5

A.—6.

and. they should, on completion of their training, prove very useful additions to the nursing services of Niue. The question of sending further trainees must be considered, in order to keep up the staff, and probably it will be advisable to send one trainee every two years. Education. Educational activities have been carried on in a very satisfactory manner, especially considering the comparatively small expenditure in this direction. It is highly desirable that the education appropriation be increased as soon as funds are available. Requests are continually being made for further Administration schools to be opened and for an increase in the subsidy to the Mission schools, but it is not possible at present to divert any further Administration funds in this direction. The average roll of the two Administration schools is 320-75, with the average attendance 298. There has been an increase of 8 per cent, in the average roll strength. Excellent work is done by the technical school. This is a special feature of the educational system, handicraft and sewing classes and teachers' classes being carried on regularly. Cleanliness is a maxim that by practice is taught daily. To assist in elimination of sickness each pupil has an individual towel and handkerchief. The ten London Missionary Society subsidized schools are doing excellent work, though handicapped by shortage of funds. Their subsidy has been increased from £225 to the original sum of £500. The roll strength of the ten schools is 481, with an average attendance of 444-1. Public Wobks and Tbanspobt. Owing to the financial position and to the lack of a qualified staff these Departments have laboured under great difficulties, but there are many indications of improvement. There is only one European official to supervise the Departments and, owing to lack of knowledge on the part of his staff, he has to do most of the work himself, instead of supervising the activities of his assistants. However, a number of young men are being trained by him and the headmaster, and in time it is hoped the position will be considerably easier. Roads. —These are in a very unsatisfactory state, but it is hoped to improve them during the next few years. Undoubtedly more money will have to be spent on them in the future if the present activities continue. At present transport expenses are greatly increased owing to the poor state of the roads, and any money spent on them will soon reduce the Administration transport costs. Too much emphasis cannot be placed on the necessity for improving the roads very considerably, and it is hoped that it will soon be possible to make funds available. During the last few years the Niueans have been improving their village roads at no expense to the Administration except for their midday meal of biscuits. They have completed about miles most satisfactorily, but there is still much to be done. Water-supply.—The people rely entirely on rain for their water-supply, and as the rainfall has been as low as 0-76 in. in one month and the rainy days in another month only seven, it will be realized that with over four thousand people all relying on tanks this is an important matter and one demanding continual expenditure to ensure protection against disaster should a very dry season occur. During the last few years tanks have been built as far as funds have permitted, but the present position is far from satisfactory. However, it is hoped that during the next few years the position will be considerably improved. Public buildings are being kept in order, but owing to greater activities and increases in the European staff more money must be spent during the coming year. Export and import sheds require repairs and extensions to bring them up to requirements. Maintaining boats in a proper state of repair is very difficult owing to there not being a suitable place to keep them when not in use. However, a scheme is being considered which it»is hoped will eventually overcome this difficulty. Transport. —Plant has been increased and is now satisfactory, though it will always be a problem owing to the lack of knowledge on the part of the drivers. However, a few young men are receiving special instruction daily from the engineer in charge, and in time there will be a marked improvement. Old trucks which had to be used because of the shortage, and which were the cause of considerable expense and trouble to keep in running-order, have now been discarded. Ageicultube. That this important subject is receiving very careful attention is shown by the record output of copra, bananas, and kumeras. It is realized that the agricultural methods of the people can be improved by practical demonstration only, and consequently areas have been selected from the poorest soils, cultivated, and cropped to demonstrate what can be done even under very adverse conditions. The Natives are encouraged to visit these plantations and have the methods explained to them. School-boys, labour, and prisoners do the work on these areas, great care being taken to explain the reasons for the methods used. Well-bred pigs, goats, and poultry are imported each year, and the results are most encouraging. If the present methods are carried on for the next few years there is no doubt that the Native food-supply will increase, as also will their exports. The interest taken in this important branch of the Administration activities is very encouraging. The census shows that there are in Niue : Horses, 87 ; goats, 8 ; pigs, 2,000 (approximately) ; fowls, 713 ; ducks, 136 ; dogs, 237 ; cats, 438. There are no cattle on the Island. High Couet and Native Land Couet. Criminal cases dealt with during the year numbered 466, as compared with 432 for 1935-36. These were almost all very minor offences as the Natives are exceptionally law-abiding. There were only 11 civil cases. The Native Land Court has dealt with 40 land disputes during this year and 11 adoptions. This is a record for many years. There are sufficient cases still to be heard to keep a Judge and a Surveyor fully occupied for many months.