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united to do honour to the representative of their King. There was one continuous round of festivities during the four days Their Excellencies were in Rarotonga. The best part of a day was spent in each of the districts of Avarua, Arorangi, and Takitumu, and each vied with the other in its demonstrations of welcome and hospitality. His Excellency unveiled the Soldiers' Monument and the Roll of Honour, and dedicated the Soldiers Memorial Park, and Her Excellency opened the new Hospital Building. Their Excellencies also visited the islands of Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, Atiu, Aitutaki, and Palmerston, spending a day at each. They were received at each island with the same warm demonstrations of loyalty as at Rarotonga. In every island they visited all the schools, much to the delight of the children, who received sound and homely advice from the addresses of His Excellency. There is no doubt that this visit will live long in the memories of our people. They are so intensely loyal to the Throne that when the King's Representative comes in such a kindly and helpful spirit a very great deal of good must result, and it is hoped that it may be possible to arrange for more frequent visits in future. Visit of the Hon. Sir Maui Pomare. The Hon. the Minister of the Cook Islands arrived by R.M.S. " Tahiti " on the Ist May in order to represent the New Zealand Government during the official visit of His Excellency the GovernorGeneral. He was accompanied by Lady Pomafe and Miss Pomare, and Mr. J. D. Gray, Secretary of the Cook Islands Department. The party received a very warm public welcome. The Minister remained in Rarotonga for a week, during which, despite the festivities in connection with the Governor-General's visit, a considerable amount of public business was transacted. On the Bth May the Minister, the Secretary of the Cook Islands Department, the Resident Commissioner, and the Chief Medical Officer embarked on the N.Z.G.S. " Hinemoa " for her long leper cruise via the Lower and Northern Groups and Samoa to Fiji. En route the ship called at our islands of Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Aitutaki, Palmerston, Penrhyn, Rakahanga, Manihiki, and Pukapuka. At each island the Minister received a warm-hearted reception, and he and his officers were afforded an opportunity of carrying out necessary work. This was the first visit of a Minister to the Northern Group for over twenty years, and it was greatly appreciated by the people. Visits of the Right Honourable thb Prime Minister of New Zealand. Rarotonga was fortunate in having a visit on the 18th September last from the Righ Hon. J. G. Coates, P.C., Prime Minister of New Zealand, and Mrs. Coates and party, while en route to the Imperial Conference in London, and again on the 7th February on the return journey to New Zealand. All sections of the community were very pleased to have the honour, as part of New Zealand, of saying the last farewell to the Prime Minister on his way home and of extending the first welcome back. Mr. Coates was very warmly received on each occasion, and was accorded an official and public reception. He also attended a short meeting of the Rarotonga Island Council. On the first visit a garden party at the Residency was arranged so that all Europeans and leading Natives would have an opportunity of meeting the Prime Minister and Mrs. Coates. On the return visit these distinguished visitors had a little more time at Rarotonga and were again hospitably entertained. These two visits, although time was short on each occasion, afforded an opportunity to the Prime Minister of gaining some insight into island life and conditions, and also into some of the problems which confront the Administration in administering this Group. Visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York to New Zealand. It was arranged to send to New Zealand representatives of the Cook Islands to present, on behalf of their people, greetings and loyal addresses to Their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of York during the Royal visit to the Dominion. The Cook Islands representatives were Makea-nui Tinirau Ariki, of Avarua; Tinomana, Tuoro Ariki, of Arorangi; and Tau-puru-ariki Mataiapo, of Takitumu —the latter also acting as interpreter. On behalf of the people of the Cook Islands they presented to His Royal Highness an address of welcome and of loyalty and devotion to His Majesty the King. They also made a presentation to the Duke of a casket made of Rarotongan woods inlaid with pearl-shell, and to the Duchess of a ring of tortoise-shell inlaid with silver. Their address and the Duke's reply have been read with great interest by all the people throughout the Group, and there is no doubt that this opportunity of seeing and meeting the son of His Majesty will further strengthen the ties of friendship and loyalty uniting New Zealand's dependencies of the South Seas and Great Britain. The Cook Islands representatives keenly appreciated the manner in which they were received in New Zealand by the Government and the people, and all that was done to make their visit a memorable and enjoyable one. Finance. The financial year commenced with a credit balance of £5,343 lis. 9d. Revenue received (including a grant of £1,000 from New Zealand Treasury) amounted to £19,103 lis. 5d., and the expenditure was £24,447 3s. 2d. We thus closed the year with a credit of £143 16s. sd. The position is not satisfactory, as it will be seen from particulars of balance printed below that our principal credits consist of stocks on hand, £2,257 Is, 5d., and amounts owing to Administration,

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