COOK ISLANDS [In continuation of parliamentary paper A-3, 1945]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1946 Session I, A-03

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1946 NEW Z E ALAND

COOK ISLANDS [In continuation of parliamentary paper A-3, 1945]

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

MEMORANDUM Wellington, 30th July, 1946. I submit the report of the administration of the Government of the Cook Islands, including Niue, for the year ended 31st March, 1946. Two outstanding facts appear in respect of the islands other than Niue : (i) The number of Cook Islands Maori depositors in the Post Office Savings-bank at Rarotonga at 31st March was 4,026. This is almost double the number recorded on 31st March, 1942, i.e., 2,113, which at that date was a record high figure. The total amount of their deposits is now over three times as much as in 1942, i.e., £60,670, as compared with £19,006. (ii) In 1938 the percentage of imports comprising foodstuffs was 29-5. In 1945 the value of foodstuffs was 42-2 per cent, of the total of all importations. In respect of Niue, the trade figures show that in 1938 the value of foodstuffs was 28 per cent., and in 1945, 35-5 per cent., of the total imports. P. FRASER, Minister of Island Territories.

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I. INTRODUCTORY The Cook Islands were proclaimed a British Protectorate in 1888. On the 11th June, 1901, under the provisions of the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895, the Group was annexed to the. British Empire 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. Excluding Niue, the Cook Group comprises fifteen islands, which, with a total land area of a little under 100 square miles, are scattered over an ocean area of approximately 850,000 square miles. The Group is enclosed on the west and east by the 167 th and 156 th meridians of west longitude respectively and on the north and south by the Bth and 23rd parallels of south latitude. Penrhyn, 9 degrees south of the Equator, is the most northerly island, while Mangaia, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn, is the most southerly island. Niue is situated at S. 19 degrees, W. 169 degrees 48 minutes, and has itself an area of 100 square miles. The Cook Islands, other than Niue, divide naturally into the Southern or Lower Group and the Northern Group. Of the islands of the Lower Group, Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, and Mangaia are elevated and fertile, and these are the orange-producing islands, while Manuae and Takutea and the islands of the Northern Group, comprising Penrhyn, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, Palmerston, Nassau, and Suwarrow, are low-lying atolls. Rarotonga, the seat of administration, is 1,633 nautical miles from Auckland. The whole of the Group lies within the hurricane zone and a number of destructive storms has been experienced, the latest of which occurred in January, 1946. From December to March is the " hurricane season," and it is during these months that there is the possibility of severe storms. This is also the rainy season and the climate is hot and humid at this period. From April to November the climate in the Lower Group islands is mild and equable. The average temperature in Rarotonga during the last thirty-five years was 74 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average annual rainfall in Rarotonga during the same period was 83-7 in. On the 31st March, 1946, the Native population totalled 14,776, and, with 4,271 in Niue, the Native population of the Cook Islands was 19,047. The total population was 19,294. Rarotonga is well watered by creeks and streams and all villages are supplied with water by a reticulation system; all the outer islands 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 (The following report does not refer to Niue ; see page 17.) 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, of which there are ten. Ordinances 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 Rarotonga of elected, nominated, and ex officio members, and in the other islands of nominated and ex officio members. In practice, nominations are made only upon evidence of public choice, but amendments to law are under consideration with a view to providing that each Island Council shall consist only of ex officio and of elected members. In addition, it is hoped that during the 1946 session of Parliament measures will be introduced to provide for the formation of a Council of the whole of the Cook Islands, to contain elective representation.

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In January, 1946, representations were made for increases in rates of wages by waterfront workers at Rarotonga, who have intermittent employment when overseas vessels call Their requests were met in part, but as they were not wholly satisfied a tribunal was appointed, to be presided over by Mr. J. A. Gilmour, S.M. The tribunal was first intended to meet in March, but owing to travel restrictions occasioned by the occurrence of cases of poliomyelitis it was postponed, and met in June —i.e., after the period covered by this report. The following legislative measures have been enacted since the last report - In New Zealand —yi Statutes Amendment Act, 1945, section 13. The Cook Islands Finance Emergency Regulations, 1944, Amendment No. 1 (Serial number 1945/52). The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 6 (Serial number 1945/128). The Cook Islands Fruit Control Regulations 1937, Amendment No. 2 (Serial number 1946/32). The Cook Islands Quarantine (Aircraft) Regulations 1946 (Serial number 1946/38). In the Cook Islands — Nil. 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.8.E., A.M., and Lady Newall, accompanied by their staff, paid an official visit to the Cook Islands in August, 1945. Official visits were paid to the Group by the Assistant Secretary of War Pensions, the Director of Education, the Superintendent of Schools (Western Samoa), the DirectorGeneral of Health, the Director Division of Nursing, the Inspector-General South Pacific Health Service, the Public Service Commissioner, and Judge Harvey of the New Zealand Native Land Court, accompanied in several cases by officers of their respective Departments. 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. 1945-46. Money-orders issued Money-orders paid Post Office Savings-bank deposits . . Post Office Savings-bank withdrawals Number of depositors as at 31st March Amount held to their credit Number of Native depositors Amount held to their credit Number of radio messages handled £56,274 £6,681 £12,969 £14,249 2,230 £33,414 2,113 £19,006 4,698 £59,016 £8,003 £18,892 £14,060 2,487 £39,083 2,361 £23,105 6,778 £106,883 £27,210 £40,689 £23,629 3,173 £57,333 3,037 £39,929 7,895 £86,230 £23,024 £44,949 £26,470 3,676 £77,408 3,553 £44,780 9,170 £98,483 £13,640 £45,929 £38,150 4,145 £87,020 4,026 £60,670 12,125

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IV. PUBLIC FINANCE A comparative statement of revenue and expenditure since 1941-42 is shown hereunder:—

In addition to the subsidies shown, direct grants from New Zealand provided £48,992 in 1944-45 for an airfield at Rarotonga, and £20,275 in the two years, 1944-46, for a tuberculosis sanatorium ; a further £3,100 to complete the cost of the latter is to be provided in 1946-47. The following table gives details of revenue for each financial year for the past twenty years, together with expenditure on education, public health, and public works :

V. TRADE The figures for this year show decreases in the values of both exports and imports. Although orange shipments increased, the demand for Native handicrafts (principally " hula " skirts and shell necklets) fell off to approximately one-quarter of the value of the exports of this nature during the preceding year. Tomato shipments were approximately the same as in 1944, but the prices realized showed a substantial decrease, largely due to the fruit arriving in New Zealand later in the year. The total value of

