DEPARTMENT OF ISLAND TERRITORIES (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1950

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1950 Session I, A-05

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1950 NEW ZEALAND

DEPARTMENT OF ISLAND TERRITORIES (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1950

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

The Hon. the Minister of Island Territories to His Excellency the Governor-General. Wellington, 4th September, 1950. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the following report of the Department of Island Territories for the year ended 31st March, 1950. F. W. Doidge, Minister of Island Territories. His Excellency the Governor-General of New Zealand.

CONTENTS

PAGE 1. Introduction .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..2 2. Assistance to Island Administrations .. .. .. .. .. 3 3. South Pacific Health Service .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 4. Students at Central Medical School, Fiji .. .. .. .. 4 5. South Pacific Commission .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 6. New Zealand Reparation Estates .. .. .. .. .. 5 7. The New Zealand Government M.V. " Matji Pomare " .. .. .. 6 8. The Western Samoa Banana Scheme .. .. .. .. .. 8 9. Medical Research in New Zealand Island Territories .. .. .. 9 ]O. Scholarship Scheme .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 11. Welfare of Islanders in New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 12. Chatham Islands .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 11 13. Appendix— N.Z.G.M.V. " Maui Pomare " (a) Revenue and Expenditure Account for the Year Ended 31st March, 1950 .. 12 (b) Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1950 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ 13

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REPORT

1. INTRODUCTION General This report covers activities under the immediate administrative direction of the Department of Island Territories. Separate reports are made in respect of the undermentioned island groups having their own Administrations under the charge of the Minister of Island Territories : Cook Islands (including Niue) .. .. .. .. A-3 Western Samoa .. .. .. .. .. A-4 Tokelau Group .. .. .. .. .. .. A-f> Functions and Organization New Zealand's first administrative responsibility in respect of areas in the South Pacific was accepted in 1901 when the Cook Islands were brought within the boundaries of New Zealand. In 1902 a Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands was appointed and the Cook Islands Department was formed. In 1921 New Zealand was granted a mandate over the Territory of Western Samoa, and the Samoa Act, 1921, provided for the appointment of a Minister and Department of External Affairs. The staffs of the Cook Islands and the External Affairs Department were combined, but during some periods there were separate Ministers in charge of each of the two main island groups. Under the External Affairs Act, 1943, the Department of External Affairs became responsible for the direction of the Dominion's foreign affairs, including New Zealand's offices in other Commonwealth countries, while the Department of Island Territories, created under the Island Territories Act, 1943, assumed the administration of the island dependencies. On Ist January, 1949, the Tokelau Group, which had since 1925 been administered by New Zealand on behalf of the United Kingdom Government, became part of New Zealand and was placed under the general direction of the Department of Island Territories, although actually administered by the High Commissioner of Western Samoa. In December, 1949, in order to co-ordinate Government activities there, the Chatham Islands were placed under the administrative direction of the Department, and a Resident Commissioner, appointed in February, 1950, took up office towards the end of March, 1950. Besides the various island groups, the Department directly controls the operations of the New Zealand Government m.v. " Maui Pomare " and administers through a General Manager the New Zealand Reparation Estates in Western Samoa. It also is associated with the South Pacific Commission and the South Pacific Health Service. On account of the fact that most immediate contacts with the islands are through Auckland, the Department maintains a branch office there which is concerned with the procurement and shipping of equipment and stores for the various Administrations and for the " Maui Pomare," the movement of personnel to and from the islands and the general welfare of islanders visiting New Zealand and residing in Auckland. The Officer for Islands Education is responsible under the Department for the co-ordination of educational policies in the groups, the appointment of New Zealand teachers on secondment, the publication of School Journals in the vernacular of the different groups, and the supply of modern teaching equipment. He annually inspects on behalf of the Education Department all teachers on loan to the New Zealand dependencies and to Fiji and Tonga.

