COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1909.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1910 Session I, A-03

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1910. NEW ZEALAND.

COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1909.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

INDEX.

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No. of Series. Subject. Page. Cook Islands. 1.2 19-21 22-29 32,33 34, 35 Annual report of Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga .. Cargo-shed, Aitutaki . .Jrj Fruit-inspection .. . .It Member of Island Council elected .. L • • Native Assessor elected Ordinances — Atiu Village, No. ] .. gj.. Desecration of Graves, No.^30 Trading License, No. 29 Proposed visit to Islands .. Wi- ■ Resident Agents appointed .. .. £5.. Visit of His Excellency the Governor Wreck of schooner " Alice " at Rakahanga 3 30 30 36 36 17,18 15, l(i 12-14 10,11 5-9 3,4 30, 31 28 28 26 26 26 24 36 30, 37 40,41 46-49 38,39 42,43 N'iik. Annual report of Resident Commissioner Education —Opening of school Fungoid growth on roads German scientific expedition Member of Island Council elected OrdinanceUndesirable Immigrants and Vagrancy, No. 27 Retirement of the Rev. F. E. Lawes 36 •19 52 ■19 60 44,45 50,51 50 53

MEMORANDUM.

Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 20th June, 1910. The annual reports of the Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga and Niue are attached hereto, together with a selection from the correspondence between the Government of New Zealand and those officers. The Islands continue to make material progress, and the results of the year's operations, as disolosed by the reports of the Resident Commissioners, must be regarded as very satisfactory. Revenue and Expenditure. In the Cook Islands for the year ended -'list March. 1910, the revenue amounted to £7,655, an increase (if £509 over the preceding year. The expenditure for the same period was £8,230, an increase of .£2,512, due to the amonnl of public works carried oul during the year, including the erection of a new hospital and other works. The cash surplus at the end of the year was £4,437. The revenue in the Island of Niue amounted to £1,683 "is., a decrease of £126 6s. lid. The expenditure was £1,260 os. 4d., a decrease of £423. 'The credit balance at the close of the year was £1,629 9s. Bd., an increase of £423 Is. Bd. ThADE, ETC. In the Cook Islands the increase in both exports and imports lias been xvvy substantial. The value of the exports was £73,653, as against £60,652 for !!•()!), an increase of £13,001. Imports amounted in value to £67,737, an increase of £12,716 over last year. In Niue, the value of the exports amounted to £12,203, an increase of £5,096 over the year 1908. Imports £10,047, as against £6,458 for 1909, an increase of £3,589. There have been no complaints in regard to the steamer service with Rarotonga during the y ear - The schooner service with Niue has been well maintained, nnd has given satisfaction to the residents of Niue. Medical Attendance, etc A new hospital which was very much needed has been erected at Rarotonga, at a cost of £1,368. Negotiations in regard to providing a medical officer at Nine are proceeding, and I anticipate that satisfactory arrangements will l>e made shortly. Education. In the Cook Islands the position remains as before. The school at Nine has now been opened, and interesting particulars relating to it will be found in the Resident Commissioner's report. J. Carroll.

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COOK ISLANDS.

REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. • No. 1. Sir, — Rarotonga, 30th April, 1910. I have the honour to forward to vou herewith my annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1910. I arrived here on the 14th July, 1909, to relieve Colonel Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner, upon his retirement, ami was received by him with every courtesy. The assistance and valuable information supplied was appreciated. Finance. It will be seen from the Treasurer's report attached that the revenue for the year totalled £7,655, compared with £7,116 for the previous year—-an increase of £509. The expenditure amounted to £8,230, compared with £5,718 during the previous year, Of this amount £3,807 was expended on public works, as against £1,320 during the year 1908-!). It was found absolutely necessary for the health of both Europeans and Natives throughout the Group to erect, at a cost of £1,368, a hospital for their requirements, to replace the old dilapidated building formerly used for the purpose. After completing various other public works, and paying salaries, subsidies, and odd amounts, the easli balance in hand amounts to £4,437. The £2,000 accumulated in former years- -£1,000 of which is on fixed deposit at the Bank of Now Zealand, Auckland, and £1,000 invested in New Zealand Government 1 -per-cent. deben tures—is now earmarked as the nucleus of an insurance fund to cover the buildings of the Government throughout the Group in case of fire. Not a single building is insured, and in the event of a fire occurring the destroyed buildings would have to be replaced out of revenue, which 1 submit, the Administration could not do and carry on at the same time necessary public works. The imports and exports are steadily increasing, and the bulk of the trade is being done with New Zealand. The imports totalled no less a sum than £67,737 last financial year, as compared with £55,021 in the former year, being an increase of £12,716. The exports reached £73,653, as against £60,652 in 1908, an increase of £13,001. There is very little doubl that in a comparatively short space of time the imports and exports will reach £100,000. Fruit-export. The Fruit Inspection and Diseases Ordinance, 1909, is now in full working-order, and it is anticipated that, as a result of the successful working of the regulations made under this Ordinance, the fruit will arrive in New Zealand in much better condition, and will command a better market. Each Resident Agent is now appointed a Fruil Inspector, with power to reject overripe or badly packed fruit, as well as infected fruit. Instructions have been given as to the picking, packing, and shipping, and careful attention is lieing paid to them. These Islands are in their infancy as Ear as the production of fruit is concerned—in fact, when one comes to look at the quality of the land, its area, and the climate, very little planting has been done by the Natives in comparison with what yet remains to be done. These remarks do not apply to European planters, who have done excellent work on their plantations: such wink is a splendid object-lesson to their Native neighbours, who are quick to follow when they see the advantages derived from careful cultivation, picking, and packing of fruit. It is intended to furnish the islands of Mangaia, Aitutaki, and Atiu with a supply of plants free of cost, which will be planted under the supervision of the Resident Agent. lam of opinion that this should lie done each year, with the object of encouraging the Natives and increasing their exports. The Union Steamship Company has agreed to carry the plants free. The shipment of oranges during the year consisted of 98,007 cases, an increase of 18,961 eases mi the previous year. The orange-crop fluctuates according to the season. The output of bananas during the year was 98,934 cases and 10,123 bunches, the number of cases having increased by 9,495. Rarotonga supplied an increase of 11,383 cases, but the other islands did not come up to expectation.-. I hope that in my next annual report I shall be in a position to inform you that the other islands, with the increased facilities being "ranted to them, nave increased their output. Copra. During the year 1,705 tons of copra were exported, as compared with 1,317 in the previous year. High prices for copra ruled during the year. It must be borne in mind that it takes at least ten years before cocoanuts come into full bearing. A fairly large tract of country has now been planted, but it will take some time before

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we shall feel the effects of an increased output. The Natives have yet to be educated in regard to the advantages obtainable from the proper cultivation of the cocoanut, because its real value is not yet appreciated by them. No doubt the reason for this is the quick return they receive for their oranges and bananas, causing them to neglect the cultivation of valuable copra. Protection sought. Attention is drawn to the fact that the New Zealand Government protects its fruit-growers by levying a duty of Id. per pound on all imported plums, oherries, peaches, nectarines, medlars, apricots, quinces, tomatoes, and grapes. From the Ist January to the 14th July in each year the duty on imported apples and pears is Id. per pound, and id. per pound for the remainder of the year. No such protection is offered to the fruit-grower in the Cook Islands, although a part of the Dominion of New Zealand. The staple fruits of these Islands are bananas and oranges, which are admitted into New Zealand free of duty, as is the case with the same class of fruit from the Australian Commonwealth, Fiji, Tonga, and the French Society Islands. The Cook Islands adopt the New Zealand Customs tariff, with one or two slight alterations, and, as a result, practically the whole of the trade of the Group is in the hands of the New Zealand trader ami producer. New Zealand has a monopoly of the trade in flour, tinned meats, butter and cheese, biscuits, ami also fruit-cases, all being admitted free of duty here because they are imported from New Zealand. Were any of the above products imported from Australia or America the duty would l>c charged as enacted in the New Zealand Customs tariff. In addition to the above, almost every article of merchandise imported passes through the hands of the New Zealand trader, who undoubtedly makes his profit. In return, I think you will find upon inquiry, the Cook-Islander receives practically nothing. Australia, Fiji, Tonga, and the French Society Islands Governments give no concessions in the way of preferential duties on New Zealand exports, yet New Zealand allows their fruits to be admitted into the New Zealand market on the same basis as it does the fruit grown in the Cook Islands. It is not encouraging to the Cook Island fruit-growers to send large shipments of sound fruit to New Zeala-nd in the expectation of remunerative prices to find, on the return of the steamer, that perhaps a boat has arrived from Fiji or Tonga two or three clays previously and glutted the market. As fruit-growing is practically the only industry, with the exception of copra, in these Islands, it is only fair to suggest that New Zealand should protect the industry in return for the protection which she receives from the Cook Islands, I would suggest that the New Zealand Government levy a duty on oranges ami bananas imported from outside the Cook Islands from, say, the Ist March to the 30th September in each year. If this were done an immense benefit would be conferred upon the Cook Island Group. Railwat Kates'. The fruit-grower here is not allowed the concessions given the New Zealand orchardist on fruit passing over the Lyttelton to Christchurch line. I cannot see the force of the objection raised by the Railway Department namely, that they cannot distinguish between Cook Island and other island fruit. The same objection might be made between, say, plums and tomatoes from Sydney and similar fruit from Auckland, if carried on the same ship on the New Zealand coast. The difficulty in regard to Cook Island fruit could be got over, in my opinion, by the Railway Department accepting a copy of each ship's manifest, showing the marks ami number of cases of fruit shipped by each vessel in the Cook Group for the Port of Lyttelton. The correctness of such manifest can be certified to by the Collector of Customs at Rarotonga, which is the final port in the Cook Islands before sailing for New Zealand. The certified copy could be posted to the Stationmaster at Lyttelton by the Collector. Then there could be no doubt as to the locality in which the fruit, was grown, and the Railway Department would lie safeguarded from fraud. General . Shortly after my arrival a flying visit was paid by me to the islands of Mangaia, Aitutaki. and Atiu, principally with the object of installing Mr. Cameron at Mangaia as Resident Agent. Mr. Brown at Aitutaki in a similar position, and Major Large at Atiu. If circumstances will permit, a visit will be paid to the northern islands in May. or as soon after as possible. It will be remembered that some trouble was caused by a section of the Natives on the Island of Rakahanga in February, 1909 (see A.-3, Cook ami other Islands Report, 1909, page 6). A Court was set up on the 16th February, 1909, presided over by the late Commissioner, and Captain I>ewis, of H.M.S. "Cambrian," who dealt with the matter. From correspondence before me matters are still far from being settled. This subject will he gone into, when it is hoped a satisfactory settlement will be arrived at. It is advisable, in the interests of good government, that a war-ship should visit these Islands once a year or once in two years. It might, perhaps, have the effect of preventing the people being led into any mistakes; for it must be borne in mind that the Natives have no conception of the power of the Empire. No physical force is maintained upon the Islands; and 1 offer this suggestion for your favourable consideration. A similar practice is carried out by the French Government in Tahiti with good results, and by all other countries having valuable oversea possessions. If a man-of-war is not available, it might be considered by the New Zealand Govern-

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ment a good suggestion that, for training purposes alone, the " Amokura " should perform this duty. This would give the Resident Commissioner an opportunity to cany out his duties in the outlying islands. Communication to those islands from Rarotonga is not frequent. The mission steamer "John Williams," which has been in the habit once or twice a year of visiting the Islands, is by no means certain to continue doing so for any length of time. As a matter of courtesy the London Missionary Society always grant passages to the Resident Commissioner and the officers of the Administration having business to perform, such as adjusting disputes and the holding of Land Courts and High Courts. In the event of the steamer's withdrawal this means of enabling public business to bo transacted would be lost. Courts. It will be seen from the report of the Registrar of the High Court that there is little crime among the Native population. The number of criminal cases heard was 229. On the Civil side of the Court there were 40 cases. The total fines and fees imposed on the criminal side amounted to £217, and on the Civil side to £25. The total amount of fines and fees collected and paid into the Treasury to the credit of the general revenue was £2 Is. Of 72 cases for drunkenness from bush-beer drinking. 258 defendants appeared before the Court. Not one of the defendants was charged with being intoxicated by liquor supplied by the Collector of Customs—in fact, I am glad to say that the licensing law is very strictly complied with. The number of defendants charged with the same offence— i.e., drunkenness from bushbeer drinking—during the previous year was 324. Land Titles Court. The work for the year oonsisted of perfecting orders and plans in respect of titles investigated before the Court during the preceding year at Rarotonga and Aitutaki. All the Aitutaki titles ami plans have been completed, and also many of the Rarotonga titles ami plans are available for issue on the payment of the fees. The fees collected during the year ami paid into the Treasury amounted to £745. The fees outstanding on the 31st March last amounted to £858, as compared with £1 548 on the 31st March, 1909. Public Health. From correspondence from the outlying islands it would appear that the health of the Natives is generally good. In a letter from the Resident Agent at Penrhyn, dated the sth October, 1909, he asks for the assistance of a doctor to examine one or two cases which he supposes to be leprosy. It is proposed to ask for the assistance of a medical man to report generally on the health of all the people in the outlying islands. In consequence of the rareness of communication it will be necessary for his investigations to extend for a period of at least six months or over. This will enable a comprehensive report to be rendered to you, which will help you to come to an opinion as to what it will Ix; necessary to provide later on to safeguard the Natives. It would be almost impossible to secure the services of a medical officer who would be content to reside for any length of time on any of the small outlying islands, ami there is not suffioienl work for two at headquarters. The Island of Rarotonga has been visited by an epidemic of dengue fever, fortunately without serious results. It was introduced from Tahiti, but is now almost extinct. Drugs are supplied to the various Resident Agents free for the benefit of Europeans and Natives. The Hospital referred to, erected at a cost of £1,368, will be of material assistance in anv bad cases arriving from any of the other islands of the Group: but the distance from Rarotonga and the want of regular communication, it is feared, will permit of few such cases being treated in the institution. The cost of medical instruments and the furnishing of the Hospital has yet to be provided for; also the erection of a residence for the Medical Officer. As already stated, before anything of a comprehensive and thorough nature can be done for the health of the Natives in the outlying islands, it will be necessary to have such a report as stated above. It was not possible .luring the year for the Medical Officer to leave Rarotonga to report on the health of the people, as his time was fully occupied at headquarters. Dr. Dawson having tendered his resignation as Medical Officer, it will be necessary to proem-c-----at once the services of another duly qualified Medical Officer to take his place. This I have requested in despatch No. 246, of the 28th April. Shipping. On the 9th April, 1910, I received a letter from Mr. McLennan, the Union Steamship Company's Inspector for Island Trade, referring to a shipment of bananas which arrived in Auckland on or about the Bth April, per s.s. " Talune," in very bad condition, in which he states that " The first three days there was a light following wind, with bright sun, and the temperature in the shade from 78° at night to 86° in the afternoon, keeping well over 80° all day ; matters improved after the fourth day." This refers to the first four days after the ship left Rarotonga. While admitting that at this period of the year the fruit may have been shipped too full, the principal fault lies in the fact that none of the steamers carrying fruit from these Islands

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were ever constructed for such cargo. In most countries where fruit is grown for export ships are specially constructed for its carriage. On an average the boats plying here steam very little over ten knots. This slow rate of speed, which would suit imperishable cargo, is not conducive to the fruit cargoes landing in good condition. What is really required is faster ships, specially constructed, with plenty of ventilation, and cooling-chambers. The freight charged from New Zealand to the Cook Islands is 40s. per ton, and from New Zealand to Tahiti 355. When inquiries were made upon this subject it was stated that the difference was caused by the fact that, although the distance is much greater from New Zealand to Tahiti than it is from New Zealantl to Rarotonga, the company had no charges to pay in the French possessions. 1 submit that they have no charges to pay in the Cook Islands, it is true that they supply their own boats and boatmen at Rarotonga, and that they have to pay for the upkeep of the wharf and the sheds —property which is leased to them by the Cook Islands Administration; but they charge at the rate of Is. per ton on inward aud outward cargo, and this is over and above the 40s. per ton freight. At all tho othei islands of this Group at which the company's ships touch, the boating is done by the Natives and traders themselves at their own cost, delivering at the ship's side outward cargo, and returning with inward cargo. Therefore, 1 submit that the company should be approached to grant the same concessions to the Cook Islands inhabitants as are granted to the inhabitants of the French possessions. The outward cargo is charged at the rate of £1 per ton from Tahiti to Auckland— the same as is charged from Rarotonga to Auckland. The freight from Rarotonga and Tahiti to Wellington is 255. per ton. A set of tables giving the exports from the Group by the Auckland and Wellington routes is appended. The inward cargo lam not in a position to supply. There can be no doubt that the Wellington service has opened up markets for our fruit in the southern portions of the North Island, and also in the South Island, which has very greatlybenefited the growers. The more markets secured, the greater will be our exports and profits. As previously pointed out, the area under cultivation does not at all indicate the possibilities for fruit-production or increased cargoes yet to be carried. When the Union Steamship Company's inspector for island trade visited Rarotonga in March last a very satisfactory interivew took place. Valuable information was obtained from Mr. McLennan on the fruit question. The company has agreed to carry free of cost all material imported by the Administration for the erection of fruit-sheds, and also to carry free of cost all plants and trees for the encouragement of the industry in the outlying island.-. At the end of next month the company is sending a steam-launch down to tow their cargolighters at Rarotonga to and from the steamer. This will assist very materially the quick transport of the fruit from the wharf to the ship. Rarotonga. Everything is prosperous and orderly ou this island, the Natives being content and lawabiding, and food and clothing plentiful. Some trouble was caused in the early part of March last, as reported in my despatch No. 155, in consequence of the offences committed by some few Natives in digging up the bodies of deceased Natives interred in the Native burial-ground. The reason given for this offence is a superstitious one—t.e., the belief that the spirit of the dead haunts the living, and until the dead bodyhas been destroyed by fire the evil influence continues. This is not the first occasion upon which this serious offence has taken place. From inquiries made I find that this practice was unknown to tho ancient inhabitants of the Cook Islands. , , ... iV i •* rm. w JnM i On going into the matter I found there was no law to deal with the culprits, lhe l'ederal Council was therefore called together with the object of having placed before them an Ordinance which had been drafted to cope with the matter. This Ordinance met with the unanimous approval of the Council, and it was accordingly passed, and forwarded to you for the signature of His Excellency the Governor. . Upon calling the Council together with the view of having the twenty miles of road surrounding the island placed in a good state of repair, Makea Ariki, the Arikis, and members ol the Council throughout the island met me in every possible way, with the result that the whole twenty miles is in excellent order for traffic. It is two years since anything of any importance has been done to the main road, and I desire to thank the inhabitants for the ready manner in which they respon pemitj it is ; nte nded to erect two more bridges, which will complete the network of bridges spanning the various streams. It is necessary for the'ready cartage of fruit that the main road be kept in good order, and the present good state of the road will greatly facilitate shipping. As will be seen in the Engineer's report attached, a concrete fumigator, for the fumigation of fruit, was built at a cost of £605. Each chamber has a capacity to hold 500 cases of fruit. A description of the building w ill lie found in the report referred to. Arorangi Water-supply. If finances will permit, it is intended to connect the village of Arorangi with a water-supply. This is a district far removed from a natural watercourse and the inhabitants suffer very much from the want of water. The population of the village is about four hundred, and for the health of the people I consider this work of an urgent nature.

