COOK ISLANDS [In continuation of Parliamentary Papers A.-3 and A.-6, 1941]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1945 Session I, A-03

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1945 NEW ZEALAND

COOK ISLANDS [In continuation of Parliamentary Papers A.-3 and A.-6, 1941]

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

MEMORANDUM Wellington, 25tli July, 1945. I submit the report of the administration of the Government of the Cook Islands, including Niue, for the four years ended 31st March, 1945. Due to measures of war economy, this is the first report to be published since the annual reports of the Cook Islands" and of the Nine Island Administrations for the year ended 31st March, 1941. From 1933 until 1941 there were separate reports of Niue, because by the Cook Islands Amendment Act, 1932, the powers, functions, and duties of the Minister for the Cook Islands in respect of Niue were transferred to the Minister of External Affairs, for reasons of convenience in administration and in control of shipping. The Island Territories Act, 1943, vested all previous functions of the Minister for the Cook Islands and of the Minister of External Affairs in respect of all the Cook Islands, including Niue, as well as of Western Samoa, in the Minister of Island Territories. This report, therefore, is in respect of all the Cook Islands. A separate report is submitted with regard to Western Samoa. P. ERASER. Minister of Island Territories. I. INTRODUCTORY The Cook Islands were proclaimed a British Protectorate in 1888. On 11th June, 1901, under the provisions of the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895, they were annexed and proclaimed part of New Zealand. The island of Niue has been administered separately since 1903. A report upon Niue comprises the latter part of this report. The islands of the Cook Group are scattered over an ocean area of some 850,000 square miles, extending from Penrhyn, situated 9 degrees south of the Equator, to Mangaia, which is just north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Rarotonga, the seat of Administration, is 1,633 nautical miles from Auckland. Not including Niue, there are fifteen islands, which have a total land area of a little under 100 square miles. Of the islands of the Lower Group, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, and Mangaia are elevated and fertile, while Manuae and Takutea and the islands of the Northern Group, comprising Penrhyn, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, Palmerston, Nassau, and Buwarrow, are sea-level coral atolls,

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The whole of the Group lies within the hurricane zone and a number of destructive storms have been experienced, the most serious of which in recent years occurred in February, 1935, and March, 1943. From December to March the climate is warm and humid, and there is always the possibility of serious storms. In the remaining months of the year the climate in the Lower Group islands is mild and equable. The average temperature in Rarotonga during the last thirty-four years was 74 degrees, Fahrenheit, and the average annual rainfall in Rarotonga over the same period was 83-5 inches. On 31st March, 194-5, the Native population numbered 14,339. There are several streams in Rarotonga, the water from which is distributed to all villages by a reticulation system ; all the outer islands, however, suffer from a lack of streams and wells, but water is provided from public tanks, the number of which is being steadily increased. 11. GENERAL ADMINISTRATION Laws governing the whole of the Cook Islands are made by Act of the Parliament of New Zealand or by Orders in Council and regulations issued thereunder. Ordinances, restricted in their application to the islands where they are made, are passed by local Island Councils. These require the assent of the Resident Commissioner or they may be reserved for the signification of the Governor-General's pleasure. The Resident Commissioner in Rarotonga and the Resident Agents in the outer islands are the Presidents of the respective Island Councils, which consist in each case of elected, nominated, or ex officio members or combinations of such classes of members. In practice nominations are made only upon evidence of public choice. The following legislative measures have been enacted since the last report:— In New ZealandStatutes Amendment Act, 1941, section 7. Island Territories Act, 1943. The Cook Islands Local Defence Force Regulations 1941 (Serial No. 1941/60). The Cook Islands Demonetization of Stamps Regulations 1941. The Cook Islands Native Land Court Rules 1916, Amendment No. 1 (Serial No. 1942/86). The Cook Islands Customs Duties Order 1942 (Serial No. 1942/156). The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 5 (Serial No. 1942/274). The United States Forces Emergency Regulations 1943 (Serial No. 1943/56). The United States Forces Emergency Regulations 1943, Amendment No. 1 (Serial No. 1943/151). The Cook Islands Import Control Regulations 1944 (Serial No. 1944/19). The Cook Islands Finance Emergency Regulations 1944 (Serial No. 1944/20). The Cook Islands Patriotic Purposes Regulations 1940, Amendment No. I (Serial No. 1944/142). In the Cook Islands — Mangaia Ordinance No. 1 (1916) Amendment Ordinance 1941, No. 10. The Resident Commissioner, Judge H. F. Ayson, C.M.G., retired on 16th March, 1944, after nearly twenty-one years' service in the Cook Islands. Mr. W. Tailby was appointed Acting Resident Commissioner on 15th September, 1943, and Resident Commissioner with effect from Ist April, 1944. Visits His Excellency the Governor-General Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall, G.C.8., 0.M., G.C.M.G., C.Pi.E., A.M., paid an official visit to Penrhyn Island on the 15th and 16th September, 1943. The Right Hon. the Prime Minister and party paid an official visit to the Cook Islands from 27th to 31st December, 1944. Calls were made at Penrhyn, Aitutaki, and Rarotonga. The Prime Minister took the opportunity of meeting members of the Island Councils, of inspecting schools and hospitals, and of examining local conditions as fully as possible. 111. POSTAL AND RADIO These Departments function in close liaison with the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department, and their technical officers are seconded from that Department, but financial and executive responsibility rests with the Cook Islands Administration.

Particulars of business dealt with are as follow :—

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1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Money-orders issued .. .. .. £56,274- £59,016 £106,883 £86,230 Money-orders paid .. .. .. £6,681 £8,003 £27,210 £23,024 Post Office Savings-bank deposits .. .. £12,969 £18,892 £40,689 £44,949 Post Office Savings-bank withdrawals .. £14,249 £14,060 £23,629 £26,470 Number of depositors as at 31st March .. 2,230 2.487 3,173 3,676 Amount held to their credit .. .. £33,414 £39',083 £57,333 £77,408 Number of Native depositors .. .. 2,113 2,361 3,037 3,553 Amount held to their credit .. .. £19,006 £23,105 £39,929 £44,780 Number of radio messages handled (Rarotonga) 4,698 6,778 7,895 9,170

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IV. PUBLIC FINANCE A comparative statement of revenue and expenditure from 1940-41 is shown hereunder :—

V. TRADE During recent years there has been a marked increase in the total trade of the Group. Factors contributing to this increase have been the price now obtainable for copra, the development of a substantial trade in the Cook Islands handicrafts, increased returns for tomatoes exported, and wages earned by the people employed on the construction of airports and other public works. Principal statistics for the past five calendar years have been as follow :—

Cook Islands other than Niue

Quantities and Values of Principal Exports

VI. MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH There are two European Medical Officers, and six Native Medical Practitioners ; the nursing staff comprises a Matron, three European Sisters, and twenty Native nurses and trainees ; the dental staff consists of a European Dental Officer and two Native Dental Assistants. One Medical Officer travels frequently to outer islands. Four of the Native Medical Practitioners and three of the nurses arc stationed in outer islands. In accordance with the provisions of the Cook Islands Act, 1915, all Cook Islanders receive free medical and surgical treatment, both in their villages and in the hospital. School-children and Native patients in the hospital receive free dental treatment.

