COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1926.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1927 Session I, A-03

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1927. NEW ZEALAND

COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1926.]

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

MEMORANDUM. Cook Islands Department, Wellington, 10th June, 1927. I submit the attached annual reports of the Cook Islands and Niue Administrations. As they cover all phases of their respective Administrations in a full and interesting manner, it is not necessary for me to supplement them to any extent on this occasion. I am glad to be able to record that after long years of waiting a suitably equipped and reasonably fast steamer has been provided for the transport of fruit during the coming Cook Islands orange season. The vessel in question, the " Waipahi," will furnish a valuable supplementary service to that provided by the Wellington - San Francisco mail-steamers. In view of this improved transport I have impressed on all concerned in the islands the need for exercising the greatest care in picking, grading, and packing their fruit, in order to ensure that it shall arrive in the Dominion markets in the best possible condition. I desire again, in conclusion, to pay a sincere tribute of praise to the Resident Commissioners and all officers of the Pacific Administrations under my control. As I said last year, they are ably and successfully carrying on their work under difficult and trying conditions, and achieving results of which New Zealand may well be proud. M. Pomare, Minister for the Cook Islands.

REPORT OF COOK ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION. Rarotonga, 22nd April, ]927. Visit op His Excellency the Governor-General op New Zealand. During the year the Group was greatly honoured by an official visit from His Excellency General Sir Charles Fergusson, Bart., Governor-General of New Zealand, accompanied by the Lady Alice Fergusson. The viceregal party arrived at Rarotonga by the N.Z.G.S. " Tutanekai," escorted by the H.M.S. " Laburnum," on the 4th May last. Sir Maui Pomare, Minister of the Cook Islands, came from New Zealand to represent the New Zealand Government, and was accompanied by Lady Pomare and Mr. J. D. Gray, Secretary of the Cook Islands Department. The scene at the wharf on the landing of Their Excellencies was a very inspiring one, the surroundings being gaily decorated, and the whole of the approach from the landing-stage, along the wharf, and to the Government Buildings was lined with Native dancers in brightly coloured costumes, who sang a vigorous song of welcome. The Native and European population of the whole island

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united to do honour to the representative of their King. There was one continuous round of festivities during the four days Their Excellencies were in Rarotonga. The best part of a day was spent in each of the districts of Avarua, Arorangi, and Takitumu, and each vied with the other in its demonstrations of welcome and hospitality. His Excellency unveiled the Soldiers' Monument and the Roll of Honour, and dedicated the Soldiers Memorial Park, and Her Excellency opened the new Hospital Building. Their Excellencies also visited the islands of Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Atiu, Aitutaki, and Palmerston, spending a day at each. They were received at each island with the same warm demonstrations of loyalty as at Rarotonga. In every island they visited all the schools, much to the delight of the children, who received sound and homely advice from the addresses of His Excellency. There is no doubt that this visit will live long in the memories of our people. They are so intensely loyal to the Throne that when the King's Representative comes in such a kindly and helpful spirit a very great deal of good must result, and it is hoped that it may be possible to arrange for more frequent visits in future. Visit of the Hon. Sir Maui Pomare. The Hon. the Minister of the Cook Islands arrived by R.M.S. " Tahiti " on the Ist May in order to represent the New Zealand Government during the official visit of His Excellency the GovernorGeneral. He was accompanied by Lady Pomafe and Miss Pomare, and Mr. J. D. Gray, Secretary of the Cook Islands Department. The party received a very warm public welcome. The Minister remained in Rarotonga for a week, during which, despite the festivities in connection with the Governor-General's visit, a considerable amount of public business was transacted. On the Bth May the Minister, the Secretary of the Cook Islands Department, the Resident Commissioner, and the Chief Medical Officer embarked on the N.Z.G.S. " Hinemoa " for her long leper cruise via the Lower and Northern Groups and Samoa to Fiji. En route the ship called at our islands of Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Aitutaki, Palmerston, Penrhyn, Rakahanga, Manihiki, and Pukapuka. At each island the Minister received a warm-hearted reception, and he and his officers were afforded an opportunity of carrying out necessary work. This was the first visit of a Minister to the Northern Group for over twenty years, and it was greatly appreciated by the people. Visits of the Right Honourable thb Prime Minister of New Zealand. Rarotonga was fortunate in having a visit on the 18th September last from the Righ Hon. J. G. Coates, P.C., Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Mrs. Coates and party, while en route to the Imperial Conference in London, and again on the 7th February on the return journey to New Zealand. All sections of the community were very pleased to have the honour, as part of New Zealand, of saying the last farewell to the Prime Minister on his way home and of extending the first welcome back. Mr. Coates was very warmly received on each occasion, and was accorded an official and public reception. He also attended a short meeting of the Rarotonga Island Council. On the first visit a garden party at the Residency was arranged so that all Europeans and leading Natives would have an opportunity of meeting the Prime Minister and Mrs. Coates. On the return visit these distinguished visitors had a little more time at Rarotonga and were again hospitably entertained. These two visits, although time was short on each occasion, afforded an opportunity to the Prime Minister of gaining some insight into island life and conditions, and also into some of the problems which confront the Administration in administering this Group. Visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York to New Zealand. It was arranged to send to New Zealand representatives of the Cook Islands to present, on behalf of their people, greetings and loyal addresses to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York during the Royal visit to the Dominion. The Cook Islands representatives were Makea-nui Tinirau Ariki, of Avarua; Tinomana, Tuoro Ariki, of Arorangi; and Tau-puru-ariki Mataiapo, of Takitumu —the latter also acting as interpreter. On behalf of the people of the Cook Islands they presented to His Royal Highness an address of welcome and of loyalty and devotion to His Majesty the King. They also made a presentation to the Duke of a casket made of Rarotongan woods inlaid with pearl-shell, and to the Duchess of a ring of tortoise-shell inlaid with silver. Their address and the Duke's reply have been read with great interest by all the people throughout the Group, and there is no doubt that this opportunity of seeing and meeting the son of His Majesty will further strengthen the ties of friendship and loyalty uniting New Zealand's dependencies of the South Seas and Great Britain. The Cook Islands representatives keenly appreciated the manner in which they were received in New Zealand by the Government and the people, and all that was done to make their visit a memorable and enjoyable one. Finance. The financial year commenced with a credit balance of £5,343 lis. 9d. Revenue received (including a grant of £1,000 from New Zealand Treasury) amounted to £19,103 lis. 5d., and the expenditure was £24,447 3s. 2d. We thus closed the year with a credit of £143 16s. sd. The position is not satisfactory, as it will be seen from particulars of balance printed below that our principal credits consist of stocks on hand, £2,257 Is, 5d., and amounts owing to Administration,

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£1,357 lis. 6d., whilst we owe the sum of £3,818 10s. 2d., our principal creditor being the l\tw Zealand Government Advances Account. This position has arisen through a large fall in revenue, which was £5,164 13s. Bd. less in actual cash than was received for the previous year. In Customs duties alone we received £3,572 14s. Id. less than for the previous year. There was a large drop in copra duties (£463 10s lOd.) and High Court fees and fines (£347 12s. 3d.). The fall in revenue can be almost solely attributed to the heavy storm of the Ist April, 1926, mentioned in last annual report, which greatly affected the export of fruit, and correspondingly imports and Customs duties. On the expenditure side the storm reparation has been responsible for a considerable increase, even over the £1,000 granted from New Zealand. On the other hand, with increasing activities in various directions, such as medical services, education, superannuation, public works, &c., the yearly expenditure is steadily increasing. Prospects in regard to finance for the coming year are not bright, as the orange crop is again a very small one, and we are still faced with large expenditure on account of the heavy rains in December last, mentioned under the heading of " Meterorological." Details of revenue and expenditure for the year ended the 31st March, 1927, are set out hereunder :— Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1926. Revenue. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d* Balance as at 31st March, 1926 .. 5,343 11 9 Aitutaki—Salaries .. .. .. 615 0 0 Grant from New Zealand on account of Aitutaki Wharf .. .. .. 355 17 2 losses by storms .. .. .. 1,000 0 0 Atiu —Salaries .. .. .. 60 17 6 Ammunition (profit on sales) .. .. 36 15 1 Audit Account .. .. . . 131 12 8 Benzine (profit on issues) .. .. 7 511 Agricultural classes .. .. .. 29 6 4 Copra export duty .. .. .. 1,760 810 Atiu cargo-shed .. .. . . 710 0 Customs duties .. .. .. 10,166 3 0 Contingencies .. .. .. 1,179 5 7 Cinema licenses .. .. .. 15 0 0 Courts .. .. .. .. 1,251 19 9 Cartage shooks .. .. .. 54 1 2 Dental Department .. .. .. 173198 Diving licenses .. .. .. 8 0 0 Education .. .. . , .. 1,252 2 3 Dog-tax .. .. .. .. 159 5 0 Experimental farm . . . . . . 298 410 Education, Northern Group .. .. 235 15 3 Freezer .. .. . . .. 334 0 7 Fruit-inspection fees .. .. .. 1,047 10 2 Furniture .. .. .. .. 515 7 1 Film-censorship fees .. .. .. 12 5 9 Freezer—New building .. .. 1,643 15 1 High Court fees and fines .. .. 1,127 1 6 Fruit-storage shed . . . . . . 101 19 9 Hall licenses.. .. .. .. 8 0 0 Government buildings . . .. 1,005 11 7 Liquor (profit on sales) .. .. 189 18 7 Governor-General's visit .. .. 549 12 3 Marriage fees .. .. .. 43 1 0 Hospital .. .. .. .. 3,303 711 Motor fees .. .. .. .. 125 10 0 Hospital—New building .. . : 389 1 6 Native Land Court fees .. .. 146 14 6 House—Assistant Medical Officer .. 96 10 8 Passport fees .. .. .. 21 13 0 Lepers .. .. .. .. 541 0 0 Post-office box rents .. .. .. 8 3 6 Lunatics .. .. .. .. 130 11 2 Rents .. .. .. .. 270 16 8 Mangaia—Salaries .. .. .. 501 0 0 Road rates . . .. .. .. 96 0 6 Manihiki and Rakahanga—Salaries .. 277 10 0 Shipping fees .. .. .. 416 0 Mauke—Salaries .. .. ... 346 0 0 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. 1,306 12 0 Mitiaro —Salaries .. .. .. 83 0 0 Stock, P.W.D. (profit on issues) .. 018 6 Penrhyn—Salaries .. . . .. 320 0 0 Trading licenses .. .. .. 776 10 0 Police .. .. .. .. 1,104 6 6 Water rates .. .. .. .. 439 8 0 Post-office .. .. ~ .. 329 4 9 Wireless .. .. .. .. 35 17 6 Printing .. .. .. .. 31 7 3 Prisoners .. .. .. .. 129 10 11 Public works .. .. .. 750 11 5 Pukapuka—Salaries .. .. .. 400 6 4 Resident Commissioner's Office .. 1,569 9 6 Roads, bridges, culverts, and foreshore .. 1,824 8 0 Subsidy, flying-foxes and rats .. .. 132 14 10 Superannuation .. .. .. 250 2 8 Telephones .. .. .. .. 3 3 7 Treasury and Customs . . .. 681 1 1 Trucks .. .. .. .. 246 7 2 Water .. . . . . .. 577 12 5 Whare Manuhiri .. .. .. 361 10 5 Total expenditure . . .. 23,886 0 2 Fruit-case accounts, written off 417 6 7 24,303 6 9 Balance as below . . .. 143 16 5 £24,447 3 2 £24,447. 3 2 Particulars of Balance. £ s. d. Cash in hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 272 17 3 Cash in bank .. .. .. .. .. .. 33 9 8 Cash in hands of Resident Agents .. .. .. .. 4169 Stocks on hand .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,257 1 5 £ s. d. 2,604 15 1 Amounts due by C.IA. .. .. .. 3,818 10 2 Less amounts due to C.1.A... .. .. 1,357 11 6 2,460 18 8 Balance as above .. .. .. .. .. £143 16 5

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The balance-sheet set out hereunder takes into account the value of all Administration assets throughout the Group as at the 31st March, 1927, and all liabilities, and shows an excess of assets amounting to £71,950 lis. lOd. Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1927. Liabilities. £ s. d. Assets. £ s. d. Accumulated funds .. .. .. 71,950 11 10 Land and buildings .. .. .. 55,495 3 2 Sundry creditors .. .. .. 3,818 10 2 Waterworks, Rarotonga .. .. 5,153 15 0 Water-tanks, outer islands .. .. 1,686 5 0 Telephone system .. .. .. 555 0 0 Plant and tools .. .. .. 2,503 7 10 Office furniture and fittings .. .. 679 11 6 Furniture, household .. .. 4,367 13 7 Boats .. .. .. .. 498 14 4 Motor-vehicles .. .. .. 867 5 0 Stocks on hand .. .. .. 2,267 1 5 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 1,357 11 6 Cash in hand (Resident Agents) .. 41 6 9 Cash in bank .. .. .. 33 9 8 Cash in hand .. .. .. 272 17 3 £75,769 2 0 £75,769 2 0 Trade. For the year ended 31st December, 1926, the value of the imports was £134,473, and of exports £138,588, showing an excess of exports of £4,115. For the previous year the figures were : Imports, £130,609 ; exports, £151,939. During the year 169,668 cases of oranges and other citrus fruits, 30,766 cases of bananas, and 72, 087 cases of tomatoes, were exported. The following comparative table shows the exports of our main products for the last three years, ending 31st December : — 1924. 1925. 1926. Oranges (cases) ... .. .. 177,396 94,773 169,668 Bananas (cases) .. .. .. 78,453 85,451 30,766 Tomatoes (cases) .. .. .. 25,438 61,064 72,087 Copra (tons).. .. .. .. 2,250 2,440 1,245 It will be seen that our export of bananas was extremely poor, and the copra showed a drop of nearly 1,000 tons on the previous year, being just about half a normal year's output. This is due to the very heavy storms experienced in December, 1925, and the Ist April, 1926, Rarotonga itself being the worst sufferer of all the islands of the Group. It will still be some twelve months before we entirely recover from the effects of the storms, and the prospects of the banana and copra trade for the current year are not at all encouraging. Our growers are planting heavily this season in tomatoes, and it is to be hoped that the season will be a good one in order that we may make up some of our losses in other directions. As to steamer services, it is anticipated that the mail-steamer will meet requirements if the arrangement to reserve ten thousand cases each ship all the way from San Francisco is adhered to. In last annual report reference was made to the unsatisfactory cargo service, but for the coming season the Union Steamship Company has effected considerable alterations and improvements to the " Waipahi," which is to enter the service, in order to make her suitable for fruit-carrying. If she proves satisfactory, then a grievance of our exporters which has existed for a great many years will have been removed. The following are the returns of the imports and exports for the year just ended, together with a summary for the past twelve years. Poet op Avarua. Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1926. £ £ New Zealand .. .. .. 95,531 Italy .. .. .. . . 150 United States of America .. .. 13,720 Siam .. .. .. .. 142 United Kingdom .. .. .. 10,995 Belgium .. .. .. 138 Australia .. .. .. 6,922 Czecho-Slovakia .. . . 103 Tahiti .. .. .. .. 1,505 Austria .. . . .. 49 India .. .. .. .. 1,434 Norway .. .. .. 47 France .. .. .. .. 759 Holland .. .. .. 45 Canada .. .. .. .. 744 Ceylon.. .. .. .. 11 Switzerland .. . * .. 573 South Africa .. .. .. 7 Germany .. .. .. 456 Algeria .. . . .. 6 Japan .. .. .. . . 367 Fiji .. .. .. .. 2 Sweden .. .. .. .. 357 China .. .. .. .. 212 £134,473 Samoa . . .. .. .. 198 ' < -

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Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1926.

SUMMARY. £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 101,752 United States of America .. .. .. .. 23,794 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. 8,730 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,062 Australia .. .. .. .. .. 250 £138,588

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Article. Where exported. Quantity. J Value. Cases. £ Oranges .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 168,625 57,133 Tahiti .. .. .. 2 1 168,627 57,134 Mandarines .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 776 180 Tahiti .. .. .. 3 2 779 182 Limes and lemons .. .. New Zealand . . .. 201 97 Grapefruit .. .. .. ,, .. .. 61 75 Tomatoes .. .. .. „ .. .. 72,043 26,869 Tahiti .. .. .. 44 12 72,087 26,881 Bananas .. .. .. New Zealand .. 30,766 16,608 Marios .. . . .. ,, . . .. 16 6 Avocado pears .. .. ,, .. .. 15 4 Mangoes .. . . .. „ .. .. 2 1 Melons .. .. .. ,, .. .. 2 1 Kumaras .. .. .. ,, . . .. 392 84 Tahiti .. . . .. 11 4 403 88 Taro .. .. .. New Zealand .... 4 1 Kits. Vanilla-plants .. .. Tahiti .. .. .. 34 43 Sacks. Coconuts .. .. .. New Zealand . . . . 1,536 693 Gunnies. United States of America .. 764 191 2,300 884 Tons. cwt. qr. lb. Copra .. .. .. „ .. 1,098 13 1 4 23,003 United Kingdom . . . . 146 5 2 2 2,980 1,244 18 3 6 25,983 Pearls .. .. .. „ .. .._ .. 5,750 United States of America .. .. 600 Tahiti .. .. .. .. 4,000 Australia.. .. .. . . 250 10,600 _ _ £138,588

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Return of Imports and Exports for the Twelve Years 1915 to 1926, inclusive.

Medical and Public Health. On the whole, general health conditions in all the islands have been satisfactory during the year. All the alterations and additions at the Rarotonga Hospital were completed early 'in the year, and this institution should now be sufficient to meet requirements for some years. In May last Dr. E. P. Ellison assumed the position of Chief Medical Officer, and in July Dr. B. G. Thompson was appointed Assistant Medical Officer, vice Dr. J. P. Donald, who retired to take tip private practice in New Zealand. It is satisfactory to note that the medical services are now on a sound and progressive basis. As anticipated, the report of Dr. S. M. Lambert, of the International Health Board (Rockefeller Foundation), which was printed as an appendix to last annual report, has proved most valuable in dealing with our various problems in regard to tropical diseases. Mass treatment for hookworm and yaws has been undertaken in several of the islands, and it is anticipated that this work will be completed during the coming year. Valuable work in regard to leprosy has been undertaken by the Chief Medical Officer. In May of last year the Government steamer " Hinemoa " removed forty leper patients to the Fijian Leper Station at Makogai, where they are receiving up-to-date treatment, with every prospect that the majority will be cured and, in course of time, be able to return to these islands. It is anticipated that the remainder of our leper patients will be similarly removed from the Group during the current year. The Medical Department is continuing its policy of training Native probationer nurses at the local hospital with a view to their being able to efficiently carry out the duty as nurses here and in the Group islands. With advancing education the service should soon be in a position to secure a better class of trainee. The following are extracts from the annual report of the Chief Medical Officer : — " During the early part of this year substantial additions and alterations were made to the hospital, and improvements effected outside. In May Her Excellency the Lady Alice Fergusson opened this new building, comprising a dispensary and storeroom, a dressing-room, an office and laboratory, and a dental surgery. The hospital should now serve the wants of the Group for many years to come. " Pratique has been granted to fifty-one vessels. During the height of the small-pox outbreak in California, and especially Los Angeles, it was thought advisable on one occasion not to grant full pratique till further information was gleaned. A labour gang alone, previously vaccinated, was allowed aboard. To prevent the possible introduction of leprosy from the Northern Group all vessels touching on these islands are strictly inspected. "It has been our endeavour from the outset to concentrate our attention on the medical needs of the islands outside Rarotonga, which no doubt have received, and will continue to receive, the lion's share. In a scattered group like this it has entailed much travelling. Much of it, too, is somewhat unsatisfactory, for the time ashore is often insufficient to attend properly to the physical welfare of the people. To meet this, and help in our aims and ideals for their betterment, while bearing in mind also the limited finances and staff at our disposal, it was thought advisable to commence a lecturing campaign and so persuade the Natives to come forward voluntarily and, with the help of their respective Resident Agents, assist to bring about a lower infantile and general death-rate by the formation of Baby and Children's Welfare Committees and Sanitation Committees respectively. Such a campaign has been carried on throughout the Groups both south and north, and, it is hoped, will fill the hiatus between the previous state and the day when nurses or Native medical practitioners, or both, will be stationed on each of the outer islands. " The movement has been extended to Rarotonga, and each village has its committees and is doing splendid work and achieving good results. The women's committees are coached in pre-natal and post-natal care ; in the conduct of labour ; in weaning ; in the many often fatal ailments a baby is heir to ; and simple drugs are at their disposal. It is hoped to start a clinic of these committees in the out-patients department, Rarotonga.