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Mangaia. During the year it was found desirable to transfer Mr. J. C. Cameron, who was Resident Agent for the Island of Aitutaki, to Mangaia. Under his able guidance everything is running very smoothly. It is hoped that the assistance which it is intended to give, by the distribution of plants and trees free of cost, will encourage the Natives to redouble their efforts in the cultivation and exporting of the fruit. The Natives of Mangaia have a very fine reputation of being hardworking and energetic, and they only require a sympathetic lead to induce them to produce a great deal more than they do at present, At the time of writing the Engineer is superintending the work of blasting the reef passage to facilitate the boating of fruit to the steamer outside the reef. It is proposed to cut the passage about 400 ft. long from the beach to the edge of the reef, 10 ft. wide, and 5 ft. deep, making 741 cubic yards, of which about one-third, or, say, 250 cubic yards, has already been blasted. The cost of this passage to date amounts to £520. To complete it it will be necessary to renew the vote for £400 appearing on last year's estimates, making a total of £920. In view of this heavy expenditure it was deemed advisable to obtain from the Engineer a detailed statement upon the work, particulars of which will be found in his report. Aitutaki. Mr. Percy Brown is now Resident Agent for this island. It was found advisable to protect the fruit industry by taking a vote on this year's estimates for a sum of £480, for the construction of a fruit-shed and the laying-down of rails from the shed over the wharf. For particulars of this work see Engineer's report. Hitherto it has been the practice to pack the fruit in little Native huts dotted all over the island. On the day before the expected arrival of the steamer the fruit is carried to the wharf, where no shelter was provided to protect it from the rain ; it might therefore remain, if the steamer happened to be late, for two days in a wet condition before shipment. This, of course, quite spoilt the fruit for market purposes. The shed will also be used for inward and outward cargo, and will be of great benefit to the copra industry. Shipmasters have a strong objection to shipping copra in a wet condition. Atiu. Major Large, who was transferred from Mangaia, is now Resident Agent at this island. The possibilities for the successful growing of fruit on Atiu are' very good, and under the direction of a European Resident Agent good results are looked forward to in the near future. The Union Steamship Company require a guarantee of at least 40 tons of cargo before they will call at Atiu, and it is hoped the time will soon arrive when its produce will increase to such an extent that such a guarantee will be unnecessary. A post-office and money-order office was established during the year, and Major Large duly appointed Postmaster. This will, no doubt, materially assist the traders and planters in transacting their business with the outside world. In despatch No. 164, dated the 29th March, Local Ordinance No. I—to regulate village life within the island —was enclosed for the signature of His Excellency the Governor. The Ordinance was duly passed by the island Council, and approved of by the President.. Major Large, and, no doubt, when it comes into force, will bear good results if well administered. Penrhtn. From correspondence received from the Resident Agent, Mr. Hawk, it is gathered that everything is going on satisfactorily. At the request of the Resident Agent and the Penrhyn Island Council, two Ordinances were preparod and passed, one being to regulate village life, and the other concerning the leper island of Morokai, both of which were forwarded with despatch No. 154, of the 15th March, for the signature of His Excellency the Governor. In conclusion, T desire to tender to the officers of the Administration my thanks for the loyal support and services given to me by them during the year. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

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Cook Islands Administration. Estimated Expenditure for the Year ending 3lsi March. 1911. Salaries, — £ s. d. Medical and Health Officer .. .. .. .. ■• 40000 Registrar. High Court .. .. .. .. .. .. • • 325 0 0 Engineer and Surveyor .. .. .. .. .. .. • • 300 0 0 Island allowance. Collector of Customs .. .. .. .. .. 75 0 0 Auditor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. •■ 25 0 0 Interpreter and Government Printer .. .. .. .. •■ 210 0 0 Cadets—l at £50 and 1 at £70 ■ .. .. .. .. •■ •- 120 0 0 Draughtsman .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ■• 85 0 0 Fruit-inspector .. .. .. .. .. .. ■• •• 250 0 0 Resident Agent, Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. •• •• 225 0 0 Atiu 200 0 0 Penrhyn 200 0 0 Aitutaki • 150 0 0 Rakahanga and Manihiki .. .. .. .. •• 6000 Foreman of Works . . .. .. .. .. .. • • 120 0 0 Chief of Federal Government .. .. .. • • 100 0 0 Police. Rarotonga — Inspector .. .. .. .. .. ■• • • 15° 0 0 1 Sergeant £30 0 o I Corporal 28 0 0 1 Constable .. .. .. .. .. 500 sat £3 15s. .. .. .. .. .. 18 15 0 81 15 0 Aitutaki 29 0 0 .. Mangaia. .. .. .. .. .. .. •• •• 29 0 0 .. Atiu .. ..' 10 0 0 Maukc 600 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. .. •• •■ 400 Assessors, Aitutaki .. .. .. • • • • • • • • 15 0 0 Mangaia .. .. .. .. • • 10 0 0 Atiu 8 0 0 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. •• •• •• 5 0 0 Mitiaro .. .. .. •• •• •• 5 0 0 Olerk of Court, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. •• ■• ■■ 5 0 0 Mauke .. .. .. •■ •■ •• •• 300 Mitiaro .. .. •• •• •• •• 300 Postmaster. Mauke .. .. .. • • • • • • • • 3 0 0 Mitiaro 300 Subsidies, — Cool-chamber .. .. .. .. •• •• •• •• ' () 0 0 0 Tereora School 200 0 0 Aitutaki Island Council .. . . .. • ■ • • • • • • :>0 0 0 Destruction of flying-fox .. .. . . • • • • • • • • • ) " 0 0 Pilot and boat. Aitutaki .. .. .. ■ ■ • • • • 10 0 0 Mangaia .. .. .. .. ■• •• •• 10 0 0 Carrying mails .. .. .. .. •• •• •• •• 10 0 0 Contingencies.— General 300 0 0 High Court .. .. .. •• •• •• •• •• 125 0 0 Land Titles Court .. • .. •• •• •■ •• •• 200 0 0 Miscellaneous, Hospital supplies and attendance .. .. ■ • • • ■ • • • 250 0 0 House allowance, Registrar, High Court . . . . .. • • • • 30 0 0 Maintenance, lunatic Donaldson .. .. .. . • • • ■ • 53 0 0 Penrhvn lepers .. •• •• •■ •• 5000 Rents. Wharf site .. .. .. ■• •• •• ..£5OO Post-office site .. .. .. • ■ • • .. 815 0 13 15 0 £4,666 10 0 Estimated Expenditure on Public Works for the Year ending 31st March. 1911. £ s. d. Mangaia reef passage .. .. .. • • • • • • • • • • 400 0 0 Aitutaki shed and tram-line .. .. . ■ ■ • • • • • • • 480 0 0 Arorangi water-supply .. .. ••••• • • • • • • • 650 0 " Medical Officer's quarters .. .. • • • • • • • • • • 650 0 0 Road grant 100 0 O Upkeep. Government Buildings .. .. . • • • • • • • • • 100 0 0 Store for Public Works Department .. .. •• •• •• •• 5000 New offices .. .. . • • • • • ■ • • • • • • • 400 0 0 Avarua water-supply Furniture and fittings, Hospital .. .. . • • • • • • • 200 0 0 £3,130 0 0

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Statement of Expenditure for Year ended 31st March, 1910.

Rarotonga, Ist April, 1910. Audited and found correct. —F. Q. Twiss. Auditor.

\V. .1. Stevenson, Treasurer.

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Service. Voted. Expended. 1. Medical and Health Officer 2. Assistant Medical Officer 3. Hospital supplies and attendance 4. Registrar Land Titles and High Court 5. .. house allowance 6. Interpreter, Secretary, and Government Printer .. 7. Contingent expenditure, High Court 8. „ Land Titles Court 9. Cadets (2)—1 at, £60 and 1 at £40 10. Chief Constable, High Court .. .. .. .. 11. High Court Police—1 at £24 and 1 at £19 12. Resident Agent, Penrhyn .. .. .. .. ,. ! 13. ,, Aitutaki 14. „ Mangaia 15. „ Atiu 16. ,, Manihiki and Rakahanga 17. Native Assessors, Aitutaki — ff at £5 18. Police, Aitutaki 19. Assessors —Mangaia, £10 ; police, £29 .. .. .. 20. Postmasters—Atiu, £6 ; Mauke, £3 ; Mitiaro, £3 .. 21. Clerks, Court—Atiu, £4 ; Mauke, £3 ; Mitiaro. £3.. 22. Assessors —Atiu, £8 ; Mauke, £5 ; Mitiaro, £5 .. .. .. j 23. Police—Atiu, £6 ; Mauke, £6 ; Mitiaro, £4 24. Police—Rarotonga, £30 ; Clerk, Arikis' Court, £5 25. Civil Engineer and Surveyor .. .. .. .. 28. Draughtsman .. .. .. .. .. 27. Surveyor (Native), half time £50 .. ..' .. 28. Island allowance, Collector of Customs .. .. .. 29. ('hief of Federal Government .. .. .. .. 30. Subsidy. Aitutaki Island Council 31. ,, in aid of cool-chamber 32. ,, Tereora School 33. „ destruction of flying-fox 34. „ Pilot Aitutaki, £10 ; Mangaia, £5 35. Rents —Wharf-site. £5 ; post-office, £8 15s. .. .. 36. General contingent expenditure 37. Assistant printer 38. Subsidy, carrying mails to islands .. .. .. 39. Fruit-inspector .. .. .. .. .. ... 40. Expenses, lunatic Donaldson .. .. .. .. 41. Auditor 42. Penrhyn lepers, maintenance 43. Repairs to roads and bridges damaged by sea on 7th March. 1909 44. Drainage, Maraerenga Lagoon .. .. .. .. 45. Planting Tukatea Island 46. Hospital and Medical Officer's residence 47. Two fumigating-chambers for fruit 48. Store for material and tools 49. Reef passage, Mangaia 50. ('ement for tanks at Mangaia .. 51. Cargo-shed, Aitutaki .. .. .. .. .. Kitchen, Medical Officer .. .. .. .. Refund Customs duties, Niue Administration Government offices, Atiu .. .. .. .. Entertaining His Excellency the Governor Salary, Foreman of Works Furnishing Grand Eastern Pacific Hotel Fruit-inspection Repairs and r water-installation, residency .£ 8. (I. i t s. .1. 400 o ii 400 (i o 270 oo 200 0 0 216 10 I 325 0 0 325 0 0 30 0 0 20 0 0 200 0 0 , 200 0 o 125 0 0 171 1 8 200 o o 135 n lo 100 0 0 100 0 o 100 o 0 36 '5 II 43 o o 43 o o 200 o o 2oo o it 200 0 o 200 o o 200 o o 200 o o 200 0 0 113 17 9 60 0 0 60 0 O 15 0 I) I.", o ii ■2'.) 0 O 2!) 0 0 39 O 0 39 0 O 12 0 0 ; 9 O ll 10 0 0 10 (I (I 18 o o 18 o (i 16 o o 16 o (i 35 0 0 35 0 0 150 o o 212 10 o 75 o 0 75 o o 75 0 o 75 o o 100 0 0 1(H) 0 0 50 o o 60 o o KM) o o 100 o o 2(H) 0 0 2(H) o o 50 oo 38 lo '.i 15 0 0 20 o o 13 15 0 13 15 o 250 0 0 I 336 12 4 30 o o 30 o 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 250 0 0 95 10 ii 53 0 I) 65 2 o 25 0 0 25 o o BO o 0 42 0 2 4(H) o ii .w> l lo 200 on 100 0 0 121 9 6 6(H) 0 0 1.368 19 1 2IH) 0 0 605 8 3 2(H) 0 0 KHI I) 0 I 121 8 10 60 0 0 150 0 o 78 17 3 63 4 6 2.", 3 4 120 12 (i 63 1 I 70 0 0 255 19 8 207 12 5 650 8 2 Balance in hand, including investments 8,230 2 II 4,437 8 1 12,667 II 0 i I

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10

Sir,— Rarotonga, Bth April, 1910. I have the honour to report as follows on the various offices under my charge for the year ended 31st March, 1910: — Finance: The Administration still maintains its sound financial position. The revenue for the year totalled £7.655 12s. Bd., compared with £7,146 9s. Id. during the previous year, an increase of £509 3s. 7ii. Customs duties, which are now the main source of revenue, including £1,154 7s. 9d. collected in New Zealand, amounted to £4,999 Os. Id., as against £4,841 4s. 3d. for 1908-9. The sum of £7 15 10s. (id. was collected in the Land Titles Court, being an increase of £ I (is Ms. sd. over the previous year. It must be borne in mind, however, that, once the lands of the principal islands of the Croup are surveyed, the revenue from this source must materially decrease. Stamps: The sales for the year were £285 7s. 5d., being practically- the same as last year. In 1903-4, the sales amounted to £2,111, but the boom with stamp-dealers is now over, and all sales are for postage purposes. Water rates increased by £36 75., rents by £5 10s., and traders' license fees by £16 10s. The fees and fines from the High Court decreased by £45 16s. The Resident Magistrates' Courts at Mangaia, Aitutaki, and Atiu contributed £198 ss. (id., compared with £205 ss. 3d. during 1908-9. A new item, fumigation and inspection of fruit, was responsible for a return of £132 15s. Id. As there is every indication of another prosperous year for the traders and fruit-shippers. 1 do not anticipate any decrease in the revenue for the coming year. The expenditure amounted to £8,230 2s. lid., compared with £5,718 3s. 7d. during last year. This appears large at first glance, but of that amount rfo less than £3,807 14s. 2d. was expended on public works, as against £1,320 14s. 6d. during 1908-9. A new hospital building, costing £1,368 Os. Id., has been erected. The sum of £605 Bs. 3d. was expended on a fumigator and tramway for the fumigation of fruit at Rarotonga. The residency, which had never been completed, and during recent years had been allowed to fall into a bad state of repair, has been thoroughly renovated, new foundations prJt in, outhouses erected, and connected with the water-supply. Practically nothing has been spent on this property since it was erected about fifteen years ago. The planting of Tukat<a Island with cocoanuts was completed at a cost of £121 9s. 6d. The total outlay on this island to date is £367 9s. In a few years this will Im> a valuable property and source of revenue. The sum of £124 i-<s. Kid. was expended on the purchase of explosives for blasting the reef at Mangaia. A kitchen, costing £63 4s. 6d., was erected for the Medical Officer. Ihe sum of £120 12s. 6d. was spent on Government offices at Atiu. The repairs to the roads and bridges damaged by sea at Rarotonga in March, 1909, cost £385 Is. 10d., and furnishing the Grand Eastern Pacific Hotel, £255 19s. Bd. After completing the above works, and paying salaries, subsidies, and odd amounts in the way of contingencies, the cash balance in band amounts to £4,437 Bs, Id., including £1,000 on lived deposit with the Rank of New Zealand at Auckland, and £1,000 invested in New Zealand Government 4-per-cent. debentures. Trade: The imports ami exports continue to increase annually, the bulk of the trade being with New Zealand, as it should be. The imports totalled £67,737, compared with £55,021 last year. The exports reached £73,653, as against £60,652 in 1908. During the year a new steamer service between Wellington and Papeete via Rarotonga was inaugurated by the New Zealand Government. There may lie divided opinions in New Zealand in regard to this service, but the traders, planters, ami Natives all agree that it is of an immense benefit to Rarotonga. By this service fruit reaches the two southern cities of New Zealand in eight days, compared with fourteen days via Auckland. Prices have improved owing to the fruit being landed in sound condition. Large areas have been planted in bananas in anticipation of the service being made a permanent one. From Rarotonga the Wellington steamer took 1,790 tons of cargo, and the Auckland one 6,198 tons. During the year the output of bananas increased by 9,495 cases. The increase at Rarotonga was 11,383 cases, but the outer islands fell away. The oranges shipped amounted to 98,007 cases, an increase for the year of 18,961 cases. The orange-crop, however, fluctuates according to the season. Of copra, 1,705 tons were exported, in comparison with 1,317 in 1908. High prices have ruled for this commodity throughout the year. Waterworks Account : The amount outstanding on the 31st March, 1909, was £84 Is. Bd, A sum of £243 (is. 3d. was expended during the year, and £307 10s. 3d. collected, leaving £19 17s. 9d. outstanding on the -list March last. This amount is not included in the year's surplus. The capital cost of this account no"w stands at £1,791 19s. 9d. Twenty-five houses were added to the list of ratepayers during the year. The rates collected amounted to £146 (is. Licensing: 'Ihe Licensing Act continues to work satisfactorily. There are a few malcontents, but such persons are to be found in every community. The profit on sales exceeds that of 1908-9 by £22 3s. 2d. : but this is accounted for by additional sales on account of dengue fever. Postal : The quantity of mail-matter, both inwards ami outwards, has been much heavier than in former years. At Rarotonga 683 money-orders, for £7.!)'.) I. wore issued, and 748, for £7.527, paid. The direct service to San Francisco and London greatly benefits the traders and white residents By this service Rarotonga is within fifteen days of San Francisco ami thirty days of London. 1 have, Sec., W. J. Stevenson, The Resident Commissioner. Rarotonga. Treasurer and Collector of Customs.

11

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Sir,— Rarotonga, 2nd May. 1910. I have the honour to inform you that I have audited the accounts of the Treasurer and Collector of Customs for the year ended 31st March, 1910, and have found them correct. 1 have also audited the books of the High Court ami Land Titles Court, and find that all moneys received have been accounted for. I have, Sec., I'. G. Twiss, Auditor. The Resident Commissioner, Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga.

Cook Islands Administration. Revenue for Year ended 31s/ March, 1910. £ s. d. E s. d. Balance, Ist April, 1909 .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5.011 18 4 Customs duties collected in Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 3,844 12 4 New Zealand, 1908-9 .. .. .. 1,154 7 9 Traders' licenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 452 0 0 Sale of stamps .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 285 7 5 Fees and fines, High Court .. .. .. .. .. 218 2 0 ~ Resident Magistrate's Court. Aitutaki .. .. 90 6 0 Mangaia .. .. 97 2 0 Atiu .. .. .. 10 17 6 Arikis'Court .. .. .. .. .. 36 7 0 Fees, Land Titles Court .. .. .. .. .. .. 745 10 6 Water rates .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 116 6 0 Shipping-fees and sale of forms .. .. .. .. .. 9 0 8 Rents 115 10 0 Interest on fixed deposits and debentures .. .. .. .. 102 9 4 Fruit inspection and fumigation fees .. .. .. .. 132 15 1 Cash profit on sale of liquor .. .. .. .. .. 123 5 7 Refunds. Waterworks Account .. .. .. .. .. 79 10 I Miscellaneous .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 12 3 5 7,655 12 8 £12.667 11 0 Rarotonga. Cook Islands. Ist April. 1910. W. .1. STEVENSON, Treasurer. Audited and found correct. —F. G. Twrss, Auditor.

Cook Islands Administration. Details of Vote 36. General Contingent Expenditure. t s. d. Boatman, Collector of Customs and Health Officer .. .. .. 12 16 o Tidewaitcr, H.M. Customs .. .. .. .. .. 25 8 0 Repairs to boat .. .. • • • • • • •. .. .. I 7 (i Stationery .. •■ •■ •• •• •• •• •• •• 85 16 lo Cleaning offices. Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 2 0 Repairs to cart .. .. •• •• •• •• .. .. 5 o o Travelling-expenses .. •• •• •• •• •• .. .. 59 6 6 Benevolent allowance, John Snow .. .. .. .. .. lo I o Buggy-hire .. . • • • • • • • • • ■ • • • ■ • 3 8 6 Typewriting •• •• •• •• •■ •• •• •• •• 100 Clearing Government grounds .. .. .. .. .. .. 214 0 Furniture and repairs, Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 9 6 6 Rarotonga .. .. • .. .. .. 71112 Purchase of flags . . • • •■ • • ■ ■ • • • • . . I 15 6 tools 3 12 I Cleaning offices, Aitutaki .. • .. .. .. .. .. .. I 1 7 (i Fencing, Aitutaki .. . • • • • • • • • ■ • • .. 15 0 Repairs to instruments .. .. • • • • • • • • . . 0 4 0 Cost of collecting Customs duties paid in New Zealand .. .. .. .. 17 s 3 Engineer, part salary .. •• •• •• •• •• .. .. 3 5 o Purchase of instruments .. .. •• •• .. .._ .. 10 10 0 Maintenance. William Hood .. .- .. .. .. .. .. 0 17 0 £836 12 I Rarotonga. Cook Islands, 6th April, 1910. W. .1. Stkvknsun. Treasurer.

