COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1925.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1926 Session I, A-03

A.—3

1926. NEW ZEALAND.

COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1925.]

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

MEMORANDUM. Cook Islands Department, Wellington, Bth June, 1926. I submit the attached annual reports of the Cook Islands and Niue Administrations. This is the fourteenth consecutive occasion on which I have done so since assuming the office of Minister for the Cook and other Islands ; and, having just completed a tour which covered both the Lower and Northern Groups, I can affirm with the utmost conviction that to-day these Polynesian peoples are healthy, increasing in numbers, happy and prosperous, thoroughly content with their administration, warmly appreciative of the care and good will of their guardian, New Zealand, and intensely loyal to His Majesty the King. As will be seen from the returns which follow, the volume of trade, which in the preceding year constituted a record for the Cook Group, has been well maintained. A much greater increase may be confidently looked for when a suitable steamer is provided to transport the valuable and prolific citrus-fruit crops of these islands to the markets of the Dominion. The trade of Niue shows a considerable improvement as compared with the preceding twelve months, and this satisfactory result is entirely due to the fact that a regular service was provided by the Department's steamer " Hinemoa." This historic vessel has now entered upon a further career of the utmost value and usefulness to the Dominion. Already she has more than justified the' cost of reconditioning and putting her into commission, for besides maintaining and assuring in the future a regular and quick connection between New Zealand and Niue, she has been the means of reopening trade with Norfolk Island, and of conveying the leper patients of New Zealand, Samoa, Niue, and the Cook Group to the Fiji Leper Hospital at Makogai. The " Hinemoa " has also carried out towing operations for the Samoan Administration and the Public Works Department, at an appreciable saving to the Consolidated Fund. Our several outer wireless stations are being most efficiently maintained and operated by their Native staffs. During the year the Atiu station was equipped with a transmitter, and is therefore now sending as well as receiving. The Rarotonga main station is all ready to change over to lowwave transmission so soon as New Zealand is equipped to receive on this system. The alteration is anxiously awaited, as it will enable Rarotonga Radio to communicate direct with Wellington Radio, thus eliminating the crippling relay charges which all messages have to carry at present. It is the intention of the Administration to install wireless sets in each of the principal islands of the Northern Cook Group immediately the necessary Native operators have been trained to take charge of them. Suitable lads are now being selected for training. I hope soon, therefore, to end the long and oftentimes dangerous isolation of these remote atolls. The urgency of the need for bringing these islands into wireless touch with the outside world was again dramatically brought home to me on the arrival of the " Hinemoa " at Palmerston Island on the 13th May, during her recent leper cruise. I found the island completely devastated as the result of a great storm and tidal wave which swept over the atoll —during the daylight hours, fortunately —on the 31st March, and which left 105 men, women, and children homeless and foodless except for fallen coconuts and such fish as they could catch in the lagoon. Had the disaster occurred in the dark of night there would have been much loss of life and many maimed and broken bodies. May I add that, notwithstanding their wretched plight, I was greeted on landing by a smiling, cheerful, and happy people, who had no complaints or requests to make. I have in these annual reports for years past expressed my great dissatisfaction with the type of steamer provided for fruit transport during the Cook Islands orange season. I regret that lam still unable to report any improvement. On the contrary, the steamer engaged in this trade at the

I—A. 3.

A.—3

2

preseht time is even less suited for the work than her immediate predecessors. Until a vessel of proper design and reasonable speed is placed on the run our island producers must continue to suffer heavy financial losses, and the consumers in the Dominion to pay exorbitant prices for their tropical fruits. The handicap weighs most heavily on the growers of the outer islands of the Lower Cook Group. The Rarotongans are well served by the fast San Francisco mail-steamers, which provide an ideal, though limited, transport service to Wellington and South Island ports. The Cook Islands Administration has proved that Rarotongan fruit can be placed on retail sale in Dunedin seven days after it is placed on the mail-steamer. The Fruit-packing-shed Regulations have now been in operation for over twelve months, and experience has proved that the system has brough about an improvement in the quality and condition of the fruit when packed and prepared for shipment. Much yet remains to be done in this respect, but our chief need in order to ensure successful carriage and good market condition of the fruit on arrival is a suitable steamer. Such a vessel is long overdue, and I sincerely hope our island producers will not have to wait much longer for her. The value and importance of their trade deserve better treatment than has been accorded them up to the present. During the year Mr. G. N. Morris, for family reasons, relinquished his office as Resident missioner of Niue. He was succeeded by Mr. A. A. Luckham, who previously carried out the duties of Resident Agent at Aitutaki with great ability and success. I desire in conclusion to pay a sincere tribute to the Resident Commissioners and all officers of the Pacific Administrations under my control. They are carrying on their work under difficult and trying conditions with ability, zeal, sympathy, and success. New Zealand has every reason to be proud of these public servants, whose fine work is doing so much to earn her a foremost place amongst administrators of backward peoples. M. POMARE, Minister for the Cook Islands.

3

A.—3

REPORT OF COOK ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION. Rarotonga, 24th April, 1926. Finance. The financial year commenced with a credit balance of £5,491 3s. 9d. The revenue for the year amounted to £23,268 ss. Id., and the expenditure to £23,415 17s. Id. The details are shown in the Revenue and Expenditure Accounts which are set out hereunder, and from which it will be seen that the credit balance at the 31st March, 1926, was £5,343 lis. 9d. The cash in bank includes a sum of £500 granted by New Zealand towards the erection of a. fruit-storage shed at Avarua, the material for which is under order but not paid for. Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year ended 3.lst March, 1926. Revenue. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance as at 31st March, 1925 .. 5,491 3 9 Aitutaki—Salaries .. .. . . 620 010 Ammunition (profit on sales) .. .. 45 15 0 Aitutaki Wharf .. .. .. 77 211 Benzine (profit on issues) .. .. 715 7 Atiu—Salaries .. .. .. 48 10 0 Copra export duty .. .. .. 2,223 19 8 Audit fees ... .. .. ... 30 9 3 Customs duties .. .. .. 13,738 17 1 Atiu—New Building .. .. .. 6 7 8 Cinema licenses .. .. .. 15 0 0 Agricultural classes .. .. .. 26 6 0 Cartage, shooks .. .. .. 20 8 0 Contingencies .. .. .. 1,072 2 6 Dog-tax .. .. .. .. 183 10 0 Courts .. .. .. .. 1,287 19 1 Education, Northern Group .. .. 238 2 6 Connal Memorial .. .. ... 15 10 6 Fruit-inspection fees .. .. .. 898 19 5 Dunedin Exhibition .. .. .. 137 18 5 Film-censorship fees .. .. .. 14 5 5 Dental Account .. .. ... 155 13 9 High Court fees and fines .. .. 1,574 13 9 Education .. .. .. .. 1,163 6 7 Hall licenses .. .. . . 7 0 0 Experimental farm .. .. .. 269 12 2 Fruit-storage shed (grant) .. .. 500 0 0 Freezer .. .. .. .. 1,010 911 Liquor (profit on sales) .. .. 113 14 9 Furniture .. .. .. .. 339 811 Marriage fees .. .. .. 45 13 0 Freezer, new building .. .. 1,538 111 Motor fees .. • .. .. .. 102 5 0 Government buildings .. .. 1,369 11 9 Native Land Court fees .. .. 61 16 0 Governor-General's visit .. .. 8 14 9 Passport fees .. .. .. 30 2 0 Hospital .. .. .. .. 2,363711 Post-card saleg .. .. ~ 0 6 0 Hospital—New building .. .. 1,199 10 1 Post-office box rents .. .. .. 610 6 Lepers .. .. .. .. 400 0 7 Rents .. .. .. .. 356 0 0 Lunatics .. .. .. .. 98 0 2 Road rates .. .. .. .. 94 11 0 Mail subsidy .. .. .. 20 0 0 Shipping fees .. .. .. 5 0 0 Mangaia—Salaries .. .. .. 496 15 0 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. 1,292 211 Maniliiki and Rakahanga—Salaries .. 282 7 6 Stock (profit on issues) .. .. 18 11 4 Mauke —Salaries .. .. .. 344 0 0 Trading licenses . . .. .. 736 0 0 Mitiaro—Salaries .. .. .. 79 0 0 Water rates .. .. . . .. 439 2 0 Mauke—Cargo-shed . . .. .. 414 0 Wireless .. .. .. .. 498 4 2 Mauke —Tank .. .. .. 21 6 8 Penrhyn—Salaries .. .. .. 320 0 0 Police .. .. .. .. 1,026 5 0 Post-office .. .. .. .. 454 18 9 Printing .. .... .. .. 23 11 10 Prisoners .. .. .. .. 128 11 6 Public works .. .. .. 649 8 10 Pukapuka—Salaries .. .. .. 37800 Penrhyn—Boat .. .. .. 151 18 11 Pukapuka—House .. .. .. 148 3 10 Resident Commissioner's Office .. 1,415 17 6 Roads, bridges, and foreshore .. .. 2,174 15 0 Subsidy, flying-foxes ®nd rats .. .. 142 5 11 Superannuation .. .. .. 83 15 2 Telephones .. .. .. .. 179 3 2 Treasury and Customs .. .. 616 4 4 Trucks . . .. .. .. 316 3 2 Water . . .. .. .. 588 4 0 Whare, Manuhiri .. .. .. 110 4 1 Bad debts written off.. .. .. 21 17 3 23,415 17 1 Balance as below .. .. 5,343 11 9 £28,759 8 10 £28,759 8 10 Pabticulaks of Balance. £ s. d. Cash in bank .. .. .. .. .. .. 206 9 5 Cash in hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 667 19 10 Cash in hands of Resident Agents .. .. .. .. 80 17 4 £ s. d. Amounts due to C.I.A. .. .. .. 2,778 11 0 Less amounts owing by C.I.A. .. .. 867 14- 8 1,910 16 4 Fruit-case accounts .. .. .. .. .. .. 417 6 7 Stocks on hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,060 2 3 £5,343 11 9

A.—3

4

Tlie balance-sheet set out hereunder takes into account the value of all Administration assets throughout the Group as at the 31st March, 1926, and all liabilities, and shows an excess of assets amounting to £73,356 9s. 4d. Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1926. Liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Accumulated funds .. .. .. 73,356 9 4 Land and buildings .. .. .. 51,823 10 0 Sundry creditors .. .. .. 867 14 8 Waterworks, Rarotonga .. .. 5,425 0 0 Water-tanks, Outer Islands .. .. 1,775 0 0 Telephone system .. .. .. 600 0 0 Plant and tools .. .. .. 2,744 18 7 Office furniture and fittings .. .. 718 7 6 Furniture, household .. .. 3,661 1 6 Boats .. .. .. .. 380 0 0 Motor-vehicles .. .. .. 885 0 0 Fruit-cage accounts .. : . .. 417 6 7 Stocks on hand .. .. .. 2,060 2 3 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 2,778 11 0 Cash in hand (Resident Agents) .. 80 17 4 Cash in bank .. ... . . 206 9 5 Cash in hand .. .. .. 667 19 10 £74,224 4 0 £74,224 4 0 Trade. For the year ended 31st December, 1925, the value of imports was £130,609, and of exports £151,939, which shows an excess of exports amounting to £21,330. For the previous year the figures were : Imports, £138,202 ; and exports, £154,554. During the year 94,773 cases of oranges, 85,451 cases of bananas, and 61,064 cases of tomatoes were exported to New Zealand, the corresponding figures for the previous year being —Oranges, 177,396 cases ; bananas, 78,453 cases ; and tomatoes, 25,438 cases. The orange crop in Rarotonga, and also in the Group islands, was a poor one, as is shown by the fact that we exported 82,623 fewer cases of this fruit than for the previous year. On the other hand, we had a good tomato season, and exported 35,636 cases in excess of the previous year's total. We still continue to suffer through inadequate shipping services. From June last year the San Francisco mail-steamers provided space for only five thousand or six thousand cases of fruit ; and, as we were in the precarious position of getting only the space left after the discharge of the Tahiti cargo from San Francisco, representations were made to the Union Steamship Company which resulted in arrangements being made to reserve us ten thousand cases each ship, all the way from San Francisco. Although we are grateful for this concession, we require space for at least fifteen thousand cases per steamer during a normal orange season. The cargo service has for some years been maintained by slow and unsuitable vessels, causing great dissatisfaction amongst growers. Our prosperity rests entirely on the provision of suitable shipping, and it is simply a question of whether we are to stand still or whether we are going to make progress in keeping with our aims to be as self-supporting as possible. Apparently the steamship company at present engaged in the trade has no vessel which is entirely suitable for fruit-carrying, and unless our representations that such a vessel be provided are given effect to, then it is strongly urged that the Government should consider, in all its aspects, the provision of a suitable vessel as a State undertaking. Returns of imports and exports for the year under review, together with a summary of the same for the past eleven years, are attached hereto, from which it will be seen that our trade has been well maintained. Port of Avarua. Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1925. £ £ New Zealand .. .. . . 91,506 China . . .. .. . , 141 United States of America .. .. 17,034 Czecho-Slovakia .. .. .. 107 United Kingdom .. .. 10,949 Sweden . . .. .. 103 Australia .. . . .. 6,043 Norway . . .. .. 96 India .. .. .. .. 916 Italy ... .. .. .. 41 Tahiti .. .. .. •• 868 Holland.. .. .. .. 11 Switzerland .. .. . . 826 South Africa .. .. .. 10 Canada .. . . .. • ■ 700 Fiji . . .. .. . . 4 France .. .. . • • • 418 Singapore .. .. . . 2 Japan .. . . .. .■ 384 Germany .. .. .. 307 £130,609 Belgium .. .. .. • • 143 =====

5

A.—3

Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1925.

SUMMARY. £ Now Zealand .. .. .. .. 95,362 United States of America .. .. .. 41,483 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. 14,784 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. 310 £151,939

I Article. Where exported. | Quantity. Value. Cases. £ Bananas .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 85,451 33,893 Oranges .. .. .. „ .. !. 94,773 37,085 Tomatoes .. .. .. ,, .. .. 61,064 23,269 Tahiti .. .. .. 20 6 61,084- 23,275 Lemons .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 219 95 Marios .. .. .. ,, .. .. 55 13 Taro .. .. .. „ .. .. 3 1 Tahiti .. .. .. 12 3 15 4 Mandarines .. .. New Zealand .. .. 75 47 Kumaras .. .. .. ,, .... 16 4 Pineapples .. .. .. „ .. .. 20 5 Sacks. Cooontits .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 1,165 525 United States of America .. 1,063 362 2,228 887 Vanilla-plants .. . . Tahiti . . .. .. 556 218 Tons cwt. qr. lb. Coffee .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 4 11 0 8 425 Tahiti .. .. .. 0 17 3 12 83 5 8 3 20 508 Copra .. .. .. United States of America .. 2,164 1 0 24 41,121 United Kingdom .. .. 275 18 1 14 5,395 2,439 19 2 10 46,516 Pearls .. .. .. United Kingdom .. .. .. 9,389 £151,939

A.—3

6

Return of Imports and Exports for the Eleven Years 1915 to 192-5, inclusive.

Medical and Public Health. General health conditions in all the islands have been satisfactory during the year, the only sickness of an epidemic nature being a very mild outbreak of chicken-pox affecting Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and Mangaia. The new out-patients' building at the Rarotonga Hospital, which contains dressing-room, dispensary, consulting-room, dental surgery, laboratory, and storeroom, is now completed, and the alterations and additions to the main hospital buildings are almost finished. These comprise new side and back verandas of a width of 18 ft., giving a floor area of 1,508 square feet, which is available for convalescents, tubercular cases, &c. ; the enlarging of the operating-theatre, the provision of an additional European ward, new lavatories, bathroom, and other conveniences, together with the widening of the front veranda to 16 ft. These alterations and extensions have now given the Group a central institution well equipped and of modern design, and sufficient for the needs of the people for some years to come. Dr. S. M. Lambert, of the International Health Board (Rockefeller Foundation), made a health survey of Rarotonga and all the Lower Group islands during the months of November, December, and January last, and his report, which is printed as an appendix to this report is a most valuable one, and will be of great help to us in dealing with hookworm, yaws, filaria, and other tropical diseases. The removal of our lepers from all islands of the Group to the Fijian Leper-station at Makogai, where they will receive up-to-date treatment with every prospect of cure, has now been rendered possible by the recommissioning and transfer of the " Hinemoa " to the control of the Cook Islands Department. Arrangements have accordingly been completed for the transfer of these afflicted people in May of this year. The provision of the dental clinic which opened in June la.st has proved of great convenience and benefit to both adults and children, the latter receiving particular attention. From June to December of last year, and from February to 31st March, the attendances totalled 1,550, involving 2,106 operations. Two local probationers are now being trained at the dental clinic in Wellington, with an arrangement that when qualified their services shall be made available to the people of the Cook Islands. The following are extracts from the annual report of Dr. J. P. Donald, who has acted as Chief Medical Officer since Dr. Trotter's retirement last June :— " Dr. R. S. Trotter relinquished his appointment as Chief Medical Officer in June, 1925. Dr. L. L. Burton acted as Assistant Medical Officer from June to November. We will welcome the arrival of Dr. Ellison, the newly-appointed Chief Medical Officer, in Rarotonga, early in May. " Good service has been rendered during the year by the Matron of the Cook Islands Hospital, Miss Sisley ; and by the resident nurses —Miss Walshe in Aitutaki, and Mrs. McGruther in Mangaia. " For his work on hookworm disease Dr. S. M. Lambert has the gratitude of Maoris and Europeans, in that he has paved the way for a campaign against this disease, which is to be commenced immediately on the arrival of the necessarily large supply of drugs required for mass treatments of the whole population. Dr. Lambert's work and advice on other disease conditions, such as yaws, filariasis, &c., has also proved of great value. " Chiolten-pnx. —In Rarotonga, between September and December, there occurred an epidemic of chicken-pox, which affected both Native and European children. The disease ran a very mild course, there being very little constitutional disturbance. Only one case was observed to show febrile symptoms, the temperature reaching 100 deg. F. In August a similar mild epidemic occurred in Aitutaki; in October and November a few cases were reported in Mangaia. " Enteric Fever. —There were six cases in Rarotonga during the year, and all were admitted to hospital for the sake of isolating them. All recovered from the attack of the disease, though one died two months later from pulmonary tuberculosis, which he had contracted previous to the attack of enteric fever. " Tetanus. —No cases have occurred. A number of cases of earth-infected wounds have been given prophylactic injections of anti-tetanic serum. " Tuberculosis —Glandular and Pulmonary.—From the return showing causes of deaths under ' Vital Statistics ' it will be seen that pulmonary tuberculosis is responsible for 39-5 per cent. ; but