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— Revenue. Expenditure. Deficit. Subsidy from New Zealand. Pinal Surplusor Deficit. £ £ £ £ £ 1941-42 25,395 46,951 21,556 24,000 ! + 2,444 1942-43 29,748 47,857 19,109 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 1945-46 48,133 86,123 37,990 43,669 + 5,679

Subsidies and Local Amount spent on Year. Grants from Expenditure. Revenue. New Zealand Education. Health. Public Works. £ £ £ £ £ £ 1925-26 11,589 22,768 33,416 8,163 7,119 7,384 1926-27 17,466 18,104 35,303 9,252 8,504 7,028 1927-28 16,544 18,998 34,488 8,793 7,995 4,310 1928-29 17,857 20,313 37,994 9,631 8,724 3,814 1929-30 16,919 19,107 34,739 8,613 7,331 4,368 1930-31 17,483 22,888 37,852 9,499 4,658 4,905 1931-32 17,464 25,430 40,582 7,730 5,534 5,217 1932-33 13,850 27,458 40,896 7,891 8,482 2,724 1933-34 11,013 25,518 38,744 8,800 8,155 2,742 * 1934-35 11,343 26,468 41,430 8,115 8,965 2,163 1935-36 15,568 24,989 40,692 8,786 6,548 2,093 1936-37 13,816 30,268 42,713 9,318 9,179 3,307 1937-38 • .. 11,000 45,599* 47,207 9,046 8., 326 3,827 1938-39 22,112 27,967 58,016 9,306 12,380 5,995 1939-40 24,000 24,943 53,204 8,993 10,069 4,937 1940-41 24,000 26,889 48,345 9,332 10,940 3,709 1941-42 24,000 25,395 46,951 9,513 10,795 4,975 1942-43 19,000 29,748 47,857 8,989 10,421 2,967 1943-44 27,000 40,818 59,798 9,846 10,116 5,504 1944-45f 80,201 40,228 67,770 10,707 16,202 10,153 1945-46$ 43,669 48,142 86,123 14,800 16,615 8,711 * Sale of new stamp issue accounted for increase of £16,705 over 1936-37 stamp sales. t £27,603 general services subsidy, £3,606 part cost of tuberculosis sanatorium, £48,992 airport at Rarotonga; total, £80,201. t £27,000 general services subsidy, £16,669 part cost tuberculosis sanatorium.

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exports, nevertheless, was the second highest for any year since the regular calls of trans-Pacific vessels at Rarotonga were discontinued. Principal statistics for the last five calendar years are given below :

Cook Islands other than Niue

Quantities and Values of Principal Exports

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—- 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Imports Values £ £ £ £ £ New Zealand 66,870 54,767 91,598 124,161 123,245 Australia 6,485 3,821 3,186 7,008 3,713 United Kingdom 5,378 3,815 3,043 17,768 11,693 Canada 729 166 58 622 135 United States of America 2,430 4,353 7,403 4,541 2,876 Other 5,176 1,867 1,917 1,130 2,408 - 87,068 68,789 107,205 155,230 144,070 Exports Values New Zealand 86,133 50,745 66,092 115,768 100,629 Australia 760 122 52 1,290 1,172 United Kingdom 25 5 Canada 18,063* United States of America 4^176 2,868 2^883 Other .. 284 373 6,025 6,879t 1,557 87,177 69,303 76,345 126,830 106,246 * Copra. t Hawaii, £3,472.

— 1941. 1942. 1943. Cases. £ Cases. £ Cases. £ Citrus fruit 124,508 60,588 52,763 26,905 45,352 25,925 Bananas 17,319 7,504 9,419 4,313 4,825 2,232 Boxes. Boxes. Boxes. Tomatoes 17,168 6,866 12,966 8,429 23,481 22,188 Handicrafts, grassware, 4,874 1,400 10,651 beads, &e. Tons. Tons. Tons. Copra 139 850 1,093 19,385 520 10,411 Gallons. Gallons. Gallons. • Orange-juice 15,937 3,586 20,214 l 3,891 4,294 1,482 1944. 1945. Cases. £ Cases. £ Citrus fruit 45,220 26,152 74,334 45,411 Bananas 2,298 1,154 3,136 1,574 Boxes. Boxes. Tomatoes 37,751 35,978 35,375 27,320 Handicrafts, grassware, 41,756 10,881 beads, &c Tons. Tons. Copra 747 15,269 563 12,936 Gallons. Gallons. Orange-juice 4,365 1,634 2,728 978

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VI. MEDICAL AND PUBLIC HEALTH 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 and the sanatorium. Native patients in the hospital and the sanatorium and all school-children receive free dental treatment. The following summary shows the amounts expended on health sendees in recent years :

Hospital statistics are tabulated hereunder :

The Dental Department has treated patients as follows :

General health throughout the group has been good. In February and March, 1946, there was an outbreak of cerebro-spinal fever at Atiu ; fifteen cases had occurred, and there had been eight deaths up to the 31st March. - Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro also suffered epidemics of trachoma in February and March, 1946. The regular R.N.Z.A.F. plane made a special trip in March to drop medical supplies by parachute at Atiu and Mauke. In March, also, the Acting Chief Medical Officer made a special trip by launch to Atiu, where he advised regarding the treatment of the cases of cerebro-spinal fever, and a Native medical practitioner was left there till the outbreak had subsided. Poliomyelitis made its first recorded appearance in the Group with four cases in Rarotonga no deaths occurred, and in two cases slight paralysis resulted. Strict quarantine precautions prevented the spread of the disease to other islands of the Group. Ten cases of Weil's disease were reported in Rarotonga in April, 1945, and many cases of pneumonia occurred during the months of December, 1945, and January and February, 1946.

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— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Amount expended Population Amount per head £10,795 13,962 15s. 5d. £10,370 14,079 14s. 9d. £10,116 14,150 14s. 4d. £12,724 14,506 17s. 6d. £14,535 15_005 19s. 4d.

