A.—3.

Coconuts. —Coconut plantations remain normal. The export of coconuts, mainly husked, amounted to a total of 1,381 sacks for the year. Copra-prices have fluctuated somewhat throughout the year and very little copra has been made at Rarotonga. The total quantity of copra exported from the whole Group during the twelve months ended 31st March, 1938, amounted to 823 tons, practically all from the Outer Islands. Domestic Crops. —The planting of products for local consumption such as taro, kumeras, melons, &c., has been normal and sufficient for requirements. Noxious Weeds. —Noxious weeds are still in evidence on uncultivated areas. Rat Pest. —A supply of Red Squill powder was obtained. Some of the poison has been distributed to the Island of Mauke, and good results have been achieved. Manure Levy.—The levy of 3d. per box on oranges and bananas and 2d. per box on tomatoes exported has been collected on shipments throughout the year. Some 60 tons of fertilizer have been procured through this source of finance and distributed amongst growers during the course of the year. Registration of Fruitgrowers.—The registration of fruitgrowers at Rarotonga has been kept up to date, and registration has now been completed at Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, and Mangaia. Fruit-sheds. —The fruit-packing sheds at Rarotonga have been kept in good order and utilized to their capacity with fruit in season. The necessity of a central packing-house, properly equipped with up-to-date appliances for treating and processing fruit prior to being packed for export, is still paramount, and little improvement can be expected in the out-turn of crops, which are the sole means of revenue to the population, until something of this nature is established whereby the fruit crops could be harvested in their due season at proper stages of maturity (instead of once a month, as at present, to suit steamer calls) and held under suitable storage conditions pending shipment. Export of Fruit. —During the twelve months under review the exports to New Zealand for the whole Group have amounted to a grand total of 161,949 packages —Rarotonga, 105,184 ; and other Islands, 56,765 —a decrease of nearly 5,000 packages on last year's figures. Experimental Farm Area. —The small area of bearing citrus trees is being persevered with. The work of establishing the new nursery at Takuvaine and raising of young seedlings has occupied the main portion of the foreman's time towards the latter part of the year. The Saanan goats remain healthy and the strain is becoming noticeable around the Island, although the interbreeding with various mixed strains of females does not tend to develop a pure strain. A rotary hoe has been procured and is doing useful work. Demonstration Plots. —Demonstration plots of bananas, approximately 1 acre in extent, have been established at Avatiu and Tupapa. These are planted on modern lines and kept under cultivation, and, with the application of artificial fertilizers, are intended to demonstrate the proper methods to be employed in banana-production. A 5-acre plot of cocoa has been sown with seed obtained from Samoa. The germination of the seed was poor, and a fresh lot of seed has now come to hand, which will be used for replacing misses. A number of cover crops are under trial, including different varieties of cow-peas. Crotalaria spectabilis appears to show the most promise to date as a green-manure crop. Recently a quantity of dadup cuttings has been procured from Samoa and planted out. A good strike has been obtained. Outer Islands. —During the year the Islands of Aitutaki, Aitu, Mitiaro, Mauke, and Mangaia have been visited and advice tendered on many aspects of the fruit industry. This has been favourably received. Fruit-packing sheds which are in course of construction at Aitutaki, Atiu, and Mauke should greatly facilitate the preparation of f ruit for export. Police. The strength of the Cook Islands police remains unchanged from the Ist April, 1937, to 31st March, 1938, the total strength being forty-four members. The Chief Officer of Police is the only European officer. During the year the general conduct of all ranks has been satisfactory. The number of police cases dealt with in the High Court at Rarotonga for the past year were 1,236, compared with 1,130 for the previous year. Fines amounting to £883 were imposed and £143 15s. 6d. collected during the year, as against £825 13s. imposed and £215 ss. collected during the previous year. The police have exerted themselves in an endeavour to collect fines, but it would appear that the majority of the offenders prefer to work out their fines. Motor-vehicle Registration and Licensing. - Income derived therefrom, £225 6s. 2d. Registration of Dogs.—lncome derived therefrom, £40. Cinematograph-film Censorship.-—During the year 112 films were censored, two being rejected as being unsuitable for exhibition in the Cook Islands. Gaol. —There are twelve prisoners in gaol at the present time serving sentences from two weeks to seven years ; eight prisoners belong to Rarotonga,, two to Mauke, and one each to Aitutaki and Atiu.

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