NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1935 Session I, A-06

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1935. NEW ZEALAND.

NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

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

REPORT ON THE NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION, 1934-35-

Finance. Niue lias again experienced a difficult year, although the position improved somewhat towards the end of the period as a result of the increased prices obtainable for copra. Revenue for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1935, amounted to £14,633, an increase of £661 over the total for the previous year, while the expenditure totalled £14,048, as compared with £13,840 for the year ended 31st March, 1934. The operations for the year resulted in a surplus of £584, as compared with a surplus of £132 for the previous year. Investments on behalf of the Administration by way of general reserve amounted to £3,706 on the 31st Ma.rc.li, 1935, on which date the Administration held assets valued at £30,952. Trade. Imports for the calendar year 1934 totalled £13,372 and exports £12,341. The figures for the previous year were £13,123 and £11,542. The total trade for the year 1934 amounted to £25,713, as compared with an average of £31,865 over the previous ten years. The trade figures continue, of course, to reflect the decreased value of copra, though, as stated above, prices for this product improved considerably in the last quarter of the year. The total quantity of copra exported during the calendar year under review was only 125 tons, valued at £961, as compared with an average of 470 tons, valued at £7,850, over the previous ten years. The small quantity shipped is due largely to the low prices ruling, the Natives showing little inclination to prepare this commodity while it returns such low remuneration. There has been an increase in the quantity of bananas shipped to New Zealand, the total for the calendar year being 28,393 cases, as compared with 24,596 cases for 1933, and this increase has undoubtedly assisted in the slightly improved trade position for the year under review.

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The following table shows the quantities and values of the principal exports during the past ten years : —

The principal items of import for the calendar year 1934 were as follows :—

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Copra. Bananas. Baskets. Hats. Fungus. Kumeras. Year. : , — . "tity!" ¥alue - Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Value. Tons. £ Cases. £ Dozens. £ Dozens. £ lb. £ Tods. £ 1925 .. 647 13,863 4,000 1,457 153 144 2,801 1,347 6,523 263 1926 .. 699 14,441 692 280 972 1,079 1,749 1,083 11,070 603 1927 .. 257 4,788 7,564 4,679 1,747 1,445 1,327 935 49,951 2,319 1928 .. 621 11,445 14,010 6,254 3,182 2,365 121 75 20,680 525 1929 .. 735 11,652 17,434 7,683 2,948 1,879 574 386 6,606 222 1930 .. 335 3,382 21,456 9,787 1,012 660 1,214 810 5,694 183 1931 .. 204 2,269 8,703 3,590 801 480 271 185 3,789 151 15 278 1932 .. 366 3,815 22,828 8,384 682 270 775 467 13,104 315 31 348 1933 .. 190 1,760 24,596 8,542 670 320 1,222 729 384 5 4 41 1934 .. 125 961 28,393 10,006 308 130 920 492 5,137 81 13 273

Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Apparel .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 407 United Kingdom . . .. 113 Other .. .. .. 5 525 Bicycles and parts .. .. New Zealand .. .. 270 United Kingdom .. .. 7 277 Biscuits .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 645 Boots and shoes .. .. New Zealand .. .. 224 United Kingdom .. .. 4 228 Cotton piece-goods .. .. New Zealand .. .. 682 United Kingdom .. .. 373 Other .. .. .. 53 1,108 Drugs .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 293 Other .. .. .. 9 — 302 Fancy goods .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 179 United Kingdom .. .. 29 Australia.. .. .. 3 Other .. .. .. 3 214 Fish, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. .. 235 United States of America .. 28 Other .. .. .. 11 — 274 Hardware .. ... .. New Zealand .. .. .. 246 Meats, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 936 Motor-cars and parts .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 1,024 Oils : Benzine and kerosene .. New Zealand .. .. 587 United States of America .. 39 Other .. .. .. 18 — 644 Soap .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 247 Timber, shooks .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 1,786 Tobacco .. .. .. New Zealand . . .. 524 Australia.. .. . . 378 Other .. .. .. 2 904 Sundry .. .. .. ! New Zealand .. .. 3,563 United Kingdom .. . . 131 Australia.. .. .. 165 » United States of America .. 1 Other .. .. .. 152 —— 4,012 Total imports .. .. .. .. £13,372

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The total trade of the island over the last ten years is set out in the following table :

