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such vegetables as cabbages, beans, lettuce, carrots, and parsnips throughout the Lower ■Group. The milk-in-sch"ools scheme has been extended to Earotonga and some other islands of the Lower Group. C. Housing Conditions and Programmes Apart from some areas in Rarotonga, noticeably in Avarua, the standard of housing throughout the Group is good, houses being constructed out of native material and thatched with the leaves of the pandanus tree or coconut palm. The Native type of construction, although in some ways less hygienic than an imported style, is considered the more suitable type of accommodation. Some use is also made of building in limestone blocks, but this construction is not favoured for dwellings due to the poorer ventilation and the dampness sometimes associated with it. In Rarotonga the poorest housing is that occupied by a few migrants from the outer islands who, having no land from which to draw supplies of native materials, have tended to use substitute materials of unsuitable type and quality. The recent legislation by which the owners of insanitary houses can be required to demolish them will assist in dealing with this problem. There is also some lack of pandanus trees, due to their being attacked by a parasite ; alternative materials are, however, available, and efforts have been made to re-establish this source ■of building-material. There is some indication that increasing reliance will be placed •on imported building-materials. Construction of European houses for private and official use is proceeding under ■difficulties through scarcity of materials. D. Welfare and Relief This problem is not an important one in the Group, the method in which land is held communally and the fact that no families are without land enabling all Maoris to live comfortably. There is an active child-welfare organization which is supervised by the District Nurse or the Assistant Medical Practitioner. An organization exists for the relief of ex-servicemen. Youth organizations such as the Boys' Brigade, the Boy Scouts, and Girl Guides are established and are very popular. B. Criminal Statistics for the Year Ended 31st March, 1949 These are based on the records held at Rarotonga, but may be taken as typical of the group : Liquor offences .. .. 1,277 Wilful mischief to property .. 11 Traffic offences .; .. 39 Disorderly conduct .. .. 29 Theft, burglary, &c. .. .. 105 Conversion of bicycles .. .. 3 Adultery (by married persons) .. 14 Keeping of pigs in settlement .. 42 ■Common assault, &c. .. .. 79 Failure to send children to school .. 54 Trespass .. .. .. 59 Failure to clear noxious weeds .. 11 Animal trespass .. . 195 Failure to register dogs .. .. 32 Failure to tether animals .. • 94 Obstructing police .. .. 14 Tethering to citrus trees .. 9 Curfew —loitering or remaining in a Arson .. .. .. 2 public place after 10 p.m. without Gambling .. .. .. 15 reasonable excuse .. .. 124 Indecent assault .. .. 2 F. Penal Administration There is a gaol in Rarotonga, but none in the outer islands, though the question of providing them is under consideration. At present all prisoners serve their sentences in Rarotonga, except that serious cases are sent to a New Zealand prison.

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