A.—3

2

MEMORANDUM. Cook Islands Department, Wellington, 22nd .June, 1916. The annual report of the Resident Commissioner of Rarotouga, which contains the particulars of the operations for the past year, is attached hereto. Owing to the unfavourable weather-conditions that have prevailed for the past two years, and the disorganization of shipping services due Io the war, the financial conditions have not been so satisfactory as in the previous year. The crops, however, are now recovering, and if sufficient tonnage is available an improvement may he anticipated for the current year. The Cook Islands Act, passed last session, consolidating the laws relating to the Islands, was brought into force on the Ist April, 1916, and Mr. ('. I!. Jordan, Under-Secretary for •Justice, has been appointed to be the Secretary for the Cook Islands. Some difficulty has been experienced in obtaining the services of medical men for the Islands, but Dr. Trotter has now been appointed Assistant Medical Officer at Rarotouga and Dr. Barraclough Medical Officer at Nine. Both of these gentlemen have proceeded to take up their appointments. In pursuance of the decision of the Government to appoint a Judge of the Native Land .. Court, Mr. H. Ayson has been selected for the position, and will proceed to the Islands immediately. I desire to place on record the patriotism and loyalty exhibited by the people of the Cook Islands and Nine in connection with the war. Not only have they contributed freely in money and comforts for the troops, but they have sent the best of their young men into the firing-line. The Islands are represented by approximately two hundred men now at the front, and many more are ready to come forward as soon as they may be called upon. M. POMARE, Minister for the Cook Islands.