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The islands scholarship scheme instituted in 1945, under which selected students from all territories are given secondary and higher education in New Zealand, is under the Department's direction* The Department is associated actively with the islands welfare organization conducted by the Congregational Union of New Zealand and subsidized by the Government. The staff of the Department includes a number of officers who have served in one or more of the island territories, while officers belonging to the Department are seconded to Administrations from time to time. Also, indigenous members of the staffs of Administrations are afforded experience and training in New Zealand by being attached for a period to the Department of Island Territories or other appropriate Departments in New Zealand. 2. ASSISTANCE TO ISLANDS ADMINISTRATIONS The Department's activities include the purchase and shipment of supplies and building and technical equipment for the various Administrations. In this work the Department obtains, where necessary, the advice and co-operation of the Stores Control Board and the purchasing branches of the Ministry of Works and the Post and Telegraph and Health Departments, Arrangements have been made from time to time for visits to the islands of technical officers of Departments in New Zealand. During the year under review the following officers have been made available Air Department .. .. Mr. D. B. Bagnall, Civil Aviation Branch. Education Department .. Miss M. P. Dennehy, Editor, Islands Publications. Mr. A. G. Tovey, Director of Arts and Crafts. Health Department . . Mr. F. B. Rice, Assistant Director (Training) and Principal, Division of Dental Hygiene. Maori Land Court .. Chief Judge D. C. B. Morison. Judge E. M. Beechey. National Publicity Studios .. Mr. P. Walker, Photo Director. Post and Telegraph Depart- Mr. A. W. Holland, Telegraph Engineer, ment Public Service Commission .. Mr. J. K. Hunn, Assistant Public Service Commissioner. Mr. H. D. Kelly. Department of Scientific and Mr. A. C. S. Wright, Soil Bureau. Industrial Research Mr. L. J. Dumbleton, Senior Entomologist, Cawthron Institute. State Fire Office .. .. Mr. F. P. Cleary. Social Security Department Dr. D. Mac Donald Wilson. Mr. D. C. Donovan (war pensions). Ministry of Works .. Mr. E. C. Smart, Aerodromes Engineer. Mr. N. A. McCulloch, Senior Engineer, Head Office. Mr. L. C. Malt, Senior Engineer, Auckland. Mr. H. L. Keys, Electrical Engineer, Head Office. 3. SOUTH PACIFIC HEALTH SERVICE On 7th September, 1946, the New Zealand Government (in respect of its island territories), the Government of Fiji, and the Western Pacific High Commission signed an agreement to establish a South Pacific Health Service to combine for the more effective protection of the health of the people in the Territories under their administration. The agreement established a Board to be known as the South Pacific Medical Board of Health, with a chief administrative officer known as the Inspector-General,

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with headquarters at Suva. The functions of the Board include advising territories on all health matters, collecting and distributing epidemiological information, drawing up standard*quarantine procedures, assisting the Administrations in maintaining adequate staffs, encouraging and co-ordinating medical research in the area, and advising on matters relating to the medical training of indigenous peoples as assistant medical practitioners, nurses, and allied callings. On Ist January, 1947, the Government of Tonga joined in the Service. The original agreement, which was for a period of two years, has been extended from March, 1950, for a further period of five years. New Zealand's financial commitment in this regard is one-sixth of the cost of the Board. For the year 1948-49, £986 was expended, and £l,OOO was included in the estimates for 1949-50, of which £872 has been expended to date. In 1949 the functions of the Board in regard to epidemiological information were extended to cover the area served by the South Pacific Commission, with w T hich it works in close association. 4. STUDENTS AT THE CENTRAL MEDICAL SCHOOL, SUVA, FIJI At this school, by arrangement between the Governments of Fiji and New Zealand, young Samoans, Cook Islanders, and Niueans receive training over a period of four years to equip them for duty as assistant medical practitioners in their own territories. In January, 1950, the syllabus was expanded to provide for the training of Filariasis (mosquito control) Inspectors, Assistant Sanitary Inspectors, laboratory assistants, and assistant pharmacists ; full advantage has been taken of this, and a number of Samoans, Cook Islanders, and Niueans are now taking these courses. Students from New Zealand territories at present at the school are :

