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primitive, for they have had neither example nor implements to assist them. These facts support the earlier statement that this subject is one of the most important tasks of the Administration. . The recently formed Administration Experimental and Demonstration 1 lantation is of great assistance to the people, not only indicating what can be done when European methods are employed, but in providing necessary plants, &c., to enable the Natives to increase or maintain their own food cultivations. Boys from the Administration school at Tufukia attend the plantation one morning each week, assisting in the work and receiving short practical "talks." When prisoners can be spared from their other duties, they are employed at this plantation, and gain some knowledge. All coconut plantations have been rough-weeded. As this is the first time this work has been carried out since 1918, the task was not an easy one, but it was performed very satisfactorily after considerable trouble. . ' Due to the 'importation by the Administration of pure-bred pigs, there is a marked improvement in the village animals, though not yet to the extent anticipated. The Island method of keeping pigs in small enclosures or in holes in the ground is being gradually altered to the provision of larger areas. Many people even now realize the advantages of the " grazing " system as carried out at the Administration plantation, and it is believed that ere long increasing numbers will adopt this method as far as they can. High Court and Native Land Court. Criminal cases dealt with during the year amounted to 432, as compared with 447 in 1934. All were minor cases. Civil actions amounted to 15 for 1935, as compared with 8 in 1934. Native Land Court. —There were 2 adoption orders for 1935, as compared with 3 for 1934. Island Council. There are thirteen Native members in this Council, who meet when required to discuss matters affecting the welfare of the people. Legislation. The only new legislation applied to Nine during the year was the Finance Act, 1.935, in accordance with which the benefits of the TJ-per-cent. salary restoration were applied to the members of the Administration staff. Wireless. The Department has functioned very satisfactorily, and is of great benefit to the community. A night letter telegram service with New Zealand has been inaugurated, and is proving of considerable value. Traffic. —Inwards, 206 messages, containing 3,070 words; outwards, 240 messages, containing 3,607 words. Meteorological. The rainfall for the year was 99 77 in., as compared with 11415 in. in 1934. Rain fell on 192 days during the year. The rainfall for the past thirty years has averaged 81-882 in. Visits. H.M.S. " Diomede " and H.M.S. " Leith " visited Niue during the year in the course of their usual Island cruises. Shipping. The monthly calls of N.Z.G. m.v. " Maui Pomare " are of the greatest value to Niue. Without these regular visits the Island would not be able to export its bananas and kumeras, and there would be considerable difficulty in obtaining supplies. It is impossible to overestimate the importance of this excellent service. The inward cargo tonnage during the year amounted to 708 tons, the outward to 1,663 tons, as compared with 735 and 1,802 tons respectively for 1934. Vital Statistics. As will be seen from the following table, the births during the calender year 1935 exceeded the deaths by 90 and the population increased by 93 to a total of 4,080.

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Total at 1st January, Births. Deaths. Arrivals. Departures. Total at 31st December, 1935. l>0 j ' M. p. ! M. F. M. P. M. P. M. P. i M. j P. 1,920 2,071 99 72 42 40 21 15 24 12 ! 1,974 j 2,106 The population of the Island is now the highest since the year 1895, when it totalled 4,433.