A.—3

Return of Imports and Exports for the Twelve Years 1915 to 1926, inclusive.

Medical and Public Health. On the whole, general health conditions in all the islands have been satisfactory during the year. All the alterations and additions at the Rarotonga Hospital were completed early 'in the year, and this institution should now be sufficient to meet requirements for some years. In May last Dr. E. P. Ellison assumed the position of Chief Medical Officer, and in July Dr. B. G. Thompson was appointed Assistant Medical Officer, vice Dr. J. P. Donald, who retired to take tip private practice in New Zealand. It is satisfactory to note that the medical services are now on a sound and progressive basis. As anticipated, the report of Dr. S. M. Lambert, of the International Health Board (Rockefeller Foundation), which was printed as an appendix to last annual report, has proved most valuable in dealing with our various problems in regard to tropical diseases. Mass treatment for hookworm and yaws has been undertaken in several of the islands, and it is anticipated that this work will be completed during the coming year. Valuable work in regard to leprosy has been undertaken by the Chief Medical Officer. In May of last year the Government steamer " Hinemoa " removed forty leper patients to the Fijian Leper Station at Makogai, where they are receiving up-to-date treatment, with every prospect that the majority will be cured and, in course of time, be able to return to these islands. It is anticipated that the remainder of our leper patients will be similarly removed from the Group during the current year. The Medical Department is continuing its policy of training Native probationer nurses at the local hospital with a view to their being able to efficiently carry out the duty as nurses here and in the Group islands. With advancing education the service should soon be in a position to secure a better class of trainee. The following are extracts from the annual report of the Chief Medical Officer : — " During the early part of this year substantial additions and alterations were made to the hospital, and improvements effected outside. In May Her Excellency the Lady Alice Fergusson opened this new building, comprising a dispensary and storeroom, a dressing-room, an office and laboratory, and a dental surgery. The hospital should now serve the wants of the Group for many years to come. " Pratique has been granted to fifty-one vessels. During the height of the small-pox outbreak in California, and especially Los Angeles, it was thought advisable on one occasion not to grant full pratique till further information was gleaned. A labour gang alone, previously vaccinated, was allowed aboard. To prevent the possible introduction of leprosy from the Northern Group all vessels touching on these islands are strictly inspected. "It has been our endeavour from the outset to concentrate our attention on the medical needs of the islands outside Rarotonga, which no doubt have received, and will continue to receive, the lion's share. In a scattered group like this it has entailed much travelling. Much of it, too, is somewhat unsatisfactory, for the time ashore is often insufficient to attend properly to the physical welfare of the people. To meet this, and help in our aims and ideals for their betterment, while bearing in mind also the limited finances and staff at our disposal, it was thought advisable to commence a lecturing campaign and so persuade the Natives to come forward voluntarily and, with the help of their respective Resident Agents, assist to bring about a lower infantile and general death-rate by the formation of Baby and Children's Welfare Committees and Sanitation Committees respectively. Such a campaign has been carried on throughout the Groups both south and north, and, it is hoped, will fill the hiatus between the previous state and the day when nurses or Native medical practitioners, or both, will be stationed on each of the outer islands. " The movement has been extended to Rarotonga, and each village has its committees and is doing splendid work and achieving good results. The women's committees are coached in pre-natal and post-natal care ; in the conduct of labour ; in weaning ; in the many often fatal ailments a baby is heir to ; and simple drugs are at their disposal. It is hoped to start a clinic of these committees in the out-patients department, Rarotonga.

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Year. J Imports. | Exports. Total Value. £ £ £ 1915 .. .. .. .. 65,590 63,057 128,647 1916 .. .. .. .. 58,478 68,146 126,624 1917 .. .. .. .. 80,061 60,190 140,251 1918 .. .. .. .. 99,632 82,708 182,340 1919 .. .. .. .. 142,925 127,729 270,654 1920 .. .. .. .. 177,911 94,697 272,608 1921 .. .. .. .. 112,974 69,301 182,335 1922 .. .. .. 116,726 125,802 252,528 1923 .. .. .. .. 131,590 118,710 250,300 1924 138,202 154,554 292,756 1925 .. .. .. 130,609 151,939 282,548 1926 .. .. .. 134,473 138,588 - 273,061