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. In-patients Out-patients Visits Injections, all types Anaesthetics — General Local Operations— Major Minor Confinements Artificial pneumothorax X-rays Dental extractions 355 4), 556 1,020 596 46 184 27 261 42 8 68 128 405 12,541 1,915 438 64 340 9 464 24 16 173 89 570 8,574 1,382 360 42 152 9 254 30 31 63 446 8,603 1,374 577 52 336 101 467 63 39 91 469 6,895 1,145 453 30 37T 26 440 43 77 95

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Extractions Fillings Cleaning, &c. 1,339 157 235 953 935 157 1,130 1,964 37 1,533 1,382 38 1,713 915 239

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Eilariasis is most prevalent in Rarotonga and Aitutaki; a mosquito-control scheme was inaugurated in Aitutaki in October, 1945, and this voluntary campaign has greatly reduced the mosquito pest there. In Rarotonga the educational propaganda commenced by Dr. E. P. Ellison has been carried on by his successor, and further measures are being taken towards the control of the mosquito pest there. The Chief Medical Officer periodically inspects all general health and sanitary arrangements in the villages, the water-supplies and intakes, and general village cleanliness. Regular inspections of the schools are made by a Native medical practitioner and by the District Nurse. The erection of the tuberculosis sanatorium at Rarotonga has been completed, and the sanatorium was officially opened on 13th December, 1945. The first patients were admitted in January, 1946, and there were eight undergoing treatment at 31st March, 1946. The child welfare organization has continued its good work and Native interest in child welfare is being maintained at a high level. This important work is controlled by the District Nurse under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer. All school-children in Rarotonga have received regular dental treatment, and the Dental Officer visited Aitutaki and Mangaia, where he inspected all the school-children and gave necessary treatment. The Dental Officer returned to New Zealand in November on the completion of his term of service, and his replacement is now awaited. Meantime, the Dental Nurse is continuing the treatment of school-children in Rarotonga. There are three students at the Central Medical School, Suva, one of whom is in his final year of training as a Native medical practitioner. One Cook Island ex-student, who graduated with distinction from the school at the end of 1939, enlisted for active service immediately on reaching New Zealand and proceeded to the Middle East in 1940. After serving overseas for over three years he returned to New Zealand and was granted a war concession bursary at the Otago Medical School, where he is now in his third year. Dr. E. P. Ellison, 0.8. E., retired on superannuation after sixteen years of service as Chief Medical Officer, and returned to New Zealand in December, 1945. The distribution of medical and nursing staff throughout the Group is as follows : Rarotonga — Two European medical officers. Two Native medical practitioners. One Matron. One Sister in Charge (sanatorium). Two European Sisters. Nine Native nurses (hospital). Eight Native nurses (sanatorium). Aitutaki— One Native medical practitioner. One Native nurse. One Native trainee. 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.

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VII. POPULATION A census of the Group was taken on 25th September, 1945, and disclosed that the population had increased by 2,273 since the 1936 census. Natives increased by 2,297, but Europeans decreased by 24. Detailed figures are given in the table below: —

As at 31st March, 1946, the population totalled 15,005, comprised of 7,843 males and 7,162 females. . Infant-mortality The following table shows the infant-mortality rate in the Group for the last five years: —

VIII. EDUCATION The work of this Department is in charge of an Education Officer from New Zealand, assisted by 7 European teachers, also from New Zealand, and by 118 local teachers and trainees. There are twenty-four schools in the Group. Of these, eleven are 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.

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Europeans. Natives. Island. Tnf.sl q iUlaiSi Males. Females. Males. Females. Rarotonga 94 71 2,956 2,654 5,775 Mangaia 4 3 930 907 1,844 Mauke 5 10 442 422 879 Mitiaro 1 135 116 252 Atiu 9 9 658 569 1,245 Aitutaki 10 6 1,194 1,147 2,357 Palmerston 34 31 65 Suwarrow.. 3 2 5 Pukapuka 1 331 330 662 Manihiki 3 1 221 210 435 Rakahanga 165 153 318 Penrhyn 1 348 305 654 Manuae 28 28 131 100 7,444 6,844 14,519

Year ending 31st March, Deaths under One Year of Age. Births. Infant Death-rate per 1,000 Live Births. 1941-42 .. 22 214 102-8 1942-43 .. 22 231 95-2 1943-44 .. 19 163 116-5 1944-45 .. 15 199 75-4 1945-46 .. 27 226 119-5

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The following table shows the schools in the Cook Islands, together with the numbers of pupils attending each during the past five years :

The number of schools is the same as in previous years, but the school population increased by 136 over the preceding year's total. Attendances have been regular and satisfactory throughout the year. The Director of Education, accompanied by the Superintendent of Technical Education and the Senior Inspector of Native Schools from New Zealand and the Superintendent and the Senior Native Inspector from Western Samoa, visited and inspected the schools in Rarotonga and Aitutaki during May, 1945. The Education Officer accompanied these officers to an Education Conference in Fiji; he also visited the schools in the Lower Group islands during the year. In April, 1945, a two-weeks' refresher course for Native teachers was conducted in Rarotonga ; the subjects dealt with were drawing, choral speaking, and dramatization. The instruction was given by the European staff, to whose keenness and enthusiasm the success of the course is to be attributed. Because of the late completion of the 1944 examinations, the lack of transport facilities, and a shortage of European staff, it was not possible to conduct Teachers' Examinations in 1945. Seventy-nine Native teachers (of whom twelve have since left

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Roll Numbers. Island. School. 1 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1 1945. (a) Government Schools Rarotonga Avarua (including European j 390 390 415 432 437 class) Arorangi 235 258 273 280 281 Ngatangiia 210 225 209 216 205 Titikaveka 191 187 196 188 190 Aitutaki Araura 481 465 512 562 593 Atiu Atiu 224 220 216 204 198 Mangaia Oneroa 223 221 223 218 238 Ivirua .. .. 116 109 105 106 138 Tamarua 78 68 71 68 77 Mauke Mauke 156 157 161 172 189 Pukapuka Pukapuka 176 168 166 143 118 2,480 2,468 2,547 2,589 2,664 (b) London Missionary Society Schools Mitiaro .. Mitiaro 60 63 40 38 64 Manihiki Tukao 24 26 18 22 18 Tauhunu 66 65 54 52 44 Rakahanga Rakahanga 64 61 64 64 64 Penrhyn Omoka 77 75 89 89 122 Tetautua 66 66 69 18 45 Palmerston Palmerston 34 34 34 - 21 17 391 __ 390 368 304 374 (c) Roman Catholic Mission S< 3HOOLS Rarotonga St. Joseph's Convent 152 153 162 169 165 Atiu Atiu Catholic 50 52 61 58 59 Mauke Mauke Catholic 44 43 46 43 37 Manihiki Tukao Catholic 20 20 22 20 20 Tauhunu Catholic 16 16 9 8 8 Rakahanga Rakahanga Catholic 33 33 19 8 8 315 317 319 306 297 Grand totals .. 3,186 3,175 3,234 3,199 3,335

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the service) have obtained their Student Teachers' Certificates. Fifteen Native teachers have obtained their Cook Island Teachers' Certificates, while five more have only one subject left to complete this examination. A mutual Improvement Club for Native teachers and a Cook Islands Native Teachers' Guild have been formed during the year. Instruction in the Native language is to be added to the school syllabus, and reading material is now in course of preparation. All school buildings throughout the Group have been kept in repair and minor improvements and additions have been made. At Atiu, three Native-built class-rooms have been rethatched, and screens have been provided for use in windy weather. At Aitutaki, three new class-rooms with cement walls and thatched roofs have been constructed to replace a large Native-built class-room which was destroyed by fire. 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 :

Native Land Court proceedings were as follows :

X. POLICE Details of police establishment as at 31st March, 1946 :

The conduct of the Force has 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 the following pages.

