3

A.—B,

COOK ISLANDS.

REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. Sik, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 27th May, 1914. I have the honour to report as follows for the year ended the 31st March, 1914 :— Finance. The balance in hand at the commencement of the year was £2,062 18s. 3d.; the revenue was £11,722 18s. Sd.; the expenditure amounted to £10,194 25., leaving a balance in hand of £3,591 14s. Bd. Public Works. During the year several permanent public works were carried out. The laying of water to the important settlement of Titikaveka was completed to the very great satisfaction of the residents, every house desiring it being connected with a wholesome and never-failing supply. Previously, at certain seasons, the inhabitants carried the water from long distances, and therefore did not use it freely. A comfortable and substantial residence was built for the accommodation of the Resident Agent at Aitutaki. Tanks for the collection of an ample supply of fresh water were built of concrete at Atiu (one), Mauke (two), Mitiaro (one), and at the settlement of Aiiiuri, Aitutaki (one). The material was sent to Atiu to build two tanks at a site chosen by the Medical Officer and Engineer, but only a small tank was built near the beach, and the balance of the material was sent to Aitutaki and thus fortunately saved, otherwise it would have been destroyed by the sea at the time of the hurricane. Many important works are being projected this year, the chief among them being—Supply of water to the settlement of Muri (Rarotonga), which will complete the series in Rarotonga ; erection of house for Resident Agent at Penrhyn; improvement of boat-passage at Manihiki ; boring for water at Aitutaki; erection of police quarters and prison cells at Rarotonga; house for Resident Agent at Atiu; erection of Courthouse and offices at Aitutaki; improvement of boat-passage at Mauke; tram-line (for carriage of goods) at Mangaia; erection of teachers' residences at Rarotonga. Experimental Nursery. The recently drained Maraerenga Swamp having been acquired by the Government, portion of the land has been cleared and ploughed, and a plantation and nursery established under the capable management of Mr. E. A. Reid, of the Agricultural Department of New Zealand, who takes an enthusiastic interest therein and in the education of the Natives as to the advantages of systematic cultivation. Plants and seed are being generously contributed by various institutions interested in tropical culture in many parts of the world with which we' are in communication, and the thanks of the Administration are due to the Union Steamship Company for its timely offer to convey parcels of plants for the nursery free of charge. Live-stock. The Live-stock Department instituted a few years ago having proved an expensive failure, the stock was disposed of. TJie entire was returned to the Stock Department of New Zealand,' and the pigs and fowls disposed of locally by tender. Population. The vital statistics indicate a .substantial improvement in the health of the people, due very. largely, I have no doubt, to the improvement in the water-supplies and to the remedying of insanitary conditions. Land Titles Court. Advantage was taken of the presence of Lieut.-Colonel Gkidgeon on a brief holiday visit to have him appointed Chief Judge of the Land Titles Court for a period of three months, during which time he disposed of nearly two hundred applications awaiting hearing at Rarotonga. As there are now over four hundred applications awaiting hearing—the larger number being in the Island of Aitutaki—it is very necessary that arrangements be made for the holding of Land Courts in the islands other than Rarotouga during this year, for until the land is individualized the Natives naturally will not take the interest in land that may be awarded to some one else, and will only grow and cultivate for their own immediate needs, and even then they are often despoiled by other Natives asserting ownership. The Islands generally are not producing one-seventh of what they could be made to produce under proper and efficient cultivation. Individualizing the lands at Rarotonga is undoubtedly the cause of its present prosperity. In my opinion the proper course would be to send an efficient Native Land Court Judge from New Zealand, and this Administration could not bear the whole of the expense. The Islands are part of the Dominion of New Zealand, then why not treat them, as the rest of the Native lands are treated in the Dominion? The return attached hereto showing goods admitted to the Cook Islands from New Zealand free of duty shows that were we not part of the Dominion (he Islands Treasury would receive at least £4,355 more in duties.