Shipping. Throughout the year the island has had a regular four-weekly service by the N.Z.G.M.V. " Maui Pomare." This is the only regular shipping service to Niue Island at the present time. Legislation. No Ordinances were passed during the year by the Island Council. The following legislation affecting the island was passed in New Zealand : — Part I, Finance Act (No. 2), 1934. Customs Amendment: Duties in force in the Cook Islands (C. No. 125), 29th October, 1J34. Constitution of Island Council of Niue, Cook Islands, altered, 13th November, 1934. Radio (Cook Islands Amendment) Regulations, 1934. Cook Islands Treasury Regulations Amendment, 1934. Cook Islands Treasury Regulations Amendment, 1935. V Island Council. The Island Council is established under the provisions of the Cook Islands Act, 1915. It consists of thirteen Native members, under the presidency of the Resident Commissioner, the Native members being appointed by the Governor-General. The Council has met frequently for the purpose of discussing matters affecting the welfare of the people. High Court and Native Land Coukt. Criminal cases heard during the year totalled 447, 402 convictions being entered. The majority of the offences were minor ones. There were 8 civil cases and 3 Native Land Court cases. Medical and Public Health. The medical work of the island is in the hands of a European medical officer and a European nurse, assisted by several Native trainees. Throughout the year ended 31st December, 1934, the health of the people remained good, with only a few minor epidemics of colds in March, June, and December. The value of the newly completed quarantine station was fully demonstrated, it being utilized in connection with a case of cerebrospinal meningitis and on several other occasions when it was found desirable to isolate Native labour working vessels from neighbouring territories suffering from outbreaks of influenza. The following is a summary of the work performed at the hospital during the year : Admissions, 167 ; average length of stay, 19 days ; deaths, 2 ; out-patients, 3,523 ; visits, 1,033. Operations Major, 7 ; minor, 92 ; dental extractions, 107. Injections—Bicreol, 116 ; novarsenobillon, 68. Tuberculosis. —This disease continues to present the most serious health problem the Administration have to meet, 27 cases (pulmonary 17, glandular 7, meningeal 3) being reported during the year. Every effort is made to deal with the disease by education and to prevent its spread by isolation of sufferers. Leprosy. Two cases of leprosy were discovered, and the patients were transferred to the Leper Station at Makogai, Fiji.

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Imports. Exports. . j : Total New United , . Total New 0( , , Total Trade. Zealand. Kingdom. Austral a - • Imports. Zealand. " | Exports. I _ ! £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 19 25 14,953 2,056 1,550 188 18,747 17,320 109 17,429 36,176 19 26 .. 14,105 1,790 1,153 515 17,563 17,655 .. 17,655 35,218 1927 10,896 2,003 878 229 14,006 14,290 60 14,350 28,356 1928 .. .. 14,403 2,476 1,027 731 18,637 16,347 4,591 20,938 39,575 1929 14,688 2,866 880 673 19,107 13,449 8,757 22,206 41,313 1930 " 14,863 1,588 955 1,224 18,630 13,323 2,554 15,877 34,507 1931 .. 8,958 961 678 910 11,507 5,186 2,005 7,191 18,698* 1932 .. 11,568 2,424 360 404 14,756 10,820 3,167 13,987 28,743 1933 10,4-00 1,442 841 440 13,123 10,225 1,317 11,542 24,665 1934 " 11,888 658 515 311 13,372 11,342 999 12,341 25,713 * Island recovering from drought and storms.

