COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3. 1915.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1916 Session I, A-03

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1916. NEW ZEALAND.

COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3. 1915.]

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

CONTENTS.

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Memorandum by the Id on. the Ministor 1 for the Cook Islands If innual Report of the R .esident Oommiss sioner of Rarotouga .- Report of Tren.su: r and Collector el if Customs Auditor's Report Report of Native and Court Report of High 0 Vital Statistics.. Report of Chief M ,lei dical Officer Meteorological Hi urns Report of Fruit T ipector Statement of Rev ran Statement of Rxf nditiire 14 Return of Import Return of Export

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MEMORANDUM. Cook Islands Department, Wellington, 22nd .June, 1916. The annual report of the Resident Commissioner of Rarotouga, which contains the particulars of the operations for the past year, is attached hereto. Owing to the unfavourable weather-conditions that have prevailed for the past two years, and the disorganization of shipping services due Io the war, the financial conditions have not been so satisfactory as in the previous year. The crops, however, are now recovering, and if sufficient tonnage is available an improvement may he anticipated for the current year. The Cook Islands Act, passed last session, consolidating the laws relating to the Islands, was brought into force on the Ist April, 1916, and Mr. ('. I!. Jordan, Under-Secretary for •Justice, has been appointed to be the Secretary for the Cook Islands. Some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining the services of medical men for the Islands, but Dr. Trotter has now been appointed Assistant Medical Officer at Rarotouga and Dr. Barraclough Medical Officer at Nine. Both of these gentlemen have proceeded to take up their appointments. In pursuance of the decision of the Government to appoint a Judge of the Native Land .. Court, Mr. H. Ayson has been selected for the position, and will proceed to the Islands immediately. I desire to place on record the patriotism and loyalty exhibited by the people of the Cook Islands and Nine in connection with the war. Not only have they contributed freely in money and comforts for the troops, but they have sent the best of their young men into the firing-line. The Islands are represented by approximately two hundred men now at the front, and many more are ready to come forward as soon as they may be called upon. M. POMARE, Minister for the Cook Islands.

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COOK IBLAN DS. REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. Sir,-- (look Islands Administration, Rarotouga, 1 Ith May, 1916. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended the 31st March, 1916. Finanok. We began the year with a credit balance of £3,092. The revenue was £7,672- a decease of £2,445 on the revenue of the previous year. The deficiency is attributable chiefly to the severe drought of last season, when the rainfall registered 47 in.—only half the average yearly fall. We are making up for it now. For the first quarter of this year the fall has been 63 in. As a result the fruit crops are now very promising. Another contributory cause of our falling revenue is the deficient means of communication between Ihe Group and New Zealand. The monthly cargo boat from Auckland has become increasingly unreliable. As we are, not on any cable line, and have no wireless station, the failure of a steamer to keep her time-table date always results in loss to our people, for there is no means of warning them that the vessel is not running to time. We have just had a regrettable experience of this. The " Flora" was due at Rarotouga to ship cargo for Auckland on the 27th April. Unfortunately she broke down on her way to Tahiti. Quite unconscious of this the planters at Rarotouga, Native and European, proceeded to pick their fruit. They accumulated over six thousand cases of oranges and bananas on the wharf to await the " Flora's " arrival. The fruit lay there from the 20th April to the sth May, and it was not until the latter date that news was brought by the " Moana " of the " Flora's " breakdown, and that there would be no steamer available to take the fruit to New Zealand. This large shipment was in consequence entirely lost; and the planters and traders have suffered heavyfinancial loss in consequence. The only means of avoiding these risks is to have a wireless station on the island ; and until we have it our only industry, and the Administration generally, are heavilyhandicapped. To return to our finances : Out of our revenue of £7,673 and the cash balance from the previous year of £3,092 a total of £10,765—we expended £9,080. The New Zealand Government, it may be added, assisted us by paying salaries previously paid by the Administration to the amount of £960. The. Treasurer, Mr. W. J. Stevenson, points out in his interesting report (attached hereto) that we must raise additional revenue. This is undoubtedly necessary. Under the Cook Islands Act, 1915, new and serious responsibilities have been placed upon the Administration. Our share of the oosl of setting up a suitable educational system throughout the Group must prove expensive. We have taken over the maintenance and construction of roads and bridges (formerly carried out by the Natives under a corvee system) estimated to cost us £600 a year. Public Health. The report of the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. G. Pearce Baldwin, is also attached. The doctor states that the health of Rarotouga has improved. The Resident Agent at, Atiu reports that the health of the people there is excellent. There is a report to the same effect from the Resident Agent at Mauke. No reports are available from the other islands. The three islands upon which there are small leper colonies are I'enrhyn, Rakahanga, and Manihiki. They are situated in the far north. The nearest of these, Manihiki, is 650 miles from Rarotouga. No fruit is exported from these islands nor from Motu-rakau, where there are four lepers. Owing to the scarcity of medical men, occasioned by the war, it has been found impossible to secure the services of a doctor for work on the outer islands. Fruitgrowing. This is the chief industry of the Group ; and a very valuable one it can be made. It requires cheaper and better transport, and improved means of communication. The attached reports of Mr. E. A. Reid, Officer in Charge of the Agricultural Department, shows the valuable work that has been done by this Department during the year. It is satisfactory to note that Native planters now begin to realize the necessity of the cultivation of their lands. The Department has been able to a limited extent to help the poorer Native growers by allowing them the use of a plough and team. Next season more will be done in this direction. As soon as Mr. Jieid's experiments determine the most suitable fertilizer for their lands, a scheme will be prepared for supplying it to the planters who require help on easy terms of paymentsubject, of course, to proper safeguards against loss by the Administration. By this means it is expected that considerable areas of apparently exhausted land will be brought back to cultivation. Public Works. These have been at a standstill because of our falling revenue. High Court and Native Land Court. The accompanying reports of the Registrar of the High Court, Mr. H. H. G. Ralfe, require no comment. Mr. Ralfe is unfortunately severing his connection with the Administration to take up his former position of Clerk of Court at Auckland. He has proved a most valuable officer, and it will be very difficult to replace him.