5. SOUTH PACIFIC COMMISSION An agreement establishing the South Pacific Commission was made between the Governments of Australia, France, The Netherlands, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States of America in 1947. The objects of the Commission are to assist the Governments concerned in the promotion of the social and economic interests of the peoples of the South Pacific territories for which they are responsible. The headquarters of the Commission are in Noumea, New Caledonia. The New Zealand Government is represented on the Commission by two Commissioners, Mr. C. G. R. McKay, a former Secretary of Island Territories, and Lieutenant-Colonel F. W. Yoelcker, C.8.E., D.5.0., M.C., a former High Commissioner of Western Samoa. The Department is responsible, in conjunction with the Department of External Affairs, for the co-ordination in the New Zealand Pacific territories of the work of the Comfnission.

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A.M.P. Administration. Pharmacy. Health. Laboratory. Totai. First Second Third Fourth Year. Year. Year. Year. Western Samoa 10 4 3 17 Cook Islands 2 1 1 1 5 Niue Island 2 1 1 4 Total 12 4 6 9 I 1 1 1 26

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The Research Council of the Commission is engaged on the examination of a large number of problems the solution of which will contribute materially to the advancement of the island territories in the region. Permanent members of the Council have paid short visits to our dependencies, but no research work has yet been carried out in them. Work, however, which has been done or is in progress in other areas will doubtless be of general benefit. Associate members of the Research Council include three officers from Western Samoa —viz., Mr. D. R. A. Eden, General Manager of the New Zealand Reparation Estates, Dr. J. C. Lopdell, Director of Health, and Mr. F. J. H. Grattan, Secretary of Samoan Affairs. A general report on the work of the South Pacific Commission is published in the annual report of the Department of External Affairs. 6. THE NEW ZEALAND REPARATION ESTATES, WESTERN SAMOA On the occupation of German Samoa in 1914 by a New Zealand Military Force, the New Zealand Government assumed possession of all property in the Territory which had belonged to German nationals or companies. Subsequently the ex-German trading businesses were liquidated, the trading-stations closed, and some 113,560 acres of plantation lands vested in His Majesty in right of his Government in New Zealand. These lands were treated as part of Germany's reparations to New Zealand, and in 1926 the name New Zealand Reparation Estates was given to them. The Estates are the property of the New Zealand Government, and are operated as a trading concern bearing the same obligations to the Government of Western Samoa as do private concerns. Between 1918 and 1949 the Samoan population increased from 30,000 to 70,000. Inevitably in certain areas, notably along the northern coast of Upolu, there has been an increasing pressure of population on land, and it has been expedient to divest areas from the Reparation Estates to relieve this pressure. Since 1920 a total of 38,200 acres of New Zealand Reparation Estates land has been so utilized, or disposed of for other reasons. Areas now held by the New Zealand Reparation Estates are as under : Acres. Under cultivation by the New Zealand Reparation Estates .. 9,836 Unimproved bush land (mostly valueless) .. .. 60,843 Under lease to individual tenants .. .. .. 4,681 Total .. .. .. .. .. 75,360 Although the disposal of Estates' profits is a matter which rests entirely in the hands of the New Zealand Government, it has, as a matter of policy, employed them in the interests of Western Samoa, and up to 31st March, 1950, has expended or authorized the expenditure of £359,915 out of accrued profits in this way. Projects included in this general development and on which Estates profits have been expended are education, health (including a tuberculosis sanatorium), roading extensions, rhinoceros beetle campaign, scholarships, broadcasting, and residences for the use of New Zealand officers serving in Western Samoa. Western Samoa also benefits annually from the Estates by way of taxation, which in 1949 amounted to £28,219, and a local wage bill of £97,540. Preliminary unaudited figures show a profit of £86,093 for the financial year ended 31st March, 1950, an increase of £8,663 over the previous year's figure. Production has continued to increase on all plantations during the period under review. The desiccated coconut figure was again a record, and there were substantial increases in copra and cocoa. The overhead charges on the Asau Sawmill remained high and, with less timber milled than in the previous year, resulted in a net trading loss. Its operation has, however, served a useful purpose by providing