Year. | Imports. | Exports. Total Value. £ £ £ 1915 .. .. .. .. 65,590 63,057 128,647 1916 .. .. .. .. 58,478 68,146 [ 126,624 1917 .. .. .. .. 80,061 60,190 140,251 1918 .. .. .. .. 99,632 82,708 182,340 1919 .. .. .. .. 142,925 127,729 270,654 1920 .. .. .. .. 177,911 94,697 272,608 1921 .. .. .. .. 112,974 69,301 182,335 1922 .. .. .. .. 116,726 125,802 252,528 1923 .. .. .. .. 131,590 118,710 250,300 1924 .. .. .. .. 138,202 154,554 292,756 1925 .. .. .. .. 130,609 151,939 282,548

7

A.—3

this year is probably not ail average one, in that the cold weather of last winter caused the death of a number of old standing cases which had contracted the disease some years previously. However, pulmonary tuberculosis will remain a disease to be considered until the Maori learns how easily it may be contracted by living and sleeping in the same room as the sufferer. The teaching in the schools of the elementary laws of health will no doubt have much effect in a few years' time in checking the spread of such a disease as this. With the completion of the alterations to the hospital it will be possible to treat a limited number of early cases on the wide veranda. Thus not only will the patient have a better chance, but also —and more important—those who would otherwise be living in the same house will not be exposed to the risk of infection. " Yaws. —Primary and secondary yaws are not now a serious problem. Tertiary yaws are still prevalent. In the past year —in Rarotonga, 114 injections of N.A.B. have been given to eighty-five cases of yaws ; in Atiu, 77 injections to fifty-one cases ; in Mauke, 113 injections to sixty-eight cases ; in Mitiaro, 8 injections to eight cases. In Aitutaki and Mangaia the resident nurses have given injections to sporadic cases. In the past, using N.A.8., which costs about 6s. 6d. an injection, it has been necessary to concentrate on' cases of primary and seconds,ry and the worst of tertiary yaws, but by using " Bicreol," which costs about 3d. an injection, it will be possible during the coming year to treat all cases, even to those showing the most doubtful lesion of tertiary yaws. " Ankylostomiasis and Ascariatis. —Treatment of these diseases, using Dr. Lambert's method, has been commenced. All those who have asked for treatment have been given it. During the coming year it is hoped, by mass treatments of the whole population of these islands, to appreciably check this disease, which is such an important cause of ill health in the Maori. ■ " Quarantine. —Vessels from overseas to the number of forty-one have been granted pratique. " Native Sanitation.—Visits Of inspection from a public health point of view have recently been paid to the villages in Rarotonga and other islands. Their condition is very satisfactory. " Deaths (Maoris). —Percentage of deaths from different causes to total deaths, Rarotonga Island :— Pulmonary tuberculosis (note remarks under " Tuberculosis ") 39-5 Pneumonia (broncho and lobar) . . .. .. 9-3 Heart-failure (senile) .. .. .. .. .. 9-3 Cerebral hemorrhage .. .. . . .. .. 4-7 Rheumatic fever .. .. .. .. .. 4-7 General septic infection (due to injury) .. .. .. 4-7 Prematurity of birth .. .. . . .. 4-7 Other causes .. .. .. .. .. 23-1 100-0 " Percentage of deaths at different ages to total deaths : —• Number. Under 1 week .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 2-14 Prom 1 week to 1 month .. . . .. .. .. 7 3-74 From 1 month to 3 months .. .. . . . . 7 3-74 From 3 months to 6 months .. .. .. .. 3 1 -61 From 6 months to 12 months .. .. .. ..21 11-23 Under 1 year . . .. . . .. .... .. 22-46 From 1 year to 2 years .. .. .... .. 3 1-60 From 2 years to 5 years .. .. .. .. .. 9 4-81 From 5 years to 10 years . . .. .. . . 12 6-42 From 1 year to 10 years .. .. .. .. .. .. 12-83 Over 10 years .. .. .. .. .. .. 121 64-71 64-71 187 100-00 100-00 " Cook Islands Hospital.—Alterations to the hospital are nearing completion, so that it will now be possible to accommodate twenty to twenty-four in-patients, with two single-bed wards for European patients. " The new system of keeping stock of medical stores, as recommended by the Auditor, has proved most satisfactory. The Matron has operated the system, thus saving much time to the Medical Officers, and furthermore increasing efficiency, as she is permanently stationed in Rarotonga, whereas the Medical Officers in turn are away in the outer islands. Through careful ordering and accounting for all stock, a considerable saving in expenditure has been effected. " General attendance :— Maoris— Rarotonga — Out-patient attendance .. .. .. .. 4,336 Out-patient dressings .. .. .. .. 3,230 N.A.B. injections .. .. .. ... .. .. 114 Visits .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,752 9,432 xiitutaki (to 24-th December, 1925) .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,824 Mangaia (to 30th November, 1925) .. .. .. .. .. 2,684 Europeans .. .. .. .. . . .. .. , . ~ 697 In-patients : Maoris, 92 ; Europeans, 12."

A.—3

8

Vital Statistics.

Migration. The following return shows the migration, to and from Rarotonga from the Ist April, 1925, to the 31st March, 1926 : — Arrivals. —Europeans : Adults —86 males, 61 females ; children—lo males, 10 females. Natives : Adults —54 males, 42 females ; children—ll males, 11 females. Total for year, 288. Departures. —Europeans : Adults —77 males, 59 females ; children —15 males, 7 females. Natives : Adults —48 males, 29 females ; children —15 males, 14 females. Total for year, 264. Education. After several years of good work in the cause of education in Niue and the Cook Group, Mr. Evison retired in June last from the dual position of Superintendent of Schools and headmaster of the Avarua School, and Mr. H. Binsted was appointed to succeed him. In order that the Superintendent might direct all his energies towards the reorganization of staff in all schools, and at the same time lay down a foundation for the effective training of the Native teachers, it was decided in October last to separate the above positions and to appoint a qualified teacher to act solely as headmaster at Avarua. The need for a comprehensive and co-ordinated policy for the education of Natives in the South Seas Islands has long been recognized, and advantage was taken of the presence in New Zealand during the year of educational experts from Fiji, Samoa, and the Cook Islands to confer with the authorities in New Zealand on this important subject. This Conference was held in Wellington in January last, and after full discussion of all relevant matters the following policy was decided upon : — (1.) That instruction should be closely related to the Native environment and tradition. (2.) Nothing should be taught that is not serviceable to the Natives in their present social state, or is not likely to be serviceable in the near future. (3.) The system should aim to develop agriculture in its widest sense, and also the manual and domestic arts. (4.) The possibility of broadening and intensifying interest in village life by means of manual training, drawing and design, music and games, should be recognized. (5.) Prominence should be given to the teaching of hygiene. (6.) As far as practicable, instruction should be given in the English language and in the vernacular. (7.) That full and free scope be allowed for the observance of religious exercises. (8.) That, for a limited number selected by each Administration, special provision be made in the Islands for advanced classes that will enable such students to proceed to New Zealand and undertake higher and professional courses. The Conference was unanimous in the opinion that training of Native teachers should be undertaken by the Government. The Superintendent of Schools was asked to furnish the New Zealand Education Department with material of a suitable kind to enable text-books to be compiled in arithmetic. It was also agreed that the New Zealand Education Department should continue to arrange for the inspection of Native schools in Samoa and the Cook Islands by an officer of the Central Department. The report of the Superintendent of Schools in the Cook Islands shows that the attendance at the schools of the Lower Group totals 1,484, as against 1,361 for the previous year. The'staff comprises fifteen European teachers and thirty-six Native teachers. In addition there are some 370 children being taught in the mission schools in the Northern Group. These schools are subsidized by the Administration, and are under its control so far as inspection, instruction, and equipment are concerned. Pomare Medals and Vernon Reed Shield : There was again keen competition for these prizes, the provision of which has done much to stimulate the interest of both pupils and teachers. The following are extracts from the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools " Location of Schools. — In general it may be said that the school buildings are conveniently situated relative to the distribution of the population, which is comparatively stable in its location, although of a somewhat migrant nature.

Births. Deaths. Marriages. Name of Island. European. Maori. European. Maori. Remarks. — — European. Maori. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Rarotonga 1 3 66 60 3 1 40' .32 5 49 To 31st Mar., 1926. Aitutaki 23 20 .... 9 11 .. 13 To 30th Sept., 1925. Mangaia 22 12 .... 23 20 .. 7 ,, Atiu 18 18 .... 8 13 .. 3 „ Mauke 10 7 .... 8 7 .. 4 „ Mitiaro .. .. . . . . No returns. Manihiki 9 1 .. .. 3 2 .. 3 To 30th Deo., 1925. Rakahanga 6 5 .... 2 3 .. 5 ,, Penrhyn 1 3 3 3 5 .. 4 ,, Pukapuka 15 5 .... 7 4 .. 5 „ . Totals .. 2 3 169 131 3 1 103 97 5 93

9

A.—3

" Floor-space.—lt is generally agreed that for all the activities of a modern school a minimum of 15 square feet and 200 cubic feet be provided. "The following table shows that in Rarotonga the schools are well up to that standard, with the exception of two rooms \ and, as the School Committee is about to build three new separate class-rooms at one school and has already done so at another, Rarotonga will be able to claim a very valuable feature in school-construction. The table shows the position in December, 1925, for Takitumu, and March, 1926, for the other schools.

i J _ I The cubic capacity per child has not been calculated, but, as all the roofs are more than 10 ft. above the floor, it will be seen that there is more than the required volume of air for most class-rooms. No data for the outer islands is at present available. " Manual Arts. —In the case of Polynesian children education is even more dependent on the handling of materials and the use of the constructive tendencies than is the case with European pupils. Further, if the valuable elements of Polynesian culture are to be preserved, the schools are in a strategic position, for the introduction of Native handicrafts into the schools will provide one of the best mediums for the development of the Polynesian intelligence. " Equipment for woodwork has been supplied to most schools in the last few months. For some time the work will have to be carried out under difficulties—until the erection of workshops can be completed —but the enthusiasm of the teachers and the children suggests that very valuable results are likely to accrue from the close co-ordination of the school and the workshop. " Practically all schools are now supplied with the necessary implements for carrying out experimental and market gardening. In order to more fully realize the value of this valuable phase of education the schools in Rarotonga have secured the use of extra ground, so that, apart from decorative gardening, the school-grounds will be available almost entirely for physical activities. The following table shows the areas secured, the number of boys in Classes 3, 4, 5, and 6, and the area per child : —

" Domestic Arts. —Beyond needlework, no instruction is at present being given in any of the domestic arts, with the exception of one school. The erection and organization of cookery classrooms and classes will no doubt be proceeded with when the exact part to be played in the economy of a Polynesian household is more fully defined. Equipment in these and allied subjects is therefore not yet supplied. " Physical Activities. —The close of last year saw several successful school concerts held in Rarotonga and the Outer Islands, the money obtained being spent partly in the purchase of sports equipment and school libraries. The following sums were so raised : Mangaia, £54 ; combined schools in Rarotonga, £32 12s. 6d. ; European school in Rarotonga, £28 : total, £114 12s. 6d. " Status of Teachers. —The following table shows the educational and academic status of the European teachers in 1925 and 1926 : — Teacher's certificate — 1925. 1926. B 0 3 0 .. .. - • • ■ • • • • • • 2 3 D .. •• • • •• •• •• 6 4 No certificate .. .. .. ■ ■ • • .. 7 5 15 15 University degrees — • — — B.A. .. •• •• .. •• ■■ •• 0 2 B.Sc. .. • • ■ ■ ■ • 0 1 0 3 Public-school certificate — — • — Proficiency . . .. . . • • • • • • .. 7 6 Competency .. .. • • • • • • . . 1 1 No certificate .. .. ■ • • • • ■ .. 27 29 35 36

2—A. 3.

Classes. School. — Preparatory. Middle. Senior. Avarua . . . . . . . . 9-6 13-0 15'3 Arorangi . . . . . . . . 16-6 16-9 16-9 Takitumu . . . . . . . . 11-9 15-3 13-9 Titikaveka .. .. .. .. 15-0 14-4 14'4

School (Classef gfl, 5,6). Total Area " Area per Bo ySq. yd. Sq. yd. Arorangi • • • • • • • • 35 1,850 52-8 Avarua . . • • • • • • • • 32 3,200 100-0 Takitumu .. . . • • • • 45 920 20-4 Titikaveka .. •• •• 14 225 16-0

A.—3

10

" The twenty-nine Native teacliers who have no certificate vary considerably in scholastic attainments. One or two are at least the equal of those holding proficiency certificates. The majority, however, would have difficulty in passing a Standard 111 test in New Zealand. " It is proposed to establish a scheme of certification and classification, in conjunction with a well-organized system of instruction for teachers, which in the course of the next five years will gradually raise the standard of academic achievement throughout the Lower Group and possibly the Upper Group of islands. '' Need for Systematic Training in Art of Teaching. —The Native teachers have in most cases been associated for short periods with European teachers, but it would be erroneous to suppose that this constitutes training. A definite system has been worked out (and which is still in process of development) so that each pupil-teacher and probationer receives training in the art of teaching. What assistance has been given to the Native teachers in the past has been sporadic and unorganized. Moreover, the short staffing of all the schools has made training of teachers an extremely difficult undertaking. "An attempt is being made to inaugurate a system of training of Native teachers. The latter, under the guidance of head teachers, make a regular preparation of their daily lessons, entering their notes in a special notebook. Head teachers, where possible, make it part of their day's work to observe lessons given by Native teachers, criticize and enter suggestions in the teacher's notebook. This is followed up by further observations and suggestions, together with model lessons by the head teacher. " Supplementing the work of the head teachers in Rarotonga are the classes held on Saturday mornings by the Superintendent, who deals chiefly with methods of teaching. " In the other islands of the Lower Group the duties of the head teachers are somewhat more onerous, and, while the same system is to be carried out there as in Rarotonga, it is hojied to be able to bring promising teachers into Rarotonga to have a special course in teaching methods, and more especially in the teaching of infants. " Text-books. —While the provision of suitable text-books is an urgent necessity, the completion of the course of study on modern lines, which I am at present engaged on, will do much to relieve the situation. This is referred to under the heading of " Curriculum." " The Curriculum. —The Cook Islands are fortunate in having a concise and thoughtfully compiled course of study —one which was designed to meet the needs of a people whose lives are likely to be spent in isolation, but whose level of health and comfort, and whose ability to meet the problems of the future, may be materially affected by the course of study chosen for the schools. In the present curriculum the following subjects are included : English conversation, English composition, English reading, English spelling, English writing, arithmetic, physical instruction, manual arts, agriculture, needlework, Native arts, woodwork, basketry, nature-study, drawing, health and moral instruction, patriotism and citizenship, singing. " It will be seen that a wide programme is outlined here, and that, with the exception of geography, practically every subject of the elementary school curriculum is included. To some extent geography is included in the course in citizenship. It seems advisable to include both geography and history, as they meet important needs of the people. The time is not yet suitable for their inclusion, as the Native teachers have had no instruction in these subjects. As they are included in the proposed course for teachers' examinations, it should be possible to introduce satisfactory courses before long. In the meantime courses in both these subjects are being worked out at the European side school. " Agriculture and Nature-study.-— Of all the subjects in the curriculum this seems closest to the social and economic life of the people, and therefore most worthy of development. Unfortunately, only one school-ground has sufficient ground with which to carry out experimental and market gardening. As shown elsewhere, this is being remedied by the loan of suitable pieces of land convenient to the schools. With the help of Mr. Reid, agricultural expert, a new course in agriculture and nature-study has been drawn up, so that it is hoped to put these two subjects on a sound footing this coming year. " In conjunction with the school-work in agriculture it is desirable to encourage the application of lessons learned in school to work at the home. If this is done there is some guarantee that there is a carry-over of the school-work. If teachers can devise a system of home projects, such as raising a crop of tomatoes, revitalizing fruit-trees, rearing a litter of pigs, a brood of fowls, cultivating native vegetables, &c., a very valuable aspect of agriculture will be achieved. Similarly, collections of native flora, seeds of native trees, seeds of weeds, friendly and harmful insects, will broaden and illuminate the school studies, as well as providing a worthy use of leisure time. " Native Arts. —Studies in ethnology have shown that Native Arts have played a vital part in building up the social, moral, and industrial life of primitive races. Just what part they will play that will be of value to a race in close contact with European civilization is less clear. But there can be 110 doubt that there is still plenty of scope for the manufacture of mats, baskets, hats, canoes, paddles, the building of Native houses, &c. It seems that there is very valuable work to be done by the schools in restoring not only the Native arts to a healthy condition but of giving the Natives a new respect for their old crafts. " Manual Arts. —This important phase of education is also in need of organization. There is no doubt as to the valuable part they may play in the life of the people, and still less as to the value of handicrafts as an educational medium. As practically all schools are now supplied with tools for woodwork, this subject will probably begin to function effectively in the school life of the pupils. Wherever European women teachers are stationed needlework is being taught, and in one or two

11

L—3

cases Native teachers are carrying out the work. The new examination system will probably soon enable this work to be done largely by Native women teachers, under the supervision of European teachers. " School Journal. —Preliminary arrangements have already been made for the publication of a Cook Islands school journal. It will probably be necessary to limit the publication to six issues per annum. " Northern Islands. —Owing to the isolation of the Northern Islands, and the fact that they have not yet been visited by an educational officer, the curriculum is very vague. It is proposed to visit these schools during 1926, so that opportunity will be taken to study the needs of the people and to devise a curriculum that will serve, and to arrange for the training of the teachers." Public Works at Rarotonga. The Public Works Department at Rarotonga, under the able supervision of Mr. Reid, has carried out a large number of works during the year, the principal being as follows : — Hospital. —The new out-patients' building is now finished, and the alterations and extensions to the main building are well in hand. The amount expended to date is £1,874 4s. 9d. Refrigerator. —This is now completed. The old structure has now been replaced by an entirely new building, with Poilite roof, containing three insulated chambers', engine-room, &c. The new plant comprises engine, condenser, compressor, ice-tanks, and all necessary fittings. The old engine and compressor have been put into good repair, thus providing a reliable stand-by plant for emergencies. The total outlay is in the vicinity of £4,000. Roads and Bridges. —The main road round the island is being maintained in good repair by the Administration. 300 ft. of tramway, with double loading-loop, and two trucks, have been added to the plant. The policy of the Administration in regard to Tapere or district roads, which in nearly all cases serve only the Native families of the Tapere, is to build all bridges and culverts necessary, and to supply food for labour which is given voluntarily. Several Tapere roads have been put in repair during the year, as well as the Avatiu Valley Road. Two new bridges, with concrete piles and abutments and jarrah decking, have been erected in the Avatiu Valley, and one on the Ara Metua Road, near the mission grounds. The Avana Bridge, Avarua Bridge, Potai's bridge, and Connel's bridge have been repaired and substantially strengthened. New concrete culverts have been built at Matavera and Titikaveka. The amount spent out of local revenue on roads and bridges amounted to £2,174 15s. Water-supply. —The Titikaveka water-supply system was extended to Papua, a distance of two miles, at a cost of £378. New strainers have been provided for the Avarua and Ngatangiia systems. Gaol. —A new yard, with walls of reinforced concrete, 12 ft. high, has been erected, and new lavatories and other sanitary facilities provided : cost, £280. Telephone System. —Two miles of new line from Matavera to Ngatangiia have been erected. The Department has carried out a considerable amount of repair work rendered necessary by the recent storms. Beacons.-—Two pairs of leading-beacons have been erected for the Avarua anchorage, in accordance with the specifications supplied by H.M.S. " Laburnum." General.—-A- new slipway for the Administration boat has been built. Necessary extensions, costing £375, have been carried out at the Residency at Ngatipa. The retaining-wall on the foreshore, damaged by the storm, has been repaired at a cost of £72. The masts at the wireless stations at Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and Mangaia have been repainted with two coats of Feredor paint. Public Works at Group Islands. Pukapuka.—A residence has been erected for the Resident Agent. A concrete tank with a capacity of 5,000 gallons has been erected at the village of Loto. Mauke. —The school has been reroofed with iron, and an additional 2,500-gallon concrete tank provided there. Atiu. —A new road to the landing-place has been blasted through the coral wall, providing a shorter route for the carriage of cargo. The cargo-shed has been re-erected on a. more convenient site. A. new class-room has been added to the school, and a post-office building has also been erected near the Residency. Penrhyn. —The channel from the reef to the main village, a distance of one, and a half miles, has been rendered safer for navigation by the blasting out of coral heads and the provision of beacons. ManiKki. —Blasting operations have been carried out in the Tukao Channel. It is proposed this year to blast a new channel through the reef. Aitutaki. —The water-supply at this island has been considerably improved by the sinking of nine wells in the various villages. Pumps are being provided. The Amuri Road has been improved by a cutting, 210 ft. long, through the hill, and by fillings on either side of the hill over a distance of 400 ft. The cargo-sheds have been improved by the addition of verandas for the protection of fruit. Six concrete culverts have been built on the Amuri, Ureia, and Arutanga Roads, and the roads generally have been maintained in good order. A passenger and mail boat, and also a cargo-boat, together with a punt for the carriage of metal, have been built under the supervision of the Resident Agent. Considerable improvements which were made to the wharf were destroyed by the recent storm, necessitating the reconstruction of the greater part of the pier. This work is now in hand, and new rails are being laid. Blasting operations have been carried out in the main channel to the reef, and also the boat-passages at Tautu and Nikaupara, rendering them more navigable.

