A.—3

2

MEMORANDUM.

Cook and Other Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th August, 1912. The reports of the Resident Commissioner at Earotonga and the Eesident Commissioner at Niue are attached hereto, together with the usual selection from the official correspondence. Revenue and Expenditure. The revenue in the Cook Islands amounted to £8,924, or an increase of £656 over the previous year, while £9,430 was expended, being an increase of £1,383 as compared with the preceding year. £4,196, or £973 more than in the previous year, was spent on public works. The cash balance at the close of the year was £4,151. In the Island of Niue the revenue from all sources amounted to £1,797, or £353 more than in the previous year. The expenditure amounted to £2,089, £845 being spent on public works. The balance at the end of the year was £1,490. Trade, etc. Steady progress in trade in both the Cook and Niue Islands is being maintained. In the Cook Islands the imports for the year totalled £89,623, or £5,828 in advance of the previous year. Of this amount £66,787 represents the value of imports from New Zealand. The exports amounted to £91,076, being an increase of £327 on the exports for the previous year. At Niue Island the imports were of the value of £9,838, and the exports £12,047, being an increase of £656 and a decrease of £65 respectively as compared with the figures for the previous year. Sixty-eight per cent, of the import trade was with New Zealand. Experiments in the cultivation of sea-island cotton at Niue have been carried out, and a sample sent Home for analysis was most favourably reported upon. Endeavours are now being made to start the industry on a satisfactory basis. Health of the People. This is receiving close attention. The new hospital at Rarotonga is being taken full advantage of by both in-patients and out-patients. Two medical officers are now stationed in the Cook Islands, and one medical officer at Niue. Education. At the Cook Islands the education of the people still remains in the hands of the missionary societies. At Niue the Government school, which was opened last year, is doing good work, and a regular attendance of pupils is being maintained. A technical workshop is now nearly completed, and much promise in woodwork is shown by the native boys. Land has been taken at Rarotonga for the purpose of establishing a wireless-telegraph station. M. Pomare, Minister in Charge, Cook and Other Islands Administration.