A.—3.

Crop Prospects.—For the coming season the prospects in Rarotonga and in the Group Islands are for an exceedingly heavy orange crop. Owing to gales, however, on Ist January and 4th March, the banana crop suffered considerably, and shipments for the next season will be greatly reduced. Legislation. The following legislation was passed in respect of the Group : — The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 2. The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 3. The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 4. The Cook Islands Fruit Control Regulations 1937, Amendment No. 1. The Dependency Medical Appointments Emergency Regulations 1940. The Cook Islands Patriotic Purposes Regulations 1940. The Cook Islands Pearl Shell Fisheries Regulations Amendment 1941. Medical. General Health.—General health was satisfactory, though influenza, fortunately mild in type, affected Rarotonga for six months of the year. Visits.—Visits were paid by the Chief Medical Officer and the Assistant Medical Officer to most of the islands in the Group throughout the year. Public Health.—House-to-house inspection has been carried out at regular intervals by the Chief Mcdical Officer and the District Nurse, who also made a thorough inspection of schools. The general hygiene of the whole population was good. Child Welfare Association.—This body, comprised of fifteen committees, has continued its voluntary activities with commendable regularity and efficiency throughout the year. Denial Department.—This was under the control of a European Dental Officer who returned to duties in New Zealand during the year, leaving a female Native assistant and a male cadet to carry on the work of dental care in Rarotonga. The European Dental Officer visited the Lower Group in April and treated some 666 cases, and the Native assistant made a further visit later in the year. X-ray Department.----The X-ray plant continues to function well. During the year many exposures were taken, mainly for diagnostic purposes. Extensions.—A morgue was erected by the Administration in March. Hosptital:— In-patients .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 282 Out-patients .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10,829 Treatment— («) Injections— (1) Anti-tetanic serum .. .. .. .. .. 10 (2) Bicreol .. .. .. .. .. .. 26 (3) Colloidal calcium .. .. .. .. .. 24 (4) Gonococcal vaccine .. .. .. .. . . "1 (5) Novarsenobinzol .. .. .. .. .. 274 (6) Staphylococci vaccine .. .. .. .. 8 (7) Prontosil . . .. .. .. .. .. 3 (b) Anaesthetics — (1) General .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 (2) Local .. .. .. .. .. .. 80 (c) Operations— (1) Major .. .. .. .. .. .. 25 (2) Minor .. .. .. .. .. .. 231 (d) Confinements .. .. .. .. .. .. 52 (e) Artificial pneumothorax .. .. .. .. .. 5 (/) X-ray .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 (g) Miscarriages and abortions (conducted) .. .. .. 5 (h) Visits .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 904

Vital Statistics.

2

Arrivals and De"Rirfhs for ninths fnr Partures for Year end- MarEstimated Population, Year ended Year ended ed 31 March » 1941. Estimated Population, ri ?^, eB 31st March, 1940. 31st March, 31st March, 31st March, 1941. y"J. — 1041. 1941. Arr . vala Depart- S ures. 81st March, M. F. Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Total. 1941 ' Rarotonga .. 2,932 2,595 5,527 110 111 42 38 09 46 53 41 3,016 2,673 5,689 36 Aitutaki.. .. 1,009 940 1,949 48 34 14 11 1,043 963 2,006 20 Mangaia.. .. 845 774 1,619 34 46 21 16 858 804 1,662 11 Atiu .. .. 621 545 1,166 25 25 18 12 628 558 1,186 9 Mauke .. .. 394 339 733 18 19 4 6 408 352 760 13 Mitiaro .. 163 136 299 * * * * * * * * 163 136 299 Penrhyn.. 262 249 511 10 8 2 3 270 254 524 4 Manihiki .. 267 281 548 10 9 5 6 272 284 556 11 Rakahanga .. 165 162 327 6 1 1 4 170 159 329 1 Pukapuka .. 350 336 686 14 13 3 8 361 341 702 6 Totals .. 7,008 6,357 13,365 275 266 110 104 69 46 53 41 7,189 6,524 13,713 111 * No returns received,