A.—3,

POLICE. The following are extracts from the Annual Report of the Chief Officer of Police for the year just ended :— The strength of the Cook Islands Police Force remains unchanged from the 31st March, 1935. The total strength being one European and forty-three Native members, distributed as under : —

The Chief Officer of Police is the only European Officer. During the year the general conduct of all ranks has been very satisfactory. The number of police cases dealt with in the High Court, at Rarotonga, for the past year were 1,144, compared with 1,472 for the previous year. Of these cases 1,046 convictions resulted, 24 cases were adjourned to the ensuing year, 17 cases were dismissed, and 57 cases were withdrawn. Serious crime increased slightly, there being four cases of burglary, three cases of indecent assault, one case of perjury, and one case of forgery. The number of theft cases for the year were double that of the previous year, being sixty-nine as against thirty-two cases for 1935. There was a marked decrease in the number of cases of consuming intoxicating liquor, there being 599 cases (1936), compared with 754 (1935). The above-mentioned variation in the numbers of cases may be attributed to the aftermath of the hurricane of February, 1935, for this caused considerable hardships on the island ; food and money has been very scarce amongst the Natives since that time. In the more serious crimes involving dishonesty, with one exception, there were mitigating circumstances, which detracted from the criminality of the cases. Motor-vehicle Registration and Licensing. —The annual licensing of motor-vehicles was commenced on the Ist April, 1935, since when ninety-five motor-vehicles have been licensed, five new motorvehicles have been registered, and thirty driver licenses issued. Fees amounting to £230 16s. Bd. were collected this year, compared with £247 12s. for the previous year. Registration of Dogs. —During the year ending on 31st March, 1936, thirty-four dogs were registered and £17 collected in connection therewith, as compared with sixty-six dogs registered and £33 collected during the previous year. Cinematograph Films Censorship. —Eighty-five films were censored during the year, and of this number seven were rejected as being unsuitable for exhibition in the Cook Islands. Gaol. —There are seventeen prisoners in the gaol at the present time serving sentences varying from two months to seven years. Nine prisoners belong to Rarotonga, seven are from Mauke, and one from Mangaia. Five prisoners have been released on parol. All the above-mentioned prisoners are employed, during week-days, on public works. METEOROLOGICAL. The total rainfall at Avarua, Rarotonga, for the year ended 31st March, 1936, was 74-28 in. The heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours was 3-10 in. on 27th August. The previous heaviest rainfall registered was 9-46 in. on 9th November, 1927. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade was 91 degrees on the 9th May, 1935. The lowest was 57 degrees on the 26th July, 1935. The mean of the maximum thermometer was 80-5, and the mean of the minimum thermometer was 69-5 degrees. The lowest reading of the barometer was 29-747 in, on Ist April, 1935, and 28th February, 1936-

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Inspectors, j Sergeants. Constables. All Ranks. Rarotonga .. .. .. 1 (European) 2 6 9 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. 1 6 7 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 1 3 4 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. 1 2 3 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 1 -3 4 Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. 1 5 6 Penrhyn .. .. .. . . .. . . 3 3 Pukapuka .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Manahiki and Rakahanga .. .. . . . . 5 5 Totals ...... 1 7 36 U