A. —3

Vital Statistics. The following table shows the births and deaths in each island of the Group for the year

Of the deaths recorded fifty-one were under the age of one year, as compared with thirty-eight last year. MIGRATION. The following returns show the migration to and from Rarotonga for the period Ist April, 1931, to 31st- March, 1932 : — Arrivals.—Europeans : 91 males, 50 females. Natives : 54 males, 39 females. Departures. —Europeans: 77 males, 45 females. Natives : 30 males, 35 females. EDUCATION. There are eighteen schools in the Cook Islands, eleven being in Rarotonga and the Lower Group Ihere are egM num bers total 2,139, as follows : Rarotonga and K'tapTur"; of 1,583. Northern Group, 365; with aver.g. "eport sets out the more important wort heiug undertake» iu education in these ""the «V?VS T* * S whole kland set to work on a, extensive campaign .1 replanting e.sent.al food-supphea, and the school was closed for some time to allow the children to assist m the work. Flementarv Woodwork.—This subject receives attention in all the schools, and a good deal o Mementay General upkeep of school furniture and repair work occupies a good Ū 5, of school furniture have been mended, while new de.ks, seat.,, wall and gymnastic apparatus have been made. „ w t - Schools —The local schools were visited during the year by the Education offi.^^Native sr ±£f rr-%. in school are good. . . , , , • , jFvjzststtrz taiwirsi'! Hr.-Zr-: ts= teaching, classes for Native teachers are held regularly by the European teaciiers. Student Teachers —These receive a special training and are chosen from the brightest and most btudem learners. x Tho wnOTamme of work involves all school subjects as well TifnUil — Punils continue to receive dental treatment. All children attending the Avarua School have passed through the hands of the dental nurse, who is now examining and treating pupils belonging to the outlying schools. . Medical The Chief Medical Officer has inspected the following schools: Mauke, Mitiaro, Atiu Ai.uK Ti.ik.veka, and reports that, cxcept for nnno, tronhles, the general health of the children is good.

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Births. Deaths. | cxi i 1 — Marriages. Name of Island. | ! | M. ; K. M. i F. I I "R a rotonaa •• 102 111 49 31 25 £22* :: : « ; » »« • »« Mansraia 28 27 15 15 9 £„ g :: .. 23 18 10 9 5 Mauk e .. ■■ ® f „ 2 Mit into .. ' ! I t Manihiki .. • • '} , Rakahanga . . ■ • 5 , k o Penrhyn .. .. 9 6 1 5 I Pukapuka .. •• 1 15 19 12 8 2 Palmerston .. Total .. ! 249 239 105 89 74