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Year. J 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 1926 .. .. .. 134,473 138,588 - 273,061

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" The total visits to the out-patients department by the Maoris numbered 9,888, and 344 attendances, &c., were paid on Europeans. The most prevalent complaints were respiratory (especially in the colder months), and alimentary, from indiscretions of diet. About fifteen or twenty come daily for dressings, injections of bicreol, or for hook-worm treatment, the latter being always recommended. Filarial abscesses which are pointing well are always attended to in this department. Phthisis is alarmingly prevalent, arid there are many cases of haemoptysis. " The hospital in-patients for the year numbered 180, of whom 15 were European. Some major and many minor operations were performed under general anaesthesia. " Tubercular patients are being received on to the wide veranda facing the sea, were there is maximum fresh air and sunlight. " Numerous visits were paid to outpatients and to confinements. " Mass Treatment. —Following on the report of Dr.. Lambert, of the International Health Board of the Rockfeller Foundation, and his findings in regard to hookworm and round-worm, mass treatment was resorted to. Before December was far advanced all the schools of Rarotonga and Mangaia had received treatment, and all adults, save a few adherents of Ratana and a few Others still steeped in superstition. We are grateful for the enthusiastic assistance of Mr. Binsted, Superintendent of Schools, and of the headmasters and teachers in seeing that school-children came for their medicine. The whole population of Pukapuka, Manihiki, and Rakahanga have received mass treatment, also the majority at Mangaia, while Aitutaki is now being attended to. " There appears to be a steady increase in the population as a group, but especially is the increase noticeable in Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and Mangaia —i.e., where the people are receiving skilled attention. " Typhoid.—Sporadic cases occurred in Rarotonga, and an outbreak in Mangaia which would have been very serious had it not been efficiently handled by Nurse McGruther. " The schools were periodically examined and treated both medically and dentally, and clinics were held for the school-teachers. " Sister Walshe, who was in charge of Aitutaki, has at her own request relinquished her position, and I would like to record here her excellent services to the island, which deeply regretted her departure. We were fortunate in obtaining the services of Sister Greaves to succeed her. " I desire to record my appreciation of the excellent work done by the Matron and her staff at the Rarotonga Hospital, for I am assured that the hospital has never been so consistently taxed to provide accommodation. The Maori trainees discharge their duties efficiently, and should in time be fit to send to some of the islands. Indeed, one, Ani Pirangi, has already been tried out at Aitutaki, and nothing but good has been reported of her work there. " Bicreol is being used in all cases of yaws, and generally with excellent results. In our trip in December through the Northern Group, Pukapuka and Rakahanga were given the benefit of at least one injection where indicated, 220 for former and 45 for latter. " Leprosy.—The steady campaign against this disease, so deeply rooted in some of the northern islands, is being continued, and the combing being as thoroughly done as time will permit. It is our endeavour to recognize the disease in its incipient stages, so that cures will be quicker and more dependable. In May of last year the N.Z.G.S. " Hinemoa " transported forty lepers to Makogai. Another case has recently been discovered in Rarotonga. We must expect further cases till we get beyond the incubation period of the disease. Penrhyn is badly infected. " Recommendations and Suggestions for the Future Medical Welfare of the Group.—No one cognisant of the scattered nature of the islands coming under this Administration will deny the necessity for a third doctor to attend efficiently to the needs of these people. I would not suggest that he would be always necessary, but while we are so busily engaged combating leprosy and carrying on campaigns against the other foremost tropical diseases there is an urgent need. It would be well if such a person had experience in leprosy and in tropical diseases. " A consumptive sanatorium—a series of shelters of well-built leaf huts, open to the sun, would suffice, and is urgently called for. Tuberculosis is the scourge of the islands of Rarotonga and Mangaia, and the percentage of deaths due to it is high. The cost of such an institution should not be exorbitant. " If the Sanitation Committee fail voluntarily to clean up their respective villages, I would suggest the appointment of a Health Inspector to attend to sanitation, W.C.s, urinals, slaughterhouses, picture-palaces, ice-cream shops, food, cake and food vendors, bakeries, old houses, refuse-heaps, pigsties, water-holes, as well as the fumigation of infected houses, &c. " In making provision for the future the careful choosing and training of promising educated Maoris as Native medical practitioners is strongly advocated. It should be cheaper than the Fijian scheme, and should suit our requirements. " A district nurse capable of attending to the sanatorium and having general training as well, and Plunket, too, if possible, would be preferable to a second nurse for the hospital." Dental Clinic. The clinic, under Mr. F. B. Rice, 8.D.5., continues to do work of great benefit and convenience to the community. The clinic was open in Rarotonga from April till November, and in Aitutaki from December to March. The number of patients during the year totalled. 1,041, and the attendances 2,094. The fdllowing operations were performed : Fillings, 1,445 ; extractions, 1,198 ; miscellaneous, 901 ; total, 3,544,

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The following are extracts from the annual report of the Dental Officers: — " A considerable amount of operative work has been done on the Avarua School children, two hundred of whom were rendered dentally fit by the end of November, 1926. The value of the work done has been considerable, both from a monetary and health standpoint. It is doubtful, however, if the parents of the children sufficiently value it. " The one bright spot was evinced when about sixty of the completed children were re-examined in March, 1927, after a lapse of nearly six months without dental treatment. Contrary to expectation, all the mouths presented a clean and healthy appearance, food debris was absent, and the teeth themselves exhibited a minimum of caries. As the sixty children examined are in the most junior classes (ages ranging from about five to eight years), the conditions were most encouraging ; also, the general appearance of the children was most noticeable—healthy, care-free, and vivacious to a degree. Great credit reflects on the children, who are handicapped by a lack of tooth-brushes, and have had to make shift with the suggestion to eat fruit after all other food. Credit is also due to the teachers, who have impressed the value of a clean mouth on the plastic minds of these junior children, and interested them in making toothpicks and other homely prophylactic instruments. " It was found impossible to institute routine tooth-brush drill into the school curriculum, mainly because of the financial aspect. Also a certain amount of education in the necessity of prophylaxis seems to be essential, both for the parents and the children. However, the thin edge of the wedge has already been inserted, and we can only hope that progress will be sure, if gradual. " A fair amount of adult work has also been done. " The plan of work for the new year comprises the periodic examination and treatment of the two hundred completed children and an extension of treatment to the Takitumu children. " It is quite a noticeable fact that the children's teeth in the various classes in the schools are progressively worse from the senior classes downwards. For example, in the Aitutaki School, Class 8 showed a higher percentage of fairly sound mouths than Class 7, and so on. A few figures which have been compiled may serve to illustrate this. They are as follows :— Number in Fairly Sound Mouths. Class. Per Cent. " Class 8 .. .. .. .. 25 32 „ 7 .. .. .. .. 29 24-1 „ 6 .. .. .. .. 29 24-1 „ 5 .. .. .. .. 33 18-2 „ 4 .. .. .. .. 24 8-3 " These figures seem to fairly indicate the rapid progress in the incidence of caries during the last few years. Rarotonga may be considered worse in this respect, the actual incidence of caries being 97 per cent., as compared with Aitutaki, 91 per cent. Undoubtedly, the dental constitution, at least, of the children born in 1927 is not so strong as that of those born in 1917. Unbelievable as it may be, there are some children who already require partial dentures, without which their digestion will unquestionably suffer, and the long train of ills following insufficient digestion will unquestionably manifest itself."

Vital Statistics.

Migration. The following returns show the migration to and from Rarotonga from the Ist April, 1926, to the 31st March, 1927 :— Arrivals. —Europeans : Adults—Bo males, 80 females ; children —9 males, 11 females. Natives : Adults—77 males, 47 females ; children—l 6 males, 23 females. Departures. —Europeans : Adults—72 males, 77 females ; children—l 3 males, 14 females. Natives : Adults—49 males, 32 females ; children —16 males, 12 females,

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Births. Deaths. Marriages. Name of Island. European. Maori. European. Maori. European. Maori. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. I Rarotonga . . .. 2 2 78 71 . . 2 37 34 6 48 Aitutaki . . . . 51 55 .... 34 19 3 27 Mangaia. . . . . .... 1 30 25 .... 14 25 . . 13 Atiu .. . . .. 30 29 .... 23 12 .. 6 Mauke . . 13 8 .... 12 4 ] 11 Mitiaro . . . . 16 9 .... 2 5 .. 5 Manihiki . . . . 6 14 .... 12 3 .. 5 Rakahanga . . .... 1 6 9 . . . . : 5 4 1 2 Penrhyn . . 7 7 .... 7 10 . . 4 Papapuka .. . . 6 12 .... | 9 5 . . 8 Totals.. .. .. 2 | 4 i 243 239 .. 2 155 121 11 129 i

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Census. A census was taken on the 20th April, 1926, and gives the following figures : —

It will be seen from the following comparative table that our population is steadily increasing, the increase since last census being 622.

Education. Excellent progress has been made this year in educational matters, as will be seen by a perusal of the attached annual report of the Superintendent of Schools. The more important work undertaken was — (1) The construction of new courses of study for the pupils in keeping with the conclusions arrived at by the Conference of educational experts from New Zealand, Fiji, Samoa, and Cook Islands, mentioned in last annual report, and well suited to.the educational needs of this community. Agriculture has been made one of the main studies and good progress is shown. Woodwork is also undertaken in all schools. (2) Classes for instruction of Native teachers have been established. The European staff has been increased and concentrated on this work, with the result that all Native teachers are now receiving regular instruction and training, and already there has been considerable improvement in their academic status. (3) The most important development during the year was the establishment at the beginning of this year of a training and normal school, in order to thoroughly train the Native teachers. This policy is absolutely sound, and when developed will give a regular supply of good reliable teachers capable of taking up work in any part of the Group. This will be of great benefit particularly to the outlying islands of the Northern and Southern Groups. In July and August last there was a visit of inspection by Mr. J. A. Valentine, until recently a Senior Inspector of the New Zealand Education Department. He visited the' schools in Rarotonga and in all

2—A. 3.

9

„ ,. _ , ,. Population other than Native Population. Native Totals. . Island. j Males. Females.! J' 01 " 1 Males. Females. , Males. Females. I oexes. bexes. oexes. Aitutaki .. .. .. | 720 609 1,417 7 7 14 727 704 1,431 Atiu .. .. .. 474 450 924 5 4 9 479 454 933 Mangaia .. .. .. 636 605 1,241 7 1 8 643 606 1,249 Manihiki . . .. 214 199 413 3 3 217 199 416 Manuae and Te-Au-o-Tu .. 21 .. 21 1 1 22 .. 22 Mauke .. .. .. 1 263 233 496 8 7 15 271 240 511 Mitiaro .. .. .. j 113 123 236 2 2 115 123 238 Palmerston .. .. 48 49 97 .. j .. 48 49 97 Penrhyn .. .. .. 201 189 390 3 2 5 204 191 395 Pakapuka.. .. ,. 266 244 510 9 7 16 275 251 526 Rakahanga .. .. 172 153 325 1 1 2 173 154 327 Raroronga .. .. 1,969 1,762 3,731 122 83 205 2,091 1,845 3,936 Totals, Cook and 5,097 4,704 9,801 I 168 112 280 5,265 4,816 10,081 Northern Islands

Island. | 1906. 1911. 1916. 1921. 1926. I , Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 1,162- 1,237 1,302 1.373 1,431 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 918 812 759 837 933 Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. 1,531 1,471 1,245 1,230 1,249 Manihiki .. .. ■ .. .. .. 521 444 493 432 416 Manuae and Te Au-o-Tu .. .. . . .. 29 23 .. 22 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 446 457 490 578 511 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. 210 199 237 207 238 Palmerston .. .. .. .. 82 107 90 83 97 Penrhyn . . . . . . .. . . 420 335 326 376 395 Pukapuka .. .. .. .. 435 490 474 530 526 Rakahanga '. . . . . . . . 352 315 295 310 327 Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 2,441 2,759 3,064 3,503 3,936 Suwarrow .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Totals .. .. .. .. 8,518 8,655 8,805 9,459 10,081

A.—3

the islands of tie Lower Group, excepting Aitutaki, and after thoroughly studying our conditions and problems has submitted a very comprehensive and most valuable report full of sound, practical, and helpful advice. Taking into consideration the social state of the Natives, their environment, traditions, aims, the outlook for the future, and the other many and complex problems surrounding the development of a scheme of education suitable to their present needs, ability, and future prospects, the Administration is hopeful that at last a scheme which will give sound and satisfactory results of practical use to the community has been evolved. The thanks of the Administration are due to the Superintendent of Schools and to all European headmasters and teachers for the energy and zeal they are showing in the cause of education, and for the self-sacrifice inseparable from any official position in these Islands. School attendance is increasing, the number of pupils on the rolls of the Southern Group schools being now 1,507, whilst there are about 380 pupils in the subsidized mission schools in the Northern Group. The following are extracts from the annual report of the Superintendent of Schools : — " Introduction. —In the report for the year ending the 31st March, 1926, a fairly complete survey of the whole field was made, and as a result a number of defects was revealed. This made it possible to plan out a programme so that the most important and urgent requirements could be attended to first. It is very gratifying, therefore, to be able to record some marked developments. " The following statement sets out briefly the most important work undertaken during the year past: — " (1) Construction of new courses of study. " (2) New scale of salaries for Native teachers drawn up. " (3) Bequirements for teachers' certificates outlined. " (4) Classes for instruction of Native teachers established. " (5) Training college and normal school established at Avarua. " (6) Hostel for women teachers provided at Avarua. " In addition to the above major projects, a number of minor improvements have been effected, most of which are referred to in the following report. " School buildings being improved to protect from cold winds : At Avarua two very large classrooms were divided by 8 ft. walls, thus giving four separate rooms, and so avoiding the difficulties involved in having two teachers at work in the same room. In order to shut out the cold, wet winds, which have such a serious effect on the health of the children and teachers, the walls on the eastern sides of two buildings have been raised to a height of 7 ft. and those on the northern and southern sides to 5 ft. The results will be closely watched so that any disadvantages may be remedied and other schools receive the benefits. " Equipment. —Free-arm blackboards being provided for infants : Each school is now fully equipped with blackboards for the use of teachers. For the use of the smaller children, who receive great educational benefits from the use of blackboards, suitable boards are being provided. " Suitable text-books adapted to language ability not procurable : In all tropical educational systems the greatest difficulty has been experienced in writing suitable text-books for reading, composition, arithmetic, health, agriculture, and other subjects. Although books of various kinds have been obtained from a great variety of sources during the last year, no books appropriate to the needs and abilities of Cook Islands pupils have been discovered. It is therefore necessary to provide substitute material until sufficient information, experience, and knowledge of the interests of Maori pupils have been obtained to justify our attempting to produce our own books. The difficulties in the way are far greater than appear at first sight, for the material used must deal with local conditions, the reading must be written in a manner interesting to Maori children, and the vocabulary of each book must be within the capacities of the class of children who are to use it. For example, the Philippine readers, which were in use here for some years, not only deal with matters of no interest to our pupils, but recent investigations show that the vocabulary used is quite beyond the abilities of Filipino children, who have a comparatively advanced system, of education. New Zealand arithmetics have been used here in the past, but they are quite useless in Cook Islands, for they deal with problems and experiences unknown to local conditions, while the work for each class does not correspond to that of any class in our schools. " Schools are now provided with a minimum supply of woodwork tools : Each school has now been provided with a small outfit of tools so that some experience in the manual arts may be obtained by the senior pupils. This has had to be confined largely to the construction of school equipment so far, but with the provision of an adequate supply of tools very valuable training in a course of farm and home handicraft can be given. " Native arts hindered by destruction of pandanus : Owing to the ravages of the mealy bug, the growth of the rau ara (pandanus) in the Southern Group has almost ceased, with the result that the plaiting and basketry has been carried on with the greatest difficulties. It may be possible to cultivate supplies at the schools with the assistance of the agricultural officers, a step which would provide an interesting experiment. " Teaching Staff. —European staff increased and concentrated to train Native teachers : An important change in policy has resulted in the addition of two European women teachers to the staff of the Avarua School, which has now become a normal school. At the same time an additional assistant has made it possible to entirely separate the European school. This was necessary because of the differences in the curricula of the Cook Islands and New Zealand, making it impossible to do justice

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to either Maori or European children. The promotion of the head teacher at Mangaia to the dual position of head teacher and Resident Agent made it necessary to appoint a male assistant European teacher, who will take up his duties in April, at the'Oneroa School. " Native teachers greatly improved in academic status : Although there has been no change in the total number of Native teachers, there has been a considerable change in their educational standing. In 1926 there were eleven Native teachers in Rarotonga without any certificates. Of these, four are now entitled to Class 8 certificates, while the remainder have improved their qualifications considerably. At the same time, it must be remembered that such qualifications are considerably below the desirable minimum, if teachers are ever to learn modern methods of teaching. At the time of writing the results of the December examinations for Native teachers in the Outer Islands have not come to hand, and so can not be included in this report. " Training of Teachers. —Training college and normal school established at Avarua : What is easily the most important step in education since the opening of schools was taken at the commencement of 1927, when a training college and normal school were established at Avarua. The importance of the new step lies in the fact that before undertaking any duties or responsibility as a classteacher the young teacher will receive a three-years course in the college. Here he will extend his study of the subjects taught in the public schools, for, contrary to the generally accepted idea, a teacher needs to know a great deal more about each subject than he is required to actually teach. Instruction in the methods of teaching suitable to Maori pupils will be given as well as some insight into the characteristics of children. In the normal school the students will go through a graduated course of observation and practice in class-teaching, commencing with very small units, so that they may develop some skill in the mechanical aspects of class-control before they attempt to actually teach. The practice of allowing students to take charge of a class and then to sink or swim is most damaging to both children and students. "Pupil-teachers are now receiving regular instruction and training: Up to the present no pupils have passed through the complete Cook Islands public-school course, so that, with the exception of those who had passed the Proficiency or Competency Examination in New Zealand, all pupilteachers have in the past been appointed straight from the lower classes. The low standard of education among the pupil-teachers made any advance impossible, and so one hour per day was taken off the children's school-time and devoted to the instruction of the teachers, throughout the Southern Group. From the academic point of view the results have been very encouraging. Prior to the commencement of the teachers' classes in Rarotonga the teachers were tested by means of standardized tests with a view to obtaining an accurate estimate of their progress in certain subjects. " Arithmetic improves 23 per cent.: In arithmetic reasoning, adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing an average gain of 23 per cent, was made, while in a very exhaustive test of the meaning of words a gain of 13 per cent, was effected. " Unusual gain in intelligence: That the methods used by the head teachers have been of allround value rather than of a narrow scholastic type is shown by the gain in intelligence. A test of general mental ability was given to all teachers in August, 1925, and the test repeated in November, 1926. In that time there would normally be a gain in intelligence of fifteen months, but as a result of the head teachers' classes, the gain amounted to twenty-nine months. If such improvement can be maintained it will be possible soon to give pupil-teachers some definite instruction in methods of teaching. At present head teachers give as much "of their time as is possible to helping the Native teachers prepare their lessons and improve their methods of instruction. On two afternoons a week all the pupil-teachers in Rarotonga assemble at the normal school, where they receive still further tuition and help in preparing materials for their class-teaching. " The Curriculum. —Courses of study have been modernized: During the past year a considerable amount of their leisure time was given by Mr. Scherer and Miss Ormiston in assisting the Superintendent to draw up new courses of study in arithmetic, reading, spelling, English, and phonics. This entailed great sacrifices of time and intensive study of recent researches, modern books, and the curricula of up-to-date tropical systems of education. The time so spent has, however, been amply justified by the production of courses of study constructed on principles approved by the leading educational experts. " A new course in health, based on the recommendations of the recent Educational Commissions in Fiji, British, French, and Belgian Africa, Philippine Islands, and Porto Rico has also been completed. New courses in oral English, geography, history, and nature-study will be worked out during the coming year at the normal school, while especial attention will be given to the question of the education of senior girls for their future responsibilities. " Comparison with other tropical systems justifies local curriculum : During the past year the courses of study in use in a number of tropical countries were secured and examined with a view to benefiting from the experience of others. Very valuable suggestions have thus been obtained. In addition, it has been possible to check up the standards of difficulty in each year's work, the amount to be covered, and the policy adopted in regard to the use of English as the medium of instruction. It has thus been found that, in general, our curriculum is in keeping with the most recent developments in tropical education. " Research. —If our educational materials and methods are to be adapted to the abilities of the children, it is necessary for us to know exactly how far we are succeeding. This involves careful experiment and investigation, sometimes on a large scale. During the last year several investigations were carried out, involving some hundreds of children, and results obtained that will enable us to proceed with much greater certainty. For example, we now know what words are used in each of Classes 3, 5, and 7 in their compositions. Many of these words are wrongly used, many are wrongly spelled. Some words are being taught in Class 3 that should be delayed until Class 4, and