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— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Civil judgments: Rarotonga 46 34 50 60 35 Divorces granted: Whole 20 10 26 15 13 Group Criminal convictions: Raro1,572 1,197 1,360 1,401 1,195 tonga

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Applications heard 121 153 165 124 169 Orders made 88 158 161 115 159 Applications outstanding— Rarotonga 367 389 389 401 454 Outer islands 673 685 702 738 838

— Chief Officer. Senior Sergeant. Sergeants. Constables. Total. Rarotonga 1 1 1 7 10 Aitutaki 1 6 7 Mangaia 1 5 6 Atiu 1 5 6 Mauke 1 3 4 Mitiaro 1 2 3 Manihiki .. 3 3 Rakahanga 1 2 3 Penrhyn 3 3 Pukapuka 3 3 Ten islands 1 2 6 39 48

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XI. SHIPPING AND COMMUNICATIONS The N.Z.G.M.V. " Maui Pomare " has continued to ply in the Cook Islands trade, but again the limited cargo space available proved inadequate for the needs of the Group. The year 1945 more nearly approached being a normal orange year, and it was arranged for s.s. " Waipahi " to make a special round trip to all islands to uplift the oranges available in excess of the capacity of the " Maui Pomare." From April, 1945, to January, 1946, calls for cargoes were made by overseas vessels. as follows :

The " Maui Pomare " was withdrawn for annual refit and survey late in January, 1946, and Rarotonga and Niue then had no further service until April. From then tothe end of June, 1946, it has been possible to arrange two calls of south-bound transPacific vessels at Rarotonga, in addition to the service of the " Maui Pomare." During the present (1946) Cook Islands orange season, while the " Maui Pomare " has been filled to capacitv, the Union Steam Ship Co., Ltd., have arranged calls of the " Matua to Niue, as in 1945, although the islands on that vessel's regular itinerary could have supplied her with full cargoes. Owing to storms during January of 1946 when orange-trees were m blossom, citrus cargoes for the current season are small. Replantings now being made, however, show concrete promise of reaching and probably exceeding the goal set, which is the 93,000' case per season average of the years 1938-40. This, with other products, will provide both encouragement and need for better shipping. The " Maui Pomare " was invaluable during the war years when no other vessel could be spared to maintain a service to the Cook Islands, but a more up-to-date and faster ship with greater capacity and ability to maintain a more frequent schedule is now required. The problem is complicated by the seasonal nature of the trade—a large cargo capacity is requisite during the orange season to uplift all oranges for the New Zealand market, while between orange seasons the Group is not able to furnish paying cargoes of other fruit or produce. During a recent visit to the Cook Islands by Mr. A. G. Osborne, Parliamentary Under-Secretary, he was able to announce that inquiries were being made in London for a vessel of considerably larger size than the " Maui Pomare " and with better facilities for cargo handling than those of this vessel, which are limited by her two hatches. The " Maui Pomare " now operates completely free of engine troubles, though other repairs consume much time, and unsuitability of design accentuates the losses in serving these distant and widely separated islands. Yet it should be recorded that the "Maui Pomare" is providing for some of New Zealand's island dependencies a service that without her would have been much less satisfactory. Passengers and cargoes carried by the " Maui Pomare " during 1945 were Passengers — To and from New Zealand .. .. • • 399 Inter-island .. .. ■ • • • 127 Cargo— Copra •• 1,081 tons. Bananas . . .. • • • • • • 12,347 cases. Parcel mails (baskets and other plaited ware) .. 1,527 bags. Citrus fruits .. . -. •• •• 43,459 cases. Tomatoes .. .. • • • • .. 29,266 boxes. General 4,854 tons.

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— Mne. Rarotonga. • | Outer Islands, Lower Cook Group. 1 " Maui Pomare " 5 9 4 " Matua " 3 1 " Yoho Park " 1 1 " Waipahi" 1

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Air Service A fortnightly air service between New Zealand and Rarotonga has been inaugurated ; the first regular plane arrived in Rarotonga on the 26th May, 1945. The service has been maintained throughout the year with the exception of the month of December, when improved radio facilities were being installed in Rarotonga and Aitutaki to ensure uninterrupted communication with the aircraft during their flights between Western Samoa and Aitutaki. The air journey to Rarotonga from Whenuapai, New Zealand, takes three days, as the planes proceed via Fiji, Tonga, Western Samoa, Tutuila, and Aitutaki. The same route is followed on the return journey to New Zealand. The institution of this air service has made a great improvement in communications in the Group, particularly during the time when the steamer calls are less frequent; it has already proved its value in cases of illness and emergency. A recent reduction in fares will enable more people to use this swift means of travel between New Zealand and the Cook Islands.

XII. METEOROLOGICAL

Severe storm conditions were experienced in the Lower Group from the 11th to 15th January, 1946 ; the storm reached its peak on the 14th January, when it attained whole-gale force with gusts of hurricane strength at Aitutaki and Rarotonga. Considerable damage was done to export crops and Native food plantations at Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atiu, and Mauke ; some damage was also suffered at Mangaia and Mitiaro. Damage to buildings, however, was light at all islands and there were no serious injuries. N.Z.G.M.V. " Maui Pomare," leaving Rarotonga on 21st January, took additional food supplies to Mauke, Mitiaro, Atiu, Manuae, and Palmerston Island en route to Apia. The rainfall for 1945 was the highest recorded since 1939. XIII. AGRICULTURE The year has been marked by real progress towards the re-establishment of the citrus industry in the Cook Islands. In Rarotonga fourteen new plots out of the fifty-five 1-acre plots established under citrus-replanting schemes between 1940 and 1944 came into bearing, and from these ninety-eight cases were actually shipped. More growers are beginning to take an interest in plots under these schemes, and further advances were made available, with the result that thirty of these plots are now in reasonably good order. An orange-replanting scheme at Rarotonga for the establishment of one hundred plots each of 1 acre, with ninety trees per plot, under the control of and financed by the Administration, was approved, but made little progress owing to the growers' objection to leasing their land. During a visit to Rarotonga, Judge J. Harvey, of the Maori Land Court, made recommendations, along the lines followed in New Zealand in the development of Maori land, which amended the original scheme and overcame the