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12

Cook Islands Administration. Details of Vote 7. Contingent Expenditure, High Court. £ s. d. Travelling-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4 16 0 Police uniforms and helmets .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 115 Copy of New Zealand Statutes .. .. .. .. .. .. 7 7 0 Stationery .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 0 Passages, prisoners .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. .. 16 1 0 Salary, constable and bailiff, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. .. 900 Bonus, police .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 6 0 0 Office-fittings .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 11 0 Court policeman, Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 600 „ Judge, Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10 0 0 Maintenance, prisoners, Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. .. 92 10 3 £171 1 6

Details of Vote 8. Contingent Expenditure. Land Titles Court. £ s. d. Travelling-allowance. Chief Judge .. .. .. .. .. 100 0 0 Survey material .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 19 10 Surveyor .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 0 0 Labour .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 546 Repairs to instruments .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 013 6 £135 17 10 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 6th April, 1910. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.

Cook Islands Administration. Table showing Amount spent on Public Works from Year 1902 to 'Mst March, 1910. .. . Increase over ... ear. Amount. „ ~ v Decrease. Preceding Year. i s. it. £ s. (I. £ 8. il. 1902 3 .. .. .. 1,623 9 10 1903 4 .. .. .. .. 1,163 9 10 .. 460 0 0 1904 5 .. .. .. .. 607 15 7 .. 555 k 3 1905-6 1,159 12 3 551 16 8 1906 7 .. .. .. .. 2,644 19 11 1.485 7 8 1907-8 .. .. .. •• 2.134 15 .. 510 18 6 1908 9 .. .. .. •■ L320 14 6 .. 813 6 11 1909-10 .. .. .. .. 3.807 14 2 2.486 19 S Rarotonga, Cook Islands, sth April, 1910. \V. .1. Stevenson. Treasurer.

Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Waterworks Account for Year ended Mst March. 1910. Installation. £ b. d. | £ s. d. Outstanding, 31st March, 1909 .. .. 84 1 8 > Collected .. .. .. ..307 10 2 Additional oosl .. .. .. .. 243 (i :i j Outstanding, 31sl March, 1910 .. 19 17 '.» i —, ,— £327 7 11 | £327 7 11 Hates. £ 8. d. 1 £ ». d. Outstanding, 31st March, 1909 .. .. 16 1 0 Collected .. .. .. .. 140 6 0 l.i-viable. 1(109-10 .. .. .. 138 ."> 0 j Outstanding, 31st March, 1910 .. .. 80 0 £154 6 0 ' £154 6 0 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, sth April, 1910. W. J Stevenson, Treasurer. Audited and found correct. —P. 6. Twiss, Auditor.

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Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Liquor Account fur Year ended 31*< March, 1910. £ s. d. £ s. d. Stock on hand, Ist April, 1909 .. .. 81 lo 9 By sales .. .. .. .. 697 19 3 Supplies .. .. .. 287 8 5 Stock on hand, 31st March, 1910 .. .. 83 12 9 Freight .. .. .. 18 10 6 Duty .. .. .. .. .. 254 4 6 Bottling .. .. .. 13 1 3 Fittings .. .. .. .. 19 0 Balance .. .. .. • .. 125 2 7 £781 12 0 £781 12 0 Profit and Loss Account. £ s. d. i £ s. d. To Stock .. .. .. 83 12 9 By balance, Ist April, 1909 .. .. 81 15 9 Profit transferred to general revenue .. 123 5 7 „ 31st March, 1910 .. .. 125 2 7 £206 18 4 ■ £206 18 4 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2nd April, 1910. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer. Audited and found correct.—F. G. Twiss. Auditor.

Cook Islands Administration. Port of Rarotonga. — Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Value. Total. £ Agricultural produce, not otherwise enumerated .. New Zealand .. 372 New South Wales .. 1 Tahiti .. .. 18 United States America.. 1 £ 392 Animals, living, — Rirds .. .. .. .. .. Tahiti Fowls .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand . . Horses .. .. .. .. .. „ .. .. 84 Tahiti .. .. 10 8 19 Pigs .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand Sheep .. .. .. .. .. ,, Apparel and slops .. .. .. .. „ .. .. 1,110 United Kingdom .. 150 Germany .. .. 120 France .. 37 United States America. . ■<,] Japan .. I 14 Maiden .. .. 100 Tahiti .. 348 94 10 17 Arms, ammunition, and explosives .. .. New Zealand Arrowroot .. .. .. .. .. Tahiti Bacon and hams .. .. . . .. New Zealand Bags and sacks .. .. .. .. „ .. .. 756 Tahiti .. .. 24 1,910 227 173 86 Bamboo (for hatmaking) .. .. .. Tahiti .. Beer and stout .. .. ,. .. I New Zealand .. .. 52 United Kin«dom .. 66 780 184 Beverages, non-alcoholic .. .. .. New Zealand Bicycles and tricycles, and parts of same .. „ .. 120 (nited Kingdom .. 12 United States America.. 25 Tahiti .. .. 5 Biscuits, cabin bread .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 2,863 United States America. . 76 j Tahiti .. 74 118 133 162 3,013

14

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Cook Islands Administration—continued. Port of Rarotonga.-Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909-continued.

Article. Whence imported. Value Value Total. Total. J Boats Boots and shoes £ New Zealand . . ... 386 ! United States America.. 28 Tahiti .. 4 t t KM) I IK t KM) :,86 28 4 Building-material, not otherwise enumerated . . New Zealand . . .. 479 New South Wales . . , 15 United States America.. 8 418 5112 Butter and cheese .. New Zealand . . .. 887 Tahiti .. .. ti 89:5 (larriages, and parts of same New Zealand . . . . 52 I United States America.. 715 Tahiti .. .. 109 Casks, empty Cement New Zealand 739 New South Wales .. 12 1.348 43 Coal Confectionery New Zealand 111 Tahiti .. .. 1 751 30 112 Cordage and twine New Zealand . . ,. , 34 1 New South Wales .. | 3 United States America. . j 31 Tahiti .. .. 17 392 Cotton piece-goods .. New Zealand .. .. 1.414 United Kingdom .. 1,302 New South Wales .. 108 United States America.. 592 j Tahiti .. .. 1,111 Maiden .. .. 5 4,582 Drapery .. New Zealand .. .. 2.104 United Kingdom . . 271 Germany .. .. 12 Tahiti .. .. (il . Maiden .. .. 15 2,496 Drugs and chemicals New Zealand . . . . 335 United Kingdom . . I New South Wales . . 7 Tahiti .. .. 39 Earthenware and glassware New Zealand . . . . 351 United Kingdom . . 18 'New South Wales .. 9 Germany .. .. 3 United Stutcs America.. 12 .Japan .. 2 Tahiti .. .. 14 382 109 Fancy goods and toys New Zealand . . . . 167 United Kingdom . . 17 New South Wales .. 3 (lermany .. .. 116 France ' .. .. 13 United States America . . -45 Tahiti .. . . 49 Maiden .. .. 11 751

A.—3

Cook Islands Administration— continued. Port of Rarotonga.—Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909—continued.

15

Article. Fish, preserved and salted Flour Furniture Whence imported. Value. E .. New Zealand .. 625 British Columbia .. 119 United States America . . 107 Tahiti .. .. j 66 New Zealand . . 2.693 United States America.. 381 Tahiti .. 517 New Zealand . . . . 527 United Kingdom .. 5 New Smith Wales . . | 22 United States America.. j 86 Ta hiti .. .. | .->( i Total. t 917 3,59.] 690 Hardware .. New Zealand .. .. j 1.687 United Kingdom . . 87 New South Wales . . I 26 Germany .. .. lo United States America . . 88 Tahiti . . . . (ill Maiden 39 Hats and caps New Zealand . . . . 165 United Kingdom .. 11 Tahiti .. .. |<) 2.(136 Hosiery New Zealand . . ... 376 United Kingdom .. 102 France . . . . 121 Japan .. .. 67 189 Instruments. Dental Musical New Zealand 42 United Kingdom .. 37 New South Wales .. 2 Germany .. .. n Tahiti .. .. 15 666 140 Scientific New Zealand 110 75 Iron. Bar. bolt, and rod . . (la Ivai lised, w irrugated New Zealand . . .. .. ! 1.133 New South Wales . . <)3 Tahiti . . li) 132 Pipes and fittings . . Kails Wire New Zealand 151 United States America.. 2 Tahiti .. 2 1.515 226 Id 155 Machines, sewing New Zealand . . . . 70 New South Wales . . 25 United States America . . 292 Tahiti .. 118 505 Mutches New Zealand . . . . 208 United Kingdom . . 190 Tahiti .. .. 9 Meats, Frozen Preserved Salted • New Zealand . . .'. 1,535 Tahiti .. 74 New Zealand 407 302 4,609 489

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Cook Islands Administration — continued. Port of Rarotonga.—Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909—continued.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Milk, preserved New Zealand .. .. 222 Tahiti .. .. 3 £ 225 Nails Oars Oil, Kerosene and benzine .. New Zealand .. .. 530 New South Wales .. 8 United States America.. 40 Tahiti .. .. 3 : New Zealand New Zealand .. .. 800 New South Wales .. 16 Tahiti .. .. 19 581 124 835 Not otherwise enumerated .. New Zealand.. .. 170 New South Wales .. j 13 Tahiti .. .. 13 196 Paints and varnish New Zealand . . .. 1S6 New South Wales .. 11 United States America.. 42 Tahiti 41 ; Maiden .. .. IT 297 Paper New Zealand . . . . 100 Tahiti .. .. 10 110 Perfumery and toilet preparations New Zealand . . .. To United Kingdom . . 17 Tahiti .. •• r > Photographic goods Provisions, not otherwise enumerated New Zealand L296 United Kingdom .. 26 Victoria .. . 48 New South Wales . . 5 Tahiti .. •• 58 92 20 1,433 Rice New Zealand .. .. 268 New South Wales .. 13 United States America.. 162 Tahiti .. .. 187 Maiden . . j . 16 646 Saddlery and harness New Zealand .. .. 226 United States America.. 97 Tahiti .. .. 13 336 Silks .. New Zealand .. .. 308 New South Wales .. 25 Japan .. •• 281 Tahiti .. .. II 625 Soap Specie Spirits, — Brandy Geneva and gin Rum Whisky .. New Zealand . . 1,012 New South Wales .. 6 Germany .. • • -' Tahiti ' .. .. 47 New Zealand New Zealand .. .. 17 Victoria .. • • 9 . . I New Zealand '.'. ',', '■'■ •• '5° United Kingdom . . 68 1,067 9.049 26 15 21 218 r

17

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Cook Islands Administration — continued. Port of Rarotonga.-Return showing Value of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909-continued.

Rarotonga. 18th March. 1910.

W. .1. Stkyknson. ('ollector ol' Customs.

B—A. 3,

Article. Whence imported, \ .ilne. Value. Total Spirits continued. Methylated I'cifume-' £ Now Zealand . . , I United Kingdom .. 31 £ t I I 31 35 Stationery and books J I .. New Zealand . . .. 286 United Kingdom .. 536 New South Wales .. 39 Fiance . . . . 15 Tahiti .. .. 9 286 536 39 15 9 Sugar .. New Zealand .. .. 1,643 Tahiti .. .. IS 1,643 is 885 I 691 Tanks .. New Zealand . . .. 130 New Smith Wales .. 9 130 9 139 Timber, Fruit-boxes Sawn TobaCCO, iiiahillael lired . . : New Zealand I. ISO New Smith Wales .. 65 United Slates America.. 1.829 i Tahiti .. .. 53 .. | New Zealand .. .. 315 New Smith Wales .. 76 Tahiti .. .. 63 6,945 3,427 l.si (ligars and cigarettes New Zealand . . . . 16 Tahiti .. .. 5 51 Tools .. New Zealand .. .. 131 United Kingdom ... til New South Wales . . ' 22 United States America. . 65 Tahiti .. .. L5 Maiden .. .. 10 Trunks New Zealand . . .. 12 Hone Kmie . . . . |5 Tahiti .. .. 2 304 29 Wines, — Claret Victoria .. .. 87 Tahiti .. .. 17 Port New Zealand . . . . 4 Victoria .. .. j 21 104 : 28 Sparkling .. Victoria .. .. j 23 United Kingdom .. ( 30 53 59 Wooden ware Miscellaneous New Zealand . . 117 United Kingdom .. 22 United States America.. 10 Tahiti .. .. 35 I'll t(i7.737 ; '- * Includes specie, value £9,049.

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18

Cook Islands Administration. Port of Rarotonga.-Return showing Value of Exports for Year ended 31st December, 1909.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th March. L9OB.

W. J. Stevenson, Collector of Customs.

Cook Islands Administration. Port of Rarotonga. Return showing Total Values of Imports and Exports for Year ended 31st December, 1909. Imports. 19 £ 09 - 1! f. New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 53,956 United Kingdom . . .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 3,096 New South Wales .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 634 Victoria .. .. .. .. ... .. .. .. .. 191 British Columbia .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 119 Hong Kong .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 15 Maiden Island .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 213 Germany .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 337 France .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 186 United States ol America .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,765 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,861 Japan .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 364 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. 67,737 55,02] Exports. New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 55,977 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 10,336 New South Wales .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 50 United States of America . . . . .. .. .. .. .. 6,420 Tahiti .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 870 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. £73,653 £60,652 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 18th March, 1910. Collector of Customs.

Article Where exported. Quantity. Value. Total. T I I Fruit, fresh Bananas Oranges Pines Unenumerated (iopra New Zealand United Kingdom United States America Tahiti £ £ 98,934 cases .. 18.710 10,123 bnchs. .. 716 98.007 cases .. 17.200 5.650 „ .. 708 45 „ 5 576 tons 8,640 646 „ 10.336 428 „ 6.420 55 „ 550 25,946 Coffee .. l\ew Zealand Tahiti 17,200 lb. 398 ,4,600 „ 95 I Cocoanuts Candlenuts Curios .. Ginger Honey Beeswax Kumeras Lime-juice Pearl-shell Whale-oil Specie New Zealand New South Wales New Zealand Tahiti 493 59,070 number .. 206 6 tons .. 18 42 ■2 6 3 2,691 cases .. 123 2.600 gals. .. 130 18 tons .. !I(H) 50 7.870 225 8,095 * 173,653 ; * Includes speoie, value £8,095.

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Cook Islands Administration. Return showing Principal Exports from each Island during 1909.

Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 21st March, 1910.

W. I. Stevenson, Collector of Customs.

Cook Islands Administration. Table showing Total Values, Imports and Exports, for Year 1902 to 3lst December, 1909. Imports. Y Amount. Increase. Decrease. 1902 .. .. .. .. .. 27,623 1903 .. .. .. .. .. 34.886 7,263 1904 .. .. .. .. .. 33.399 .. 1,187 1905 .. .. .. .. .. 36.993 3,594 1906 .. .. .. .. .. 11,437 4,444 1907 .. .. .. 50.756 9,314 1908 .. .. .. .. .. 55.021 4,265 1909 .. .. .. .. .. 67,737 12,716 Kxporls. 1902 .. .. .. .. 34,821 1903 .. .. .. .. .. 34,740 .. 81 1904 .. .. .. .. 38.248 3,508 1905 .. .. .. .. .. 34,890 .. 3,358 1906 .. .. .. .. .. 45,925 11,035 1907 .. .. .. .. .. 51,578 5,653 1908 .. .. .. .. .. 60,652 9,074 1909 .. .. .. .. 73,653 13,001 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, sth April, 1910. Collector of Customs.

I 1 § .5. g -i Bananas oc .a = i S £ 7-i 5 S x B. fi - ? 1 ; •- 1 5 S ? 9 S 5 | 5 S o 5 z 3 o a 8 J 3 a. Rarotonga Aitutaki Mangaia Atiu Mauke Mitiaro Manuae Penrhyn Manihiki Rakahanga Palmerston Suwarrow Pukapuka Totals, l'JOO Totals, 1908 Gases. Bohes. crises. Cases (uses. Tons. Lb. ('uses. NuniU.-i Gal. Tons Tons. .. 89,437! 10,123; 56,862 L.059 45 288 10,100 11 47,000 .. 6 .. 719 .. : 11,895 8,625 .. 890 .. .. 1,020 8,7781 .. 19,611 1,066 .. 101 11,700' 2,680 11,050! 2,H00 .. 4,614 201 .. 5.025 .. .. 181 .. .. 79 .. .. 69| 36 1.189 165 • 53 ., ■• •• •• .. .. 98,934 10,123 98,007 5,650 45 1,705 21,800 2,691 59,070 2,000 6 1. .. 89,439; 9,386 79.046 9,368 144 1,817 57,500 3,468112,580' 8,010 4 .. i 15 3 18

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Cooks Islands Administration. Statement of Cargo shipped from the Undermentioned Islands in the Cook Group during the Years ended 31st March, 1909 and 1910.

Tons. Total tonnage, 1908-9 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4.997 L909-10 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4.116 \Y. .1. Stkvf.nsow Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1910. Collector of Customs.

Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Cargo shippc/l by the Auckland and Wellington Steamers from Rarotonga during the Year ended 31st March, 1910. Month. Auckland. Wellington. April 460 May .. . • • • • • • ■ 632 388 June 797 647 July .. .. .. .. .. .. 528 665 August .. .. .. . . .. .. 137 11 2 September .. .. .. .. .. 125 411 October .. .. .. .. .. 389 November .. .. .. .. •• 567 248 December . . .. .. ... 545 657 January, 1910 .. .. .. .. .. 170 452 Februarv .. .. .. .. ..336 447 March ' 112 448 Totals .. .. .. .. 5,998 5,075 The Auckland vessel made twelve trips and the Wellington only ten. Totals. l!>08-9. 1909-10. Tons. Tons. Harotouga 8,281 11,073 Other islands .. .. .. .. .. 4,997 4,116 Total .. .. .. 13,278 15,189 W. J. Stevenson, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1910. Collector of Customs.