A.—3

12

High Court. Criminal Jurisdiction. —In Rarotonga the total number of cases heard for criminal offences breaches of regulations and of local ordinances, was 1,054 for the year, as follows : Manufacturing intoxicating liquor, 106 ; consuming intoxicating liquor, 578 ; drunkenness, 10 ; disorderly conduct, 3 ; cruelty to animals, 1 ; obscene language, 2; theft, 26.; animals trespassing, 100 ; illegally landing intoxicating liquor, 2 ; unlawfully importing intoxicating liquor, 4 ; gambling, 26 ; failing to register a dog, 21 ; assault, 17 ; resisting the police, 3 ; obstructing the police, 3 ; wandering animals, 2 ; wilful trespass, 11 ; attempted murder, 1 ; causing bodily harm, 1 ; attempted manslaughter, 1 ; adultery, 13 ; riding bicycle after sunset without conspicuous light, 12 ; escape from lawful custody, 4 ; breaking and entering, 1 ; contempt of Court, 1 ; unlawful damage, 1 ; wilful damage, 1 ; throwing stones, 2 ; threatening behaviour, 4 : driving motor-vehicles furiously, 2 ; attempt to carnally know a girl under the age of fifteen years, 1 ; tethering an animal upon the public road, 1 ; having in possession intoxicating liquor, 1 ; insulting language, 1 ; breaches of local ordinances, 49 ; breaches of Education Regulations, 19 ; breaches of Fruit Regulations, 21 ; breaches of Water-supply Regulations, 2 : total, 1,054. These cases were dealt with as follows : 828 defendants convicted and fined ; 145 defendants convicted and discharged ; 44 defendants convicted and sentenced to imprisonment ; 1 defendant convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon ; 20 cases dismissed ; 9 cases withdrawn ; 7 cases adjourned sine die. Civil Jurisdiction. —On the civil side 113 cases were heard at Rarotonga, as follows : 84 actions for debt and damages, in which a total of £1,462 13s. 7d. was claimed, judgments for plaintiffs amounting to £658 13s. sd. ; 12 applications for divorce ; 3 applications for maintenance ; 3 applications for letters of administration ; 2 applications for appointment of guardian ; 1 application for charging-order ; 7 judgment summonses ; 1 action for recovery of property. Native Land Court. During the year short sittings were held at Rarotonga, Mangaia, Aitutaki, and Atiu, and in addition a number of titles involved in former sittings were completed. Fees paid during the year amounted to £32 Is. 6d. Printing Department. The following is the value of plant, type, material, and printed stock on hand on the 31st March, 1926 : Jobs in hand, £6 lis. 3d. ; printed stock on hand for various departments, consisting of printed forms and books, £127 19s. 3d. ; bulk paper in stock, £55 ; printing plant, type, and printers' material, £384 Bs. : total value, £573 18s. 6d. The work has been carried out during the year under difficulties owing to the fact that we have not had a permanent printer since the death of Mr. Oscar Owen. Pure Pokia, one of our scholarship boys, who has received training in printing in New Zealand, has now been appointed as printer, and it is anticipated that the work of this department will in future be carried out with despatch and satisfactorily. Wireless Stations. The various services have been efficiently maintained. During the year an amateur transmitter was installed on the Island of Atiu, the efficiency of the set exceeding the most sanguine expectations. The Resident Agent, who acts as telegraphist, has succeeded in maintaining a reliable service with Rarotonga at all times. The three Native operators for staffing the Aitutaki and Mangaia Stations have each had periods of instruction at the Rarotonga Station. The policy of advancing these officers in practical and theoretical knowledge simultaneously is proving to be a most successful one. An additional Native boy has also been trained at the Rarotonga Station during the year, in order that a relief operator may be available for emergencies. Advantage was taken of the Press broadcast service commenced by Suva, and the expensive method of obtaining specially prepared cable news messages from New Zealand has been abolished. Provision was made early in the year for granting licenses for amateur receiving-sets, but, to date, no applications for same have been received. Arrangements are being made to provide at Rarotonga a modern low-powered high-frequency transmitter. Rarotonga will then be sufficiently powerful to communicate direct with the Wellington Station, and this, in addition to giving a much-desired service, will reduce the charges to New Zealand by 6d. a word. Postal Department. A new post-office has been opened at Pukapuka, which for this purpose has been renamed Danger Island. Money-orders to the value of £14,127 7s. 2d. were issued during the year ended 31st March, 1926, and for the same period orders to the value of £15,520 Is. sd. were paid. The balance to the credit of depositors in the Savings-bank as at the 31st March, 1926, was £20,740 ss. 9d., the excess of deposits over withdrawals for the year being £3,019 19s. 4d. Owing to the favourable conditions of investment provided by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department on our behalf, the operations of the Savings-bank show a credit balance in favour of the Administration of £207 18s. lOd.

13

A.-3

Rarotonga Fruit Company. Tlie operations of the company for the year ended 31st December, 1925, show further expansion. The fruit shipped totalled 22,271 cases, the net proceeds for which amounted to £6,710 12s. Bd., averaging a return of 6s. Id. per case, which is highly satisfactory. The growth of the company is shown by the following figures : In 1923 the company shipped 7,301 esses bananas and 3,035 eases oranges : total, 10,336 cases. In 1924 the company shipped 11,816 cases bananas and 2,744 cases oranges : total, 14,560 cases. In 1925 the company shipped 20,352 cases bananas and 1,919 cases oranges : total, 22,271 eases. Fruit Industry. In furtherance of the Packing-shed Regulations, sheds to the number of 184 are now distributed throughout Rarotonga, and are subject to regular inspection and supervision by the Fruit Inspectors. New regulations dealing with the licensing of fruit-buyers have been introduced by Order in Council. While the Fruit Inspectors are doing their best to ensure that all fruit for export is of good quality and is properly packed, we must of necessity rely to a considerable extent upon the honesty of the individual packer. Where ca-ses of fraudulent packing are discovered the offenders are invariably prosecuted. Experimental Nursery. The following is an extract from the report of the Director of Agriculture : — " The work at this station continues to progress. All the citrus-trees have been pruned. Several were topped, and later budded with mandarines and Valencia Lates. The following is a list of plants and seeds, &c., distributed free of cost: 54 plants of tropical fruits, 85 plants of ornamental trees, 60 commercial banana shoots, 130 tomatoes in lb. and lib. lots, 601b. Hickory King maize-seed, 9,800 kumara-plants. Collections of plants and seed have also been distributed to most of the islands in the Northern and Lower Groups. Collections of tropical-plant seeds were received from India and Hawaii, also kumara tubers from Hawaii. The schoolboys' sections were again successfully worked, eighty-six senior and junior boys attending. The senior boys carried out a variety test with tomatoes. It has again been proved that Cooper's Perfection and Half-caste are the two most reliable varieties to grow. The Avocado trees were in full bearing, and many boxes of this fruit were sent to New Zealand to test the market." Meteorological. The total rainfall at Avarua (Rarotonga) for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1926, was 74-89 in., the highest recorded for twenty-four hours being an abnormal fall of 10-05 in. on the Ist November, 1925. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade at 9 a.m. was 89-s°, on the 4th March, 1926, and the lowest 56-o°, on the 26th July, 1925. For the twelve-months period the mean of the maximum was 79-B°, and the mean of the minimum 68-4°. Storms. —On the 23rd December, 1925, a severe windstorm swept Rarotonga, doing considerable damage to the fruit crops, particularly bananas, and to the foreshore at Avarua. On the 31st March, 1926, the Group had a further visitation, and the wind on this occasion at times attained hurricane force. It was accompanied in its first fury by a tidal wave, and subsequently by huge seas. The tidal wave apparently had its start in the vicinity of Pukapuka (seven hundred miles north of Rarotonga), and, travelling southward, it overwhelmed Palmerston Island about 10 a.m. on the 31st March, reached Aitutaki about 6 p.m. on the same day, Rarotonga ahout 1 o'clock the following morning, and Mangaia some eight hours later. At Palmerston the whole atoll was and completely devastated ; every building with the exception of the church was wrecked ; most of the boats were destroyed ; hundreds of coconut-trees and all coconuts were brought down ; and all copra and movable possessions were swept away. It was entirely due to the fact that the disaster overtook the island in daylight that only one life was lost. A mound, 20 ft. high, in the centre of the inhabited island, barely provided a refuge for the 105 inhabitants. At Aitutaki the seas badly wrecked the concrete landing-pier, but otherwise little damage was sustained. At Rarotonga the huge wave, which unexpectedly swept in about 1 o'clock in the morning, made an almost clean sweep of the Union Company's lightering plant. Fortunately the new ferro-concrete wharf withstood the fury of the storm, which lasted until 2.30 p.m., but the adjoining small jetty and also the wharf at Avatiu Harbour suffered badly. Inshore serious damage was done to the fruit crops ; all the early tomatoes were lost, together with 75 per cent, of maturing bananas and 50 per cent, of the orange crop. The damage to coconut-trees was considerable. The foreshore at Avarua, which received the full brunt of the storm, was again severely battered. No serious damage was done at Mangaia.

A.—3

14

REPORT OF NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION. (Prepared from a Report from the Resident Commissioner to the Minister for Cook Islands.) Finance. The year commenced with a credit balance of £1,361 3s. lid. Revenue for the year amounted to £4,622 Is., the main items being — New Zealand Government grant, £2,100; Customs duties, £1,849 10s. 6d. ; copra export duty, £647 18s. 6d. ; aid to revenue, £482 ; stamp sales, £314 2s. 4d. Expenditure amounted to £3,079 17s. Bd., leaving a credit balance at 31st March, 1926, of £2,903 7s. 3d. Of this amount £1,000 is for the wharf-extension. Owing to a very severe drought, which extended from September to March last, I estimate the revenue for the coming year at not more than £4,000, and the expenditure at £4,300. Should the revenue exceed my expectations, additional amounts will be allocated to such works that demand immediate attention. Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Revenue. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance brought forward as at 31st March, Education .. .. .. .. 157 9 0 1925 .. .. .. . . 1,361 311 Foreman, Public Works .. .. 256 5 0 Aid to revenue .. .. .. 482 0 0 Furniture, officers'quarters .. .. 166 2 1 Ammunition Account .. .. .. 516 10 Government buildings .. .. .. 268 7 0 Copra export duty .. .. .. 647 18 6 Interpreter .. .. .. 132 0 0 Customs duties .. .. .. 1,849 10 6 Library .. .. .. .. 717 6 Dog-tax .. .. .. .. 49 0 0 Medical service .. .. .. 519 17 4 Fruit-inspection fees .. .. .. 18 5 5 Miscellaneous services .. .. ... 273 18 10 High Court fees and fines .. .. 131 12 0 Niue Island Council .. .. .. 45 0 0 Jetty Account .. .. .. Or. 925 15 2 Police .. .. .. .. 399 2 9 Licenses .. .. . . .. 177 5 0 Printing and stationery .. .. 98 3 6 Liquor Account .. .. .. 4 5 6 Prisoners—food and supervision .. 187 3 9 Native Land Court fees .. .. 15 0 Rent, officers' quarters .. .. 33 0 0 Registration fees .. .. .. 14 7 0 Reservoirs .. .. .. .. 148 9 8 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. 314 2 4 Roads .. .. .. .. 63 18 1 Superannuation Account .. .. Or. 017 9 Transport . . .. . . .. 175 5 5 Wireless Account .. .. .. Dr. 147 17 9 Balance— Cash in hand .. .. .. 1,132 16 3 Baisk of New Zealand .. .. 1,770 11 0 £5,983 4 11 £5,983 4 11 Estimate of Expenditure for Year 1926-27. Service. Amount. Education, Government schools . . .. .. . . 200 Education, London Missionary Society subsidy . . . . .. 500 Foreman, Public Works . . .. . . . . . . 275 Furniture .. . . .. . . . . . . . . 100 Government buildings . . . . . . . . .. 500 Interpreters . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 Wharf and extensions . . . . . . . . 1,200 Library . . . . .. .. .. . . .. 10 Medical service . . .. .. . . .. 1,200 Miscellaneous services .. . . . . . . . . 250 Niue Island Council .. . . . . . . . . . . 60 Police .. . . .. . . . . .. . . 400 Prisoners food, &c. . . . . .. . . . . . . 200 Printing and stationery . . . . . . . . . . 100 Rent, officers' quarters .. . . . . .. . . 33 Reservoirs . . .. . . . . " . . . . . . 100 Roads .. . . . . .. . . .. . . 400 Transport . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 200 Wireless Account . . .. . . . . .. Dr. 150 6,013 Less New Zealand Government grants : — Wharf (included in credit balance carried forward from 1925-26) 1,000 Medical subsidy . . .. . . .. . . 250 London Missionary Society subsidy . . .. . . 500 1,750 £4,263 Shipping. Eleven vessels visited Niue during the year. The New Zealand Government steamer " Hinemoa " made six trips to Niue from Auckland; the s.s. " Navua," the mission steamer "John Williams," and the yacht " Kaimiloa " called once each ; and in addition H.M.S. " Dunedin " and 11.M.5.

15

A.—3,

" Veronica " both paid' their annual visits to Niue. Passing vessels within sight of Niue —s.s. " Wairuna," s.s. " Waiotapu," and s.s. " West Nilus " —all offered to take mail for New Zealand. This year saw the advent of the New Zealand Government steamer service, which has been the means of solving the ever-recurring difficulties of a regular connection that has surrounded this service in the past. Nevertheless it brought its difficulties. In the past, vessels called regularly at Tuapa and Avatele, as well as Alofi, to discharge and load. With the steamer service all inward and outward cargoes must come to Alofi; transport difficulties and facilities for handling and storing presented themselves. The New Zealand Government has met this difficulty by generously granting the sum of £2,100 for extensions to the present wharf and additional copra, fruit, and bond sheds, and also by presenting a second motor-truck for transport purposes. With these increased facilities it is now possible to turn the steamer about in two days, whereas previously it took five days. I wish to express on behalf of the island our gratitude for the generous assistance which the New Zealand Government has given us. As in other islands in the Pacific, occasional Sunday work is inseparable from a steamer service, and it was found necessary to work the steamer on Sunday, 13th September last. The call for labour was well responded to : the steamer was loaded and able to get away that evening. On Monday, 14th September, the local missionary wrote to me protesting against my action of working the steamer without first consulting him. On Friday, 25th September, this gentleman called a meeting of the deacons and office-bearers of the various Churches on the island. At the meeting he placed before them a petition, which had been written out by one of the Native pastors at the dictation of himself, against working the steamer on the Sabbath. He got them to sign the petition, purporting to come from the Niue Island people as a whole: this he forwarded direct to you and not through the proper channel—i.e., the Island Council, who are the elected representatives of the people. When the petition was returned to me for report, a special meeting of the Council was called on Friday, 6th November, at which it was ascertained that the petition was not one from the people as a whole, but one from the Church deacons, formulated by the missionary, and resolves into a question of Church versus steamer service. Had the petition been one from the people it would have been put through the Island Council in a proper manner. The petition was signed only by office-bearers of the Church under fear that if they did not sign it they would lose their office in the Church. A full report on this matter was forwarded to you.

Schedule showing Tonnage of Cargoes carried by New Zealand Government Steamer "Hinemoa" to and from Nine for the Period 19th June to 31st December, 1925. IMPORTS.

EXPORTS.