The following summary shows the amounts expended 011 health services in recent years :—

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*"■ | Revenne. | [ D.M. | SS.S | "S3"" £ £ £ £ £ 1940-41 .. .. .. 26,889 48,345 21,456 24,000 + 2,544 1941-42 .. .. .. 25,395 46,951 21,556 24,000 + 2,444 1942-43 .. .. .. 29,748 47,857 18,109 19,000 + 891 1943-44 .. .. .. 40,818 59,798 18,980 27,000 + 8,020 1944-45 .. .. .. 40,228 67,770 27,542 27,000 - 542

Imports Values. Exports Values. - I . . . . 1940. 1941. j 1942. 1943. j 1944. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. ££.££££££££ New Zealand .. 61,788 06,870 54,767 91,598 124,161 89,728 86,133 50,745 86,092 115,768 Australia .. .. 6,013 6,485 3,821 3,186 7,008 .. 760 122 52 1,290 United Kingdom .. 4,047 5,378 3,815 3,043 17,768 550 .. .. .. 25 Canada .. .. 395 729 166 58 622 .. .. 18,063* U.S.A. .. .. 2,896 2,430 4,353 7,403 4,541 .. .. .. 4,176 2,868 Other .. .. 4,330 5,176 1,867 1,917 1,130 119 284 373 6,025 f6,879 Totals .. 79,469 87,068 68,789 107,205 155,230 90,397 87,177 69,303 76,345 126,830 • Copra. t Hawaii, £3,472.

1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. Cases. £ Cases. £ Cases. £ Cases. £ Cases. £ Citrus fruit .. 130,068 02,076 124,508 60,588 52,763 26,905 45,352 25,925 45,220 26,152 Bananas .. .. 32,430 13,631 17,319 7,504 9,419 4,313 4,825 2,232 2,298 1,154 Boxes. Boxes. Boxes. Boxes. Boxes. Tomatoes .. .. 30,833 8,672 17,168 6,866 12,966 8,429 23,481 22,188 37,751 35,978 Handicrafts, grassware, .. 262 .. 4,874 .. 1,400 .. 10,651 .. 41,756 boads, &c. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Copra .. .. 100 551 139 850 1,093 19,385 520 10,411 747 15,269 Gallons. 'Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. Orange-juice .. 11,885 2,671 15,937 3,586 20,214 3,891 4,294 1,482 4,365 1,634

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Amount expended .. .. .. £10,795 £10,370 £10,116 £12,724 Population .. .. .. .. 13,962 14,079 14,150 14,506 Amount per head .. .. .. 15s. 5d. 14s. 9d. 14s. 4d. 17s. 6d.

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Hospital statistics are tabulated hereunder: —

The Dental Department has treated patients as follows : —

On the whole, the general health throughout the four years has been good. There were mild epidemics of influenza in April, July, and November, 1941, and an epidemic of chicken-pox in August of the same year. During 1942 a widespread epidemic of a mild form of measles occurred which spread all round Rarotonga, necessitating the closing of schools, churches, pictures, and gatherings during the worst periods. Following the hurricane of March, 1943, outbreaks of varying severity occurred. Gastroenteritis and dysentery became epidemic in May; by June the outbreak was waning, but gastroenteritis recurred during September. Influenza with respiratory complications became epidemic in May, but subsided in June ; the disease appeared again in July, October, and November, finally subsiding in December. An epidemic of gastric and respiratory influenza occurred in May and June, 1944. Weil's Disease was first noticed in April, 1944 ;49 cases have been treated, and there have been 10 deaths. The principal serious diseases amongst the Native population are tuberculosis, filariasis, and Weil's Disease. The incidence of tuberculosis is high in Rarotonga and Lower Group islands, but the Northern Group islands are not so seriously affected. A sanatorium is now being erected in Rarotonga for the treatment of tuberculosis. Filariasis is most prevalent in Rarotonga and Aitutaki; educational campaigns are being conducted in these islands, and community efforts to rid the villages of mosquitoes will follow. Periodic inspections have been made of sanitary conveniences, water intakes and supplies, bakeries, and cookhouses. Village and house-to-house inspections have also been made periodically. The schools in Rarotonga are visited every three months by the District Nurse and occasionally by the Chief Medical Officer. First-aid kits are supplied to all schools. Interest in child-welfare has been stimulated by concerts, by the Baby Show held in October, 1944, and by the visit of the Right Hon. the Prime Minister, who met the Central Executive Committee and voluntary workers of the Child Welfare Association. The District Nurse visits all centres regularly and the work is supervised by the Chief Medical Officer. At the Central Medical School, Suva, Fiji, there are three students in training to be additional Native Medical Practitioners in the Cook Islands Group. The training of Native nurses at the hospital is supervised by the Matron, and regular classes of instruction are held. Eight Native nurses are in training for the sanatorium and are making satisfactory progress. A Native nurse has been sent to New Zealand, where she is undergoing training in a public hospital. The appointment of a second medical officer has enabled the European Medical Officers to pay visits to all islands of the group. The Dental Officer and his assistants have given regular dental treatment to the children at all schools in Rarotonga, and visits have been paid to Atiu, Mauke, and Mangaia, where all school-children were given dental attention.

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. In-patients .. .. .. .. 355 405 570 446 Out-patients .. .. .. .. 9,556 12,541 8,574 8,603 Visits .. .. .. .. .. 1,020 1,915 1,382 1,374 Injections, all types .. .. .. 596 438 360 577 Anaesthetics — General .. .. ■ • . • 46 64 42 52 Local 184 340 152 336 Operations— Major 27 9 9 101 Minor 261 464 254 467 Confinements .. .. .. .. 42 24 30 63 Artificial pneumothorax .. .. .. 8 16 X-rays .. .. .. .. 68 173 31 39 Dental extractions .. .. .. 128 89 63 91

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Adults — Extractions .. .. .. • ■ 151 206 32 29 Fillings .. .. .. • • 16 .. 2 5 Cleaning, &c. .. .. .. .. 35 61 School-children — Extractions .. .. .. •• 1,188 747 1,098 1,504 Fillings 141 935 1,962 1,377 Cleaning, &c. .. .. .. . ■ 200 96 37 38