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The Cook Islands Act. The new Act has come quietly into operation without friction. It is being translated into the Native language. Already it has proved to be a great improvement upon the system it superseded. It has the merits of clearness and simplicity ; it is easily administered ; and is, on the whole, an admirable piece of legislation. Auditor's Report. The Auditor's report on the accounts of the Administration is now being prepared. His certificate is attached. Outlying Islands. 1 expect lo make the annual circuit of the rest of the Group in September next. I have, &<)., F. W. Platts, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. Dr. Pomare, Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands Administration, Wellington. REPORT OF TREASURER. Sir, - Rarotouga, Cook Islands, 2nd May, 1916. I have, the honour to forward herewith the annual statement of revenue and expenditure lor the year ended 31st March, 1916, and trade returns for year ended the 81st December, 1915. The revenue for the year amounted to £7,672 13s. Id., being a decrease of £2,445 Is. lid. on that, of the previous year. The most marked decline is in the Customs duties. The receipts under this heading decreased by £2,642 12s. 3d., compared with the preceding year. The revenue, £7,672 13s. 4d., together with the cash balance of £3,092 7s. sd. at the beginning of the year, made a total of £10,765 Os. 9d. lor carrying on the Administration. The expenditure (summary appended) amounted to £9,080 12s. 10(1. £ B. d. Salaries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,727 10 I Public works .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,662 4 9 Contingencies .. .. .. .. .. .. 771 6 I Subsidies .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 221 0 3 Hospital supplies and attendance .. .. .. 1,112 2 '1 Experimental nursery . . .. .. .. .. .. 319 I 0 Maintenance lepers .. .. .. .. .. .. 159 16 9 Maintenance mental defective . . .. ... .. .. 36 I I (i Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 15 0 Assistance to Natives on account, of hurricane .. .. .. 45 5 I £9,080 12 10 •-> It will be seen that the ex pent lit ure ex needed the revenue by £1,407 19s. (id., and unless there is a material improvement in trade during the coming year it will be necessary to impose additional laxes if if is intended to proceed with any public works during the year. The balance in. hand at the. close of the year was £l ,684 7s. lid. Liquor Account : The Government sales for the year amounted to £31 25., and the stock on hand at the close of the year was valued at £31 15s. 4d. Waterworks Account, : The capital now invested amounts to £6,516, and the rates for the year amounted to £384 14s. Bd. Postal: In Rarotouga the business in this Department was close up to that of previous years. Money-orders numbering 946, value £13,981, were issued, and 1,071, value £11,811, were paid, the commission earned being £63 19s. 9d. Postal notes to the value £525 were sold. In the Savings-bank the deposits were £2,081, and the withdrawals £760. Trade: There has been another falling-off in both imports and exports. Eliminating specie in each case, the decline totals £24,956—imports £19,142, and exports £5,813. The pearl-shell trade has been dead ever since the outbreak of the war. The output of copra was 773 tons, oompared with 922 tons in 1914. In an average year the output should he double, the quantity. The price lor this article has been good, but traders have experienced a rise in freights and 1 rouble in getting it to market, owing to tin- shortage of shipping. As regards fruit, the banana trade is steadily declining. In 1914 the Islands exported 105,000 cases, while last year only 61,870 cases were sent away. The lalling-otr in 1915 was 28,314 cases. The drought affected the crops to some extent, hut it cannot he denied that the Natives are not planting as they did in former years. The output ol oranges totalled 98,447 cases, compared with 114,338 cases in 1914, but this class of fruit receives no cultivation. The tomato industry is very promising. In 191 I only 1,201 boxes, value £600, were shipped, while for 1915 the figures were 13,119 boxes, value £5,947. This fruit is grown in Rarotonga during the winter months and early spring, thus arriving in New Zealand during the " off " season, when good prices are, obtainable. I have, &c, W. J. Stevenson, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Collector of Customs and Treasurer.

