NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1938 Session I, A-06

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1938. NEW ZEALAND.

NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

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

REPORT ON THE NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION, 1937-38.

Finance. This is in a very satisfactory state, there being a larger amount in reserve than ever before in the history of Niue Island. Once again no subsidy has been asked for by this Administration, and, as a result of the large sum received from the sale of Coronation stamps, no assistance should be required from New Zealand funds for some years to come. The revenue for the year amounted to £35,443, and the expenditure £22,311, showing a gross surplus of receipts over payments of £13,132, this surplus being entirely due to the sale of Coronation stamps referred to above. Of the surplus shown, £10,000 were invested, leaving a net surplus for the year of £3,132. Trade. Imports for the calendar year 1937 totalled £29,309, and exports £23,321, a total trade value of £52,630, which is the highest recorded figure since 1919. Bananas. —There has been a decrease in shipments, mainly owing to neglect in making new plantations. This is rapidly being remedied. Strict inspections have reduced the quantities which could have been shipped, the Administration being insistent that a high quality be maintained. Kumeras. —One hundred and twenty-three tons have been shipped this year. This is a record, the previous largest annual total being ninety-four tons. Hats and Baskets. —Hats exported have decreased, but baskets have increased. Miscellaneous. —Citrus fruits, grandillas, and pawpaws have been shipped in small quantities. The following table shows the quantities and values of the principal exports for the last ten years : —

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Copra. Bananas. Baskets. Hats. j Fungus. Kumeras. Year. — ■ 1 r ■ , ■ < tity 1 " Value. Quantity. Value Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. 11 " Value. Tons. £ Gases. £ Dozens. £ Dozens. £ lb. £ Tons. £ 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 4.67 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 1935 .. 316 2,031 22,714 8,620 162 78 1,769 756 7,593 77 40 360 1936 .. 662 7,077 35,701 13,744 93 80 880 384 3,583 35 94 1,464 1937 .. 728 10,825 26,709 10,283 167 92 694 254 261 4 123 1,451

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The principal items of imports for the year 1937 are as follows : —

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Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Apparel, n.e.i. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 1,019 Western Samoa . . .. 11 U.S.A. .. .. .. 5 — 1,035 Arms, ammunition, &c. .. .. New Zealand . . .. 223 Western Samoa .. .. 19 Hong Kong .. .. 4 246 Bags and sacks .. .. New Zealand .. .. 271 Western Samoa .. .. 280 551 Bicycles and parts .. .. New Zealand .. .. 1.000 United Kingdom .. .. 2 1,002 Biscuits .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 1,404 U.S.A. .. .. .. 5 — 1,409 Boots and shoes .. .. New Zealand .. . . 472 United Kingdom .. .. 4 476 Cement .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 219 Western Samoa .. .. 31 — 250 Confectionery .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 459 Western Samoa .. .. 6 465 Cotton piece-goods .. .. New Zealand .. .. 939 Western Samoa ., .. 123 United Kingdom .. .. 439 Australia.. .. .. 29 Japan .. . . .. 47 -— 1,577 Drapery, n.e.i. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 244 United Kingdom .. .. 57 Japan .. .. .. 21 322 Drugs, n.e.i. .. .. .. I New Zealand .. .. 381 United Kingdom .. .. 3 384 Fancy goods, n.e.i. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 331 | Western Samoa .. .. 50 | United Kingdom .. .. 37 j Australia. . . . .. 2 American Samoa .. .. ! 2 Tonga .. .. .. 4 426 Fish, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. .. 486 Western Samoa .. .. 42 United Kingdom .. .. 31 U.S.A. .. .. .. 221 780 Flour .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 1 Western Samoa .. .. 2 Australia.. .. .. 322 325 Hardware .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 634 Western Samoa .. .. 1 United Kingdom .. .. 11 646 Hosiery .. .. . . New Zealand .. .. 316 Western Samoa .. .. 14 Japan .. .. .. 26 — 356 Iron, galvanized corrugated, roofing New Zealand .. .. .. 1,124 Carried forward .. .. .. .. 11,374

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The principal items of imports for the year 1937 —continued.

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Article. Whence imported. j Value. £ £ Brought forward .. .. .. ..11,374 Meats- — Preserved .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 2,048 Western Samoa .. .. 39 2,087 Salted .. .. • • New Zealand .. .. .. 220 Milk, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. .. 250 Western Samoa .. .. 3 — 253 Motor-cars and parts .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 1,228 Oils, benzine, and kerosene .. New Zealand .. . . 461 Western Samoa .. .. 10 U.S.A 60 531 Paint and varnish .. .. New Zealand .. .. 295 Western Samoa .. .. 4 Australia.. . . .. 5 ■— 304 Provisions, n.e.i. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 226 Western Samoa .. .. 2 — 228 Rice .. .. .. ■ • New Zealand ... .. 523 Western Samoa .. .. 40 — 563 Silk .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 709 Western Samoa .. .. 8 Japan .. .. .. 223 940 Soap .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 496 Specie .. .. ■ • New Zealand .. .. .. 1,700 Stationery and books .. .. New Zealand .. .. 246 Western Samoa .. .. 5 United Kingdom .. .. 84 Australia.. .. .. 8 343 Sugar .. .. . ■ New Zealand .. .. 203 Western Samoa .. .. 17 220 Timber, sawn .. .. New Zealand .. .. 906 Western Samoa .. .. 46 — 952 Timber, shooks .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 2,341 Tobacco .. .. . • New Zealand .. .. 1,313 Australia.. .. .. 489 • 1,802 Tools .. .. . • New Zealand .. .. 256 United Kingdom .. .. 7 — 263 Sundry .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 3,116 Western Samoa .. .. 117 United Kingdom .. .. 165 Other .. .. .. 66 3,464 29,309