Mangaia. Aitutaki. At in. Mauke. Month. inns. L909. 1908. 1909. 1908. 1909. mux. L909. April May second trip June July August September .. < October November .. December . . .1 anuary February .. March 150 195 207 96 212 230 131 280 151 310 180 270 115 117 103 225 lio 170 125 86 75 154 70 195 117 130 51 90 180 221 222 220 197 264 158 315 145 222 167 100 110 75 19 2 IS 130 202 loo 260 30 .",51 150 372 181 Totals 1 2,006 2.09s I.. '{So 1,418 674 450 450 937 150

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Thk Cook Islands Land Titlbs Court. Sir, — Registrar's Office, Rarotonga, 7th April, 1910. I have the honour to report on the work of the Cook Islands Land Titles Court for the year ending the 31s1 March, 1 910. Ihe work for the year has consisted mostly in perfecting orders and plans in respect of titles investigated by the Court during the preceding year at Rarotonga and Aitutaki. All the Aitutaki titles and plans have 'icon completed, and also many of the Rarotonga titles and plans, and ait available for issue on payment of fees. The balance of the Rarotonga orders for title, and also (hose for Mauke and Rakahanga, are in the hands of the Survey Department for indorsement of plans. During the year the Court held sittings on twelve days —namely, nine days at Rarotonga and three days at Mangaia. The number of orders made was fifty, and the adoptions registered numbered eleven. The Courl fees imposed during the year amounted to £56 2s. Notices to pay fees were served on all persons in Rarotonga whose fees were in arrear over two years; with the result thai a large amouiil of outstanding fees was go! in. The fees collected during the year and paid into the Treasury amounted to kl 15 Ids. (id. The following table shows the fees collected and paid into the Treasury since the inception of the Court: — £ s. d. 1902-'! ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 19 0 1903-4 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 131 10 6 1904-5 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 307 2 6 1905-6 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 330 6 2 1906-7 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 451 16 9 1907-8 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 621 14 11 1908-9 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 576 16 1 1909-10 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 745 10 6 Total ... ... ... ... £3,181 16 5 The fees Outstanding on the 31st March, 1910, amounted to £858 19s. 6d., as compared with £1,548 Bs. on the 31st Nlarch, 1909. The following are details of fees now outstanding : — £ s. d. Rarotonga ... ... ... ... ... ... 589 11 0 Aitutaki ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 67 5 0 Mauke ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 167 15 0 Rakahauga ... ... ... ... ... ... 21 3 6 Mangaia ... ... ... ... ... ... 510 0 Mitiaro ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 550 Atiu ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 15 0 Manihiki ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 15 0 £858 19 6 I have, &c., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. E. Blaink. Registrar.

Tin: limn Court of the Cook Islands. Sir, — Registrar's Office, Rarotonga, 4th April, 1910. 1 have ihe honour to repor! on the work of the Court for the year ending 31st March, 191 0. as follows :— The number of eases heard by the Court in its criminal jurisdiction was 229. as sel out hereunder : — Adultery end illegal cohabitation ... ... ... .. ... 13 Drunkenness from bush-beer drinking ... ... ... ... 72 Assault ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 34 Theft .. ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 26 Trespass ... ... ... ■■• ■•• ••■ ... 19 Wandering animals ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 Breaches of Customs law ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Miscellaneous petty offences ... ... .. . ••■ ... 47 Total 229 The seventy-two eases of drunkenness from bush-beer drinking involved the appearance of 258 defendants liefore the Court. In its civil jurisdiction the Court heard forty cases, namely: — Debt ... ... ... ... ... ••• ••■ 16 Divorce ... ... •. • • • • ■ ■ • • • • ■ ■ ... 12 Breach of contract... ... ... ... • ■ -■ ■ ■• 3 Slander ... ... -■- •■■ ••■ ••■ 1 Probate and administration ... ... ... • •■ ■ ■• 3 Miscellaneous . ... ... ••• ••• ••• ••• 6 40

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The total lines aud fees imposed were criminal jurisdiction, £217 3s. 6d. ; and civil jurisdici ion, £25 i 6s. 6d. The lotal amount of Hues and fees collected and paid into the Treasury to credit of general i eveuue was £218 2s. In addition to the weekly sittings ai Rarotonga, the Court also sat at Atiu, Mauke, Mangaia. M il iaro. and A il utaki. Owing to the fact that all members of the Police Force were Natives, difficulty has been experi euoed in ihe past in the oolleoth f fines, and in the enforcement of puuishments inflicted by the Court. Now that a European Inspector of Police, with a special knowledge of his duties, has been appointed, there is no doubt but that in future fines will be promptly collected, punishments duly carried out, and the Native police generally made more efficient. I have. Sec, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. K. Blainb, Registrar.

Vital Statistics for the Islands of Rarotonga and Aitutaki for the Year ended 31st December, 1909.

Births. Deaths. Marriages. Rarotonga .. .. .. .. 99 90 42 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. 52 38 25 Totals .. .. .. .. ..151 128 67 Vital statistics of the other islands of the Group are not yet available. Sir,— Rarotonga, 6th April, 1910. 1 have the honour to submit the report on public works for the year ending 31st March, 1910. Survey of Native Lands. The survey of the Island of Rarotonga is now practically completed. 'Hie survey of the Island of Aitutaki is well advanced, and Mauke is also practically completed. 1 forward tracings of the Islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and Mauke, and request thai lithographs be made of them in New Zealand —say, 100 copies of Rarotonga, 50 of Aitutaki, and 50 of Mauke. 1 also forward a chart of the Cook Group, and submit that, say, 50 lithographs be made of ii on the same scale, as it is considered by captains of vessels as a very useful chart (being on a large scale) for navigation in the Group. Meteorological Observations. Meteorological observations have been taken daily, and returns have been forwarded to the New Zealand Government, also to the German Government at Samoa. TIMB. Mean time is kept, and the chronometers are checked monthly. The observation station at the Government Offices, Avarua, is taken as 10 hours 39 minutes 5 seconds west of Greenwich. A transit instrument, which would facilitate o-reatly the checking of the chronometer, is much needed. Public Works. Fumigator. —During the year a concrete fumigator was built, and connected to the Union Steamship Company's wharf by tram-line. The fumigator has two chambers, each 18 ft. 6 in. by 14 ft. by 9 ft. Each chamber has a capacity of 500 9 in. cases. The building has verandahs on three sides, on one of which there is an office, 15 ft. by 10 ft., for the Fruit Inspector. Hospital. —A concrete hospital with verandahs has been erected. It contains two wards, each 20 ft. 9 in. by 18 ft. 6 in.; an operating-theatre, 15 ft. by 11 ft. 9 in. : consulting-room, 15 ft. 9 in. by 11 ft. 9 in. : dispensary, 15 ft. 9 in. by 11 ft. 9 in. : store-room, 11 ft. 9 in. by 7 ft. 3in ; bathroom, 11 ft. 9 in. by 7 ft. 3 in. The walls of the building are 13 ft. high. The ceiling is of asbestos sheets. There is also a passage down the centre of the building 6 ft. wide.

Rarotonga Villages. Aitutaki Villages. I i > I I 4 : i & I fc H -5 I 1 a .2" [a s S 3 - a. ■a «su « « lirths .. ►eaths .. larriages 49 49 23 6 10 3 18 11 15 10 11 10 5 3 |8 99 90 42 I 10 9 4 7 35 52 6 23 38 5 16 25

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Residetieg. —lhe residency, having fallen into a very bad state of repair, was put into good order, aud a new kitchen aud store-room built. Medical Officer's Kitchen. —A kitchen for the Medical Officer was erected. Takutea. —The planting of the Government Island of Takutea was completed during the year. The whole area planted in cocoanuts is now 227 acres. Roads and Bridgbs. The Main Beach Road round the Island of Rarotonga had fallen into very bad repair, until towards the end of the year, when the Resident Commissioner called out all the able-bodied Natives on the island. As a result of this calling-out the road is now in much better order, the Natives having done more work than they did before at any one time. Several of the small wooden bridges were repaired. Avarua Water-supply. The Avarua water-supply is working fairly well; but a dam or filter-bed is required at the intake, also about 1,000 ft. of pipes of 2 in. diameter are required at the Avntiu end of the watersupply. During the year twenty-five more houses were connected with the mains. The present revenue is about .£l5O per annum. Public Works proposed. Mangaia Reef Passage. 1 recommend that the Mangaia reef passage be taken in hand as the first undertaking for the new year, and propose that the passage be cut out to a depth of, say, 5 ft. at least at low tide, and 10 ft. wide. I may say, in May and June, 1908, I spent four weeks at Mangaia blasting the reef passage, and Mr. Howard Greig continued the work after I left. The difficulty to contend with in small passages through the reef is the outwash of water from the lagoon from any cut made in the reef. There are two ways of stopping this outrush or scour: the one is by walling in the harbour made, leaving only the entrance open. The other and cheaper way is by leaving a bar at the entrance. The first is an expensive job, but, of course, the better of the two. At any rate, the bar should be left until the inner work is completed, and then only cut down sufficiently to let boats in and out. I propose to cut the passage for the present about 400 ft. long from beach to edge of reef, 10 ft. wide or over, and about 5 ft. deep, making 741 cubic yards, of which I believe about onethird, or, say, 250 cubic yards, has been blasted. The stone blasted will have to be removed on to the high ground if not cemented together, as when a big sea comes the stone will very likely be washed back again into a channel or scattered over the beach. The cost of the passage, not including explosives and other material in hand, up to the present, has been about £360, and the material in hand cost about £160, making in all £520. I consider that the remaining 500 cubic yards or so will not cost as much in proportion as the first 250 cubic yards have done. I believe, for the £400 put down in my estimates a good channel can be made. The Natives promised before to clear away all the stone, the Government simply paving for the drilling. 'Ihe passage when completed will be of great service, I believe, to the shippers, as at present ai low tide the boxes of fruit have to be carried from the beach to the edge of the reef, a distance of about 400 ft. The amount of explosives on hand is 30 eases gelatine, 7 cases rackarock. We only used before 2701b. of gelatine and a small quantity of rackarock. I consider that ai have sufficient explosives on hand to make a fair channel. For this year I estimate a sum of £400 is necessary. Aitutaki Shed and Wharf Tram-line. I propose that the Aitutaki shed and wharf tram-line be undertaken on the lines submitted to you in my report of the 21st October last, at a cost of £480. Arorangi Water-supply. The Arorangi water-supply might also he undertaken during the rear, as submitted to vou in my report of the 10th March last, at a cost of £650. Medical Officer's Quarters. The estimate for quarters for the Medical Officer at the new hospital is £650. Roads. I think the Government should place a sum of £100 this year on the estimates for the purchase of portable tram-line and two tip trucks, for the purpose of bringing gravel from the beach to Main Road. Upkeep of Government Buildings. \ sum of £100, I estimate, is required for the upkeep of the buildings. New Offices. Three new offices, I think, are required, for which a building 40 ft. by 20 ft., with verandahs back and front, is needed, which I estimate at £400. I have, &c, H. M. Oonnal, The Resident Commissioner. Engineer in Charge of Public Works.

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Rainfall. (In Inches.) Avarua, Rarotonga.

Titikaveka, Rarotonga. Aitutaki. Oneroa, Mangaia. Atiu.

No. 2. g IB _ Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1!H0. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th April last, cover in" your report for the year ended 31st March, 1910. _ _ 'l ,-uii pleased to learn thai the finances and trade returns are in a satisfactory position. I propose to deal with the various matters referred to in your report at a future date. 1 have, &c. The Residenl Commissioner, Rarotonga. -1- Carroll.

VISIT OF HIS EXCELLENCE THE GOVERNOR TO COOK ISLANDS. No. 3. „ _ Iviirotonga, 30th June, 1909. I have the honour to report that His Bxcellenoy the Governor of Now Zealand arrived at Rarotonga on Wednesdav, the 23rd instant, and on the evening of that day proceeded on to Mangaia. latiilit.u'on the last-named island a(o..'Hi a.rn. oiith,- -2 Ith Atiu was visited on the 25th, and Aitutaki on the 26th. At each oi these tslands His Excel tenor was well received, and I have reason to believe was quite satisfied With las visit. 'The official landing at Rarotonga was on the morning of the 28th, when the people of the island met His Excellency at the resilience of Makea Ariki. The day was not fine, hut the people «ere pleased to meel the representative of His Majesty the King, and gave him a hearty welcome. { few unimportant questions, involving the mana of certain sections of the people were submitted to His Excellency for his decision, and were dealt with diplomatically by him. Probably His Excellency will mention these matters to you, though they are ol small moment I have, Sec, \V. E. GUDGHON, Residenl Commissioner, Tho Hon. .lames CarroU, Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration,

Mouth. 189». 1800. 1901. 1802. 1908. 1804. 1905. 1806. 1907. j 1908. , 1909. Average for Eleven Years. .1 anuary . . February.. .March April May June JulyAugust .. September (letober .. November December lL>ii7 8-51 2015 1409 305 8-86 1-80 14-01 6-30 800 14-02 sin 919 1106 8-87 5-96 a 41 18-67 615 lo 7:5 602 1102 3-30 11-17 5-38 1114 10-34 L4-86 15-73 3-60 7-77 3-58 602 5-2] 3-82 .3 81 2-47 5 52 3-60 116 ' 418 1-85 1-55 I 23 1-24 1-84 311 j 5-90 5-81 2-77 7 4<> 6-96 1-77 0-31 3-37 :i -39 9-32 5-57 3-29 0-78 519 507 I :14 2-33 3-47 121 2-85 7 it, 484 12., 2 2<i 2-81, 4-30 8-48 10-83 142 6-62 7-46 10-81 13-11 2-47 2-38 5-35 0-91 9-54 7-38 4-77 9-14 8-42 13-26 15 43 1213 1)42 16-28 22-26 11-78 inns [8-67 6-70 17-98 6-29 inn:! 910 m'at I 74 3-64 6-79 1017 1-72 3-27 4 71 124 4-95 3 48 6-86 11-72 I ill 3-69 6-46 "142 3-90 0-94 7-28 2-34 2-37 4-49 15-52 4412 8-89 9-97 11-77 5-54 9-30 10 72 10 41 906 7 55 4-27 316 lilt 4-34 3-76 5-74 715 Total 91-20 61-54 8613 72-48 65-38 74 4., 64-73 65-93 86O0 116-64 93-42 suOs

' 1907. 1908. 1909. 1907. 1908. 1909. 1907. 1908. 1909. mi''' January February March April May June July August September .. October November .. December 7-53 8-26 January .. .. 1002 6-91 January .. 16-39 1613 Februarj .. 8,si 12 77 February.. 17 711 9-82 March .. I 181 7 '.14 March 3-63 11-85 April .. . - 7-91 9-66 April litis 11-4U May .. .. 9-98 3 53 M.n 817 1027 June .. 5-80 143 June I In 6-10 6-95 July .. 0-89 2-15 i;-4ii July 3 75 448 15 15 August .. 2 41 2 4(> 534 August .. ITU s 41 s 35 September.. 3-30 5-36| 10-75 September (i74 (i 37 2 23 October 1-63 3-61 MO Ootober .. 3 si 17 111 5 2ii November.. 3-43 10-46 2li."> November t H7 in Hi 7-87 December.. 11-63 11-29 * December 902 10-68 January .. . . IS-S7 7-35 l-'el.nian 7 SO 13-61 March 6-48 7 57 April 3 13 5-89 Ma\ .. 4 23 7-48 -lime .. .. 5-36 8-96 July . .. 2 20 1-66 Augusl .. .. 9-60 3-H7 September ' .. 2-98, 4 15 October .. .. li ns 2 50 November 3-09 4 17 7 54 December 4-62 Total .. 22-16 116-20 113-57 Total .. 23-19 89-65 .. Total .. 3 09 82-92| 81-31 Total .. 4-62 Total . 1-62 * Not yet received.

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No. 4.

Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th July, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th June last, reporting the visit of His Excellency the Covernor to the Cook Islands. I have, &c, Ihe Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll

RESIDENT AGENTS APPOINTED. No. 5. Sir,— Eastern I'acilie. Rarotonga, -'llth July, I<JO9. 1 have the honour to inform you that the Chief Tararo, who was Resident Agent for the Island of Mauke, (lied on the 28th May last, and the enolosed translation of a letter from Te Ariki Strickland will disclose the necessity for appointing a new man with the least possible delay. I have conferred with Captain Smith, and he agrees with me that Tamuera Tangata should be appointed Resident Agent vice Tararo, deceased, and Te Ariki Strickland should be Clerk of the Island Court. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. Ihe Hon. James Carroll, Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration. Enclosure. Slß >— . Mauke, 22nd June, 1909. I have to notify you of the death of our Resident Agent and Ariki Tararo Ariki, which took place on the 28th May. On the sth .lime 1 went to arrange the Court books and put them under proper care: but Tapoki would not allow me to do so: he said I had no authority to do so, and, as Tararo was dead, he was now the Clerk of the Court, and that his brother Noo was the Judge, and they have been carrying on Courts and fining people since Tararo's death. I told them they had no authority to do this, and Tapoki told me he was the mana. I therefore ask you if this is correct. When I told Tapoki he was wrong he turned me out of Court. I- want you to inform me if I shall carry on ihe Court duties, as I am the Clerk of Court; and when you come here we shall know what we arc to do. That is all. Colonel Gudgeon, Chief Judge of (' ts. Te Ariki Strickland.

No. 6. Sin, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th August, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th July last, and, in reply, to forward to you the accompanying warrant under the hand of His Excellence the Governor, appointing Tamuera Tangata to be Resident Agent at Mauke, in place of Tararo deceased. The proposed appointment of Te Ariki Strickland to be Clerk of the Island Court is also approved. ... I have, Sec, The Resident Commissioner. Rarotonga. j. Carroll

No. 7. Ski.— Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga. 15th October, 1909. With reference to the recent rearrangement of Resident Agents in the Group', I shall be glad if you will have the following appointments notified in the New Zealand Gazette: ' Percy Brown, Resident Agent, Aitutaki, to be Licensing Officer, Postmaster, Officer in Charge of Customs, and Magistrate. John CHEONNETH Cameron, Resident Agent, Mangaia, to be Licensing Officer, Postmaster, Officer in Charge of Customs, and Magistrate. John Thompson Large, Resident Agent. Atiu, to be Magistrate, Postmaster, and Officer in Charge of Customs. Note.—As Atiu is not a license district, no appointment as Licensing Officer in that case is necessary. I have, &c. J. Eman Smith, The Hon. .lames Carroll. Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge. Cook Islands Administration. Wellington,

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No. 8. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th October, 1909. Referring to previous correspondence. I he.vi the honour to transmit io vou the accompanying warrants under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, appointing— (1.) Mr. J. T. Large to be Resident Agent at Atiu from Ist October. (2.) Mr. J. C. Cameron to be Residenl Agent at Mangaia from Ist October. (3.) Mr. P. Brown to be Resident Agent at Aitutaki from 6th September. It is not considered necessary to appoint these officers to be Licensing Officers, Officers of Customs, and Magistrates. Their appointments as Postmasters will be forwarded presently. I have, iVc., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J CARROLL.

No. 9. Sir, • Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 29th November, 1909. I am in receipt of your letters, dated 23th and 30th October, transmitting warrants under the hand of His Excellency the Governor appointing Mr. .1. C. Cameron to be Resident Agent of Mangaia from the Ist October, 1909: Mr. Percy Brown to be Residenl Agent at Aitutaki from the 6th September, 190!): also warrants under the hand of His Excellency the Governor appointing Mr. Cameron and Mr. Brown Postmasters at Mangaia and Aitutaki respectively. I am pleased to hear that the Post Office authorities are making the necessary arrangements to establish a post-office and money-order office at Atiu. 1 have also received the warrant appointing Mr. J. T. Large to be Residenl Agent at Atiu. I presume the warrant appointing Mr. Large a Postmaster will arrive in due course. 1 have, &c. .1. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge. Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

REPORTING PROPOSED VISIT TO ISLANDS. No. 10. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga. 3rd September, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that I propose to proceed on tin- 6th instant by the " Talune " to the islands of Mangaia. Atiu, and Aitutaki. and I therefore take advantage of Gazette notice of the 7th June, 1906, the Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901, to appoint William James Stevenson, Collector of Customs, to act for me during my absence (vide section 3, sill (section 2). 1 shall, upon my return, report to you tin- various transfers of Resident Agents determined upon by the late Commissioner. I have. Sec, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 11. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 29th September, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant, reporting your proposed visit to the islands of Mangaia, Atiu, and Aitutaki, and the appointment of Mr. W. J. Stevenson, Collector of Customs, to act for you during your absence. 1 have, Sec, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. .1. Carroll.