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Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1916.

Cook Islands Administration. Revenue for the Year ended 31st March, 1916. £ i. d. £ I. d. Balance, 1st April, 1915 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,092 7 6 Customs duties, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. 3,003 10 7 New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 1,632 4 4 Traders' licenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 705 6 4 Stamps .. .. .. .., .. .. .. 718 14 10 Fees, Land Titles Court .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 0 6 Pees and fines, High Court .. .. .. .. .. 355 15 5 R.M. Court, Aitutaki .. .. .. .. 9 10 0 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 7 19 0 ,, ,, Mangaia .. .. .. . . 60 6 0 ,, ,, Mauke .. .. .. .. 3 5 0 Penrhyn .. .. .. .. 56 17 0 Manihlki .. .. .. .. 52 0 0 Water rates, Avarua .. .. .. .. .. .. 179 I 8 ,, Arorangi . . .. .. .. .. .. 66 2 0 ,, Ngatangiia . . .. .. .. .. .. 40 0 0 Matavera .. .. .. .. . . .. 34 10 0 Titikaveka .. .. .. .. .. 55 16 0 Mnri .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 5 0 Rents .. .. .. .. .. .. 219 10 0 Shipping fees and forms .. .. .. .. .. 13 7 6 Interest on deposits and debentures . . . . . . . . 80 0 O Hall licenses .. .. .. .. .. ..' .. 12 5 0 Post-card sales .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 14 5 Sale of Customs seizures .. .. .. .. .. 77 2 6 Fruit-fumigation Account, Or. .. .. .. .. .. 183 2 3 Ammunition Account, Cr. .. .. .. .. .. 17 0 9 Titikaveka. Water Account, Cr. .. .. .. .. ... 209 Liquor Account, Cr. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 15 11 Miscellaneous . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 10 7 7,672 13 4 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £10,765 0 9 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 10th April, 1916. W. .). Stevenson, Treasurer. Audited and found correct A. G. Clarke, Auditor.

Service.' Voted. Expended. 1. Registrar of High and Land Titles Courts 2. Assistant Medical Officer 3. Engineer and Surveyor I. Interpreter and Printer 5. Mat ion. Hospital 6. Nurse 7. Foreman of Works 8. Draughtsman 9. Island Allowance, Resident Commissioner III. ,, Collector of Customs .. I I. Cadet. Laud Office 12. ., Registrar's Office 13. ,, Post Office II. Resident Agent, Mangaia 15. „ Atiu.. 16. ,, Aitutaki 17. ,, Mauke 18. ,, Penrhyn 19. ,, Pukapuka 20. ,, Rakahanga and Manihiki 21. Native Agent, Mitiaro. . 22. Sergeant of Police, Rarotonga . £ 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 ,Si| 0 0 84 0 o 84 0 0 245 0 0 220 0 0 220 0 0 220 0 0 220 0 0 220 0 0 150 0 0 50 0 0 228 15 0 £ s. ,1. 350 0 0 86 2 2 325 0 0 275 0 0 185 16 II 83 16 4 196 0 0 140 (I () 150 0 (I 84 0 0 84 0 0 78 0 0 245 0 0 198 7 8 220 0 0 220 0 0 220 0 O 150 0 0 50 0 0

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Cook Islands Administration- continued. Statement of Expenditure for Year ended 31st March, 1916- continued.