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S 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Total rainfall (inches) 56-88 76-99 79-59 64-76 90-02 Number of rainy days 115 131 112 116 233 Highest for any day (inches).. 4-59 3-79 4-76 2-85 4-63 Date 21st Jan. 5th Oct. 14th Oct. 22nd Feb. 11th Aug. Highest temperature (f.) 87-5 89-5 88 87 88-5 Date 16th Nov. 31st Mar. 27th Feb. 9th Mar. 15th Mar. Lowest temperature (f.) 59 61 56 57 58-5 Date 8th Sept. 9th Sept. 1st Sept. 12th Aug. 8th June. Mean of maximum thermometer 79-08 81-3 81-4 80 80-9 (F.) Mean of minimum thermometer 70-24 71-2 70-4 69 70-3 (F.)

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growers' objections. Fifty plots were established under the amended scheme up to the 31st March, 1946 ; applications for another forty-nine plots had been finalized. By the middle of May, 1946, seventy plots had been planted and land prepared for thirty more. Work at the Administration citrus nurseries at Rarotonga has of necessity increased to keep pace with the demand for citrus trees; all large trees which were becoming overgrown have been issued to growers and the areas have been planted again with stock for budding. An additional 5 acres of leasehold land have been acquired for the extension of the citrus nurseries. A citrus nursery has been established at Aitutaki for the propagation of budded orange-trees for planting under an Administration-fostered scheme similar to that in Rarotonga. The scheme has been explained to the Aitutaki growers ; fifty-five applications for plots have been received, and there is every prospect of the full number of one hundred plots being established when the trees are available for issue. During the orange season visits at the time of shipment were made to all Lower Group islands by the Director 1 of Agriculture or his senior Native Fruit Inspector, and visits between shipping calls were made to Mauke and Mangaia. Advice in connection with the inspection of fruit and agricultural matters generally was given to growers. Large quantities of tomatoes were planted, principally in Rarotonga, but the rainy weather damaged the crop and only 35,375 boxes were shipped. The prices realized, while still high, were below those obtained in 1944. No interest is being shown in the re-establishment of banana plantations in the Group, and until adequate facilities for shipment can be made there is little ground for encouraging the banana industry. In January, 1946, the Lower Group again suffered heavy loss of export and Native food crops as the result of the severe storm experienced. Mauke and Aitutaki suffered the heaviest damage; Rarotonga and Atiu orange crops were also damaged, but Mangaia escaped comparatively lightly. In consequence, there will be a serious diminution in the number of cases of oranges shipped from the Group during the 1946 season.

LOWER GROUP ISLANDS Rarotonga

The air strip, 5,000 ft. in length, was completed during the year. The construction camp and buildings were converted into a house for the Aerodrome Maintenance Officer .and into storehouses and workshops necessary for the operation of the air strip. The New Zealand Public Works Department also completed the erection of the tuberculosis sanatorium. The main road was damaged at Avarua and Ngatangiia during the storm in January, 1946 ; repair work was commenced immediately, and was greatly facilitated by the use of the road-grader from the air strip. The formation and surface of the main road has been much improved by the use of this grader, and the road has been maintained in good

13

— 1941. 1942. 1943. j 1944. 1945. Shipping calls during the year High Court cases dealt with*. . Cases of oranges exported .. Boxes of tomatoes exported . . Cases of bananas exported .. 10 1,618 33,089 13,991 17,319 [ 9 1,231 18,107 12,966 9,419 8 1,410 6,000 23,460 4,825 13 1,461 9,706 37,751 2,298 13 1,230 14,561 35,096 3,136 * For years ended 31st March, 1942,1943, 1944, 1945, 1946. Other items shown are for calendar years.

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•condition throughout the year. Subsidiary roads have been repaired and maintained, and part of the " old " main road has been reopened. The use of a bull-dozer and the grader from the air strip has enabled these works to be completed much more expeditiously and with more permanency than in the past. Administration offices, school buildings, and residences have been repaired and painted where necessary. A new Native-style house has been erected at the hotel for "the accommodation of visiting air crews. The roof of the domestic science class-room at the Arorangi School has been rethatched. Only minor damage was caused to buildings by the storm in January, and repairs were quickly effected.

Aitutaki

The health of the people has been good, although minor epidemics of gastroenteritis in June and July, and of influenza in August and September, were experienced. A Native medical practitioner has been stationed at Aitutaki throughout the year. Medical Officers of the United States Army unit at Aitutaki have maintained their interest in the health of the population and have given most valuable assistance in support of the Administration's health services. Plans are under action for the provision of a completely new hospital. A European Head Teacher, with his wife as Infant-mistress, arrived in May, 1945, and assumed charge of Araura School. School buildings have been repaired, and three new class-rooms have been built in replacement of a large class-room which was •destroyed by fire. Two new tanks have been erected to increase the school's watersupply. A citrus nursery has been established; 7,000 seedlings have been successfully planted out and 2,000 young orange trees have been budded. Heavy plantings of arrowroot for export have been made and an abundance of Native food crops has also been planted. All Administration buildings have been maintained in good repair and roads have been well kept. The Residency has been painted throughout and a new truck-shed with cement walls has been erected. Eleven circular tanks, each of 800 gallons capacity, have been built. The United States Armed Forces have maintained a minimum establishment for the operation of the airfield ; employment in maintenance work is afforded by it to local Native labour.

Atiu

For ten months of the year the health of the people was good, but cerebro-spinal fever appeared in February and March, and there was an outbreak of trachoma in these months also (see Section VI —Medical and Public Health).

14

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Shipping calls (hiring year* .. Oases of oranges exported High Court cases dealt with .. 15 16,699 179 21 5,770 334 13 571 12 8,997 358 19 12,684 320 * Shipping calls shown lyider these headings include both overseas vessels and inter-island schooners.

~~ 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Shipping calls during year ■Cases of oranges exported High Court cases dealt with .. 12 29,437 320 8 11,176 465 8 7,841 533 12 11,801 448 12 12,916 528

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Three class-rooms were thatched towards the end of 1945, but all eight class-rooms had to be rethatched after the storm in January, 1946. Calico screens have been made, and these provide wind-breaks for six class-rooms. A new concrete tank with a capacity of 10,000 gallons has been erected ; a new road, 1| miles long, from Manukea to Tumai has been made ; Administration buildings have been kept in good condition ; and improvements have also been effected at the main landing, Taunganui. The orange crop and Native food plantations suffered damage during the storm in January, 1946 ; the orange shipments during 1946 will be reduced, but Native food plantations have been restored, and the Island Council is active in encouraging and supervising further plantings.

