A—3

General Administration Laws are made by Act of the New Zealand Parliament, or regulations issued thereunder, or by Ordinance passed by the local Island Council. This body meets periodically under the presidency of the Resident Commissioner, and consists of thirteen members appointed by the Governor-General and representing all villages on the Island. The usual quarterly meetings of the Island Council were held during the year. No local ordinances were passed. The following legislative measures with application to Niue were enacted in New Zealand since the last report:— United Nations Act, 1946, Section 4. Finance Act, 1946, Section 32. Cook Islands Amendment Act, 1946. The Cook Islands Sea Carriage of Goods Order 1946 (Serial number 1946/194). Visit H.M.N.Z.S. " Arbutus " visited Niue on 14th to 16th November, 1946. A suitable programme of entertainment for the officers and men was carried out. Postal and Radio A summary of transactions in these branches is as follows :

Niue is a branch office of the Auckland Post-office Savings-bank, where the accounts are kept, but not segregated. Hence the figures given above relate only to local transactions in Niue, and it is not possible to give an accurate indication of the total transactions for the year. Technical assistance in the running and maintenance of radio equipment is given by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department. Approval was given towards the end of 1946 for the installation of a single-wire telephone system to connect the thirteen villages of Niue. The Native population supplied free all telephone-poles required, all labour necessary to complete the installation, and also agreed to the removal of coconut and other trees where necessary without compensation. The services of a technician were made available by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department, and work was commenced in January, 1947. Public Finance Exclusive of subsidy from the New Zealand Treasury, income for the year was £28,726. Expenditure totalled £32,387. Subsidy received was £5,000, leaving a net surplus of £1,339. Depreciation and other writings-off totalling £1,627 are included in the expenditure. A comparative statement of revenue and expenditure for the last five years is as pilows '

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7 — 1942-43. I 1943-44. 1944-45. | 1945-46. 1946-47. 1 Money-orders issued £8,766 £5,799 £1,932 £7,177 £9,531 Money-orders paid £681 £1,675 £2,082 £3,781 £4,894 Post Office Savings-bank deposits .. £4,044 £3,969 £3,097 £8,709 £4,501 Post Office Savings-bank withdrawals £196 £263 £696 £1,359 £972 Number of radio messages handled.. 1,048 1,515 1,755 2,001 2,346

Year. Revenue. Expenditure. Deficit. Subsidy^ Final Surplus or Deficit. £ £ £ £ £ 1942-43 11,252 16,397 5,145 10,000 +" 4,855 1943-44 10,342 ' 18,187 7,845 10,000 + 2,155 1944-45 12,096 18,900 6,804 10,000 + 3,196 1945-46 14,590 25,123 10,533 7,755 - 2,778 1946-47 28,726 32,387 3,661 5,000 +' 1,339