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vice versa, and so on. Certain grammatical mistakes occur with suck great frequency tkat it will be necessary to devise appropriate metkods of dealing witk tkem. For eack class it will be possible to select a certain number of typical errors in Englisk tkat skould be tkorougkly dealt witk, so tkat as a ckild passes tkrougk tke sckool ke will gradually overcome those difficulties wkick at present make the teaching of Englisk composition and letter-writing suck a difficult and disappointing matter. " Publications. —Cook Islands sckool journal—Te Tuatua Apii —to be publisked : During tke year designs for tke cover of a montkly magazine were submitted by both pupil-teachers and pupils. From these a design depicting a typical Polynesian scene has been chosen. Now that the normal school has been opened and a sufficient number of teachers attached thereto, arrangements have been completed for the regular publication of a journal to be called " Te Tuatua Apii." " Tke Radio News now distributed to schools : In order to widen the outlook and interests of the pupils, to give them an insight into the interdependence of different countries, and to increase and widen their powers to use English, a weekly bulletin, called the Radio News, is circulated among the schools. This gives a brief outline of the news received by radio that is of interest and value to school-children. It provides for discussions on important topics which affect the economic, and social life in Cook Islands, New Zealand, and tke Empire, and skould kelp to give an intelligent understanding of many matters on wkick tke Native is necessarily at present ill-informed. " Attendance of Pupils.—Higk percentage of population at sckool: It is nowadays generally considered tkat, of tke total population, 20 per cent, are between the ages of six and fourteen years, and so should be at school. It is therefore interesting to note the percentage of the Cook Islands population tkat is at school (primary), and compare the figures with those for other coloured communities : — "Cook Islands (Southern Group) .. .. .. 18-5 per cent. (1926). "Hawaii .. .. .. .. .. .. 15-6 „ (1920). "Japan .. .. .. .. .. .. 14-9 ~ (1920). " Porto Rico .. .. .. .. .. 13-7 „ (1920). " Philippines .. .. .. .. .. 941 „ (1923). "Unfortunately it is not possible to secure the percentages for more recent years in regard to the foreign countries mentioned. "School j),opulation gradually increasing : The following table shows a gradual increase in school population from year to year, the total increase in four years amounting to 16-4 per cent. Year. Roll. Increase. 1922 .. .. .. .. 1,294 1923 .. .. .. .. 1,377 83 1924 .. .. .. .. 1,385 8 1925 .. .. .. .. 1,470 85 1926 .. ..1,507 37 213 " Classification and Achievement. —New system of classification introduced : In 1925 it was found that 47-1 per cent, of the sckool-ckildren were in tke so-called preparatory classes. Owing to tke fact tkat tkere was no general understanding as to kow many preparatory classes were desirable, nor was tkere any standard of ackievement to determine promotions, the number of primer classes varied from one to four in different sckools. In order to clear up tke situation tke classes were renamed from 1 to 8, tke curriculum for each year constituting a year's work as near as it was possible to estimate it. " Failure now being replaced by success : As a result of the new system of classification tke number of pupils in tke preparatory classes (new classes 1 and 2) kas been reduced from 47-1 per cent, in 1925 to 36-3 per cent, in 1926. Still more important is tke fact tkat tke number of pupils in tke upper classes kas increased from 8-4 per cent, of tke sckool roll in 1925 to 17 per cent, in 1926. Tkis means tkat, instead of large numbers of children being kept year after year doing infant work, tke pupils are now being moved up into the upper classes, where they will not only receive instruction in more important subjects, but they will be more in contact with the European head teachers. It means, too, that a system of failure is being replaced by a system of success, and nothing will have such a profound influence on the characters of the children passing through the schools as that of success in their school-work. Failure year after year demoralizes and breeds enemies of society. " Overageness is being reduced : The difficulty of reducing overageness will be realized when it is understood that, if there was not a single failure at the end of the year, there would be no reduction in overageness, or retardation, as it is sometimes called. In order to effect some slight reduction in overageness in the schools the head teachers in Rarotonga kave entered fully into tke spirit of tke problem and have made a number of double promotions, based on the results of standardized tests. In the Outer Islands, where the difficulties are greater still, the head teachers have given this problem serious attention, and are already effecting considerable improvements. " Pupils in Cook Islands classes younger tkan tkose in Pkilippines: So muck kas been written about education in tke Philippine Islands that it is interesting to compare the ages of pupils in similar classes. It will be seen that the Cook Islands pupils are from o'B to 3 years younger for their class, the average difference being 1-66 years in favour of the local child.

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'"It will be noticed that a curious drop in average age takes place in Class sin Cook Islands. This appears to have resulted from the reclassification into eight classes. " Standards of achievement fixed by reliable tests : One of the greatest difficulties in making out courses of study in different subjects was that no standards of achievements have yet been determined for Polynesian pupils. The result was that there was no means of knowing how much work, or how difficult work, could be accomplished in one year by each class. An important step, therefore, was taken towards the end of 1926, when measures were taken of children's abilities in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in each class, as well as in comprehension of reading, written composition, and spelling. These standards are, of course, tentative, and will be revised from time to time. Nor are they regarded as being absolutely exact; but they are, nevertheless, quite reliable for ordinary purposes, and should prove invaluable in adjusting the curriculum to the capacities of the children. They will also serve to guide teachers in making promotions at the end of the year, or at any time when pupils may reach the prescribed standards, thus helping to get away from the old lock-step system. " Teachers' Certificates, Superannuation, and Salaries.—Teachers' certificates now approved: In order that Native teachers may become qualified, the requirements for the junior and senior teachers' certificates have been completed. These certificates are roughly comparable with the New Zealand teachers' E and D certificates. " Annual examination of teachers commenced : The first annual examination of Native teachers was held throughout the Southern Islands at the end of 1926. As reported elsewhere, the results were very encouraging, and it is hoped that by the end of 1927 teachers will be able to sit for the first part of the Junior Teachers' Certificate. " Superannuation now applies to Native teachers : A very important extension of the superannuation scheme to Native teachers has now been completed, a step which should have great influence in stabdizing the corps of Native teachers. " Health.—School-children now receiving dental attention : The establishment of a dental clinic has brought to the Cook Islands pupils the benefit of modern dental aids. There can be no doubt that the new departure will have a marked influence on the work of the schools. It has been conclusively proved at Bridgeport, U.S.A., that efficient dental clinics considerably reduce the number of children who fail in their school examinations at the end of the school year. It has been very encouraging to observe the number of children who have purchased tooth-brushes as a result of their visits to the dental clinic. At the Avarua School experiments are being made with Native materials with a view to children making their own tooth-brushes. " Mass treatment for hookworm given to school-children : Another very important aid to successful work in the schools is that given by the medical officers. During 1926 mass treatment for hookworm was given to the pupils of a number of schools. The serious reduction of both mental and physical energy by the ravages of the hookworm has been shown in a number of studies. In Queensland it was shown that children heavily infected were retarded to the extent of nineteen months. In other words, the expulsion of the worm would enable children to do the work of from one to two classes above that in which they are placed. " Effect on height and weight to be investigated : Towards the end of 1926 all school-children were carefully measured in sitting and standing heights, and in weight, with a view to constructing a Polynesian age-height-weight scale. The mass treatment for hookworm will invalidate these measurements, which will, however, enable us to secure a clearer insight into the effects of the hookworm on Cook Islands pupils. " The schools can help to reduce sickness : It is to be hoped that by shutting out the cold, wet winds from the school buildings, the formation of good health habits, thorough instruction in the new health course of study, and sound physical instruction the school may help to reduce the prevalence of sickness. During February the Native teachers of Rarotonga were given an intensive course in health education. These teachers, therefore, should be able to assist greatly in the spread of knowledge necessary to counteract the diseases which menace the health of both the child and the adult population. " Sports being organized : Basketball, football, and cricket in Rarotonga, hockey in Mangaia, and tennis in Aitutaki have made considerable headway. During the coming year these and other games are to be further developed as valuable aids to physical and character education. " Supervision and Inspection of Schools.—ln August, 1926, all the schools in the Southern Group, except Aitutaki, were visited by Mr. Valentine, until recently Senior Inspector of Taranaki. Mr.

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I I Class. Cook Islands, 1920. Philippines, 1924. j Difference. Years. Years. Years. 1 |7-40 9-18 1-78 2 9-90 10-80 0-90 3 10-80 12-16 1-36 4 12-03 13-40 1-37 5 11-50 14-50 3-00 6 14-80 15-60 0-80 7 14-40 16-80 2-40 8 14-50 Not given

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Valentine was most sympathetic in his attitude towards both European and Native teachers, who were reinspired with confidence and faith in the value of the difficult work which they are undertaking. " Separate school for European pupils established in Avarua : A valuable report on conditions in our schools and suggestions for their improvement was an important outcome of Mr. Valentine's visit. Among many other recommendations was the separation of the teaching of European and Native pupils. The difference in the curriculum of New Zealand and that of Cook Islands in both subject-matter and difficulty has rendered the co-education of the children a matter of great difficulty. As a result both European and Maori children were hindered in their progress. It is cause for great satisfaction that the separate teaching of the children has now been approved. " Visit of Their Excellencies.—During May, 1926, all schools in the southern islands were visited by Their Excellencies Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson. The occasion was one which will be long remembered by both teachers and children. The simple language, the homely acts, and the friendly interest of Their Excellencies gave the children a living sense of the bonds that hold even the little Maori a faithful servant of the Empire. " Conclusion. —The annual report gives an opportunity of paying due tribute to the services being rendered to the cause of education by the European teachers. However enthusiastic the teacher may be there are times when his ideals are weighed down by a sense of disappointment—even of futility. The impact of so many disturbing factors, with their elusive and baffling effects on the Native child's mind, cannot fail occasionally to dim the ardour of the most optimistic. As a confirmed believer in the value of education to the Polynesian folk, I take the opportunity of assuring the administration of the efficient service and the unselfish devotion being rendered by the European teachers to the welfare of the children of the Cook Islands." Public Works. The following are the principal works carried out by this Department during the year : — Hospital. —The alterations and extensions to the main hospital building were finished in May. Beacons. —A new triangular beacon was erected on the reef near Donald's store. All beacons are now permanently in their positions as instructed by the Commodore Commanding the New Zealand Station. Roads and Bridges. —The permanent gang has been continuously employed keeping the main road round the island in repair. This gang is equipped with a complete portable tramway with two tip-trucks, and two transport lorries and trailer, and a further lorry is under order. Extensive damage to the approaches of several of the bridges was caused by a cloud-burst in December, and these were repaired as expeditiously as possible. Several of the wooden bridges on the main road were erected many years ago and were intended only for the light traffic at that time, but with the advent of motor-cars and motor-trucks stronger structures are required. Some of the small wooden bridges have been replaced by reinforced-concrete culverts, but in some cases, where the flow of storm-water is too great for culverts of this class, reinforced bridges must be built. The large wooden bridges, if not replaced by reinforced structures, will have to be considerably strengthened, and this work cannot long be delayed. The small wooden bridge at Parekura was replaced by a reinforced culvert. Eight small reinforced culverts were built between Avana Bridge and Muri to cope with flood-waters from the hills. Titikaveka Culvert : As the Titikaveka Recreation-ground was subject to flooding by stormwater, the people of that district cut a drain through the main road to the sea. This necessitated a cut of 7 chains in length and 10 ft. in depth. A reinforced culvert was built in the cut through the road. Connal's bridge has been strengthened by new sets of piles resting in concrete, but much still requires to be done to make this bridge completely safe for the heavy traffic which we now have on the main road. Taylor's bridge has been strengthened by two new lines of stringers, and new sets of piles in concrete have also been built. During the coming year another set of piles will be put in together with retaining walls. Water-supply. —The cloud-burst above mentioned seriously damaged the water-mains in the different districts, the settlements of Ngatangiia, Matavera, Muri, and Arorangi being cut off for five days. The Avatiu and Arorangi mains were broken and carried as far as 25 chains, and the intakes were twisted, broken, and buried in the debris. The strainers were also carried away, and the Arorangi one lost, apparently buried under rocks, &c. With the exception of Avatiu, the mains have all been repaired. Pipes for the Avatiu main are due to arrive, and it is hoped to have this supply connected up with the Avarua main, of which it is an auxiliary, at an early date. Survey Office Building. —The northern end of this building and 15 ft. of each side wall had to be pulled down and rebuilt, as it was in a state of collapse. The roof was also repaired and painted. Wireless Station. —The veranda on the western end of the assistant operator's residence has been hooded. Prison. —The old piles under the main building collapsed, and these were replaced by concrete piles, with a concrete wall-foundation under the outer walls. The back wall bordering on the prison yard was raised to the same height as the prison-yard wall —viz., 12 ft. Amongst the minor works carried out at Rarotonga are construction of the new class-room, 30ft. by 20 ft:, at the Avarua School; repairs to teachers' residences at Avarua, Ngatangiia, Arorangi, and Titikaveka ; the thorough repair and renovation of the house recently purchased for the Assistant Medical Officer ; the reflooring of the kitchen at the Government Accommodation-house, and other minor alterations to the main building and repainting of several of the rooms. At the police residence an additional septic- tank has been built, and improvements, including painting throughout, made to the house itself.

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Atiu. —Blasting operations at the landing-place on this island were carried out by Mr. H. Williams. This has made a much-needed improvement to the Atiu landing, and fruit has not now to be carried as great a distance as formerly. Mauke. —Under the supervision of Mr. Williams the landing-place at this island has also been improved, and the road to the beach widened and graded. Mangaia.—lmprovements have been made to the schoolhouse, and the intake to the large supply tank at Oneroa has been fitted with larger piping. Aitutaki.—Good work has been done by the Resident Agent in sinking wells in several places on the island. These wells have been fitted with serviceable pumps. A boat-passage has been blasted out on the Tautu side of the island, thus enabling boats to work there when the passage on the northern side is too rough. Considerable improvement has been made to the roads. The work of repairing the wharf is still in progress. The labour of procuring suitable rock is laborious, as it has to be blasted and conveyed some distance in punts ; consequently, the work can only progress slowly. The Administration was greatly indebted to Mr. J. B. Thompson, Under-Secretary for Lands, New Zealand, who during his furlough here in December, and January devoted a considerable amount of his leisure time to an examination of the Islands' more important public-works problems, including water-supply, drainage, and bridges. His valuable reports on these subjects, and on the Ngatangiia Harbour, will be most helpful. High Court. Criminal Jurisdiction. —In Rarotonga the total number of cases heard for criminal offences, breaches of regulations and of local Ordinances, was 1,157 for the year, as follows : Manufacturing intoxicating liquor, 57 ; consuming intoxicating liquor, 624 ; drunkenness, 18 ; having possession intoxicating liquor, 2 ; breaches of Fruit Regulations, 81; breaches of Noxious Weeds Regulations, 12 ; breaches of School Regulations, 15 ; breaches of local Ordinances, 7 ; breaches of regulations and .offences (failing to register dogs), 100; animal trespassing, 53 ; wilfully trespassing, 19 ; wilful damage, 2 ; wilful mischief, 2 ; wilful destroying tomato-vines, 1 ; obstructing the police, 1 ; assault, 20 ; assault causing bodily harm, 2 ; manslaughter, 1 ; murder, 1 ; theft, 42 ; breaking, entering, and theft, 3 ; escaping from lawful custody, 6 ; driving a vehicle without a light, 1 ; riding bicycle without lights, 9 ; driving vehicle furiously, 3 ; adultery, 22 ; cohabiting together without being married, 38 ; breach of Traffic Regulations, 1 ; gambling, 5 ; permitting a private house to be used for gambling, 1 ; inciting one to commit forgery, 1 ; committing forgery, 1 ; disorderly conduct, 2 ; for throwing stones, 1 ; contempt of Court, 1 ; discharging fire-arms in settlement, 2 : total, 1,157. These cases were dealt with as follows : 879 convicted and fined ; 103 convicted and discharged ; 53 convicted and sentenced to imprisonment; 53 cases adjourned sine die; 7 convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon ; 2 ordered to come up for sentence within twelve months ; 1 exiled from the Cook Islands ; 2 withdrawn ; 57 dismissed. Civil Jurisdiction. —The following civil cases were dealt with at Rarotonga during the year :— 50 actions for recovery of debts and damages, which involved the sum of £1,989 14s. 3d. ; 17 actions for divorce ; 2 actions for possession ; 3 actions on judgment summons ; 4 applications for grant of letters of administration in deceased persons' estates ; 3 applications for probate ; 2 applications under section 117 of the Cook Islands Act, 1915; 1 application for chargirig-order; 1 application to hear and determine question of a lease; 1 application to wind up a Native company; 3 affiliation cases ; 7 applications to award and fix compensation for land taken for public purposes : total, 94— cases which involved Court fees in the amount of £43 18s. Native Land Court. The Registrar's report shows that in August and September the Court sat at Aitutaki, when the following applications were dealt with : 56 applications for investigation of title ; 69 applications for investigation of succession ; 11 applications for investigation of partition ; 10 applications for investigation of amendment of title ; 16 applications for investigation of adoption (including one to annul adoption order.) The Court also sat at Rarotonga in October, November, and December, when orders were made as follows : 11 orders on investigation of title ; 4 orders amending titles ; 95 orders for succession to deceased persons ; 16 applications for succession part heard ; 18 orders confirming alienation of land (leases) ; 2 applications for confirmation of alienation part heard ; 2 orders which involved disputes as to tribal titles. Owing to the duties of the Resident Commissioner and Chief Judge of both High Court and Native Land Court being combined, it is impossible to cope with arrears of Land Court work) although as much time as possible is devoted to it. Police Department. The following are extracts from the annual report of the Inspector of Folice " The strength of the Police Force remains the same as last year —-viz., one Inspector (European), two sergeants, and eight constables (Natives); total, eleven. " Generally speaking, the conduct of all members of the Force has been good, and I have had no reason to complain. From time to time classes are held at which all members are compelled to attend. At these classes instructions are given by myself on police duties and general law, and this has had a very good effect. All members are keen to improve themselves in police work and I am pleased to state it is quite a pleasure to find such an interest taken by the Native police.

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" The fines collected by the police during the year amounted to £804 ss. 6d., and the sum of £229 17s. 6d. was worked out on the roads by prisoners who were unable to pay their fines. 318 dogs have been registered since the Ist January, compared with 341 registrations for the previous year. " There has been an absence of serious crime committed during the year. Only two cases are worthy of note. In one case the offender was a Tahitian who was before the High Court on several charges of breaking, entering, and theft; also theft and trespass : he was deported to Tahiti. The other case was a Pukapuka Native charged with murder ; this was reduced to manslaughter by the jury, with a strong recommendation to mercy, and accused was sentenced to two years'imprisonment in the Rarotonga gaol. " Sergeant Ngatikao, of the Avarua Police, is being trained to enable him to take charge of the Force here during my absence. This will prove a great benefit. " I have had no reports from Resident Agents of any serious crimes having been committed on their respective islands, and feel confident that law and order is being maintained in these scattered islands. " There has been a very noticeable decrease in the number of offences for manufacturing intoxicating liquor. The previous year 106 offenders were dealt with, but this last year only 57 were dealt with—a difference of 49 convictions. The number of convictions for consuming were about the same as the previous year. In the various settlements very few offenders are now noticed under the influence of liquor." Northern Group. Accompanied by the Chief Medical Officer, the Resident Commissioner visited all islands of the Northern Group by schooner in December, January, a.nd February last. This afforded an opportunity to the Resident Commissioner to go into all matters requiring attention in each island, and also to clear up arrears of Court work. At each island meetings of the Island Council and public meetings were held to discuss matters of general interest. There appeared to be general contentment. The Chief Medical Officer was able to carry out a considerable amount of medical work, mentioned in his report printed herein. Printing Department. The following is the value of plant, type, and printers' material and printed stock on hand on the 31st March, 1927 : Outside jobs on hand, not completed—value of same when completed and delivered, £4 Is. ; printed stock on hand for various Departments, consisting of printed forms and books (as per stock-book), £168 2s. 6d. ; bulk paper in stock (as per stock-book), £4-3 16s. sd. ; value of printing plant, type, and printers' material (as per list), £384 Bs.: total, £600 7s. lid. The Administration printer, Pure Pokia, who was sent to New Zealand on a scholarship, and afterwards took up printing, is carrying on the work satisfactorily. Postal Department. Offices in the district remain unchanged, with the exception of Pukapuka, which is temporarily closed pending the arrival of the new Resident Agent and Postmaster. Savings-bank. —For the year deposits amounted to £11,359 15s. lid., and withdrawals to £12,200 14s. 9d. The balance to credit of depositors as at the 31st March, 1927, was £20,665 10s. 9d. The volume of business done compares favourably with the previous year. Interest for the year accrued to depositors amounted to £766 3s. 10d., and the interest accrued to this Administration from investments in New Zealand to £1,013 14s. 6d., leaving a credit balance of £247 10s. Bd., being an increase of £39 lis. lOd. over the previous year. Money-orders.—During the year ending the 31st March, 1927, money-orders to the value of £18,273 13s. lOd. were issued, and orders to the value of £11,024 6s. 9d. were paid. The amount of money-order business shows a substantial increase in money-orders issued—viz., £4,146 6s. Bd.—and a decrease in money-orders paid of £4,495 14s. Bd. over the previous year. Money-order commission shows an increase of £5 17s. 9d. Telephones. —During March the system was thoroughly overhauled by an officer of the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department, and should now give an efficient service for some time to come. Radios. —The amount received for radio messages at Rarotonga amounted to £1,220 17s. Id., as against £1,053 4s. for the previous year. Mails. —The service continues to be satisfactory. Wireless. The various services continue to be efficiently maintained. It is sincerely to be hoped that the modern low-powered high-frequency transmitter ordered for Rarotonga some time ago will be available by the necessary change-over in the Dominion during the coming year, and thus enable us to communicate direct with New Zealand and other distant stations at reduced rates to the public. Attached is the annual report of the Superintendent of the Rarotonga Wireless Station :— " A continuous efficient service with the outer island substations at Atiu, Aitutaki, and Mangaia has been maintained throughout the year. An inspection of these installations last September disclosed a very satisfactory position all round, the plants generally being in good order. Aitutaki and Mangaia have each been supplied with a stand-by spare receiver, which latter upon several occasions has proved an invaluable asset. " In addition to the rebroadcasting by Apia of the New Zealand free press, Rarotonga supplied suitable local news and the more interesting items from the Suva press, thus providing the Group with a bulletin of some seven thousand words monthly.

