NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1936 Session I, A-06

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1936. NEW ZEALAND.

NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

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

REPORT ON THE NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION, 1935-36.

Finance. By observing the utmost economy during the period of financial stringency in New Zealand, it has been possible for this Administration to do without the usual grant of £3,500 from the New Zealand Treasury this financial year. This is the first year in the history of Niue that no subsidy has been granted. Furthermore, no subsidy is being asked for in respect of the financial year ending 31st March, 1937, the intention being to make good any deficiency from Reserve Fund. The anticipated deficit of £4,627 has proved to be only £2,111. Receipts for the year, not taking into account amounts collected on behalf of the " Maui Pomare," amounted to £15,409, which is £4,328 in excess of the estimated revenue of £11,081. Payments for the year, not taking into account amounts paid on behalf of the " Maui Pomare," amounted to £17,520, which is £1,812 in excess of the estimate of £15,708. Of this amount, £1,400 was capital expenditure, and was added to the value of the assets. After taking into account stocks, capital expenditure, sundry creditors, debtors, &c., the Income and Expenditure Account, which gives the true position for the year, shows an excess of expenditure over income of £1,456. Trade. Imports for the calendar year 1935 totalled £15,288, and exports £12,076. In 1934 imports were valued at £13,372 and exports at £12,341. Copra.—ln the early part of this year the price offered was £4 per ton, and this low price deterred many from making copra. Later in the year the price rose considerably, and this increase, assisted by an extensive weeding of all coconut plantations, resulted in increased production. Local merchants are now paying £8 per ton, this price comparing more than favourably with those paid in other islands. The quantity shipped this year was 316 tons, valued at £2,031 • the exports during the previous year amounted to 125 tons, valued at £961. Bananas. —The number of cases exported for the year 1935 was 22,714, a decrease of 5,679 on the exports of the previous year. This was due to severe blows, and resulted in a reduced cash return of £1,386. For the year 1936 the quota for Niue has been increased by 480 cases per month, which is much appreciated by shippers. Even now, however, it is not possible to issue an average of one case per shipper each month. Kumeras. —This year has furnished a record in the quantity shipped—a total of 40| tons, valued at £360. Last year 13| tons, valued at £273, were despatched. Hats. —The number exported amounted to 1,769 dozen, with a value of £756. For the previous year the figures were 920 dozen and £492. Some years ago this trade was an important factor, in 1908 7,182 dozen hats being exported, the return amounting to £4,618. Owing to the competition from foreign countries, there appears little likelihood of this industry ever assuming its former proportions. Fungus.—The exports amounted to 7,593 Ib., valued at £77, compared with 5,1371b., valued at £81, during the previous twelve months. In the year 1927 exports reached 49,951 lb., with a value of £2,319. There is now little demand for fungus. Baskets. —Mainly owing to foreign competition, this industry is declining despite strenuous efforts to revive it. In 1935 162 dozen baskets, valued at £78, were exported. In 1934 the figures were dozen and £130 respectively. I—A. 6.

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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 1935 were as follows : —

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Copra. Bananas. Baskets. Hats. j Fungus. Kumeras. Year. , j ' Onan "l | Value. Quantity, j Value, j Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. tity." Value. I Tons. 1 £ Cases. £ Dozens. £ Dozens. £ lb. £ Tone. £ 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 1 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 j 308 130 920 492 5,137 81 13 273 1935 . 316 | 2,031 22,714 8,620 j 162 78 1,769 756 7,593 77 40 360

Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Apparel .. .. New Zealand .. .. 490 United Kingdom .. .. 21 Other .. .. .. 26 537 Bags and sacks .. .. New Zealand . . .. 234 Other .. .. .. 7 241 Bicycles and parts . . .. J New Zealand .. .. .. 345 Biscuits . . .. ... New Zealand .. .. 578 Other .. .. .. 8 — 586 Boats. . . . . • • • New Zealand .. .. . . 220 Boots and shoes .. .. New Zealand . . .. 192 United Kingdom .. . . 2 194 Cotton piece-goods .. .. New Zealand . . .. 921 United Kingdom .. . . 674 Other .. .. .. 133 1,728 Drugs .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 382 j Other .. .. .. 1 383 Pish, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. . . 501 Other .. .. .. 31 532 Hardware . . .. . . New Zealand .. .. 256 Other 13 269 Iron, galvanized corrigated roofing j New Zealand .. .. .. 370 Meats, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. .. j .. 1,451 Motor-cars and parts . . .. New Zealand .. .. 647 ■ Other .. .. .. 7 — 654 Oils: Benzine and kerosene . . New Zealand .. . . 461 Other .. .. . . 5 466 Provisions, n.e.i. .. . . New Zealand .. .. 215 Other .. .. . . 2 — 217 Silk . . .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 168 Other . . .. . . 58 — 226 Soap .. . . .. • • New Zealand . . . . . . 292 Timber, shooks .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 1,277 Tobacco .. .. . ■ New Zealand .. .. 686 Australia. . .. . . 451 | — 1,137 Sundry .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. | 3,505 United Kingdom .. .. ! 213 Australia.. .. .. | 171 United States of America .. 35 Other . . . . . . 239 4,163 Total imports .... j 15,288

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

Native Affairs. The Niueans are a peaceful and law-abiding people, in many ways differing widely from Polynesians in other islands. There are no chiefs, and each male owns his own piece of land. They are a people well worth saving, and every endeavour is being made to preserve the race and to assist them in every way possible, particularly at the present time when they desire to travel the difficult road of civilization. Their shoes are being made to fit as comfortably as possible for their journey. Medical, and Public Health. The Medical Staff consists of 1 European Medical Officer; 1 European Matron and European assistant; 4 Native nurses, 1 Native dispenser, who is also interpreter and chauffeur; 2 Native laundry women. There is one hospital, situated at Alofi (the port). The Medical Officer each week visits all villages in addition to special visits to patients in the outlying areas. No village is farther away from the hospital than ten miles. The health of the people has been good, though an epidemic of typhoid fever proved rather serious. The following is a summary of the work performed at the hospital: Infectious diseases notified—Pulmonary and other tuberculosis, 19; gonorrhoea, 18; infective yaws, 47; pneumonia, 7; typhoid fever, 90; conjunctivitis, 65; ringworm, 58; filariasis, 62; leprosy, 2; cerebro-spinal meningitis, 1. Hospital and dispensary statistics —Remaining in hospital, 31/12/34, 5; admitted' during the year, 156; discharged during the year, 150; died in hospital, 9; remaining in hospital, 31/12/35, 2; average stay in hospital, 217 days; dispensary out-patients, 1,230; district out-patients, 3,612; district special visits, 795; special visits, 515; hospital patients' dressings, 601; hospital out-patients' dressings, 3,708. Operations—major, 7; minor, 104. Dental extractions, 170; dental fillings, 4. Injections Bicreol and N.A.8., 310; peptone, 72; gonococcal vaccine, 14; manganese butyrate, 11; tuberculin, 95; T.A.B. prophylactic, 6,436. Typhoid Fever.—A major outbreak of typhoid fever occurred. There were 90 cases, with a total death-rate of 10 per cent, and a hospital death-rate of 6 33 per cent. Tuberculosis.—'This island compares favourably with other tropical islands. The position is being carefully watched by the Administration, who are endeavouring to educate the people in safeguarding themselves against infection. Leprosy.—Two further cases of this disease have been notified, both of them being sent to Mokogai. Dental Work. —Although there is very little dental caries among the people there is a great deal of pyorrhoea amongst the adult population. This is a matter that is receiving the attention of the Administration. Nursing Staff. —Since the close of the period covered by this report a scheme has been approved under which selected Native girls will be sent to the Apia Hospital to be trained as nurses. Two girls have already been sent to Samoa, and, when qualified, will return to Niue. Education. The two Administration and ten Mission schools are doing excellent work. Education is, of course, a difficult proposition, for; in spite of the excellent common-sense methods employed in the schools, when the pupil returns home much is forgotten. The average roll at the two Administration schools is 287, with the excellent average attendance of 274. There has been an increase of 5-5 per cent, in the average roll strength. The typhoid 2—A. 6.

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Imports. Exports. 1 — 5 j Total New ! United . . I ! Total New Other I Zealand, j Kingdom. Austlalla - | 0ther - ; Imports. Zealand. ' ' ! Exports. | | •'■*£: itfiSi 1 I £ ! £ £ £ £ ££ £ £ 1926 . 14,105 1,790 1,153 515,17,563 17,655 .. 17,655 35,218 1927 .. 10,896 I 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 ],588 955 1,224 I 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 J1,568 2,424 360 404 14,756 10,820 3,167 13,987 28,743 1933 10,400 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 1935 .. .. 13,191 942 780 375 ; 15,288 10,010 2,066 '12,076 27,364 * Island recovering from drought and storms.

