A.—3

6

The wireless station was opened for traffic in September, and is quite a convenience to traders and fruit-shippers. The arrival of steamers is now timed to the hour, and the waste of fruit which was so heavy in the past is now avoided. During the six months 371 messages, of 6,396 words, value £521 Is. 9d., were despatched, and 349 messages, of 6,221 words, value £566 3s. Id., were received. Trade. —The overseas trade for the year is valued at £182,340, showing an increase of £42,089 compared with the previous year. The imports totalled £99,632, and the exports £82,708, showing increases of £19,571 and £22,518 respectively. Copra and fruit—oranges, bananas, and tomatoes- were the main products for export. The orange output increased by 14,901 cases, but the bananas decreased 14,901 cases and the tomatoes by 10,484 cases. Had it not been for the influenza epidemic the export of bananas would have been much greater. The " Flora," which connects with Auckland, did not take any fruit from the Cook Islands between the 31st October and the 23rd April, and with the exception of a few small shipments by mail-steamers to Wellington the whole of the banana production during that period was lost for export. The tomato shipments fell from 16,804 cases to 6,330 cases. This industry promised well a few years ago, but growers having suffered severe reverses through lack of shipping-facilities do not feel inclined to plant extensively at present. 1,752 tons of copra were exported, the whole of which practically went to America. Much of it had been on hand from the previous year owing to scarcity of shipping. Freights on this article are still very high; and although the Armistice was signed over six months ago, and freight rates to almost all parts of the world were reduced immediately after, the Cook Islands still pays the war-freight rate by subsidized mail-steamers on both inward and outward cargo. W. J. Stevenson, Collector of Customs and Treasurer.

Cook Islands Administration. Revenue for the Year ended ■list March. 1919. £ s. d. £ s. d. Balance, Ist April, 1918 .. .. .. .. .. .. 1.262 1 8 Customs duties, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. 5.515 I (i New Zealand . . . . .. .. 1,192 17 ' 9 Export duties .. .. ...... . . . . 1 .379 16 3 Trading-license fees .'. .. .. .. .. .. 600 15 0 Stamps . . .. . . .. ~ .. ..I .856 10 I Fees and fines. High, Court, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 362 7 6 Aitutaki .. .. .. 69 13 0 Mangaia .. .. .. .. 100 2 6 Mauke . . . . . . .. 90 3 0 Atiu .. .. .. .. 6 9 0 Manihiki .. .. .. ' 102 2 0 Penrhyn . . ~. .. . . 24 14 0 Fees, Land Court .. .'. .. .. .. .. 140 14 9 Water rates, Avarua .. .. .. .■. .. 191 18 S Arorangi . . .. . . .. .. . . 77 14 0 ~ Ngatangiia .. .. .. .. .. 39 6 0 ~ Matavera .. .. .. .. .. .. 39 7 0 Titikaveka . . . . .. .. . . 54 17 0 Muri .. .. ' .. .. 26 16 0 Shipping fees . . . . . . .. .. . . . . 15 15 1 Marriage fees . . . . . . .. .. .. 37 17 11 Motor-vehicle fees . . . . . . ~ . . . . 23 19 ,2 Hall licenses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 0 0 Road rates . . . . . . . . . . 1715 6 Interest on fixed deposit . . . . . . . . 35 0 0 Rents .. .. .. 144 7 0 Fruit Fumigation and Inspection Account, cash balance .. .. 979 6 1) Ammunition Account, cash balance .. .. .. .. 2 6 8 Muri Water Account, cash balance : . . . 4 3 6 Liquor Account, cash balance . . . . . . . . 542 13 I Miscellaneous .. .. . . . . .. .. .. 10 17 8 13,846 17 9 Total .. .. .. .. ... .. £15,108 19 5