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Labour. Last April a gang of fifty-three Niue labourers was sent to Samoa, at the request of the, Western Samoan Administration, to engage, in public works in that territory. It was then arranged that that would be the last occasion on which permission would be granted to engage labourers in Niue, to work in other islands ; and I am very pleased to note the subsequent confirmation of this principle contained in a memorandum written by you to this Administration. The future of this' island lies in the development of its central portion and the expansion of the systematic growing of coconuts and other tropical products. Consequently all the available, labour on the island is necessary to aid in progress along those lines. High Court and Native Land Court. During the year 443 criminal cases were dealt with —easily a record, being 119 in excess of those for the preceding year. But it must not be thought that there has been an increase in actual crime to the extent indicated—far from it; in fact, the number of really criminal cases was less than in the year 1919. The increase shown arose mainly from the bringing into force, at, the close of the year 1919 of an Ordinance that was very necessary in combating certain Native, vices. In addition to this, the greater activity on the part of the police, due to greater efficiency under present conditions, is responsible for a great part of the increase. The civil work comprised two cases for the recovery of debt, and seventeen eases of divorce. In the Native Land Court twenty-eight applications lor adoptions were dealt with. Island Council. During the year the above-named body met four times. The only legislation put through was an Ordinance entitled " The Niue Traders' Hours of Business Amendment Ordinance," under which the usual weekly half-holiday was changed from Wednesday to Saturday afternoon. Meteorological. The' principal readings under this heading were: Barometer mean for the year, 30-03 in. Thermometer—mean maximum, 84-84 ; mean minimum, 69-68 ; maximum temperature for year, 96 (in March) ; minimum temperature for year, 57 (in June), Rainfall —total amount for year, 73-29 in. Rain fell on 150 days. Postal. The volume of business in this department for the year was easily a record. The following are the, principal figures : Money-orders issued, £3,479 18s. I'd, ; paid, £649 14s. Savings-bank— deposits, £3,122 35.; withdrawals, £3,316 9s. Postal notes, &c. — issued, £38 Is. 9jd. ; paid, £11 17s. sd. War pensions, gratuities, &c, £4,508 16s. 7d. The savings-bank deposits are greatly in advance of those for the preceding year, when they were the highest on record. Personal. 1 regret to have to record the, death of Mr. 11. 11. Head, sen., who died in February. Mr. Head had been a, resident in Niue for fifty-seven years, and was most highly esteemed by every one. At the close of the, year the. Rev; C. Beharrel arrived, with his family, to take, up the mission work, and was cordially received, by the residents. I have, &c, J. C. Kvison, The Hon. the Minister for Cook Islands, Wellington, Resident Commissioner. REPORT OP CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICER. Sir,— Alofi, Niue, sth, April, 1921. I beg herewith to submit the medical report for the, remaining nine months of the year 1920. Consultations at the dispensary numbered 5,800, and visits to villages 787. The dispensary, by the, way, is open for three hours for four days in the week, urgent cases receiving medicine at any time. I have endeavoured to index on the card system all who arc treated medically, but shortage of paper prevented my seeing this through. To lessen the calls at the dispensary an endeavour has been made, when and where, convenient, to supply to the outside villages such medicines and dressings as they might require. Thus many thousands have benefited in some small way, and many old folk have received attention. During April a labour gang of fifty-three were examined prior to their departure for Samoa. By the aid of the Government interpreter and others I have been able to deliver lectures in all the villages on hygiene and on public health matters generally, and the results evident have not been disappointing. I would like to thank the Administration for temporarily granting me the help of Hipa as Public Health Inspector. His assistance was invaluable. Since May I have had the assistance of Nurse, Copland, who is skilled in both general and Plunket nursing. This is a happy combination, and the island is fortunate. A surgical out-patients' department is now opened to the public on dispensing-mornings, and an average of twenty to thirty

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