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epidemic referred to in the health section of this report increased the difficulties of the teachers. In addition to the usual school-work, a great deal of attention has been given to Native handicraft, sewing, &c. The technical-school instruction carried out by the headmaster personally is splendid. It is realized that this subject is of the utmost importance, and will prove of great practical benefit to the people generally. The efficiency and keenness of the headmaster is much appreciated by all concerned. Refresher courses for teachers are carried out regularly and do much good, as also does a special class for teaching adult Niueans English and other subjects which will be of assistance to them in their everyday life. Seventy-one adults attend this weekly class. The ten London Missionary Society subsidized schools have 011 their roll 506 pupils, with an average attendance of 477, the absences being accounted for_ by the typhoid epidemic. The missionary in charge of these schools has experienced considerable difficulty owing to the lack of finance, the subsidy, as an economy measure, having been reduced from £500 to £225. He cannot, therefore, visit his schools as often as is necessary, nor can he offer a salary which will induce the best talent available to become ieachers. The sewing classes are doing excellent work, and will be of considerable assistance in the future. This work has been greatly assisted by friends of the Mission in New Zealand. Public Works and Transport. Owing to restricted finances and the urgent need for avoiding all expenditure possible, the activities of this Department have been greatly curtailed, even to delaying work which should have been performed. Every endeavour has been made to maintain Administration buildings in a proper state of repair, but even this has not always been possible. Roads.—There are about eighty miles of roading, on which was expended the sum of £300 during the year. This sum is quite inadequate to either place the roads in a satisfactory condition or to maintain them. Several villages have assisted in repairing their roads without payment. The Administration supplies about £1 10s. for food for each day on which all the men of the village work. This is economical but not very satisfactory, as those concerned naturally consider that they should be paid for their labour. In view of the present financial position, however, it is not possible to make payment. During the year a 30 cwt, tip-lorry was acquired, and has proved to be extremely useful in road work. No stone-crushers are available, so the rocks have to be broken with hammers. Water-supply.—There are 110 streams or rivers. Rain is relied upon to supply necessary water. The annual rainfall during . 1935 totalled 99-77 in., the heaviest fall in one month, 22-84 in., occurring in January. There are a few places where slightly brackish water can be obtained. This was used prior to the installation of concrete tanks in the villages, but, as the people are now used to rain-water, the brackish water has .an injurious effect if consumed. The water-supply is inadequate, but each year more concrete tanks are being constructed. The liquid from coconuts is largely used for drinking purposes. It is pure and refreshing, but extravagant. Transport.—Everything possible is being done to maintain motor-vehicles in good condition, but owing to the financial stringency, the necessity of relying solely on insufficiently trained drivers and mechanics, and to the state of the roads the cars and trucks are not in very satisfactory order. Agriculture. A great deal of practical instruction has been carried out in this subject, which is one of the most important duties of this Administration. The people of Niue depend entirely upon the land for their sources of food-supply, as only approximately twenty have permanent employment, and even these few depend on their plantations for food. There is practically 110 soil of any value. Approximately three-quarters of the 64,000 acres is in bush growing amongst solid coral rock, nourishment being obtained from decaying fallen vegetation. About half of the area remaining is waste land, being almost devoid of those requirements in the soil necessary to produce satisfactory growth. It is really amazing that anything grows at all. There is not an acre in the whole island of what can be considered good soil, yet the food-supply for 4,000 people is produced. This indicates that food-supplies are meagre and their cultivation entails much labour. The very limited water-supply is another factor which has to be considered when dealing with this subject. Lack of soil and the porous nature of the coral rock permits the rain-water to seep away as though passed through a sieve. In addition, the island is visited by severe blows, as it' is situated on the fringe of the hurricane belt. The maltreatment of the soil and of the natural forests which has been the custom in the past, with the increase of population, will, unless it ceases, be a serious matter for the indigenous population and one requiring the careful consideration of the New Zealand Government. Either large-scale emigration or the importation and free supply of foodstuffs to the people must occur in the not very distant future. Until recently there were 110 Administration Experimental and Demonstration Plantations to show European methods, and even now there are no European planters to show the people what can be accomplished, and to provide employment. Quite naturally the methods employed by the Niueans are