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" The main station at Rarotonga continues to satisfactorily disposed of the ever-increasing traffic, although upon several occasions the out-of-date transmitting-apparatus has proved inefficient under abnormal atmospheric conditions, necessitating a great deal of extra work supplying repetitions, or even in gaining communication with the more distant stations. " The installation of a 50-watt valve transmitter at Apia has amply demonstrated the superiority of valve over spark transmission, inasmuch as this station now maintains both daylight and night receiving schedules on the former with even a greater degree of accuracy than was possible on the comparatively mammoth-powered spark transmitter. In addition, Apia has established reliable communication with New Zealand on this same low-power apparatus. The main storage battery of 120 volts is showing unmistakable signs of age, and will have to be renewed within the next twelve months. A new distilling-plant erected at this station now provides adequate supplies of water for all stations in the Group. " One application for an amateur receiving-station license has been received during the year." Fruit Industry. The following is the report of the Director of Agriculture : — " The effect of the severe storm experienced early in 1926 was noticeable throughout the year. Orange-trees in exposed positions were practically defoliated and the fruit shrivelled on the trees. Bananas suffered severely, as the storm occurred after the planting season. Then, owing to a dry spell followed by the cool weather, replanting was out of the question until the warmer weather came in October; consequently it will be some months yet before a noticeable increase in the output of bananas can be hoped for. "No serious complaints were received regarding the quality or pack of the tomato crop. This industry is on a very fair footing, and, provided the quality and pack is maintained, there will always be a payable market in New Zealand if the shipments are not too large. " The fruit causing the most concern is the orange crop, and until the output can be handled and packed in central sheds in each village, or the buyers erect large sheds, the quality and pack of our oranges will remain unsatisfactory. With a large number of small sheds, as at present, it is impossible to exercise proper supervision. An Inspector should be present at a shed during packing operations, and he would then be in a position to issue a fairly reliable certificate regarding the pack and quality without any further inspection at the wharf, except in doubtful cases. The inspection at the wharf is unsatisfactory, as, owing to the limited time available for receiving fruit, only a small percentage can be opened for inspection; and, moreover, inconvenience is caused to the growers by the delay in having their trucks and wagons held up in all weathers awaiting inspection and delivery at the wharf, whereas with sheds of not less than, say, one thousand cases capacity this delay could be obviated. This question was the subject of two conferences which were held, while I was on furlough in New Zealand, between the fruit-merchants and the Cook Islands Department. Every aspect of the fruit industry was discussed, from the growers' viewpoint to the marketing conditions in New Zealand. The merchants advocated central sheds and strict supervision, so as to ensure a good pack. They were satisfied that the returns would warrant the extra labour and expense involved. " The Department is now issuing a monthly leaflet to growers, printed in both English and Native. This leaflet deals with subjects of interest to the growers, and more particularly relating to soils and their treatment, manures, crops, propagation, packing, and handling of fruit. In addition to this leaflet, arrangements will be made for packing demonstrations and advice on any subject in which the growers are interested. " The new regulations covering the growing and cultivation of tomatoes are now in force, and should prove of great benefit to planters. " Frequent visits of inspection have been made to plantations round the island, and a marked increase in banana-planting has been observed. Native food plants have been extensively planted. A few months after the gale a general drop in the quantity of copra was observed, and it will take at least a year before the normal quantity is again reached. " The present citrus crop is rather a light one as compared with previous seasons. This will tend to make growers handle the crop better, thereby increasing the market value. " Several persons have been convicted for fraudulent packing of bananas and tomatoes. The increased fines have helped to prevent fraudulent packing. " During the month of March, the Assistant Fruit Inspector visited the islands of the Lower Group, and all were found to be carrying medium to good crops of oranges. " Noxious Weeds. —The eradication of noxious weeds continues to progress." Experimental Nursery. The following is a report from the Assistant Fruit Inspector, relative to the above : — " Several varieties of citrus trees have recently been imported from Florida and are making good progress. All citrus trees and other trees requiring same have been pruned, trees hand-cultivated, and the sections ploughed and harrowed. A collection of durian (Durio nibethinus) and mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) plants were received from Batavis, Dutch East Indies ; most of these have been permanently planted out and are doing|well. Two plants of the jam fruit (Mantingia calabura) were received from Tahiti: these are also doing well. Ornamental and edible plants have been raised and freely distributed. Collections of plants and trees have been sent to Manuae and all islands of the Northern Group. Cuttings of Hawaiian kumaras have been eagerly sought after by planters. buttings of the Hawaiian Red were distributed free, besides five hundred cuttings of the more recently imported varieties. A shipment of fourteen gunnies of kumaras was sent to New

3—A. 3.

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Zealand, and the reports were excellent, but owing to a dull market the prices were not satisfactory. A consignment of grapefruit and mandarins was also sent away. The reports were exceptionally good, and the price most satisfactory. Over two hundred local citrus trees have recently been topped, and budded to Marsh Seedless and Royal grapefruit. There is a very promising demand for this variety of citrus in New Zealand. As in previous years, a portion of the nursery was allotted for the school-boys agricultural classes. These classes were well attended twice a week, and were instructed in many subjects appertaining to agriculture, keen interest being taken by both teachers and pupils. Several varieties of watermelons were tested for the purpose of introducing better varieties. Tom Watson proved an easy first, whilst Panmura All Heart was also a good sweet variety. Seed of Tom Watson and Panmura All Heart were distributed. Several American varieties of muskmelon were under test, but did not prove very successful, although sprayed with Bordeaux mixture. Two cases of this fruit were exported to New Zealand realizing 12s. 2d. per case. Tests with muskmelons will again be carried out this year." Ethnological Research. Under the auspices of the Maori Ethnological Research Board Dr. P. H. Buck, the distinguished New Zealand ethnologist, carried out three months' research work, principally in the ethnological fields of somatology and material culture. On account of shortage of time his work had to be confined to Rarotonga and Aitutaki. It is to be hoped that Dr. Buck's appointment with the Bishop Museum at Honolulu will enable him to complete researches in the whole of the Group, which offers a wide scope for investigation of the arts, language, customs, history, and traditions of the Maori inhabitants of these islands. Rarotonga Fruit Company. During last year this company shipped to' New Zealand 20,878 cases of fruit, made up of 14,448 cases of bananas and 6,430 cases of oranges. The net proceeds were £6,543 lis. Id., giving an average of 7s. 2§d. per case for bananas, and 4s. 2d. per case for oranges. This is for the fruit alone, and does not include cost of boxes nor freight. At the close of the season the membership of the company totalled 454. Retirement of Mr. J. C. Cameron. It is regretted that it is necessary to record the impending retirement, on account of age-limxW of Mr. J. C. Cameron, Resident Agent at Mangaia. During his twenty-four years' service with the Administration Mr. Cameron has been Resident Agent at several islands, including Mangaia, Mauke, and Aititaki. He has a wonderful record, not only for length of service but for general efficiency, invariably displaying ability, tact, and energy in the seveal branches of his work. He will be succeeded by Mr. J. McGruther, schoolmaster at Mangaia, who will combine the two positions. Meteorological. The total rainfall at Avarua (Rarotonga) for the twelve months ended the 31st March, 1927, was 61-38 in., the highest fall recorded for twenty-four hours being 6-57 in., on the 15th December. Highest readings of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade at 9 a.m. were 89°, on the 11th January and 25th February, 1927, and the lowest was 56°, on the 28th August, 1926. For the twelve-months period the mean of the maximum was 80-3°, and the mean of the minimum 69-4°. The exceptionally heavy rainfall on the 15th December did considerable damage to plantations. Slips destroyed a large number of bananas growing on the hillsides, and numerous taro, kumara, and melon plantations were completely destroyed by the flooded creeks. The inland roads also suffered a great deal. The Avatiu Valley Road was completely washed away in places, and will take a considerable amount of time and money to repair. Water-supply to all villages was cut off, the intakes being smashed by heavy rocks and washed away down the creeks. The mains themselves were also badly smashed by rocks and falling trees. All have been repaired with the exception of the Avatiu system, the delay here being occasioned by the necessity of ordering material from New Zealand.

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REPORT OF THE NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION. Official Visits. His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir Charles Fergusson, Lady Alice Fergusson, and party, in continuation of their islands tour visited Niue on the 13th and 14th May. They were most cordially welcomed and hospitably entertained by all sections of the island community. The Secretary of the Cook Islands Department, Wellington, paid an official visit to Niue on the 10th and 11th December. Such visits are invaluable to both the Department and this Administration, in that it provides the opportunity of discussing fully the various matters of importance on the spot. It is hoped that similar visits in future will be made at regular intervals. Finance. The year commenced with a credit balance of £2,903 7s. 3d. Revenue for the year amounted to £4,690 6s. 10d., the main items being New Zealand Government grant of £750 ; Customs duties, £1,519 19s. 3d. ; copra export duty, £699 18s. lOd. ; aid to revenue, £463 10s. ; and stamp sales, £362 6s. lOd. Expenditure amounted to £5,718 4s. -Id:, leaving a credit balance at the 31st March, 1927, of £1,875 9s. 9d. The estimated revenue for the coming year is £4,455, and the expenditure £5,380. Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1927. Revenue. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance bi'ought forward, Ist April, 1926.. 2,903 7 3 Ammunition .. .. .. .. 19 14 2 Aid to revenue .. .. .. 2 ,463 10 0 Benzine .. .. .. .. 55 3 0 Bond storage .. .. .. 17 11 10 Education — Copra export duty .. .. .. 699 18 10 Government schools .. .. 239 16 2 Customs duty .. .. .. 1,519 19 3 London Missionary Society schools .. 500 0 0 Dog-tax .. .. . . .. 60 12 6 Foreman, Public Works .. .. 304 5 0 Education subsidy, London Missionary Furniture, Government residences .. 69 13 11 Society .. .. .. .. 500 0 0 Fruit-cases .. .. .. . • 173 15 3 High Court .. .. .. .. 80 11 3 Government buildings .. .. .. 27 8 9 Licenses .. .. .. .. 173 15 0 Interpreters .. .. .. . . 140 10 6 Liquor .. .. .. .. 40 18 8 Jetty .. .. .. .. 107 18 II Medical service subsidy .. .. 250 0 0 Lepers .. .. .. •• 1000 Native Land Court .. .. .. 312 0 Library .. .. . . .. 612 6 Registration fees .. .. .. 14 18 0 Medical service .. •. .. 870 910 Stamp duties .. .. .. 362 610 Miscellaneous services .. .. .. 270 15 5 Fruit-inspeetion fees .. .. .. 212 8 Niue Island Council .. . . .. 60 0 0 Wharf—New Zealand Government grant.. 500 0 0 Police .. ~ .. .. 384 910 Prisoners .. .. . . .. 207 12 0 Printing and stationery . . .. 92 4 8 Public works '.. -. .. 392 14 11 Rent, officers' quarters . . .. 33 0 0 Reservoirs .. .. . • .. 23 6 9 Roads .. .. . . .. 36 8 4 Superannuation .. .. .. 37 15 0 Transport .. .. .. .. 165 4 9 Wharf .. .. .. .. 1,219 11 7 Wireless .. ■. .. .. 269 13 1 Balance — Cash in hand .. .. .. 4381111 Bank of New Zealand .. .. 1,436 17 10 £7,593 141 £7,593 14 1 Estimate of Expenditure for Year 1927-28. _ . Amount, bervice. £ Ammunition .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 Education — Government schools .. .. .. .. .. .. 250 London Missionary School subsidy .. .. .. • ■ 500 Foreman, Public Works .. .. . . . . . • • • 275 Furniture, Government residences .. .. .. . • • ■ 100 Fruit-cases .. .. .. .. • ■ ■ . • • 100 Government Buildings .. .. ~ .. . . ■ • 300 Interpreters .. .. .. . . . . . • • • 145 Jetty .. .. .. .. .. . . .. . ■ 100 Lepers .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ■ • 100 Medical services .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,000 Miscellaneous services .. .. .. .. • • • • 200 Niue Island Council .. .. . . .. . • •. 75 Police .. .. .. .. .. .. • ■ ■ ■ 400 Prisoners .. .. .. . . . . . • .. • ■ 200 Printing and stationery .. .. .. 100 Rent, officers' quarters .. . . . 35 Reservoirs .. .. .. .. . • • • 100 Roads .. .. . . .. . . . . . . ■ • 500 Superannuation .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 50 Transport .. .. . . .. .. • • • ■ 100 Wireless .. .. .. .. .. .. .. • ■ 300 Wharf .. .. .. .. .. . ■ • • ■ • 400 £5,380

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Shipping.

Fifteen vessels visited Nine during the year. The N.Z.G.S. " Hinemoa " made seven trips to Nine from Auckland ; the s.s. " Waiotapu " called twice ; and the s.s. " Tutanekai," " Hauraki," " Wairuna," and "John William," once each. The H.M.S. " Diomede" paid her annual visit, and, in addition, called in and lifted a mail for New Zealand when en route from Rarotonga to Vavau. Five vessels passed within sight of the island —the s.s. " Wairuna," " Waiotapu," " Hauraki," " Oliva," and " Pulpit Point " —but owing to the rough state of sea and boat-passage mails could not be despatched by them. Trade. Imports for the year 1926 totalled £17,563, as against £18,747 for 1925. Exports amounted to £17,655, as against £17,429 for 1925, all of which went to New Zealand. The main items were : Copra, 699f tons; basketware, 972 dozen; hats, 1,7495. dozen; and fungus, 11,0701b. From the Ist September, 1925, to the 22nd November, 1926, the island suffered from a very severe drought, which completely ruined the Native food crops and severely affected the coconut-trees and banana-plants. On the 22nd November, the drought broke with torrential rains and gave the ground a thorough soaking, which it was badly in need of. The planting of Native food crops immediately commenced, and since that date good growing- weather, to which all plants have responded well, has been experienced. From the present indications there is every prospect of a good season ahead, but owing to the set-back due to the prolonged drought the coconut crop will probably be rather later than usual. Cotton. —An attempt to again reintroduce the cotton industry on Niue was made during the year. To stimulate Native interest a statement was prepared and issued in the Niue language on " Instructions on Planting and Cultivation of the Cotton-seed," and, to show that the Administration was anxious to establish the industry and to set an example, the Government reserve, known as " Palaiti," which has an area of about 3 acres was cleared, cleaned, and planted in cotton-seed. As soon as the Natives saw this they were all keen to plant, and the balance of the 200 lb. of seed obtained from Samoa was distributed among twenty Natives who had cleared land for this purpose. Unfortunately, the results were very disappointing as not more than 5 per cent, of the seed germinated. This was due to the use of seed of the variety known as " Durango," and not the Sea Island cotton. It was therefore decided not to further experiment with the former, but to obtain a supply of the latter variety. An order for 3001b. was placed for this seed and was expected to arrive here in December last, but unfortunately it did not come to hand in time for this season's planting. It is interesting to note that the cotton industry some thirty to forty years ago was the main industry of this island, but, owing to the poor prices obtained at that time, it was allowed to die out. The Administration desires to again establish this industry, as it gives promise of being of great benefit to the people. Import and export returns for the year under review, together with a summary of same for the past twenty-five years, are attached hereto, from which it will be seen that trade has been well maintained.

Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1926.

20

Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Agricultural produce .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 70 Ale and stout .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 37 Apparel n.e.i. .. ... .. .. „ .. .. .. 528 Western Samoa .. .. 30 United Kingdom .. .. 148 Australia .. .. .. 11 Canada .. .. .. 78 Fiji 1 Tonga .. .. .. 6 Japan .. .. .. 50 U.S. America, West Coast .. 87 American Samoa .. .. 8 — 947 Arms, ammunition, and explosives .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 284 Bacon and ham .. .. .. .. ,, . • • • • • • • 31 Bags and sacks .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 793 Beverages, non-acoholic .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 18 Bicycles and parts .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. ... .. 186 Biscuits .. .. .. .. . • ,, • • • • • • 1,246 Western Samoa .. .. 21 1,267 Blue .. .. .. •• •• New Zealand .. .. . . .. 17 Boots and shoes .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. • • 326 Western Samoa .. .. 3 United Kingdom .. .. 20 U.S. America, West Coast .. 2 351

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Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1926—continued.

21

Article. J Whence imported. Value. £ £ Brushware n.e.i. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 29 Western Samoa .. .. 1 30 Butter and cheese .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 240 Carriages and parts.. .. .. .. ,, .... .. .. 32 Cement and masonry .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 617 Confectionery n.e.i. .. .. .. „ .. . . .. 116 United Kingdom .. .. 2 118 Cordage and twine .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 66 United Kingdom .. .. 57 Australia .. .. .. 5 128 Cotton piece-goods n.e.i. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 928 Western Samoa .. .. 27 United Kingdom .. .. 1,206 Australia .. .. .. 1 Fiji .. .. .. .. 1 Tonga . . .. .. 2 U.S. America, West Coast .. 120 American Samoa . . . . 1 2,286 Cotton, sewing .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 26 United Kingdom .. .. 18 44 Crockery and glassware .. .. .. New Zealand .'. .. .. 27 United Kingdom .. .. 2 29 Cutlery .. .. ,. .. .. New Zealand . . .. .. .. 22 Drapery n.e.i. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 141 United Kingdom .. .. 145 286 Drugs and druggists' sundries .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 350 Fancy n.e.i. .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 245 Western Samoa .. . . 2 United Kingdom .. . . 109 Australia .. .. .. 11 U.S. America, West Coast .. 6 American Samoa .. .. 1 374 Fish, preserved .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 209 Fish-hooks .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 33 United Kingdom .. ., 24 57 Flour .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 436 Australia .. .. .. 157 593 Fruits— Dried .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 31 Fresh .. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 50 Australia .. .. .. 1 —— 51 Preserved .. ... .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 30 Furniture .. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 182 Glass, sheet .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 1 Hardware n.e.i. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 338 Rarotonga .. ... .. 22 Australia .. .. .. 20 380 Hats and caps .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. . . .. 103 United Kingdom .. .. 2 —— . 105 Hosiery .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 44 United Kingdom .. .. 13 57

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Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1926 —continued.

22

Article. Whence imported. Value. Instruments — £ £ Meteorological .. . . .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 33 Musical .. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 34 United Kingdom .. . . 1 35 Iron — Galvanized corrugated roofing .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 163 Australia . . .. .. 20 183 Galvanized pipes .. .. New Zealand . . . . . . .. 3 Galvanized tanks.. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 43 Wire netting .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 2 Jam .. . . .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. • • 51 Joinery n.e.i. .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 34 Australia .. .. .. 4 38 Lace .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 7 United Kingdom .. .. 38 45 Lamps, lanterns, and lampware .. .. New Zealand .. .. . . 68 Aitutaki .. .. .. 2 United Kingdom .. .. 1 71 MachineryPrinting .. .. .. .. United Kingdom .. .. .. 3 Radio and electric .. .. .. New Zealand . . .. - 193 Western Samoa .. .. 4 197 Machines, sewing .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. . . 18 Australia .. .. .. 6 24 Matches .. .. .. .. . • New Zealand .. .. .. 309 Australia .. .. .. 18 327 MeatsPreserved .. .. .. . ■ New Zealand .. .. .. .. 971 Salted .. .. .. .. ■ • ,, .. .. . ■ • • 54 Milk, preserved .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 224 Motors and parts .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 186 Western Samoa .. .. 5 191 Nails .. .. .. ■ • • ■ New Zealand .. .. .. 46 Australia .. .. .. 1 47 Oil, benzine, and kerosene .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 444 Western Samoa .. .. 10 454 Oil n.e.i. .. .. .. • • • • New Zealand .. .. .. .. 71 Paint and varnish .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. 65 Western Samoa .. .. 1 66 Paper — Printing .. .. .. .. Australia .. .. .. .. 16 Wrapping .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 31 United Kingdom .. .. 3 34 Perfumed spirits .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 31 Australia .. .. .. 2 33 Perfumery n.e.i. .. .. • • • • New Zealand .. .. .. 15 United Kingdom .. .. 3 18 Photographic materials . . .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 43 Pipes, tobacco .. .. .. .. ,, .. ■. .. .. 15 Provisions n.e.i. .. .. .. •. ,, • • • • • • 208 Western Samoa .. .. 2 210

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Returns of Imports for the Year ended 21st December, 1926 —continued.