I " ~ ~ ~ I Date ° f Vessel i General Timber Con] i Total Arrival. VesseL J Cargo. Umber. Goal. , Tonnage _ I I I I I Tons. Sup. ft. Tons. 8/5/25 S.s. " Navua" .. .. .. 34 .. .. 34 19/6/25 N.Z.G-.s. " Hinemoa" .. .. 122 4,000 5 142 20/7/25 „ .. ..84 3,300 59 150 12/9/25 „ .. .. Nil. (Prom Makogai.) 30/9/25 „ .. ..102 11,500 15 123f 3/11/25 „ .. ..48 2,600 .. 60 4/12/25 „ .. ..45 1,578 3 51J 401 22,978 82 527

t-» I i ' Hflits 3iiid r p . . Departure. 1 Vessel ! Co P ra ' Fruit " Fun s us '| j Coal " Tonnage. _ . Tons. cwt. qr. Cases. Tons. ! Tons. 8/5/25 S.s. " Navua " .. .. Nil. 23/6/25 N.Z.G.s. " Hinemoa" .. 158 12 1 573 ]94+ 22/7/25 „ .. 140 13 3 595 12 13 .. 202i 13/9/25 „ 85 19 2 1,303 H 6* 40 215* 2/1Q/25 „ 136 2 2 476 3 3| 172J 4/11/25 ,, .. Nil. (To Makogai, with lepe rs.) 15 15 5/12/25 „ .. 126 11 0 1,053 1J 6 .. 199J 647 19 0 4,000 17| 28| 55 999| SUMMARY. Inwards, 527 tons ; outwards, 999| tons : total, 1,526J tons.

A.—3

16

Trade. Imports for the year 1925 totalled £18,747, as against £16,788 for 1924-. Exports amounted to £17,429, as against £14,608 for 1924, of which £17,320 went to New Zealand and £109 to Western Samoa. The main items of exports were —Copra, 647f tons ; bananas, 4,000 cases ; basketware and mats, 213§ dozen ; hats, 2,801f dozen ; and fungus, 6,523 lb. Owing to the severe drought experienced from the Ist September to the 14th March, which seriously affected the native food crops, coconut-trees, and banana-plants, prospects for the comingseason are not so bright as I would wish. The majority of these crops are beginning to recover a little after the recent rains, and it is hoped that the outlook will improve as the season advances. Although we have suffered from the drought, we consider that we have got off very lightly in comparison to what Samoa and the eastern Cook Group have suffered through hurricanes and gales.

Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1925.

Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Agricultural produce .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 119 Ale and stout .. .. .. .. ,, . . .. .. .. 25 Apparel n.e.i. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 1,050 Western Samoa .. . . 4 United Kingdom . . .. 132 Australia .. . . .. j 31 Tonga .. . . .. 20 Jaj>an .. . . .. 44 U.S. America, West Coast .. 48 1,329 Arms, ammunition, and explosives .. .. New Zealand . . . . .. .. 302 Bacon and ham .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 17 Australia .. .. .. 4 21 Bags and sacks .. .. .. ... ! New Zealand .. . . .. 718 United Kingdom . . . . 3 Australia .. .. .. 112 833 Beverages, non-alcoholic .. .. . . New Zealand .. .. .. . . 13 Bicycles and parts .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 172 Biscuits .. .. .. • • ,, .. .. .. .. 714 Blue .. .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 27 Boots and shoes .. . . .. . . ,, .. .. .. 186 United Kingdom .. .. 18 Australia .. .. .. 2 206 Brushware .. .. .. . . New Zealand .. .. .. 29 Australia .. . . .. 1 — 30 Butter and cheese .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 167 Australia .. .. .. 15 182 Carriages and parts.. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. . . .. 67 Cement .. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 283 Confectionery n.e.i. .. .. .. ,, .. . . .. 171 Australia .. .. .. 2 173 Cordage and twine .. .. .. .. New Zealand . . . . .. 66 United Kingdom .. .. 18 Australia .. . . .. 30 — 114 Cotton piece-goods n.e.i. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 1,461 Western Samoa . . . . 10 United Kingdom . . .. 1,369 Australia .. .. .. 15 Tonga .. .. .. 10 U.S. America, West Coast .. 13 2,1378 Cotton, sewing .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 46 United Kingdom .. .. 57 103 Crockery and glassware .. .. .. New Zealand .. . . .. .. 38 Cutlery .. .. .. .. .. ,, .. . . .. 41 United Kingdom . . .. 5 Australia .. .. .. 21 67

17

A.—3

Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1925 —continued.

3—A. 3.

Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Drapery n.e.i. .. . . .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 142 Western Samoa .. .. 4 United Kingdom .. .. 134 Australia .. .. .. 2 282 Drugs and druggists' sundries .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 293 United Kingdom . . .. 11 304 Fancy goods n.e.i. . . .. .. .. New Zealand .. . . .. 202 Western Samoa .. . . 1 United Kingdom .. .. 59 Australia .. .. .. 19 U.S. America, West Coast .. 1 282 Fish, preserved .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 302 Australia .. .. .. 9 311 Fish-hooks .. .. . . .. New Zealand .. .. .. 27 United Kingdom .. .. 26 53 Flour .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 232 Australia .. .. .. 70 302 Fruits — Dried .. . . .. . . .. New Zealand .. .. .. 13 Australia .. .. .. 3 16 Fresh .. .. .. . . .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 54 Preserved .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 62 Australia .. .. .. 3 65 Furniture n.e.i. . . .. . . .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 104 Glass, sheet .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 9 Hardware n.e.i. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 359 Australia .. .. .. 50 409 Hats and caps .. .. .. . . New Zealand .. .. .. 50 United Kingdom .. .. 9 59 Hosiery .. .. . . .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 31 United Kingdom .. .. 42 73 Instruments, musical, n.e.i. .. . . . . New Zealand .. .. .. .. 6 Iron — Galvanized corrugated roofing .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 476 Tanks . . .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 50 Wire netting .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 16 Manufactured articles n.e.i. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 7 Jam .. .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 28 Australia .. .. .. 5 33 Joinery n.e.i. .. .. .. . . New Zealand .. .. .. .. 6 Lace .. .. .. .. .. ,, • ■ ■ ■ • • 12 United Kingdom .. .. 63 75 Lamps, lanterns, and lampware .. ... New Zealand .. .. .. 50 United Kingdom .. .. 2 52 Machines, sewing .. .. .. .. New Zealand . . .. .. 30 Australia .. .. .. 25 55 Machinery, radio .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 59 Matches . . . . .. . • .. ,, • ■ ■ • 350 Australia .. .. .. 34 384 Meats, preserved .. .. . . .. New Zealand . . .. .. 1,340 Australia .. .. .. 1 1,341

A.—3

18

Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1925 —continued.

Article. j Whence imported. Value. £ £ Meats, salted .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 135 Milk, preserved .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 192 Australia .. .. .. 16 208 Motor-veliioles and parts .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 507 Australia .. .. .. 2 509 Nails .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 89 Oils —Kerosene and benzine .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 404 Australia .. .. .. 13 Fiji .. .. .. 24 441 Oils n.e.i. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 55 Australia .. .. .. 1 56 Paint and varnish .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 59 Australia .. .. .. 2 61 Paper, wrapping .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 10 United Kingdom .. .. 3 13 Perfumed spirits .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 15 Australia .. .. .. 1 Tonga .. .. .. 18 34 Perfumery n.e.i. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 62 American Samoa . . .. 2 64 Photographic materials .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 13 Pipes, tobacco .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 16 Potatoes and onions .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 49 Australia .. .. .. 4 53 Provisions n.e.i. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 234 Australia .. .. .. 6 240 Rice .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. . . 189 Rugs „ 72 United Kingdom .. .. 7 Australia .. . . .. 13 Tonga .. .. .. 6 98 Saddlery and harness .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. . . 24 Salt .. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 4 Silk „ 33 Australia .. .. .. 3 36 Soap .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand . . .. .. 299 Australia .. .. .. 4 303 Specie .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 684 Spirits —■ Brandy .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 11 Gin and geneva .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 3 Whisky .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 3 Stationery and books .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 219 United Kingdom .. .. 88 Australia .. .. .. 28 335 Sugar .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 174 Australia .. .. .. 3 177 Tea, coffefe, and cocoa .. .. . .. New Zealand .. .. .. 70 Australia .. .. .. 6 76 Timber, sawn .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 466 Timber, banana-cases .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 420 Tobacco, cigarettes, &c, .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 219 Australia .. .. .. 952 1,171

19

A.—3

Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1925 —continued.

SUMMARY. £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 14,953 Western Samoa .. .. .. .. . . 19 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. 2,056 Australia .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,550 Fiji .. .. .. .. .. .. 24 Tonga .. .. .. .. . . .. 37 Japan .. .. .. .. . . .. 44 United States of America, West Coast . . .. 62 American Samoa .. .. .. . . . . 2 £18,747

Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1925.

SUMMARY. £ New Zealand . . .. .. . ■ 17,320 Western Samoa . . . . .. . .. 109 £17,429

Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Toilet preparations n.e.i. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 18 United Kingdom .. . . 2 Australia .. .. .. 7 27 Tools n.e.i. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 47 | United Kingdom .. .. 2 Australia .. .. .. 5 | 54 Trunks and portmanteaux .. .. .. i New Zealand .. .. . . .. 16 Typewriters and parts .. .. .. ' „ .. .. .. 39 Australia . .. .. 11 50 Umbrellas .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 63 United Kingdom .. .. 6 —— 69 Vegetables, preserved .. .. .. New Zealand .. . . 18 Australia .. .. . . 2 20 £18,747

Article. Where exported. Quantity. Value. £ £ Bananas .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 4,000 cases .. 1,457 Baskets .. . . . . ,, . • . . 153f dozen .. 144 Brushware . . .. .. ,, . . . . 7 cwt. .. 21 Coconuts . . . . • . ,, ■ • • ■ 9 sacks .. 6 Copra .. .. .. ,, .. .. 647f tons .. 13,863 Fancy goods . . ... ,, . • .. . . .. 32 Fans .. . . . . ,, • ■ . ■ 10 dozen . . 7 Fungus .. .. ,. ,, .. .. 6,523 lb. .. 263 Furniture .. .. . ,, •• ... .. .. 110 Hardware ,. . ■ ... ,, . . .. .. .. 5 Hats .. .. ,, ■■ .. 2 5 801J dozen .. 1,347 Mats, table .. .. .. ,, .. .. 60 ,, .. J3 Meats, preserved .. . . ,, . . . . . .. 2 Motor-vehicles and parts . . ,, . . .. .. .. 8 Stationery .. .. . . ,, .. . • . . . . 28 Taro and yams •• •• ,, •• •• 4 cwt. 4\ 11 „ Western Samoa .. .. 107 ,, 109 j Typewriters and parts . . New Zealand . . . . . . . . 10 £17,429

20

A.—3

High Court and Native Land. Couet. . Criminal cases for 1925 totalled 296, as against 402 in 1924. As usual, the bulk of these were offences against morality, and there was very little that could be called serious crime. Fees and fines collected amounted to £131 12s. ; Civil work was negligible in quantity. In the Native Land Court no business was transacted.

High Court. Return of Criminal Cases for the Year ended 31st December, 1925.

Return of Civil Cases. Judgment. Dismissed. Total. Debt and damages .. .. .. .. ..11 .. 11 Divorce — Decree nisi .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Decree absolute .. .. .. .. 12 .. 12 Totals .. .. .. .. 24 .. 24 Niue Island Council. The term of office of the old Council expired on the 31st December, 1925, and an election of new members was held on the 20th, 22nd, and 23rd January. It has been found necessary to draft an Ordinance to encourage and control the cultivation and planting of lands by the Natives ; this, together with an Ordinance renewing the Aid to Revenue Ordinance for a further term, will be placed before the Council at its next meeting. Under the latter Ordinance all Native males over eighteen years pay an annual tax of 10s., aged and infirm excepted. Population. The following table shows the births, deaths, and marriages for the past six years Births. Deaths. Marriages. 1920 .. .. .. ..92 104 45 1921 .. .. .. .. 103 I 97 46 1922 .. .. .. ..99 fB2 47 1923 .. .. .. .. 106 103 42 1924 .. .. .. .. 114 69 49 1925 .. .. .. .. 106 63 41 As to migration, 20 persons, including 15 Europeans, arrived, and 77 persons, 15 being Europeans, departed. There is an increase, therefore, to record of 43 on vital statistics, and a decrease of 57 on

Male. Female. Offence. — Total. Convicted. Acquitted. Convicted. Acquitted. Cook Islands Act: —- Assault .. .. .. 29 1 13 .. 43 Indecent assault .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 Disorderly conduct .. .. 14 2 14 1 31 Adultery .. .. . . 48 2 47 2 99 Theft ...... 17 1 5 2 25 Burglary .. .. .. 2 .. .. .. 2 Obscene language .. .. 8 4 .. 12 Mischief .. .. .. 2 .. 1 .. 3 Libel .. .. .. 1 .. 4 .. 5 Wandering animals .. .. 10 .. 2 . . 12 Trespass .. .. .. 6 ... 4 .. 10 Indecency .. .. .. 1 .. 1 .. 2 Under Regulations : —• Fruit-inspection . . . . 1 .. .. .. 1 Under Ordinances : —• Suppression immorality . . 19 3 19 j 3 44 Fish protection . . .. 1 .. .. j .. 1 Road-cleaning .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Debt limitation .. .. .. 2 .. . . 2 Public health .. .. 1 .. . . . . 1 Copra .. . . . . 1 .. .. .. 1 Totals .. .. 162 11 115 8 296

21

A.—3

migration, making a total decrease of 14. The population at the 31st December, 1925, was 3,830, and at the 31st March, 1926, there is a decrease to 3,824. The death figures for the year are the lowest recorded in the history of the Administration, while it will be seen that the births are of the average.

Return of Vital and Migration Statistics for the Year ended 31st December, 1925.

I I I ! ! Return of Marriages for the Year 1925. Marriages performed by — London Missionary Society .. .. .. .. .. .. 34 Resident Commissioner .. .. .. .. .. . . 4 Registrar .. .. . . .. .. ■ ■ • ■ .. 3 Total . . . . . . . . 41 Return of Deaths at Different Ages, 1925. Under 1 year .. .. .. 9 35 to 39 years .. . . 4 Ito 4 years .. • • • • 3 40 to 44 years . . .. 1 sto 9 years .. -. .... 45 to 49 years .. .. .. 2 10 to 14 years .. . . 1 50 to 54 years . . . . 3 15 to 19 years .. .. .. 2 55 to 59 years . . . . 2 20 to 24 years .. .. .... 60 years and over .. .. 29 2-5 to 29 years ...... 5 — 30 to 34 years .. .. .. 2 Total .. 63 Medical Service. Daring the year the health of the island has been good, there being no epidemics of any kind. The deaths were 63, as against 69 for 1924 ; most of the deaths were those of persons over sixty years of age. Child Welfare : This is a matter which is receiving great attention from both Dr. Boyd and Sister Bntler, and both are doing good work in this special branch. The infant mortality in Niue is fairly low, but with greater care and attention on the part of the mothers a greater number of infants might be saved. The chief trouble appears to be that the newly born children are left to the care of old women who chew taro and other indigestible products and then give it to the babies. Many young mothers are not over keen to supply the natural food to their babies, and resort to artificial feeding on sweetened condensed milk. The police and Councillors have been specially warned to look out for this, and any cases that come under their notice are to be reported to the Medical Officer when he pays his weekly visit to their village. Both the Tufukia and Hakupu Schools are being visited periodically by the Medical Officer, and the children inspected. A number of cases of yaws have been detected at these inspections, and all of these have received injections of Salvarsan. Yaws is no longer a serious matter. Dr. Boyd during the vear has carried out a campaign against skin trouble, and has brought about a marked improvement by issuing to the teachers in both European and Native schools supplies of sulphur done up in a palatable state. The daily administration of this has proved to be exceedingly beneficial in irritable skin conditions, which are common amongst children up to the age of fifteen years. In August last another case of leprosy was found, in a young girl of twelve years, and she was immediately isolated in the hospital grounds. In November last the two lepers then in isolation were transferred on the " Hinemoa " to the Makogai Leper Station, Fiji. The following figures show the volume of work carried out during the year : —■ Patients admitted to hospital .. .. . . .. .. 205 (Average duration of stay was nineteen days.) Patients treated at dispensary and out-patients department .. .. 2,770 Patients treated in their villages .. .. .. .. .. 677 Patients treated for yaws and other conditions by injections .. .. 199 Patients treated for gonorrhoea (males and females) . . . . .. 37 Dr. Boyd's report, which deals in detail with the work of the year, is attached hereto : —• " The general health of the island has been good, there being no epidemics of any kind. "Of all the conditions demanding attention, constipation headed the list. Amongst these people this condition is most marked, and in some cases it causes considerable distress. It arises largely

Aboriginal Natives. Persons other than Aboriginal Natives. Total. Male. Female. Male. Female. Births .. .. .. 49 56 1 .. 10(5 Deaths .. .. 34 29 .. .. 63 Arrivals .... 5 .. 10 5 20 Departures .... 39 23 10 5 77

