A—3

PART VI.—LOWER GROUP ISLANDS 30. Rarotonga

Subject to some difficulties in obtaining necessary supplies, Administration buildings of all kinds have been maintained in good repair. The lack of sufficient office and storage space and housing for staffs has become acute and a long-term building programme will have to be undertaken in the near future. The main and subsidiary roads have been maintained. The work of replacing bridges and culverts was completed during the year. A major development was the commencement of work on the electric-power installation which will supply current to the whole Avarua area and eventually to the new radio station. Supply was given to some consumers on 10th February, 1948, and work is proceeding as fast as the necessary materials come to hand.

31. Aitutaki

General health was satisfactory during most of the year, but epidemics of pertussis,. dysentery, and whooping-cough occurred and caused a number of deaths. Influenza was prevalent in September, 1947, but no deaths occurred. Filariasis is prevalent in the island. Since the end of the financial year, Mosquito Inspectors trained in Rarotonga have returned to take active measures in mosquito control. Village health inspections were revived last year and systematic treatment of skin diseases in school-children was commenced. Water-storage capacity appears inadequate for the rapidly growing population of this island, and attention will be given to this matter in the coming year. Aitutaki is not entirely dependent on rain-water, but the existing wells and springs arestill open to pollution ; steps are being taken to control this. Native foodstuffs werein abundant supply. Proposals for replacement of the present cottage hospital with a larger up-to-date unit are now under consideration. The high price of copra stimulated production and 76 tons were exported during the year. A considerably greater quantity was being held in storage at 31st March awaiting shipment. The production of arrowroot, for which this island is particularly noted, remained at a high level. Seventy-four tons were exported and a considerable quantity awaits shipment. No oranges were exported during the year. The work of re-establishing citrus plantations in Aitutaki is reported on under the heading " Agriculture."'

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— 1943-44. 1944-45. | 1945-46. 1940-47. 1947-4S. Shipping calls— . Vessels discharging or loading cargo .. 13 13 15 14 18 Other vessels 9 11 9 8 8 Plane calls 37 Cases of oranges exported 6,000 9^706 12j 981 4^790 21;893 Cases of other citrus exported 1,493 1,904 4,528 1,464 6,530 Boxes of tomatoes exported 23,460 37,751 35,096 78,761 21,233 Cases of bananas exported 4,825 2,298 3,136 54 High Court cases dealt with 1,410 1,461 1,230 1,270 1 j 782 (Note. —Certain figures given in previous printed reports have been amended.)

1 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1947-48. Shipping calls during year Plane calls Cases of oranges exported .. High Court cases dealt with .. 13 571 12 8,997 358 19 12,684 320 21 1,000 366 26 61 207