A.—3.

Transport: A new garage has been erected at Utuko to accommodate the two new motor-lorries All motor-vehicles have been taken down, thoroughly overhauled, and all worn parts renewed, and two lorries repainted. The Medical Officer's car has been fitted with new hood, assembly and frame, upholstery and seats, also a new medicine-chest fitted to the running-board for carrying large bottles (Winchesters). Painting, where necessary, has been carried out at the various buildings during the vear. The wireless masts, stays, and guys have been treated with Stockholm tar, and the flagstaff and beacons painted. The two surf-boats and dinghy have been overhauled, repaired, recaulked, and painted in readiness for the new season's work. Education. Arrangements were made for the late Director of Education in New Zealand to visit Niue during the year, for the purpose of inspecting and reporting on both Government and London Missionary Society subsidized schools. The whole of the upper classes in both Government schools have been in constant communication during the year with the senior pupils of the two schools which have adopted them in New Zealand, and every mail many exceptionally interesting letters are exchanged, together with gifts of various kinds. Extracts follow from the individual reports of the headmasters, which deal in detail with the work of both schools for the past year. The following are the attendance figures of both schools for the year : —

London Missionary Society Subsidized Schools.--The Government subsidy for the year was paid quarterly to the local missionary, Rev. Beharell, whose receipt was taken and filed in the accounts of this Administration. The annual report of the local missionary on the work of the subsidized schools for the year ending 31st December, 1927, has been received. The following are the attendance figures of the ten schools for the year : —

Tufukia School. Schemes of Work. —During the year new schemes of work have been drawn up. The basic principles underlying these schemes are similar to those found in last year's schemes, but have been modified in places to be in keeping with the new syllabus which was issued some time after the Island Education Conference, held in Wellington, New Zealand, during the early part of the year 1926. An important feature of the schemes is that they contain greater detail, particularly in regard to method and examples. This has been done in order to simplify as much as possible the whole year's work for the Native assistant teachers, in order to allow them to prepare their daily programme of work with greater ease and to get completely away from the rule-of-thumb methods of teaching. Educational Viewpoint. —Niue is very isolated : there is no mixture of races and there are but a handful of Europeans. On account of this the Niue child sees, hears, and knows little of the outside world, and the educational course has to be framed to suit the conditions of life under which we find him. It is likely that English may become the language in Earotonga, and no doubt some common tongue is necessary in Fiji, where different races live side by side ; but, on account of so little outside influence, the Niue language must remain pure for a long time, and to devote less time to English and a greater amount of time to more vital subjects is a distinct advantage to Niueans. This matter is already receiving attention, and it is intended that the new course of instruction now under consideration will be framed to prepare the child for the life he has to live. Teachers' Examination. —In order to encourage the Native assistant teachers to raise their academic status and take a deeper interest in their work, a teachers' examination was held. Considering their restricted experience in teaching and study, such as we understand these, and taking into consideration

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Tufukia. Hakupu. Males. Females, j Total. Males. Females. Total. Number on roll on 1st January, 1927 . . 127 106 233 49 31 80 Number on roll on 31st December, 1927 118 104 222 52 34 86 Average Attendance.. .. 107-4 96-3 203-7 50-3 32-7 83

Number on Rolls. Males. Females. Total. Attendance First quarter . . . . 276 230 | 506 448-4 Second quarter . . . . 275 220 495 454-2 Third quarter . . . . 269 238 507 466-9 Fourth quarter . . . . 276 230 506 459-9 Average attendance for .. . . .. 457-3 year I