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supplies of timber which would have otherwise required to be imported. The change in the value of the New Zealand pound which came into effect in August, 1948, and only partially influenced the figures for that year, had full play on the copra and cocoa profits during this year. It is a reflection on the increased volume of production that, in spite of this readjustment, higher returns were recorded, as is shown in the following table, which compares the production and turnover of the last two trading years :

The Magia Rubber Estates, which are being maintained by the Reparation Estates, comprise some 800 acres of land, of which 672 acres have been planted out principally from consignments of seedlings imported from Malaya between August and November, 1948. The trees are growing healthily to maturity and the revival of production for the export trade, which ceased in 1947, is dependent only on economic considerations. During the year the Reparation Estates commenced trading operations in the Tokelau Group on behalf of the Tokelau Administration. This trade was previously carried on by private concerns which, after the interval imposed by the war, showed no desire to renew their operations. Attempts have been made to purchase a vessel suitable for cargo-carrying to and from the Tokelaus and for use in Samoan coastal trade, but so far without success, and in the meantime shipping is chartered to meet the requirements of the service to the Tokelau Islands. The Estates have continued to operate the Casino Boardinghouse, which provides accommodation in Apia at a marginal tariff for members of the European staff of the Government of Western Samoa, and after allowing for depreciation during the year, showed a profit of £343. Apart from the substantial financial advantages accruing to Western Samoa from the operation of the Estates, they provide regular employment to about 1,600 Samoans and casual work to a further 600. The efficient working methods adopted by the management provide valuable training for the employees in agricultural pursuits. The Estates run over 9,000 cattle on their plantations, primarily for keeping down undergrowth, and the killing of these provides most of the fresh-beef supply of the Territory. A new plantation in a somewhat elevated position is at present being developed on which it is proposed to carry on dairying operations and possibly later some meat-canning. The present factory for the production of desiccated coconut is not sufficiently large to meet the demand, and an additional factory is to be erected. Plant in the existing factory is also to be modernized. 7. THE N.Z.G.M.V. " MAUI POMARE " The " Maui Pomare " was built at Dublin at a cost of £54,000 and reached New Zealand on her maiden voyage on 2nd June, 1928. Her gross tonnage is 1,203 tons and her cargo capacity approximately 720 tons. Her length is 210 ft., beam 35 ft., and draught 14 ft., while the average speed is 10 knots.

Production. Vaiue of Quantity Sold. 1948—49. 1949-50. 1948-49. 1949-50. Tons. Tons. £ £ Copra, 1,030 1,228 76,557 63,631 Cocoa 381 408 48,209 68,727 Desiccated coconut 597 632 83,473 81,673 Sup. ft. Sup. ft. Timber 551,831 450,000 13,359 13,824* Cattle 1,696f 1,947f 15,163 17,498 *Includes timber valued at £5,203 used by the New Zealand Reparation Estates. t Number slaughtered.

