A.—3

15

Heavy tropical rains can in a very .short time do a great deal of damage to roads the surface of which is not sealed. With the increasing motor is notjfar distant when we shall have to consider the laying-down of permanent tar-sealed roads on the main*section round the island, a distance of 21 miles. The present water-supply systems, laid on to every village, are giving good service to the community, but extensions in the districts of Avarua and Arorangi are desirable when funds are available. In the former district many houses are springing up along the Ara Metua (old road) between Avatiu and Black Rock, and an extension in this direction would be costly, as a new main from the Avatiu Valley would have to be laid down. Part of the extensions required at Arorangi have been approved, and the work will very shortly be put in hand. The main source of supply for the settlement of Avarua is in the Takuvaine Valley, where the erection of filter-beds is very desirable, but, as reports show that the cost would be in the vicinity of £2,500, this is a work that must wait for better times. The electric-lighting scheme, which was prepared two years ago, is being held in abeyance until such time as we can reasonably ask New Zealand for financial help for this project. The following are extracts from the report above referred to : — " Rarotonga. " Main Roads.—With the increasing number of motor cars and trucks, the work of maintaining the roads is becoming a heavy task. The plant and prison gang, augmented by paid labour, are employed practically full time. Two new gravel-pits have been opened up in creek-beds at Titikaveka, thus saving considerable cost in transport of gravel, and also expediting the work. A new motor-truck is required to enable the tramway to work at full capacity. " District or Tapere Roads.—The work of cleaning and maintaining the tapere roads has received attention by the Natives, and the Administration buildings, bridges, and culverts where required. The valley road at Avatiu has been formed for a further length of about 20 chains. The next length will require the building of a bridge and two reinforced culverts, and it is hoped to have this work put in hand at an early date. " Bridges.—New reinforced-concrete culverts have replaced two wooden bridges at Titikaveka, and one at Ngatangiia. The entrance to the culvert draining the Titikaveka recreation-ground has been protected with concrete retaining walls 30 ft. by 8 ft. Four smaller reinforced-culverts were built at the packing-shed, Ngatangiia (two), and at At.upa and Kaikaveka tapere roads. The wooden bridges have required considerable repair work to piles, stringers, and decking. " Government Buildings. —A three-roomed annex was built at the Hotel Earotonga. Repairs and minor improvements to the Government buildings and residences have been attended to where necessary. " Telephone. — The telephone system has been further extended from the wireless station to Arorangi, and from Ngatangiia to Titikaveka, a total of six miles. All villages are now connected with Avarua by telephone. The system has now been erected throughout with approved material supplied by the Post and Telegraph Department, Wellington. The hardwood posts were imported from Sydney. " Schools. —A new class-room 60 ft. by 20 ft., built with concrete foundations and roofed with Poilite, was erected at the Avarua School. Another class-room, formerly roofed with kikau, has been roofed with Poilite and hooded. The Native-built class-room adjoining the main class-room at Titikaveka has been replaced by a permanent building, 30 ft. by 20 ft., of the same material as used in the construction of the class-rooms at Avarua. This style of building is much cheaper than the former expensive structures, and is well ventilated and cool. The Acting Superintendent of Schools has commented very favourably on the suitability of these buildings for educational purposes in Rarotonga. " Administration Grounds. —Further effort has been made to improve the foreshore, creek-banks, and Government grounds. " Drains. —The main drains from the Experimental Nursery to the sea, and at Parekura, have been kept clean and in working order. " Outer Islands. " AitutaTci. —The village-wells have been kept in excellent working-order by the Resident Agent. Repairs to the concrete tanks, spouting, and feed-pipes from roof catchments have also received attention. " The wharf is now completed, and is a credit to the Resident Agent, who supervised the work. Stone had to be blasted and conveyed a considerable distance in punts specially built for the purpose. The whole structure has been faced with concrete, and the rails fixed on hardwood sleepers solidly embedded in concrete. An improvement has also been effected by removing the tram - lines from the centre of the lower cargo-shed and running the lines the full length of both sides of the cargo - sheds, thus facilitating the work of loading fruit to the trucks for wharf transport and loading to the boats. This also necessitated a further filling of rock faced with concrete to improve and extend the tramway to the sheds. The cargo-sheds have been hooded, and thus protected from the weather. " Additional galvanized tanks were forwarded and erected at the school buildings. " Mitiaro. —Material for building a 5,000-gallon reinforced-concrete tank was forwarded to Mitiaro. Mr. Williams called at this island when en route to Mangaia and instructed the Resident Agent regarding foundations and construction. " Mauke.—Material for the erection of wireless-masts is on hand, and will be forwarded to Mauke at first opportunity. It is hoped to have a station erected and in working-order at an early date. " Atiu. —Material was forwarded for the erection of new masts for the wireless-station, consisting of 4 in. to 2 in. galvanized piping, flexible steel wire for stays, anchor-chains, turnbuckles, &c. Mr. Williams visited the island and gave the necessary instructions regarding the erection of the masts, which was carried out by the Resident Agent.