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

Native Affairs. The hard-working Niueans are a contented people, in spite of the difficulties experienced in growing their food-supplies. The Administration; considers its first duty is the care of the Native population, and the maintenance of law and order, bringing about desirable changes gradually. In its efforts it is ably supported by the London Missionary Society. Medical and Public Health. There have been no epidemics during the year. The medical services have functioned in a very satisfactory manner. The following is a summary of the work performed at the hospital:— Statistical. Operations— (1) Infectious diseases — Major . . .. . . 12 (a) Tuberculosis ... .. 32 Minor .. .. ..." 248 (b) Gonorrhoea ... .. 127 Dental extractions .. 261 (e) Yaws .. .. .. 326 Injections— (d) Pneumonia . . .. 9 N.A.B .. . 734 (e) Conjunctivitis ... . . 124 Gonococcal vaccine .. 620 (/} Ringworm .. .. 97 Peptone . . .. 144 (ff j Filariasis . . .. 117 Old tuberculin .. 66 (h) Varicella , „ ... 19 Manganese (collosal) .. 254 Number of confinements at,2) Hospital and dispensary statistics— tended .. . . .■ r. 67 Remaining in hospital, 31st (3) Summary of Operations— December, 1936 .. .. 8 Abscesses opened . . .. 180 Admitted during year .. 231 Removal of foreign bodies .. 6 Discharged during year .. 222 Aspiration of cysts, &c. .. 5 Died in hospital during year. . 5 Circumcisions . . .. 38 Remaining in hospital, 26th Suture of wounds . . .. 7 December, 1937 .. ..12 Sequestrectomy .. v. 3 Average number of days in Reduction of fractures, &c. .. 2 hospital . . . . 24-1 days Excision of tumours, &c. .. 5 Average number of beds oc- Amputation .. .. 1 cupied per day . . .. 13-7 beds Laparotomy .. .. 1 District out-patients .. 8,621 Gynaecological .. .. 3 Dispensary out-patients .. 3,357 (4) Summary of anaesthetics— Special visits .. .. 717 Local .. .. .. 224 District special visits .. 820 Spinal (stovaine) .. .. 4 Hospital dressings .. . . 2,336 Chloroform and ether .. 7 Hospital out-patient dressings i, 929 Evipan and ether .. .. 2 Yaws, Gonorrhoea, and Tuberculosis. —The treatments given in these cases have had excellent results, and the indications are that they will gradually decrease in numbers. Nursing Staff. —The one European Matron is assisted by Niue girls as nurses, who respond readily to the training they receive. On the return of those now at the Apia Hospital, where they receive excellent training, even more satisfactory results should be obtained. It is hoped that it will shortly be possible to send a Niue boy to the Central Medical School, Fiji, or training as a Native Medical Practitioner.

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Imports. Exports. Year. ] I j 1 New | United . . .. n ,, Total New ' 1 Total Trade. Zealand. . Kingdom.| Australla ' ; 0ther ' Imports. Zealand. 0ther - Exports. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 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 .. .. 10,400 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 1936 .. .. 22,280 609 649 1,124 24,662 15,915 7,077 22,992 47,654 1937 .. .. 26,142 840 865 1,472 29,309 12,469 10,852 23,321 52,630 * Island recovering from drought and storms.

