid by the public, unless a license, to do so shall first have been obtained from the Mangaia Island Council.

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3. For the purposes of this Ordinance all such moving-picture shows, theatrical performanc s, exhibitions, or entertainments, running of motor-cars, merry-go-rounds, billiard-tables, or other machine or instrument of whatsoever nature or kind shall be included in and referred to by the Words " performances or entertainments." 4. The application for a license shall be in writing addressed to the President of the Mangaia Island Council, and shall state the nature of the performance or entertainment the applicant proposes to give, the rate per head proposed to be charged, and period during which such performance or entertainment will be in operation on Mangaia Island. 5. Upon receipt ot any such application for a license the President of the Island Council shall convene a meeting of the said Council, at which he and at least six other members shall be present, and the said Council shall then consider the said application, and fix the amount of the license fee payable by the applicant, or may in its discretion refuse to grant such application. The applicant may attend such meeting personally or by agent. 6. The license foe shall be payable in advance, and shall be at the rate of not less than one pound nor more than twenty pounds per month of four weeks during the period of such performance or entertainment. 7. .All such license fees shall be paid into and become part of the funds of the Mangaia Island Council, and shall be expended upon public works in the said Island. 8. The said Council may at any time cancel any license issued under this Ordinance should it be found necessary in the interests of the public so to do, and in any such case shall not be liable to any action by the licensee for- damages. 9. The provisions of the Public Buildings Inspection and Licensing Ordinance, 1912 (No. 36), shall, mutatis mutandis, apply to the Island of Mangaia, and be read together with this Ordinance. 10. Any person refusing or neglecting to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance shall, be liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding five pounds, and any apparatus, machines, instruments, or other goods of or belonging to such person may be seized and detained by the said Council until such person shall have paid the license fee fixed by such Council, or until such person shall leave the Island, in which event all the goods or articles so seized and detained shall be returned to such person upon payment by him of any expense incurred by reason of such seizure and detention ; and the said Council shall not be liable for any damage or injury to such apparatus, machines, instruments, or other goods so seized and detained. Passed by the Mangaia Island Council this third day of April, nineteen hundred and fourteen. J. C. Cameron, Approved. President of the said Council. TI. W. NfoRTHCROFT, Resident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 17th August, 1914. Liverpool, Governor. Mangaia Island Ordinance (No. 5.) An Ordinance to encourage and control the Cultivation and Planting of their Lands by the Natives of Mangaia. Be it enacted' by the Mangaia Island Council: — .1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be the Planting of Lands Ordinance, 1914. 2. For the purposes of this Ordinance the words " Council " shall mean the Mangaia Island Council; " rubbish and undergrowth " shall mean and include all fallen and decayed fruit, leaves, and branches of any tree or shrub, and Weeds or undergrowth of any kind encumbering the soil; " landowner " shall mean any person holding or occupying land on Mangaia for himself as owner or as trustee for any other person or persons. 3. From and after the passing of this Ordinance it shall bo the duty of every landowner, and especially of every able-bodied man of the age of sixteen years and upwards, to cultivate and plant his lands and keep the same clear of all rubbish and undergrowth. 4. During each and every year every landowner shall plant or cause to be planted on his lands not less than forty coconut-trees and twenty banana-trcos and twenty orange-trees, in addition to a full supply of native foods such as taro, kumaras, yams, arrowroot, and the like : Provided always that if any landowner can satisfy the Council, or any person duly appointed in their behalf, that it is impracticable to plant the whole or any number of the above trees or native foods yearly on his lands the Council may grant such relief as may be necessary, while not freeing such landowner from his duty to keep his lands cultivated and clear of rubbish and undergrowth. 5. Coconuts shall be planted at a distance of not less than twenty-five feet one from the other ; bananas, at a distance of not less than ten feet one from another; oranges, at a distance of not less than fifteen feet one from another. Any plantation existing at the passing of this Ordinance may be-brought into conformity with this seotion as nearly as may be, should the Council deem it advisable to do so, by notice in Writing delivered to the owner thereof to proceed to make his plantation conform hereto by thinning out or planting up the trees as may be necessary. 6. Any landowner of Mangaia residing at Rarotonga or elsewhere may be called upon by the Council to cultivate or cause to be cultivated, and to plant or cause to be planted, his lands in accordance with this Ordinance 1 ,, and nothing shall relieve such landowner of his liabilities in this respect but a formal renunciation of his rights to such lands, made before and recorded by the Native Lands Titles Court of the Cook Islands, in favour of such of his blood relations resident on Mangaia, as he shall name.

