A.—3

30

Rarotonga. Police Quarters. —30 ft. by 16 ft., divided into two rooms, with 9-ft.-wide verandas, and having two rooms on the back veranda, were built; also, a building containing two cells, with passage between, was erected. Water was laid on to the main building and the land fenced. Teacher s Quarters, Arorangi. —At the Settlement of Arorangi a building was bought and renovated for a residence for the Superintendent of Schools. Teacher's Quarters, Ngatangiia. —At the Settlement of Ngatangiia a residence was erected, 48 ft. by 24 ft., divided into five rooms, with verandas 9 ft. wide on three sides, and a veranda 12 ft. wide at back, enclosed to form dining-room, kitchen, and bathroom. A wash-house was also built, and water laid on from the Ngatangiia water-supply. Hospital. —At the Hospital an operating-room has been added to the main building on the western veranda. A mortuary was built, and other small additions and repairs effected. Fruit Inspector's Office. —The fumigator building was lengthened 15 ft., so as to provide an office 20 ft. by 15 ft., and the veranda carried round the three sides. Formerly the office was a part of the end veranda, 15 ft. by 10 ft. enclosed, which was found very close in hot weather. . Roads and Bridges. —The main road through the Settlement of Avarua has been kept in repair by the Administration, and the bridges have been kept in repair on the main road round the island. I think the time has now come that the Administration should assist the Natives in opening up some inland roads, as by so doing the Natives would plant more, and so increase the exports. Upkeep of Buildings. This year I consider a sum of £150 should be placed on the estimates for the upkeep of the buildings, as there are now more buildings to keep in repair, and the number increases each year. Swamps. There are several swamps on the Island of Rarotonga which require draining, and I do not see how the Natives are going to manage it themselves. I therefore think the Administration should help them. If the swamps were drained (the soil is generally first class) they would produce most tropical fruits and vegetables, and the draining of these swamps would lessen mosquitoes and improve the health of the people. Moorings, Avarua Harbour. Good moorings have now been laid down in Avarua Harbour, which L consider safe in anything but extremely bad weather for schooners up to 200 tons or so. Water-supplies. Avarua. —During very dry weather the Takuvaine Creek, from which the supply is furnished, gives barely sufficient water, and in years to come the supply will have to be increased by making a reservoir at the intake, or by putting in a branch pipe to the Avatiu Creek. I favour the latter method. This year the Muri water-supply will be completed, and the size of the main pipe increased at Arorangi, and the system extended. Then all the settlements in Rarotonga will be supplied with good water. Pukapuka. —At this island a shed 64 ft. by 30 ft. was erected as a catchment, and two 5,000 gallon tanks (reinforced and mosquito-proof) were erected. Penrhyn. —A residence containing kitchen, dining-room, and bathroom, also a reinforced-concrete 2,000 gallon tank, weie erected for the Agent. Atiu. —A residence for the Agent, with tanks and outhouses,- as in other islands, was erected. Aitutaki. —The old Courthouse was reroofed with iron (the roof having been blown off in the last hurricane), and the whole building put in good repair. The Native school, Araura, had part of the roof renewed, the verandas cemented, and the building generally put in good repair. Manihiki. At this island help was given to the Resident Agent to repair his house, which was damaged in the hurricane. The walls of the Courthouse were raised, a new iron roof put on, new doors put in, and the floor repaired. There is one 5,000 gallon concrete tank supplied from the Courthouse roof, but a second is much needed. Rakahanga. The Courthouse (which is only an open shed at present) requires a new iron roof (the present one is Pandanus), new rafters, posts, and part cement walls and floor. A second concrete tank is much needed, for which the new iron roof of the Courthouse would serve as catchment. Attached hereto is a list of the public works which I consider should, if possible, be carried Out during this year. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. H. M. Connal, Engineer.