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The distribution of medical and nursing staff throughout the group is as follows :— Rarotonga— Two European Medical Officers. Two Native Medical Practitioners. One Matron. Two European Sisters. Nine Native nurses (hospital). Eight Native, trainees for sanatorium. Aitutaki: One Native Medical Practitioner stationed temporarily during absence of European Resident Nurse on furlough. Atiu : One Native nurse. Mauke : One Native nurse. Mangaia— One Native Medical Practitioner. One Native nurse. Penrhyn : One Native Medical Practitioner. Manihiki: One Native Medical Practitioner. VII. POPULATION

The following table shows changes in population since the last report:—

The distribution of the population as at 31st March, 1945, was as follows : —

Infant-mortality The following table shows the infant-mortality rate in Rarotonga for the last five years

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Births. Deaths. Arrivals. Departures. ' Year. M. F. Total. M. F. Total. M. F. Total. M. F. Total. M. F. Total. 1941 275 266 541 110 104 214 69 46 115 53 41 94 7,189 6,524 13,776 1942 279 274 553 125 123 248 30 22 52 52 56 108 7,321 6,641 14,025 1943 304 295 599 159 138 297 33 39 72 157 100 257 7,342 6,737 14,142 1944 265 260 525 159 153 312 142 47 189 232 99 331 7,358 6,792 14,213 1945 286 278 564 144 132 276 126 52 178 119 54 173 7,537 6,969 14,506

Males. Females. Total. Rarotonga .. .. .. '2,971 2,755 5,726 Aitutaki .. .. .. 1,171 1,082 2,253 Mangaia .. .. 912 869 1,781 Atiu .. .. .. .. 682 600 1,282 Mauke .. .. .. 448 408 856 Mitiaro .. .. .. 174 145 319 Penrhyn .. .. .. 288 273 561 Manihiki .. .. .. 296 291 587 Rakahanga .. .. .. 186 166 352 Pukapuka .. .. .. 377 346 723 Palmerston .. .. .. 32 34 66 Totals.. .. .. 7,537 6,969 14,506

Death-rate Year ending Slst March, Deaths. Births. per 1,000 Live Births. 1940-41 .. .. .. 11 221 49-7 1941-42 .. .. .. 22 214 102-8 1942-43 .. .. .. 22 231 95-2 1943-44 .. .. .. 19 163 116-5 1944.-45 .. .. .. 15 199 75-4

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VIIL EDUCATION The work of the Department is in charge of an Education Officer from New Zealand, assisted by 7 European teachers and 115 local teachers and trainees. There are twenty-four schools in the Group. Eleven are directly controlled by the Administration, seven are London Missionary Society, and six are Roman Catholic Mission schools. The Administration assists education in the Northern Group by subsidizing the local Mission schools.

The following are the schools, with the numbers of pupils attending each in the years shown : —

The Education Officer paid three visits to all Administration and Catholic Mission schools in the Lower Group and also visited all schools in the Northern Group once during 1939. In each subsequent year the Education Officer visited all Administration schools and Catholic Mission schools in the Lower Group. During 1941 an Inspector of Native Schools from the New Zealand Education Department made a visit of inspection to the Cook Islands. All schools in Rarotonga and the Lower Group were inspected, and the Inspector's report showed that there had been a distinct advance in education since the inspectional visit of four years before. The school population has fluctuated slightly during the last four years, but attendances have been regular throughout the period. Since 1937 close attention has been paid to the training of Native teachers. In that year two examinations were planned— (1) The Student Teachers' Examination (2) The Cook Islands Teachers' Certificate Examination.

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Roll Numbers. Island. School. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. (a) Government Schools Rarotonga .. .. Avarua (including Euro- 390 390 415 432 pean side school) Arorangi .. .. 235 258 273 280 Ngatangiia .. .. 210 225 209 216 Titikaveka .. .. 191 187 196 188 Aitutaki .. .. .. Araura .. .. 481 465 512 562 Atiu .. .. .. Atiu .. .. .. 224 220 216 204 Mangaia .. .. .. Oneroa .. .. 223 221 223 218 Ivirua .. .. .. 116 109 105 106 Tamarua . . . . 78 68 71 68 Mauke Mauke 156 157 161 172 Pukapuka .. .. Pukapuka .. 176 168 166 143 2,480 2,468 2,547 2,589 (6) London Missionary Society Schools Mitiaro .. .. .. Mitiaro .. . . 60 I 63 40 38 Manihiki .. .. Tukao .. 24 I 26 18 22 Tauhunu .. .. 66 65 54 52 Rakahanga .. . . Rakahanga . . . . 64 61 64 64 Penrhyn .. .. .. Omoka .. . . 77 75 89 89 Tetautua .. .. 66 66 69 18 Palmerston .. .. Palmerston .. .. 34 34- 34 21 391 390 368 304 (c) Roman Catholic Mission Schools Rarotonga .. St. Joseph's Convent .. 152 153 162 169 Atiu .. .. .. Atiu Catholic .. .. 50 52 61 58 Mauke .. .. .. Mauke Catholic .. 44 43 46 43 Manihiki .. .. Tukao Catholic .. .. 20 20 22 20 Tauhunu Catholic .. 16 16 9 8 Rakahanga .. .. Rakahanga Catholic .. 33 33 19 8 315 317 319 306 Grand totals .. .. .. .. 3,186 3,175 3,234 3,199

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The Student Teachers' Examination was held for the first time in 1939 and has been held annually since then, except in 1942, when, the schools were closed for three months owing to an epidemic of measles. The following results have been obtained : Student Teachers' Examination :— Qualified. Qualified. 1939 .. .. 17 1943 .. .. .. 8 1940 .. .. ..18 1944 .. .. .. ..10* 194 1.8 — 1942 .. .. .. — Total .. .. .. .. 71| * Papers from Aitutaki, Atiu, and Mangaia not yet marked. f 12 of these have left the Service. The Teachers' Certificate Examination was first held in 1943, and the following results have been obtained :— Full Passes. Partial Passes. 1943 . . .. . . .. .. 7 22 1944 .. .. . . .. .. 6 9 Totals .. .. . . .. .. 13 31 Papers for 1944 from Aitutaki, Atiu, and Mangaia have still to be assessed. In 1941, 26 Native teachers qualified for the St. John Ambulance Association's Certificate in First Aid, and in 1943 a further 13 teachers obtained the same certificate. Two refresher courses for Native teachers were held in 1937. A course covering specific subjects was conducted in 1939, and a course is planned for April, 1945. Serious damage to school buildings has been done on several occasions by hurricanes, but all buildings have been re-erected and improved. Additional class-rooms have been built in several islands, largely with the voluntary help of the Native people, who are all eager to have their children receive the benefits of education. All school buildings throughout the Group have been kept in repair, and minor improvements and additions are continually being made. A building has been erected at Arorangi School, Rarotonga, where four female student teachers are being trained in domestic science and homecraft. Similar buildings will be erected at the other schools in Rarotonga, so that when these girls are fully trained they can take charge of classes. Trainees will be obtained later from the outer islands so that the scheme will ultimately embrace all islands in the Group. IX. JUDICIAL ORGANIZATION The Cook Islands Act, 1915, prescribes the judiciary for the Group. There are a Judge and a Commissioner of the High Court in Rarotonga, and these officers also hold similar positions in the Native Land Court. The Resident Agents of the outer islands are Commissioners of the High Court. High Court actions are summarized hereunder :— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Civil judgments: Rarotonga .. 46 34 50 60 Divorces granted: Whole Group 20 10 26 15 Criminal convictions : Rarotonga 1,572 1,197 1,360 1,401 Native Land Court proceedings were as follows :— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Applications heard .. .. 121 153 165 124 Orders made .. .. ..88 158 161 115 Applications outstanding— Rarotonga .. .. 367 389 389 401 Outer islands .. .. 673 685 702 738 X. POLICE