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primitive, for they have had neither example nor implements to assist them. These facts support the earlier statement that this subject is one of the most important tasks of the Administration. . The recently formed Administration Experimental and Demonstration 1 lantation is of great assistance to the people, not only indicating what can be done when European methods are employed, but in providing necessary plants, &c., to enable the Natives to increase or maintain their own food cultivations. Boys from the Administration school at Tufukia attend the plantation one morning each week, assisting in the work and receiving short practical "talks." When prisoners can be spared from their other duties, they are employed at this plantation, and gain some knowledge. All coconut plantations have been rough-weeded. As this is the first time this work has been carried out since 1918, the task was not an easy one, but it was performed very satisfactorily after considerable trouble. . ' Due to the 'importation by the Administration of pure-bred pigs, there is a marked improvement in the village animals, though not yet to the extent anticipated. The Island method of keeping pigs in small enclosures or in holes in the ground is being gradually altered to the provision of larger areas. Many people even now realize the advantages of the " grazing " system as carried out at the Administration plantation, and it is believed that ere long increasing numbers will adopt this method as far as they can. High Court and Native Land Court. Criminal cases dealt with during the year amounted to 432, as compared with 447 in 1934. All were minor cases. Civil actions amounted to 15 for 1935, as compared with 8 in 1934. Native Land Court. —There were 2 adoption orders for 1935, as compared with 3 for 1934. Island Council. There are thirteen Native members in this Council, who meet when required to discuss matters affecting the welfare of the people. Legislation. The only new legislation applied to Nine during the year was the Finance Act, 1.935, in accordance with which the benefits of the TJ-per-cent. salary restoration were applied to the members of the Administration staff. Wireless. The Department has functioned very satisfactorily, and is of great benefit to the community. A night letter telegram service with New Zealand has been inaugurated, and is proving of considerable value. Traffic. —Inwards, 206 messages, containing 3,070 words; outwards, 240 messages, containing 3,607 words. Meteorological. The rainfall for the year was 99 77 in., as compared with 11415 in. in 1934. Rain fell on 192 days during the year. The rainfall for the past thirty years has averaged 81-882 in. Visits. H.M.S. " Diomede " and H.M.S. " Leith " visited Niue during the year in the course of their usual Island cruises. Shipping. The monthly calls of N.Z.G. m.v. " Maui Pomare " are of the greatest value to Niue. Without these regular visits the Island would not be able to export its bananas and kumeras, and there would be considerable difficulty in obtaining supplies. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this excellent service. The inward cargo tonnage during the year amounted to 708 tons, the outward to 1,663 tons, as compared with 735 and 1,802 tons respectively for 1934. Vital Statistics. As will be seen from the following table, the births during the calender year 1935 exceeded the deaths by 90 and the population increased by 93 to a total of 4,080.

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Total at 1st January, Births. Deaths. Arrivals. Departures. Total at 31st December, 1935. l>0 j ' M. p. ! M. F. M. P. M. P. M. P. i M. j P. 1,920 2,071 99 72 42 40 21 15 24 12 ! 1,974 j 2,106 The population of the Island is now the highest since the year 1895, when it totalled 4,433.