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Since 1928 the vessel has been occupied in bringing to New Zealand fruit and other cargoes from Western Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Niue, and in return carrying to those islands supplies of all kinds. At one time she also formed an important link between Norfolk Island and the Dominion. Thousands of passengers have been carried over the years, comprising visitors to the islands, residents, and officials, and their families. An indication of cargoes usually carried to New Zealand by the vessel is given in the following details of voyages made during the year ended 31st March, 1950 : Number of voyages .. .. .. .. 9 Islands ports of call .. .. .. .. Rarotonga Mangaia Mauke }-Cook Islands. Aitutaki Atiu Niue Island. Apia, Western Samoa. Cargoes— Oranges and other citrus fruit (from the Cook Islands) .. 38,742 cases. Tomatoes (from the Cook Islands) .. .. .. 19,329 boxes. Bananas (from Western Samoa and Niue) .. .. 19,330 cases. Copra (from the Cook Islands and Niue) .. .. ' 847 tons. Pearl shell (from the Cook Islands) .. .. .. 121 tons. Pineapples (from the Cook Islands) .. .. .. 1,333 cases. Coconuts (from the Cook Islands) .. .. .. 617 bags. Basketware by mail (from Niue Island) .. .. 2,053 bags. Passengers from New Zealand numbered 185, and inward passengers (mostly from Earotonga) totalled 239. In addition, numbers of islanders were carried as deck passengers between the islands. Outward cargoes from New Zealand totalled 5,758 tons. Although in the past serious breakdowns have occurred in the vessel's engines and refrigerating machinery, she has run very well since 1942, when new engines were installed. Were it not for delays in New Zealand beyond her control, the vessel could increase the number of voyages made each year. During the period under review she spent an average of slightly more than eleven days in port between voyages, discharging about 720 tons of cargo and loading a like amount. Her comparatively small cargo capacity, combined with the long distances required to be covered each voyage, render the " Maui Pomare " unsuitable as an economic proposition. The distance from Auckland to Rarotonga is 1,660 miles, from Rarotonga to Niue 600 miles, and from Niue to Auckland 1,350 miles, so that on that particular run she travels 3,610 miles with about 1,400 tons of cargo and a maximum of 60 passengers. On her voyages to Rarotonga and other islands of the Lower Cook Group during the orange season the distances covered are about the same or greater in total. Excess of expenditure over revenue for the last three years has been as follows : 1947-48, £38,795 ; 1948-49, £52,764 ; and in 1949-50, £29,340. Detailed accounts are published as an Appendix of this report. The increase in expenditure is due in part to the cost of the annual overhaul, which is becoming more expensive as the vessel grows older. On the credit side, however, must be placed the valuable services being rendered by the " Maui Pomare " to the Cook Islands and Niue, whose 20,000 inhabitants are New Zealand's responsibility, and in the past to Western Samoa. The vessel is the sole regular link between the Cook Islands and New Zealand, and frequently calls at outer islands of the Group to uplift fruit cargoes which, although uneconomic from a freight earning point of view, provide the island growers with an important part of their cash income and thereby encourage them to develop their plantations. The vessel has also at times been diverted to take dangerously ill patients from outer islands to Rarotonga,

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Calls are made at Niue principally to enable copra and basketware to be shipped from the island to New Zealand. During the first half of the year the island is served at regular intervals by a Union Steam Shi]) Co. vessel, which is the only one available to carry bananas from Fiji, Tonga, and Western Samoa to New Zealand, and is, therefore unable to accept copra from Niue, and only a limited quantity of basket mail. As copra and basketware are the most important items of export from Niue, the value of the " Maui Pomare " to the island can hardly be overstressed. 8. WESTERN SAMOA BANANA SCHEME In 1926 the New Zealand Government set up a Banana Export Committee to encourage the Samoan banana industry and thus improve the economic position in the Territory. Earlier, small exports of bananas to New Zealand had indicated that such a trade was possible. As a result of the Committee's work the building of a specially designed vessel was authorized, and in 1928 the N.Z.G.M.V. " Maui Pomare " made her first voyage with Samoan bananas to New Zealand. At the outset the price paid to growers was ss. per case f.o.b. Apia for bare fruit, with the New Zealand Government taking all risks and disposing of shipments. Since 1936, however, the whole crop has been purchased by the New Zealand Marketing Department. Early in the scheme there were considerable losses, resulting largely from breakdowns in the " Maui Pomare's " engines and refrigerating machinery, but by 1941 an accumulated surplus of £17,424 Bs. 7d. was shown. In succeeding years there have been losses on occasions, with the result that at 31st March, 1949, the accumulated funds of the scheme had been reduced to £12,811 19s. lid. Costings of on-charges have been very fine and it has taken very little variation in conditions to turn an estimated surplus for a year into a loss. The following table shows the prices paid to growers per case, the cost to the scheme f.o.b. Apia, and the price received from the Marketing Department:—