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Service. Voted. Expended. £ s. il. 23. Native Police, Rarotonga .. . . .. .. 122 0 0 24. „ Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 39 0 0 25. „ Mauke .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 26. „ Atiu .. .. .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 27. „ Mitiaro.. .. .. .. .. .. 15 0 0 28. „ Rakahanga and Manihiki. . .. .. .. 40 0 0 29. „ Mangaia .. .. .. .. . . 41 0 0 30. „ Pukapuka, .. . . .. . . .. 9 0 0 31. Native Assessor, Atiu .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 0 (I 32. „ Mauke . . .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 33. „ Rakahanga .. . . .. . . . . 8 0 0 34. ,, Pukapuka .. .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 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-mouey, destruction flying-fox and rats . . . . . . 50 0 0 40. Maintenance lunatic Donaldson . . . . . . . . 40 II 0 41. Hospital, supplies and attendance .. .. .. .. 900 0 (I 42. Maintenance, lepers .. . . .. . . . . . . 50 0 0 43. RentsWharf site .. .. .. .. ...£500 Post-office site .. .. .. .. . . 8 15 0 Registrar's house . . .. .. .. ..1200 £ 9. d. 112 0 0 39 0 0 20 0 0 20 0 0 15 0 0 25 0 0 11 0 0 I 10 0 8 (I (I 85 0 0 512 16 I 250 II 9 7 18 0 63 0 3 36 11 6 1.112 2 4 159 16 9 25 15 (I 44. Subsidy, cool chamber .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 45. ,, Boatman, Mangaia, .. .. .. .. .. 10 I) 0 46. „ „ Aitutaki .. . . . . . . . . 9 0 0 47. „ ,, Atiu .. .. .. . . .. 3 0 0 18. „ ,, Mauke . . . . . . . . . . 6 0 0 49. ,, carrying mails .. .. .. .. .. 30 0 (I 50. Muri water-supply . . .. . . .. .. . . 500 0 0 51. Arorangi water-supply .. .. .. .. .. 450 0 0 52. Roads and bridges, maintenance .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 53. Upkeep of buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 54. Experimental nursery .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 55. Avarua school-teacher's residence .. .. .. . . ' 700 0 (I 56. Education School furniture, and the completion of Ngatangiia and '■ 300 (I (I Arorangi teachers' residences 57. Aitutaki, bores for water .. .. .. .. .. 300 0 0 58. Mangaia, tram-line .. .. . . . . . . . . 150 0 0 59. Manihiki, tram-line .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 60. Takutea, clearing coconuts .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Avarua water-supply Ngatangiia Water Account Whare Manuhiri Hotel Matavera Water Account Courthouse, Manihiki .. ,, Aitutaki AI in offices Penrhyn police Food, Mauke natives .. Penrhyn offices Pukapuka tanks 25 15 0 100 0 0 10 I) (I 9 0 0 3 0 0 6 0 0 30 (I (I 299 16 10 285 16 I 100 0 0 151 0 8 319 I 0 221 III 353 2 5 187 19 5 9 7 0 130 9 7 I 7 (I 28 0 I 38 10 7 194 5 II 16 17 0 45 5 J 281 7 3 80 0 0 Balance, including investments 9,080 12 10 1,684 7 II 10,765 l 0 9 Rarotonga, Cook lshufds. 18th April, 1916. W. .). Stevenson, T treasurer. Audited and found correct. —A. G. Clarke, Auditor.

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Auditor's Report. Sir,— Rarotonga, 11th May, 1916. I have the honour to inform you that I have audited the accounts of the CookIslands Administration for the year ended the 31st March, 1916, and find them to be correct. I have also audited the books of the High Court and Land Titles Court, and find that all moneys received have been duly accounted for. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. A. G. Clarke, Auditor.

Cook Islands Administration. Estimated Expenditure, for the Year ending ending -list March, 1917. £ s. d. 1. Registrar of Courts .. .. .. .. .. 350 0 0 2. Engineer and Surveyor .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 3. Interpreter and Printer .. .. .. .. 275 0 0 4. Nurses, Hospital (2) .. .. .. .. .. 200 0 0 5. Foreman of Works .. .. .. .. .. 196 0 0 6. Draughtsman . . . . .. .. .. .. 175 0 0 7. Island allowance, Collector of Customs . . . . . . 150 0 0 8. Clerk, Land Office.. .. .. .. .. .. 90 0 0 9. „ Registrar's Office .. .. .. . . . . 90 0 0 10. „ Post Office . . .. .. . . . . .. 90 0 (I 11. Itesident Agent. Maugaia . . .. .. .. .. 245 0 0 12. „ Atiu .. .. .. .. . . 220 0 0 13. „ Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 220 0 0 14. „ Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 220 0 0 15. „ Penrhyn .. .. .. .. .. 220 0 0 16. „ Rakahanga and ManiJiiki .. .. .. 200 0 0 17. Native Agent, Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. 50 0 0 18. Native police, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. 122 0 0 19. ~ Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 39 0 0 20. „ Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 21. ~ Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 22. „ Mitiaro .. .. ... .. .. 15 0 0 23. „ Rakahanga and Manihiki .. .. .. 40 0 0 ■s 24. „ Penrhyn .. .. .. .. .. 20 0 0 25. Native Assessor, Rakahanga .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 26. „ Police, Maugaia .. .. .. .. .. ■ 41 0 0 27. Assistant Printer, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 90 0 0 28. Contingent expenditure, High Court .. .. .. 200 0 0 29. „ general .. .. .. .. 400 0 0 30. „ Land Titles Court .. . . .. 150 0 0 31. Head-money for destruction of flying-fox and rats .. .. 50 0 0 32. Maintenance, lunatic Donaldson . . .. .. .. 40 0 0 33. Hospital supplies and attendance .. .. .. .. 900 0 0 34. Maintenance lepers .. .. .. .. .. 150 0 0 35. Rents— £ s. d. Wharf-site .. .. .. .. 5 0 0 Post-office site .. .. .. 8 15 0 Registrar's house .. .. .. 12 0 0 25 15 0 36. Subsidy, cool-chamber .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 37. „ boatman, Maugaia .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 38. „ Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 900 39. „ Atiu .. .. .. .. .. .. 300 40. „ Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 600 41. ~ carrying mails in Group .. .. .. .. 30 0 0 5,681 15 0 Estimated public-works expenditure as per schedule .. 2,800 0 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £8,481 15 0 F. W. Platts, Resident Commissioner.