Details of police establishment as at 31st March, 1945

The conduct of the Force lias been good, and there are no special problems. Statistics appear under the preceding heading IX, and are contained in the separate reports on outer islands in following pages,

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Offioer. Shan't. Sel « eante - Constables. Total. Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 1 1 1 7 10 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 6 7 Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 5 (i Atiu .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 5 G Mauke .. .. .. .. .. .. ] 3 4 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 2 3 Manihiki .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Rakahanga .. .. .. .. .. 1 .. 2 3 Penrhyn .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Pukapuka .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Ton islands .. .. .. 1 2 6 39 48

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XI. SHIPPING A service to the Group, including Niue, has been maintained in recent years by the N.Z.G.M.V. " Maui Pomare," but as the cargo capacity of this vessel is inadequate for the quantities of oranges offering during normal seasons, which are from April to September, occasional calls have been made by larger vessels. Orange production is a shipping problem on two grounds : — (i) Fruit cargoes have a relatively low value per cubic ton, so that the income derived by growers from full outward cargoes does not produce correspondingly full cargoes of imports in return : (ii) The seasonal nature of the earnings causes cargoes to be slight both ways during the residue of the year. Thus the " Maui Pomarc," while not large enough for the peak of the orange season, is not fully loaded on return voyages or at any time during the offseason. During the orange season preference has been given to oranges, and a little space has been available for the carriage of tomatoes, but bananas have not been able to be carried. This has discouraged banana production. Only one other vessel has been available to maintain a regular islands trade from New Zealand, and as it has been barely able to cope with the demands of the Fiji-Samoa-Tonga area, with a population of some 320,000, it would not have been economic to divert it one thousand miles eastward for the production of 18,700 people scattered among twelve islands of the Cook Group. Now that war limitations on the availability of shipping are becoming less severe, immediate study is being given to means whereby shipping for the Cook Islands may be improved. The frequent engine troubles that previously attended the operations of the " Maui Pomare " were fully overcome by the installation of new engines, which have functioned satisfactorily since recommissioning in April, 1942. The " Maui Pomare " has, nevertheless, operated at a loss, which must be regarded as inevitable in the service in which she has been engaged, for reasons explained above. The vessel was brought into service in 1928 in order to institute for Western Samoa a banana trade, and that has been most successfully developed. Since 1942 the " Maui Pomare " has been engaged in operations which are entirely different from those for which she was built. The vessel now maintains contact with remote, widely separated islands, carrying small cargoes over long distances. It is not to be expected that she could earn profits in circumstances where her primary purpose has been one of service to islands whose cargo problems have been described. Nevertheless, the value of her services to the islands during the war years has been immeasurable. The following are statistics of passengers and cargoes carried during 1944 : — Passengers— To and from New Zealand .. .. .. .. ■ • 392 Inter-island .. . . . . .. . ■ • • • • 130 Cargo — Copra .. .. .. . • • • • • .. 1,186 tons. Bananas .. .. . ■ ■ ■ • • • • .. 6,407 cases. Parcel mails .. .. .. ■ • • ■ • • 2,256 bags. Citrus fruits .. .. .. • • ■ • .. 44,583 cases. Tomatoes .. .. .. .. .. •• •• 35,192 boxes. General .. .. .. .. •• •• •• 5,896 tons.

XII. METEOROLOGICAL

During the period under review several severe storms were experienced, and considerable damage was done to the various islands struck. The worst storms were — 19th to 24th February, 1942 : Heavy damage to Pukapuka, Nassau, Manihiki, Rakahanga, and Suwarrow. 10th March, 1943 : Heavy damage at Rarotonga, less serious at Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro. 15th December, 1943 : Moderate damage at Palmerston and all Lower Group islands except Mangaia. 31st January, 1944 : Very heavy damage at Mangaia, less serious damage at all other islands in the Lower Group. Unusually calm and dry weather was experienced during the hurricane season from January, 1944, to March, 1945,

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1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. Total rainfall (inches) .. .. .. 56-88 76-99 79-59 64-76 Number of rainy days .. .. .. 115 131 112 116 Highest for any day (inches) .. .. 4-59 3-79 4-76 2-85 Date .. .. •• •• •• 21st Jan. 5th Oct. 14th Oct. 22nd Feb. Highest temperature (°F.) .. .. 87-5 89-5 88 87 Date .. .. •• •• •• 16th Nov. 31st Mar. 27th Feb. 9th Mar. Lowest temperature (°F.) .. .. 59 61 56 57 Date .. .. •• •• 8th Sept. 9 th Sept. 1st Sept. 12th Aug. Mean of maximum thermometer (°F.) .. 79-08 81-3 81-4 80-0 Mean of minimum thermometer (°F.) .. 70-24 71-2 70-4 69-0