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7. iiny person who lights a fire and allows such fire to spread beyond his own lands shall be guilty of an offence, and be liable on conviction to the punishment hereinafter provided, and also to pay all damage caused to the adjoining lands by such fire, or to replace by replanting such damage as may be ordered by the Court. 8. Any person who shall kill any of the native birds—-kerearako, tatangaeo, patangaroa, and others —or take away their eggs, or wilfully interfere in any way with their nests, shall be guilty of an offence, and be liable on conviction to the penalty hereinafter provided. 9.'The Council, or some person duly appointed by the Council, may inspect the land at least once in every year to ascertain whether the land has been sufficiently improved anrl planted, and that the provisions of this Ordinance are being duly complied with. 10. Any person contravening in any way or neglecting or refusing to comply with the provisions of this Ordinance shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not more than five pounds, or in default sixty days hard labour. Passed by the Mangaia Island Council this thirteenth day of November, nineteen hundred and fourteen. J. C. Cameron, President of the Mangaia Island Council. Approved. H. W. NoRTHCROFT, Resident Commissioner. Assented to in the name and on behalf of His Majesty. 12th May, 1915. Liverpool, Governor. ' —HfWW—WII I ——

[Extract from New Zealand Gazette, 25th March, 1915.] Duly on Certain Tobacco imported into the Cook Islands. LIVERPOOL,G o v c m or . ORDER IN COUNCIL. At the Government House at Wellington, this twenty-fifth day of March, 1915. Present : His Excellency the Governor in Council. Whereas by section three hundred and two of the Customs Act, 1913, it is enacted that the Governor may from time to time by Order in Council modify the tariff in its application to goods imported into the Cook Islands, but so that sr.ch modification shall not have the effect of imposing higher duties than those imposed by the tariff : And whereas by Order in Council dated the twenty-fourth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and twelve, and published in the New Zealand Gazette dated the twenty-seventh day of June then instant, the tariff was modified in its application to certain tobacco imported into the Cook Islands : And whereas it is expedient to amend the modification of the tariff contained in the said Order in Council of the twenty-fourth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and twelve : Now, therefore, His Excellency the Governor of the Dominion of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred upon him, by section three hundred and two of the Customs Act, 1913, and of all other powers and authorities enabling him in that behalf, and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the Dominion of New Zealand, doth hereby revoke the said Order in Council of the twenty-fourth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and twelve, and doth hereby modify the tariff in its application to goods imported into the Cook Islands aforesaid by declaring and directing as follows: — 1. That there shall bo payable on all black twist tobacco of which the genuine invoice value at the time of importation is proved to tho satisfaction of the Collector of Customs not to exceed one shilling and, threepence per pound, the following duties, that is to say — (ff.) When imported into or entered for home consumption in the Cook Islands (exclusive of the Island of Nine), a duty of one shilling per pound ; (/,.) When imported into or entered for home consumption in the Island of Niue (being one of the Cook Islands), a duty of two shillings per pound : Provided that a further duty of one shilling per pound shall be paid on the landing in the Island of Niue of any tobacco removed from other parts of the Cook Islands which has been admitted to entry at a duty of one shilling per pound. 2. That this Order shall have effect on and after the first day of April, one thousand nine hundred and fifteen. J. F. ANDREWS, Clerk of the Executive Council.

Airprovimate CoHt of Paper. —Preparation, not ; printing (900 oopies,) £3.5.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9ls.

Price, Is. Hd.]