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The climate is equable. The rainfall shows considerable variation from year to year. In 1915 it was 78 in. ; 1916,' 18-33 in. ; 1917, 19 in. ;' 1918, 127-79 in. ; 1919, 167-64 in. ; 1920, 92-25 in. Temperature: 1915, no data available; 1916, highest 99-5° F., lowest 68°; 1917, highest 93-5° ¥~ lowest 70°; 1918, highest 95-5° F., lowest 70°; 1919, highest 91° F., lowest 69°; 1920, highest 91-5° F., lowest 69°. Taxation. Since the British occupation no change has been made in the German Customs Regulations. Import duties are imposed on beer, spirits, wines, and tobacco, and a 10-per-cent. ad valorem duty on practically all other goods ; but by a concession obtained in 1905 from the German Government the Phosphate Commission receives exemption for all materials and plant used for the exploitation of phosphates, as well as for provisions required for its employees. An export duty of 10s. per ton is charged on copra. A poll-tax of 15s. per year is collected from all adult male Natives. A royalty of 6d. per ton to the Government and Jd. per ton to the Native landowners is paid for every ton of phosphate shipped, and the Phosphate Commission contribute, also £1,000 a year to the upkeep of the police. Wireless Station. The outstanding feature of Nauru, apart from the phosphate-works, is the; wireless station, of 55-kilowatt power, which was erected by the Germans to link up the island with other Pacific possessions and Tsingtau. It was opened in December, 1913, and, though partially dismantled shortly after tin; outbreak of war, was restored directly after, and has been in use ever since. Police and Public Order. Tin; police stationed here under German rule were recruited from New Britain. They showed no hesitation in transferring their allegiance to the British, and continued to serve, until their term of service expired, when they were replaced partly by men from the Gilbert and Ellicc Islands, and partly by men from New Britain, and to a small extent by Nauruans. During the period of the British occupation of the island the conduct of the Native Nauruans has been excellent, there having been little or no crime of a serious nature on their part. The same cannot, however, be said of the Chinese and South-Sea-Islanders (other than Nauruans) residing on the island, most of them under contract to the British Phosphate Commission ; but even with these the serious offences have been but few in number, and easily dealt with. Postal Services. Mail communication to and from Australia and other parts of the world is almost solely by the chartered vessels of the British Phosphate Commission; generally speaking, there is a fortnightly service between Nauru and Australia, but there is no regular service, nor can one be expected. The stamps in use are the British postal stamps surcharged " Nauru/ Military Forces. A garrison of three officers and sixty other ranks was landed here on 6th November, 1914. This force, was reduced in 1916 to one officer and ten other ranks ; and, with the exception of the wireless staff, removed permanently early in 1920. Nauru, 15th September, 1921. T. Griffiths, Administrator.

REPORT COVERING PERIOD FROM DATE OK CONFIRMATION OF MANDATE, 17th DECEMBER, 1920, TO 31st DECEMBER, 1921. Administrator: Until 9th June, 1921, G. B. Smith-Rewse ; from 10th June, 1921, T. Griffiths. Financial. State of Finances as at 31st December, 1921. Revenue for 1921. £ s. d. Customs .. ■■ •• •• •• •• .. 3,102 13 9 Licenses and internal . . . . . . . . J, 374 19 1 Court fees and fines . . . . . . .. . . 200 19 6 British Phosphate Commission .. .. .. .. 5,036 7 0 Post Office .. .. •■ ■• •• .. 221 12 5 Miscellaneous .. • • • • • • • • • • 110 0 Wireless receipts (Radio Suspense Account; .. . . . . 244 0 5 £10,191 12 2

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