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XIII. PUBLIC WORKS New Works. An air strip, 5,000 ft. in length, has been constructed at Rarotonga by the New Zealand Public Works Department and is now in operation. A tuberculosis sanatorium is in course of erection by the same Department. Roads. —The main road round the island of Rarotonga was damaged on several occasions by heavy storms, but repairs were promptly effected and the road has been maintained in good order. During the last year the formation and condition of the main road has been greatly improved by the use of modern equipment brought for the construction of the air strip. Subsidiary roads were maintained and parts of the old main road were reopened. Water-suppli/.—All intakes and supply systems have been kept m good order throughout the period under review. New water-tanks have been constructed in several outer islands. Buildings. —Administration offices and residences have been repaired and repainted where necessary, and all buildings are in good condition. An additional room and strong room for the Native Land Court have been built on to the main administration office building. A new room has been built on to the wireless station to house the new batteries. Additional Native-style class-rooms have been erected at all schools. Main buildings suffered only minor damage during heavy storms, but smaller buildings and outbuildings in some instances were blown down or otherwise damaged ; all have been restored or repaired. . , . Drainage.—By the use of modern plant from the air strip a large drain has been opened 111 Avarua, thus providing an outlet for storm-water, which formerly flooded the low-lying area inland of the main road. "Bridges.—Several small bridges destroyed or damaged by heavy storms have been rebuilt or repaired. One old wooden bridge has been replaced by a concrete culvert. XIV. AGRICULTURE The heavy storms experienced in March and December, 1943, and in January, 1944, inflicted severe damage on export and food crops in all islands. Assistance towards the rehabilitation of banana and orange plantations was granted by the New Zealand Government, but, though an attempt was made to restore the banana plantations after the storm of March, 1943, several factors combined to limit replantings after the later storms. Between March, 1942, and March, 1943, 90,000 banana shoots were planted, but most of these plantings were wiped out by the hurricane in March, 1943. In the following year 42,000 shoots were planted, but severe damage was sustained in the later storms. The banana-growing industry is at a low ebb, partly because a more attractive means of income has been offered by a temporary demand for Native handicrafts, but in the main owing to the irregularity of shipping opportunities. It is natural that regular monthly shipments are necessary to interest growers. Oranges are the prime export from the Lower Group islands, but deterioration of the trees has become evident in Rarotonga and is also beginning to show in outer islands. To rehabilitate the orangegrowing industry in Rarotonga a citrus-replanting scheme was instituted in 1940 providing for assistance to growers in establishing 1 acre plots of 90 trees. During 1940-41, twenty-four plots were planted under the scheme, and a further twenty-one plots were planted in the following three years ; during the same period 10 acres were planted without assistance under the scheme. Of these fifty-five plots, twenty-six are in very good or good condition, fourteen are only fair, and fifteen are in a poor to hopeless state. A scheme for the establishment of one hundred plots each of ninety trees, under the direct control of the Administration, has now been launched. Large quantities of tomatoes have been plan-ted each year, principally in Rarotonga, and those growers who have been fortunate enough to have fruit available when shipping opportunities occurred have received very large returns for their produce.

LOWER COOK ISLANDS Aitutaki

Apart from minor epidemics, the health of the people has been good ; the island has been particularly fortunate in that United States Army Medical Officers have taken a keen interest in the health of the Native people and have done an appreciated amount of surgical and medical work among them. Education was disorganized for a brief period owing to the school buildings being taken over by the United States Forces. Temporary accommodation was arranged, but now that the Forces have vacated the school premises the dispersed schools have been closed and Araura School is again functioning. Native-style buildings left by the Forces are being utilized as additional class-rooms. Administration buildings have been kept in good repair, and the roads haye been greatly improved by the United States Forces. By the combined efforts of the people three culverts have been rebuilt in solid rock. The cottage hospital has been enlarged by the erection of a Native-type new ward ; additional fruit-gassing rooms have also been erected; thirteen new tanks ha,v£ been constructed to augment the water-supply.

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__ 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .. .. 15 21 13 12 Cases of oranges shipped .. .. .. 16,699 5,770 8,997 High Court oases dealt with .. .. 179 334 571 358

A.—3

Arrowroot for export and native food crops have again been extensively planted, and the Island Council and leading members of the community have combined to conduct systematic inspections of food plantations. Aitutaki and Penrhyn were the only two of the Cook Islands garrisoned with United States Forces, and the economic and social effects were therefore limited to a comparatively small proportion of the population of the Group. Actually the Natives concerned were unable, for the most part, to adopt a different standard of living, since goods were not available in sufficient quantity or diversity ; in consequence, Post Office savings-bank deposits have increased, and savings have been made which will be most useful in less prosperous times. The bulk of the United States troops have now moved to forward areas. In Aitutaki and Penrhyn nearly every available able-bodied man was for a time employed on the construction of airports. These projects were supervised by United States construction engineers, the work being performed by New Zealand workmen and local labour. It was inevitable, in these circumstances, that the planting of domestic foodstuffs should receive insufficient attention, but one day a week was appointed for planting, and as far as possible employment was restricted to those persons who had complied with instructions in this respect. Readjustment is almost complete, and the situation in both islands is now practically normal. With the gradual reduction in the strength of the Forces and in employment the people have returned to their usual vocations. It is of interest to record that a number of Maoris refused to submit claims for compensation in respect of loss of trees and crops destroyed for roads and other projects. Compensation has been paid in Aitutaki for trees and crops destroyed, and consideration is at present being given to the basis upon which the New Zealand Government will award compensation for land in use for air strips and installations.

Atiu

With the exception of a measles epidemic in 1942, the health of the people has been consistently good. Additions and improvements have been made at the cottage hospital and the nurse's home. At the school three new class-rooms have been erected, and three which were blown down or otherwise damaged by the hurricane in March, 1943, have now been rebuilt or repaired. The landing passage has been widened, and the landing itself, which suffered severe damage from heavy storms, has been repaired and improved. Several small tanks have been erected to supplement the watersupply. Native food and orange plantations were damaged by hurricane within the period under review, but the food plantations have been restored and the level of planting is being well maintained.

Mauke

The general health of the people has been good ; mild epidemics of measles and influenza occurred in 1942. Women's committees see that houses and villages are kept clean and tidy, and the Resident Agent, with the Island Council and the women's committees, regularly inspect the villages and homes. Storm damage has been repaired, and all Administration buildings, water-tanks, and the roads have been maintained in good condition. Bush roads to the orange plantations have been widened and extended. A large tank has been erected ; additional gassing-rooms and a new garage for the Administration trucks have been built. Continuous planting of food crops in rotation is enforced ; considerable damage was done by storms, but shoots of food plants were sent across from other islands, and the food plantations have been fully restored.

Mitiaro

10

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .. .. 12 8 8 12 Cases of oranges exported .. .. 29,437 11,176 7,841 11,801 High Court cases dealt with .. .. 320 465 533 448 I

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .. .. 11 8 11 10 Cases of oranges exported .. .. 16,961 9,196 10,101 9,097 High Court cases dealt with .. .. 244 85 141 80

—t- 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .. .. 3 5 5 6 High Court oases dealt with .. .. 48 .. 53

A.—3

The general health of the population has been good, but the food shortage resulting from the damage done to native food crops by the hurricane early in 1943, although relieved on several occasions from Rarotonga, was reflected in the physical condition of the people. Unwise use of the foodstuffs sent, and poor methods employed in the restoration of food plots with the shoots sent from Rarotonga and other islands, were largely responsible for the delay in recovery. An agricultural foreman with new supplies of shoots for planting was sent across to Mitiaro in. 1944, and during his stay there he instructed the people in better methods of agriculture. The food plantations are now fully restored. The citrus crop is too small for shipment to New Zealand, but the oranges are sold each year for the manufacture of juice in Rarotonga.