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Yaws. —This disease appears to be well under control, only 17 cases reporting for treatment during the year. Filarial Disease.—A considerable portion of the population continues to suffer from microfilariasis, and the matter is one that is receiving the close attention of the Administration. Gonorrhoea. —Forty-two cases were reported during the year, a considerable decrease on last year's figure of 150. Typhoid Fever. —One case was discovered in May, and a second one, in the same district, in November. As a protective measure all European officials and members of the hospital staff were vaccinated. There was no further outbreak during the year. Pneumococcal Meningitis.—One case reported. Cerebrospinal Meningitis. —One case reported. Postal and Wireless. The total volume of postal business amounted to £9,882, as compared with £9,207 for 1933-34. The radio plant has functioned satisfactorily and regular services have been maintained with New Zealand and Western Samoa. One hundred and eighty-seven messages were received and 230 despatched. Meteorological. Barometer mean for the year, 29-936. Thermometer : Highest, 94 in March ; lowest, 56 in July. Rainfall, 114-15 in. Public Works. Roads have been improved where possible, and three concrete tanks erected, but owing to the financial position no public works of any magnitude have been attempted. Agriculture. Agriculture presents one of the most difficult problems the Niueans have to meet. The island is extremely rocky, with very little soil, and there are no streams. During the year under review there has been no shortage of Native food, owing partly to the satisfactory rains, but mainly to the enforcement of the laws regarding planting and weeding. Weeding of coconut plantations has been considerably neglected of late years, and as a natural result crops have deteriorated. However, much work in this direction has now been carried out, and there is a marked improvement in both the quantity and quality of the nuts. The Administration maintain a demonstration and experimental plantation, which has proved of very great educational value to the Niueans. Waste and useless land was selected in order to demonstrate fully what could be done in agriculture as a result of adopting up-to-date methods in the care and treatment of the soil. The results have been very satisfactory, and there are indications that the people realize the advisability of altering their methods, though naturally it will be some time before great changes in this important subject will become general. The importance of the scheme cannot be overestimated, for not only does it affect the food-supplies of the people, but it also has an important bearing on the increased production of commercial fruit, to which the island must look if it is to be self-supporting. For the year under review it has not been necessary for the hospital to purchase taro, ample supplies having been available from the Government experimental plantation. Similarly, sufficient pandanus has been grown there to enable the school to be relieved of the necessity for buying material for basketware, &c. The total area available is about/ 30 acres, but so far only half of this has been used, 10 acres being put in grass, the balance being in coconuts, citrus fruit, taro, pandanus, breadfruit, pawpaws, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, &c. There are no cattle on the island, but goats have been imported, so that a milk-supply will in time be available for Europeans and the sick. A great deal of attention has been given to pigs, as they are the main source of meat-supplies for the inhabitants. For a considerable number of years no fresh blood had been imported and the stock had deteriorated to a very great extent. However, as the result of the generous action of several NewZealand donors, to whom reference was made in the last annual report, a number of pure-bred animals have been imported, and the stock has improved considerably. Education. The Administration maintain two schools, under a European headmaster, the combined average roll number being 270. The work of the year has been satisfactorily performed. The importance of agriculture is not overlooked in the schools, and regular instruction is given at the Administration . experimental and demonstration plantation. The boys work on the plantation for half a day each week and while there receive short talks on agricultural subjects and are usually shown, on the ground, what is being discussed. They receive instruction in planting, spraying, care of horses, feeding of pigs, and such other matters as will come into their daily lives.

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Technical classes are carried on, instruction being given in woodwork, concreting, &c. In addition to the Government schools, ten others are maintained by the London Missionary Society, who receive a small Government subsidy. The combined roll number was 470.

Vital Statistics.

It is worthy of note that the population at the 31st December, 1934, was the highest since 1900, when it totalled 4,015, and this position has been reached only six years after the lowest point for the period—namely, 3,747 on the 31st December, 1928.

NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION. Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1935. Expenditure. Income. Local Grants from Total Revenue. N.Z. Government. Revenue. £ S. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Agriculture .. .. • ■ 223 9 1 By Agriculture .. .. 175 8 4 .. 175 8 4 Ammunition .. • ■ 82 10 3 Aid to revenue .. .. 451 1 0 .. 451 1 0 Audit fees .. . ■ • • 121 4 9 Ammunition .. .. 138 5 0 .. 138 5 0 Benzine, &o. . ■ ■ ■ 690 10 3 Benzine, &c. .. .. 769 310 .. 769 310 Customs duties refunds .. 10 13 4 Bond storage .. .. 0 14 3 .. 0 14 3 Education Department .. 1,598 3 2 Copra export duty .. .. 207 0 0 .. 207 0 0 Fruit-oases .. .. •• 2,082 1 7 Customs duties .. .. 1,652 14 2 .. 1,602 14 2 Fruit-inspection .. •. 88 4 4 Dog-tax .. .. .. 53 15 0 .. 53 15 0 Fumigation .. .. 07 0 Education 142 15 2 1,100 0 0 1,242 15 2 Interpreters and office assistants 120 15 10 Fruit-cases .. .. 2,703 6 6 .. 2,703 6 6 Interest refunds .. .. 15 5 1 Fruit-inspection .. .. 229 6 6 .. 229 6 6 Jetty, boats, boat-sheds, &c. .. 206 22 Fumigation .. .. 769 .. 1A o?r T,a.T»W and shipping .. 528 1 9 High Court fees and fines .. 108 4 0 .. 108 4 0 Lepers (maintenance, &c.) .. 131 5 6 Interest on investments .. 144 19 3 .. 144 19 S Liquor .. •• •• 95 11 5 Landing and shipping .. 1,062 1 3 .. 1,062 1 3 Medical Services Department .. 1,868 13 11 Licenses .. .. .. 145 0 0 .. 145 0 0 Miscellaneous services .. 29 16 7 Liquor .. .. .. 100 5 0 . '" „ , A „ Niue Island Council .. .. 77 9 0 Medical Services Department 9lb 6 1,400 0 0 1,409 16 6 Police Department .. .. 304 5 5 Native Land Court fees and Printing and stationery .. 17 19 3 fines .. .. .. 4 0 0 .. 4 0 0 Prisons Department .. .. 509 4 3 Printing and stationery .. 5 10 b .. 0 10 t> Public Works Department .. 783 17 11 Prisoners .. .. .. 27 0 .. 27 0 Resident Commissioner's Depart- Public Works Department .. 740 12 10 .. 740 12 10 men £ .. .. 508 1 9 Registration and permit fees.. 16 0 0 .. 16 :0 0 Roads .. • • • • 309 8 6 Residency .. .. 418 4 .. 418 4 Stamp paper • • 5 5 3 Resident Commissioner's trans-.Stock-sapplies .. .. 579 0 9 port .. .. .. 19 14 0 .. 19 14 0 Transport Department .. 1,456 0 3 Stamp sales .. .. 283 711 .. 283 711 Treasurer 414 10 0 Stock supplies .. . 596 14 3 .. 596 14 3 TYpasurv 7 0 4 Transport .. .. 1,865 13 8 .. 1,865 13 8 Water-supply .. •• 317 8 Wireless 160 12 2 .. 160 12 2 Wireless .. •• 477 11 6 Excess of expenditure over inDepreciation .. •• 1,011 7 7 come .. .. .. 57 2 3 •• 57 2 3 £14,357 15 5 £11,857 15 5 £2,500 0 0 £14,357 15 5

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Total at 1st January, Births. Deaths. Arrivals. Departures. Total at 31s^ Dectmber ' 1934. I '°- M. F. M. F. M. F. M. j F. M. F. M. F. 1,887 '2,036 69 77 34 39 25 | 19 27 25 1,920 2,068 I j l_ ; l_

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Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1935. Liabilities. ' Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated funds, Ist April, 1934 .. 27,277 310 Land .. .. .. .. 1,070 0 0 Excess of expenditure over income.. S7 2 3 Additions .. .. .. 10 0 0 27,220 1 7 1,080 0 0 Reserve Fund .. .. .. .. 3,706 0 0 Buildings .. .. .. 10,415 2 7 Depreciation .. .. .. 260 7 7 10,154 15 0 Additions .. .. .. 80 7 1 10,235 2 1 Reservoirs .. .. .. 1,087 7 9 Depreciation .. .. .. 26 3 8 1,061 4 1 Additions .. .. .. 127 0 4 1,188 4 5 Plant and tools .. .. .. 3,550 8 9 1 Depreciation .. .. .. 266 5 6 3,284 3 3 Additions ... .. .. 265 2 0 -— 3,549 5 3 Office furniture and equipment .. 503 0 1 Depreciation .. .. .. 25 3 0 477 17 1 Additions .. .. .. 36 12 2 —— — 514 9 3 Household furniture, &c. .. .. 1,573 14 9 Depreciation .. .. .. 118 0 9 1,455 14 0 Additions .. .. .. 55 6 6 1,511 0 6 Motor-vehicles .. .. .. 978 4 7 Depreciation .. .. .. 195 12 11 782 11 8 j Additions .. .. .. 012 8 — 783 4 4 Boats .. .. .. .. 478 16 7 Depreciation .. .. .. 119 14 2 359 2 5 Additions .. . . .. 10 18 4 370 0 9 Stores on hand .. .. .. .. 2,901611 Suspense Account," Maui Pomare . .. 714 4 Investments .. .. .. .. 3,706 0 0 Cash in bank, Wellington .. .. 3,798 7 8 Cash in transit .. .. .. 644 18 0 Cash in hand, Nine .. .. 636 8 1 5,079 13 9 £30,926 1 7 £30,926 1 7 * Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (500 copies), £7 10s.

By Authority: G. H. Lonby, Government Printer, Wellington.—l93s. Price 6d.]

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