A.—3.

The road right round trie island was officially opened during the year, thus bringing to a successful termination an effort lasting several years. This road is seventeen miles in length, and it required a great deal of work to put the already constructed part of the road into repair and to construct the remaining five miles required to connect up the villages of Tamarua and Iviraa. Some very difficult and rocky country had to be traversed, and several viaducts and culverts were necessary. This work, which was rendered more difficult on account of the primitive tools available, reflects great credit upon the people of Mangaia, who have given their labour voluntarily. High Court. —The following cases were dealt with : Criminal jurisdiction, 1,525 —mostly breaches of regulations and local Ordinances ; civil jurisdiction, 12. General. —The people are happy and contented. There is no shortage of native foods. Tennis has been taken up enthusiastically and provides a healthy diversion in which men and women, young, middle-aged, and old, can take part. Flower-gardens are being made in all the villages, and a sense of pride in the home and the village is being evidenced by these and other attempts at beautifying. ATIU. The following are extracts from the report of the Acting Resident Agent :— Health. —The health of the people during the year has been good and there have been no epidemics. Village inspections have been carried out during the year, at regular intervals, by the Resident Agent and members of the Island Council. A Native medical practitioner was stationed in the Island in August, 1934, and again during March, 1935. Work in connection with the soil-sanitation scheme was completed during the year. Two hundred latrines were installed. The people fully appreciate the value of this scheme from a health point of view. Vital Statistics. —An unofficial census of the population of the Island was taken on the 28th December, 1934, with the following result : — Village. Male. Female. Teenui . . .. . . .. . . .. .. 174 150 Mapumai .. .. .. . . . . .. 74 69 Ngatiarua. . .. .. . , . . . . 51 50 Tengatangi .. .. . . .. .. 80 78 Areora .. .. .. . . . . . . .. 156 154 Totals .. .. .. .. ..535 501 Total population. 1,036. Trade. —Trade conditions during the year have been anything but good, and there is a scarcity of ready money on the Island. Owing to lack of shipping facilities less than 3,000 cases of oranges were shipped for the season, and thousands of cases of excellent fruit were allowed to rot. Owing to the low price of copra, very little copra was made. During the month of March the local traders announced that they were buying at |d. per pound, hence the Natives are now busy making copra whilst this price is offering. Exports : Cases of oranges, 2,983 ; copra, 1 ton 6 cwt. Public Works. —The road leading from the settlements to the Taunganui Landing has been kept in good repair. Owing to the steepness of this road in certain places and to its being formed mainly of a red-clay soil it necessarily has to have frequent attention, especially after heavy rains, which scour the steep parts considerably. The gravelling of this road has greatly improved it. The Tapere roads leading to the landings at Vaipiaki, Matai, and Tekau-roa have been cleared and made available for vehicular traffic as far as the Makatea Belt. This work was undertaken by the people of the different Taperes concerned. When necessary, prison labour is used to keep these roads clear. Extensive damage was done at the Taunganui Landing by the heavy seas during the recent hurricane. The approach from the beach was swept out, and the cargo-shed was also damaged. Temporary repairs have been effected. Government buildings have been kept in good repair. Planting of Lands. —Planting of food crops has been satisfactory, and the people have an abundance of food, which the recent hurricane did not damage to any great extent, with the exception of breadfruittrees. Atiu has been able to give assistance to Aitutaki in the way of cuttings of kumara, arrowroot, and taro. High Court. —Three hundred and eight cases were dealt with on the criminal side. Meteorological. —The total rainfall at Atiu for the year ended 31st March was 79-87 in. The heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours was 4-25 in. on the 25th March, 1935. Island Council. —Seventeen meetings of the Council were held to discuss matters affecting the welfare of the people of Atiu.

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