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Cook Islands Administration. Proposed Expenditure on Public Works during Year ending 31st March, 1917. Roads and bridges, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. 600 Upkeep of Government buildings .. .. .. .. .. L5O Experimental nursery .. . . .. .. .. .. 300 Fresh-water tanks, Penrhyn .. . . .. .. .. .. 100 Manihiki.. .. .. .. .. .. 100 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. .. 200 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. .. 200 Water-supply, Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. .. 650 Sohool-teacher's residence, Avarua .. .. .. .. .. 500 £2,800 F. W. Platts, Resident Commissioner. Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Liquor Account for Year ended 3lsl March, 1916. £ s. d. | £ s. d. Stock on hand. Ist April, 1916 .. 47 13 9 I Sales .. .. 31 2 0 Supplies .. .. .. 9 610 j Stock on hand. 31s1 March, 1916 .. 31 15 4 Freight .. .. .. 014 9 Duty .. .. .. ..446 Balance .. .. .. 0 17 6 £62 17 4 £62 17 4 Profit and Loss Account. t s. d. £ s. d. Stock, 3Jst March, 1916 .. .. 3115 4 Balance, lsl April, 1915 .. .. 47 13 9 Cash to general revenue .. .. 16 15 II „ 31st March. 1916 .. .. 017 6 £48 11 3 £48 11 3 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 14th April, 1916. W. .J. Stevenson, Treasurer.

Cook Islands Administration. Port of Rarotonga. — Return, showing the Value of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1915.

i Article. Where exported. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Total. I I i_ Fruit, freshBananas New Zealand a ... £ 61,870 cases 18,565 I78bnchs. 27 61 .870 cases 178 bnchs. £ 18,592 Oranges Pineapples Tomatoes Unenume rated Coffee, raw it • • Tahiti" 98,447 cases 20,863 1,282 ,, 250 13,119 „ 5,947 374 „ 56 28,200 lb. 705 4,400 „ 120 98,447 cases 1.282 ,, 13,119 „ 374 „ 28,200 lb. 4,400 „ 26,592 20,863 250 5,947 56 Copra qo nfiri 11, 825 New Zealand United States America 32.600 lb. 370 tons 6,660 403 „ 7.151 32.600 1b. 370 tons 103 „ 14,114 773 tons Coconuts 773 tons New Zealand United States America 193,170 333,610 193,170 18(1 333,610 1.334 I .811 527,780 527,780 Kumeras and taro Limejuice Vanilla Rides Cotton-piece goods Carriages New Zealand tt • - United States America New Zealand Tahiti Niue I ,550 cases 310 450 gallons 18 26(111). 19 8 171 10 310 48 49 8 171 Id £63,057 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 17th A; iril, 1916. W. .J. Stevenson, Collector of Cus! L oms.

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Cook Islands Administration. Return showing Total Values of Imports and Exports for Year ended 31 st December, 1915. IMPORTS. £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. ..52,003 United Kingdom . . . . . . .. .. .. 5,1 05 New South Wales . . .. .. .. .. ..1,463 Victoria .. . . . . .. .. .. 166 Canada .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Hong Kong .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Tonga .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 South Africa .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Fiji I .Japan .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 126 United States of America .. .. .. .. .. 5,073 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,333 Samoa .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 3 Switzerland .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Sweden .. .. .. .. .. .. ... 244 France .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £65,590 EXPORTS. £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. 53,919 Nine .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. . . .. 291 United States of America .. . . .. .. .. 8,837 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £63,057 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 17th April, 1916. Collector of Customs.

Cook Islands Administration. Principal Exports from each Island in the Cook Group for Year ended 31st December, 1915.

REPORT OF THE COOK ISLANDS NATIVE LAND COURT. For the Yh:ar ended 31st March, 1916. Applications awaiting sittings of the Court numhered 572, distributed as follows : Rarotonga, 173; Aitutaki, 303 : Mauke, 37 : Atiu, 39 ; Manihiki. 5 ; Rakahanga, 2 ; Mitiaro, 10; Penrhyn, 8 ; Mangaia, Nil. The revenue derived from fees during the year was-C35. 11, H, Ci. Ralfe, Registrar.