FEDERAL AND ISLAND COUNCIL ORDINANCES. No. 12. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 9th October, 1909. I have the honour to forward herewith an Ordinance for the approval of His Excellency the Governor, the Short Title of which is the Trading License Ordinance, 1909. This Ordinance was passed by (he Federal Council on the 2nd instant. I should lie obliged if you would give instructions, after its approval, to have it gazetted at once, for it has got to come into operat ion on the Ist January, 1910. It is necessary that T should give public notice to ihe community per medium of the Cook Islands Gazette. 1 have. Sec, J. Eman Smith, The lion. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington,

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Enclosure. Federal Ordinance No. 29. —An Ordinance to provide for ihe Issue of Trading Licenses. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook Islands as follows :-— I. The Short Title of this Ordinance is the Trading License Ordinance. I ill)!). '1. It shall be unlawful to sell or barter goods (other than goods wholly the produce of the Cook Islands) in or from any building, vessel, vehicle, horse, or pack, or in or from any other place, without first obtaining a license therefor in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance. 3. Licenses shall be of the following kinds: — (a.) Wholesale Trading License, which shall entitle the holder to sell or baiter goods in a wholesale and retail manner. (b.) Retail Trading License, which shall entitle tho holder to sell or barter goods in a retail manner onlj —that is, for consumption and not for resale. (c.) Trading Vessel's License, which shall entitle the holder to sell or barter goods in a wholesale and retail manner in or from any vessel or boat. (d.) Hawker's and Pedlar's Trading License, which shall entitle the holder to sell or barter goods from a vehicle, horse, or pack : Provided that any person holding a wholesale or retail trading license and selling bread from a vehicle, horse, or pack shall not be required to hold a hawker's or pedlar's license. (e.) Accommodation-house Trading License, which shall entitle the holder to sell the following goods (in addition to food and provisions for consumption on the premises) — viz., tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, matches, playing cards, post-cards, and temperance drinks —from any house or building used I'm- the accommodation of the public, and which house or building has Ireen approved of in writing by the Resident Commissioner as being lit for the accommodation of the public. 4. The fees for trading licenses shall be as follows : — (a.) Wholesale Trading License, ten pounds per annum, payable quarterly in advance on the first day of January, April, July, and October in each year. (b.) Retail Trading License, five pounds per annum, payable quarterly in advance on the first day of January, April, July, and October in each year. ('.-.) Trading Vessel's License, ten pounds per annum, payable yearly in advance on the first day of January in each year. ('/.) Hawker's or Pedlar's Trading License, twenty pounds per annum, payable yearlj in advance on the first day of January in each yea] (e.) Accommodation-house Trading License, two pounds ten shillings per annum, payable half-yearly in advance on the first days of January and July in each year. The same fee shall be charged for a license for any portion of a term as for a whole term. 5. All licenses shall be issued by the Collector of Customs at Rarotonga, or by the European Resident Agent, at any island under his jurisdiction. All fees received for licenses shall be paid into the Treasury at Rarotonga, and shall form part of the general revenue of the Cook Islands. 6. Any person or company having more than one store used for trading purposes shall obtain a wholesale license for the principal store, and a retail license for each store in addition. Should more than one person be interested in a store or stores they shall be liable to pay for one license only in respect of each store. 7. Whoever shall sell or barter goods (other than goods wholly the produce of the Cook Islands) in or from any building, vessel, vehicle, horse, pack, or in or from any other place or thing, without first having obtained a license therefor in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance shall, on conviction, be- liable to a line not exceeding ten pounds in addition to payment of the proper license fee, or in default of payment shall be liable to imprisonment with or without hard labour for a period not exceeding three months: Provided always that any person about to leave the Cook Islands may sell by public auction or private contract all or any of his household furniture or effects which have been in his use for not less than six months prior to such sale ; but such person shall first obtain the written authority of the Collector of Customs at Rarotonga. or of a European Resident Agent ai any other island, for such sale. 8. Whoever shall purchase or barter goods (other than goods wholly the produce of the Cook Islands) from or with any person who has not obtained a license in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance, knowing such person to be unlicensed, shall, on oonviction, be liable to (he same penalty as such unlicensed person. 9. Every person obtaining a license under the provisions of this Ordinance shall exhibit and keep exhibited such license in some conspicuous part of the building, vessel, or vehicle, or other place named in such license. Any person who shall fail to observe tin- provisions of this section shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding two pounds. 10. The burden of proof of not having violated any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall rest with the accused. 11. All complaints for offences under this Ordinance shall be heard before the High Court of the Cook Islands or before the European Resident Agent at the island where ihe offence was committed. 12. Licenses issued under this Ordinance shall be in the form set mil in I In- Schedule hereto, 13. The Trader's License Act, 1898, and all regulations made thereunder, the Trader's License Extension Ordinance, 1901, and the Trading Schooner Ordinance, 1903, are hereby repealed.

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Schedule. The Trading License Ordinance, 1909. No. [Date] 191 . This is to certify that has paid the sum of for a trading license for the ending 191 in respect of premises situated at £ . Collector of Customs [or Resident Agent] at Passed by the Federal Council, this second day of October, nineteen hundred and nine S. Savage, Clerk to Council. J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. Assented to by His Excellency the Governor on the 4th December, 1909.

No. 13. Sin, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 6th December, 1909. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th October last, forwarding the Trading License Ordinance, 1909, No. 29, for the assent of His Excellency the Covernor, and, in reply, to return the Ordinance herewith, duly assented to by His Excellency. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

No. 14. Sir,— Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 21st January, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (C.1.A., 09/155, No. 276), covering the Trading License Ordinance, 1909, duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. The Ordinance has been gazetted in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No.-, 15. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 15th March, 1910. I have the honour to report to you the serious nature of offences committed by some Natives in digging up the bodies of other Natives interred in the burial-ground. The reason given for the offence is that the spirit of the dead is haunting the living, and until the dead body has been destroyed by fire the superstition is not removed. The two cases on which I send you a report herewith nearly caused bloodshed ; but I am glad to say that the relatives listened to reason, and I fear no further cause of anxiety. I may say that this is not the first occasion on which such a thing has occurred, for shortly prior to my arrival a similar case was brought liefore the late Commissioner, who found he had no law to deal with the offenders. At the unanimous request of the federal Council, the enclosed Ordinance making the offence punishable was approved of on the 12th instant. Will you kindly forward it on for the signature of His Excellency the Governor? I may point out that the bodies in the two recent cases had only been buried a short time, and for the protection of the health of the Natives alone it is absolutely necessary that such a law should be passed. I have made inquiries, and find that this practice is unknown to the ancient inhabitants of the Cook Islands, and I am given by the Council to understand that it has been introduced from the Island of Tahiti. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosure. Federal Ordinance No. 30.—An Ordinance to prevent the Desecration of Graves, and Disinterments. Be ii exacted by the Federal Council of the Cook Islands as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is the Desecration of Graves Ordinance, 1910. 2. It shall not be lawful to desecrate any grave or to rsmove from its burial-place any body or- the remains of any human body buried in any cemetery, burial-ground, or other place of burial,

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without permission under the hand of the Resident Commissioner or a Resident Agent, and with such precautions as the Resident Commissioner or a Resident Agent may prescribe as the condition of such permission. 3. Any person who desecrates any grave, or who removes, or assists or abets in removing, any human body contrary to the last preceding seel ion, or who neglects to observe the precautions prescribed as th<- condition of the permission for removal, shall be liable for any such offence to a fine not exceeding fifty pounds, or, at the discretion of the Court, to imprisonment with hard labour for any term not exceeding twelve months. 4. The Resident Commissioner may order any term or portion of any term of imprisonment inflicted under the last preceding section to be served on the Island of Maiiuae, or other penal settlement. Passed by the federal Council, this twelfth day of March, nineteen hundred and ten. S. Savage, Approved. Clerk to Council. J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. Assented to by His Excellency the Administrator of the Government on the 15th June, 1910.

No. 16. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th June, 1910. 1 have tile honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th March last, forwarding Federal Ordinance No. ■'!(), the Desecration of (Laves Ordinance, for the assent of His Excellency the Governor, and, in reply, to return to you the Ordinance duly assented to by His Excellency. 1 have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J Carroll.

No. 17. Sat, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 2!)th March, 1910. 1 have the honour to enclose for your information the Atiu Local Ordinance No. 1, to regulate Village Life within the Island of Atiu, for the signature of His Excellency the Governor. The Ordinance has been passed by the Island Council, and approved of by the President, Major Large. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. .lames Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosure. Atiu Local Ordinance No. I.—An Ordinance to" regulate Village Life withim the Island of Atiu. Be it enacted by the Island Council of Atiu as foUows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be the Atiu Village Regulation Ordinance, lit 10. 2. Sections two to four and six to' sixteen, inclusive, of the Mangaia Village Regulation Ordinance, 1905, are hereby adopted for lie Island of Atiu, and shall he deemed to form part of this Ordinance, substituting therein the name " Atiu " for the name " Mangaia.'' 3. The provisions of sections four and six to sixteen, inclusive, of the Mangaia Village Regulation Ordinance, 1905, as adopted by this Ordinance, shall be deem. 11 to have come into operation on the first day of January, nineteen hundred aud ten; but the provisions of sec tions two and three of the Mangaia Village Regulation Ordinance, 1905, as adopted bv this Ordinance, shall not come into operation until such time as is notified by the Resident Commissioner in the Cook Islands Gazette. The Resident Commissioner may at any time then-after, by notice in the Cook Islands Gazette, restrict the operation of said sections two and three for such period or periods as he may deem expedient. Passed by the Island Council of Atiu on the twenty-sixth day of November, nineteen hundred and nine. Jno. T. Large, President, Atiu Island Council. Assented to by His Excellency the Administrator of the Government on the 15th June, 1910.

No. 18. Sir, — • Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th June, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th March last, forwarding Atiu Island Council Ordinance No. I, Village Ordinance, for the assent of His Excellency the Governor, and, in reply, to return to you the Ordinance duly assented to by His Excellency. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

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ERECTION OF CARGO-SHED AT AITUTAKI. No. 19. km, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, sth November, 1909. I have the honour to report that on my visit to Aitutaki I Looked at the proposed site for the erection of a suitable cargo-shed for storing fruit pending shipment. 1 may say that after a consultation with the Engineer the site was approved of. In the estimates rendered to you by the late Commissioner, you will notice an item of £150 to carry out the entire work. The work that could he carried out for this amount would not suit the requirements of the fruit-growers, and will not hold a single shipment. I have therefore practically agreed to the erection of a shed, and a trolly ails to carry ihe fruit to the end of the wharf, for a sum of £480, the cost of which will have to be paid out of next year's estimates. I can assure you that it is not only a most pressing, but a ver\ necessary work. I have arranged for interest on the outlay (o be ainplj i by a charge of Is. per ion on all outward shedded cargo. No charge will be made for inward cargo. 1 have, (fee, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration. Wellington.

No. 20. Sm, — Cook islands Administration, Wellington, 22nd November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, stating that you propose to erect a storage-shed for fruit at Aitutaki at a cost of £480. I presume that the site has been obtained. 1 have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

No. 21. S IR , — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 6fh December, I '.)(>!). 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 263, C.1.A., 0!) Illii dated 22nd November last, and, in reply, to inform you that the shed to be erected ai Aitutaki for storing fruit at a cost of £480 will be erected upon Government land already obtained. I have, Sec, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner, Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

FRUIT-INSPECTION. X(i. 22. Sn;, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington. 12th November. 1909. Referring to previous correspondence, 1 beg to inform you that Mr. G. Esam, Orchard Inspector, is to succeed Mr. E. A. Reid as fruit Inspector, and will leave lor the Islands by the steamer this month. Mr. Esam is an officer of the Agricultural Department, and will draw salary ai ihe same rale as Mr. Reid. ' have, (fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

No. 23. Sik Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 22nd November, 1909. In my despatch to you of the 28th September last, I reported that I had visited the islands of Mangaia, Atiu, and Aitutaki. taking with me the Fruit Inspector, so that he might be able to report fully upon the fruit industry. I have now the honour to enclose for your information a copy of his report, and also a duplicate copy which I respectfully request be forwarded to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, to be handed, after perusal,"to Mr. T. W. Kirk. Government Biologist. I have, (\-c. J. Eman Smith. The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington. Enclosures. Report oi Fruit Inspector on Visit to other Islands of Cook Group. s I1; , Rarotonga, 2(lth S ptember,l9o9. In aceoidaiic. with your instructions, 1 left Rarotonga by the s.s, " Talune" on the (ith September, 1909, to visit and report on the fruit exported from the islands of Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, and Aitutaki. I have the honour to report as follows: —

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Mangaia. Arrived at Mangaia at 5 a.m. on the 13th September, 1909. Owing to the reef being unworkable tit Oneroa -usual place of shipment—the steamer proceeded to a more northerly point, and the fruit was conveyed in canoes and on horseback to this point. An inspection of the fruit was duly carried out, with the n-sult that, owing to decaying fruit, several lines wen- repacked. Two lines wen- also found to lie infected with fruit-fly larvae. To summarise: The Mangaian oranges generally were overripe, and, in my opinion, unfit for export to New Zealand. I must condemn the fruit-boxes used in fruit-export. Instead of sawn timber, they are made of roughly trimmed wood, and, no matter how carefully they may be handled, the roughly trimmed timber must bruise the fruit and set up decay. The bananas were badly packed; several cases on being examined were found to contain inferior fruit. In fact, I must report unfavourably on the Mangaia fruit as packed for export. Atiu. Was visited early next morning, and the oranges for export were duly inspected. The general appearance of the fruit was g I, boxes being of sawn timber, and, with the exception of about three hundred cases, the fruit was wrapped in paper. Although in favour of wrapping, I think that unless ihe work of packing and wrapping is done under good supervision it is liable to abuse, especially a Igst inexperienced Native's, as il affords an opportunity of packing inferior and perhaps decaying fruit without much fear of detection. Still, taking the Atiu fruit as a whole, it was in fair condition, and no diseased (fly or scale) fruit was noticeable. Mauke. This fruit was brought from Mauke in the s.s. " Vaite," and transhipped at Atiu to the s.s. " Tallin.'."' After completing an inspection of Atiu fruit I boarded the "Vaite." The Mauke oranges were wrapped in paper, and packed in boxes of sawn timber. Decaying oranges were noticeable, and for this reason 1 cannot report very favourably on the Mauke consignments. Aitutaki. Landed at Aitutaki early on the morning of the loth. The fruit for shipment was distributed in the paeking-sheds on the beach. The appearance of the fruit was fair, and care was evidently taken in the packing, as not one decaying orange was found in the cases opened. 1 am pleased to report favourably on Aitutaki fruit as packed for export on occasion of my visit. Gt neral Rt marks. The Mangaiana are by far the worst offenders regarding ihe condition of the fruit which he\ pack for export. I very much regret this is so. They are evidently a hardworking and industrious people, and deserve to receive good returns for the fruit which they ship; but this they can uever hope to gel unless there is a very great improvement in the condition of the fruit packed. For instance, one line which was turned out for repacking contained close on 50 per cent, of decaying oranges. In a case like this there can be I xcuse for the packer. How could he ever expect good returns for such fruit, or even expect ihe shipping company to allow it to be shipped for New Zealand I Again, a line of bananas when turned out for inspection was found lo contain fruit which was no* even half-matured. Thesa were packed ii! the centre of the eases. thus giving the impression that the packer knew he was doing wrong. How could he expect to get good returns! Again, besides very inferior boxes, 1 noticed the consignments, with one or two exceptions, were very badly marked- any dab or appearance of a letter appeared to be sufficient. Now, the other islands can import good box-timber: they also mark their fruit-cases with stencilled letters: why is Mangaia behind in this respect? And this island is one of the most productive in the Croup. I should suggest that ihe Fruit Ordinance at present in opera lion iit Rarotonga he extended lo the other islands of ihe Cook Croup viz.. Mangaia, Mauke. Mitiaro, Atiu. and Aitutaki which are all fruit-exporting islands (clauses 7 and 8 could perhaps he omitted). This would give tin- Inspector power to deal with the consignments of fruit which in his opinion were unfit for export I should also suggest that the Inspector makes periodical visits lo these Islands, and inspects ihe fruit for export. A few visits during the season, ,;| irregular intervals, would, I think, have a g 1 effect, and answer until such time as the Islands are placed under proper control. I feel sure satisfactory arrangements could be made to enable ihe fumigation of Rarotongan fruit to proceed during the Inspector's absence. A. E. Reid, The Resident Commissioner. Cook Islands. fruit Inspector, Cook Islands.

Report or Fruit Inspector. Sir, — Rarotonga, 20th September, 1909. I have the honour to attach herewith my report on fruit industry—investigations and inspections for seasons 1908—9. I have, Sec, A. E. Reid, The Resident Commissioner. Cook Islands. Fruit Inspector, Cook Islands.

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Supplement to Report of 1908. Fruit Ordinance. The Fruit Inspection and Diseases Ordinance, 1909. came into operation* on the 6th August, 1909. This Ordinance is framed practically on the same lines as the Orchard and Garden Disuses Act, New Zealand. The Inspector in Charge to be appointed From Department of Agriculture, New Zealand To assist him six Natives were appointed, one for each village viz., Matavera (I). Muri and Ngatangiia (1), Titikaveka (1), Arorangi (I), Avarua (1), Avatiu (1). Their duties are as follows; (1.1 To inspect plantations before every steamer leaves Rarotonga, or as directed by the Inspector. (2.) To report to the Inspector any plantation not kepi clean or free from disease. (3.) To see that no fruit is sold or allowed to be removed from any unclean or diseased plantation without the permission of the Inspector. (4.) With the approval of the Inspector, to instruct Natives as to the picking and packing of fruit. (5.) To see that the instructions of the Inspector for the control, prevention, and eradication of diseases in their respective districts are carried put, aml that all diseased fruit is destroyed. (6.) To assist the Inspector on wharf in inspection and fumigation of fruit should he require assistance. I am pleased to report that under th. circumstances—viz., the wild, uncultivated state of plantations—these Inspectors have don,' goo.] work, while their assistance when inspecting I'iuit for export has been valuable, and willingly given. The inspection of plantations and fruit for export having been carried out for some months previously to the Ordinance coming into operation, the shippers and Natives suffered no hardship ■when called on to comply with its provisions. The erection of a fumigator was taken in hand by Mr. Connal, Engineer and Surveyor to the Administration, and a substantial concrete building has been erected, with capacity of 1,000 cases of fruit — two rooms of 500 cases each. The building is connected with the Union Steamship Company's wharf and sheds by a tramway. This will facilitate the work of fumigation to a great extent by preventing- any delay in clearing the fumigator during a large shipment. 'Ihe fumigator will be in order and ready to treat next season's fruit. Packing and Handling. The inspection of fruit for export has. I feel sure, already proved a benefit to the industry. but there is still room for improvement in the class of fruit shipped. for instance. Natives will pack well-coloured (yellow) and black oranges together in the same cases, instead of packing each in separate boxes; thus spoiling the appearance of the fruit when opened. I notice one or two of the Europeans are given to this fault. I should also suggest that packers of good marks be able, by paying a small fee, to get their marks registered. I notice a great deal of changing and copying marks going on, and buyers in New Zealand may think they are purchasing a reliable mark, and find out their error to the detriment of the original mark n.xet time of purchase; hence 1 think it only fair that packers of good marks should he afforded an opportunity of protecting themselves by registering their marks. T notice some packers curing(?) their oranges by letting (he fruit be exposed to the direct rays of the sun. In a climate like we have in Rarotonga 1 must condemn this practice, and quote the following information on the subject from a well-known authority: "By drying oranges in the sun there is a possibility, if not of fermentation setting up, at least injury to the skin, and consequent decay. What is required is shade and a gentle current of air to remove the moisture from the skin, leaving Ihe oils, and rendering the skin less susceptible to bruising." Plantations. The inspection of plantations has been going on, but it is a hard matter to get the Natives lo clean the scrub from under the fruit-trees and to gather and destroy fallen fruit. When a Native takes it into his lead no' to work, he takes a lot of argument and persuasion to get him lo move in fact, in most eases, il is only waste of lime to argue. Still, now that the Ordinance is in operation, and the work of cleaning the plantations u necessity, we shall have an opportunity of making offenders " toe the mark." In one or two instances I have noticed the fruit-trees, especially oranges, neglected on European plantations. I regret that this is so. as we have to rely to a very great extent on the good example set by Europeans to get a proper system of control of pests and diseases organized and in effect ive working-order I hope in the future I shall never have occasion to comment unfavourably on any of the European plantations, but sincerely hope that the planters will afford us all the assistance they can in setting a good example to the Natives, and supporting the provisions of the Fruit Ordinance. Preservative Solutions. I have on several occasions been asked by shippers to express my opinion on preservative solutions. I can only state that, acting on instructions from T. \V. Kirk, Esq., Government biologist, Wellington, New Zealand, 1 have been treating fruit for some i iths past. These experiments have to be carried out thoroughly in every respect, and under every condition, climatic, shipping, and degree of ripeness of fruit: hence some time will elapse before the Department can make known results of experiments. At present I should suggest that shippers wait until the Department's report is issued: otherwise they might lose fruit by trying solutions which have never been tested under th: conditions and climatic influences of these Islands.

