A.—3

MAUKE. Health has been good throughout the year, with the exception of an epidemic of influenza in February last, following the hurricane. Trade.—During last orange season 8,613 cases of oranges were exported, and for the year ended 31st March 155 tons of copra were exported. For the 1931 orange season prospects are good, and it is estimated that the island can ship 20,000 cases. Plantings. —Plantings for the year have been well maintained to keep up the domestic foodsupplies. Roads and Public Works.—The road round the island and roads inland have been kept in good repair, and after the gale in February fallen trees and debris were removed. An extension of 32 ft. was made to the cargo-shed, and the floor concreted. Under the supervision of the Island Council three new fruit-packing sheds of native materials were built inland. Each is about 80 ft. long and 24 ft. wide. Public water-tanks are in good repair. Considerable work has been done to open out the reef-passages, which will be of great benefit to future shipping and cargo handling, and further work is to be undertaken during next year. High Court.—ls4 cases were dealt with by the Resident Agent sitting as a Commissioner of the Court. MANGAIA. Health. —The health of the island has been exceptionally good, the deaths being mostly of old people and chronic T.B. cases. The resident nurse gave 6,270 treatments, including 273 injections for yaws. For over two years the island has not had a doctor, except once while a vessel was working Mangaia. Trade and Shipping. —Trade has been very bad, the orange crop being the lightest for many years. The price of copra was so low that many made only what would buy them necessaries, preferring to feed the rest of their nuts to their pigs. Exports : Oranges, 5,495 cases ; bananas, 198 cases ; tomatoes, 73 cases ; coffee, 2 tons 6 cwt. ; copra, 129 tons. High Court.—Criminal jurisdiction, 405 convictions ; civil jurisdiction, 3 cases. Public Works. —Captain Willcocks arrived on the Ist December to carry out reef and road work. Two roads up on to the makatea have been finished, one at Tamarua and one at Oneroa. Another road at Tavaenga is about one-third done, which will give much-needed access to the coast from the plantation areas. Reef-work was not practicable up to 31st March on account of bad reefs. From April onwards conditions should be favourable. The island has responded well in the way of free labour : 150 men have turned out twice a week to clear away the spoil and do the road building and filling. A new cargo-shed has been erected at the Atuakoro landing. This shed is built on the same plan as the one erected at the Oneroa landing last year. The work was voluntarily carried out by the people of Mangaia. Schools. —The three schools are working steadily. Teachers' classes are held twice weekly. The new school erected at their own cost by the people of Tamarua is a great improvement; the site is healthier, and teaching-conditions are much easier. A very suitable site has now been given at Ivirua by Tangi Yaipo and Tuakana, so all three villages are now provided for. It would be a great step forward to have our own school buildings in each village : Oneroa should have something more substantial and up-to-date. The Ivirua people are prepared to put up a building this year, of native material mostly. Land Matters. —Disputes over dwnership of land are continually arising and being referred to the Resident Agent, who can only arbitrate or try to bring about a settlement when the disputants will not abide by the decisions of their Vi rangatiras. There has been, no doubt, a good deal of landgrabbing by different ones, and there is pressing need to investigate ownerships by the Land Court. The older men are dying off, and the longer the matter is put off the harder it will be to get reliable evidence. Land-planting. —Planting is steadily maintained, and a plentiful supply of food is assured. Island Council. —The work of the Island Council has been very satisfactory. During the absence on furlough of the Resident Agent from February to May the Island Council carried on the administration of the island, maintaining law and order, and seeing to the necessary public works. They have been of the greatest help with the road and the reef work now being done, maintaining a supply of voluntary labour when required. Returned Soldiers' Tombstones. —Two were erected, and unveiled on Armistice Day last. General. —The hurricane season has been a quiet one. The new road and reef work have kept the people occupied and interested.

NORTHERN GROUP. MANIHTKI AND RAKAHANGA. Health. —Health conditions have been good. The Chief Medical Officer paid a visit in October, when all cases of sickness were seen, medical supplies replenished, and health-work generally attended to. Trade and Shipping. —There were nine calls of schooners at each island. Copra shipped for the year was : From Manihiki, 280 tons ; from Rakahanga, 261 tons. Sixteen tons of mother-of-pearl shell were also shipped from Manihiki. Goods to the value of £2,877 6s. 4d. were imported at Manihiki during the year, and the imports at Rakahanga amounted to £2,093 10s. 3d.

2 —A. 3.

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