SUMMARY. £ New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. 14,105 Rarotonga . . . . .. .. .. 22 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Western Samoa . . .. .. .. .. 126 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. 1,790 Australia .. .. .. .. .. 1,153 Canada .. .. .. .. .. .. 78 Fiji 2 Tonga .. . . .. .. .. .. 8 Japan .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 United States of America, West Coast .. ~ 215 American Samoa ~ .. .. .. .. 11 £17,563

23

I Article. j Whence imported. Value. £ £ Rice .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 944 Australia .. .. .. 175 1,119 Hugs .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. Ill United Kingdom .. .. 10 Australia .. .. .. 12 133 Saddlery and harness .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 42 Salt .. .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. . . .. 3 Silk .. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. , .. 50 Western Samoa .. .. 17 67 Soap .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 261 Western Samoa .. . . 1 United Kingdom .. . . 1 263 Specie .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 24 Stationery and books .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 258 United Kingdom .. .. 14 Australia . . .. . . 1 273 Sugar .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 235 Tea, coffee, and cocoa .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 83 Timber — Sawn .. .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 132 Shooks .. .. .. .. .. ,, .. .. .. .. 141 Tobacco, cigarettes, &c. .. .. .. ,, .. .. 393 Western Samoa . . .. 1 Australia .. .. .. 673 American Samoa .. .. 1 1,068 Toilet preparation n.e.i. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 28 Tools . . .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. 60 Western Samoa .. .. 1 Australia .. .. .. 16 77 Trunks, portmanteaux, &c. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. • • • ® Australia .. .. .. | i 12 Umbrellas .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 16 United Kingdom .. .. 2 18 Vegetables — Fresh .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. .. 75 Preserved .. .. .. .. „ .. .. .. .. 15 £17,563

A.—3.

Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1926.

SUMMARY. New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. £17,655

Return of Imports and Exports for the Twenty-five Years, 1902 to 1926, inclusive.

High Court and Native Land Court. Criminal cases for 1926 totalled 291, as against 296 in 1925. As usual, the majority of these were offences against morality, and there was very little that could be called serious crime. Fees and fines collected amounted to £80 lis. 3d. Civil work was negligible in quantity.

24

Article. Whence exported. Quantity. ! Value. I ; ! £ Bananas .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 692 cases .. 280 Baskets, fancy .. .. „ .. .. 972 dozen.. 1,079 Bicycles and parts .. .. „ .. .. .. 2 Copra .. .. .. „ .. .. 699f tons .. 14,441 Fancy goods .. .. „ .. .. .. 90 Fungus .. *. .. „ ... .. 11,070 lb. .. 603 Hats .. .. .. ,, .. .. l,749f dozen.. 1,083 Table-mats .. .. .. „ .. .. 235 „ .. 77 Total .... .. .. 17,655

Year. Imports. Exports. Value j Year. Imports. Exports. Value £ £ £ £ £ £ 1902 .. 5,699 6,750 12,499 1915 .. 9,678 8,130 17,808 1903 .. 8,001 7,862 15,863 1916 .. 9,512 3,379 12,889 1904 .. 6,707 7,016 13,723 ! 1917 .. 13,079 9,400 22,479 1905 .. 5,698 9,868 15,566 ! 1918 .. 17,258 16,537 33,795 1906 .. 6,707 8,724 15,43] 1919 .. 21,783 35,977 57,760 1907 .. 8,491 7,955 16,446 1920 .. 20,524 13,140 33,664 1908 .. 6,458 7,107 13,565 1921 .. 26,339 16,721 43,060 1909 .. 10,047 1.2,203 22,250 1922 .. 15,418 15,122 30,540 1910 .. 9,182 12,112 21,294- 1923 .. 18,388 13,227 31,615 1911 .. 9,838 12,047 21,885 1924 .. 16,798 14,608 31,406 1912 .. 19,119 15,709 34,828 1925 .. 18.747 17.429 36,176 1913 .. 13,761 12,170 25,931 1926 .. 17,563 17,655 35,218 1914 11,200 9,503 20,703

A.—3

High Court. Return of Criminal Cases for the Year ended 31st December, 1926.

Return of Civil Cases. Judgment. Dismissed. Total. Debt and damages .. .. .. ..11 .. 11 Divorce—Decree absolute .. .. .. 8 .. 8 Probate of will .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 20 .. 20 In the Native Land Court the only work before the Court was applications for adoption orders, 2 ; annulment of adoption order, 1 ; and succession order, 1 : total, 4. In all cases orders were granted. Niue Island Council. Four meetings of the Niue Island Council were held during the year, one in each quarter. At the December meeting the Secretary for the Cook Islands Department was present and replied to various matters brought forward by the members. It was evident, however, that the Niueans have but few complaints to make, and that they are well satisfied with the generous assistance they have received from the New Zealand Government, particularly as to the steamer service, the new bond and cargo-sheds, and the new wharf. The following Ordinances were passed during the year : — No. 25, Niue Daylight-saving Repeal Ordinance, 1926.—1t was found expedient to revoke this Ordinance now that a regular steamer service is provided, as it meant that when the " Hinemoa " was in port two different times —viz., shore and ship's time —had to be observed. No. 26, Niue Water-supply Amendment Ordinance, 1926. —This reserves additional waterholes and caves for drinking purposes only. No. 27, Niue Planting of Native Lands Ordinance, 1926. —It was found necessary to have some Ordinance to control the cultivation and planting of Native lands. In nearly every village there were numbers of young men who never did any work on their lands ; they did nothing but loaf about the village, and were content to let their aged parents, in the majority of cases, provide food for them. This Ordinance now enables the Administration to compel all able-bodied men of and over the age of sixteen years to plant and cultivate their lands. It has already effected a great improvement and large tracts of land have been cleared and planted which otherwise would have remained unplanted.

4—A. 3.

25

Male. Female. Offence. ; : Total. Convicted. Acquitted. Convicted. Acquitted. I I 1 ! ; I I Cook Islands Act:— Indecent assault' .. .. . .1,1 4 .. /. .. 4 Assault .. .. .. .. 27 2 9 .. 38 Carnal knowledge .. . . . . 1 .. .. .. 1 Adultery.. . . . . . . 33 .. 33 .. 66 Indecency .. .. . . 3 1 5 1 10 Burglary .. . . . . .. 8 1 .. .. 9 Theft .. .. .. 37 1 8 1 47 Contempt of Court .. .. 2 .. .. .. 2 Libel .. .. .. .. 4 .. 4 .. 8 Sorcery .. . . . . .. 1 . . .. . . 1 Forgery .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 .Disorderly conduct . . . . 8 1 4 . . 13 Obscene language .. .. .. 3 .. 8 . . 11 Mischief .. .. .. ... Trespass .. .. .. . . 7 . . 3 . . 10 Wandering animals . . .. 9 . . .. .. 9 Cruelty to animals . . .. 1 .. .. .. 1 Under Regulations:— Education .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. 1 Under Ordinances : — Suppression of immorality .. 21 3 22 2 48 Copra .. .. .. .. 3 .. 2 .. 5 Road-cleaning • .. .. .. 2 .. .. .. 2 Water-supply .. .. .. .. 1 3 .. 4 Totals .. .. 175 10 102 4 291

Births per 1,000 of population, 30-04; deaths per 1,000 of population, 18-18; percentage of deaths under one year to total deaths, 13-04 ; percentage of deaths one to five years to total deaths, 5-797.

A.—3.

rOPULATION. The census of Niue was taken on the 20th April last. The population of the island as on the 20th April was —-

Return of Vital and Migration Statitics for the Year ended 31st December, 1926.

The population of the island on the 31st December, 1926, being, Europeans and natives, 1,788 males and 2,011 females ; total, 3,799.

Return of Births and Deaths for the Year 1926.

26

Under Five Five and under Forty-five Years „ . Years, Fifteen Years. and over. I TotaL Total ' I Population. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Europeans .. .. 2 1 2 6 11* 8 3 18 15 33 Half-castes .. .. 7 5 15 12 56 50 4 82 67 149 Natives, full blood .. 218 221 366 325 729 913 369 474 1,680 1,933 3,613 Totals .. 227 227 383 343 794 971 j 376 474 1,780 2,015 3,795 I

„i ivr„j.:™„ Persons other than Aboriginal Natives. . . , „ ° Aboriginal .Natives. 1 Total. Males. Females. Males. Females. I Births .. .. .. .. 61 53 .. .. 114 Deaths .. .. .. .. 25 43 .. .. 69 Arrivals .. .. .. 10 6 7 6 29 Departures .. .. .. 46 22 4 4 76 Summary of Arrivals and Departures. Arrivals from— New Zealand .. .. .. 9 1 7 6 23 Western Samoa .. .. .. 1 5 .. .. 6 Totals .. .. 10 6 7 6 29 Departures to— New Zealand .. .. .. 7 2 4 1 14 Western Samoa .. .. .. 35 17 . . .. 52 Australia .. .. .. .. 1 .. 3 4 New Guinea .. .. 2 2 .. .. 4 Fiji 1 .. .. .. 1 Tonga .. .. .. .. 1 .. .. .. 1 Totals .. .. 46 22 4 4 76

I Births. Deaths. Village. — Males. Females. Totals. Males. Females. Totals. i_ Alofi .. .. 14 10 24 4 7 11 Makefu ...... 2 1 3 3 4 7 Tuapa .. .. .. 6 5 11 3 2 5 Hikutavake .. .. 8 2 10 .. 4 4 Mutalau .. .. .. 4 11 15 4 9 13 Lakepa .. .. .. 2 4 6 .. 1 1 Liku .. .. .. 6 4 10 2 3 5 Hakupu .. .. .. 6 8 14 4 10 14 Fatiau .. .. .. 2 .. 2 .. 1 1 Avatele ...... 7 5 12 3 1 4 Tamakautoga .... 4 3 7 3 1 4 Totals .. .. 61 53 114 26 43 69

A.—3

Return of Deaths at Different Ages, 1926.

27

j TT , 1 Year 5 Years 10 Years 15 Years 20 Years 25 Years 30 Years 35 Years 40 Years 45 Years 50 Years 55 Years fift v , er and and and and and and and and and and and and , ears Totals. ear ' under 5. under 10. under 15. under 20. under 25. under 30. under 35. under 40. under 45. under 50. under 55. under 60. an OTer -g village. j En _ : — - - , rs I ■ . . rQ i a M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. ' M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. g i e> Alofi .. .. 1 1 1 1 1 2 4 4 7 11 Makefu .. .. 1 2 1 1 1 1 3 4 7 Tuapa .. .. 1 1 2 1 3 2 5 Hikutavake .. .. .. 1 | i j .. 3 .. 4 4 Mutalau .. .. 1 .. 1 .. .. 1 1 .. .. 1 1 1 .. 6 4 9 13 Lakepa .. 1 1 1 Liku .. .. : 1 1 2 1 2 3 5 Hakupu .. .. .. 3 1 1 1 1 2 5 4 10 14 Fatiau .. .. 1 1 1 Avatele .. .. 1 1 1 1 .. 3 1 4 Tamakautoga .. | 1 1 .. 1 j .. 1 3 1 4 Totals .. .. 3 6 3 1 .. 1 1 .. 1 1 1 1 2 .. .. 1 .. 2 1 2 3 4 .. .. 1 2 | 10 22 26 43 69

A.—3

Return of Marriages for the Year 1926. Marriages performed by — London Missionary Society .. .. .. .. 34 Resident Commissioner .. .. .. 7 Registrar .. .. . ■ • • .. 2 43

The following table shows the births, deaths, and marriages for the past seven years : —

The natural increase for the above period was 147. As to migration, 29 persons, including 13 Europeans, arrived, and 76 persons, 8 being Europeans, departed. Medical and Public Health. During the year the health of the island has been good. There were no epidemics of any kind. The deaths were 69, as against 63 for 1925 ; most of the deaths occurred in those .of sixty years and over. Child Welfare. —This matter still continues to receive particular attention, and every effort is being made to reduce infant mortality. Good work has been done in this special branch. Fourteen infants under one year were admitted to the hospital during the year. These were all weaklings, and were kept in the hospital for periods extending from three to six months, thus giving them a good start in life. It was surprising how quickly these responded to proper care and attention, regular and correct feeding. Yaws. —During the year a campaign against this disease was commenced. Both Government and subsidized mission schools were inspected. Each village in turn was visited, and all adults, with their children, inspected. These inspections were carried out on Sundays, after the morning service. This was found to be the most convenient time to carry out a thorough inspection, as the majority of the Natives assemble in their villages on that day. With a view to cleaning up this condition, all cases about which there was any doubt received the same treatment as positive ones. In this manner the whole island has been cleaned, and, except for old scars, shows no evidence of this disease. Leprosy. —The number of lepers from Niue under treatment, at the Leper Asylum on the island of Makogai, in Fiji, at the end of the year under review was two —one male and one female. From a message received from the Secretary for the Cook Islands, after he had visited Makogai in December last, it was learned that both those patients were progressing favourably, particularly the girl, and that they were happy and contented. This message was translated into the Niue language and sent to their relatives here. The following figures show the volume of work carried out during the year : — European in-patients . . .. .. .. .. .. 2 Native in-patients (including fourteen infants under one year) .. .. 176 Average duration of stay was twenty-two days. Patients treated at dispensary and out-patients department .. .. 2,857 Out-patients, dressings .. .. .. .. .. ..2,716 Patients treated in their villages .. . . .. .. .. 419 Patients treated for gonorrhoea (males and females) .. .. .. 14 Operations, major .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 Operations, minor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 57

28

Births. Deaths. Marriages. Year. European. Native. European. Native. Total. Total. European. Native, j Total. M. F. M. F. i M. F. M. F. 1920 45 47 92 .... 47 57 104 .. 45 45 1921 .. 1 56 46 103 .. .. 56 41 97 .. 46 46 1922 1 1 49 48 99 .... 40 42 82 .. 47 47 1923 1 2 56 47 106 .... 43 60 103 .. 42 42 1924 60 54 114 .... 27 42 69 .. 49 49 1925 1 .. 49 56 106 .... 34 29 63 1 40 41 1926 61 53 114 .... 26 43 69 .. 43 43 Totals .. 3 4 376 351 734 .. .. 273 314 587 1 312 313

A.—3

Classified admissions to hospital for the year : — Alimentary system — [' Supporting structures — Diarrhoea .. .. ..3 Fractured thigh.. .. .. 1 Intestinal obstruction .. .. 1 Hand injuries .. .. 4 Stomatitis .. .. 6 Foot injuries .. .. 9 Dyspepsia (infants) .. .. 11 Chronic osteomyelitis .. .. 1 — 21 Tunercular rib .. .. .. 1 Circulatory system — Cellulitis .. .. .. 4 Anaamia .. .. 6 Bursitis .. .. 2 Cardiac debility.. .. 2 Synovitis .. .. 3 Cerebral haemorrhage .. . . 1 Abscess .. .. .. 7 — 9 — 32 Genito-urinary system — Nervous system— Confinements .. .. 4 Convulsions . . .. 2 Abortion . . .. .. 1 Insanity .. .. 1 Gonorrhoea .. .. 14 Tubercular meningitis .. .. 1 Orchitis ...... 3 — 4 Endometritis .. .. . . 1 Special sense organ—Conjunctivitis .. .. 10 — 23 Infectious diseases—lnfluenza .... 8 Respiratory system— Glandular system —T.B. cervical glands .. 3 Pulmonary tuberculosis .. 2 Tumours — Pleurisy .. .. .. 1 Epithelioma .. .. .. 1 Bronchitis .. .. .. 7 Keloid .. .. .. 1 Broncho-pneumonia . . .. 1 Papilloma .. .. .. 1 Lobar pneumonia .... 1 —'3 — 12 General— Skin — Yaws .. . . . . 1 Boils .. .. .. ..16 P.U.O. .. .. ..5 Ulcers .. .. 8 Observation .. .. 3 Impetigo .. .. 8 Congenital weakness .. .. 2 Scabies ...... 5 — 11 Ringworm .. .. 5 -— — 42 Total .. .. .... 178 The report of the Medical Officer, which deals in detail with the work of the year, is as follows: " The general health of the island has been good, there being no epidemics of any kind. " Infectious Conditions. —The following return includes those infectious diseases which came under treatment:— Pulmonary tuberculosis .. .. .. .. .. .. 8 Abdonlinal tuberculosis .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 Tubercular meningits .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Lobar pneumonia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Broncho-pneumonia .. .. . . .. .. .. .. 1 Chicken-pox .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Gonorrhoea .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Influenza .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 344 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 377 " Venereal Disease. —The fourteen cases mentioned above were treated during the first two months of the year. Since then no further cases have been detected. The periodic inspection of single males and the bringing-up of suspects by the Native police for examination have been effective in clearing up this condition, and, as far as can be judged, there has been no freshly introduced infection. " Influenza. —During the months of July and August there was an outbreak of this condition which took the form of the gastro-intestinal type. In all cases the attacks were mild, lasting about four to five days, and no case was followed by any complications. " Ascariasis. —There is no evidence to lead to the conclusion that this condition is common, a few cases came up for treatment, and these were mostly amongst children of under seven years. " Yaws. —Early in the year both Government and subsidized London Missionary Society schools were inspected for yaws. Later each village was visited, and the adults, with their children, were inspected after the Sunday morning service. Some of the cases treated received three injections of Novarsenobillon, others with three injections of Bicerol, and others with both preparations. It was found that the results from Bicerol were equally as good as those from Novarsenobillon,

29

A.—3.

and, further, it has the advantage of being much cheaper. The following table gives the figures for yaws injections, and the injections given for conditions other than yaws.

* Denotes children inspected at Government and subsidized schools. f Denotes men, women, and children inspected in villages on Sundays. " The different types of yaws treated were as follows : — (1) Planter and palmar dermatitis .. .. .. .. .. 87 (2) Doubtful cases of (1) .. .. .. .. 36 (3) Tonas .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 64 (4) Secondary ulceration . . . . .. .. .. 2 (5) Sabre-blade tibia .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 (6) Old scars breaking down . . . . .. .. . . 5 (7) Gummatous infiltration .. .. .. .. .. 1 Total .. .. .. .. .. ..199 " Cancer. —Two cases of this condition —one, epithelioma of the lip, and one of the inguinal glands —were treated. It is understood that these are the first cases of cancer on record amongst the Niueans. " Eye Condition. —Regularly cases of conjunctivitis come up to the outpatients department for treatment. The cases are all mild, and there has been no tendency for this condition to assume an epidemic form. " Skin Condition. —Several cases of scabies and impetigo were treated. An attempt was made to deal with cases of diffuse ringworm. Gratifying results were obtained with chrysarobin and iodine. It takes two to three months to clear up old standing cases, but the Natives object to being in hospital for such a lengthy period. If they could be persuaded to face weeks of treatment the island could be completely cleaned of this condition. " Rounds.—Weekly the villages at the north end of the island were visited on Wednesdays, and those at the south end on Fridays. 419 people received treatment at their respective villages. " Hospital:— European in-patients .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 Native in-patients (includes fourteen infants under one year) .. .. .. 176 Average duration of stay was 22 days. Patients treated at dispensary and out-patients department .. .. .. 2,857 Out-patients, dressings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,716 Operations, major .. . . . . . . .. .. . . .. 4 Operations, minor .. . . . . . . .. .. . . .. 57 During the year Miss Butler was relieved by Miss de Ridder, and one change was made in the Native staff. The work of the staff has been highly satisfactory." Postal. The following figures show the postal business transacted during the year, the total volume of business amounting to £4,697 7s. 4d., as against £6,640 2s. lOfd. for 1925 : — £ s. d. Money-orders issued .. .. .. .. .. 1,894 10 0 Money-orders paid .. .. . . . . .. . . 312 13 11 Savings-bank deposits .. .. .. .. .. 1,006 14 0 Savings-bank withdrawals .. .. .. .. .. 1121611 New Zealand postal' notes issued . . .. .. .. 11l 10 0 New Zealand postal notes paid .. .. .. .. .. 6124 British postal orders paid .. .. .. .. .. 914 Miscellaneous payments .. . . . . .. .. 837 18 10 Stamp sales .. .. ■ ■ • ■ • • • ■ • ■ 405 10 0 £4,697 7 4

30

Number Number p noon r,f v™« Number of of Injections for inspected. ' Injections. Conditions other than Yaws. First quarter .... .. 25 75 15 Second quarter .. 809* 80 231 Third quarter .. 4,604f 87 251 45 Fourth quarter .... .. 7 21 24 Totals .. .. 5,413 199 578 84

A.—3

Meteorological. Summarized, the readings for 1926 are as follows : —Barometer : Mean for year, 30-04. Thermometer : Highest, 91, in January and March; lowest, 58, in July, August, and September ; mean maximum, 87-75 ; mean minimum, 62-41. Rainfall, 53-82 in. Rain fell on 112 days. Maximum rainfall for any one day, 10-35 in., on 22nd November (a record). As previously mentioned, the severe drought experienced from Ist September, 1925, did not break until the 22nd November, 1926. Apart from this there is nothing special to chronicle. The hurricane season passed without any serious blow. Except for a north-westerly gale and heavy seas experienced during the second and third weeks in February, shipping could have been worked throughout the season.