A.—3

22

from excessive overeating and irregularity of meals. This fact is well borne out by the absence of the condition in those who stay in hospital for any length of time, where they receive daily three ordinary meals. " Several cases of pneumonia received attention, and all these did well and made good recoveries. In all cases it was the basal lobes that were picked out, and in no case has one encountered the severe type that is met within New Zealand. Judging from the inseverity of the attacks here, one would say that recovery is almost certain where the proper care and treatment is administered. " Nine fresh cases of pulmonary tuberculosis were met with, and from this condition there were nine deaths in old standing cases. In some cases where there was hsemoptosis with marked clinical symptoms the recovery was remarkable, and therefore one tends to suspect another infective agent, possibly bronchial spirochsetes. " One case of glandular tuberculosis was treated, and one of tuberculer peritonitis, which died. Both were in young children. " The deaths numbered 65, as compared with 69 last year, and most of the deaths were of persons over sixty. " Neglect of the Sick and Aged. —At times one encounters marked cases of neglect, especially of the aged. ' Only an old person 'is an expression one commonly hears. In several instances one feels that this callous indifference has been a potent factor in the cause of death. With reference to the sick the negligence arises mostly in failing to send for the Medical Officer until the patient is in extremis. " Care of the Infants. —This is a matter which is receiving great attention, and in this connection Sister Butler is doing admirable work. There is no doubt that several young weakly babies would have died if it had not been for the careful and untiring attention they received from the Sister. Young mothers are too prone to leave the care of their newly born children to old women who chew taro and other indigestable products and then give it to the babies. Many mothers are not over keen to nurse their children, and artificial feeding on sweetened condensed milk is too often resorted to. One would attribute this largely to laziness. In all cases where the natural means of feeding is available it is most emphatically insisted upon. Glaxo is not stocked by the traders, so a stock is kept at the hospital, and this can be purchased by the Natives at landed cost. Feeding-bottles are given out free, and Sister Butler gives instructions as to their use and the means of keeping them clean. " Premature and weakly infants, and babies whose mothers cannot supply the natural food, are brought to hospital for three months. This gives these children a good start, which they would not receive in their homes. At the end of the term mentioned the female who is to have the future care of the child is brought into hospital for one week, and receives instructions as to how to carry on. When the child is returned to its village it is brought to the car on the days of the island round, so that progress may be noted. " The deaths in children under one year were nine, and of these some were victims of the old custom of feeding already referred to. " Venereal Disease. —Thirty-seven cases of gonorrhoea came up for treatment. There is still a tendency to conceal this condition and to tinker about with Native remedies. The police have done good, work in bringing suspects up for examination. In all instances both parties were treated, and if a sufferer refused to divulge the name of the individual conveying the infection threats of punishment brought to light the other offending party. The gonorrhoea is of a mild type, and in the male rarely gives rise to the disability of stricture. " Eye Conditions.—The severe epidemic of conjunctivitis that occurred last year and kept us so busy at the hospital was not in evidence this year. " Skin Conditions. —A few cases of scabies were treated. The Alofi and Hakupu schools were entirely cleaned of any skin-disease, and attention has also been paid to the London Missionary Society subsidized schools. Periodically sulphur in a palatable form has been issued to the teachers, and each child receives a course of sulphur. This has proved beneficial. " Treatment of Yaws. —For this condition 199 injections of Salvarsan were given. " Weekly Rounds. —The usual rounds of the outlying villages were made twice weekly, when drugs were left at the respective villages, the sick attended to, and houses inspected. Patients treated in their villages numbered 677. " Hospital. —The Natives now come in willingly when advised to do so. Persuasion has to be resorted to only amongnt the older folks, who seem loath to leave their fales (houses) when sick. The number of patients admitted to hospital was 205, and average duration of stay was nineteen days. 2,770 visits were made to the dispensary and surgical out-patients department. " In August another leper case, in a girl of eleven years, was detected and isolated in the hospital grounds. In November the two cases then in isolation were removed to Makogai. " The work of the staff of Native nurses has been highly satisfactory. One of the nurses left towards the end of the year, and her place was filled by a senior pupil of the Tufukia School. " The smoothness with which this institution has been run during the past year is due entirely to the good work of Sister Butler, who deserves much praise for the manner in which she has trained the Native nurses and for the high efficiency to which she has brought them. Her admirable work amongst infants has already been referred to. " Before closing this report I desire to mention the excellent help Mr. A. McKenzie, headmaster, Tufukia School, is rendering the medical staff by the lively interest he is taking in our endeavours to break down old injurious customs. Improvements in certain sections of our work will come only by the way of education and patient work on the minds of the young. Any subject connected with the medical department which can take the form of a lesson is eagerly seized upon by Mr. McKenzie and

23

A.—3

communicated to his pupils, and any article on general health, &c., in the local monthly London Missionary Society journal is always brought to the special notice of his children. We cannot speak too highly of the help he is rendering." Postal. . The following figures show the postal business transacted during the year, the total volume of business amounting to £6,640 2s. 10Jd., as against £5,566 3s. 7d. for 1924 : — £ s. d. Money-orders issued .. .. . . .. . . 1,523 6 8 Money-orders paid .. .. .. .. . . .. 836 410 Savings-bank deposits .. .. .. .. .. 2,643 15 0 Savings-bank withdrawals .. . . .. . . .. 222 17 11 New Zealand postal notes issued . . .. . . . . 62 10 3 New Zealand postal notes paid . . .. . . . . 11 10 11 British postal orders paid . . . . .. . . .. 5 16 3. Miscellaneous payments .. .. .. .. .. 909 5 01Stamp sales . . . . . . .. .. .. 424 16 0 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £6,640 2 10|Meteorological. Summarized, the readings for 1925 are as follows :—Barometer: Mean for year, 30-03. Thermometer : Highest, 98, in March ; lowest, 58, in July, August, and September ; mean maximum, 85-05 ; mean minimum, 69-23. Rainfall, 52-81 in. Rain fell on 128 days. As previously mentioned, there was a severe drought lasting from the Ist September, 1925, to the 14th March, 1926. Apart from tins there is nothing special to chronicle. The hurricane season passed without any serious blow. Except for a north-westerly gale and heavy seas in the first week of February, shipping could have been worked throughout the season.

Meteorological Return for the Year ended 31st December, 1925.

Wibeless. The wireless station has worked smoothly throughout the year. The following figures show the volume of work transacted during the period, excluding Press : —

It is not to be expected that the station will pay its way with such a small community, but nevertheless the loss annually should be small, while the benefits of this installation cannot be measured in terms of money.

Temperature. Number of Maximum Month. Barometer. t> • f n Days Rain on any Jtvainiaii. •.! -n • n Maximum. Minimum. with Rain. one Day. . I | 0 Pah. ° Pah. Inches. Inches. January . . .. 29-91 95 70 9-61 15 2-91 February . . .. 29-97 96 72 3-59 13 0-95 March ' . . .. 29-95 98 68 14-01 19 3-79 April .. .. 30-05 91 66 5-15 18 0-76 May .. .. 30-08 88 63 3-11 13 1-43 June .. .. 30-05 87 59 1-40 8 0-30 July .. .. 30-09 82 58 2-65 10 1-25 August .. .. 30-06 87 58 7-95 6 6-75 September .. .. 30-11 88 58 0-78 5 0-27 October .. .. 30-07 92 60 1-78 4 0-49 November .. .. 30-07 91 60 1-29 8 0-56 December .. .. 29-92 89 63 1-49 9 0-67 360-33 .. .. 52-81 128

Inwards. Outwards. Gross Receipts. Messages. Words. Messages. Words. £ s. d. First quarter .. .. 65 760 63 665 49 11 0-|-Second quarter .. .. 91 797 80 711 51 0 10 Third quarter .. .. 77 763 68 663 44 9 3| Fourth quarter .. ... 31 246 43 479 34 2 8 Total? .. .. 264 2,566 254 2,518 179 3 10

4.-3

24

Public Works. Roads. —A good deal of re-forming and re-dressing of roads round the island has been carried out by prison labour. Considerable trouble was experienced with the coast road to Tamakautoga and Avatele, it having sunk in a great many places to the extent of 18 in. to 2 ft. The cause of this trouble was found to be through the coconut and other trees, which were cut down in the making of the road, being thrown into the deep crevices to help fill up. These have now rotted and caused the road to subside. This is being remedied by taking up these portions and removing the rotted trunks and filling in with rocks. The following roads have been repaired and top-dressed with makatea : Mutalau-Tuapa, MakefuTuapa, and Hikutavake-Tuapa Roads, also the Peta Hill. All are now in good repair. Reservoirs.—Three new reservoirs have been erected in concrete —one at North Alofi (capacity 10,000 gallons), one at Fatiau (2,000 gallons), and one at the Residency (1,000 gallons), and repairs effected to those at Mutalau, Tuapa, and the hospital. All new reservoirs have been built above the ground-level, which makes them more accessible for cleaning out or repairs. Government Buildings. —The new copra, fruit, bond, and coal sheds have been erected during the year. These now provide the necessary facilities for handling and storing all outward and inward cargoes. Government Offices. —Structural alterations —enlargement and putting down floors in concrete — have been effected in the Post, Treasury, and Commissioner's offices. This was made necessary by the wood floors of these offices having deteriorated through dry-rot. Schoolmaster's Residence, Hakwpu. —The residence was limewashecl, painted inside and out, and all furniture renovated and cleaned up in readiness for the new teacher, who arrived by the " Hinemoa " in March. Painting has been carried out at the several buildings, and all have now been attended to during the past eighteen months. Minor repairs and improvements have been effected where necessary. Motor-garage at Utoko has been enlarged to take the second car. As to work for the coming year, the extension and enlargement of the wharf and chute will be carried out, also the re-forming and top-dressing of those roads which have not yet received attention. Concrete steps and a makatea path have been made from the wharf approach to the main road at Alofi. The flagstaff has been re-rigged with new stays and guys, and painted. The two surf-boats and dinghy have been thoroughly overhauled, repaired, recaulked, and painted in readiness for the new season's work. The Medical Officer's motor-car and the two motor-lorries have been taken down, thoroughly overhauled, and all worn parts renewed. Education. During the year Mr. and Mrs. Reeves resigned their positions as head and assistant teachers of the Tufukia School. Mr. McKenzie, headmaster at Hakupu School, was transferred to Tufukia as headmaster, vice Mr. Reeves, and Mr. H. Hamilton was appointed from New Zealand to the Hakupu School. An exhibit of handwork, writing, drawing, &c., from both schools was added to the island exhibit for the South Seas Exhibition at Dunedin and forwarded during the year. Mr. McKenzie has reorganized the work at Tufukia ; his scheme of work now includes agriculture, sewing, Native handicraft, &c. These subjects were not previously taught in this school. Mr. McKenzie's report, which deals in detail with the work of both Hakupu and Tufukia Schools for the past year, also his " scheme of work " for the present year, is attached hereto. The following are the attendance figures of both schools for the year : —

London Missionary Society Subsidized Schools. —The decision of the New Zealand Government to subsidize the London Missionary Society for their educational work in the nine villages where the Administration is as yet unable to open schools has given satisfaction. The following are the attendance figures of the nine mission schools for the year : Number on rolls, 31st March, 1926 : Males, 250 ; females, 213 : total, 463. Average attendance, 418*54. Mr. A. McKenzie reports as follows : — " I beg to submit my report on the Hakupu School for the year ended 31st December, 1925. " When the Hakupu School was taken over, slightly more than a year ago, it was found that the system of educational instruction was very formal; most lessons seem to have been of an abstract nature, and the concrete form of lesson hardly touched upon. The lessons given stimulated the mental

Tufukia. ! Hakupu. j Male. Female. ! Total. Male. Female. Total. Number 011 roll : 1st April, 1925 .. .. 122 96 218 52 34 86 Number on roll, 31st December, 1925 .. 127 106 2-33 52 32 84 Average attendance 118-52 101-17 219-69 49-04 j 30-42 79-46

25

A.—3

side, while the physical was, to a greater or less extent, lost sight of. A relatively high standard of formal education, such as is found in countries that have reached, a high standard of civilization, is of little value to the Niuean. The potentialities of the island are small. There are no manufactures and few industries ; there are no trades and professions. On account of all this the Niuean is at a disadvantage ; and, even though a high standard of primary education were given, it would, under the conditions at present obtaining, be of little use, because there are no opportunities offering whereby such knowledge could be put to practical use and become a benefit to the State, or, at least, to the island. " The natural home of the Niuean is in the tropics. The temperate zones are not so congenial to him, and he is better able to produce copra and grow tropical produce and fruits for export rather than go working on roads and doing manual labour abroad. " The Niuean is a child of the soil —he belongs to the Ijind ; and it has been our aim to educate him. in such a manner that he can be of practical value to his own native soil and exploit it and all its potentialities to their fullest. The children have been taught to work, and all lessons have been made as practical as possible. For example, the children now know how to weigh copra, and can calculate how much they should receive from the trader for the week's output. They also have a better knowledge of the prices of goods in stores, and can calculate the amount of change that they are to receive. " A good deal of time has been spent on ' spoken English,' in order that Natives may understand readily what is said to them when working on boats, or when spoken to by the doctor, matron, teachers, Government officers and traders. " Assistants. —The assistant teachers, Messrs. Fasene and Rex, have done splendid work during the year 1925. Both have been enthusiastic and keenly interested in their work, and both were very ready to apply any new idea suggested to them. While the Hakupu School was without the regular services of a European teacher Mr. Fasene acted as headmaster, and did very creditable work. " The school has been visited once a week by the headmaster from Tufukia School, and any difficulties met with by the assistants were discussed and explained. " Lessons to Assistants. —The assistant teachers were given lessons daily on such subjects as schoolorganization and management; discipline ; schemes of work ; work-books, registers, and records, and how to keep them ; the method of making out quarterly returns and reports ; time-tables ; physical drill; recreational games ; organized games ; gardening; music; how to organize a programme and a break-up ; and how to prepare items for school concerts. There was much more we would like to have taught of a more formal and abstract nature, but our year was a full one and time would not permit. " Baking Classes.-*-During the year cooking classes for the senior girls were held once a week. Instruction was given by Mrs. McKenzie in the cookhouse attached to the residence. Receipts and notes were given one week : these were discussed and explained until properly understood by the girls. During the next week theory was put into practice. It was encouraging to note that several girls carried the practice into their own homes, and could make scones and pikelets readily. Boiled puddings, fish-frying, stews, and fruit-puddings may easily be prepared in their homes. " Needlework. —During the year a class of needlework was begun by Mrs. McKenzie. The girls were first taught to do a ' sampler ' which showed all the elementary work done in sewing, such as darning, patching, hemming, button-holing, felling, and all useful forms of stitching. When these were mastered, fancy stitches suitable for dress-trimming were taught. The aim was to give a practical knowledge of sewing, cutting out, and the making of ordinary garments, together with mending and darning. " Handicraft.—The Niuean is deft with his fingers, but the Native crafts, since the advent of the European, tend to be dropped or forgotten. In order to foster and preserve these, and to prevent such arts becoming lost, handicraft classes were organized in the Hakupu School. An attempt is being made to elevate and perpetuate those home industries that have been found of worth. " Exhibits, Dunedin Exhibition. —The lessons taught at the Native handicraft courses of instruction were put into practical use, and an. attempt was made to forward to the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition at least three exhibits of every kind of Native handicraft done on the Island of Niue. " Drill, Marching, and Games. —The children can now drill and march as well as the children of any New Zealand school. At first all were very slow in all movements, and their gait was that of a dawdle. All movements, such as moving into or out of school, or coming out on the floor when spoken .to, are done at the double and upon the toes. Organized games were unknown. Many, such as ' Like Numbers Run,' ' Cat and Mouse,' ' Fox. and Geese,' have been taught, and are thoroughly enjoyed. Recreational games have also received attention : cricket, hop-scotch, and hockey are now played. During the year a hockey-ground was made, kafika poles obtained from the bush, and goals erected. The children are very fond of this game. " Band. —During the year a ' gazoo ' band was formed, and has proved a source of delight both to the children and the people of the village. Popular airs, hymns, and marching tunes are played ; and the band, together with the standard-bearer and three drummers, lead the marching on all fete days connected with the school or the village. " Uniforms. —The pupils of the school, boys and girls, together with, a number of ex-pupils, were uniformed this year. This is the first serious attempt that has been made to uniform the schools on the island. The uniforms were manufactured in New Zealand, and arrived in time for the annual Church festival and the annual island sports. The uniforms were designed by the teachers, and the following is a description of them : — " Boys : Light khaki ' canoe ' shirts with short sleeves, one pocket, and a scarlet badge enclosed in an oval design and marked H.K.P., which signifies Hakupu, the official mark of the Government.

4—A. 3.

A.—3.

26

The material used is not heavy and is well suited for wearing in the tropics. The hat is of the Australian Light Horse kind—up at one side, with a scarlet puggaree or band, and scarlet cockade made from the bark of a native tree called fow. The trousers worn are 'shorts,' with scarlet belt. " Girls : The girls' uniform is made of the same material, and is a one-piece frock faced around the neck and short sleeves with scarlet ribbon ; scarlet belt and scarlet badge ; and panama hat with scarlet band. The girls sometimes prefer to march without the hats and wear the bands on their heads. " Me and Annual Sports. —Several of the village leaders came to thank the teachers for what had been done in connection with these, and they were informed that the children were first in marching, singing, for the playing of the band, and for the best dressed. The Hakupu Village also won the sports championship for the island for the year 1925. " School-grounds.—Much work has been done on the school-grounds this year. Most of the rocky outcrops have been broken off or levered out, coconut butts cleared, coral fences reconstructed, and the grounds levelled. Several high coconut-trees which leaned over the school-ground and were dangerous to the children were felled. " School-garden. —There was no school flower-garden nor ornamental garden of any description on our arrival at Hakupu. A hedge was immediately planted, and is now quite high. Another area was reclaimed with soil carried from the bush. This was reclaimed in such a way that it received the rain-water from a downpipe after every shower. Vegetables were successfully grown. A rustic framework was constructed around the area, and a passion-vine planted. The whole framework is now covered by the vine, which, along with granadilla, is bearing fruit. This gave encouragement, and several gardens in front and at the back of the residence were made. Gardens were also made at the side of the house, at one end of the cistern, and on two sides of the school. In these, all kinds of annual flowers, bulbs, ornamental trees and shrubs were planted, and the whole now presents a changed and beautiful appearance. " Experimental Plot. —There was no room to establish a school-garden, as required by the Cook Islands syllabus, on an extensive scale, on account of the lack of ground. For this reason the head teacher discussed the matter with one of the village chiefs. The syllabus was explained, and the position we were in made clear. Interest and enthusiasm were also worked up among the other villagers interested in the ground near by. Finally it was agreed to make us a present of land 1 chain deep around the whole of the school area. This was too much, and a surrounding strip, 15 yards deep was accepted. The Administration compensated for all useful fruit-trees cut down. This area was cleared and levelled, and an experimental plot established. It contains at least three of every kind of fruit-tree growing on Niue, as well as useful fruit and nut trees that are exotics. There are twentyeight varieties of bananas alone, and until the drought came all were growing very well. " It is interesting to note that the children carried gardening activities to their own homes. Several flower-gardens were visited by the teachers, and these helped to brighten the appearance of the homes. The seeds were taken from the school-garden. Little stone fences had been built and soil carried from the bush in coconut baskets. " Our aim was to teach the children to work, and thus to prepare them for their plantations ; to teach them how to plant and space all trees ; to mulch the soil in order to conserve moisture ; to graft, spray, prune, and study the effects of manures. " Concert. —Towards the end of the year a school concert was held, and sufficient funds were raised to buy prizes and toys for every child at school. All this was new to the children, and it was the first school concert held at Hakupu. The items practised formed part of the school-work. From them lessons were obtained in singing, recitation, spoken English, expression, gesture, pronunciation, enunciation ; in fact, almost all school subjects found a place for a lesson during the practice given to the programme. The spoken vocabulary was also largely increased. " Correspondence with New Zealand Children. —A good deal of practice in letter-writing had been given in school with a definite aim behind it. In the abstract it had little meaning to the children, but when a sufficient number of boys and girls were able to write a fair letter, correspondents in New Zealand were found. This gave a real live interest, and was something entirely new to the children. These letters are of a great educational value quite unconscious to the children, and we think has brightened the lives of both pupils and parents, and brought as much pleasure to the homes as any class of school-work. ' Mail day ' is a gala day in the village of Hakupu. It has also brought pleasure to New Zealand homes, and letters of appreciation have been received by us from pupils, parents, and teachers across the seas. The children from both ends also send many presents, until the parcel-post has eclipsed the letter-post. "School Break-up.—The annual 'break-up' was held on the 17th December, and was followed by a sports programme. A Christmas tree was erected, and every child received a prize. The sports were quite a success."

