A.—3.

Education.—The school is in charge of a Native Head Teacher and work is proceeding satisfactorily. The attendance is steadily increasing. Planting.—Planting of lands has been very good and there is an abundance of foodstuffs. Mitiaro, The general health of the people has been good and there have been no cases requiring argent medical attention. A Native Medical Practitioner visited the island during the year. Planting of crops has been heavy and there are ample supplies of Native foodstuffs. There is a good supply of water and the people are erecting new tanks. Mangaia. Trade. —A total of 33,161 cases of oranges was shipped during the year, this being the largest exportation ever made in one season ; 2,456 boxes of tomatoes and 121 cases of bananas were also shipped. No coffee or copra was exported. High Court.—A total of 938 cases of a non-serious nature were dealt with. Health.--The general health of the people has been very good, and the Native Medical Practitioner has been doing excellent work. Public Works.—All roads and buildings have been kept in good repair. The people have been busy during the hurricane season in improving and widening the main road between Oneroa and Atuakoro. The storm on 4th March damaged the landings at Oneroa and Atuakoro, but the people repaired most of the damage before commencement of the fruit season. Education.——The attendance of the pupils has been good and satisfactory progress is beinsr maintained. Planting of Lands.—Planting of lands continues to be good and there are more than ample supplies of foodstuffs available. NORTHERN COOK ISLANDS. Penrhyn. Trade.—The year has been an exceptionally poor one for the people, the only exports for the twelve months being 12 tons of copra. No pipi pearls were exported, and local sales amounted to approximately £120. Local sales of pearl shell amounted to £42, and there were no exports of this commodity. The average earnings of the Native population for the period under review amounted to only £1 os. lOd. per head. High Court. —There were 224 criminal cases during the year, none of which was of a serious nature. Most of the cases were for thieving, caused mainly by the poverty of the people". Health. —There were no epidemics during the year and the health of the people has been good. During the year 20 leper patients were transferred to the Central Leper Station, Makogai,"Fiji. Public Works.~-A\\ Government buildings have been kept in good order. A breakwater was erected on the Omoka sea beach, and this proved its worth during the heavy gale of 29th December. Village roads have been kept in good condition, and the tank water-supply has also been kept in good order. Education.—Attendance and work at the two London Missionary Society's subsidized schools have been satisfactory. Planting.—The heavy gale on 29th December caused considerable loss of coconut trees and nuts, and the swamping of the large puraka plantations on the Islet of Tepuka spoiled the whole crop. Breadfruit trees and other crops were also damaged. However, a subsequent heavy rainfall has done much to revive the trees. General. —The gale on 29th December also caused the destruction of approximately two-thirds of the Native houses and the stone wharves at Te Tautua Village. At the Omoka Village about one-third of the Native dwellings were destroyed. Fortunately there was no loss of life during the blow. Manihiki. Trade. —During the year 67 tons of copra were shipped, which is a quarter of the normal production and a serious decrease on previous years. No pearl shell was exported. During December a start was made on the manufacture of hats, shopping-baskets, table-mats, and other Native handicrafts for the New Zealand market. High Court.—For the twelve months the Court dealt with 121 cases for criminal offences, none of a serious nature. Health. —There were no epidemics during the year and the health of the people has been good. The usual frequent inspections of the villages were made, and all dwellings have been kept clean and periodically disinfected. Two lepers were sent to Makogai during the year. Public Works. —The water-supply has been kept in good order and roads have been repaired. Work was continued in blasting a passage in the coral reef for small boats from the ocean to the lagoon. A cutter has been built, and is used by the Resident Agent for his visits to Rakahanga. All Government property has been kept in good repair. Education.—School work and attendance throughout the year have been satisfactory. Planting.—Good attention has been paid to the care and planting of coconut lands. Breadfruit and bananas were planted whenever possible, and attempts to grow kumeras and other island foodstuffs have been made. The Department of Agriculture in Rarotonga kept the island well supplied with plants, and shipped 8 tons of soil.

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