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Fumigation Experiments. In my report of December, 1908, I proposed to fumigate a small line of oranges by every steamer throughout a season to prove whether fumigation at this port of shipment would be injurious to the fruit or otherwise. This experiment has been carried out, and I am pleased to report that fumigation has no injurious effect whatever on fruit treated. T. W. Kirk, Esq., Government Biologist, New Zealand, examined treated lines on arrival in Wellington, and reported as follows: "There can be no doubt whatever that fumigation at your end does not in any way deteriorate the fruit. This I have always maintained; and the experimental lines you have forwarded more than proves the correctness of this contention." George Harnett, Esq., Port Fruit Inspector, Auckland, reports as follows: "Fumigation at your port of shipment has proved a complete success, the oranges arriving in splendid order." Oranges were taken from both fumigated and unfumigated lines before shipment on every occasion here at Rarotonga, and no injurious effect was noticed on the treated fruit nor to its keeping qualities. This experiment should prove conclusively that there is no danger of injuring the carrying or selling qualities of the fruit by fumigation under proper conditions and supervision. Fruit-fly. Investigations into the habits and extent of infection of fruit-fly have occupied a considerable portion of my time. In my former report I stated that " although this flv has been present a number of years, it Ims apparently never increased in numbers, and I strongly suspected the presence of a parasite." The former part of this statement was based on reports from planters who have been here some years. The investigations have now extended over a period of one year, and, although a minute examination, has been carried out, I have failed to find a parasite. I was also informed that 1 should only find the fruit-fly towards the end of the orange season. Knowing that it would be impossible in this climate for the pupae of the fruit-fly to remain dormant for any considerable period, r set to work to find out (1) if correct—which I doubtedwhy the fruit-fly have never apparently increased in numbers; (2) what fruit furnished food for the fruit-fly larvae between the finish and commencement of the orange seasons—in other words, the connecting-link—with the following results: During the months of December and January! on one or two occasions, when rambling up the mountains, I came across some orange-trees carrying fruit. Some of these oranges had been infected with the fruit fly. Some weeks afterwards infected guavas were found, and then on several occasions more infected guavas were discovered. The next fruit found infected was some early oranges just showing signs of colour. What I surmise takes place is this: that when the orange crop in the valleys and low-lying plantations is gathered, the fly makes for the tress in the hills: and when this fruit is finished they are driven to the few stray orange-trees scattered far up the hills, and from these trees spread to the guavas; these afford fruit in plenty for the fruit-fly larva? until the oranges again show signs of colour,' when it is once more noticeable on the plantations. This would, no doubt, have led planters to believe it was only to be found well on in the orange season. As for not increasing in numbers, scarcity of their favourite fruits for some months in the vear may account for some diminution of their numbers; but this question requires further investigation. I firmly believe this fly attacks mangoes and alligator pears, but so far have not detected infected fruit.' so have no proof. It is, however, evident that the stray orange-trees and guavas afford a connectinglink between the orange seasons. Can this link be destroyed? I very much doubt it, as, owing to the dense bush and scrub, it would be a difficult matter to find and destroy all the trees, especially guavas. However, when the work of clearing and cleaning the plantations is well in hand we can give this matter our attention, and get this work under way. I am pleased to report that, although I have now hatched out a large number of fruit-flies from infected fruits, no new species have been noticed, all being identical with those hatched last season. Other Pests. The aphis family in particular is noticeable all over the island, and were it not for the presence of the lacewing flies (Ghrgsopa ramhuri, Set), this family would cause wholesale destruction to the citrus trees. The lacewing flics are assisted in their useful work by the syrphus fly and ashy-grey ladybird (Cycloneela abdominal is, Say): but these latter are not very numerous in Rarotonga: still, it is gratifying to know that they are established, and, no doubt, in time their good work will be more noticeable. The ravages of the Lecanhim and Mytilaspis scales are to a very great extent checked bv the delicate white fungus and a suitable parasitic fly. These parasites are valuable assets to the fruit industry: without their help it would lie almost impossible to control the pest (aphids and scales) under the present conditions; indeed, until systematic planting is carried out, a proper and effective system of control of pests and diseases can never lie commenced with any hope of success: therefore the success of the fruit industry depends to a very great extent on the work of these beneficial insects and parasites. In conclusion, I wish to again thank the traders, planters, and Natives for their assistance, which has always been willingly given. To the Assistant Inspectors I am also indebted for the manner in which they have assisted me in carrying out my duties. A. E. Reid, 20th September, 1909. Fruit Inspector, Cook Islands.

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No. 24. S IR) — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 27th November, 1909. Referring to previous correspondence, I beg to forward herewith Warrant under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, appointing Mr. G. Esam to be Fruit Inspector for the Cook Islands (other than Nine Island). I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Caeholl.

No. 25. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 29th November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th instant, informing me that Mr. G. Esam, Orchard Inspector, is to succeed Mr. A. E. Reid as Fruit Inspector, and will leave for Rarotonga by the steamer this month. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 26. Sir, Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 6th December, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (C.1.A., 09/123, No. 271). dated 27th November last, enclosing a Warrant under the hand of His Excellency the Governor appointing Mr. G. Esam to be Fruit Inspector for the Cook Islands (other than Niue), and to inform you that the Warrant has been handed to Mr. Esam. Mr. Esam arrived yesterday. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 27. gi R) Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 31st December, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd November last, forwarding the report of Mr. Reid, Inspector of Fruit, which I have read with much interest. I presume that you have communicated the remarks of Mr. Reid on the picking and packing of the fruit from the various islands to the Resident Agents, and have instructed them to impress upon growers and shippers the urgent necessity of carrying out the suggestions of the Inspector. The question of extending the Fruit Ordinance to the other islands, and of making regular visits by the Inspector, must be left to the local Administration. The duplicate copy of the report has been forwarded to the Hon. the Minister of Agriculture. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

No. 28. g IR Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 25th January, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 31st December last (No. 3, C.1.A., 09/126), and, in reply, to inform you that I have taken all the necessary action with regard to the subject mentioned. I refer you to my letter K 1, of 11th October last, in which I pointed out to you that something should be done to improve the packing of fruit, and to grant powers to the Resident Agents to not only reject, but inspect shipments of fruit. I have now the honour to inform you that the Agents residing upon the islands of Mangaia, Aitutaki, and Atiu have been duly gazetted Local Inspectors under the Fruit Inspection and Diseases Ordinance, 1909, with power to appoint in writing some fit or proper persons to act for them on steamer-days. _ I enclose for your information copy of a letter containing notification of appointment and instructions, posted to each Agent in the islands named. . This question is of such importance to the welfare of the fruit industry that it is my intention, if time will permit, to accompany the new Inspector, Mr. Esam, when he is visiting the islands, xvhich I hope will be at the beginning of the season. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration. Wellington.

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Enclosure. fcsiß, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 25th January, 1910. 1 have the honour to inform you that you have been appointed a Local Fruit Inspector under the Fruit Inspection and Diseases Ordinance, 1909, with power to appoint, in writing, some fit and proper person to act for you on steamer-days. When the Inspector happens to be on your island you will kindly take your instructions from him in so far as the question of fruit is concerned. It is my intention to send the Inspector round to instruct you in your new duties. I enclose for your information copy of Gazette of the 21st instant, containing your appointment, and also a copy of the Fruit Inspection and Diseases Ordinance, 1909, and the regulations thereunder, together with a supply of forms of certificate. The latter, when signed by you, xvill be handed to the consignor, to be in turn sent to the consignee. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner.

No. 29. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 15th February, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th January last, stating that the Resident Agents at Mangaia, Aitutaki, and Atiu have been gazetted Local Inspectors under the Fruit Inspection and Diseases Ordinance, 1909. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

WRECK OF SCHOONER "ALICE" AT RAKAHANGA. No. 30. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 10th December, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that the schooner " Alice," 117 tons net register, under charter to the Cook Island Trading Company, of Rarotonga, in charge of Captain Schroder, went ashore in calm weatuer on the reef at Rakahanga on the 27th September last, becoming a total wreck. lam pleased to state that no lives were lost. The schooner was loaded for Rarotonga with a cargo of copra, about half of which was saved by the efforts of the Natives. What mails she had on board were also saved. The "Alice" was owned in Norway. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 31. S IB) Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 20th December, 1909. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th instant, reporting the wreck of the schooner " Alice " at Rakahanga. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

ELECTION OF MEMBER OF MANGAIA ISLAND COUNCIL. No. 32. s IK Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 9th February, 1910. I have the honour to inform you that at an extraordinary election, held on the 12th January, 1910, at Ivirua, Mangaia Island, Taka was duly elected a member of the Mangaia Island Council, vice Puroku deceased. The election will be duly gazetted in the Cook Islands Gazette, and was conducted with the approval and in the presence of the Resident Agent of Mangaia. I have, Sec, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 33. g IB Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, Ist March, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th February last, reporting the election of Taka 'to be a member of the Mangaia Island Council, vice Puroku, deceased. l nave > &c, Ihe Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

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ELECTION OF NATIVE ASSESSORS. No. 34. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 10th March, 1910. I have the honour to inform you that Rimataei has been elected a Native Assessor for the Ivirua Settlement, of the Island of Mangaia, vice Puroku, deceased. This election has been duly gazetted in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge!, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 35. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 11th April, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th March last, stating that Rimataei has been elected a Native Assessor for the Ivirua Settlement, of the Island of Mangaia, vice Puroku, deceased. I have, &c, Ihe Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

NIUE ISLAND. REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. No. 36. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 15th April, 1910. I have the honour to forward herewith my report for the year ended 31st March, 1910, together with the following enclosures: Statement of Revenue; Statement of Expenditure; Statement of Liquor Account; Return of Imports for the Year 1909; Return of Exports for the Year 1909. I have, Sec, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands, Wellington.

Niuk Island. —Report for the Year ended 31st March, 1910. Revenue and Expenditure. lam pleased to be able to report another satisfactory year's working. The revenue derived from all sources amounted to .£1,683 25., and the expenditure to .£1,260 (Is. Id. The balance at credit of the Administration, which stood at £ 1,206 Bs. at the beginning of the year, was increased to £1,629 9s. Bd. at the close of the year. While the revenue fell short of the amount realised in 1908-9 by £126 (is. lid., the receipts benefited in that year by the refunds on account of the schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " liisui ance Fund. With regard to the revenue items, Customs duties, trading licenses, and stamp-sales all show increases, while the amounts received from other sources may lie regarded as satisfactory. The total expenditure amounted to £1,260 os. 4d., or £423 less than the receipts. Owing to the very heavy expenditure on public works during the previous year, I deemed it expedient to curtail expenditure on new winks as much as possible during 1909-10, with the result that the financial position of the Administration has been strengthened. The expenditure during the past year may be classified as follows: — £ s. u. Permanent charges (salaries, &c.) ... ... ... ... 461 2 !> Public works, as per Statement C ... ... ... ... 645 11 I Other charges ... ... ... ... ... ... 153 6 6 £1,260 0 4 Full details of the revenue and expenditure will be found in statements A and B. Public Works. During the year the schoolmaster's residence and outbuildings, and the school reservoir, were completed, and the school grounds were enclosed with a substantial wall built of rock. A start was also made late in the year with the erection of the workshop for technical instruction; but, as that building is being erected by the pupils, under the supervision of the teacher, only the cost of material and equipment will be charged against the Administration. Additions were made to the reservoirs at Alofi South, Mutalau, and Lakepa, while two large iron tanks were installed at Fatiau. a very small village at the extreme south of the island, with the view of augmenting the

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local supply of spring-water. They are joined up with the Fatiau Church roof. All the public reservoirs, with the exception of those at Alofi South and Alofi, now receive their supply of water from the galvanised-iron roofs of the village churches. In the case of the reservoir at Alofi South, that must always rely on its own roof and annexes For its supply, there being no suitable roof in the vicinity to draw from : but the Alofi reservoir will shortly be connected with the church roof— at present it draws its supply from a portion of the Residency roof. It is proposed to instal eight iron tanks at convenient spots on the roadsides in the interior, so that the people working on the plantations, and travellers, may be able to obtain fresh drinking-water. If the scheme proves a success, the system will probably be extended. A branch road suitable for wheeled traffic has been made from the main Alofi-Avatele Road into the Village of Tamakautoga, the distance lieing 27 chains. The freehold of a very suitable and central piece of land in Alofi has been secured as a site for a doctor's residence. As soon as the negotiations in connection with the appointment of a permanent Medical Officer are concluded, steps will be taken towards erecting a suitable residence, &c. The total sum expended on public works during the year amounted to E645 lis. Id., full particulars of which will be found in Statement C herewith. As regards future public works, i]ivr>' is still a considerable mileage of road-construction to be undertaken, while the present concrete jetty at Alofi will have to be lengthened at no distant date. An additional receiving-shed and bond stoic is also required at Alofi, and a concrete landing-platform is necessary at Avatelc, and a similar construction, possibly, at Tuapa. These works will absorb a considerable sum of money, and it will only be possible to undertake them as funds from time to time become available. Imports and Exports. The year 1909 proved to be a record year, the total external trade of the island being valued ai £22,050, arrived at as follows: Imports, exports. £12,003. With regard to the imports, a comparison with previous years' figures discloses that nearly all the items show an increase—notably, apparel and slops, cotton pieee-g Is, drapery, preserved fish, hardware, matches, preserved meals, silks, soap, and tobacco. Of the 10,047 pounds' worth of goods imported during the year, g Is to the value of C<;. N 1 ,-s. or lis per cent, of the total, came from New Zealand, while, of Ihe balance, goods to ihe value of £1,344 were imported from Australia, £846 from German Samoa, and £580 from Tonga. As regards the exports, copra—646 tons, valued at £7,858 —easily comes first : while 5,938 dozen hats, valued at £3,247, were exported during ihe year. The other items do not call for any special mention. Of the exports, produce to the value of £7,086, or 58 per cent, of the total, was despatched to New Zealand, while German Samoa took 4,067 pounds' worth, or 33 per cent. The exports to German Samoa are chiefly represented by copra forwarded to Apia for ultimate despatch to Sydne}' or San Francisco. Details of the imports and exports will be found in the returns herewith. I'utun- Vinspects. During the past year the majority of the cocoanut-plantations of the island were thoroughly cleared of undergrowth, and the trees attended to, a work that has not lieen attempted on such a large scale since the late Patuiki Fataaiki died twelve years ago. During the term of the present Patuiki, the undergrowth in the plantations has been allowed to run wild and smother the l rees : consequently very poor crops were harvested. As the result of much agitation on the suh ject, T have succeeded in getting the people of awry village except one (Liku) to make a by-law under the Nine Island Village By-laws Ordinance, 1909, rendering it obligatory on the part of the owners to clean up their eoeoanut -plant at ions at least once every year. This work, if properly carried out, should result in a considerable increase of the copra crop in the near future. In addition to the foregoing, a very large number of young cocoanut-trees has recently been planted. the good prices ruling for copra for sometime past having given the Natives the necessary stimulus. During 1909 the plaited hat industry received a severe check. Owing to the great want of business acumen on the part of the local traders, hats far in excess of ihe market requirements were purchased and despatched to New Zealand, wfih the result that the average selling-price fell from 12s. lOd. par dozen in 1908 to 10s. lid. per dozen in 1909. At present the market is glutted, and. as there is little hope of a recovery for some time, it is probable that comparatively few hats will be exported during the year 1910. Many years ago quite a large quantity of raw cotton was exported from Niue, but when the slump in the cotton-market took place, and prices fell to bed-rock, the Natives refused to pick it. Since then the cotton on the island has been growing wild, with the result that the staple has deteriorated to such an extent as to be of little market value. A movement is now on fool to revive the cotton industry here, and steps are being taken to procure supplies of seed of one of the varieties best suited to the Niue climate and soil. The Natives are verj enthusiastic in the matter, and, provided the market price of raw cotton remains fair, I have no doubt the venture will lie a success. At present copra and hats account for ill per cent, of the total exports of ihe island, and it is highly desirable for the welfare of the Natives that other industries should be encouraged. Niue, owing to its isolated position and want of steamship facilities, is unable to participate in the great fruit industry, although tho tropical fruits grown here are second to none: consequently, we must look in other directions for our means of support.

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Average time for direct trips, 15| days. Average time via Tonga, 28J days.

Health of the People. The island has been practically free from epidemic diseases during the past year, and, generally speaking, the year has been a good one from a health point of view. The following are the vital statistics for 1909-10, and those for the preceding four years: BirttlSi Dcatlis. Marriages. 1905-6 ... ... .. 90 95 53 1906-7 ... ... ... ... ... 106 I Id •'!(> 1907-8 ... ... ... ... ... 97 nil 31 1908-9 ... ... ... ... ...115 !>•"> 56 1909-10 ... ... ... ... ... 104 7!) ID In my last report I mentioned that steps were being taken towards obtaining the services of a resident Medical Officer, but that owing to the influence of the tohungas, the movement was beingopposed by the Natives in some quarters. As the result of much discussion on the subject, I have succeeded in breaking down the opposition to the appointment of a doctor, and the Natives of the island have, through the patus (chiefs), agreed to subscribe £150 per annum towards the project for a period of three years, with a condition that they have the option of altering this arrangement at the end of the term. The Niue Island Council has supplemented the Natives' contribution by voting a sum of £150 per annum out of the funds of the Administration, making £300 per annum secured for three years. In addition to the foregoing, the Niue Island Administration has purchased for a sum of £60 a piece of land in Alofi as a site for a doctor's residence, and as soon as the negotiations with respect to the appointment of a doctor are concluded, a start will be made with the erection of a suitable residence. The white residents declined to give any guarantee towards a doctor, preferring to make their own terms with him when he is appointed. The European population numbers some thirty souls. Emigration and Immigration. Two hundred and eleven persons left Niue during the year, and 252 persons arrived, the net gain being 41. The great majority of the travellers were Natives of Niue, whose love of travel is well known. The comparatively large number of departures and arrivals was due to the increased shipping facilities offered since the " Eereru " commenced running. In each of the last three years there has been an excess of arrivals over departures, which appears to indicate that the great tide of emigration, which for so many years robbed Niue of its most promising manhood, has at last been turned. However, there are still a great many Natives of Niue resident in neighbouring islands, chiefly in Tonga and Samoa, many of whom will probably never return to their homes. Following are the particulars of the departures and arrivals for the past year: — Place of Departure to Departures. Arrivals. or Arrival from. New Zealand ... •-- ••• ■•• 8 lf) Cook Islands ... • 1 4 United Eingdom ... ... ■■• ••• •••» •■■ 2 Christmas Island ... ... ••• ••• ••■ 18 18 American Samoa ... ... ••• ••• •■• 7 20 German Samoa ■•• ••• ••■ 60 80 Maiden Island ••• •■• ••• •■• • 28 Friendly Islands ... ... •■■ ... 117 76 New Guinea ... ... ■ •• ••• ■■• ° 211 252 Schooner Service. The negotiations in progress when my last report was made were carried to a successful issue, and a contract has been entered into between the Government and Mr. \Y. F. Utting, of Auckland, for a service of five trips in each year between Auckland and Niue, for a period of three years, at a subsidy of £500 per annum. The first year's service commenced at Auckland in April', 1909, with the schooner " Eereru," of 100 tons, and the vessel was able to complete all the five voyages contracted for by the Bth January of this year. The result of the first year's working has given complete satisfaction at Niue, and the island is now as well served as it can hope to be until such time as the trade may warrant the employment of a larger vessel or a more frequent service. Following is a schedule of the voyages made during the first year of the contract :—

Auckland to Niue.

