23

A.—3

Subtracting the charges for non-registration of dogs- ninety-nine- the remaining offences number 294, of which 245 were of drunkenness, or relating to bush-beer. On the civil side the High Court had before it sixty-seven cases as follows :- -1914-15. 1913-14. Damages .. . . . . . . . . .. 23 17 Debt '.. .. .. .. .'. .. ..18 14 - Divorce .. .. .. .. . . . . ..16 23 Detinue .. .. .. .. .. 3 2 Injunction .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 3 Possession of chattels .. .. .. . . .. .. 2 ~ tenement .. .. .. .. .. .. 1 Trespass .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 2 Probate .. . . . . .. . . .. .... 1 67 60 Number of plaints entered during the year ~ . . .. .. 62 £ s. d. Amount sued for .. .. .. .. .. .. 478 8 5 Amount recovered .. .. .. .. .. .. 294 15 10 The fines imposed amounted to .. . . .. 405 1 0 And the costs (criminal) to .. .. .. .. .. 106 3 0 £511 4 0 The fees and fines collected and paid into the Treasury amounted to — 1914-15. 1913-14. £ s. d. £ s. d. Criminal jurisdiction .. .. .. .. 418 16 11 472 5 5 Civil jurisdiction .. .. .. 20 3 0 40 17 0 £438 19 11 £513 2 5 Fines to the amount of £165 19s. 3d. are outstanding and being collected by monthly or weekly instalments, or paid in part by labour. During the year fifty-six offenders were put to labour on the roads or public works for default in payment of fines. Two offenders were sent to the penal settlement at Manuae Island to serve terms of imprisonment. The Court office was the medium for the collection of the following sums, which were paid into the Treasury :— 1914-15. 1913-14. £ s. d. £ s. d. Dog-tax .. .. .. .. 73 4 0 60 7 6 Road rates .. .. *.. .. 94 1 6 96 7 6 Water rates . . . . .. .. .. 447 19 8 294 16 6 Refunds for pipes, &c. .. .. .. .. • 142 12 0 262 17 2 Fines under Wandering Animals Ordinance .. . . 22 19 3 14 13 0 License fees Public halls .. .. .. 6 0 0 £787 I 5 £729 I 8 The increase in water rate paid is largely due to a full rate being payable in connection with the new Titikaveka water-supply, instead of only half-rate paid last year. I have, &c. H. H, G. Ralfe, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. Registrar of Courts.