27

A.—3

APPENDIX. HEALTH SURVEY OF THE COOK ISLANDS, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO HOOKWORM DISEASE. By S. M. Lambert, M.D., of the International Health Board of the Rockefeller Foundation. TABLE OF CONTENTS. PAGE Introduction .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 27 Part I. —General Survey :— 1. History of the Cook Islands .. .. .. .. .. .. 28 2. Physical Features .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 29 3. Population .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 4. Customs .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 5. Government .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 6. Education .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. »30 7. Industries .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31 8. Economic Life .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 31 9. Tranportation and Communication .. .. .. .. 32 Part ll.—Public Health Activities :— 1. Medical Department .. .. .. . . . .. 32 2. Sewage-disposal and Soil Sanitation .. .. .. .. .. 32 3. Water-supply .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 32 4. Milk-supply .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 5. Vital Statistics .. .. .. .. .. .. . . 33 6. Transmissible Diseases .. .. .. .. .. 33 7. Maritime Quarantine .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36 Part 111. —Hookworm Survey :— 1. History of Hookworm Infection .. .. .. .. 36 2. Methods employed in the Present Survey .. .. .. .. 36 3. Technique of Examination .. .. .. .. .. .. 36 4. Degree and Distribution of Hookworm Infection .. .. .. 36 5. Infection by Age .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 6. Infection by Sex .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 7. Infection by Race .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 37 8. Severity of Infection as shown by Worm-counts .. .. .. 37 9. Infection with other Intestinal Parasites .. .. .. 39 10. Pig Worm-counts .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 ®s Part IV. —Discussion and Conclusions .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 General Remarks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 40 INTRODUCTION. Eakly in 1925, through the courtesy of Sir Maui Pomare, Minister of Health for New Zealand and Minister for the Cook Islands, an invitation was extended to the International Health Board of the Rockefeller Foundation to make a health survey of the Cook Islands, with special reference to hookworm disease. The invitation was accepted, and the survey was begun on the 15th November, 1925, and lasted till the 12th January, 1926. The party consisted of Malakai Veisamasama, a Fijian Native medical practitioner, and the writer. It is well to insert here that Malakai, who has been intimately associated with me for more than three and a half years now, is the best microscopist I have ever had under me, and has always been a cheerful, competent, faithful assistant. To satisfy the captious, he has been made much of in all the island groups, and has largely been treated there as a European ; but he now returns to Fiji the same simple, unspoiled Fijian gentleman as when he left. He is a credit to the system of English education given him by the Colony of Fiji. I part with him as with a friend of years' standing. For the success of the survey I am indebted to Sir Maui Pomare, a great man of a great race, who paved the way for our trip and made it an easy one. He has the confidence of the Maoris of the Cook Group, and I heard little criticism of his administration from the Europeans.

A.~ 3.

28

To Judge H. F. Ayson, Resident Commissioner, I am grateful for liis always ready assistance and guidance. To the Resident Agents —E. J. Dyer, of Mauke ; W. H. Scott, of Atiu ; Ariki Tou, of Mitiaro ; and Captain Vellenoweth, of Aitutaki —I return my sincere thanks for their cordial assistance and for their hospitality. At Aitutaki I spent the pleasantest week I have had in the Pacific. At Mangaia we were entertained and assisted by Mr. and Mrs. MacGruther, the first the teacher and the second the nurse for that island. On Aitutaki, Miss Walsh, the Government nurse, cheerfully helped us survey for present disease conditions. Dr. J. P. Donald, the Acting Chief Medical Officer, put himself at our disposal, with his knowledge of the Group and its disease conditions. He and Mrs. Donald made us very much at home with them during most of our visit. Matron Sisley opened her hospital for our treatments and experiments, and aided us with her long experience of disease in the Group. Other officials and the trading community gave us freely their advice and support. The trip could not have been made in twice the time but for the good fortune we had in making a stock-taking trip in a schooner of the Cook Islands Trading Company. Especially we thank our good friends, Messrs. Campbell, McLeod, Bunting, and Drury Low, of this organization —not forgetting Captain Andy Thompson, of the good ship " Tagua," on which we spent many happy days. The trip would have been much harder were it not for these gentlemen. The charge is made that low-grade mentalities recount their travels as a series of gastronomic episodes. At so great a risk, I must mention the unforgettable sucking-pigs, fowls, fish, yams and taro, and Mitiaro eels, all prepared Native style, which punctuated our almost daily progress in Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Atiu, and Aitutaki, and were the evidences of the hospitality of the chiefs and people and their esteem of our efforts. PART I.—GENERAL SURVEY. 1. Histoky of the Cook Islands. Traditional History. Tradition, which among the Polynesians is in general as accurate as our own of a corresponding period, tells an interesting story of their discovery and conquest of the Cooks. Karika, a famous warrior from Samoa, while on a voyage of discovery, met Tangiia, a famous warrior of Tahiti, on a similar expedition. He invited Tangiia to a battle to see which might be the greater warrior. Tangiia was somewhat of a diplomat, and, fearing that Karika would gain the day, he temporized, saying, " Here we are in the open sea with no one to witness our prowess. Whoever gains the day will not get due credit for his victory when he returns. Would it not be better for us to join canoes and proceed together, awaiting a more favoured time ? " This appealed to Karika as good sense, and they joined forces, proceeding till they reached the Cook Islands. Meantime the two parties had become good friends, and Tangiia, the diplomat, had made his position good by marrying Karika's daughter. Together they conquered the island, and divided it in this manner: The two canoes started from a known given point on one side of the island, and sailed in opposite directions to a point where they met on the other side of the island. A line joining these two points marked the dividing boundary of the two parties. And to-day on the island still remain the people of Tangiia and the people of Karika. Prom Rarotonga the descendants of these people spread out in a conquering wave over the other islands. Their descendants emigrated to New Zealand and conquered the autochthones there. But the line of the Maori ancestors can still be clearly traced back through the Cook Islands to their Samoan or Tahitian ancestors and beyond. And when one of them returns to these groups his history is known, and his position in the great racial family is recognized, and his career and that of his descendants is watched with the pride that one gives to a close relative. Also it is true that the petty jealousies of the early canoes are still live issues that crop up from time t r 'me even in this day. Modern History. The Cook Islands consist of a series of widely scattered islands, commonly known as the Lower and Northern Cooks. The former islands, which consist of Rarotonga, Mangaia, Aitutaki, Mauke, Mitiaro, Atiu, and Manuae (or Hervey Island), were discovered by Captain Cook in 1777 ; and the first island he touched at —Manuae—was named by the great navigator " Hervey Island " in honour of Captain Hervey, R.N., at that time the First Lord of the British Admiralty. Subsequently this group of islands has been more commonly known by the name of their discoverer, Captain Cook. Curiously enough, the largest and most important one of the group —Rarotonga —as well as the smaller islands of Mauke and Mitiaro, escaped the untiring researches of Captain Cook, and were not discovered until 1823, when the Rev. John Williams, of the London Missionary Society, was successful in locating them as the result of information and sailing directions supplied by some of his converts to Christianity in the other islands of the Group. There is, however, also a local tradition in Rarotonga that the island was visited by the mutineers of the " Bounty " after they had put Commander Bligh and his unfortunate companions adrift off the Tongan Group and before they located themselves on Pitcairn Island. The Northern Cook Group consists of a chain of scattered islets lying from three hundred to nine hundred miles north of Rarotonga. They are the islands of Palmerston, Suwarrow, Penrhyn, Rakahanga, Manihiki, Pukapuka, and Nassau. The present health report does not include them. Christianity took a strong hold in the Group under the direction of the representatives of the London Missionary Society, whose headquarters were in the neighbouring Society Group, and for

29

A —3

many years thereafter these islands were governed by the tribal chiefs under a code of laws which had obviously been inspired by the missionaries. In 1888, at the request of the Island Council, the Group was proclaimed a British Protectorate, and a British Agent, who was nominated and paid by the New Zealand Government, was appointed as the British representative. In 1891 a Constitution Act for the Group was passed, and under this statute provision was made for the local government of each island in the Group. In 1900 the Islands were formally annexed to the British Empire and made part of the Dominion of New Zealand. The administration is vested in the Resident Commissioner, appointed by the New Zealand Government. It is only since 1900 that a system of organized government has been introduced into the Islands. Practically all progress and development may be said to date from that period. 2. Physical Features. The Cook Group is bounded on the south by the 23rd parallel of south latitude, on the east by the 156 th degree of west longitude, on the north by the Bth degree of south latitude, and on the west by the 167 th degree of west longitude. The Group falls naturally into two groupings : the Southern Cooks —Mangaia, Rarotonga, Mauke, Mitiaro, Manuae, Takutea, Aitutaki, and Atiu ; and the Northern Cooks —-Suwarrow, Palmerston, Penrhyn, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, and Nassau. I was unable to get to the Northern Cooks, which are atolls, with a small population on each ; but I was able to visit each of the Southern Cooks for a sufficient period. These Southern Cooks are spread over three hundred miles or more of the Pacific. The Southern Islands are of volcanic-oceanic formation. Takutea is not inhabited, and is only a small island of a few acres. Manuae is leased by a private concern, which has planted it in coconuts, and works it with labour brought from the other islands on long-term agreements. The area of the Group is about 56,000 acres. On Mangaia more plainly, and on most of the others, may be seen a formation which indicates their oceanic origin. As one lands on Mangaia one crosses a narrow strip of land a hundred yards or so wide, and immediately begins to climb a precipitous ridge several hundred feet high. This ridge or rim is half a mile or so broad, and then one descends sharply on the other side. The rim or ridge extends in this formation all round the island. In the centre is an immense basin formed by this ridge, or " makatea "asit is called. In the midst of this basin arise high hills, called the " crown of Mangaia." It is exactly as if an island surrounded by a reef some distance off-shore had been thrust up out of the sea. There is a makatea on each of the islands except Rarotonga in the Southern Cooks, though not so marked as at Mangaia. In this makatea on Mangaia, Mauke, and Atiu are interesting caves, some of which contain bones and relics of former days. Aitutaki combines the volcanic with the atoll formation, being almost surrounded by a lagoon of many square miles. Rarotonga reaches a height of 3,000 ft., Mangaia reaches a height of over 600 ft., Atiu somewhat lower, Aitutaki 300 ft., and Mauke, Mitiaro, and Manuae have almost no hills at all. The average rainfall is under 100 in., though good records are not generally kept. Aitutaki has occasional droughts. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer during the current year was 91-5 in the shade, on the sth March, 1925, and the lowest was 59-0, on the 14th September, 1924. The mean of the maximum was 80-2, and the mean of the minimum was 70-1. There is only one good harbour in the whole Cook Islands, and this is inside the lagoon at Penrhyn. Rarotonga has a poor one for small ships at Avarua, but vessels touching at the Islands outlying have to lie off and on while small boats ply back and forth to the shore. The Islands are rarely visited by hurricanes, only one of importance having touched the Group in many years in 1914. There was a small blow that did some damage while I was in the Group. The hurricane season, so called, lasts from the end of December to the end of March or early in April. Much of the rain falls during that season. The climate is delightful at all seasons, and the Islands are worthy of greater attention from tourists who wish to escape the cold season of temperate regions. 3. Population. The population of the Cook Islands, exclusive of Niue, is about ten thousand. This population, by accurate censuses, and earlier by partial census and estimation, was reckoned several times greater. Contact with civilization, bringing about the decay of custom, with the aping of the white man's customs and the introduction of clothing, and the introduction of diseases to which the Maori had little resistance, caused a decline of this population, which now, happily, by better medical treatment and some measure of acquired resistance to the effects of civilization, has been checked, and the population seems on the up-grade in numbers. Officials, traders, settlers, and their families number about two hundred. Asiatics are not admitted. The Maori of the Cook Islands is a pure Polynesian with Caucasian-like features, straight hair, and light copper-coloured skin — not so light in colour as the Samoan. He is the most modern Pacific-Islander in his dress, manner, thought, and attention to business. He works hard when there is a prospect of reward in sight. His language is Polynesian, though almost everywhere one can find younger people who can talk in English. He retains few of his old customs. The Rarotongan, however, whom the casual visitor sees should not be the standard of judging the entire Group. Outside Rarotonga the Maori retains his ancient manners and courtesy, which has ranked the Polynesians everywhere as gentlefolk. Nor is this said in depreciation of the Rarotongan, who has had to adjust himself to white civilization, and is doing so admirably. But in the outer islands

A—3

30

one finds oneself among a generous, courteous, gentle people who appreciate efforts made in their behalf in a manner which urges one to his best efforts. Especially in Aitutaki is one reminded of Savaii, in Samoa, where live a truly gentle people. It was interesting in Mangaia to find one end of the island populated by the descendants of the sturdy crew of a Tongan canoe which in former times made a landing and were able to make their hold good. One fancied he could pick them out from the others in many cases. 4. Customs. The people now have customs so nearly like those of Europeans that little can be written on this subject. Very few grass houses of the old type are left: most of them are European. I suspect that the Natives sit on the floor and are comfortable usually, and that possibly nature's tools are largely used in place of knives and forks when guests are not present ; but every feast or meal that I attended in a Native house was on a modern table, with proper crockery and knives and forks. On almost every island there are clubs, encouraged by the Government Agents, where, under proper supervision and during proper hours on given days in the week, European dances are which are attended by as clean and well-dressed a lot of young folk as one could wish to see. I was told by observing people that these dances had had the effect of diminishing the drinking of bush-beer, and had had a beneficial effect on the morals of the youth. On Aitutaki, on Christmas and Boxing Days, I saw old dances representing the migrations of the Polynesian race. On the whole it must be good for these people to dance, and it seems to make them happy and contented. It is inevitable with civilization that dancing, formerly suppressed by missions, must return. Best that it come sponsored and controlled by Government in a proper way. 5. Government. The Cook Islands are dependencies of New Zealand. They are under a Resident Commissioner, who answers to the Minister for the Cook Islands (Sir Maui Pomare) in Wellington. The present incumbent, Mr. H. P. Ayson, is also Judge of the Land Court and Chief Judge of the High Court. He also administers Rarotonga itself. On each of the other islands he is assisted by a Resident Agent. The Polynesian is generally a peaceable, law-abiding citizen who really needs little governing; he has been administering his own laws for ages in a democratic manner, so that on several islands the school-teacher has also become the Resident Agent. On Mitiaro one of the Arikis, Tou, is the Resident Agent. There are very few criminal offences to punish, most of the derelictions being nonpayment of taxes, and, except for graver offences, the prisoners return to their home each night after their day's task for the Government is done. The avowed plan of New Zealand in the Cooks is to teach the Natives to govern themselves so far and as soon as possible. The Natives are contented with the administration given them by New Zealand. 6. Education. Mr. H. S. Binstead, Superintendent of Education, Cook Islands, kindly furnished me with the following outline of the present condition and ideals of New Zealand education in the Cooks : — " In the Cook Islands one may still see two different philosophies of education, working not so much side by side as in two separate groups of islands. The Southern or Lower Group is not only more favourably situated for trade with New Zealand and America, but comprises the larger, more fertile, and more densely populated islands. As a result of these factors and of the enterprise of the New Zealand Government, a form of education has developed in the Lower Group which differs in outlook and organization from that found in the Upper or Northern Group. While the education of the Natives in the south has come under the influence of the culture, the ideals, the practices of European teachers, that of the people of the north is still in the hands of the London Missionary Society, whose influence must necessarily tend in different directions from that of the Schools Department of a State Government. "It is probable, however, that before many years the Schools Department will be entirely responsible for the education of the Natives of the whole Group. Recently the Government has subsidized the efforts of the Mission, which, however, still undertakes the training of the teachers for the Northern Islands. As the work of these teachers is now to be supervised by the Superintendent of Schools for Cook Islands, there will be, necessarily, some modification in the outlook and the curriculum of these schools. " Just how seriously the Government of New Zealand regards the education of its dependent people may be realized from the amount spent in this direction. For the year 1925 the cost per child in the Lower Group was approximately £4 10s. —almost double the cost per child of Philippine education. To some extent the cost is borne by the revenue from the Cook Islands, but the major portion is shouldered by New Zealand. Such paternalism is deeply appreciated by the Native population, who are, indeed, most anxious for the extension of even their present privileges. "Education is compulsory throughout the Lower Group, but so eager are the majority of the children for the benefits conferred by the school that the assistance of the law-courts is only occasionally required. Each child is required to pay the small sum of 4s. per year as a small contribution towards the cost of education, a sum which is cheerfully paid, especially as all equipment, even to rulers and pencils, is provided by the authorities

31

A.—B

" One of the greatest problems here, as elsewhere in tropical countries, is the training of the teachers, who, with the exception of the head teachers, and in some cases their wives, are Natives. A definite system is, however, in process of development, and it is hoped in the near future that all present teachers will have had refresher courses of training, and that all beginning teachers will pass through a course of training at a central school in Rarotonga, the administrative centre. Considerable foresight has been shown in the drafting of regulations dealing with the size of classes, so that the teacher load is being gradually reduced to manageable proportions. In order that the academic status of the teachers may be still further raised, the most promising child in the upper class of each school is sent to New Zealand for further education. This practice is also of value in that bright pupils who are likely to be of value in filling administrative posts are thus given commercial and technical education fitting them to be wireless operators, motor mechanics, printers, clerks, &c. " Here, as elsewhere, it is realized that, if education is to serve its highest purpose, the curriculum must be ever in the process of adjustment. This is especially necessary where the impact of a higher civilization upon a Native race produces such rapid, and sometimes baffling, changes in the economic, social, moral, and educational conditions of the latter. In the case of the Cook Islands, the view that the Native will have problems of increasing difficulty to solve led to the adoption of the English tongue as the medium of instruction. At the same time effort has been made to keep the materials of instruction closely related to the life of the islands, so that the future citizen may be well adapted to live a useful and happy life in the islands themselves. The manual arts are occupying a larger and larger share of the school time, while increasing emphasis will be laid on the importance of health as a basis of all education. In so far as they are valuable to the aims of education, Native arts, folk stories, songs, games, and dancing will be gradually introduced into the curriculum, so that much that has been peculiar to the genius of the Polynesian and has assisted in his conquest of his environment may be thereby saved to posterity." 7. Industries. A list of the exports for the year 1925 will best serve to show the industries of the islands Bananas .. .. 78,453 cases. Taro .. .. 4 cases. Oranges .. .. 177,396 ~ Grapefruit .. 12 „ Tomatoes .. 25,348 „ Cucumbers .. 4 „ Pines .. .. 704 „ Lime-juice .. 8 casks. Mandarins . . 462 ~ Coffee .. .. 10 sacks. Brazilian cherries .. 6 ~ Coconuts .. 3,446 gunnies. Lemons .. .. 416 ~ Copra .. .. 2,250 tons. Kumaras .. .. 139 ~ Pearl-shell .. 125 ~ The value of these exports was £155,000. Only a small part of the area of the Group available for planting is utilized. All kinds of tropical products grow readily on most of the islands, and the amount could easily be raised to many times the present amount except for the difficulty of getting them on shipboard. There are no harbours in the Group, each island being surrounded by a fringing reef, over which everything exported has to be carried on the backs of the Natives, and then loaded on whaleboats or canoes and carried off-shore to a sailing-schooner or steamer, which meanwhile has to lie off and on. The cost of loading vessels is tremendous per ton, and is only done by arduous labour. Year by year the Resident Agents are getting a case or so of dynamite and gradually opening up channels through these reefs, facilitating loading of vessels. The Natives quite cheerfully give their services to aid in this work, realizing that it makes their life easier. 8. Economic Life. The Cook-Islander works hard : In evidence I offer numbers of inguinal hernias seen by me. This is a rare condition among Natives of the Pacific. On the Cook Islands the Native lives away from his gardens, and by the time he has picked his crops and brought them to the shore, and then carried them out over the reef and loaded them on the vessel, he has well earned what he receives. In consequence one does not see so many fat men as in the rest of Polynesia. Probably the incentive for much of this labour is the same as that of civilization —the desire to have modern comforts, and especially the desire to dress the womenfolk as well as one's neighbour does. In addition the man has usually to do a lot of the cooking and other housework. The natural consequence is a rather fat lot of women, who, speaking relatively, have about the easiest time of any womankind I know. The islands are fertile, and native products grow abundantly in return for little effort. One sees ripening oranges, and on the same tree blossoms for the second crop the same year. Native foods —yams, taros, bananas, kumaras (sweet potatoes), manioca, and many fruits are profuse. Small sucking-pigs are valued at 10s. In the taro swamps grow eels that have the most delicate flavour of any fish I have eaten, especially those from Mitiaro, which are sui generis. Near many islands fish are abundant. These islands, and especially Aitutaki, nearly approach the average man's conception of the ideal Pacific island. Land cannot be bought from the Native, and can only be leased, with the consent of the Government. This is increasingly difficult to do in any large amount, as the Native realizes the possibilities. There is little freehold property among Europeans. Three firms principally have trading-stores on each island, and there are independent traders on many islands who are usually dependents of these firms. The Maoris here are getting away from their ancient communal customs and becoming more individualistic, though there is no poverty or hunger.

