A.—3.

Breaches of Local Ordinances and Regulations as follows : — Cohabiting .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 Failing to register dog . . . . .. .. .. 26 Keeping pig in settlement .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 Riding bicycle at night without light .. . . .. 33 Negligently driving a motor-truck upon a public place . . .. 2 Driving a motor-truck without license .. .. .. .. 1 Loitering after 10 p.m. in public place .. .. . . 13 Tethering an animal upon a public place .. .. .. .. 3 Shooting indigenous birds .. .. . . . . . . . . 5 Breach of Fruit Regulations . . .. . . . . . . 5 Breach of Immigration Regulations .. . . .. . . . . 1 Breach of Post and Telegraph Act, 1928 .. . . . . .. 1 Breach of probation .. . . .. . . . . . . 1 Breach of section 4, Rarotonga Ordinance, 1932, No. 22 .. .. 4 1,236 How dealt with : — Convicted and sentenced to imprisonment .. .. .. 48 •Convicted and fined .. .. . . .. .. .. 1,083 Convicted and discharged .. .. .. .. .. 53 Convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon .. . . 18 Convicted and sentence deferred .. .. .. .. .. 2 Convicted and term amended .. .. .. .. .. 1 Convicted and bound over to keep peace .. .. .. .. 1 Cases withdrawn .. .. .. .. .. .. 14 Cases dismissed .. . . . . .. .. .. ..11 Cases adjourned to next month .. .. .. .. .. 5 Civil Jurisdiction : — Actions for debt involving the sum of £4,116 ss. sd. .. .. ..30 Actions for damages involving the sum of £65 14s. 2d. .. .. .. 5 Actions for divorce .. .. .. .. .. . . 10 Application for affiliation and maintenance .. . . .. .. 1 Application for rehearing .. .. . . .. . . . . 1 Application for injunction .. .. .. .. . . . . 3 Application for maintenance .. .. .. . . .. .. 4 Application to serve summons outside Cook Islands . . . . . . 1 Application for a new trustee in an estate .. .. .. .. 1 Application for letters of administration .. . . . . . . .. 1 Application for exemption from provisions of section 519 . . .. . . 1 58 Since the departure of Judge H. F. Ayson, Mr. S. Savage, Commissioner of the High Court, has heard most of the cases brought before the High Court, and those cases which are outside a Commissioner's jurisdiction have been heard by Mr. S. J. Smith, Acting Chief Judge. Legislation. The only legislation passed in respect of the Group during the year was the Order in Council dated 9th February, 1938, relating to Pearl Shell Fisheries (Penrhyn). Public Works Department. Much renovation work on Government buildings, roads, bridges, grounds, telephones, &c., rendered necessary by the postponement of such work during the late years of financial depression, was carried out, as well as Group Island work where necessary. The Engineering Branch has now its fleet of transport in good condition, and has exercised supervision over power-engines, including freezer, wireless station, and X-ray equipment. Both Public Works and Engineering Branch, however, are hampered by cramped accommodation. Post Office. All offices in the Group have remained open throughout the year and the usual services have been maintained. Telephone Services. —The earth-working system in operation here, though unsuited for this part of the world owing to climatic conditions, has given good service throughout the year. Mail-service.—The monthly mail-service carried out by the m.v. " Matua " between New Zealand, Fiji, Western Samoa, Tonga, and Rarotonga during the year has been satisfactory. Post Office Savings-bank,—Deposits (ordinary), £18,668 15s, 6d. ; withdrawals (ordinary), £20,031.

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