Meteorological Return for the Year ended 31st December, 1926.

Maximum temperature, 91° F., in January and March. Minimum temperature, 59° F., in July, August, and September. Average monthly rainfall, 4-48 in. Average number of days with rain, 9-33. Maximum rainfall, 10-35 in., on 22nd November (a record).

Meteorological Records.

31

Temperature. Total Number of Maximum Month. Barometer. Rainfall Days Rain on any Maximum. Minimum. a ' [ with Rain " one Da y* Deg. Fahr. Dog. Fahr. Inches. Inches. January .. .. 29-94 91 65 1-40 7 0-42 February .. .. 29-92 90 67 2-30 7 0-74 March .. .. 29-99 91 67 8-54 15 2-06 April .. .. 30-07 85 60 2-34 5 0-95 May .. .. 30-09 88 64 0-86 7 0-34 June .. .. 30-14 85 63 1-29 9 0-45 July .. .. 30-08 84 59 6-10 10 2-45 August .. .. 30-14 84 59 3-51 12 0-75 September . . . . 30-13 88 59 0-83 7 0-27 October .. . . 30-06 89 60 3-54 7 1-52 November . . .. 30-01 88 64 20-54 17 10-35 December .. .. 29-99 90 62 2-57 9 1-22 Totals .. 360-56 1,053 749 53-82 112 Means .. 30-04 87-75 62-41 4-48 9-33

Temperature. - Barometer. Rainfall. Days with Maximum Rain Kam. on any One Day. Maximum. Minimum. 30-32 98 72 30-90 27 10-35 Highest .. April, 1911 March, 1921 February, 1921 March, 1923 March, 1913 November, 1926 29-66 82 54 0-08 1 0-06 Lowest .. March, 1911 July, 1914 July, 1915 June, 1915 July, 1911 June, 1915

A.—B

Meteorological Statistics for the Period 1906 to 1926, inclusive. RAINFALL.

32

Year. ' January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. November. December. Totals. In. In. In. In. In. In. In. In. In. In. In. In. In. 1906 .. .. 5-21 2-43 15-38 5-05 4-02 4-64 1-60 2-15 6-21 2-10 7-76 12-00 68-55 1907 .. .. 3-54 6-98 7-27 6-55 10-46 3-55 5-60 3-05 5-16 5-24 6-07 9-30 72-77 1908 .. .. 25-49 8-90 10-59 15-37 5-13 1-07 2-20 8-76 7-61 3-03 6-20 5-55 99-90 1909 .. .. 7-31 12-08 10-04 9-15 4-17 4-91 1-30 2-74 2-49 3-94 4-77 18-88 81-78 1910 .. .. 9-77 10-24 10-72 7-92 13-67 2-94 3-73 5-43 9-67 5-72 3-56 15-29 98-66 1911 .. . , 12-12 24-77 9-79 10-16 2-51 4-35 0-45 2-24 4-08 1-56 1-58 3-94 77-55 1912 .. 7-21 5-79 19-63 3-97 4-28 3-08 0-51 6-87 5-80 1-95 4-58 2-40 66-07 1913 .. .. 14-23 18-05 19-92 4-96 3-61 2-43 1-94 0-78 4-60 2-51 2-53 14-86 90-42 1914 . , .. 2-77 10-98 8-62 5-18 1-72 2-27 0-84 1-52 4-94 5-27 1-46 2-32 48-19 1915 .. .. 17-37 1-17 9-32 0-34 1-25 0-08 1-21 0-46 1-92 4-72 4-45 23-23 65-52 1916 .. .. 12-53 15-67 9-21 22-47 3-60 10-92 3-20 4-26 7-03 2-26 14-60 13-96 119-71 1917 .. 7-63 4-39 8-94 4-47 7-07 5-11 6-12 13-23 4-55 9-66 4-79 9-21 85-17 1918 .. .. 5-51 20-92 5-95 4-15 4-99 0-96 0-99 7-69 4-64 2-49 6-61 6-46 71-36 1919 .. .. 4-39 5-56 15-44 5-71 0-44 6-89 2-72 5-79 2-41 1-04 1-69 19-18 71-26 1920 .. .. 12-43 12-03 10-15 8-40 0-81 0-89 11-35 2-85 6-13 1-91 2-85 3-49 73-29 1921 .. .. 12-46 4-49 5-69 14-90 7-89 1-78 5-23 6-18 1-19 4-46 4-06 11-05 79-38 1922 .. .. 5-49 7-23 11-17 19-79 4-02 3-66 0-50 2-39 5-09 11-17 4-72 11-92 87-15 1923 .. .. 3-68 4-31 30-90 7-26 6-03 4-11 1-92 0-52 3-92 2-64 4-43 14-99 84-71 1924 .. .. 14-02 18-36 17-06 12-92 2-40 4-40 6-62 19-45 9-30 4-08 9-74 7-09 125-41 1925 .. .. 9-61 3-59 14-01 5-15 3-11 1-40 2-65 7-95 0-78 1-78 1-29 1-49 52-81 1926 .. .. 1-40 2-30 8-54 2-34 0-86 1-29 6-10 3-51 0-83 3-54 20-54 2-57 53-82 . . - Totals .. 194-17 200-24 258-34 176-21 92-04 70-73 66-78 107-82 98-35 81-37 118-28 209-18 1,673-51 Means .. 9-25 9-53 12-30 8-39 4-38 3-37 3-18 5-13 4-68 3-87 5-63 9-96 79-69 Mean rainfall per month, 6-64 in. Highest total rainfall recorded for any one year, 125-44 in., in 1924. Lowest total rainfall recorded for any one year, 48-19 in., in 1914. Highest total rainfall recorded for any one month, 30-90 in., in March, 1923. Lowest total rainfall recorded for any one month, 0-08 in., in June, 1915. Highest rainfall recorded for any one day, 10-35 in., on 22nd November, 1926.

A.—3

MEAN BAROMETER PER MONTH.

33

'j 7 ' Year. January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. November. December. Totals. j M 1907 .. .... .. .. .. .. 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-00 30-00 180-40 30-10 • 1908 .. 29-80 I 29-90 ' 29-90 30-00 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-00 29-90 360-10 30-00 1909 .. 29-90 30-00 29-90 30-00 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-10 30-00 29-90 360-30 30-00 1910 .. 29-97 30-00 30-00 30-05 30-07 30-11 30-08 30-11 30-09 30-15 30-03 29-94 360-60 30-05 1911 , 29-92 ! 29-82 29-66 30-32 30-04 30-09 30-07 30-00 30-07 30-06 30-02 29-93 360-00 30-00 1912 .. 29-90 29-90 30-00 30-05 30-11 30-11 30-09 30-10 30-09 30-07 30-02 29-94 360-38 30-03 1913 . . 29-95 29-95 30-00 30-01 30-05 30-09 30-12 30-09 30-09 30-07 29-99 29-95 360-36 30-03 1914 .. 30-01 29-94 30-01 30-01 30-04 30-05 30-08 30-08 30-10 30-05 30-04 30-01 360-42 30-05 1915 .. 29-86 29-96 29-95 30-04 30-14 30-13 30-17 30-14 30-15 30-11 30-06 29-96 360-67 30-06 1916 .. 29-99 29-91 29-95 30-04 30-07 30-10 30-14 30-21 30-16 30-13 30-01 30-02 360-73 30-06 1917 .. 29-95 | 30-01 30-00 30-06 30-10 30-12 30-17 30-16 30-18 30-11 30-02 29-94 360-82 30-07 1918 . . 30-01 29-92 30-01 30-03 30-04 30-09 30-08 30-08 30-13 30-12 30-05 29-95 360-51 30-04 1919 .. 29-89 29-99 29-99 30-03 30-07 30-03 30-15 30-11 30-09 30-06 30-02 29-93 360-36 30-03 1920 .. 29-87 29-92 30-01 30-04 30-07 30-06 30-08 30-08 30-11 30-06 30-07 30-00 360-37 30-03 1921 .. i 29-93 | 30-03 30-02 29-98 30-06 30-09 30-09 30-14 30-13 30-09 29-99 29-97 360-53 30-04 1922 .. 29-91 29-97 29-97 30-00 30-09 30-07 30-07 30-12 30-11 30-06 29-98 29-97 360-32 30-03 1923 .. 29-95 29-97 29-91 30-03 30-04 30-05 30-07 30-12 30-06 30-10 30-00 30-02 360-32 30-03 1924 .. 29-88 29-98 29-99 30-00 30-09 30-15 30-13 30-13 30-12 30-07 30-02 29-90 360-46 30-04 1925 .. 29-91 29-97 29-95 30-05 30-08 30-05 30-09 30-06 30-11 30-07 30-07 29-92 360-33 30-03 1926 .. 29-94 29-92 29-99 30-07 30-09 30-14 30-08 30-14 30-13 30-06 30-01 29-99 360-57 30-05 Totals .. 568-54 569-06 569-22 570-81 571-45 571-73 602-06 602-17 602-22 601-74 600-41 599-14 7,028-55 Means .. 29-92 29-95 29-96 30-04 30-08 30-09 30-07 30-07 30-07 30-06 30-01 29-97 360-44 30-04 Highest .. 30-01 30-03 30-02 30-32 30-14 30-15 30-17 30-21 30-18 30-15 30-07 j 30-02 .. 30-07 Lowest .. 29-86 29-82 29-66 29-98 30-04 30-03 30-07 30-00 30-06 30-05 29-98 29-92 .. 30-00 I Highest mean for any one month, 30-32, in April, 1911. Lowest mean for any one month, 29-66, in March, 1911. Highest mean for any one year, 30-07, in 1917. Lowest mean for any one year, 30-00, in 1911. Lowest reading recorded at any one time, 28-99, on 13th January, 1915, at 6 p.m

A.—3.

MEAN TEMPERATURE PER MONTH.

34

Year. January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. November. December. Totals. 6 ; ! Deg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. I Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. 1907 .. .. ' .. .. .. .. 73-90 71-00 ! 72-00 77-80 76-00 78-10 448-80 74-80 1908 .. 80-50 80-70 80-50 79-90 76-50 72-80 73-90 77-80 73-00 77-20 76-40 80-60 929-80 77-40 1909 .. 80-70 80-90 81-90 77-30 75-10 74-90 73-40 72-70 74-10 77-70 79-60 78-10 926-40 77-20 1910 .. 79-50 , 79-90 79-50 79-10 75-50 73-00 75-50 73-70 75-10 76-40 77-60 78-90 923-70 77-00 1911 .. 79-40 ! 79-60 80-30 79-30 76-30 73-80 72-90 73-20 72-80 74-70 78-60 81-30 922-20 76-80 1912 .. 82-30 | 82-30 81-50 78-50 76-70 72-70 74-50 73-10 74-60 76-20 77-40 78-80 928-60 77-40 1913 .. 79-80 1 80-80 80-30 78-80 74-60 72-90 73-20 72-50 ! 71-80 74-70 78-30 81-50 919-20 76-60 1914 .. 80-66 81-09 81-90 79-48 78-82 74-23 70-01 71-08 72-00 73-43 75-80 80-00 918-50 76-54 1915 .. 80-48 80-67 79-92 76-65 73-84 74-18 69-86 70-72 72-83 75-07 75-53 75-45 905-20 75-43 1916 .. 83-60 79-48 78-28 75-52 76-44 74-05 77-50 73-21 72-54 74-80 74-38 75-32 915-12 76-26 1917 .. 76-90 77-69 .. .. .. 73-10 75-80 74-87 75-52 76-09 77-04 79-05 686-06 75-11 1918 .. 80-41 78-72 79-04 79-23 78-10 76-22 74-06 74-90 I 75-68 77-82 .. .. 774-18 77-42 1919 .. .. .. .. .. .. 74-89 73-95 73-41 75-95 78-24 78-65 80-82 535-91 76-56 1920 .. 80-03 80-97 80-71 79-00 75-50 73-93 73-21 74-27 76-42 75-63 76-93 80-55 927-15 77-26 1921 .. 79-83 82-50 82-72 78-27 73-90 74-58 72-48 75-39 75-43 77-97 78-58 80-57 932-22 77-69 1922 .. 80-92 80-59 81-31 78-82 77-37 75-25 73-92 75-95 77-47 77-76 78-37 80-30 938-03 78-17 1923 .. 81-09 82-32 79-08 77-26 75-33 72-86 73-97 74-22 72-10 72-43 74-97 77-21 912-84 76-07 1924 .80-35 79-74 80-93 78-05 78-46 75-71 74-27 74-98 75-60 76-53 79-07 78-85 932-54 77-71 1925 .. 80-50 82-11 80-79 79-28 76-34 74-28 72-25 77-22 74-27 75-33 75-22 78-10 925-69 77-14 1926 .. 79-77 80-15 79-92 74-65 76-11 73-62 73-03 73-00 75-78 75-50 76-70 77-24 915-47 76-29 Totals .. 1,446-74 1,450-23 1,368-60 1,329-11 1,294-91 1,407-00 1,471-61 1,477-22 1,484-99 1,521-30 1,465-14 1,500-76 17,217-61 Means .. 80-37 80-57 80-51 79-36 76-17 74-05 73-58 73-86 74-25 76-07 77-11 78-99 922-37 76-86 Highest .. 83-60 82-50 82-72 79-90 78-82 76-22 77-50 77-80 77-47 78-24 79-60 81-50 .. 78-17 Lowest .. 76-90 77-69 78-28 74-65 73-84 72-70 69-86 70-72 71-80 72-43 74-38 75-32 .. 75-11 ; I I Highest mean temperature for any one month, 83-60, in January, 1916. Lowest mean temperature for any one month, 69-86, in July, 1915. Highest mean temperature for any one year, 78-17, in 1922. Lowest mean temperature for any one year, 7511, in 1917.

A.—3

MEAN MINIMUM TEMPERATURE PER MONTH.

35

Year. I January. 1 February. March. Aprils ' May. June. i July. ' August. September. October. ! November. December. Totals. "Vh'a'if ° I I 1 I I I | I ■ I 6an ~ i Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. 1907 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 66-00 62-00 62-00 70-00 69-00 72-00 401-00 66-80 1908 .. 73-00 73-60 73-00 72-00 69-00 65-00 64-80 69-50 65-00 69-10 68-80 72-40 835-20 69-60 1909 .. 72-20 72-30 75-30 68-60 66-70 66-90 65-50 64-00 65-70 67-90 70-80 70-60 826-50 68-90 1910 .. 71-20 72-30 72-10 70-70 68-70 65-60 68-10 65-20 67-00 68-00 68-80 71-10 828-80 69-10 1911 .. 71-80 72-40 73-00 71-50 68-50 66-00 64-70 66-00 63-60 65-60 69-80 72-10 825-00 68-70 1912 .. 74-00 73-30 73-50 70-40 70-40 64-70 68-10 64-60 64-60 66-70 70-50 71-22 832-02 69-30 1913 .. 72-10 72-40 72-80 71-30 67-40 65-30 66-90 64-10 63-60 66-80 68-60 72-80 824-10 68-70 1914 .. 71-26 73-29 74-26 71-17 73-33 66-96 61-90 63-65 65-13 66-35 65-63 70-61 823-54 68-63 1915 .. 72-71 70-89 71-19 67-50 65-42 65-13 60-97 61-21 63-62 64-52 64-17 67-11 794-44 66-20 1916 .. 76-88 69-92 70-24 67-45 67-68 65-41 68-88 62-66 62-75 62-39 62-97 64-40 801-63 66-80 1917 ' .. 66-21 67-24 .. .. .. 65-30 68-83 66-83 68-20 68-07 70-29 73-17 614-14 68-24 1918 .. 72-68 72-16 69-67 72-07 74-07 69-18 66-77 68-08 67-18 71-46 .. .. 703-32 70-33 1919 .. .. .. .. .. .. 68-66 66-57 66-25 67-55 69-42 70-13 73-93 482-51 68-93 1920 .. 72-97 73-55 72-61 72-33 66-90 66-13 65-61 66-10 70-33 68-48 69-15 72-00 836-16 69-68 1921 .. 73-77 74-00 73-65 71-67 68-19 68-67 66-23 68-61 68-17 71-42 72-33 75-42 852-13 71-01 1922 .. 74-84 73-21 74-58 73-13 71-47 69-10 67-57 68-90 70-50 71-76 71-57 74-44 861-07 71-77 1923 .. 73-52 74-80 72-58 71-04 68-19 64-48 65-80 65-29 63-00 64-86 66-97 70-59 821-12 68-43 1924 .. 73-11 72-44 73-03 70-60 71-71 68-90 68-39 67-65 67-20 67-67 70-80 71-70 843-20 70-27 1925 .. 72-97 73-00 72-29 72-10 69-74 66-13 65-40 72-80 65-10 66-37 65-66 69-23 830-79 69-23 1926 .. 71-48 72-86 73-42 67-50 68-39 66-87 66-00 65-71 68-27 65-94 69-23 69-16 824-83 68-74 Totals .. 1,306-70 1,303-66 1,237-22 1,201-06 1,175-79 1,264-42 1,323-02 1,319-14 1,318-50 1,352-81 1,305-20 1,353-98 15,461-50 Means .. 72-59 72-43 72-78 70-65 69-16 66-55 66-15 65-95 65-93 67-64 68-69 71-26 828-29 69-02 Highest mean for any one month, 76-88, for January, 1916. Lowest mean for any one month, 60-97, for July, 1915. Highest average for any one year, 71-77, in 1922. Lowest average for any one year, 66-20, in 1915.

A.—3

MEAN MAXIMUM TEMPERATURE PER MONTH.

36

Year. January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. November. December. Totals. Average. Deg Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. j Deg. Fahr. j Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. 1907 .. .. .. .. .. .. 31-80 80-10 82-00 85-60 83-00 85-00 497-50 82-90 1908 . 88-00 88-10 88-00 87-90 84-00 80-90 83-00 83-00 81-00 85-30 84-00 88-90 1,022-10 85-20 1909 .. 89-70 89-70 88-40 85-90 83-60 83-00 81-30 81-50 82-40 87-50 88-40 85-60 1,027-00 85-60 1910 87-80 87-60 86-90 87-40 82-30 80-40 83-00 82-10 83-10 84-80 86-50 86-60 1,018-50 84-90 1911 87-00 86-90 87-60 87-10 84-20 81-60 81-10 80-50 82-00 83-70 87-40 90-50 1,019-70 85-00 1912 90-70 91-30 89-50 86-60 83-10 80-60 81-00 81-00 84-70 85-70 84-30 86-51 1,025-61 85-40 1913 87-50 89-20 87-90 86-30 81-90 80-50 79-50 81-00 80-10 82-60 88-10 90-22 1,014-82 84-50 1914 90-07 88-89 89-55 87-79 84-32 81-51 78-13 78-52 78-87 80-51 85-97 89-39 1,013-52 84-46 1915 88-26 90-46 88-65 85-80 82-26 83-23 78-76 80-32 82-00 85-62 86-88 85-79 1,018-07 84-84 1916 90-32 89-04 86-97 83-55 85-20 82-68 82-12 83-76 82-32 87-21 85-80 86-23 1,025-20 85-43 1917 87-59 88-14 86-35 85-82 83-17 81-10 82-77 82-90 82-84 84-11 83-79 84-93 1,013-51 84-46 1918 . 88-14 85-28 88-10 86-40 82-13 83-25 81-35 81-73 84-18 84-17 87-33 82-80 1,015-16 84-59 1919 89-77 89-04 88-23 87-88 82-65 81-13 81-33 80-57 84-48 86-97 88-17 87-67 1,027-89 85-66 1920 87-10 88-38 88-81 85-67 84-10 81-73 80-81 82-44 82-50 82-77 84-70 89-10 1,018-11 84-84 1921 85-90 91-00 91-78 84-87 79-61 80-50 78-74 82-16 82-70 84-52 84-83 85-71 1,012-32 84-36 1922 . 87-00 87-96 88-03 84-60 83-27 81-40 80-27 83-00 84-43 83-76 85-18 86-17 1,014-97 84-58 1923 88-65 89-84 85-58 83-48 82-48 81-24 82-13 83-16 81-20 80-01 82-97 83-83 1,004-57 83-71 1924 87-59 87-04 88-83 85-50 85-21 82-53 80-16 82-32 84-00 85-40 87-33 86-00 1,021-91 85-16 1925 .. 88-03 91-21 89-29 I 86-47 82-94 82-43 79-10 81-63 83-43 84-30 84-78 86-97 1,020-58 85-05 1926 .. 88-06 87-43 86-42 I 81-80 83-84 80-37 80-06 80-29 83-30 85-06 84-17 85-32 1,006-12 83-84 Totals .. 1,677-18 1,686-51 1,675-19 1,630-73 1,580-28 1,550-10 1,616-43 1,632-60 1,651-59 1,689-61 1,713-60 1,733-34 19,837-16 Means .. 88-27 88-76 88-17 85-83 83-17 81-58 80-82 81-63 82-58 84-48 85-68 86-67 1,017-29 84-77 1 Highest mean for any one month, 91-78, in March, 1921. Lowest mean for any one month, 78-13, in July, 1914. Highest average for any one year, 85-66, in 1919. Lowest average for any one year, 83-71, in 1923.