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Island. Bam ,nas. at o DC I ■ fl O □ S CD 6 n pi 1 I o CO i a i i o u a o o CO <D t-l O O W 'II O Sm P 3 « O J CO a « p W Cases. Numbor Gals. 118 420,260 450 374 84,160 .. 1,045 17,760 .. 13 5,200 .'. tarotonga .itutaki langaia itiu lauke litiaro lanuao 'enrhyn lanihiki Cakahanga 'almerstmi luarrow 'ukapuka Cases. 60,017 1,168 694 1 .. Rches. 178 Cases. 68,962 6,621 8,814 5,604 8,446 Cases. 133 1,052 97 Cases. 146 220 8 Cases. 13,119 Cases. 264 Tons. 116 43 07 1 15 8 41 110 152 160 45 7 8 lb. 13,000 17,000 2,600 Totals 61,870 178 98,447 1,282 374 13,119 773 32,600 1,550 527,380 450 264 W. J. St devensoi Collecti r, Rarotonga, Cook Island i, 11th April, 1916. >r of Customs.

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REPORT OF THE COOK ISLANDS HIGH COURT. For the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Criminal cases to the numher of 559 were dealt with as follows :■ — Table showing the Numher of Criminal Cases brought before the High Court of the Cook Islands during the Year ended, 31st March, 1916. Cases heard — Convictions .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 492 Dismissed or withdrawn .. .. .. .. .. 67 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. ..559 Offences against the person only— Assaults .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36 Other offences .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 Offences against property — Housebreaking .. .. .. .. •.. .. .. 4 Theft .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..34* Mischief and other offences .. .. .. .. .. 14 Trespass .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 18 Offences against liquor laws — Drunkenness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73 Bush-beer drinking .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 159 Manufacturing bush-beer .. . . . . .. . . 42 Breaches of regulations— Fruit .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 43 Traffic .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..32 Water-supply. . . . .. .. . . .. .. .. 4 Offences against the public welfare— Miscellaneous.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Wandering animals .. . . .. .. .. .. .. 6 Offences against revenue laws— Non-registration of dogs .. .. .. .. .. 52 Other offences — Adultery .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Miscellaneous.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Fines imposed amount to £228 ss. and the fees to £141 4s. 3d., a total of £369 9s. 3d. On the civil side the Court had before it 112 cases, as follows :— Table showing the Number of Cases heard, in the High Court of the Cook Islands in its Civil Jurisdiction during the Year ended, 31st, March, 1916. Appeal .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Damages .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 17 Debt .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..57 Divorce .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 Detinue .. .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 3 Injunction or order .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Partnership account .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Possession of chattels .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Possession of tenement .. .. .. .. 1 Probate .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Trespass .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 112 The number of plaints entered was 161 ; the total amount sued for was £713 lis. lid., and the amount recovered £203 4s. sd. H. H. G. Ralfe, Registrar of Courts.

* Mainly of food or produce from plantations,

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Vital Statistics for the Year 1915.

REPORT OF CHIEF MEDTCAL OFFICER For the Year ended 31st March, 1916. The number of cases admitted to the hospital was 106, of which 5 died. The number of persons attending as out-patients was 1,031 during the months May to March inclusive ; no record was kept for April. These persons are classified as follows : Europeans —Males, 39 (children, 10) ; females 25 (children, 16). Maoris—Males, 349 (children, 165) ; females, 248 (children, 179). As I have been alone since my return from leave in May last, it has been impossible for me to visit any of the other islands, and, as I have had no reports from them, I am unable to say anything as to the present condition of their health. Supplies of medicine for the most common complaints, dressings, &c, have been sent in accordance with the requisitions of the Resident Agents. As none of the Agents lias had any medical training the system cannot be regarded as in any way satisfactory, and considerable strengthening of the staff is absolutely necessary if the health of the people is to be properly looked after. Mangaia alone could find permanent work for ona man, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro for another, and Aitutaki for another ; and there is also considerable work to be done in the Northern Islands. In Rarotonga the year has been free from any serious epidemic. A very wet summer following an abnormally dry winter and spring was responsible for a considerable amount of diarrhoea and a few cases of dysentery. As certain statements have appeared in the New Zealand papers to the effect that syphilis and leprosy are rife in the Islands, and are devastating the population, I take this opportunity of quoting figures, from Dr. Maclurkin's report on Aitutaki (December, 1912) and a special report on leprosy (July, 1914). In the former he gives twenty-one cases of syphilis out of 522 cases examined ; and in the latter fifteen cases of leprosy and four suspects isolated ; so that statements of an alarming increase in the numher of lepers must be regarded with suspicion.

Island and Village. Births. Deaths. Marriages. Rarotonga— Avarua Arorangi Titikaveka Ngatangiia Matavera 70 16 7 20 7 49 14 13 18 4 .18 4 6 5 4 Totals 120 98 37 Aitutaki— Arutanga ") Reureu [ Nikaupara) Amuri Vaipae Tautu 12 12 6 17 6 4 11 11 2 3 5 6 Totals 39 36 20 Mangaia — Oneroa Tamarua Ivirua .. 39 10 9 20 8. 12 9 1 2 • Totals 58 III 12 Penrhyn Pukapuka (no returns) Manihiki Rakahanga Atiu Mauke 13 II 7 30 22 7 14 6 14 10 7 2 3 4 9 Grand totals 300 225 94 II. '., G. Ralfe, Registrar Rarotonga, 8th May, 1916. if Courts.

