A.—6

1922. NEW ZEALAND.

NAURU (REPORTS ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF), PREPARED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SUBMISSION TO THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS.

Laid on the Table of the House of Representatives by Leave.

REPORT FOR PRE-MANDATE PERIOD, ENDING 17th DECEMBER, 1920. Made, in accordance, with the Resolution adopted by the Council of the League of Nations on 21st June, 1921. 1. Nauru was surrendered to H.M.A.S. " Melbourne " on the 9th September, 191.4, and was included with the rest of the German New Guinea possessions in the capitulation of Herbertshohe ; it was, however, not until the 6th November of the same year that it was effectively occupied by troops (Australian) from Rabaul. In accordance with the terms of the capitulation, local laws and customs were continued, as far as practicable, and a Civil Administration was established on the Ist January, 1915. The change from German to British rule was effected without any break in the ordinary life of the island —the main difference between the two systems, from a Native point of view, being that, whereas under the German rule the people were left entirely to themselves provided the poll-tax was paid regularly, under the new regime they found themselves called upon to take part in the improve* merit of the island, hygienically, socially, and administratively. Particulars of the Island. 2. The island is a circular atoll of approximately twelve miles in circumference, surrounded by a reef,, bare at low water. On the seaward side the reef dips abruptly into deep water. There is no anchorage adjacent to the island. On the landward side of the reef there is a sandy beach, interspersed here and there by coral pinnacles. From this sandy beach the ground rises gradually to about 10 ft. above sea-level to a coral cliff which extends round the island, and rises, more or less abruptly, to a height of from 40 ft. to 60 ft. At the top of this cliff is an extensive plateau bearing phosphate of a high grade, the mining rights of which are vested in the British Phosphate Commission. It is chiefly on the fertile section of land between the sandy beach and the coral cliff that the Natives have established themselves, and from which they obtain the necessary food for themselves and families. With the exception of a small fringe round a shallow lagoon, about a mile inland, the plateau which contains the phosphate deposits contains very few food-trees, and but few inhabitants. A contour plan of the island is enclosed [not printed]. Financial. The following shows the revenue and expenditure of the island from the Ist January, 1915 :— £ s. d. £ s. d. 1915—Revenue 1. .. .. .. 9,651 5 7 Expenditure .. .. .. .. 4,775 2 1 1916—Revenue .. .. .. .. 8,402 1.5 4 Expenditure .. .. .. .. 5,871 17 6 1917--Revenue .. .. .. .. 9,473 16 9 Expenditure .. .. .. .. 16,531 8 11 1918—Revenue .. .. .. .. 8,556 10 0 Expenditure .. .. .. .. 5,041 16 8.1 1919—Revenue .. .. .. .. 6,761 2 Io| Expenditure . . . . . . . . 4.72705 1920—Revenue .. .. .. .. 10,610 11 7 \ Expenditure .. .. .. .. 4,818 7 0 Total .. .. .. £53,456 2 2 £41,765 13 \\

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