A.—3,

Two thousand weather telegrams of fifteen thousand words were handled free of charge for the observatories at Wellington and Apia. Service telegrams totalled twelve thousand words. Six thousand nine hundred and eleven paid telegrams of 133,130 words were handled by Rarotonga Radio. Revenue from paid messages amounted to the record total of approximately £1,809. Total revenue for all stations in the Cook Group amounted to approximately £2,665, also a record. Meteorological. —Weather reporting is becoming an increasingly important service and meteorological traffic has increased accordingly. Arrangements are being made to increase this service, and staff additions and alterations to existing schedules may be necessary. Police. The strength of the Rarotonga Police Force has been increased by one during the year, a temporary appointment having been made with a view to filling the vacancy caused by the death of Sergeant Teariki in March, 1938, the vacancy not having been filled at the time of the last annual report. The following shows the total Police Force of the Group as at 31st March, 1939 : —

The general conduct of all ranks has been satisfactory. Very few serious crimes have been reported during the year. There were 1,251 prosecutions in the High Court, compared with 1,236 cases for the previous year. One hundred and eight dogs were registered during the year and fees amounting to £54 collectedThirty owners were prosecuted for failing to register their dogs. Several unregistered dogs were destroyed by the police. The Chief Officer of Police, as Censor of Cinematograph Films, censored seventy-four films during the year. Two of these were rejected as-being unsuitable for exhibition within the Cook Islands. Cuts were made in several others. The same officer, as Bailiff of the High Court, served nine civil summonses and executed two writs of sale during the year. Meteorological. The total rainfall at Avarua, Rarotonga, for the year ended 31st December, 1938, was 82-27 in. The heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours was 6-33 in. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade was 87 degrees on the 15th January, 1939 ; the lowest, 57-5 degrees on the 31st August, 1938. The mean of the maximum thermometer was 80-79 degrees and of the minimum thermometer 71-06 degrees. The lowest corrected reading of the barometer was 29-693 in. on 7th March, 1939. LOWER COOK ISLANDS. Aitutaki. Trade and Shipping. —Fifteen shipping calls were made at Aitutaki. M.v. " Matua," 3; schooner " Tagua," 5 ; schooner " Tiare Taporo," 6 ; yacht " Walrus," 1. The total output of oranges for last year was 10,336 cases, which is a low figure. High Court. —Criminal cases for the year totalled 199. None was of a serious nature. There were no civil cases, and no sittings of the Native Land Court were held. Medical and Public Health.—The general health of the people has been satisfactory. There was an epidemic of measles (rubella) from July, 1938, to January, 1939, and also a mild epidemic of influenza during March, 1939. Apart from three visits of the Chief Medical Officer and the Assistant

2—A. 3.

9

Island. Chief Officer. Sergeants. Constables. Total. Rarotonga .. . . 1* 2 7 10 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. 1 6 7 Atiu .. .. .. .. .. 1 4 5 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. 1 2 3 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. I 3 4 Mangaia . . . . .. .. 1 5 6 Penrhyn .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Pukapuka .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Manihiki and Rakahanga .... 1 5 6 1 8 38 47 * European.