A—3

55. Land Tenure The land is vested in the Crown, subject to title rights held by virtue of Native custom or usage. As the Niuean depends for his livelihood upon his family lands, alienation is prohibited, with the result that there are no landowners apart from the Administration and the islanders. Land held by the Administration for public purposes is only a negligible part of the whole, and land used for church building is held on lease to revert to the Native title-holder when no longer in use for the purpose. Native land passes from generation to generation by blood descent, and claims for ownership and possession are determined on proceedings by the Native Land Court. As a result of this policy the Niuean is assured of adequate food and shelter and, by working his land or in a limited field by working as a wage-earner, of money to provide himself with clothing and other necessities. There are, of course, differences in the wealth of families, but these differences tend to be ironed out by intermarriage and by the customary system of adoption of children. 56. Communications A radio station is maintained by the Administration for overseas communication and a single-line telephone system has recently been completed to connect the villages on the island. Full postal services are provided at Alofi, and following is a summary of transactions at this office during the year :

Niue is a branch of the Auckland Post Office Savings-bank, where the accounts are kept, but not segregated. The figures given above relate only to local transactions in Niue, as it is not possible to give an accurate indication of the total transactions for the year. Technical assistance in the operation and maintenance of radio equipment is given by the New Zealand Post and Telegraph Department. 57. Transport Niue has some seventy miles of main-highway road of improved earth construction. The coastal road passing through each village is about forty miles in length, and the three roads across the island from Alofi to Hakupu, Liku, and Lakepa Villages are approximately seven, nine, and eight miles respectively. These main roads are 12 ft. wide of all-weather type and there are no bridges or viaducts. The Administration operates a fleet of motor-trucks in transporting goods and produce to and from the port of Alofi. There is no passenger transport service, the people either walking or travelling by bicycle. In addition to the main highway, there are about twenty-four miles of unimproved earth non-surfaced roads made by the Natives to open up new areas for crop cultivation. There is no harbour, but there is a secure anchorage off Alofi Village where shipping is worked. Cargo is transhipped from a concrete jetty by whaleboat to the ship's side. The Transport Department, which has been in charge of a European for the past twelve months, is responsible for the maintenance of twelve motor-vehicles, the launch engine, the Diesel engines at the radio station, and the engine stationed at the hospital to provide lighting and power for the x-ray plant. During the year a new motor-car

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— 1943-44. 1944-45. 1945-46. 1946-47. 1947-48. Money-orders issued Money-orders paid Post Office Savings-bank deposits .. Post Office Savings-bank withdrawals Number of radio messages handled.. £5,799 £1,675 £3,969 £263 1,515 £1,932 £2,082 £3,097 £696 1,755 £7,177 £3,781 £8,709 £1,359 2,001 £9,531 £4,894 £4,501 £972 2,346 £7,840 £3,364 £4,927 £464 2,790