Left Auckland. Route. Arrived Niue.* Number of Days. April 1 June 18 Ju y 26 September 11 November 10 . . Direct .. .. .. | April 18 .. June 28] ,. .. .. .. j August 12 Via Tonga and Vavau. Left October 3 Vavau Sept ember 25 Via Tonga. Left Tonga De- December 13 cember 2 * Local time one day behind New Zealand time. ..I 18 11 .. i 18 23 34 J

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Niue to Auckland.

Average time, 16 days. One additional trip was made from Niue to Tonga and back, giving an extra mail and cargo connection, which occupied twenty-one days—viz., leftJNiue]April 23,*arrived back at Niue May 10 ; time n port, three days. Average duration of stay at Niue, five days. New Ordinance. During the year the Nine Island Council passed an Ordinance entitled the Niue Island Undesirable Immigrants and Vagrancy Ordinance, 1909, which received the Royal assent and became law on the 23rd October, 1909. Under this Ordinance it is sought, inter alia, to prevent persons of undesirable character from landing or remaining in Nine. The island has been unfortunate in this respect in the past, as, while most of the neighbouring islands have framed laws attempting to grapple with this question in some way or other, Niue had no law covering such matters; consequently, this island, owing to its isolated position, became a refuge for men of a very undesirable class—men whose dissolute lives set a bad example to the half-civilised Natives, who are easily influenced for ill, and renders the work of the Administration and the missionaries much more difficult than it would otherwise be. Meteorological. During the past two years a complete record of the daily readings of the various instruments installed at Niue has been kept. The results disclose the fact that Niue possesses one of the most even tropical climates in the world, the moan range for the past year being 16 - 7° Fahr., while in 1908 the mean range was only 15-3° Fahr. Following are the results compiled from the daily readings for 1908 and 1909: —

Mission Changes. The Rev. F. E. Lawes, resident missionary of the London Missionary Society in Niue for the past forty-two years, has retired, and left for England in February. The Rev. Gavin Smith, M.A., of Aberdeen, who has lieen appointed as successor to Mr. Lawes, arrived at Niue last October. During Mr. Lawes's very long term in Nine he has succeeded single-handed in accomplishing much for the good of the Natives. He was largely instrumental in persuading the Natives to accept British rule, and since the Administration was established in 1901 he has rendered it valuable assistance. His great knowledge of the Niue Natives, and their language and customs, has at all times been readily placed at the service of the Government. Education. Ihe Niue Government School was opened on the 10th August, 1909, with an attendance of 64 boys. On the 31st March. 1910, there were 71 pupils on the school-roll—viz., 66 boys and 5 girls. Four boys and 1 girl, the children of Europeans, attend the school as day-scholars, while 66 Native pupils (61 boys and 5 girls) remain at the school as boarders. Mrs. Malcolm, the wife of the teacher, arrived during December, and commenced giving assistance with the teaching

Left Niue.* Route. Arrived Auckland. .Number of Days. _ j May 13 July 3 August 18 October 8 December 18 .. .. Direct .. .. .. June 6 .. 22 .. July 16 14 .. August 30 11 .. I October 24 15 .. January 8 .. .. 20 i * IxKial time one day behind New Zealand time.

Temperature in Shi ide. Rainfall. Year. ■ •a w Ha a o a Is sis a 3 s fl-a IH 0 a- _ 05 1909 Deg. Fahr. 97 | Jan. and March Deg. Fahr. | ,-r. | July and \ \ August eg (June, July, \ and Sep. Deg. Fahr. Deg. Fahr. 1 85-6 68-9 I I 85-2 69-6 Deg. Fahr. 16-7 15-3 121 141 Inches. 81-8 99-9 i908 97 Jan.

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and general management of the school in January. Satisfactory progress has been made by the pupils, their work consisting of English, arithmetic, reading, drawing, writing, and geography. During the next three months Mr. Malcolm will start the technical work, the construction of the workshop being well under way. This work is being carried out by Mr. Malcolm and the boys. Sleeping-bunks capable of accommodating all the boarders have been constructed by the pupils under the supervision of Mr. Malcolm, and the system has proved eminently satisfactory. Only the cost of the timber used was charged against the Administration. Since the school was opened the pupils have devoted one hour each day towards improving the school grounds, aud already they have effected a complete transformation. Mr. Malcolm reports that the school buildings and grounds have proved all that could be desired for school purposes. It was found that certain of the pupils had received some previous tuition at the mission schools, but, owing to the instruction having been imparted in the Native language, it was of no practical use from a European point of view. The teacher reports that he has found the Niue Native children to be above the average in intelligence, and their diligence and enthusiasm leave little to be desired. The teacher further reports: "The difficulty now being felt of retaining the pupils after a certain length of time is the greatest this school will have to face, and in first drafting the rules of the school, after consultation with the Native mission teachers, I arranged that each parent should enter into an agreement to maintain the child at the school for one year or to forfeit £1. This has been veryeffective. Any money so obtained is to be devoted to technical work. The difficulty arises thus: Tho children who are pupils are chosen on a population basis from the various townships, and reside at the school, as their homes are in some eases nine and eleven miles distant by the nearest road. The parents bring in food weekly, such as tare, yams, fruits, fowl, and fish, some of which is cooked at the school. They have do carts, the food being packed on horseback, and the parent walking. This, therefore, means one day's work bringing in the food, and at least one day's work procuring and preparing it. It therefore entails a considerable amount of hard work. A wet day means thai the food is brought in at a great amount of discomfort, and, though the boy likes his school, in deference to his parents' wishes he is persuaded to stay at home." With reference lo Mr. Malcolm's remarks, I may say that the question of feeding the children has all along been looked upon as the greatest difficulty the school will have to contend with. 1 propose to keep to the present system as long as possible; hut if a change is forced upon us, there remain several alternatives, viz. :— ('/.) That the parents pay to the school a fixed sum yearly, and the Administration undertake to feed the children. (b.) That a piece of land of sufficient area Ik- acquired on which the children would grow their food, and thus make the school self-contained. (c.) Allow the children to go to their homes every Friday afterm , and return on Monday morning, with their food-supply for the week. With regard to proposition (a), this would be a satisfactory system, but 1 am afraid the majority of the Natives would not be able to find the necessary money. It would therefore place the poorer Natives unih r a disability. As regards (6), this appears to my mind to lie the only satisfactory solution of the difficulty, and the adoption of it would settle the question once and for all time. Suggestion (c) appears a very good one on the face of it; but the people in certain villages are so dirty and unhealthy that the children would be continually bringing itch and kindred diseases into the school. Even now, with only one week's holiday every three months, as many as twenty-five children have returned to the school suffering from those complaints. A most irregular attendance would result from such a change, and the school-time would be greatly lessened. I may add for the benefit of those who are not aware of the conditions in Niue. that many of the villages from which the pupils are drawn are from seven to eleven miles distant from the school by the nearest practicable road; consequently a day-school is out of the question. In conclusion, I can safely say that the progress of the school has so far exceeded my expectations. There has been some undercurrent of opposition to the scheme, chiefly- from certain of the trailers: but that sorl of thing was expected, and is easily combated. The total expenditure on the school buildings. Sec, up to the 31st March, 1910, has been as follows:— £ s. d. Levelling site and grounds ... ... ... ... ... 66 10 8 Erection of school buildings ... ... ... ... ■■■ 888 9 7 School stationery (initial supply) ... ■■• 17 14 6 School furniture, including timber for sleeping-bunks ... ... 96 1 3 Erection of schoolmaster's residence and outbuildings ... ... 543 •"> 9 Construction of reservoir in school grounds ... ... ... ")6 6 7 Erecting boundary-walls and gates ... ... ... ... 20 14 2 Workshop for technical training ... ... ... ... 24 6 7 £1.660 7 1 There are still liabilities amounting to about £50, principally on account of tools and equipment for the school workshop. H. Cornwall, Niue, 15th April, 1910. Resident Commissioner.

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Niue Island Administration. Port of Alofi. — Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1909.

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Article. Where exported. Quantity. Value. Total. Arrowroot New Zealand i .. j 19 lb. £ t I Copra New Zealand German Samoa 327 tons 319 „ 327 tons 319 „ 4,160 3,6t:g 4,160 3,6! 8 0 8 — 646 „ 646 )) 7.858 Curios .. New Zealand Fiji German Samoa Hawaii Tonga II 7 23 30 15 11 7 23 30 15 86 Fans New Zealand Tonga German Samoa Hawaii 42 dozen 22 II .. 23 10 „ 5 3 „ 2 42 do/.e II .. 10 „ 3 „ 'i n 22 23 5 2 96 „ 96 „ 52 Fungus.. New Zealand Australia .. German Samoa New Zealand Australia .. German Samoa 4,583 lb. 74 939 .. 16 7,161 ,. 117 I 7 1,583 lb. 939 .. M61 .. 74 16 117 207 Hals, plaited New Zealand Australia 12,683 „ l: 12 4 2,683 „ 1.918 dozei 248 .. ii 2,671 138 Fiji Tonga German Samoa New Zealand Australia Fiji Tonga German Samoa 1.918 dozen 248 .. 25 .. 510 .. 237 .. 25 .. 510 .. 237 .. 2,671 138 19 299 120 19 299 120 Kits New Zealand Fiji Tonga Hawaii New Zealand Fiji Tonga Hawaii 1 702 dozen 4 118 .. 16 .. 5 5.938 i.938 .. 702 dozei 4 ,. 118 .. 16 .. )J n 125 I 24 6 125 I 24 6 3.247 Vegetables Yams New Zealand Australia .. Tonga German Samoa New Zealand Australia .. Tonga German Samoa 898 lb. 31.360 „ 300 „ 23,351 „ 31 2; 13, 870 ,. 8981b. .360 .. 300 „ 1,351 „ 870 V 3 78 1 67 3 78 1 67 I."6 1 Apparel and slops Bags and sacks Boots Cotton piece-goods .. ' New Zealand .. i German Samoa New Zealand .. I German Samoa New Zealand German Samoa New Zealand German Samoa New Zealand Australia .. New Zealand | 59,909 .. 55 1.909 „ 1)9 16 1 21 5 391 10 12.203 Soap Specie Tobacco .. | New Zealand .. I Australia .. .. i New Zealand Total Niue produce i

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Total Values. ' 1909. 1908. ( oiintry. £ £ New Zealand . . .. .. .. .. .. 7,086 5,425 Australia .. .. .. .. .. ..623 289 Fiji .. •• 27 Tonga 362 146 German Samoa .. .. .. .. .. 4,067 1,247 Hawaii .. .. .. .. .. .. 38 £12,203 £7,107 H. Cornwall, Nine, 15th January, 1910. Resident Commissioner.

Port of Alofi. —Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1909.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. £ £ Agricultural produce, aot otherwise enumerated .. New Zealand .. , German Samoa Animals, living.— fTorses .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. Tonga 8 10 41 154 18 Pigs .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. Apparel and slops .. .. .. .. „ United Kingdom Australia Maiden Island Tonga German Samoa United States 517 12 91 22 62 86 150 195 11 Arms, ammunition, and explosives .. .. New Zealand .. United Kingdom Australia Tonga United States 940 197 28 23 3' K) Bacons and hams .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. German Samoa 261 7 1 Bags and sacks .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. German Samoa 8 134 4 138 Beer and stout .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. Tonga German Samoa 5 3 8 Beverages, non-alcoholic . .. .. „ Bicycles, and parts of same .. .. .. New Zealand .. Australia German Samoa | 16 3 4 I 2 Biscuits .. .. .. .. .. New Zealand .. Australia Tonga German Samoa 7 Blue .. .. . .. .. New Zealand.. Boots and shoes .. .. „ . . Australia Maiden Island Tonga German Samoa 258 47 2 3 "50 7 1 5 2 310 3 Building material, not otherwise enumerated New Zealand . . Australia 65 3 64 67

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Port of Alofi. — Return of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909 —continued.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. £ £ Butter and cheese New Zealand .. United Kingdom Australia 57 2 2 53 13 18 61 84 34 Carriages and parts of same New Zealand . . Australia . German Samoa Cement and hydraulic lime Confectionery New Zealand .. German Samoa New Zealand .. Tonga 1 19 1 21 Cordage and twine New Zealand .. German Samoa 29 1 (lottos piece-goods New Zealand .. United Kingdom Australia Tonga German Samoa 30 1.064 70 314 107 140 Drapery New Zealand .. Australia Tonga German Samoa Maiden Island 1.695 428 183 73 271 1 I )rugs and chemicals .. • • New Zealand .. Australia United Kingdom Tonga German Samoa 956 47 19 10 1 3 Rarthenware and glassware New Zealand .. Australia Tonga German Samoa ,8(1 18 10 3 6 Fancy goods and toys.. . • New Zealand .. Australia Tonga German Samoa 37 81 24 20 12 Pish, preserved New Zealand .. Australia Tonga Christmas Island German Samoa 137 298 9 3 6 28 Pish-hooks, lines, and rods New Zealand .. Tonga 344 84 2 Flour New Zealand .. Australia German Samoa 86 40 39 2 Fruits, preserved New Zealand .. Australia Christmas Island German Samoa. 81 12 2 2 5 Furniture New Zealand .. Australia Tonga Maiden Island 21 111 55 2 172

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Port of Alofi. — Return of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909 —continued.

Article Whenoe imported. Value. Total Hardware New Zealand .. Australia Tonga Maiden Island German Samoa £ 274 57 26 5 5 £ 367 Hats New Zealand;.. Australia German Samoa 116 28 2 Hosiery New Zealand .. Australia 13 4 146 13 4 17 Instruments, musical New Zealand .. Australia Tonga German Samoa 61 6 1 .. I 9 77 surgical Iron, galvanised corrugated United, Kingdom New Zealand .. Australia 229 112 '.) pipes . . ,, wire Jn ms Machines New Zealand .. ■ »» • • ,, .. Australia Tonga German Samoa .'. 21 5 26 .. I 21 341 9 I 17 73 Matches New Zealand .. Australia Tonga German Samoa 143 7 2 21 176 Meats, preserved New Zealand .. Australia Tonga Maiden Island German Samoa 485 10 21 21 7 544 ,, salted.. New Zealand .. German Samoa 8 1 9 Milk, preserved New Zealand .. Australia German Samoa 37 9 1 47 Nails New Zealand .. Australia Tonga 31 2 10 43 Oils, kerosene New Zealand .. Australia j Tongs , Maiden Island i German Samoa 60 1 1 7 3 72 „ not otherwise enumerated New Zealand . . Australia Tonga German Samoa 21 4 4 16 45 Paints and varnish New Zealand .. Australia Tonga German Samoa 13 9 1 5 28

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Port of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909 —continued.

7—A. 3.

Artiole. Whence imported. Value. Total. Paper Perfumery Photographicjgoods Pipes, tobacco Potatoes New Zealand .. Austraha .. New Zealand .. Australia German Samoa New Zealand .. ,, Australia Tonga German Samoa New Zealand .. Australia £ 8 2 i 62 .. i 7 • 1_ 16 22 3 6 3 1 £ k 71 14 47 4 17 4 Provisions, not otherwise enumerated .. ! New Zealand .. Austraha United Kingdom Tonga German Samoa 84 2 16 1 18 ! 121 121 Rice New Zealand .. Austraha Maiden Island German Samoa 56 .. I lo .. ' 8 10 81 81 Saddlery and harness New Zealand .. AustraUa Tonga German Samoa 72 4 8 -i 86 86 Salt Silks New Zealand .. ii Australia Tonga .. ' German Samoa 167 47 1 lo •i 3 25:1 255 5 Soap ■ • ■ • •s New Zealand .. AustraUa Tonga Maiden Island German Samoa 171 3 2 • 2 1 179 179 30 Specie Spirits,— Brandy Geneva New Zealand .. yy • • • • *) Tonga German Samoa I ! 8 | 30 1 13 1 0 I 3 13 Whisky .. New Zealand .. Tonga German Samoa 4 2 8 14 II Methylated Perfumed New Zealand .. Tonga Austraha German Samoa 69 3 ! I 81 81 I Stationery and books New Zealand .. Australia United Kingdom Tonga German Samoa 103 .. ! u 38 1 3 lot 156 6

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Port of Alofi.-Return of Imports for Year ended 31st December, 1909- continued.

Total Values. „ , 1909. 1908. Country. £ , f New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. 6,848 4,233 United Kingdom .. .. .. .. 188 128 Australia .. .. .. .. .. .. 1.344 1,531 Maiden Island .. .. .. .. .. 70 121 Tonga .. .. .. .. .. ..580 326 (Ihristmas Island .. .. .. .. .. 8 German Samoa .. .. .. .. .. 846 65 American Samoa .. .. .. .. .. 3 United States .. .. .. .. 160 Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54 £10,047 £6,458 H. Cornwall, Niue, 15th January, 1910. Resident Commissioner.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. i Sugar New Zealand .. Australia United Kingdom Maiden Island £ 48 10 1 1 £ Tanks, iron New Zealand .. Australia German Samoa 8 10 3 60 Tea New Zealand .. United Kingdom 23 2 21 Timber, sawn 25 New Zealand .. German Samoa 124 20 Tobacco 144 New Zealand .. Australia German Samoa 538 50 2 ,, cigars and cigarettes .. New Zealand .. Australia German Samoa :: '! l 590 Tools New Zealand .. Australia Tonga German Samoa 36 8 3 7 13 Wines— Claret 54 Australia German Samoa American 2 9 3 Port • • Tonga German Samoa New Zealand .. Australia Tonga 2 3 40 5 5 14 5 5ii Woodenware Total 10.047

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(A.) Nii-e Islam, Administration. Statement of Revenue for the Year ended Mst March. 1910. Balance, Ist April, 1909 . . . . .. _ _ ' I 206 8 0 Customs duties .. ~ .. ~ I ing'i] / ( Court fines and fees .. .. 81 14 0 Emigration fees .. .. .. .. __ 17 16 0 Trading licenses .. .. .. .. 57 7 1 Shipping fees .. .. .. .. '[ " " 50 0 Stamp-sales .. .. .. 73 14 7 Interest on investments .. .. .. ~ 35 o o Cash profit on liquor sold under the Licensing Act. 1908 .. .. .. 317 0 Sundry receipts .. .. .. .. _ _ 31 10 __ 1 QQJ 1 f* Received from New Zealand Government—Customs duties collected in the Dominion during the year ended 31st March. 1909 .. .. 232 0 9 Received fromJCook Islands Administration—Customs duties collected in Rarotonga .. .. .. .. .. (;(i H) 9 Total •• •• •• - .. .. .. £2.889 10 0 11. ('OKMVALL, Nine. 15th April. 1910. Resident Commissioner.