Mangaia

The health of the people has in general been good ; outbreaks of influenza occurred in March, 1943, and in January, 1944 and 1945. Chicken-pox was epidemic in February, 1945, and the Oneroa School was closed for two weeks over the end of March, 1945, on this account. A Child Welfare Association was formed in June, 1944 ; the co-operation of the mothers has been enlisted, and 222 children are now brought for examination and advice throughout the island. Mangaia suffered the heaviest damage in the group during the hurricane of 31st January, 1944 ; many homes were blown down or rendered untenable, and the cottage hospital, several class-rooms at all schools, and district cargo and packing-sheds were destroyed ; extensive damage was done to other Administration buildings, the roads, and to orange and food plantations. All buildings have been rebuilt, and all damage has been repaired, with the exception of the large cargo-shed at Oneroa and the guest house at the Residency, for which materials are on order. The people have worked very well on the restoration of their homes, villages, and food plantations with excellent results. Owing to hurricane damage only one shipment of oranges was made during 1944, but the trees have recovered and there will be a large crop for export during 1945 ; arrangements are in hand to provide an extra vessel to ensure that the crop is all shipped. A residence for a European head teacher has been built and, except for minor items the materials for which are on order, the house is ready for occupation. Several small water-tanks have been erected.

NORTHERN COOK ISLANDS Penrhyn

The health of the people was satisfactory in 1941, but in 1942 there were epidemics of measles, chicken-pox, gastro-enteritis, and influenza. Gastro-enteritis and gastric influenza were prevalent throughout 1943, but, as the result of clearing up the villages and other sanitary measures taken, the general health improved in 1944. In 1943 a complete survey of the island led to the discovery of 20 new cases of leprosy ; these, with the 10 patients already at the Te Sauma Leper Concentration Hospital and 2 from Rarotonga, were sent to Makogai, Fiji, in November, 1943. There are now no patients at Te Sauma. Reference to the construction of the aerodrome at Pcnrhyn and the import of the arrival of a United States Military Force has been made under the heading of Aitutaki. In Penrhyn, too, the people are settling back satisfactorily into their normal habits of life. The schools are conducted by the London Missionary Society and subsidized by the Administration ; during 1944 the Native pastors, who are also the head teachers, were replaced by two new pastors who were given a preliminary course of instruction in teaching before proceeding to Penrhyn. Materials and plans for the construction of three 10,000-gallon tanks were sent to Penrhyn in December, 1944 ; one tank has been completed, one is nearing completion, and the tank for Tetautua will be erected during 1945. A building taken over from the United States Forces has been re-erected on a concrete floor for use as a cottage hospital.

Manihiki

11

j 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .... 8 6 4 6 Cases of oranges exported .. .. 23,537 5,551 19,917 3,707 Higli Court cases dealt with .. .. 313 649 371 572

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .. .. 3 3 4 « 3 High Court cases dealt with .. .. 160 160 137 58

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .... 4 9 5 4 Tons of copra exported .. .. .. 90 78| 184 111 I High Court cases dealt with .. .. 138 85 132 48

A.—3

The health of the people has been good, although mild influenza epidemics occurred in December, 1943, and February, 1944. Regular inspections of the schools and villages are made by the Native Medical Practitioner. A dispensary has been built, the courthouse veranda has been extended, and the landing has been improved by the construction of a small concrete jetty. Attention has been paid to the planting and care of coconut and puraka lands ; breadfruit and banana trees have been planted where possible, and attempts are being made to grow other food crops. Shoots are sent from Rarotonga when required and when direct shipping opportunities occur.

Rakahanga

The health of the people has been good ; an epidemic of measles occurred in 1942. The Native Medical Practitioner stationed at Manihiki visits Rakahanga when possible, gives treatments, medicines, &c., and inspects the villages. The Health Committee also inspects the houses and the villages at regular intervals. A 6,000-gallon tank has been erected, and the roads, tanks, and wells have been kept clean and in good repair. Serious damage to puraka lands was caused by the hurricane in February, 1942, owing to invasion by the sea. The land has been slow to recover, but new shoots of puraka, kumara, bananas, and breadfruit were sent and food plantations are now thriving.

Pukapuka

Public health has been satisfactory and there have been no epidemics. Attempts are being made by the Resident Agent and Island Council to clean up the villages and to improve sanitary conditions. Medical advice has been given by radio when required, and a European Medical Officer visited the island in 1944. The hurricane of February, 1942, severely damaged the villages and also the coconut-trees and other food crops. Supplies of foodstuffs were sent to relieve distress as well as supplies of shoots of food plants to restore the plantations. Shoots are sent whenever possible, and the food plantations have been gradually rehabilitated. Copra is again being produced, and Native mats and sennit are also being made and sold. Palmekston 'Che health of the small population has been good ; medical advice has been given by radio when required, but it has not been possible for a Medical Officer to visit the island for some years. The island lies out of the path of the local trading schooner, and communication has been maintained by a sma.ll ketch, which makes irregular visits. A small business in dried fish has been established, and a small quantity of timber and a few Native mats and hats have also been shipped to Rarotonga. Palmerston has been struck by hurricanes on several occasions, and only now are the people commencing to make copra again. NIUE Niue Island is situated in latitude 19° south and longitude 169° 48" west, somewhat west of the centre of the irregular triangle formed by Samoa, Tonga, and the lower Cook Islands. The island is flat, and nowhere exceeds an elevation of 200 ft. It has an area of 100 square miles. A road 37 miles long runs round the coast, and there are others totalling approximately 30| miles. The island consists of upheaved coral rock and is not very fertile owing to lack of soil, a deficiency which is aggravated by occasional dry periods. There are no running streams, and the water-supply depends on rain-water, which is stored in tanks. The climate is mild and equable ; the mean annual temperature during the last thirty-three years was 76-8° Fahrenheit, and the average annual rainfall for a similar period 79-08 in. The Native population as at 31st March, 1945, was 4,165. The island became part of the Dominion in 1901, when, under the provisions of the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895, the boundaries of New Zealand were extended to include the Cook Islands. Although part of the Cook Islands, Niue has a separate administration in charge of Resident Commissioner. With other Islands, it is now under the control of the Minister of Island Territories.