A.—3

32

9. Transportation and Communication. Externally. —Bach month the mail-steamer of the Union Steamship Company's San Francisco-Wellington-Sydney line touches Rarotonga on its northern trip, anrl also when south-bound. Through the fruit season there is a monthly freight-steamer of the same line which circles the Group to pick up fruit. Internally.—Except from December to March —the so-called hurricane season —two trading companies maintain an irregular service through the Islands with auxiliary schooners. These are not uncomfortable of their kind ; the food is excellent of its kind ; and if one is fortunate enough to run across a skipper of the Andy Thompson type the whole trip is unconventionally pleasant. Within the Islands the roads are surprisingly good : the Maori has learned their value. There is motor transport on almost every island, though much of the work is still done by horse and cart. The horses are small and degenerate. There is wireless communication between Rarotonga, Mangaia, Atiu, and Aitutaki. In several cases the operators are Natives who have been trained in New Zealand, and are competent. On Atiu I talked with my wife in Rarotonga, 120 miles away, on Mr. Scott's set. It seemed marvellous indeed, in that remote corner of the world, to be able so quickly to get in touch with the outer world. PART lI.—PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIVITIES. 1. Medtcal Department. The Medical Department consists of a Chief Medical Officer and an Assistant Medical Officer. The Chief Medical Officer resides on Rarotonga, where he runs the hospital and cares for the population. The plan is for the Assistant Medical Officer to pass through the Group as occasion affords and treat the population of the outer islands. There are qualified white nurses on Aitutaki and Mangaia. There is a hospital at Avarua, Rarotonga, under a qualified white matron, which is to be doubled by recent additions and readjustments. The new buildings are concrete. The capacity will be enough for thirty-six Natives and for four Europeans, while many more can be cared for in emergency. The hospital is well equipped for its purpose and well run. The question of a medical service for a group like the Cooks, with scattered islands and small populations, is a complex one. With the best of intentions on the part of the Government, occasional visits from a European doctor are unsatisfactory for the dreadful emergencies that occasionally arise and for current severe sickness. Then, too, these men, who are transient, do not understand the language or the Native mind. The same argument applies to white nurses, though a system of nurses would be more satisfactory; in fact, the two nurses at Mangaia and Aitutaki have rendered very valuable services indeed. But there are many conditions for which the Maori will not go to a European woman, obviously, and many which they are not prepared to handle. This medical situation is a common one on Pacific islands, and will never be properly corrected till a system of Native doctors is established such as obtains in Fiji. Here the Colony of Fiji trains Native Fijians in hygiene, medicine, and surgery, particularly in Pacific-island conditions. They have ample material at Suva for the complete instruction of their students in connection with their New Memorial Hospital, except in the particular of malaria, so common to Melanesian Islands. Where these Native Fijian doctors have been tried in other groups than Fiji they have made even a better record than in their own group. Each group is too small to provide such a school except at great expense, but all combining may make a notable one. At present, at the invitation of Sir Eyre Hutson, High Commissioner for the Western Pacific and Governor of Fiji, it seems possible that Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, the Gilberts and Ellices, the British Solomons, the New Hebrides Condominium, and the Cook Islands may combine to enlarge the Fiji Medical School to furnish Native medical practitioners for these groups. It would seem desirable for the Australian colonies of Papua and New Guinea, which have identical problems, to have a share in this school, thus making it an effort of the entire British South Pacific. The Native medical practitioner, while not intended to be educated to the standard of the qualified European, starts in with an enormous advantage in his knowledge of the Native language and Native mind. Some of these men get astonishing results, and often gain the professional confidence of European residents where no European doctor is available. 2. Sewage-disposal and Soil Sanitation. My remarks on sanitation in the Cook Islands must be interpreted in the light of the fact that it is a young colony with small means. One may say that as yet they have not gotten around to the proper consideration of this most important of all subjects in the tropics. In Avarua there are some septic tanks in connection with their good reservoir water-supply. I was surprised to see that the schools in Avarua had nothing of this kind. I estimate that half of Rarotonga has no latrine accommodation of any description. In the other islands the Europeans have un-fly-proof, shallow pit privies ; the Natives nothing except in the rarest of cases. Disastrous epidemics must follow in the wake of too long neglect of this item. However, Judge Ayson, the Commissioner, realizes this need, and promises his usual energetic action. He discussed with me the plans adopted by other groups, and as soon as possible will go forward with an adequate latrine system for the whole Group. 3. Water-supply. Avarua has a piped water-supply from a reservoir back in the hills. As there is some question of the purity of a certain part of the watershed, a filter-bed is proposed. In general, water-supplies in the islands are from tanks. The Natives commonly drink the water from young coconuts,

33

A.—3

4. Milk-supply. Except in Avarua, Rarotonga, there are only rare milk-supplies. Otherwise, milk comes out of tins, or the expressed juice of the coconut is used. This lack of milk may have a bearing on the infant-mortality rate. 5. Vital Statistics. The records of vital statistics are simple in the extreme. The annual reports —such as are available—tell of births and deaths and marriages, sometimes giving sexes and races and sometimes not. Ages at death are not available. Death-rate and birth-rate are not available. Here follows the summation of the vital statistics that could be obtained : — 1919. 1922. 1924. 1925. Births .. .. .. .. .. 287 308 301 325 Deaths .. .. .. .. .. 185 163 178 219 Marriages . . . . .. 47 88 73 97 In the birth-rate or in the death-rate I could find no predomination of either sex. Resident Agent E. J. Dyer, of many years' residence in the Group, gives me his opinion that the birth-rate increased and the death-rate decreased with the introduction of treatments for yaws. With little immigration and little emigration, these few figures above quoted would tend to show a steadily rising population. On Mauke, Resident Agent E. J. Dyer worked up for me his statistics on births and deaths from 1919 to 1925 : — Island of Mauke. (Population 560 in 1921.) Births. , —Deaths. , Infants M. F. M. P. (One Year or under). 1919 .. .. .. 5 12 5 3 3 1920 .. .. .. .. .. 12 15 11 3 3 1921 .. .. .. .. ..11 5 8 8 7 1922 .. .. .. .. .. 13 10 6 6 3 1923 .. .. .. .. .. 12 6 9 9 6 1924 .. .. .. .. .. 11 12 9 2 7 1925 .. .. .. .. .. 10 5 6 6 3 74 67 54 37 32 (The figures for 1925 are incomplete for December.) This works out as a birth-rate of 32 from 1921 to 1925, and a death-rate of 24. The infant mortality for the time seems to be over one-third of the total deaths. 6. Transmissible Diseases. The first medical survey of the Cook Islands of which I can get trace was made by Sir Maui Pomare in 1906. He was then Health Officer to the Maoris of New Zealand. This was a complete and comprehensive survey. I shall quote from it, largely for the historical interest it has in light of present-day conditions. He wrote (in part) " (1) Measles was quite common a little while back, it being introduced by some passing vessel, and it proved fatal to the islanders, as usual. There was one case in Rarotonga while I was there. I have no doubt that some of the other infectious diseases have been prevalent, but were unrecognized. No records have been kept at the hospital. (2) Typhoid : There have been no cases of typhoid amongst the Natives, but one or two cases have occurred in an English family, probably due to the coffee-refuse which was allowed to drain into the well. (3) Dysentery is more or less common in certain seasons of the year, due probably to the food. (4) Erysipelas has occurred in isolated cases. (5) Two or three have died from tetanus. (6) Rheumatism is quite common. (7) Worms of the Ascaris lumbricoides are to be met with, (8) but the Taenia solium I did not see. (9) Tuberculosis, the great white plague, though not alarming, is to be feared, for I saw many cases. It is more or less the product of civilization. When the Natives lived naturally, wearing little or no clothes, they were numerous, but when false modesty and clothes were introduced, consumption became rife. The souls were perhaps redeemed by the deaths of the bodies. The changing of a nation's habits is a grave responsibility. Sheltersheds on some mountain-peak will have to be erected some day, and segregation of the afflicted ones attempted, if we are going to do any good. Perhaps the reason why tuberculosis is not any worse than it is is because the Natives live a great deal out-of : do'oi's. (10) I saw only one idiot, and heard of one case of (11) lunacy. (12) Neuralgia is as common as amongst white races. (13) Considering the number of sypbilitics, I was astonished to find no cases of tabes dosalis, whereas fully 70 per cent, of locomotor-ataxic cases in Europeans are due to syphilis. (14) While at Rakahanga and Manihiki I came across five cases of myelitis, due to the after-effect of what was probably a severe attack of la grippe. (15) A case of partial paralysis, due to a gumma on the brain, was interesting owing to the fact that it was the only nerve case I saw that was directly due to syphilis. Eye : (16) I came across only two cases of cataracts ; conjunctivitis was common, probably due to the extreme heat, and light from the white sand, and diving ; (17) there were several esophorics and exophorics, several cases of stoppage of the lachrymal duct, and one case of iritis and corneaitis. (18) Heart-diseases are rare, though I saw two or three cases, and a number of varicose conditions. (19) Ear-diseases are also common : I saw several cases of otitis media. Pulmonary cases : (20) Bronchial asthma and (21) pleurisy are quite plentiful. (22) I saw two tubular pneumonias. (23) Dyspepsia is rare, and

5—A. 3.

A.—3

34

what sufferers I saw were hypopeptics. (24) Elephantiasis is to be seen at Rarotonga and Aitutaki, but principally at the latter place ; it is not bad in the other islands. Wherever there are large taro plantations we have it most plentifully. (25) I came across the following skin-diseases : Pemphigas, pemphigas neonatorum, scleroderma, lupus vulgaris, eczema, and psoriasis. (26) There were a terrible lot of menstrual irregularities, due probably to specific causes." On the question of venereal disease he wrote most strongly. He thought, as most men did in 1906, that yaws was syphilis. He writes in this report of the dreadful amount of syphilis (yaws) to be seen at that time, and the great amount of gonorrhoea, largely imported from the Society Islands. Referring afterwards to leprosy, he gives a valuable history of its entrance into the Group. Leprosy was brought to Penrhyn by Siku, a Penrhyn Native, who lived in Samoa with a Hawaiian leper for several years. He returned to Penrhyn in 1885, where leprosy broke out on him, and to the time of Sir Maui's visit had resulted in thirty-one deaths and twelve cases. In 1886 a kanaka from Honolulu, Nuka by name, came to Manihiki and developed leprosy, which he had contracted in Hawaii. From him there had been nine deaths to the time of Sir Maui's visit, and six cases were isolated. Among his notes I see the statement, " Case G, female, sister of Case A, aged 15 years ; contracted disease through eating lice from leprous adopted mother. Case fully diseased." Some idea of the prevalence of disease on Rarotonga may be gained from a summary of the last six months' work in the Avarua Hospital, and cases seen by Dr. J. P. Donald around that island : — Alimentary system — Circulatory system —continued. Constipation .. .. .. .. 156 Anemia .. .. .. .. 12 Diarrhoea .. .. .. ..31 Glands, enlargement .. .. ..11 Gastritis .. .. . . .. 79 Cerebral haemorrhage .. .. 2 Intestinal parasites .. .. 38 Eye, ear, nose, and throat— Hernia, inguinal .. .. 2 Conjunctivitis .. .. .. 15 Hsemorrhoids.. .. .. 2 Otitis .. .. .. 7 Cirrhosis of liver .. .. .. 1 Rhinitis, chronic .. .. 3 Typhoid fever .. .. .. 12 Tonsilitis .. .. .. 1 Nervous system— 0 Nasal polypus 2 Rheumatism, muscular .. ..59 special tropical diseases Neuritis and neuralgia .. .. 19 Filarial abscess .. .. 18 Mental disease .. .. . . 2 Elephantiasis .. .. 5 Caisson disease (diver) .. .. 1 rl \ a ws .. .. .. .. 19 ._ . Gemto-unnary— Respiratory system- chronio hritis 2 Common colds 99 Hematuria (filarial) 4 Bronchitis 4 * Orchitis 2 Pneumonia 8 Gonorrhoea 5 ISIS Diseases of womenAsthma .. .. .. .. 13 Amenorrhea .. .. .. .. 18 Skin — Dysmenorrhea .. .. ..17 Scabies .. .. .. 25 Menorrhagia .. .. .. 5 Leucoderma .. .. .. .. 20 Abortion .. .. .. 4 Ringworm .. .. .. ..8 Confinement .. .. .. ..23 Chicken-pox .. .. .. ..19 Mastitis .. .. .. ..5 Circulatory system — Injuries .. .. .. .. 59 Heart-failure (senile) .. .. 7 Burns .. .. .. 9 Chr. valvular disease .. .. .. 7 Abscess (filarial) .. .. .. 43 Rheumatic fever .. .. 10 Ulcer, chronic .. • .. .. 10 On Mauke, Mitiaro, and Aitu, Malakai and myself saw about 97 per cent, of the population. These came to us dressed in the simple pareu (loin-cloth), and we inspected them for obvious conditions. On the other islands we saw most of the population, except on Rarotonga, but kept no records. Atiu Mauke Mitiaro (Population (Population (Population 900;. 560). 180). Yaws (second) .. .. .. ..6 29 8 Yaws (third) .. . . .. 127 101 37 Gangosa .. .. .. .. .... 2 Leprosy .. .. . ■ .. 1 1 Tinea imbricata .. .. .. 10 11 4 Cataract .. .. .. .. 4 3 Pulmonary T.B. .. .. .. 2 2 1 Glandular T.B 20 37 7 Tubercular hip ..' .. .. .... 1 Inguinal hernia .. .. .. 3 4 Elephantiasis .. .. .. 22 23 Eilariasis .. .. .. .. 10 10 3 Gonorrhoea .. .. .. .. 3 .. 9 Leucoderma .. .. .. 47 39 14 Scabies .. .. .. .. 80 Tumour .. .. *. .. .. 1 Hydrocele ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 7 7 ,

35

A.—3

These records show that (1) Infectious yaws can be easily eliminated by a well-conducted campaign of treatment, and that past treatments for yaws have been efficacious ; (2) third yaws is still very prevalent, and with second yaws is the greatest cause of ill health. (3) There are more than thirty cases of leprosy isolated in the Group, which will be picked up this year by a Government vessel and transported to the leprosarium at Makogai, Fiji. On the occasion of that trip the officer in charge will review the people for fresh cases. (4) Tinea imbricata is not so prevalent as in most Pacific groups. (5) I did not see so much clinical pulmonary tuberculosis as I expected. The (6) tubercular glands of the list above were too small, save in one or two cases, for operation, and would probably yield to treatment, if available. (7) Elephantiasis is spread rather evenly through the Group, as is filariasis, which will be discussed in a separate paragraph. (8) Gonorrhoea is uncommon outside of Rarotonga. If any one has it the whole of the remaining people of the island know of it. We found three cases on Atiu and nine on the small island of Mitiaro, but could get no other trace outside Rarotonga. The islanders say their young men go to Rarotonga to visit, and bring it back. (9) Scabies attains the degree of a plague on Atiu. (10) I saw what appeared to be an old-fashioned ovarian tumour on Atiu. This is so unusual in the Pacific that I noted it. (11) Seven hydroceles were seen on Atiu, and the same number on Mauke. Doctor Donald, Acting Chief Medical Officer, says that about thirty cases of typhoid occur on Rarotonga each year, and that shortly ago there was an epidemic in Mangaia. It is at least rare on the other islands to date. If it once gets going it will easily become endemic among these people, who are hand-to-mouth feeders. Amoebic dysentery : I find no report of its occurrence. Bacillary dysentery : This is now an uncommon disease in the Cooks. Tetanus : This occurs from time to time. Filarial abscesses are a very common occurrence, both muscular and glandular. lam told here that it is much better to wait till they are fully matured before opening, as it saves sick-days by quicker healing. Filaria. —I collected moscpiitoes throughout the Group, which have been forwarded to Dr. F. M. Root, of Johns Hopkins, for classification. I thought I recognized most of the familiar forms of Fiji and Tonga. The old friend of those groups, and also of Samoa, Gilberts, and Ellices, and the New Hebrides, the Stegomyia pseudoscutellaris, is especially prevalent, and probably accounts for the abundance of filariasis and elephantiasis. We examined fresh blood for the microfilaria on five islands. A few drops were taken from the punctured finger and immediately examined. Table 1 shows our total examinations : —

Table 1.

To read this table one might think there was a heavier infection at night than in the daytime. But the fact is that those who were infected at the day examination were much more apt to come at night and bring their filarial friends whom we could not get at day. In all our examinations we never found a single person positive at night whom we examined in the day and found negative. Some of those positive in the day were negative at night. The night examinations were made not earlier than 8.30 p.m., and usually much later. Table 2 shows the compilation of those who were examined in the daytime and at night as well:—•

Table 2. —Individuals examined Daytime and Night-time.

