A.—3.

Wireless. Rarotonga Radio.—Paid radio telegrams numbering 5,265 and totalling 120,312 words were handled during the year by Rarotonga Radio, and receipts amounted to £1,605. The total revenue from radio messages for all stations was approximately £2,280. Police. The total strength of the Police Force remained at 47. The conduct of the police during the year has been on the whole satisfactory. Prosecutions in the High Court numbered 1,323, compared with 1,356 in the previous year. Fines totalling £1,021 were imposed and £339 collected. Unpaid fines are worked out on public works. One hundred and ninety-five dogs were registered, £97 being collected in registration fees. Seventy-nine cinematograph films totalling 433,066 ft. were censored during the year. Five of these were rejected as unsuitable, while cuts were made in others. The sum of £227 was collected as fees in connection with motor-vehicle registrations. Twenty-eight civil summonses were served, and 7 writs of sale executed by the Chief Officer of Police as Bailiff of the High Court. Meteorological. The total rainfall at the Radio-station, Rarotonga, for the year ended 31st December, 1940, was 68-55 in. The heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours was 4-78 in. on the 13tli August. The previous heaviest rainfall registered was 9-63 in. on the 10th December, 1936. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade was 90 degrees on the 11th February. The lowest reading was 56-5 degrees on the 12th July. The mean of the maximum thermometer for the year was 79-28 degrees and the mean of the minimum thermometer 69-78 degrees. The lowest reading of the barometer was 29-68 on the 13th Jamuary, 1940.

LOWER COOK ISLANDS. Aitutaki. Trade. —Altogether 13,721 oases of oranges and 51 tons of kumeras were exported. High Court. —Criminal cases for the year totalled 175, and none was of a serious nature. There were no civil cases. Health. —The general health of the people has been satisfactory. Public Works. —All roads and Administration property have been kept in good order and condition. Education.—The school roll at 31st March was 487, and work has proceeded satisfactorily during the year. Planting. —Planting has been heavy and ample Native foodstuffs are provided for. Atiu. Mr. D. Brown, Resident Agent, transferred to Mauke in April, and his position was filled by Mr. W. N. A. Allison, Resident Agent-Headmaster. Trade.—A total of 22,136 cases of oranges was exported during the season. High Court. —Minor criminal cases numbering 425 were dealt with during the year. One short session of the Native Land Court was held. Health. —The health, of the people has been satisfactory. Public Works.—One two-room school building was completed and rethatched. Three separate rooms, each 20 ft. by 30 ft., were also constructed. The main roads have been kept in good repair, and the water-supply and Administration buildings are in good order. Education. —Attendance and work at the schools has been good, and a school band has been organized. Planting. —Planting has been good and the people have increased their cultivation of taro, kumera and other Native foodstuffs. Mauke. Captain E. C. Vellenoweth resigned the position of Resident Agent, and he was succeeded by Mr. D. Brown, Resident Agent at Atiu, in April. Trade. —A record number of 24,824 cases of oranges was exported for the season. No copra was made during the past year. High Court.-—Court was held at regular intervals and 145 minor cases dealt with. Six civil cases were heard. Health.—The health of the people has been good and there have been no epidemics during the year. Public Works. —All Administration buildings are in good condition with the exception of the cargo-shed, which needs reroofing. A new Native house for the Native Head Teacher has been erected. The concrete slipway at the main landing was destroyed by the gale on 4th March and will need repairing. Water-supply and roads have been kept in good order.

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