12

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .... 4 8 5 4 Tons of copra exported .. .. .. 108 36 164f 86| Higli Court cases dealt with .. .. 39 147 57 39

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Shipping calls during year .... 1 2 4 1 Tons of copra exported .. .. .. BO 3 .. 70 High Court cases dealt with .. .. 94 27 3 33

A.—3

General Administration Laws are made by Act of the New Zealand Parliament, or regulations issued thereunder, or by Ordinance passed by the local Islam! Council. This body meets periodically under the presidency of the Resident Commissioner, and consists at present of thirteen Native members appointed by the Governor-General, and representing all villages. The only legislative measures enacted especially for Niue since the last report were the Niue Fish Amendment Ordinance 1943, the Niue Fish Amendment Ordinance 1943, No. 2, and the Niue iruit Control Regulations 1945 (Serial No. 1945/12). The last-mentioned provided regulations for the conduct by the local Administration of the export of bananas and kumaras, which has continued for some years. The Resident Commissioner, Mr. J. P. McMahon-Box, retired on account of ill health on 24th November, 1943. Mr. C. H. W. Larsen was appointed Acting Resident Commissioner on 28th December, 1943, and Resident Commissioner with effect from 14th April, 1944. Visit The Right Hon. the Prime Minister and party paid an official visit to Niue on Tuesday, 2nd -January, 1945. The party proceeded by car through every village on the island, and calls were made at the Lord Liverpool Hospital and various schools. Postal and Radio

These services, as in the other Cook Islands, are maintained to New Zealand standards. Business dealt with at Niue has been as follows :—

Note.—Other Post Office Savings-bank details arc not available, as accounts are kept with those of the Auckland district and are not segregated. Public Finance

A comparative statement of revenue and expenditure from 1940-41 is shown below : —

Trade Higher returns for copra and an increase in the amount exported have played an important part in swelling the trade figures in recent years. Increases in the value of bananas, baskets, and table mats exported, and greater imports of biscuits, cotton goods, tobacco, and motor-cars also contributed to a record total trade figure for the calendar year 1943. A storm early in 1944 did much destruction to crops, and caused the full kumara crop to be consumed for food. Statistics for the past five calendar years are as follow

13

1941-42. 1942-43. j 11)43-44. 1944-45. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Money-orders issued .. .. .. 6,518 5 3 8,765 12 1 5,799 2 9 1,931 18 10 Money-orders paid .. .. •• 545 6 4 681 4 11 1,675 5 0 2,081 15 11 Post Office Savings-bank deposits .. 3,150 1 0 4,043 11 0 3,968 12 0 3,096 12 0 Post Office Savings-bank withdrawals .. 297 7 1 195 14 0 262 10 6 696 6 6 Number of radio messages handled .. 861 1,048 1,515 1,755

_ . I „ Subsidy from Pinal Surplus Year. Revenue. Expenditure. Deficit. New z^aland _ or Defioit _ £ £ £ £ £ 1940-41 .. 7,580 13,628 6,048 5,000 —1,048 1941-42 .. 6,465 17,201 10,736 10,000 - 736 1942-43 .. .. 11,252 16,397 5,145 10,000 +4,855 1943-44 . .. 10,342 18,187 7,845 10,000 +2,155 1944-45 .. 12,096 18,900 6,804 10,000 +3,196

Imports Values. Exports Values. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1940. 1941. 1942. 1943. >044. £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ New Zealand .. 16,016 13,561 23,541 29,881 25,140 16,994 11,149 18,644 29,908 21,909 Australia .. .. 550 699 584 223 871 .. 9 828 298 1,307 United Kingdom .. 715 332 235 115 2,453 •. . • • • ■ • • * U.S.A. •• •• 810 899 1,995 1,692 181 Western Samoa .. 44 212 .. 140 1,106 67 15 1,249 527 Other .. .. 1,618 1,124 86 19 303 3,177* .. 1,620 .. 35 Totals .. 19,753 16,827 26,444 32,070 30,054 20,238 11,173 22,341 30,733 23,231 * Copra to Mexico.

A.—3

Quantities and Values of Principal Exports

Medical and Public Health The staff consists of a European Medical Officer, one Native Medical Practitioner (011 loan from Western Samoa), one European Matron, and three Nine nurses. The European Dental Officer from Western Samoa has visited the island 011 two occasions, and two Niuean cadets are at present in training at the Dental Clinic at Apia. All medical or dental treatment of Natives, either in their own villages or at the hospital, is provided free of charge.

The following summary shows the amounts expended on health services in recent years :—

The following is a summary of the work performed at the hospital, but, in addition, each village is visited weekly by the Medical Officer, and at such other times as he is summoned:—

A visit by the Dental Officer attached to the Samoan Administration was made from December, 1943, to January, 1944. All school-children, and many adults in all villages were examined and treated where necessary. The Dental Officer was accompanied by the two Niuean dental trainees, who returned with him to Western Samoa for further training.

14

1940. 1941. 1942. | 1943. 1944. Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Tons. £ Copra .. .. 442 4,236 50 336 338 4,091 422 8,543 617 13,274 Cases. Cases. Cases. Cases. Cases. Bananas .. .. 16,475 6,680 2,287 943 9,847 4,207 15,473 8,049 1,200 626 Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Tons. Kumara .. .. 75 1,414 210 2,871 474 6,509 113 J ,363 Nil Native plaited ware .. £7,419 £6,460 £7,434 £12,692 £8,977

1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. Amount expended .. .. .. £3,050 £3,755 £3,900 £3,656 Population .. .. .. .. 4,468 4,434 4,242 4,200 Amount per head of population .... .. 13s. 8d. 16s. lid. 18s. 5d. 17s. 5d.

1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. (1) Infectious Diseases— (a) Tuberculosis .. .. . .. 20 30 28 11 (b) Gonorrhoea .. .. .. .. 21 45 107 21 (c) Yaws .. .. .. 905 939 863 713 (d) Pneumonia and broncho-pneumonia .. 4 7 178 25 (e) Conjunctivitis .. .. 103 128 156 17 (/) Ring-worm .. . . .. . . 109 133 418 37 (y) Varicella .. .. .. . . 2 7 16 1 (h) Typhoid 1 27 33 15 (i) Leprosy .. .. .. .. 2 2 2 1 (j) Infectious jaundice .. .. .. — — — 78 (2) Endemic Diseases— (а) Filariasis . . .. .. Very Very Very 207 prevalent prevalent prevalent (б) Myositis tropica .. .. .. 6 3 10 6 (3) Hospital and Dispensary— Admissions for year .. .. .. 173 118 116 76 Average number of days in hospital per patient 28-98 123 '39 32-5 28-0 Daily average bed state .. .. .. 13-94 39-88 9-95 8-13 District out-patients .. .. .. 19,814 21,422 29,062 29,811 Dispensary out-patients .. .. .. 2,794 2,365 1,802 2,984 Special visits .. .. .. 613 1,661 4,421 2,124 Special district visits .. .. .. 725 773 1,432 1,770 In-patient dressings .. .. .. 7,243 2,047 1,296 783 Out-patient dressings .. .. .. 18,223 12,431 10,663 6,817 Operations .. .. .. .. 30 10 Nil 75 Dental extractions .. .. .. 131 136 134 130 Injections, N.A.B., T.A.B., &c 4,527 3,869 10,159 844 Confinements .. .. .. • • 23 15 18 23 Anaesthetics — General .. .. .. .. 23 8 10 — Local .. .. .. .. .. 116 120 220 149