Quantity of Bananas Shipped

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Price to Growers. Cost to Scheme f.o.b. Apia : Average. Price Paid f.o.b. by Marketing Department. s. d. s. d. 1 s. d. 1945-46 .. 6 6 13 6-70 13 10 1946-47 6 6 13 8-75 13 10 r 13 10 April-1947-48 6 6 14 6-02^ June. L 14 10 July. 1948-49 7 0 15 1-57 15 7 1949-50— 1st January, 1950 7 0 16 0-23* 1st March, 1950 7 0 16 2-23* 1st May, 1950 7 0 16 8-23* 16 8 * Increases due to increases in cost of cases.

— Cases. Value. 1 — Cases. Value. £ £ 1941 177,416 89,252 1946 172,823 86,421 1942 79,897 25,343 1947 101,754 70,317 1943 64,373 17,702 1948 99,507 69,004 1944 32,486 12,136 1949 87,121 64,644 1945 109,838 67,472

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9. MEDICAL RESEARCH The Department is paying considerable attention to medical research in the island territories, and in this connection is closely associated with the Medical Research Council of New Zealand. A medical expedition was sent by the Council to Western Samoa late in 1948, and at the end of 1949 a team headed by Sir Charles Hercus, Dean of the Otago Medical School, visited the Cook Islands, financial responsibility for the visits being undertaken by the Department. In the light of the experience of the Samoan expedition of the previous year, it was decided that a general survey be carried out on a representative sample of families from a typical village with a view to assessing the state of health of both the family as a unit and the individual members of the family, and to correlate these findings with the elements of the home environment of hygienic importance. In addition, specific research was instituted on the vectors of filariasis and the residual effects of D.D.T. spraying as a control measure in the houses of the villagers. The work was completed by the beginning of February, 1950, and described in a comprehensive report which will serve as an invaluable basis for future medical work in the Group. These initial efforts have served to point out the important role to be played by medical research in improving the technique of approach to daily medical problems in the Pacific territories for which New Zealand is responsible, and consequently consideration is being given to organizing medical research on a continuing basis. At the same time, the work in the Pacific field of the Research Council of the South Pacific Commission is being closely observed, and it is anticipated that a growing contribution to medical research with application to our territories will be made by this organization. 10. SCHOLARSHIP SCHEME In order to make available to the island dependencies the benefits of higher education, a scholarship scheme was introduced in 1945 enabling a few of the best pupils to be selected for primary and post-primary education in New Zealand. Despite certain anticipated difficulties, the scheme has functioned very well and is producing an excellent type of young person well suited for service in the islands. To date there has been no difficulty connected with the return of these pupils to the islands ; indeed, they are keen to go back and assist their fellow-islanders to advance as rapidly as possible. The following tables show particulars of students who have been brought to New Zealand under this scheme :

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Year. From Western Samoa. Cook Islands. Nine: Totals. Boys. Girls. Total. Boys. (xirls Total Boys. Boys. j Girls. | Total. 1945 .. 1946 .. 1947 .. 1948 .. 1949 .. 1950 .. 11 9 5 4 7 6 3 4 2 3 3 4 14 13 7 7 10 10 4 3 3 2 4 1 1 1 5 4 3 3 4 2 2 2 2 11 13 10 9 11 12 3 5 3 3 4 4 14 18 13 12 15 16 42 19 61 16 3 19 8 66 22 88 Disposals — To University or training college In employment in New Zealand for practical training Returned to the Islands — (a) For employment (b) For medical reasons 2 9 1 1 2 2 1 4 11 2 1 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 3 9 3 3 2 2 1 5 11 4 3 13 5 18 4 4 1 18 5 23 Still at school, 31st March, 1950 .. 29 14 43 12 3 15 7 48 17 65