(B.) Niue Island Administration. Statement of Expenditure for the Year ended Mst March, 1910. Service. „ , . a , Kxiionued. Salaries, — t s d Assistant .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £175 0 0 Councillors .. .. .. .. .. .. 104 11 7 Magistrates .. .. .. .. .. .. 19 15 2 Police .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 12 1 388 18 lo Printing, stationery, &c. .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 13 18 6 Niue Public Library .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ 22 1 7 Furniture for Residency.. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 749 Maintenance of landing-jetty, boats, &c. .. .. .. .. .. .. 3 2 3 ~ Government Buildings .. .. .. .. .. ~ 17 o (i ~ reservoirs .. .. .. .. .. .. ~ 5 16 9 roads .. .. . . .. .. . . .. .. 13 2 Plant and tools, and maintenance of same .. .. .. .. .. 34 8 5 Miscellaneous services .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 35 19 0 Tufu School, working-expenses .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 36 4 11 Sundry disbursements .. .. .. .. . . .. . . .. 14 2 Cost of collection of Customs duties in New Zealand foi the vear ending 31st March, 1909.. 3 lo 0 Customs duties paid Cook Islands Administration .. .. .. .. 43 16 .1 Public-works expenditure, as per statement C .. .. .. .. . . 645 11 I Total expenditure .. .. .. .. .. 1,260 0 4 Balance in hand on the 31st March, 1910, — Cash .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £362 2 11 Account current, Bank of New Zealand .. .. .. 277 6 9 Fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand .. .. .. .. 1.000 0 0 1.629 9 8 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. £2.88!) 10 0 H. Cornwall, Nine. 15th April, 1910. Resident Commissioner.

B—A. 3.

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(C) Niue Island Administration. Statement of Public-works Expenditure lor the Year ended 31st March, 1910. Expended. ' Servloe - £ B . d. £ 3. d. Tamakautoga Reservoir (final payment) .. • • • • • • 005 Alofi South Reservoir (additions) .. • • • ■ • • • • 9 10 Mutalau Reservoir (additions) .. .. •• •• •• 11211 Lakepa Reservoir (additions) .. .. • • • • • • 13 16 3 Fatiau tanks.. .. • • ■ • ■ • • • '< 6 6 Roadside tanks .. . • • • • • • • 42 2 4 Tuapa Hill Road .. • • • • • • • • 20 11 4 Tamakautoga Village Road .. • • • • • • • • ■ ■ 2Q 17 4 11 1/» a Levelling site and grounds at Turn .. • • • • • • "' 33 n 7 School building, Tufu .. '' , "' " " '" oc.fi 4 •* Schoolmaster's residence and outbuildings, Tufu .. .. • • ' 2° 2 7 Reservoir at Tufu .. •• •• •• •■ 90 U 2 Boundary-walls and gates at Tufu .. ... •• •• •• ™ " School furniture (initial supply), including timber for sleeping-bunks.. .. 90 1 a School stationery (initial supply) • • • • • • • ■ ' Technical workshop at Tufu School .. •. • • • • • • | 522 11 5 Purchase of land as site for doctor's premises .. .. • • • • • • ° Total £64811 1 H. Cornwall, Niue, 15th April, 1910. Resident Commissioner.

Niue Island Administration. Statement of Liquor Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1910. £ s. d. £ s. d. * s - d - Stock on hand, Ist April, 1909 .. 310 0 By sales •• •• ""J J Supplies .. .. 316 4 Stock on hand, 31st March, 1910 .. 710 0 Freight .. •• ..052 Duty .. •• .. 411 6 3 8 13 0 Balance 7 17 0 £20 0 0 £20 0 0 Profit and Loss Account. £ fa A £ 8. Q ToBtock 710 6 By balance, Ist April, 1909 .. 310 0 Profit transferred to Niue Island By balance, 31st March, 1910 . 717 0 revenue .. • • • • 317 0 £11 7 0 *H 7 ° H. Cornwall, Niue, 15th April, 1910. Resident Commissioner.

No. 37. s _ Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th May, 1910. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your '-tter of the 15th April, forwarding your report and enclosures for the year ended 31st March, 1910. I am pleased to observe that the island finances and trade are in so satisfactory a condition. r I have, Ste, The Resident Commissioner, Niue, J - Carroll.

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VISIT OF GERMAN SCIENTIFIC EXPEDITION. No. 38. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 9th June, 1909. I have the honour to report, for the information of the New Zealand Government, that the North German Lloyd steamer " Natuna," of Bremen, 458 tons register, arrived at this island yesterday from Singapore, New Guinea, Fiji, &c, via Nukualofa, with a German scientific expedition (Hanseatische Sudsee Expedition) on board. The party landed this morning, broke up into sections, and made journeys into the interior for the purpose of obtaining specimens of the flora and fauna, &c, of the island. The party take their departure from Niue this evening bound for Apia. I am informed by Dr. G. Friederici, Ph.D.. the leader of the expedition, that after leaving Apia the party will proceed to the Cook Islands, Tahiti, and the Paumotus, in the order named, thence to the Marshalls, Carolines, and other German possessions in the Pacific. 1 have, &c, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 39. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 14th July, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th June last, reporting the visit of the German scientific expedition under Dr. G. Friederici to Niue, for the purpose of obtaining specimens of the flora and fauna of the island. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. J. Carroll.

EDUCATION. No. 40. No. 16. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 14th August, 1909. Adverting to my letter of the 3rd ultimo, I have the honour to report that the Tufu School was opened on Tuesday, the 10th instant, with a complement of sixty-four boys, of varying ages. It was not intended that Mr. Malcolm should take so many pupils, but, as considerably over two hundred boys offered themselves, Mr. Malcolm undertook to extend the number from fortyfive to sixty-four, rather than disappoint so many. Each of the eleven villages has been given a certain number of places in the school, the number being arrived at on a population basis. 1 have further arranged that as soon as Mis. Malcolm arrives, probably in two months' time, to take, say, thirty young girls. With regard to the white children, and half-caste children living as whites, of which there are about half a dozen, arrangements will be matle to take them as dayscholars. When it was decided that the children should remain at the school as permanent boarders, the Natives of the various villages held a meeting, and, as a result, have erected in the school grounds a large Native house for the children to have their food in. Part of the house is suitably partitioned off for the storage of food, while the remainder is fitted with permanent tables and forms for meal purposes. Owing to the adoption of the plan of the pupils living at the school, 11 became necessary to appoint a Native married couple to assist in the general work outside the class-rooms. This has been done at a combined salary of £36 per annum. A very large crowd of Natives assembled from all parts of the island to assist in the opening festivities, bringing with them a wealth of food presents. Speeches suitable to the occasion were delivered by Mr. Malcolm, the Rev. Mr. Lawes, and myself. Great satisfaction was expressed by the Natives assembled at the buildings, and arrangements made for accommodating the pupils, and altogether the school has started its work under the most favourable auspices. With reference to the technical branch, I have arranged for a carpenter's shop, the dimensions of which will be 28 ft. by 14 ft., and provision will be made therein for twelve boys' benches. The erection of the buildings will be undertaken by Mr. Malcolm, with the assistance of the pupils. A blacksmith's shop will also be erected as time goes on, and at the last meeting of the Niue Island Council a vote of £50 was passed, to be expended when necessary in equipping the shops with tools, including a small turning-lathe. At this stage it may interest you to learn that the total expenditure on the whole scheme to date has amounted to £1,552, made up as follows: — £ s . d. Levelling site and grounds ... ... ... ... ... 66 10 8 School building ... ... ... ... ... ... 835 14 2 Residence and outbuildings ... ... ... ... ... 543 7 11 Reservoir, including pipes and pumps ... ... ... 54 16 7 Boundary-wall and gates ... ... ... ... ... 1813 6 School stationery, &c. ... ... ... ... ... 17 14 6 School furniture ... ... ■ • •• ■■■ 14 18 6 In addition to the foregoing there are liabilities amounting to about £150, as follow: Residence, £5: school furniture, £55; carpenter's shop (material only), £25; blacksmith's shop (material only), £15; tools for shops, £50.

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The expenditure of this large sum out of the limited resources of the Niue Island Administration has proved rather a strain on our finances. The buildings might have been erected at a much less cost, but, having regard to future maintenance, I deemed it advisable to construct them as substantially as possible, in order that they may resist the ravages of the white ant and other deteriorating influences peculiar to these Islands. I have, itc, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 41. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd September, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 16, of the 14th August, reporting the opening of the Tufu School. I have read your report with much interest, and am gratified to learn that so much interest is taken in the school, and that it starts with such favourable prospects of success. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. J. Carroll.

ELECTION OF MEMBER OF ISLAND COUNCIL. No. 42. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 31st August, 1909. 1 have the honour to inform you that Puletagaloa, member of the Niue Island Council for llakupu, died on the 18th April last, and that Likalika was elected on the 19th May to succeed him. I have, &c, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 43. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, Bth October, 1909. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st August last, reporting the death of Puletagaloa, member of the Niue Island Council for Hakupu, and the election of Likalika as Puletagaloa's successor. I have, Sec, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. J. Carroll.

NIUE ISLAND ORDINANCES. No. 44. Sir, — Niue island Administration, Niue, 4th September, 1909. I have the honour to forward herewith two copies each of the English and Niue versions of the Niue Island Undesirable Immigrants and Vagrancy Ordinance, 1909, which was passed by the Niue Island Council on the 31st ultimo. It is sought by this Ordinance to bring the Niue laws into line with those of most of the neighbouring islands, and thus prevent Niue from becoming a refuge for undesirables. When assented to by His Excellency the Governor, 1 shall be pleased if you will arrange to cause me to be supplied with 100 copies of each version of the Ordinance. I have, &c, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosure. Ordinance No. 27.—The Niue Island Undesirablh Immigrants and Vagrancy Ordinance, 1909. Be it enacted by the Niue Island Council as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is the Nine Island Undesirable Immigrants and Vagrancy Ordinance, 1909. 2. No person who shall have been convicted at any [dace outside of Niue of an indictable offence, and no person of notoriously had character, or of drunken habits, or of unsound mind, shall be brought to, or land, or remain in Niue. 3. The master of any vessel arriving at Niue shall forthwith report in writing to the Collector of Customs the names, and, as far as is known, the occupations of all passengers on board such vessel.

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i. The master of such vessel shall, if required in writing by the Collector of Customs, give a substantial guarantee to an amount not exceeding fifty pounds for each person landed that such person will not within sis months from the date of his landing become a burden to the Government or people of Niue. 5. If the master of sueli vessel shall neglect or refuse to make such report as aforesaid, or to give such guarantee when called upon so to do, he may be forthwith summoned before the Resident Commissioner of Niue, and shall lie liable to a penalty for each offence not exceeding the sum of fifty pounds. Such penalty shall be recoverable from such master, and, failing him, from the owners of such vessel. The Collector of Customs or other officer shall not be bound to give any vessel a clearance until the master thereof shall have paid such penalty or shall have complied with the provisions of the two preceding sections. 6. If any person shall be brought to, or shall land, or remain in Niue, in contravention of section two (2) hereof, or if any person shall, within six months after his arrival in the island, be convicted of the charge of vagrancy as hereinafter mentioned, such person may be ordered by the Resident Commissioner to leave the island, and the master or owner of the vessel which brought such person to the island shall be bound to take such person away from the island, or, in default, the Residenl Commissioner may deport such person to the place from which he came by any other vessel at the expense of the master or owner of the vessel by which he had been brought to Ihe island, and such expense shall be recoverable from such master or owner. The Resident Commissioner may take all necessary steps to secure the deportation of such person, and for that purpose mayauthorise any constable of police to take such person into custody and to place him on board ship. 7. If any person shall become a burden to the Government or people of Nine (of which latter fact the declaration in writing of the Resident Commissioner shall be conclusive evidence), such person may be ordered by the Residenl Commissioner to leave the island, and, failing his voluntary departure, the Resident Commissioner may take all necessary steps to secure his deportation, and for that purpose may authorise any constable of police to take such person into custody and to place him on board ship. 8. Any person other than a Polynesian Native, or other than a half-caste Polynesian living as a Native, living in Niue and having no visible lawful means of subsistence or support may be charged as a vagrant, and on conviction thereof may be sentenced to hard labour for a period not exceeding three months. 9. No Chinese or other Asiatic shall be allowed to land or reside in Niue, unless such person shall have first obtained the written permission of the Resident Commissioner of Niue, and shall furthermore have paid into the hands of the Collector of Customs the sum of one hundred pounds 10. r lhe master or owner of any vessel which shall bring Chinese or other Asiatics to Niue and shall allow any of them to land in contravention of section nine (9) hereof shall be guiltv of an offence, and shall lie liable, on a summary conviction before the Residenl Commissioner's Court to a penalty of not more than fifty pounds for each person so landed. In addition to the foregoing penalty of fifty pounds the said master or owner shall at his own expense remove such Chinese or other Asiatic to any place outside Nine, or, in-default, the Residenl Commissioner may do so. and the cost thereof shall lie recoverable from the said master or owner. 11. It shall not be a defence to any action under section ten (10) hereof that the Chinese or other Asiatic was a member of the crew of the said vessel and not an immigrant within the ordinan meaning of the term. 12. Subject to the provisions of this Ordinance, it shall be lawful for any Asiatic member of the crew of any ship which has been duly entered at the Customs at the Port of Alofi to °-o ashore from time to time m the performance of his duties in connection with the ship, but for no other purpose. 13. In this Ordinance, if not inconsistent with the context. " mast,',- " means the person for the time being in actual command of a vessel. 14. All proceedings in respect of offences under this Ordinance shall be taken in the Resident Commissioner's Court. Passed by the Niue Island Council, this thirty-first day of August, one thousand nine hundred and nine. a .i ToGIA > Approved President of the Niue Island Council. H. Cornwall, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Assented to by His Excellency the Governor on the 23rd October, 1909.

Xe. 45. Slß >— Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 17th November 1909 I have the honour to acknowledge tho receipt of your letter of the 4th September' last, forwarding copies of the Niue Island Undesirable Immigrants and Vagrants Ordinance 1909 and, in reply, to return the Ordinances duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor I also forward 100 copies of the Ordinance in Nine and English. The Resident Commissioner, Niue. ' j n ARBO

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FUNGOID GROWTH ON ROADS. No. 46. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 14th September, 1909. I have the honour to forward you herewith, under separate cover, specimens of a fungoid growth which is rapidly spreading over all the roads of this island. During dry weather it shrivels up and is hardly noticeable, but in rainy weather, and when the atmosphere is damp, it swells out a dark-green colour, and, being of a very slimy nature, renders the roads slippery and dangerous. Various methods have been tried by the Natives for eradicating this nuisance, but so far without success. It seems to me that the only sure eradicator would be fire run over all the roads, but this would entail an immense amount of work, and some danger. I should be glad if you could submit the matter to, say, the Agricultural Department, and ask them if they could give me any advice on the subject, with a view to the destruction of the growth by means of a chemical sprayer or otherwise. I have, &c, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 47. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd December, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th September last, forwarding a specimen of a fungoid growth which is stated to be spreading over the roads at Niue. The matter has been referred to the Department of Agriculture, and I enclose for your information copy of a memorandum received from that Department on the subject. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. J. Carroll.

Enclosure. The Under-Secretary, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington. Department of Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourists, Wellington, Ist December. 1909 Your minute of 27th October on your attached papers 09/109 :— With reference to your request for advice as to the treatment of a slimy growth becoming a nuisance on the roads at Niue, this Department's Biologist reports that the specimen sent by you belongs to a group of plants known as the fresh-water alga- (Cyanophycece). He is not in a position yet to definitely name it, but it probably belongs to the genus Nostoc. An authority on the subject has shown that dilute applications of sulphate of copper have great toxic action against the Cyanophyceas, and the Biologist would suggest the watering of the roads with a solution of 1 lb. of copper-sulphale to 50 gallons of water. This should kill the growth. It will be well to scrape up the masses of dead alga after the spray has been applied, as after it lias been killed it will still be able to mechanically absorb water. The best time to apply the spray would be during a spell of dry weather. F. S. Pope, Secretary.

No. 48. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th December, 1909. Referring to my letter of the 3rd instant, I beg to forward copy of a further memorandum from the Secretary for Agriculture with reference to the fungoid growth on the roads of Niue. I have, ice., The Resident Commissioner, Niue. J. Carroll. Enclosure. The Under-Secretary, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington. Department of Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourists, Wellington, 7th December, 1909. My memo, of Ist instant: — Further information is now available regarding the slimy growth on the roads at Niue. Arsenic compounds would probably be found more effective than the copper-sulphate recommended, but there would be the danger of poisoning the animals owned by the Natives. An application of freshly slaked or powdered lime would be beneficial on sodden ground : but, of course, if the roads are hard and generally dry one of the other remedies mentioned should be used. F. S. Pope, Secretary.

No. 49. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 10th March, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters. No. 272, of the 3rd December, and No. 278, of the 9th December last, forwarding instructions with reference to eradicating

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the fungoid growth on the roads of Niue. I have to thank you for the information and advice contained therein, which is much appreciated, and will be acted upon should it be found necessary. I may say that since writing my letter of the 14th September last on the subject, the Natives throughout the island have made a concerted attempt to destroy the nuisance, in some cases by scraping the roads and doing away with the fungus, and in other cases by running fire over the affected parts. The results of their efforts have been fairly successful, but during the present wet season it has again appeared in minor quantities. The Natives are hopeful of getting the growth under: but should their efforts fail, I will obtain a sprayer, and use one of the solutions advised by the Agricultural Department. I have, &c, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

RETIREMENT OF THE REV. F. E. LAWES. No. 50. Sir, — . Niue Island Administration, Niue, Ist December, 1909. I have the honour to inform you that the Rev. F. E. Lawes, the resident missionary of the London Missionary Society, who has for the past forty-one years carried on the mission work at Niue, is about to retire, and will shortly leave for England, where he intends to reside. In view of the fact that the Rev. Mr. Lawes was largely responsible for the proceedings which culminated in the British flag being hoisted over Niue, and that since the Government was established here in 1901 he has at all times rendered valuable help to the several representatives of the New Zealand Government, I think it would be a graceful act on the part of the New Zealand Government to forward to him a letter of appreciation and thanks for his services. The Rev. Mr. Lawes is no ordinary man—he has lived among the Natives of Niue for fortyone years, during which time he has translated the greater part of the Scriptures into the Niue tongue, and taught the majority of the Natives to read and write their own language. He has accomplished a great work amongst the people of Niue, and by his unselfish life and charming personality has won the esteem of all. I have, &c, H. Cornwall, Ihe Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 51. Sir, — Cook islands Administration, Wellington, 18th January, 1910. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist Decemlier, stating that the Rev. F. E. Lawes, resident missionary of the London Missionary Society, is taking his departure from Niue to reside in England. I have written to Mr. Lawes expressing my appreciation of the work he has done in Niue. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. J. Carroll.

Approximate Coat of Paper,— Preparation, not given; printing (1,500 copies), £ 31.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington. 1910.

Price Is. 3d.