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Education. Tie special feature of tlie school system is the training of the pupils in all matters which will be of benefit to them and to their people when they return to their villages. The average roll strength of the two Administration schools is 362, with an average attendance of 325. The Technical School handicraft and sewing classes have functioned admirably. The London Missionary Society has ten schools which are subsidized by this Administration. Their work is good and of great benefit. Public Works and Transport. These Departments have in training a number of Niue boys, and it is hoped that the knowledge they are gaining will be of great advantage to both the Administration and private employers. In addition to the practical training they receive they attend special classes conducted by the European Engineer. Roads. —Improvements have been made, but there is still much to do during the next few years before the roads can be considered satisfactory. Water-supply.—The whole supply is obtained from rain, and therefore tanks have to be built near catchment areas. Each year more of these tanks are being built, and those already in existence are kept in repair. The water-supply is still inadequate, but gradually this difficulty is being overcome. Agriculture. Gradual improvements in agricultural methods are being made, though the pace is slow owing to the difficulties which exist. In dealing with Native races it is not advisable or possible to carry out big reforms in a short time. However, the indications are that there is a steady improvement in agricultural matters, and it is believed that the methods used and the experiments carried out at the Administration plantation will be followed by the people. High Court and Native Land Court. No serious offences have occurred, the 634 cases dealt with by the High Court being for minor offences. Ihe Native Land Court has dealt with 126 cases, though many applications still await hearing. Island Council. There are thirteen Native Councillors for the twelve villages, their duty being to assist the Resident Commissioner and advise him on island matters. At an election held recently almost all former Councillors were re-elected by the people. Legislation. No new laws have been made during the year. Wireless. This Department is controlled by a European officer, who also assists with other activities of the Administration. In his wireless duties he is assisted by a Native boy. Traffic Inwards.—Three hundred and twenty-nine messages, containing 5,321 words, were received, as compared with 351 messages, containing 6,661 words, for the previous year. Traffic Outwards. —Three hundred and ninety-two messages, containing 6,746 words, were despatched, as compared with 469 messages, containing 7,781 words, for the previous year. Meteorological. The total rainfall for 1937 was 53-70 in., which is 27-57 in. less than the average for the last thirty-two years. Shipping. The New Zealand Government vessel " Maui Pomare " has called regularly, providing the only regular service between this island and the outside world. Vital Statistics. The Native population is now 4,215, an increase of 84 for the year. Births, 152 ; deaths, 80.- •

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NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION. Income and Expenditure Account foe the Year ended 31st Maech, 1938. Expenditure. £ s. d. Income. £ s. dAgriculture Account .. .. .. 359 19 3 Aid to revenue .. .. .. 471 19 0 Audit .. .. .. .. 150 0 10 Ammunition Account .. .. .. 63 15 5 Accident to S. Head .. .. .. 385 13 4 Benzine Account .. .. .. 160 11 10 Education Department .. .. 2,115 6 3 Bond storage. . .. .. .. 0 8 8 Fruit-case Account .. . . .. 93 3 8 Copra export duty . . .. .. 710 0 0 Interpreters and office staff .. .. 188 17 7 Customs duties .. .. .. 2,568 14 5 Island Council .. .. .. 73 9 0 Dog-tax .. .. .. .. 63 5 0 Jetty Account .. .. .. 155 7 0 Fumigation .. .. .. .. 9 4 6 Lepers .. .. .. .. 165 18 8 High Court fees and fines .. .. 254 3 0 Medical Department .. .. .. 2,597 5 7 Interest .. .. .. .. 112 4 2 Miscellaneous Account .. .. 8 19 1 Landing Account .. .. .. 306 7 9 Police Department .. .. .. 410 18 4 Licenses .. .. .. .. 140 0 0 Printing and stationery .. .. 29 9 8 Liquor Account .. . . .. 10 0 0 Prisons Department .. .. .. 239 1 11 Native Land Court fees and fines .. 6 6 6 Public Works Department .. .. 752 8 0 Registration and permit fees .. .. 17 3 0 Residency Account .. .. .. 206 12 2 Stamp sales .. .. .. .. 20,876 17 5 Resident Commissioner's Department .. 422 2 6 Stock supplies .. .. .. 610 3 Roads .. .. .. .. 1,804 2 7 Transport Department .. .. 1,238 15 7 Treasurer . . .. .. .. 505 5 0 Treasury Department .. .. .. 62 2 11 Water-supply .. .. .. 80 8 5 Wireless Department .. .. .. 372 10 5 Depreciation Account .. .. .. 1,142 1 6 Investments .. .. .. .. 10,000 0 0 Excess of income over expenditure .. 4,695 2 10 £27,016 6 6 £27,016 6 6 Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1938. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated funds .. 24,353 15 3 Boats .. .. .. 336 14 3 Less interest on account of Buildings .. .. 10,024 9 7 previous years .. 13 0 9 Medical equipment .. 228 18 3 — — Household furniture .. 1,712 13 8 24,340 14 6 Land .. .. .. 1,111 0 0 Plus excess of income over Motor-vehicles .. .. 1,471 1 7 expenditure .. .. 4,695 2 10 Office equipment .. .. 617 6 7 — — 29,035 17 4 Plant and tools .. .. 1,347 8 8 Reserve Fund .. .. .. 13,206 0 0 Plant, wireless .. .. 2,047 6 4 Sundry creditors .. .. .. 468 2 4 Reservoirs, &c. .. .. 1,632 6 9 20,529 5 8 Suspense Account, " Maui Pomare " .. 91 12 4 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 230 14 7 Accrued interest .. .. .. 28 0 11 Stocks on hand .. .. .. 4,469 10 1 Investments .. .. .. .. 13,206 0 0 Cash in bank, Wellington .. .. 2,606 11 10 Cash in hand, Niue .. .. 1,548 4 3 £42,709 19 8 £42,709 19 8 N.B.—These aocounts are subject to audit.

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