Mauke

The general health of the people has been good, but a widespread epidemic of trachoma occurred in February and March, 1946, which necessitated closing the schools to limit the spread of the disease. Women's committees ensure that houses and surroundings in the settlements are kept clean and tidy; the Resident Agent and Island Council regularly inspect the villages and houses. The orange crop and Native food plantations suffered severe damage by storm in January, 1946, but the whole male population has since been busy replanting their food crops. Continuous planting of food crops in rotation is enforced by the Island CouncilStorm damage to buildings has been repaired and Administration buildings have been returned to good condition. A new concrete tank of 10,000 gallons capacity has been erected and all other tanks have been repaired and restored to usefulness. Main and settlement roads have been maintained and a good deal of work has been done on plantation roads. The Resident Agent, Mr. David Brown, died suddenly in June, 1945. The island has been administered since then by the Island Council, with the Native wireless operator as Clerk in Charge.

Mitiaro

With the exception of an epidemic of trachoma in February and March, 1946, the general health of the population has been good. Minor damage was done by the storm in January, 1946, and Native food plantations have been restored. No copra was made during the year; the entire ■crop of oranges, equivalent to approximately 540 cases, was sent by schooner to Barotonga for conversion into orange-juice.

15

.— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. * 1944-45. 1945-46. Shipping calls during year .. Cases of oranges exported High Court cases dealt with .. 11 16,961 244 8 9,196 85 11 10,101 141 10 9,097 80 11 6,530 65

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Shipping calls during year High Court cases dealt with .. 3 48 5 5 53 6 4

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Mangaia

The general health has been good ; twelve cases of chicken-pox occurred in July, 1945, and seventy-eight cases of influenza were treated in September, 1945. TheChild Welfare Association continues to function successfully, and 181 children have been brought for examination and advice during the year. School buildings and equipment have been kept in good order; a new house in readiness for the appointment of a Head Teacher has been completed. Throughout the year the main road which encircles the island has been kept under repair ; this entailed heavy work on the inland section between Tamarua and Ivirua, where heavy rains had washed out the road in many places. Administration buildings have been maintained in good order and repair work has been done where necessary. The storm in January, 1946, caused little damage in Mangaia.

NORTHERN GROUP ISLANDS Penrhyn

The general health has been good; there was a brief epidemic of influenza, but quarantine measures confined the outbreak to Omoka, and no cases were reported in Tetautua. There are four patients in the Te Sauma Leper Concentration Hospital. The Medical Officers of the United States Army at the airfield have again been very generous with medical assistance. Administration buildings and roads have been kept in good order and the airfield continues to provide employment for a number of the people. Six and a half tons of copra were exported during the year and 30 tons were awaiting shipment at the end of the year.

Manihiki

The general health of the people has been satisfactory; thirty-one cases of enteric occurred during the first half of the year and there was a mild epidemic of influenza in the second half of the year. One case of leprosy has been isolated. Regular inspections of the schools and villages are made by the Native medical practitioner. In addition to the copra, 10 tons of mother-of-pearl shell were exported during the year, and there were 50 tons of copra and 18 tons of mother-of-pearl shell awaiting shipment at the end of the year. A large number of hats and belts have also been exported, and there is a brisk demand for these Native handicrafts. ■*„

16

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Shipping calls during year Cases of oranges exported High. Court cases dealt with .. 8 23,537 313 6 5,551 649 1 4 19,917 371 6 3,707 572 10 22,630 667

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. J944-45. 1945-46. Shipping calls during year . . | High Court cases dealt with .. 3 160 3 160 4 137 ! 3 58 3 101

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Shipping calls during year 4 9 5 4 4 Tons of copra exported 90 78£ 184 144 J 143£ High Court cases dealt with .. 138 85 132 48 49

17

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Rakahanga

The health of the people has been good; the Native medical practitioner made an emergency trip from Manihiki to attend a surgical case with septic complications. The Health Committee has inspected the houses at regular intervals. In addition to the copra exported, there were some 157 tons awaiting shipment at the end of the year. Native hats and belts have been exported, and more are awaiting the schooner. The villages and roads have been kept clean.

Pukapuka

Radio telegraphic communication with Pukapuka failed in January, 1946. Upon the reopening of schooner communication after the hurricane season, arrangements were made to send a schooner from Rarotonga to take supplies and equipment to the island. The health of the people found to have been good and life was proceeding normally at Pukapuka. Palmerston The health of the small population has been good; medical advice has been given by radio, but it has not been possible for a medical officer to visit the island for some years. It is anticipated that there will be a schooner call shortly, and a Native medical practitioner will take the opportunity to make a visit. There have been two shipping calls during the year, and 10£ tons of copra, some local timber, and Native handicrafts have been exported to Rarotonga. NIUE Niue Island is situated apart from the other islands of the Cook Group, being somewhat west of the centre of the irregular triangle formed by Samoa, Tonga, and the lower Cook Islands. Niue became a part of New Zealand at the time when, under the provisions of the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895, the boundaries of New Zealand were extended in June, 1901, to include the Cook Islands. Niue has a separate Administration in charge of a Resident Commissioner, who is responsible directly to the Minister of Island Territories. Niue has an area of 100 square miles, nowhere exceeding an elevation of 200 ft., and is without natural fresh water. A road thirty-seven miles long encircles the island, and other roads total approximately thirty miles. The island consists of upheaved coral rock, and is not very fertile owing to lack of soil. The climate is mild and equable ; the mean annual temperature during the last thirty-four years was 76-79 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average annual rainfall for the same period 79-13 in. The Native population on 31st March, 1946, was 4,271.

2—A 3

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-40. Shipping calls during year 4 8 5 4 4 Tons of copra exported 108 36 164|86| 39 74 High Court cases dealt with .. 39 147 57

—.. 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. . 1945-46. Shipping calls during year Tons of copra exported High Court cases dealt with .. 1 80 94 2 3 27 4 3 1 70 33 1 60

§M3

General Administration Laws are made by Act of the New Zealand Parliament, or regulations issued thereunder, or by Ordinance passed by the local Island Council. This body meets periodically under the presidency of the Resident Commissioner. It consists of thirteen members appointed by the Governor-General and representing all villages on the island. The only Ordinance passed during the year was the Niue Aid to Revenue Ordinance 1945. This Ordinance amends and consolidates the Aid to Revenue Ordinance previously in force. Visit His Excellency the Governor-General, Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Cyril Newall, G.C.8., 0.M., G.GM.G., C.8.E., A.M., paid an official visit to Niue on 31st July, 1945. His Excellency was accompanied by Lady Newall and staff.