Day. Night. Island. — Examined. Positive. Per Cent. Examined. Positive. Per Cent. Rarotonga .. .. . • 149 51 34 202 73 36 Mangaia .. .. . ■ 131 34 25 Mauke .. .. ..27 12 44 25 12 48 Mitiaro .. .. 34 20 58 28 14 50 Aitutaki .. .. 89 44 47 76 37 48 Totals .. .. 341 117 34 331 136 41 1

Daytime. Night-time. Island. Examined. 1 — r- — Positive. Per Cent. Positive. Per Cent. Rarotonga .. . • • • • • 92 31 33 28 30 Mangaia Mauke .. •• •• • • 24 12 50 11 45 Mitiaro .. . • • • • • 28 16 57 14 50 Aitutaki .. .. • • ■ ■ 74 39 52 37 50 Totals .. .. 218 98 44 90 41

A.—3

36

7. Maritime Quarantine. On a small island near Avarua there is a Native structure which, has served in the past for a quarantine hospital. This is to be changed for a European structure. The location is convenient but well isolated. PART lII.—HOOKWORM SURVEY. 1. History of Hookworm Infection. In February, 1924, ova of hookworms were found in the stools of patients at the Avarua Hospital, and worms were washed from their stools by Dr. Mackenzie, Assistant Medical Officer. 2. Methods employed in the Present Survey. The present survey has been a success because of the happy co-operation with us of all agencies. The Minister (Sir Maui Pomare), the Secretary for the Cook Islands (Mr. J. D. Gray), Judge H. F. Ayson (Resident Commissioner), and all other officials of the Government, as well as the Natives themselves and the trading community, combined to make our work pleasant. During the first two weeks I lectured throughout Rarotonga in the schools from the standard hookworm charts, exhibiting specimens of hookworms and ascarides recovered in Rarotonga. After the lecture we distributed the small tin containers, and asked for specimens of bowel-motion to be returned in them, with the name, age, and sex of the donor. These were freely returned. Afterward we made a five-weeks trip through the Lower Group on the C.I.T.C. schooner " Tagua," on which Mr. J. P. Campbell of that company was making an annual stock-taking, which allowed us plenty of time on each island for our hookworm and filaria surveys. On each island we had many people who wanted to consult a doctor, so after Mangaia Was finished, on the islands of Mauke, Mitiaro, and Atiu, with the kind assistance of the Resident Agents of these places, we went over the whole population at first for evident conditions, weeding out from the total those requiring special attention. These I saw, and gave special physical examinations on the following days. I found that most of the Maoris would depart perfectly happy if they had had their hearts and lungs gone over with a stethoscope; and, as this is good practice, I was quite willing, and was able to pick up good information. I was unable to do this on Aitutaki, as we arrived there during the holiday festivities, and our work had to be sandwiched between series of dances and sports in the old Native style, and feasts given in our honour, and which we could not in courtesy ignore. I decided that our work there would be a failure, but I got a satisfactory number of specimens, and, before I left, the nurse, Miss Walsh, said that I had examined over one thousand three hundred people physically. The interest taken in matters of health by the Polynesian is most striking. On each island, Malakai, my assistant, made numbers of day and night examinations of blood for microfilaria. The standard hookworm charts of the International Health Board proved entirely satisfactory to these primitive people, who have not been made blase by the modern cinema. 3. Technique of Examination. We examined by the Willis technique of salt flotation. A small portion of the contents of the tin container is thoroughly mixed with a saturated solution of common salt. It is important that the salt solution should be saturated, and we are now making it well in advance. The container is then filled to the brim, and a glass slide is placed over it, covering the entire tin, and allowed to remain for at least fifteen minutes, when it is removed and placed under the low power of the microscope; and the eggs of hookworms are found floating on the adherent drops. We find it valuable to wipe each slide with a cloth wet with methylated spirit and to dry it before use, as our smear then spreads evenly. 4. Degree and Distribution of Hookworm Infection. There is not heavy infection of hookworms in the Cook Islands. The rate of infection is higher than in Tonga, which is in the same latitude, but not so heavy as in Samoa or Fiji —probably corresponding to the rainfall, which is higher than in Tonga but not so high as in Samoa or Fiji. The people wear shoes on special occasions only—not enough t'o affect the infection-rate. Table 1 shows the infection-rates by islands : — Table 1. —General Hookworm Infection by Islands. Examined. Infected. Per Cent. Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. 532 369 69 Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. 89 79 88 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 129 88 68 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. 53 34 60 Atiu .. .. .. .. 104 74 71 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 96 67 69 1,003 711 70 Europeans .. .. .. .. .. 23 13 56 Total .. .. ..1,026 724 70

37

A.—3.

The Europeans are seen by this table to have an. appreciable infection. Strangely enough, Mangaia has the heaviest infection-rate, though the most southern island. This is probably due to the fact that the Mangaian goes inside of the makatea to work, where the soil is very damp in his gardens, and lives more nearly a rural life than those on the other islands, where the gardens are nearer home, on the beach. Clinically, Aitutaki was most heavily infected, especially among the young children. Clinically, I saw many cases of infection with intestinal parasites —enough, and more, in my opinion, to warrant mass treatment of the whole population. 5. Infection by Age. Primitive peoples do not know their ages accurately, so that we have to take the age-grouping of " adults " and " children," calling those who are of marriageable age " adults," and the younger ones " children." Table 2 will show this grouping in the Cooks by age :— Table 2. —Hookworm Infection by Age. Examined. Infected. Per Cent. Men .. .. .. .. .. 265 201 76 Women .. .. .. .. .. 193 138 71 Adults .. .. .. .. 458 339 74 Boys .. .. .. .. .. .. 292 204 69 . Girls .. .. .. .. .. .. 253 168 66 Children .. .. .. .. 565 372 68 6. Infection by Sex. Table 3 will show the infection-rate among Cook-Islanders by sex : — Table 3. —Hookworm Infection by Sex. Examined. Positive. Per Cent. Males .. .. .. .. .. .. 557 405 72 Females .. .. .. .. .. 446 306 68 When all the males from the different islands are added together, and all the females, there seems to be little difference in the rate of infection by sex. But the infection by sex in different islands varies much more than this. Table 4 will carry this infection by age and sex into detail by islands. lam unable to explain this great variation, unless it be a difference in the location of the gardens from the homes, or a difference in the customs of some islands by which the women do more or less of the work in the gardens. On some islands our number of specimens was too small to make the infection-rate absolutely accurate.

Table 4.—Hookworm Infection. —Rate by Age and Sex.

7. Infection by Race. Infection by race has been shown in Table 1. There are only Polynesians and Europeans living in the Cook Islands. Immigration of Asiatics has been prohibited. In the Society Islands, to the north-east, the Polynesian race is on the way to be replaced by a half-caste race by crossing with the Chinese, who are rapidly gaining economic control. 8. Severity op Infection as shown by Worm-counts. We made twenty-three worm-counts of sorts in this group. Worm-counting is difficult to do. Under the best conditions, with intelligent subjects who are interested in co-operating, the task is difficult. Only by eternal vigilance can one be certain, even under ideal conditions, of his results.

(Ex. = examined; Inf. = infected.) Rarotonga. Mangaia. Mauke. Mitiaro. Atiu. Aitutaki. Ex - Inf " |Cent. | Cent. Ex " | Inf " Cenl Ex ' | Inf " |cent. Ex " Inf " Cent. Ex " j Inf " Cent. Men .. 117 78 66 28 28 100 37 29 81 20 14 70 32 24 76 31 28 90 Boys .. 177 131 74 26 23 88 29 15 51 9 2 22 30 19 63 21 14 66 Women .. 80 57 71 20 17 85 28 22 78 15 12 80 23 18 77 27 12 44 Girls .. 158 103 65 15 11 73 35 22 62 9 6 66 19 13 67 17 13 76

A.—3

38

In the Cooks it was exceedingly difficult. To rush on to on island, talk of a strange new disease, subject people to tests during which they must suffer confinement for forty-eight hours, the total length of the visit being three or four days, requires persuasive powers. Our visit was the most important affair of years on some islands, and each one who consented to tests was robbed of much of the pleasureable excitement of our visit. On Rarotonga we had planned to do more treatments in the gaol, but a hurricane in which we were unpleasantly involved used up a week of our time, and we returned to Rarotonga too late to make these counts. However, we made in all seven counts, on which we can depend absolutely. Our list of counts follows, with the island of residence. All subjects were male. All hookworms recovered were necators.

Table 5. —Worm-counts, Cook Islands.

The first seven of these counts were complete counts. The subjects were given 36 minims of a one-to-two mixture of chenopodium-tetrachloride mixture in a dose of saturated magnesium-sulphate solution, and their stools counted for forty-eight hours. Later they were given 45 minims of oil of chenopodium, and their stools counted for forty-eight hours, and all were found to have been cured by the first treatment. Probably the count may not show true total worm-count, as worms frequently pass on the third day; but it is relatively accurate, as the third-day count is usually small. These first seven complete counts total 392 worms —an average of fifty-seven worms per head. These subjects were not selected : they comprised all the males in the hospital and in the gaol at the time of the counts. The other subjects received 4 minims to the year of age of a one-to-three mixture of chenopodium-tetrachloride mixture, with an adult dose of 45 minims. Cook-Islanders, as with the Polynesian people in general, do not have so many worms per head, even living under the same climatic conditions as the Melanesians or the East Indians, probably because of their more cleanly habits of life. The remainder of our counts —from No. 8 to No. 23, inclusive —are not complete, nor a true index of the hookworm infection.' When mass treatments are given through the Group by a Medical Officer more counts should be made, so that an accurate record will be had of infective rates. Also, we did not visit the Northern Cooks, and we know nothing of the infection-rates there. Dr. J. P. Donald received an exact training in our methods of examination and worm-count while we were in Rarotonga. Clinically, Aitutaki and Mangaia are the heaviest-infected islands in the Southern Cooks. I believe that a rate of infection such as exists in the Cook Islands—-over 70 per cent.— especially when associated with the clinical manifestations noted, makes mass treatments of all the population imperative. Treatments with carbon-tetrachloride, or this in combination with oil of chenopodium, are cheap, efficient, and safe, and should produce striking results in the upbuilding of the population.

Hookworms recovered. Island. No. Age. i ; Forty-eight . Hours j Asoarls - Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 1 13 11 13 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. 2 Adult 168 1 Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 3 „ 25 1 4 „ 23 1 .. 5 „ 91 6 „ 49 7 „ 25 8 „ 7 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 9 „ 94 ] „ .. .. .. .. .. 10 6 8 5 „ 11 15 11 5 , .. .. .. 12 ! Adult 8 Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 13 13 2 14 10 2 38 15 11 6 16 11 2 2 17 17 12 Pukapuka .. .. .. .. 18 16 12 1 Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 19 8 12 5 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 20 12 2 „ .. .. .. .. 21 13 4 „ .. .. .. .. 22 20 5 ,, .. .. .. .. 23 30 37 616 73

A.—3

39

9. Infection with other Intestinal Parasites. In the course of examination of specimens for hookworm disease the ova of other intestinal parasites are incidentally discovered and noted. When hookworm-ova are found, the microscopist passes on to another specimen. We gave more attention to the specimen than this in the Cooks, and our records should be fairly accurate for those parasites whose eggs are floated by the Willis technique. Table 6 shows these other infections :—

Table 6. —Other Intestinal Parasites.

Tlie Trichuris trichiura; is found among all Melanesians and Polynesians, and this is lower than the infection-rate usually found among them. The Ascaris lumbricoides, however, does not seem to belong to these races, and is only found among them when introduced by other races. It seems evident to me from Table 6 that this worm has been introduced in comparatively recent times, as a glance shows that the infection has not yet reached a state of equilibrium throughout the Group. A compilation of the infection-rate by age and sex of the ascaris and trichuris infections shows that children get the infection and gradually lose it as they get older, this process being more marked in the case of the ascaris.

Table 7. —Infection with other Parasites, by Age and Sex.

10. Pig Worm-counts. We examined three pigs' guts and found that they contained forty worms. Among these were two ascarides, five trichurides, many Oesophagostomum dentation, and several which we did not recognize. They are being forwarded to Dr. B. H. Ransom, of the Bureau of Animal Industry, Washington, D.C., for examination. PART IV.—DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. On the whole, the Cook Islands have no grave public-health problems to face except the serious one of soil sanitation. Leprosy, which has been difficult to handle properly heretofore, should cease after a time if those at present infected are carefully weeded out and sent to Makogai. Yaws, on the whole, has been handled well. If present plans as outlined by the Medical Department are carried out, yaws will cease to exist except in a sporadic form as carried into the Group. Filariasis cannot be treated with our present knowledge ; and prophylasis —the suppression of the mosquito —is, with our present knowledge, probably out of range of the Cook Island Treasury. Intestinal parasites —hookworms and ascarides —could be eliminated as an economic factor, in all probability, by two thorough mass treatments separated by an interval of a year. Adequate instruction in the dangers of soil-pollution, and the installation of simple, inexpensive latrines, should prevent its return as an economic factor. This possibility would depend on the thoroughness of the instruction and the type of latrine installed, and its maintenance. This can never be done by the Medical Department alone. The hookworm work should carry with it instruction in simple sanitation, but the school system should make compulsory the adequate study of simple hygiene and publichealth problems in all the schools. Any other system of education in the tropics is incomplete. Because the Cooks have never experienced a great epidemic of typhoid is no reason for supposing that it cannot occur. There are said to be at present about thirty cases in the Avarua

Infected. Island. Examined. : Ascaris. Trichuris. Oxyuris. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Rarotonga .. .. .. 532 135 25 213 40 2 2 Mangaia .. .. .. 89 10 11 14 15 2 13 Mauke 129 31 24 49 38 1 2 Mitiaro .. .. .. 53 20 37 21 38 Atiu .. .. • • 104 6 5 33 31 4 4 Aitutaki .. .. .. 96 12 12 13 13 1,003 214 21 343 34 9 1

Infected. Examined. — Asearis. Trichuria. Per Cent. Per Cent. Men .. .. .. . • 265 38 15 77 29 Boys .. .. .. ..292 76 26 110 37 Women 193 25 12 45 24 Girls .. .. •• ..253 75 29 111 43

A.—3

40

Hospital each year. Within a year there was an epidemic in Mangaia. Shortly there will be the condition that has prevailed in Tonga, which has a similar latitude to the Cooks, where typhoid is a dire problem. The Cook Islands should be forehanded, learning by the mistakes of neighbours, and preventing a terrific annual toll in health and human lives that will follow. Lock the stabledoor in the islands where the typhoid thief has not arrived ! Build suitable latrines throughout the Group. Medical Service. —If the present plans for the enlargement of the Fiji Medical School go through, and the Cook Islands join in the plan, it will benefit the people of the outer islands tremendously, and will make her medical service entirely adequate to her needs. With her own Native doctors, health, population, wealth, and. prosperity should go forward at a rapid pace. GENERAL REMARKS. The economic and social problems of all the Pacific groups are remarkably similar. This is easier to appreciate when one remembers that all the Natives east of the 170 th degree of longitude speak a similar language, have similar customs and traditions ; and nearly all those west of that line are Melanesians, who come from the same ethnic stocks, have the same root languages, and similar customs. In general, all live under similar climatic conditions and eat the same foods. The main product of all is the dried meat of the coconut—Copra —the sale of which provides money for the improvement and advancement of the groups. The educational requirements of the Melanesian and Polynesian are not dissimilar, in many islands the two races blending. Their disease conditions are the same with the exception of malaria, which is found on no Polynesian Island as yet, and is found on all Melanesian islands except New Caledonia, and Fiji, which is Melo-Polynesian. But the government of them is as variegated as the spectrum. Australia controls two groups, Papua and New Guinea. A line running east from the point where the sth parallel crosses the 141 st meridian, down the central backbone of the island of New Guinea to the Bth parallel, divides its eastern half approximately in two equal parts. The southern part, with contiguous islands, is the Territory of Papua; the northern part, with contiguous islands, is the Australian Mandated Territory of New Guinea. The Western Pacific High Commission includes five groups —the New Hebrides, Gilbert and Ellice Island Colony, the British Solomons, Fiji, and Tonga. Tonga, where Great Britain only shows her hand through a paternal Consul and Agent, is governed by a Tongan monarch, and to-day has no external debt and a surplus of £100,000, with a happy, healthy, increasing population, and increasing imports and exports. The Western Pacific High Commissioner is Governor of Fiji. Fiji has an excellent medical service, and a Native medical school in which Natives are made competent to handle South Pacific conditions, medical and surgical. New Zealand has three Pacific groupings. Western Samoa, the mandated territory, with which is included the Union Group (except Swain's Island)- these are under the Department of External Affairs. The Cook Group is under its own Minister. Niue comes under this Minister as well, but separated from the Cook Islands. All of these people under New Zealand are Polynesians, with similar customs, language, and tradition. They face the same medical, educational, and economic problems. The rest of the South Pacific is divided between France and the United States. France has the Society Islands, the Paumotus, and the Marquesas in the East, and New Caledonia, the Loyalties, and a half-interest in the New Hebrides in the west. The United States has American Samoa, with nine thousand people, and Swain's Island, in the Union Group. From the standpoint of public health and preventative medicine, and I believe as well that of general and technical education, there will gradually grow to be a better realization of the necessity for looking on the South Pacific island groups as an entity, instead of as isolated groups having no interests in common. The sooner these groups wake up to the fact that medicine and education are international and not parochial in their outlook, the sooner shall we have these groups working in a spirit of reciprocity. There are two very hopeful prospects for the beginning of this international spirit. The High Commission Groups of Tonga, Fiji, Gilberts, and Ellices, and the British Solomons, together with New Zealand, Samoa, and the Cook Islands, are concentrating all their lepers on the admirable leper-station of Makogai, Fiji. The High Commission Groups of Fiji, Tonga, Gilberts, and Ellices, the British Solomons, and the New Hebrides, together with Samoa and the Cook Islands, are thinking of combining, on the invitation of the Governor of Fiji, to make the Fiji Medical School for Native medical practitioners large enough to furnish Native doctors for these groups. If Australia came in for Papua and New Guinea, it would mean all the British South Pacific. American Samoa can ill afford to have her Samoans miss this opportunity for helping themselves. These Native doctors, well trained in Western medicine, and understanding the Native mind, will do more than any other thing to check the decline of Native races and start population on the up-grade, with a resultant productivity and prosperity of the South Pacific. This same plan might be tried in higher technical and general education. In the South Pacific, as elsewhere, in unity there is strength.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (750 copies), £55.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 926.

Price is.]