A.—3

School buildings at Atiu and Aitutaki, which had been built of native timbers and material, were replaced without extra cost to the Administration. When the roads and other public services were restored, the Natives then turned their attention to the replanting of their food and commercial crops, and are cheerfully carrying on until better times return. The hurricane was responsible for the death of Mr. C. J. Bouchier, Director of Agriculture. ■ On the Sunday morning Mr. Bouchier was engaged in rescuing his records when he was caught in a heavy wave, with the result that he sustained a compound fracture of his right leg, which it was found necessary to amputate a few days later. In spite of all possible medical skill and attention, Mr. Bouchier succumbed to his injuries on the 20th February. The death of Mr. Bouchier, who left a wife and six young children, is much deplored. He was a very capable and energetic official, and he will be difficult to replace. The New Zealand Government placed the N.Z.G.S. " Matai " at the disposal of the Cook Islands Administration, enabling Mr. S. J. Smith, Secretary of the Cook Islands Department, and the Eesident Commissioner (Judge H. F. Ayson) to make a survey of hurricane damage throughout both the Lower and Northern Cook Groups, and in order to carry emergency food and medical supplies to the inhabitants. The vessel called at every island throughout the whole Group, and, where necessary, landed relief supplies ; and, as the Chief Medical Officer was aboard, the opportunity was taken to give medical attention in necessary cases. Advantage was also taken of the voyage of the " Matai " to remove lepers from the Cook Group to the Leper Asylum at Fiji. The New Zealand Government's action in despatching its own steamer to assist during a time when the people of the Cook Islands were in distress has done an immense amount of good in cementing that feeling of affection and loyalty that the Cook Islands people have invariably shown towards the Dominion since the annexation of the Group in 1900. METEOEOLOGICAL. The total rainfall at Avarua, Earotonga, for the year ended 31st March, 1935, was 102-49 in. The heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours was 9-53 in. on Ist December. The previous heaviest rainfall registered was 9-46 in. on 9th November, 1927. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade was 88° on 11th April, 1934. The lowest was 54° on 29th May. The mean of the maximum thermometer was 79°, and the mean of the minimum was 64-B°. The lowest reading of the barometer was 28-973 in. on the night of 10th February, during the hurricane. The average rainfall for the last ten years (from 1925 to 1934 inclusive) was 82-18 in.

SOUTHERN COOK GROUP. AITUTAKI. The following are extracts from the report of the Eesident Agent:— Health. —The health of the island has been generally satisfactory, with the exception of an epidemic of influenza which broke out early in December, 1934, and lasted for six weeks. Children were particularly affected. Three visits—of a day each—were paid by Medical Officers during the year—viz., on 15th June and 24th July, 1934, and 6th March, 1935. Tuberculosis is prevalent, and the majority of deaths of adults can be attributed to this disease. The Eesident Nurse is now making an individual inspection of each school-child, and, by taking two classes per week, each child is under inspection once in every month. Medical-history sheets are being made recording full particulars of each child. A weekly inspection is also held of each village, including all habitations. The following is a summary of medical work done by the Eesident Nurse :— Visits. Out-patients Department .. .. .. .. .. ~ 16,511 Dressings at Out-patients Department and homes .. .. .. 8,670 Special visits to patients at their homes .. .. .. .. 2,435 Maternity cases attended .. .. .. . .. . _ g4 Injections of bicreol .. .. .. .. ~ _ _ 597 Injections of N.A.B. .. . . .. ' _ _ 98 Minor operations . . . . . . . . , . . . . _ 35 Dental : Extractions . . . . . . . . . . 903 A small cottage hospital (containing three rooms), for the accommodation of urgent and serious cases, was opened last September. The building is constructed entirely of native timbers and

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