Postal and Radio A summary of transactions in these branches is as follows

Other Savings-bank details are not available, as the accounts are kept in the Auckland Chief Post-office and are not segregated. The apparent large increase in net deposits may give a false impression. Withdrawals shown above are those made in Niue. As Niue is only a branch office, however, withdrawals can also be made in Auckland. Technical assistance in the running and maintenance of radio equipment is given by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department. Acting on that Department's recommendation, a new Diesel alternator was installed at the radio station during the year. Public Finance Exclusive of subsidy from the. New Zealand Treasury, income for the year was £14,590. Expenditure totalled £25,123. Subsidy received was £7,755, leaving a net deficit of £2,778. Depreciation and other writings-off totalling £1,424 are included in the expenditure. A comparative statement of revenue and expenditure for the last five years is as follows: —

The main items of revenue for the year were stamp sales, £7,747 ; Customs import duties, £1,485 ; and income-tax, £1,400. The large amount of revenue received from stamp sales is mainly due to the philatelic demand for island stamps.

18

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Money-orders issued Money'"orders paid Post Office Savings-bank deposits .. Post Office Savings-bank withdrawals Number of radio messages handled.. £6,518 £545 £3,150 £297 861 £8,766 £681 £4,044 £196 1,048 £5,799 £1,675 £3,969 £263 1,515 £1,932 £2,082 £3,097 £696 1,755 £7,177 £3,781 £8,709 £1,359 2,001

Year. Revenue. Expenditure. Deficit. Subsidy. Final Surplus or Deficit. £ £ £ £ £ 19.41-42 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 t 196 1945-46 14,590 25,123 10,533 7,755 - 2,778

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Tbade

Total trade has remained at a high level, and although not as high as, in 1943, which, was a record year, is considerably higher than in 1944. Statistics for the last , five* calendar years are as follows :

Quantities and Values of Principal Exports

The imports are the usual items of island trade, and the only particularly noteworthy feature is the increased quantity of imports, mainly cotton goods now being received from the United Kingdom. Banana-production is now recovering from the set-back caused by the storm in 1944. The New Zealand market is again accepting Niue kumaras, and an attempt is being made to revive the trade. Exports of plaited ware reached their highest level todate in 1945, a notable feature being the considerable quantities exported to Australia.

19

—. 1941. 1942, 1943. 1944. 1945. Imports Values New Zealand Australia United Kingdom United States of America Western Samoa Other £ 13,561 699 332 899 212 1,124 £ 23,544 584 235 1,995 *86 £ 29,881 223 115 1,692 140 19 £ - 25,140 871 2,453 181 1,106 303 £ 23,620 251 2,935 , 10 116 '• 40 Totals 16,827 26,444 •32,070 30,054 2.6,972 Expobts Values New Zealand .. Australia Western Samoa Other 11,149 9 15 18,644 828 1,249 1,620 29,908 298 527 21,909 1,307 35 27,674 1,662 132 Totals .. 11,173 22,341 30,733 23,251 29,468

— 1941. 1942. . 1943. Copra Bananas Kumaras Native plaited ware .. Tons. £ 50 336 Cases. 2,287. 943 Tons. 210 2,871 6,460 Tons. £ 338 4,091 Cases. 9,847 4,207 Tons. 474 6,509 7,434 Tons. . £ 422 8,543 Cases. 15,473. . 8,049 Tons." 113 • 1i363 " 12,692 ■ -i . : 1944. j 1945. Copra .. Bananas Kumaras Native plaited ware .. Tons. £ 617 13,274 Cases. 1,200 626 !! 8,977 Tons. £ . 415 9,986 Cases. 7,662 . 4,141 Tons. 10 141 14,683

J&~°r~:Q

Medical and Dental and Public Health The staff at 31st March, 1946, consisted of one European medical officer, one Native medical practitioner (on loan from Western Samoa), one European matron, one European District Nurse, three Niuean nurses, and two Niuean dental officers. All medical and dental treatment, including hospitalization, is provided free of charge to Natives. The following is a comparative table showing amounts expended on health services over the last five financial years :

A summary of the work performed at the hospital and during the weekly and other visits to villages is set Out below

On 30th June, 1945, a visit was paid to Niue by a party of medical officers, including Dr. M. H. Watt, Director-General of Health, and Dr. J. C. R. Buchanan, InspectorGeneral of South Pacific Medical Services. A complete tour of the island was made, and the party inspected medical facilities and Native living conditions and discussed local health problems.

20

— 1941-42. 1942-43. 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. Amount expended Population Amount per head of population £3,050 4,468 13s. 8d. £3,755 4,434 16s. lid. £3,900 4,242 18s. 5d. £3,656 4.200 17s. 5d. £5,305 4,289 £1 4s. 9d.

— 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. (1) Infectious diseases— (a) Tuberculosis 20 30 28 11 26 (b) Gonorrhoea 21 45 107 21 44 (c) Yaws 905 939 863 713 1,038 (d) Pneumonia and 4 7 178 25 29 broncho-pneumonia (e) Conjunctivitis 103 128 156 17 104 (/) Ringworm 109 133 418 37 146 (g) Varicella 2 7 16 1 25 (h) Typhoid 1 27 33 15 ]3 (i) Leprosy .. 2 2 2 1 1 (j) Infectious jaundice 78 112 (k) Puerperal fever .. 3 (I) Intestinal parasites 150 (m) Scabies 166 (2) Endemic diseases— (a) Filariasis Very prevalent Very prevalent Very prevalent 207 181 (6) Myositis tropica .. 6 3 10 6 6 (3) Hospital and dispensary—Admissions for year .. 173 118 116 76 71 Average number of days 28-98 123-39 32-5 28 11-29 in hospital per patient Daily average bed state 13-94 39-88 9-95 8-13 4-55 District out-patients .. 19,814 21,422 29,062 29,811 | 23,024 Dispensary out-patients 2,794 2,365 1,802 2,984 Special visits 613 1,661 4,421 2,124 2,205 Operations 30 10 Nil 75 369 Dental extractions 131 136 134 130 221 Injections, N.A.B., 4,527 3,869 10,159 844 4,301 T.A.B., &c. Confinements 23 15 18 23 20 Anaesthetics-^ General 23 8 10 2 Local 116 120 220 149 315

