A.—3,

Noxious Feeds.—During the year noxious weeds have been kept under control, very few new areas have been found, and improvements have been made in older areas. Some weeds are, however, proving very difficult to eradicate. During the period fourteen persons were prosecuted and fined for failing to clear land of noxious weeds. Experimental Nursery. —Spraying of citrus trees was carried out throughout the season until the time of the hurricane. A total of 682 budded citrus trees were supplied to growers during the year. These were of various varieties, including European and Native varieties of oranges, and grape-fruit, lemons and tangerines, mainly on rough lemon stocks. For some months during the rainy season it has been impossible to carry on with work in the nurseries owing to frequent flooding of the land. During the year a supply of sour-orange seed was received from Australia. These have been planted and are making fair progress. Two Kawau orange-trees received from the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture are making very good growth. Raffia-palm seeds received and planted are now commencing to germinate. Teak seedlings, which were severely set back by flooding shortly after they commenced to grow last year, are now doing somewhat better. There are only twenty-four trees. Mangoes shipped to New Zealand again failed to return payable prices. Grape-fruit meet with a ready local sale, and all the fruit remaining on the trees is being sold in Raro tonga. Quantities of budwood have been supplied to growers to enable them to propagate their own trees. The newly introduced Vei Mama bananas are growing well and have produced a number of heavy bunches. Some new shoots have been planted out and several distributed to growers for trial. This variety promises well, though there is a tendency in bunches ripening locally for the fruit to mature rather more rapidly than do other varieties. Excelsa coffee-trees planted several years ago blossomed this year and a few fruits set. Unfortunately most of them dropped after the storm, but it is hoped that a few will hold and mature. Miscellaneous plants have been sent to the Northern Group Islands in response to requests received. HIGH COURT. Raeotong -a . Criminal Jurisdiction— -For the twelve months the Court dealt with 1,473 cases for criminal offences and breaches of regulations and local Ordinances. Civil Jurisdiction. —Forty-two cases involving debt, damages, divorce, probate, &c, were disposed of. Group. The Chief Judge visited all Group islands on three occasions and dealt with all the more serious cases on the criminal side, which were reserved for hearing by him, and also disposed of several cases involving the assessment of compensation where land had been acquired for public purposes ; and also all applications for divorce. NATIVE LAND COURT. Rarotonga.— During the year under review a sitting of the Court was held, commencing on the 21st September. At this sitting sundry applications were dealt with. At a special sitting lasting four days, from the 12th to 15th November, the Court dealt with an application for succession to the tribal title of " Tinomana Ariki," rendered vacant by the death of the late Tinomana Tuoro. The Ariki family, the Mataiapos, and the people of the district of Arorangi had failed to agree and settle the succession themselves according to custom, with the result that the matter came to Court. The case was keenly contested, the hearing created much interest, and much interesting and useful evidence was given and recorded. On the 15th November judgment was given by the Court, and succession was settled upon Tinomana John Pirangi (for life), and he has since occupied his seat on the Island Council. This decision has met with general approval in the district of Arorangi. During the year thirty-three applications were dealt with, and orders made by the Court numbered sixty-one. Group Islands.— During the year the Court sat at Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu, and Mauke and disposed of urgent applications. At Atiu in October three applications for succession and two applications for confirmation of leases were dealt with, and orders made in all cases. The ownership of one parcel of land taken for publicpurposes was determined, and an order made, upon a reference from the High Court. The case for the succession to the tribal title of " Parua Ariki " came before the Court, and after a good deal of interesting evidence the dispute was settled satisfactorily, and an order made settling succession upon one, Moe. At Mangaia the Court sat for the purpose of settling the ownership of three parcels of land taken for public purposes, the cases being instituted by reference from the High Court, where compensation is assessed. The ownership was settled in all cases, and three orders were made.

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