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There is a certain amout of syphilis and gonorrhoea in the Islands ; but many cases which at first sight appear to be syphilitic are cases of yaws. In the lower islands there is much more to fear from the ravages of tuberculosis, which is very common here, as in all Natives races which are undergoing the ordeal of civilization. 1 wish to draw attention to the great risk of danger to the health of the outer islands incurred by allowing labour-recruiting vessels access to them without first entering at Rarotonga. Leprosy was introduced to the Croup by returned labour. The. health of Rarotonga has undoubtedly improved, and now that the new Act is in force I hope, for further improvement. And what has been done here can he done in the other islands if the staff! is increased as it requires. 0. Pearce Baldwin, Chief Medical Officer.

Table showing the Meteorological Conditions at Rarotonga foe the Yeah ended 31st December, 1915. Rainfall In. Total for year . . .. .. .. ... . . . . 46-05 Average for past seventeen years . . . . . . . . . . 77-52 Barometer readings— 0 Highest .. .. .. . . .. . . .. 30-40 Lowest . . .. . . . . . . . . .. 29-36* Thermometer readings— Highest . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 87-00 Lowest .. . . .. . . .. . . . . 48-00 Maximum . . ... . . . . . . . . . . 79-90 Minimum .. .. . . . . .. .. . . 68-70 * Lowest on record. •

REPORT OF FRUIT INSPECTOR For the Year ended 31st March, 1916. Tun inspection of tomato plantations is now an important work, as careless propagation or cultivation will promote disease, and infection, under the favourable climatic conditions which prevail in Rarotonga, easily spreads, to the detriment of clean plantations. It is the intention of the Fruit Division to prosecute any grower who does not take precautions to eradicate disease when present in his plantation. Pua-au Experimental Nursery. -Work on the Pua-au Experimental Nursery progressed steadily throughout the year until the month of March, when exceptional heavy rains blocked the main drains with rubble-, and debris. Practically the whole area was inundated ; fortunately the principal drain was cleared, and the, water drained off before much damage was done. The other drain, which drains the lagoon on east of Ngatipa Road, docs not cope, with the flow, consequently the water flows through the coral foundations of Ngatipa, Road, and spreads over about 4 acres of the nursery. This area has been abandoned until ample drainage is assured. I suggest that another, outlet be found for the water which drains into tin- lagoon on east of Ngatipa Road. The following is a general list of trees at present growing in the nursery : - 215 citrus trees, budded varieties, comprising, oranges, mandarins, lemons, grape-fruit, tangerine, limes, and kumquat. Trees were procured from Florida, Queensland, and Victoria. 126 tropical fruits from India, Ceylon, and Hawaii. 285 Timber and ornamental trees and shrubs from India, Ceylon, Hawaii, and New Zealand. 100 Fiji commercial banana for growing shoots to distribute. -8,200 seedling oranges for propagating purposes. The following is a list of plants and seeds, &c, distributed free of cost :-— !13 tomatoes, in I lb. and 2 Ib. lots, of approved varieties, distributed for seed. 336 tomato-plants in lots of six for variety testing purposes. 32 plants of tropical fruits. 10,200 kumara-plants, selected local and New Zealand varieties. 140 Fiji commercial banana shoots, mostly in lots of five. Collections of seeds have also been forwarded, to many of the other islands in the group. The native variety of kumara has seriously deteriorated, hence the selection and importation of new varieties for- propagation and distribution. Varieties of corn or maize have also been grown, and the seed liberally distributed. Seventeen new varieties of tomatoes were grown and tested for commercial purposes. Forty-two varieties have now been tested. The varieties recommended as the most suitable to grow for export are, Sutton's Eclipse —average yield of commercial fruit per twenty plants, 8-7 lb. per plant ; Sutton's Satisfaction, similar ; Trucker's Favourite, 7-8 Ib.; Holmes's Supreme, 6-7 lb. Many other varieties had heavier yields —four varieties averaging over 10 lb. pel plant—but owing to the roughness of the fruit