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NIUE ADMINISTRATION. Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1936. Expenditure. £ s. d. Income. £ s. d. To Agriculture Department .. .. ... 420 18 11 By Agriculture Department .. .. .. 286 710 Ammunition .. .. ■ ■ • • 209 1 5 Aid to revenue .. . . .. . . 463 10 0 Benzine and kerosene • • • • • • 721 14 3 Ammunition .. .. .. .. 213 8 0 Education Department .. .. .. 1,846 10 8 Benzine and kerosene .. .. .. 896 18 2 Fruit-cases, &c. .. •• .. 2,535 14 7 Bond storage .. .. .. .. 0 9 8 Fumigation .. • • • ■ ■ • 2 9 9 Copra export duty . . . . .. .. 313 2 0 High Court fees and fines (refunds) .. .. 110 0 Customs duties .. .. .. .. 1,850 8 2 Interpreters and Native office staff .. .. 117 211 Dog-tax .. .. .. .. .. 54 5 0 Jetty, boats, boat-sheds, &c. .. • • 51 1 4 Education Department . . .. . . 226 11 7 Landing and shipping .. .. •• 911 8 0 Fruit-cases .. .. .. .. 2,862 19 9 Lepers : Maintenance, &c. . . . . • • 181 2 3 Fumigation .. . . . . . . 1 13 0 Liquor .. 171 9 8 High Court fees and fines . . .. .. 149 19 6 Medical Services Department .. .. 2,407 12 9 Interest on investments .. .. .. 152 4 2 Miscellaneous services .. .. •• 76 6 3 Landing and shipping, .. .. .. 1,346 6 6 Miscellaneous stock. . . . • • • • 410 4 5 Licenses .. .. .. • • 155 0 0 Native Land Court .. . . ■ ■ 5 9 9 Liquor . . . . .. . . .. 176 6 9 Niue Island Council .. 77 2 4 Medical services .. .. ... •• 38 4 2 Police Department .. .. •• •• 361 6 1 Miscellaneous stock.. .. .. .. 456 18 1 Printing and stationery .. .. •• 57 15 2 Police Department (refunds) .. .. 010 0 Prisoners . . . ■ • • ■ ■ • ■ 394 5 9 Printing and stationery .. .. . . 23 7 9 Public Works Department . . . • • • 995 3 3 Prisoners (refunds) . . . . . . . ■ 119 Residency • ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ • 83 18 8 Public Works Department • • ■ ■ • ■ 884 I 3 Resident Commissioner's Department .. 482 7 2 Registration and permit fees.. . . . . 22 12 0 R oa( j s .. . . .. . . 299 9 3 Resident Commissioner's Department (refunds) 2 10 3 Stamp sales'(refunds) .. •• 15 19 6 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. 2,344 5 4 Transport Department .. .. 1,732 13 1 Transport Department .. .. .. 2,339 16 b Treasury Department . . . • • ■ 602 8 9 Treasury Department (refunds) . . . . 016 0 Water-supply .. •• ■■ 29 3 3 Water-supply (refunds) .. .. .. 016 0 Wireless Department .. 778 13 3 Wireless Department .. .. •• I „ Depreciation .. •• 939 19 7 Excess of expenditure over income .. .. 1,456 15 II £16,920 2 0 £16,920 2 0 Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1936. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated funds, Ist April, 1935 .. 27,220 1 7 Land .. .. .. ■■ • • ( 1,080 0 0 Less excess of expenditure over Buildings .. .. •• 10 ,£6O 2 I income for year ended 31st Depreciation . . .. . . 255 17 7 March, 1936 .. 1,456 15 11 25,763 5 8 9,979 4 6 Reserve Fund 3,706 0 0 Additions 162 10 9 Sundry creditors J54 14 1 — - Depreciation . . . . • ■ 29 14 1 1,158 10 4 Additions .. . • • • 240 8 5 1,398 18 9 Plant and tools .. .. .. 3,549 5 3 Depreciation . . . . • ■ 266 3 11 3,283 I 4 Additions . . • • • ■ 190 6 3 3,473 7 7 Office furniture and equipment .. 514 9 3 Depreciation . . . . • ■ 25 1.4 6 488 14 9 Additions . . .. • ■ 57 10 4 546 5 1 Household furniture, &c. •• 1,511 0 6 Depreciation . . • . ■ • 113 6 6 ] ,397 14 0 Additions .. .. ■ ■ 153 5 0 — 1,350 19 0 Motor-vehicles . . . ■ ■ • 783 4 4 Depreciation .. . . • ■ 156 12 10 626 11 6 Additions .. ■ . • ■ 430 19 10 1,057 11 4 Boats 370 0 9 Depreciation .. . . • ■ 92 10 2 277 10 7 Additions .. .. ■ ■ 165 10 0 — 443 0 7 Stocks on hand .. • • •■ • ■ 3 >195 17 0 Sundry debtors .. . • • • • ■ 87 6 7 Investments . . ■ ■ • • • • 3,706 0 0 Cash in barik, Wellington .. 1,372 19 1 Cash in hand, Niue •• 1,569 19 6 £29,623 19 9 £29,623 19 9 Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (500 copies), £8 10s.

By Authority: G. H. Lonet, Government Printer, Wellington.—-1936.

Price 6d.]

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