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The sixteen undergoing post-secondary school training in New Zealand are 1 medical student. 1 dental student. 1 pharmacists apprentice. 1 radio technician trainee. 2 fitters and turners apprentices. ■3 training college students.. 2 nursing trainees. 1 survey cadet. 4, clerical cadets. Annual costs of the scheme, including the post-school training, have been :

11. WELFARE OF ISLANDERS IN NEW ZEALAND Some 2,000 islander's from Western Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Niue are now resident in New Zealand, the majority being congregated in Auckland and district. Subject to considerations of health and character, those who come from the Cook Islands and Niue are admitted freely to the Dominion as they are already New Zealand citizens. Samoans, however, are not New Zealand citizens, and on arrival are granted temporary permits in the first place, generally renewable from year to year subject to good behaviour, until at the end of five years they may apply for the privilege of permanent residence. A considerable number have taken advantage of this. Although the drift of islanders to New Zealand has been in evidence for many years, the numbers arriving up to the outbreak of the 1939-45 war were comparatively small. The demand for labour in New Zealand resulting from war conditions, however, and the high rates of wages offering as compared with those in their own territories, have made New Zealand a mecca for large numbers of islanders. Every aircraft and vessel from the islands has its quota of such immigrants, and the flow would be much greater were transport more freely available. The welfare of these islanders has at all times been a matter of Government concern, and in 1945 a branch office of the Department was established in Auckland to deal with the problem, in addition to undertaking other duties in connection with the islands. The officer appointed to control the branch had had long experience in Western Samoa and the Cook Islands, and through familiarity with their languages has secured the confidence of the islanders in Auckland and has been able to assist them in many ways. For some time, however, it had been realized that something more was required, although the comparatively small number of islanders did not justify the setting-up of an official welfare organization. To meet the situation in the meantime the Government

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Year. ' Western Samoa. Cook Islands. Niue. | Total. 1 1945-46 ... 1946-47 .1947-48 1948-49 1949-50 .: Totals £ : 3,103 2,354 7,553 8,580 11,066 £ 942 1,367 2,428 3,452 £ 324 1,004 1,658 £ 3,103 3,296 9,244 12,012 16,176 32,656 8,189 2,986 43,831

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has co-operated with denominational bodies allied with the various missionary societies functioning in the island territories, the majority of whose people are adherents of the London Missionary Society, represented in New Zealand by the Congregational Union. This Church has appointed an L.M.S. officer with considerable experience as a missionary in the islands to devote his full time to welfare work among islanders living in New Zealand. His headquarters are in Auckland, where he is assisted by a Native pastor from the Cook Islands. Financial support is being given by the Government. The Maori Welfare Officers and the Department of Labour and Employment also assist generally in matters concerning the welfare of islanders, particularly those living outside Auckland. Generally speaking, the behaviour of islanders while in New Zealand has been exemplary. In employment they are found to be industrious, and popular among their fellow-workers. 12. THE CHATHAM ISLANDS The Chatham Islands, although part of New Zealand proper, have had their development seriously retarded because of their isolation and consequent lack of direct contact with the mainland. The small population rendered it impracticable to have direct representation of the several Departments interested in the islands, so that most Government activities had to be carried on intermittently and from a distance. In order to assist in overcoming the disabilities suffered by the people of the Chathams and to promote the general welfare and development of the islands, the Government decided during the year to place their general administration in the hands of this Department and to appoint a Resident Commissioner who would reside at the Chatham Islands and be responsible for co-ordination of all Government activities there. He would require to do everything possible to foster the best interests of the people and to formulate plans for the development of the islands ; in addition, he would act as Resident Magistrate. Plans envisaged for the islands include development in the direction of land afforestation, fisheries, dairying, roading, health, and social welfare. Mr. G. Nevill was appointed Resident Commissioner, and took up his position in March, 1950. It is therefore too early to refer to any progress in this report • future annual reports will include full details. The following statistics of the Chatham Islands will be of interest: — Population .. .. .. .. Between 500 and 600, Area .. .. .. .. .. 372 square miles. Occupied as farm lands .. .. .. 167,168 acres. Stock carried— Sheep .. .. .. .. 112,000 Cattle .. .. .. .. 5,000 Horses .. .. .. .. 750 Pigs .. .. .. .. 220 Annual exports (approximately) — Sheep .. .. .. .. 20,000 Wool .. .. .. 2,600 bales. Cattle .. .. .. . ; 200 Fish .. .. .. .. 400 tons. Distance from Wellington .. .. 480 miles. Distance from Lyttelton .. .. .. 536 miles. 3—A 5