A.—3

In December, 1943, the Samoan Administration made available a Samoan Native Medical Practitioner on loan for a period of two years. Two Niuean medical trainees who were sent to the Central Medical School in Suva in 1942 and in 1943 had to be returned without completing their studies owing to lack of satisfactory progress or poor health. Two Niuean boys are now attending the Wanganui Technical College at the cost of Government with the purpose of qualifying at least one of them for admission to the Suva Medical School. There were outbreaks of endemic influenza in July and October, 1942, and a number of cases of ' typhoid during the same year. The typhoid, however, was restricted to three villages. Further typhoid . occurred in the first half of 1943. A more serious visitation was a virulent and widespread form of mixed influenza, which continued sporadically from June, 1943, until June, 1944. There were 2,351 cases, and 129 deaths. The first ' cases occurred twelve days after the most recent visit of a vessel. It had arrived free of infection from Apia, where no epidemic occurred. Infectious jaundice also became common during 1944. There were 78 cases and 25 deaths. Education The work of this Department is in charge of a Headmaster from New Zealand, assisted by 56 Niuean teachers and trainees. The Administration maintains three schools, and also pays a subsidy of £500 per annum to the local London Missionary Society, which has nine smaller schools in villages where there are no Government schools.

Roll Numbers

Judicial Organization The Cook Islands Act, 1915, prescribes the judiciary for the Cook Islands, including Niue. At Niue the Resident Commissioner is Judge of the High Court and the Native Land Court, and another officer is a Commissioner of both Courts. The following proceedings were dealt with for the period under review :—

High Court

Offences are usually of a comparatively minor nature. During 1941, however, a temporary series of burglaries, combined in two cases with arson, made it advisable to transfer six prisoners to Western Samoa to serve their sentences there. The Native Land Court commenced operations in 1941. Owing to the need for services of officers on war work there were no sittings in 1943 and 1944. The Court has now been re-established.

Population The following table shows changes in population since the last census in 1936: —

15

1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. Administration schools .. .. .. .. 656 740 778 686 London Missionary Society schools .. .. 363 370 388 427 Totals .. .. .. .. .. 1,019 1,110 1,166 1,113

1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. Criminal convictions .. .. .. .. 760 593 539 566 Civil judgments .. .. .. .. .. 2 6 1 3 Divorces granted .. .. .. .. 7 9 12 7

Births. Deaths. Arrivals. Departures. Population as at x .list Decernber. Year. M. F. Total. M. F. Total. M. F. Total. M. F. Total. M, F. Total. 1936 .. 76 64 140 34 40 74 10 9 19 29 19 48 2,000 2,121 4,121 1937 .. 77 75 152 36 44 80 49 41 90 37 31 68 2,053 2,162 4,215 1938 .. 83 69 152 37 52 89 64 49 113 65 50 115 2,098 2,178 4,276 1939 .. 89 59 148 41 36 77 24 19 43 62 43 105 2,108 2,177 4,285 1940 .. 77 69 146 25 34 59 51 39 90 23 15 38 2,188 2,236 4,424 1941 .. 75 76 151 40 37 77 11 7 18 36 12 48 2,198 2,270 4,4681942 .. 70 69 139 37 55 92 18 7 25 73 33 106 2,176 2,258 4,434 1943 .. 78 76 154 90 95 185 27 15 42 161 42 203 2,030 2,212 4 242 1944 .. 63 55 118 70 88 158 52 18 70 51 21 72 2,024 2,176 4 200

A.—3

In the years since a decrease of population appears, excess of departures over arrivals accounts for a decrease of 244. Niueans arc admitted to New Zealand free of restriction, and many have taken advantage of the attractive employment offering. Some 88 Niueans have also been employed in Western Samoa since the early part of 1943. The excess of deaths over births shows a natural decrease of 71 i during the last two years, due to the regrettable epidemic of mixed influenza which caused 129 deaths during 1943 and 1944. The table shows a steady natural increase to have been normal during preceding years.

Infant-mortality

These figures also were, unfortunately, affected by the influenza and infectious jaundice epidemics of 1943 and 1944. Public Works and Transport Since publication of the last report, all tanks, buildings, and other Administration property damaged during the 1941 storm have been repaired, and the cargo-shed which was demolished has been rebuilt entirely. Four underground reservoirs and sixteen tanks or cisterns have been constructed, and a 'new wireless station, with an additional room added later, has now replaced the previous small quarters. One wing and a class-room have been added to the Tufukia School, and an annex to the European staff quarters at the hospital. . . The boats used for lightering from overseas vessels were thoroughly overhauled during 1944, ana trucks and other motor-vehicles are receiving general overhaul as opportunity offers. During 1941-42 a large portion of the road connecting Mutalau and Avatele round the east side of the island was surfaced with coral rock. Owing to increasing difficulties m securing supplies of benzine, little road work has been done lately, and after recent drought conditions priority has been given to water-supply construction.

Meteorological

I I ! ! The very low rainfall in 1941 resulted in semi-drouglit conditions practically the whole year, and this had a serious effect on crops and vegetation. , , A heavy storm swept over the island on 31st January, 1944. Fortunately, no lives were lost and damage to property was slight. Coconuts and bananas, however, suffered considerably, resulting m reduced exports for several months. Shipping The N.Z.G.M.V. " Maui Pomare " has maintained a fairly regular service to the island, supplemented by occasional calls of larger vessels. Government schooners have also called at intervals to lift cargoes of copra.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (505 copies), £35)

By Authority: E. V, Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1945,

Price. Oil.]

16

1041. 1942. 1943. 1944. Total births .. • • • ■ • ■ • • Deaths under one year of age .. .. ■■ * Infant deaths per 100 births .. .. •• 2'65 10-07 14-29 13-56

1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. Total rainfall (inches) .. •• 50-67 71-35 j r '''' Number of rainy days .. .. 11+ 1*9 140 Highest for any day (inches) .. 6-04 6-15 -94 • Da te .. .. .. 2nd Mar. 20th Sept. 20th Oct. 29th Jan. Highest temperature (°F.) .. 94-0 92-0 ir | 11, lz, 14:, lo, -yj 25, Date 30th Mar. 26th Jan. and 25 Feb. | ; nd ' 28 Mar. 3 Nov. v Lowest temperature (°F.) .. •• 60-0 60-0 oa+w ° Date .. .. .. 26th Aug. 10th Oct. 17th July 28th Aug. Mean of maximum thermometer (°F.) 83-9 83-1 !' Mean of minimum thermometer (°F.) 69 -8 70-3 69 • 77