A.—3

HIGHEST AND LOWEST TEMPERATURES RECORDED FOR ANY ONE DAY EACH MONTH.

37

January. February. March. | April. May. June. July. J August. September. October. November. ! December, j Year. , H. L. H. L. H. L. H. I L. H. L. H. L. H. j L. j H. L. j H. L. j H. . L. j H. L. H. j L. H. L. 1911 .. 94 67 96 71 94 70 93 67 87 62 85 59 85 59 86 57 88 57 90 59 91 63 94 65 96 57 1912 .. 97 71 96 69 95 71 92 64 91 60 87 59 86 62 88 59 90 60 95 58 91 65 92 65 | 97 58 1913 .. .. 94 68 95 70 96 71 90 67 87 60 85 60 85 63 85 56 86 58 89 59 96 64 95 67 1 96 56 1914 .. 93 66 96 66 94 70 93 65 88 68 88 60 82 57 85 57 84 61 85 59 95 60 95 65 96 57 1915 .. .. 95 67 96 66 95 65 91 61 89 59 86 62 83 54 86 55 89 57 91 59 90 61 92 60 96 54 1916 .. 93 65 96 65 92 67 88 63 89 62 87 60 87 57 89 56 87 59 91 58 93 58 94 57 96 56 1917 .. .. 96 61 95 63 92 .. 90 .. 85 .. 84 62 85 65 88 59 92 65 90 63 89 63 91 69 96 59 1918 .. 93 65 89 67 94 65 91 66 88 68 88 65 85 60 86 61 89 62 89 67 94 .. 91 .. 94 60 1919 .. .. 94 .. 93 .. 96 .. 92 .. 87 .. 84 64 86 61 85 58 84 68 92 64 92 62 93 67 96 58 1920 .. 93 67 93 70 96 67 90 66 91 59 87 57 88 62 89 58 93 65 88 60 89 63 93 67 96 57 1921 .. 93 70 95 72 98 72 95 62 84 63 84 63 86 60 88 62 89 62 90 68 90 62 90 62 98 60 1922 .. 92 68 95 67 95 72 90 68 89 65 87 62 84 60 88 63 91 62 93 65 91 65 91 71 95 60 1923 .. .. 93 68 98 71 95 64 91 67 86 62 88 58 86 58 88 59 89 58 89 56 89 58 88 67 98 56 1924 .. 91 67 95 63 96 56 90 64 89 67 88 65 88 62 89 58 91 63 90 58 93 65 91 67 96 56 1925 .. .. 95 70 96 72 i 98 68 91 66 88 63 87 59 82 58 87 58 88 58 j 92 60 91 60 89 63 98 58 1926 .. .. 91 65 90 67 1 91 67 85 60 88 64 85 63 84 59 84 59 88 59 ! 89 60 88 64 90 62 91 59 1 I Highest .. 97 71 98 72 j 98 72 95 68 91 68 88 65 88 65 89 63 92 68 ; 95 68 96 65 95 71 98 60 Lowest .. 91 61 89 63 91 56 85 60 84 59 84 57 82 54 84 55 84 57 1 88 56 88 58 88 57 91 54 Highest temperature recorded for any one day, 98, in March, 1921 and 1925, and February, 1923. Lowest temperature for any one day, 54, on 13th July, 1915.

A.—3

MEAN RANGE OF TEMPERATURE PER MONTH.

38

I I ' 1 Year. January. February. March. April. May. June. July. August. September. October. November. December. Totals. "^ear? 6 Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Beg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. 1907 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15-80 18-10 20-00 15-60 14-00 13-00 96-50 16-10 1908 .. 15-00 14-40 14-70 15-90 15-00 15-90 18-20 10-50 16-00 16-20 15-20 16-50 183-50 15-30 1909 .. 17-50 17-40 13-10 17-30 17-00 16-10 15-80 17-50 : 16-60 19-60 17-60 15-00 200-50 16-70 1910 .. 16-60 15-30 14-80 16-70 13-50 14-80 14-80 16-90 16-10 16-80 17-70 15-50 L89-50 15-80 1911 .. 15-20 14-40 14-60 15-70 15-70 15-60 16-40 14-50 18-40 18-20 17-60 18-50 194-80 16-20 1912 .. 16-70 17-90 16-00 16-20 12-70 15-90 12-90 17-00 20-10 19-00 13-80 15-30 193-50 16-10 1913 .. 15-40 16-80 15-10 15-00 14-50 15-20 12-60 16-90 16-50 15-80 19-50 17-50 190-80 15-90 1914 .. 18-81 15-60 15-29 16-62 10-99 14-55 16-23 14-87 13-74 14-16 20-34 18-78 189-98 15-83 1915 .. 15-55 19-57 17-46 18-30 16-84 18-10 17-79 19-11 18-42 21-10 22-71 18-68 233-63 18-64 1916 .. 13-44 19-12 16-73 16-10 17-52 17-27 13-24 21-10 19-57 24-82 22-83 21-83 223-57 18-63 1917 .. 21-38 20-90 .. .. .. 15-80 13-94 16-07 14-64 16-04 13-50 10-76 143-03 15-89 1918 .. 15-46 13-12 18-73 14-33 8-06 14-07 14-58 13-65 17-00 12-71 .. .. 141-71 14-17 1919 .. .. .. .. .. .. 12-47 14-76 14-32 16-93 17-55 18-04 13-74 107-81 15-40 1920 .. 14-13 14-83 16-20 13-34 17-20 15-60 15-20 16-34 12-17 14-29 18-55 17-10 184-95 15-41 1921 .. 12-19 17-00 18-13 13-20 11-42 11-83 12-51 13-55 14-53 13-10 12-50 10-29 160-19 13-35 1922 .. 12-16 14-75 13-45 11-37 11-80 12-30 12-70 14-10 13-93 12-00 13-61 11-73 153-90 12-83 1923 .. 15-13 15-04 13-00 12-44 14-29 16-76 16-33 17-87 18-20 15-15 16-00 13-24 183-45 15-29 1924 .. 14-48 14-60 15-80 14-90 13-50 13-63 11-27 14-67 16-80 17-73 16-53 14-30 178-21 14-85 1925 .. 15-06 18-21 17-00 14-37 13-20 16-30 13-70 8-83 18-33 17-93 19-12 17-74 189-79 15-82 1926 .. 16-58 14-57 13-00 14-30 15-45 16-50 14-06 14-58 15-03 19-12 14-94 16-16 184-29 15-36 Totals .. 280-71 293-51 263-09 256-07 238-67 288-68 292-81 310-46 332-99 336-90 324-07 295-65 3,513-61 Means .. 15-59 16-31 15-48 15-06 14-04 15-19 14-64 15-52 16-65 16-85 17-06 15-56 188-23 15-69 Highest .. 21-38 20-90 18-73 18-30 17-52 18-10 18-20 21-10 20-10 24-82 22-83 21-83 223-63 18-64 Lowest .. 12-13 13-12 13-00 11-37 8-06 11-83 11-27 8-83 12-17 12-00 12-50 10-29 153-90 12-83 ! j Highest mean range for any one month, 24-82, in October, 1916. Lowest mean range for any one month, 8-06, in May, 1918. Highest mean range for any one completed year, 18-64, in 1915. Lowest mean range for any one completed year, 12-83, in 1922.

A.—3

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

Trouble was experienced for some time with the oil-engine, and was eventually located in the armature. The necessary repairs were effected locally and the engine is again in good running-order. Electric lights have been installed in both the operating and engine rooms. Public Works. Roads. —A good deal of re-forming and re-dressing of the roads round the island has been carried out by prison labour. Now that the new wharf and bond sheds are completed, attention will be directed to the work of putting all roads in good order. There are several dangerous corners that can be greatly improved, and the new deviation on the Tuapa Hill, which was commenced early last year but had to be discontinued on account of the labour being required for the wharf, will now be proceeded with. This is a very dangerous hill, and the deviation when completed will make the road comparatively straight and a much easier grade. Wharf. —The new wharf and copra-chute, which was erected during the year, have more than proved their utility, in that they greatly facilitate the handling of both inward and outward cargo. The most cordial thanks of one and all on the island are due to the New Zealand Government for the very handsome grant towards the cost of this important and very necessary work. It goes without saying that in the absence of such liberality the local administration would not have been able to venture upon even a limited wharf scheme for many years to come. Both the wharf and copra-chute are constructed in solid concrete. In order to prevent the continual wash of the sea gradually working cavities under the concrete, the outer edges of the wharf-foundations have been well keyed down into the solid coral reef. The dimensions of the wharf are : Length, 105 ft. ; breadth, 34 ft. ; height, 6 ft. ; this gives a surface area of nearly 3,600 square feet, and is eight times larger than the old wharf, which had a surface area of only 420 square feet. The chute runs from the copra-shed to the wharf. The construction required a great deal of excavating at the bottom end and building up at the top. The dimensions are : Length, 132 ft. ; height, 45 ft. ; width, 4 ft. ; and it has a grade of 1 ft. in 2 ft. So far as is known, this is the first concrete chute to be erected in any of the western or eastern Pacific islands, and is by far superior to any chutes built of timber. It has proved itself to be a great laboursaver, because, before it was built, all copra had to be carried down a steep decline. Boat-channel. —In conjunction with the new wharf the boat-channel has been widened. The progress of this work was somewhat retarded owing to the hard nature of the coral reef, the primitive method of having to use hand-drills, and the ability to work only at low tide. However, it has been widened to the extent of 17 ft., which has made an appreciable difference to the state of the channel and has made working-conditions much safer and expeditious. Much more work in this direction still remains to be done. There are several bad outcrops of coral reef on either side of the entrance to the channel which should be removed. It is impossible for the Administration with the appliances at its disposal to undertake this work, and therefore the Admiralty is being approached with a view to arranging for this work to be carried out during the visit of one of the warships this year. This would then make the approach to the boat-channel much safer. A system of electric lighting has been installed throughout the bond and cargo-sheds, and on the wharf and its approaches. This has proved a great boon, its effectiveness being displayed when working cargo from the " Hinemoa "on her last visit here. The many difficulties experienced in the working of cargo at night have now entirely disappeared. Beacon-lights.—Two new beacon-lights fitted with dioptric lenses have been erected in place of the old ones. The front beacon showing a red and the rear a green light. Both lights are permanent. The beacons have again been painted white. Occasional Light.—To assist mariners making or passing Niue at night a fixed white light, occasional, fitted with dioptric lens, has been erected on the flagstaff at Alofi, situated 120 yards southward of Alofi leading-beacons. It is 70 ft. above ground-level and 170 ft. above high water. This light can be seen at a distance of over twelve miles when approaching Niue from either northwestward or south-westward, and has proved of great assistance to vessels on this route. Masters of approaching ships desiring this light to be shown must communicate with the Resident Commissioner by wireless to that effect in ample time to allow of this being done. The times of the daily wireless listening services performed at Niue Radio Station are from 1200 to 1300 and from 1800 to 2400.

39

Inwards. Outwards. Gross Receipts. Messages. Words. Messages. Words. £ S. d. First quarter .. . . .. .. 31 246 43 479 34 12 8 Second quarter .. .. .. 42 353 58 575 39 6 6 Third quarter . . .. . . 46 325 35 380 27 14 3 Fourth quarter .. .. .. 55 386 54 518 34 13 7 Totals .. .. .. 174 1,310 190 1,952 136 7 0

A.—3.

The above changes have been gazetted in the New Zealand Gazette No. 41, dated 17th June, under heading " Notice to Mariners, No. 28 of 1926." Reservoirs.—A new reservoir has been erected in concrete, with a capacity of 2,000 gallons, at the schoolmaster's residence at Tufukia. Repairs have been effected to the Hakupu, Liku, Hikutavake, and Tuapa reservoirs during the year. Government Buildings.—Residency : The floors throughout this building, having deteriorated through dry-rot, have been replaced in concrete. Schoolmaster's residence and school, Tufukia : Considerable amount of repair work has been done to these buildings. In addition to the new reservoir previously mentioned, repairs have been effected to the roofs, verandas, cookhouse, woodshed, laundry, and latrines. Schoolmaster's residence and school, Hakupu : A large portion of the veranda has been enclosed with lattice-work to give increased sleeping-accommodation. A new chimney has been fitted to the kitchen-stove, and the roof overhauled and made weather-proof. The school has been whitewashed inside and out, and repairs effected to the verandas. A new open-air schoolroom for the Primers has been erected in native timber with a leaf roof and sides, and the floor put down in concrete. Painting, where necessary, has been carried out at the various buildings during the past year. The wireless masts, stays, and guys have been treated with Stockholm, tar, and the flagstaff painted. The two surf-boats and dinghy have been thoroughly, overhauled, repaired, recaulked, and painted in readiness for the new season's work. The Commissioner's and Medical Officer's motor-cars and the two motor-lorries have been taken down, thoroughly overhauled, repainted, and all worn parts renewed. Education. The most important educational event for the year was the Conference on the Education of Natives in the South Sea Islands, held at Wellington on the .11th and 12th January, 1926. The convening of such Conference was undoubtedly a move in the right direction and much good will come of it. The report of proceedings of the Conference was perused with great interest. Copies of the report were supplied to the headmasters of Tufukia and Hakupu Schools for their information and guidance. The new syllabus, which is the result of the deliberations at the Conference, is splendid, and is sufficiently elastic to permit of progress and initiative on the part of local educational officials and adaptation to local needs. As far as Niue is concerned, the most outstanding features of the new syllabus are their remarkable similarity to the system of teaching put into operation here by Mr. A. McKenzie, the present headmaster of the Tufukia School when reorganizing the system about two years ago, and it is most encouraging to know that he has been working upon right lines. Both the Hakupu and Tufukia Schools have been adopted by New Zealand schools, the former for over two years and the latter for about one. The whole of the upper classes in both schools have been in constant communication with the senior pupils of the two schools which have adopted them in New Zealand, and every mail many exceptionally interesting letters are exchanged, together with, gifts of various kinds. Not only has the correspondence brightened the lives of these children, but it has also become a powerful educational factor. The work in both schools has proceeded smoothly and satisfactorily. The reorganization of the Tufukia School is now practically complete, and reflects very great credit on the headmaster, who has been indefatigable in his efforts in formulating details of a system of education mostjsuited to these Natives. The following are the attendance figures of both schools for the year : —

London Missionary Society's Subsidized Schools.—The Government subsidy for the year was paid quarterly to the representative of the London Missionary Society. The following are the attendance figures of the nine schools for the year : —

40

Tufukia. Hakupu. Males. Females. Total. ! Males. Females. Total. Number on roll, 1st January, 1926 . . 136 106 242 53 33 86 Number on roll, 31st December, 1926 . . 118 104 222 52 34 86 Average attendance .. .. 107-4 96-3 ! 203-7 50-3 32-7 83

Males. Females. Totals. Attendance. I . I _ ; First quarter .. .. 250 213 463 418*5 Second quarter .. .. 275 220 495 454-2 Third quarter .. .. 269 238 507 466-9 Fourth quarter .. . . 276 230 506 459-9 Average attendance for year, 449-8.

A.—3

It was intended that the headmaster of Tufukia School, should visit each of the London Missionary Society's subsidized schools in turn and report thereon, but owing to his time being so fully occupied in reorganizing the Tufukia School he was unable to carry out this proposal. The following are extracts from the annual report of the headmaster of the Tufukia School:— " This has been the busiest year experienced during our career as schoolteachers. " Preparation of Schemes of Work.—Two weeks excepted, the whole of the midsummer holidays were taken advantage of to draw out schemes of work in detail for each of the five Native assistant teachers. Time-tables in keeping with the syllabus were also prepared, as was also the first page on all work-books. A good deal of other work of less importance was also made ready. All work of this preliminary nature was carried out during the holidays, so that, when school opened, there would be no waste of time and each teacher could go straight ahead with the consecutive system of lessons immediately school reopened. " New Syllabus. —This came as a result of the deliberations at the Conference. Speaking generally, this new syllabus is splendid. It is practical and eminently suited to the educational requirements of South Sea Island Natives. As far as Niue is concerned, the most outstanding features of the new syllabus were their remarkable similarity to the system of teaching put into operation here about two years ago. It emphasized the teaching of such subjects as agriculture, nature-study, sewing, handicraft, and similar subjects, some of which never seem to have been taught here. It was found necessary to pay less attention to some of the school subjects usually taught, in order to establish firmly those mentioned above. In regards to school-gardens and agricultural plots this was particularly true. " System of Teaching. —Late in 1925 we were transferred from the Hakupu to the Tufukia School, so that this year 1926 really completes our first year in this school. The system of teaching found here was neither in keeping with the syllabus, nor was it suited to the conditions prevailing and the natural requirements of these people. It was scrapped at once, and one in keeping with the syllabus and slightly modified to suit local conditions put into operation. Conditions here were very similar to those that we found at Hakupu. All lessons have been made as practical as possible, and applicable, as far as can be managed, to their daily work and all that belongs to the Niuean life and its callings. The children responded to the new system at once. The enthusiasm displayed indicated that the instinctive wants had been discovered and had at last found suitable outlets. This was most satisfactory and encouraging, and the results speak for themselves. " Attendance. —Children come from almost every village to the Tufukia School. Some have to walk many miles, and leave home about daylight, so keen are they to learn. On account of this, the attendance must be regarded as fairly good for the year 1926, especially when we remember that this year the island suffered from drought, and children were required by their parents to assist in the obtaining of food from the bush. " Medical Inspection. —Dr. Boyd made an inspection for yaws and other diseases during the year. Fifteen children were ordered to attend hospital for treatment and are now completely cured. It is pleasing to note how clean and fresh these children are in the skin. Nasty sores about the body, scaly skin, and ugly cracks, especially upon the soles of the feet, have disappeared. " School-grounds.—Niue is one of the few large islands that is non-volcanic in origin. It is purely coral in formation. In fact, it seems to be a high coral mass, honeycombed with caves, rifts, and grottoes. There are no lakes or streams, and all drinking-water is caught from roofs. Rocky outcrops, hummocks, and pinnacles obtrude themselves from all parts of the school area. It is difficult to understand the rough and rocky nature of the surface unless actually seen. There was but a small playing area when we took over the Tufukia School, and much of it was dangerous to children at play. With mattock, sledge-hammer, and crowbar a considerable area of this rugged surface was levelled and top-dressed in the worst places with a film of soil carried in coconut-leaf baskets from other parts. Couch-grass is now growing over this area, and two basket-ball grounds, one for the senior and one for the junior girls, stand where once was a rough and uneven surface. The lumps of rock and tons of rubble broken off were carried in baskets and dumped into large yawning cavities found in many parts of the school-ground, particularly that part that skirts the coast. Many of these deep holes have been completely filled in and top-dressed with small stones, and extend the school-grounds considerably. Much land has been reclaimed around the flag pole, and at the Point, in this way. In order to take away the bareness and break the monotony of the reclaimed areas, it was decided to beautify the place by planting those native flowers and shrubs which we had learned by observation and experience would grow on practically a rubble heap. Although the drought killed most of the plants, a second sowing was made, and now the hardy but pretty aspidistra, mummy-apple, wild fern, oleus, bird's-nest plants, wandering-willie, and moses-in-the-bulrushes cover more or less the whole area. " Pruning Forest-trees. —Several of the large forest-trees at the point almost died on account of the drought. These were severely pruned and have responded well to the treatment by making denser leaf and branch growth. " Agricultural Plot.—To establish this has been a real ' test piece.' When it is remembered that before planting can take place a hole must be made among the coral with a crowbar, the difficulty of our undertaking will be more readily understood. During our first attempt, 109 fruit-trees of all descriptions were planted. Niue suffered from a prolonged drought, and everything planted died, except three banana-trees out of fifty-four. A second attempt was made. It was on a larger scale than the first, but rain refused to fall, and once again everything withered and died. This was discouraging, because much hard work had been done. However, a third attempt on a grand scale was made, and the result has justified the effort expended.