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APPENDIX iSI.Z.G.M.V. " MAUI POMAEE " Revenue Account foe the Year Ended 31st March, 1950 br. £ s. d. Or. £ s. d. Salaries, wages, and overtime . . .. .. 25,077 9 3 Freight, passage money, and miscellaneous receipts .. 61,526 19 7 Lightering .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,152 10 2 Balance carried down .. .. .. .. 27,798 17 9 Purchases for har .. .. .. .. .. 985 4 6 Audit fees .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 10 0 Labour at island ports .. .. .. .. 4,257 13 0 Victualling.. .. .. .. .. .. 5,096 12 7 Cabin and deck stores .. .. .. .. 388 17 9 Engine-room stores .. .. .. .. .. 990 14 2 Fuel and oil .. .. .. .. .. 9,735 16 3 Lubricating -oil .. .. .. .. .. 568 17 5 Painting .. .. .. .. .. .. 372 14 7 Repairs .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,198 18 5 Reserve for repairs .. .. .. .. .. 14,000 0 0 Docking .. .. .. .. .. .. 97 11 9 Laundry .. . . .. .. .. .. 240 0 3 Medical expenses and insurances .. .. .. 1,018 18 7 Stevedoring and tallying .. .. .. .. 9,220 8 8 Harbour Board charges .. .. .. .. 1,427 18 3 Agency commission .. .. .. .. .. 500 Q 0 Water .. .. .. .. .. .. 129 0 6 Transhipping charges and freights .. .. .. 752 9 3 Miscellaneous and stationery .. .. .. .. 1,183 1 2 Refund of fares .. .. .. .. .. 629 8 7 Depreciation .. .. .. .. .. 4,295 2 4 Head Office overhead expenses .. .. .. 1, 823 16 6 Insurance .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,156 3 5 £89,325 17 4 £89,325 17 4 £ s. d. £ s. d. Balance brought down .. .. .. .. 27,798 17 9 Working loss for year .. .. .. .. 29,340 8 11 Interest on capital .. .. .. .. .. 1,541 11 2 £29,340 8 11 £29,340 8 11 v

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Balance-sheet as at 31st March, i 950 Liabilities £ s. d. Assets £ s. d. Capital .. .. .. .. .. .. 34,419 17 8 Stores on hand .. .. .. .. .. 7,706 13 5 Sundry creditors .. .. .. .. .. 5,845 19 0 Sundry debtors .. .. .. .. .. 10,516 9 3 Insurance Reserve .. .. .. .. .. 18,376 10 9 M.v. " Maui Pomare," less depreciation .. .. 34,419 17 8 Repairs Reserve .. .. .. .. .. 14,000 0 0 Net working loss for year .. .. .. .. 29,340 8 11 Treasury Adjustment Account .. .. .. 9,341 1 10 £81,983 9 3 £81,983 9 3 I hereby certify that the Revenue Account and Balance-sheet have been duly examined and compared with the books and documents submitted for audit, and correctly state the position as disclosed thereby, subject to the explanatory notes dealing with departmental accounts generally as appearing at commencement of parliamentary return B-l [Pt. IV].— J. P. Rutherford, Controller and Auditor-General. R. T. G. Patrick, Secretary. A. Kuch, Accountant. Apptoximate Cdst of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (874 copies), £36. iOs.

By Authority: R. E. Owen, Government Printer, Wellington.— 1950.

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