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A District Nurse to take charge of child welfare work was appointed during the year. A shortage of transport, now overcome, prevented full development of this work for some time. The two Niuean dental cadets previously training in Western Samoa returned to Niue in November, 1945, and commenced work immediately in temporary quarters. Erection of the dental-clinic building was begun as soon as materials came to hand and it is now practically completed. As a result of the offer of a very generous donation towards the cost of an x-ray plant by Mrs. M. Collins, a local resident who was the first European nurse in Niue, the provision of the necessary equipment and a suitable building to house it is now proceeding. Education The Administration maintains three schools, which are under the control of a European Headmaster. Some forty Niuean teachers and assistants are employed. In addition, the London Missionary Society maintains schools in the villages in which there are no Administration schools. A subsidy of £5OO per annum is paid to the society. Roll numbers of Administration and Mission schools at 31st December, 1945, and the previous four years were as follows :

During the year a visit was paid to Niue by a party of education officers, headed by Dr. C. E. Beeby, Director of Education. Administration and Mission schools were inspected and local education matters were discussed. As a result of recommendations made by Dr. Beeby and party, it is now proposed, with the agreement of the Mission, to replace the present nine Mission schools with four strategically placed Administration schools. The change-over is expected to be spread over a short period of years. Judicial Organization The Resident Commissioner of Niue is also Judge of the High Court and Judge of the Native Land Court. Another officer is Commissioner of the Native Land Court. Following is a summary of proceedings for the years 1941-45 :

High Court

Offences for which convictions were recorded during the year were mainly of a minor nature. One Niuean was charged with murder. The case was brought to trial in January, 1946, and a verdict of manslaughter resulted. No sittings of the Native Land Court were held during the year. A proposed increase in the judiciary staff will release an officer for this work.

21

— 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Administration schools 656 740 778 686 679 London Missionary Society 363 370 388 427 506 schools Totals 1,019 1,110 1,166 1,113 1,185

— 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Criminal convictions 760 593 539 566 629 Civil judgments 2 0 1 3 Nil Divorces granted 7 9 12 7 8

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The police establishment at'3lst March, 1946, was as follows: 1 European police officer in charge; 1 Native sergeant; 12 Native constables. There is a constable for each village of the island. Besides police work, the village constables undertake a number of other duties and generally act as liaison officers between the Administration and the village people. The general standard of efficiency of the Native police is not high, but is showing some improvement.

Population A census of Niue was taken on 25th. September, 1945. The last census prior to that date was in 1936. The population as determined by the census was as follows :

' The estimated population on 31st December, 1944, had been 4,200. These figures show an increase in population of 149 since the 1936 census. Various factors have contributed to keeping the population almost stationary. The lack of areas of fertile and workable soil probably will always be a limiting factor on the population of Niue, and many of the people have left to seek employment elsewhere. There was also an excess of deaths over births during 1943 and 1944 due to sickness recorded in the last report, but the situation now shows improvement. A summary of births and deaths during the year ended 31st December, 1945, is as follows: Births .. .. .. .. .. .. 160 Deaths .. .. .. .. .. .. 101 Births per 1,000 of population .. .. .. 37 • 42 Deaths per 1,000 of population .. .. .. 23-62 Infant mortality per 1,000 births .. .. .. 118*7 The estimated population on 31st March, 1946, was 4,289, comprised of 4,271 Natives and 18 Europeans. Public Works This Department is in charge of a part-Niuean. Considerable extensions were made to the jetty at the Alofi Landing during the year. The work now completed enables two lighters to be handled in the channel instead of one only as previously. Additional space for the handling of cargo and the storage of boats is also provided. Work on the erection of the dental-clinic building was begun before the end of 1945, and although there have been some delays due to shortage of materials, the building is now practically completed and is already in use. Attention was given to the complete renovation of the hospital buildings and the Chief Medical Officer's residence. Other buildings were maintained in good repair. A beginning was made on extensive road repairs in January, 1946, and work continued until March. Weather conditions in these months are the most suitable for road-work, having regard to the materials used. Improvement of existing roads and opening up of new roads, especially to " bush " planations, is essential for development of the banana trade, which must be the main stand-by in normal times.

22

— Males. Eemales. Total. Europeans 13 9 22 Natives 2,044 2,187 4,231 Total 2,057 2,196 4,253

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All boats have been maintained in good repair. A launch was purchased during the year for the purpose of towing lighters. A hand-operated capstan was installed on the jetty during the year and has effected considerable savings in time and labour. The Transport Department also is in charge of a part-Muean. It is responsible for the maintenance of twelve motor-vehicles, one marine engine, and one stationary engine. All vehicles were second-hand when received in Niue, and with spare parts difficult to obtain promptly, it has been a considerable problem at times to keep them all in reasonable running-order. The Administration operates the only trucks at present in runningorder on the island, and is consequently called upon to do a considerable amount of carting outside its own activities. Two second-hand trucks and one second-hand car were purchased during the year.

Meteorological

Rainfall for 1945 was normal, and as it was spread over the whole year there were no periods of serious drought. No storms sufficiently serious to damage plantations noticeably were experienced. Shipping - There were fifteen shipping calls during the year ended 31st December, 1945, including eleven by regular cargo and passenger vessels and three by schooners. The N.Z.Gr.M.V. " Maui Pomare " maintained a regular service, except during the winter months, when the " Matua " made three calls. Inward cargo handled totalled 503 tons and outward cargo 931 tons, exclusive of parcel-mail; 130 passengers disembarked and 127 embarked.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l 946.

Price 9d.]

23

— 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Total rainfall (inches) 50-67 71-35 64-79 71-55 80-80 Number of rainy days 114 149 146 158 210 Highest for any day (inches) .. Date 6-04 2 Mar. 6-15 20 Sept. 2-94 20 Oct. 5-15 29 Jan. 3-60 23 Apr. Highest temperature (f.) Date 94-0 30 Mar. 92-0 26 Jan. 94-0 11,12,14,15, 90-0 13,17,19,25, 92-0 22 Mar. 25 Feb.; 3 Nov. 28 Mar. Lowest temperature (f.) Date 60-0 26 Aug. 60-0 10 Oct. 58-0 17 July 58-5 28 Aug. 57-0 6 June Mean of maximum thermometer 83-9 831 84-5* 82-4 82-27 (F.) Mean of minimum thermometer 69-8 70-3 69-77 69-3 70-3 (F.)