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"In July a series of competitions .took place among the pupils. Forty-five prizes were distributed among those children who brought the best plants. These had to be placed in the soil to the best advantage. There was keen rivalry and much enthusiasm. Pupils made deep wide holes, into which they placed soil, ashes, and small partly decomposed leaves. Plants placed in these holes were watered, and rain fell off and on for about three weeks after the whole operation was finished. Most of the plants have taken root, and our agricultural plot is at last established. " A new kind of orange and mandarin, as well as some Norfolk Island pines, have been raised from seed and transplanted. " The garden now contains: 8 custard-apples, 13 tava, 2 hazel-nuts, 6 walnuts, 4 limes, 10 Brazilian cherries, 3 Brazilian plums, 5 lemons, 4 pineapples, 12 pomegranates, 20 dates, 1 loquat, 30 mummyapples, 2 Avocada pears, 15 breadfruit, 16 mandarins, 30 vanillas, 42 Granadillas, 104 bananas, 18 coffee-trees, 2 rose apples. " Experiments. —In order to discover what could be successfully grown here, the following seeds were sown in the nursery : tobacco, cloves, allspice, peppercorn, cocoa, coffee, peach, apricot, apple, and indian mummy-apple seed. " Peanuts have been successfully grown for the past two years. We did not expect the New Zealand fruits to grow, but the cloves, peppercorns, and allspice were a failure also. " Although affected by drought the tobacco-plant did well, but those planted at Hakupu in 1925 did splendidly. " Five apricot-trees are growing well. " Cocoa-garden.—The cocoa-seed showed a high percentage of fertility, and the seedlings were transplanted to a separate garden. The young trees, seventy-three in number, look fresh and green, and appear to be strong. " Coffee-garden.—The coffee-trees seem to be less hardy, but sixteen young trees are still alive. " Indian Mummy-apple. —These are not only fertile, but are hardy, and do splendidly on Niue. Altogether one hundred of these have been transplanted. " Interchange of Seeds. —The Tufukia School, Niue, exchanges seeds with the Rangataua School, King Country, New Zealand. So far we have managed to grow one totara, one panax, one peppertree, one clematis, one matai—all natives of New Zealand. " Afforestation. —The following seeds have been successfully raised and will be transplanted after the hurricane season has passed : —Eucalyptus paniculata, E. Muelleriana, E. hemiphloia, E. Maculata, E. pilularis, E. siderophloia, E. sideroxylon, E. saligna. Two sowings of Pinus radiata and of Cupressus macrocarpa were also made. We think, however, that Niue is rather far north for these trees to be successfully grown. The seedlings grow to a height of about 2 in. and then wither away. A few of each continue to survive, although this is the warmest part of the year. To successfully grow useful heavy exotic timbers would not only be interesting but may prove of value to the next generation. " Brazilian-cherry Garden. —Brazilian-cherry seeds were successfully raised in boxes, and thirtythree young trees planted out. So far there are no deaths and they do well here. " Vegetable-garden. —This had to be made by breaking away rock, and soil and leaves were carried before a seed-bed could be established. An enclosure made of strong vine from the bush surrounds the whole. This keeps out stray pigs and fowls. French beans, lettuce, cabbage, taro, yam, peanuts, onions, and tomatoes are now growing. " Beautifying Scheme. —In order to develop the aesthetic side of child nature, and to beautify the grounds, the following have been planted: 190 gigantic taro, 420 bird-nest plants, 3 nonu, 1 futu, 54 sisal hemp, 6 kowhais, 1 tamarix, 162 coleus (blue), 12 calliopsis, 16 cereopsis, 196 coleus (variegated), 25 crotans, 105 coffee cuttings, 14 lilies, 1,303 ferns, 6 red-gum, 20 pandanus, 2 giant bamboo, 16 hiapo, 1 flamboyant, 2 dahlias, 70 coleus (green), 6 polyanthus, 6 bourgainvillaea, 30 Maniota, 1,464 moses-in- bulrushes, 6 weeping-willow, 268 veronicas, 61 summer snow, 10 gladioli, 1 baronia, 2 ericas, 1 dimorphoteca, 30 cannas, 12 poinsettias, " Coconut-planting Campaign.—Lessons were given upon the advantage it would be for boys to plant coconuts while still at school. By the time manhood was reached many trees would be bearing fruit. Boys were asked to plant at least one nut a week, and we are pleased to report that many have responded. Up to the end of the year, over one thousand nuts had been planted. We feel that in order to develop the productiveness of this island, to get future results, and to bring prosperity to the people its problem must be attacked now, especially through the boys and girls at school. The great amount of work found necessary goes to show that no practical attempt had been made to teach agriculture in the past. Practically the only form of employment to the masses of these people is plantation work. Not only have we endeavoured to place agriculture upon a firm foundation, to be in keeping with the syllabus, but for reasons still more important—that is, to cultivate an interest in all that contributes towards the formation of a bias towards agricultural occupations. " Nature-study. —For this we go right to nature herself, and a good deal of it is closely connected with agriculture. Teachers and pupils collected grubs, caterpillars, and chrysalides. These were placed in small tins, which in turn were encircled with vaseline to keep ants from making raids upon the specimens. Regular observation revealed the whole life-history, and now Niue children know the complete metamorphosis of several of the most common insects, such as the grub that attacks their taro crops, the grub that attacks and devours the leaves of the gate-tree, the common night moth that comes around in myriads during certain seasons of the year, and the mosquito. These lessons were a great revelation to pupils and teachers. Most of the children were amazed to discover that a moth was not always a moth, nor was a grub always a grub. Lessons of

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this description had not been given before, and the Native teachers themselves admitted that this class of school-work was entirely new to them, and that they, too, did not know that there was a life-cycle such as had been studied. " These lessons were put into practice. Children were required to destroy eggs and grubs found on leaves in the school garden, and recommended to do the same on plantations. It was demonstrated in school how a film of kerosene on top of water would kill the wriggler and pupa stage of the mosquito. It was also recommended that a little kerosene be placed in all barrels, tubs, tanks, and cisterns in order to check the mosquito pest about the homes during certain seasons, particularly after rain. It was shown also that it was advisable to puncture tins and burn or bury coconut-husks, as these were breeding-places for the mosquito. " In addition to this, thirty specimens of fish found in holes on the reef were caught and preserved in formalin. We discovered which fish came up with the flood and went out on the ebb tide ; those that ate seaweed ; and those that ate other fish. Some were good food ; some were not; others were poisonous. Some were caught with coconut kernel for bait, some with taro, some with fish bait. Other information was collected. Stories and superstitions connected with certain fish were also recorded and the whole written in a book to become part of the school property. " Assistant Teachers.—These sadly lack in methods of teaching, organization, and ability to maintain control of a class. There is little parental control among Niueans, hence children tend to look upon Native teachers as nothing more or less than their equals, and the more enterprising class of child has even been found arguing with teachers and displaying a certain amount of insubordination. It took some time to eradicate this bad habit, and several of the older boys and girls had to be sent away from school for good. The worst has now been said. For the year just ended, the assistant Native teachers have been enthusiastic, good ' triers,' and splendid imitators. They have taken a lively interest in their new programmes of work, and have made serious attempts in the application of all lessons. They can now see the usefulness and full significance of what first appeared to be complicated schemes of work, and a spirit of confidence and co-operation has developed. " Passive Resistance. —A good deal of passive resistance had to be broken down among pupils, teachers, and parents when the new system and methods were introduced. Conservatism and corventionalism die hard, and both seem to be firmly established on Niue. It seemed difficult for most to realize that the true system of education not only builds character, but, under modern conditions especially, prepares the child for the life it has to lead later on. A Niuean does not clearly see that agriculture, handicraft, domestic art, woodwork, and such subjects are very real educational subjects, and those most likely to prepare the child for post-school days. Some of these subjects were at first regarded as menial and useless. It appears difficult for them to comprehend that,reading, arithmetic, writing, and spoken English do not in themselves constitute a finished education. It would seem that education meant to them a little extra culture and embellishment which signified that: 'I know a little more than you.' This prejudice, we are pleased to report, is gradually being broken down. " Lessons to Teachers. —Most of the lessons during the year have been upon school-management, records, methods of teaching, organization in connection with school classes, concerts, and annual " break-up." Other subjects, such as agriculture, manual, and domestic arts, and their importance to the Niuean, were discussed. The importance of the Island Education Conference held in Wellington was also explained, and the study of the new syllabus, which was the result of this conference, commenced. " Annual Church Festival and Sports--These were held at Alofi, the capital, during August, and the children contributed seven guineas towards the church funds, although they were short of both money and food on account of the long drought experienced. The pupils and staff of the Tufukia School with banners, flaglets, fife and drum, marched in fours through the village to the meetingplace. The girls wore a plain frock of red and blue check on a white background, the boys were dressed in white. " Viceregal Visit. —Their Excellencies Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson, together with other members of the viceregal party, honoured us by paying a visit to the Tufukia School. The day was beautifully fine, and a large crowd of Niueans assembled, and most of the Europeans also, in honour of the occasion. His Excellency, in his address, congratulated the pupils upon the excellent programme and the staff upon the organization and discipline. Lady Fergusson was interested in the originality of some of the items, and said it was the best display so far seen during the visit. " Infant Department. —A great deal of work has been done here not only in teaching, but in the preparation of material. Five shelves have been fitted to the wall, and into these small nails driven from which are suspended small objects of every description. A tab, with printed name, is attached to each object. Many boxes, each containing dozens of its own particular letter of the alphabet, printed on cardboard or made of sandpaper, have also been prepared, and words are matched. Other boxes contain ' at,' ' cat,' ' lot' ; ' an,' ' man,' ' pan '; and such words. The children learn the names of the objects by the ' look and say ' method. It is a kind of ' play way ' system that appeals to them, and the young Niuean responds readily to this method of teaching. The spoken English vocabulary has increased rapidly under this system, and new words are learned with ease. The result has been even more than we expected, and the teachers in this department now realize how effective and lasting this form of teaching is, especially upon the young mind, which is wax to receive and marble to retain. It is in this department that we place our greatest faith for future results, and much remains yet to be done. " Subjects of Instruction. —These are made as practical as it is possible to make them. " Health.-- Although a clean people, Niueans have little idea about cleanliness and precaution in regard to sickness and disease. There is no intentional carelessness ; it is a case of not knowing the

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most elementary rules of health and sanitation. For this reason devil and witch doctors are denounced. Lessons are given on fresh air, effects of gorging and imperfect chewing of food, scabies, eye infection, flies, foods for babies, destruction of rubbish, careless expectoration, and, in fact, any topic that will be of value to them in their own homes. " History and Civics. —Niueans have no tradition behind them, and they seem to know little of their origin and history. There are no chiefs and royal families such a i are found among the Maoris, and in Samoa and other Pacific Islands. On account of this, Niueans know little of themselves. For this reason lessons have been given on Polynesians and their migrations ; but most of the history has been of a local character, as for example : the discovery of Niue ; ancient life and customs ; the coming of missionaries, traders, and Europeans in general; annexation ; form of government; and taxation. The idea was to deal with everything local, in order to get the young Niuean to understand as much as he could about his own native land before going further afield. "Geography.—Niue and all connected with it were first dealt with. The other islands of the Pacific and the more important countries about its shores then received attention. Volcanic and coral islands, tides, winds, the barometer, thermometer, exports and imports, were subjects further considered. " Reading.—The Niuean is an apt mechanical reader, but his power of comprehension and ability to gather the meaning of words from the contexts is somewhat weak. However, he is enterprising and splendid at jumping to conclusions. " Foul air is air that hens breathe "is certainly a brave attempt. Phonetics, specimen reading, use of dictionary, imitation, access to school library, rough sketches, pictures from illustrated papers, answers to questions in full for spoken English exercises, easy extracts for written or oral reproduction are the main methods used to teach reading. Children are also invited to ask questions about sections of a lesson not clearly understood. '' School Library.—A school library has been formed. This year we added 142 books to it. We now have a total of 192 books, and these make good supplementary reading for the pupils. '' Arithmetic. —This is taught with a practical bent, and aims at accuracy. Mental arithmetic prepares for more difficult problems in written work later on. The arithmetic bears a practical aspect to the life and work of these people, but the formal is not overlooked. For example, they are to know the value of their output of copra when traders pay out Is. for each 8 lb., 10 lb., or 12 lb., according to the fluctuations of the market. " Spoken English.—Pupils are encouraged but not enforced to speak English about the playground. At times they are requested to relate some experience or detail a story heard or read. Phonetic exercises are very valuable in spoken English. " Written English.—Construction of sentences, reproduction of stories, easy essay work, and letter-writing are the principal written forms. " Physical Exercises and Marching. —No hard-and-fast rules are enforced in connection with physical exercises. Their own local dances, all full of rhythm and some quite graceful, would appear almost sufficient in themselves. Exercises are given not to obtain big muscles, but for health, vitality, and endurance, as well as to obtain quick obedience and discipline. Marching in fours and in file are practised to prepare the children to march as a disciplined force through the village on fete days. Fancy marching is carried out in order to make a spectacular display on gala days and special occasions, and these children delight to march. " Organized Games.—These are. most popular, and the number known are too numerous to mention. They are carried out not only for pleasure, but to develop alertness, activity, and unselfishment. Children are under complete control during these games, and work to the whistle. " Recreational Games. —After we had prepared an area by clearing away rock and tree-stumps, two basketball grounds were made —one, standard size, for the senior girls ; the other, half-size, for the juniors. Kafika poles were obtained from the bush,' and rings were made from hoop-iron. " Athletics.—Among the boys athletics are encouraged. A sand-pit has been prepared so that the boys can broad-jump, high-leap, hop-step-and-jump, and pole-vault in safety. They were also shown how to put the stone and toss the caber. The boys entered keenly into the spirit of all these field games and the sand-pit is always in use. Hop-step-and-jump and caber-tossing were entirely new, and little seemed to be known of pole valuting. The best performances to date are : High leap, 4 ft. 7 in. ; broad jump, 17 ft. ; pole vault, 7 ft. 3 in. We are endeavouring to develop athletics not only to stimulate the boys physically and mentally, but to keep them engaged. It is more pleasant to see all the lads busy at some game than to see them sitting on verandas and under trees telling stories amidst much laughter. " Technical Instruction. —A good deal of work has been done in the workshop, and useful lessons given on the care and sharpening of tools. The boys are encouraged to make things, and are employed in the production of useful pieces of furniture, instead of wasting time and timber in making formal joints. During the year a good deal of school furniture, such as tables, shelves, benches, book-shelves, and a filing-cabinet, were made. " School Concert. —Towards the end of the year a school concert was held, and the proceeds used to buy prizes for the annual break-up. " Annual Break-up. —Niue suffered from a prolonged drought this year, and food was scarce. Taro crops were a complete failure, and yam and kumara were scarce. Taro is the staple food, and Niueans can ill afford to be without it. Eoots and coarse bush foods that no Niuean would think of eating at normal periods were very acceptable during the year 1926. On account of the drought and food scarcity all our money was expended on foodstuffs instead of on books and toys. It was thought that children whose stomachs had often been fairly empty throughout the year would appreciate food better than the usual prizes. Each child received the following foods : 1 half-loaf of bread, 1 packet of rice, 4 large cabin biscuits, J packet peanuts, 1 tin of meat or fish, 1 packet of flour,

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1 packet of lollies, 1 packet of fancy biscuits. Food left over was given to children too young for school, and to the old. ' Break-up day ' was a day of great rejoicing, beaming faces, and repleteness. " School Sports. —These were held on the same day as the break-up. The usual sports items were held, and the prizes took the form of food as above mentioned. " The year was a full one, but we enjoyed every moment of it." The following are extracts from the annual report of the headmaster of the Hakupu School: —• " Introduction and Organization. —I took over charge on the 25th March of this year, "finding everything in good order. The children appeared bright and orderly, and the work was well advanced. Pending my arrival the school had been carried on by Messrs. Fasene and Rex, Native assistants, under the weekly supervision of the headmaster, Tufukia School. " There has been an average roll number of 86, divided into six classes —(a) Primers, Mr. Rex; (b) S. 1 and S. 2, Mr. Fasene ; (c) S. 3 and S. 4, Headmaster. The attendance for the year has been very good, an average of 83-5 being maintained. " It has been decided to limit the maximum school age for 1927 to seventeen years, it being felt that those over that age should not be attending school. It will also assist in the reorganization of the classes, and permit of more attention to the younger children. " Instruction.—The revised syllabus, received in June last, was read and thoroughly discussed by the staff, and a tentative scheme of work based thereon, together with such alterations and additions as were deemed necessary to meet local requirements and environment, was drawn up. A more permanent scheme will be drawn up for 1927. Each member of the staff is required to keep a work-book in which details of proposed work for each day is entered. These books are examined by the headmaster each week. " Arithmetic. —Good work throughout the whole school. In Standards 1 to 4 the mechanical work was especially good, being, in the main, ahead of the syllabus. Simple problems involving comprehension of English was only fair ; mental, was satisfactory, improving. Analysis of numbers in the primers is well advanced. Children generally quick at figures, and written work neatly arranged. " English.—Oral language, though sufficient for all school needs, is not of a very high standard, while written work, with a few exceptions in Standards 3 and 4, is poor. Reading is clear and distinctly pronounced, but incorrect phrasing and emphasis shows lack of comprehension of matter read, which when tested is exceptionally poor. This paucity in English seems to be entirely due to the environment. No English is required or spoken by the children outside the school precincts. They appear to make fairly rapid progress up to a certain standard —sufficient for teaching need — but beyond that progress is slow and laboured. A certain amount of improvement in the senior classes has been made by the interchange of letters with New Zealand children, and by the extension of this work next year it is hoped to make more rapid progress without spending an unduely large amount of time from the time-table. (See under heading " General.") " Writing - - The general standard throughout the whole school is good. In Standard 4 especially pleasing work is being done. " Drawing. — Here again the work is good, with a fair number of exceptionally good pupils in all classes. Pen-and-ink work has been a feature of the work in Standards 3 and 4, while a start has been made in simple designing with colour suitable for use in conjunction with the Native handicrafts. " Hygiene. —A comprehensive course of work in personal and domestic hygiene and first aid has been covered by means of weekly lessons. Every opportunity is taken to impress such lessons upon the children in a practical manner. The usefulness of such lessons is evidenced by the clean, healthy, and tidy appearance of the children. The girls have been encouraged to " bob " their hair, this making the keeping of the head clean (a matter of great difficulty in the past) a simpler matter. " Nature-study and Gardening.—An increasingly large part of the oral work is passed on the study of native plants, birds, &c., and in the senior classes on gardening operations. A large part of the ground cleared by my predecessor has been dug over, cleaned, and brought under cultivation. Cotton and peanuts have been planted, and observations made and recorded. " Handicraft.-— Boys : There was no previous form of handicraft for the boys, so an experiment was made in designing, cutting, and polishing articles made from the coconut-shell. The work is interesting, and demands care and neatness. Many boys have shown much ingenuity in the making of such articles as bowls for ferns, &c., dishes for table use, inkstands, hair-combs, &c. " Girls : Regular and systematic work has been carried out under a Native handicraft teacher. Soft and hard mats and baskets of varying shapes have been made. Special attention is given to good, accurate work and neat finish. Raffia has been lately introduced as an aid to decoration, and is proving very suitable. " Primers : Plasticene modelling has been supplanted by weaving, plaiting, and the making of Native toys out of the coconut-leaf. Besides being a splendid manual training, it gives the girls good preparatory work, leading to the hat and basket making of the standards. Toys made include balls, windmills, squeakers, bubble-blowers, spectacles, &c. " Singing.—This is a very pleasing subject, the children being very musical and take very evident pleasure in the singing. A large number of songs and choruses have been learnt by means of the Tonic Sol-fa combined with staff notation. Tonic Sol-fa was new to the children, but remarkably rapid progress was made, and no difficulty is anticipated in learning any songs by means of this notation. " Swimming.—The difficulty of access to the sea precludes systematic instruction, but the majority of the children are good swimmers. Life-saving and resuscitation have been introduced. A section of the land drill has been taught, together with methods of resuscitation, but so far only a limited amount of practical work in the water has been possible. To be extended next year.

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" Environment. —The surroundings of the schoolhouse and buildings are very pleasing, due to the excellent work done by my predecessor, Mr. A. McKenzie. His work has been extended, and the whole grounds surrounded by a low coral wall, in front of which a hedge has been planted. A detached building has been erected and is in use as a separate class-room for Standards 1 and 2, greatly assisting in the organization and work of the school. Repairs have been effected to the residence, and a portion of the veranda has been enclosed with trellis-work by the Administration, giving additional sleeping-accommodation. " Staff. —Messrs. Fasene and Rex have done very valuable work both in the school and playground, and the good results obtained have to a large extent been due to their efforts. " Drill and Games. —Drill is carried out daily in all classes, while a weekly period is devoted to organized games. Football, basketball, cricket, and rounders are all regularly played. The children are very keen, and quickly gain proficiency in any game. A basketball-ground and a single tenniscourt have been lately laid out. The former game is especially popular with all classes, and tennis is being keenly taken up by the seniors. To provide materials the children brought sufficient coconuts for the boys to make over 500 lb. copra at the school. In addition, each child planted a nut to provide a revenue for future years. " General. —During the year the school was visited by the Governor-General of New Zealand, Sir Charles Fergusson, accompanied by Lady Alice Fergusson. The children gave a display of drill, marching, and organized games. A school concert was held on 23rd December, the sale of tickets resulting in the sum of £6 9s. being raised for the prize fund. " In order to establish a closer relationship between Niue and at least a part of New Zealand, to bring the Native children into closer touch with the work of the New Zealand schools and thus to extend their outlook and consequently benefit them, arrangements are in hand for the exchange of letters, work, &c., between this school and the West End School, Palmerston North. The senior children have been in correspondence for some time, and many helpful and interesting letters have been exchanged. Mr. Moore, headmaster of West End School, is very sympathetic towards the extension of the scheme, which I hope will be working early next year.''

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (675 copies), £60.

Authority : W. A. G. Skinner, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 927.

Price Is.]

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