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they are not recommended to grow for export. The varieties were all grown and tested on the system approved and practised by nurserymen in other countries, and, being conducted under personal supervision, growers can accept the accuracy of the test with confidence. Ploughing of land for tomato-culture has also been undertaken, at sufficient cost to reimburse the Administration, to enable planters and Natives to make a start. Spraying-pump and materials have also been lent to growers to enable them to cope with disease and pests until they were able to purchase their own. A number of ploughing-teams are now at work, and the area of land being ploughed and brought under cultivation is rapidly increasing. Planting of these ploughed areas with tomatoes, bananas, and kumaras is now being undertaken with confidence by planters and Natives, and if good steamer communication is provided the export of produce should be well maintained, if not substantially increased. With a view to ascertaining whether the, old plantation lands can be made productive for the commercial cultivation of bananas by the use of fertilizers, manurial tests are at present being conducted on a section at Tutakinioa. The manures and formulae are based on recommendations by .J. C. Brunich, Esq., Agricultural Chemist, Queensland, and on experiments conducted by A. H. Benson, Esq., Instructor of Fruit-culture, Queensland. I trust the experiments will prove interesting and of benefit to local planters. Visits of inspection were made to the islands of Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, and Aitutaki by the Assistant Fruit Inspector. Demonstrations of pruning were given in which the Natives showed keen interest. The inspection showed that the. endeavours of the Administration to foster the fruitgrowing industry in the near outlying islands have resulted in an awakening interest on. the part of the Natives, and satisfactory progress is being made, the methods of packing and attention to plantations on some islands showing improvement. The fumigation of fruit, which has hitherto been carried on at Rarotonga only, is now being instituted at other islands of the Croup from which oranges, &c, are exported. E. A. Reid.

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NIUE ISLAND. Niue Island Administration. Statement of Revenue for Year ended 31sl March, 1916. £ s. d. Ist April, 1915— Brought forward .. . . ... .. .. .. 907 I -I Customs duties .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,371 8 7 Emigration fees . . . . .. .. . . . . . . . . 10 0 Court fees and fines .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 150 13 0 Licenses .. . . .. . . . . .. .. . . .. 73 8 4 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 14 X Shipping fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 220 Sundry receipts .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 11 4 Contribution by New Zealand Government to Nine medical service, 1914 15 .. 250 0 0 £2,820 19 3

Niue Island Administration. Statement of Expenditure for Year ended 31st March, 1916. £ s. d. Assistant to Resident Commissioner .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 10 9 Councillors .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 104 7 8 Magistrates .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 0 0 Police, European .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 176 7 4 „ Native .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 90 19 10 Dispenser .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 183 6 8 Medical Officer, travelling-expenses, local .. .. .. .. .. 34 1 1 Medical supplies and assistance .. .. .. .. .. .. 107 9 1.1 Police, travelling-expenses, local . . .. .. .. .. .. 19 17 10 Police uniform and equipment .. .. .. .. .. .. 484 Rent of police officer's residence .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 0 0 Printing and stationery .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 410 Tufu School, working-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. 166 4 5 Rent of prison-site .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 012 0 Leper station .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 770 Public library .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 538 Maintenance, Government buildings .. .. .. .. .. .. 56 6 2 ~ reservoirs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 19 3 jetty 1 17 I ~ remanded prisoner .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 10 0 Niue Military Contingent .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 21 II II Miscellaneous services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 162 18 6 1,232 0 5 Public works— £ s. d. Erection Assistant Master's house .. .. .. .. 723 11 6 Experimental cotton cultivation .. .. .. .. 12 1 1 Furniture for Government residence .. .. .. 126 5 11 861 18 6 2,093 18 11 Balance, 31st March, 1916— Cash in hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 137 11 0 Current account, Bank of New Zealand .. .. .. 89 9 4 Fixed deposit account, Bank of New Zealand . . .. 500 0 0 727 0 4 £2,820 19 3

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Niue Island Administration. Port of Alofi. — Return of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1915. Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £9,678 SUMMARY. £ From New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 8,551 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. 304 ~ France .. .. .. .. 1 ~ Germany .. .. . . .. 4 „ Switzerland .. .. .. .. 4 ~ Japan .. .. .. .. 1 Australia .. .. .. .. .. .. 535 ~ Burmah .. .. .. .. .. 53 ~ Japan .. .. .. .. .. 98 United States of America .. .. .. .. 125 Tonga .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 £9,678

Niue Island Administration. Port of Alofi. — Return of Exports for Year ended 31st December, 1915.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (800 copies), £10 10s.

Authority : Mabcus F. Marks, Government Printer, Wellington. —1916.

Price 6d.]

Article. Where exported. Quantity. Total. Value. Total. Copra Fungus Hats .. ,, .. New Zealand • • >> • • )> Tonga 306J tons 5,105 doz. 8 „ 9 doz. 4 " 306$ tons 5,547 1b. 5,113 doz. - 11 cwt. 12 doz. 3 doz. 15 lb. 13 doz. - 8 No. 6 tons £ 2,9 £ 4,774 116 2.952 5 Kumaras Niue baskets .. ,, fans „ necklaces.. ,, table-mats New Zealand Tonga New Zealand Tonga 2,957 4 10 2 2 1 ,, titis Yams British Samoa I 3 1 56 Goods ■e-exported. £7,926 Butter Carriages and parts of Furniture New Zealand • * 5, • • J) 144 lb. 11 3 190 £8,130 SUM! MARY. £ New Zealand Tonga British Samoa 8,062 12 56 £8,130