NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1934 Session I, A-06

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1934. NEW ZEALAND.

NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

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

Department of External Affairs, Wellington, Ist August, 1934. MEMORANDUM. By the Cook Islands Amendment Act, 1932, authority was given for the transfer of the control of Niue Island from the Minister for the Cook Islands to the Minister of External Affairs, and the change was actually effected on the Ist October, 1932. As no report on the Administration of the island was published for the year 1932-33, the tables at the end of this report include the figures for that financial year as well as for the year under review. Geo. W. Forbes, Minister of External Affairs.

REPORT OF THE NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION, 1933-34.

Finance. In common with other island territories Niue has experienced a difficult year. Revenue for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1934, amounted to £13,972, while expenditure totalled £13,840, a surplus of £132, as against a surplus of £3,578 for the previous year. Investments on behalf of the Administration by way of general reserve amounted to £3,706 on the 31st March, 1934. On the same date the Administration held assets valued at £30,997. Trade. Imports for the calendar year 1933 totalled £13,123 and exports £11,542. The figures for the previous year were £14,756 and £13,987 respectively. The total trade for the year 1933 was only £24,665, as compared with an average of £32,866 over the previous ten years. The trade figures largely reflect the decreasing value of copra during the past few years. This product has been in the past the island's principal source of revenue, but during the last twelve months the market price has reached what is believed to have been a record low level. The loss to the Administration has been twofold in that the greatly reduced value has resulted in lessened production. The total quantity exported during the calendar year under review was 190 tons, valued at £1,760, as against an average of 522 tons, valued at £8,772, over the previous ten years. Fortunately, the reduced value of copra has been offset to a great extent by the increased trade in bananas carried to New Zealand by the M.V. " Maui Pomare." The exports in 1932 and 1933 " amounted to 22,828 cases and 24,596 cases respectively, as compared with 8,703 cases in 1931. While the small quantity shipped in 1931 was largely due to the fact that the island was then recovering from the effects of a prolonged drought and heavy storms, the 1933 figure is the highest yet reached.

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The following table shows the quantities and values of the principal exports during the past ten years : —

The principal items of import for the calendar year 1933 were as follows :—

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Copra. Bananas. Baskets. Hats. Fungus. Kumeras. Year. — tity!" Val ue. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. 11 " Value. Tons. £ Cases. £ Dozens. £ Dozens. £ lb. £ Tons. £ 1924 .. 652 11,094 2,778 1,211 .. .. 2,529 1,533 8,998 332 1925 .. 647 13,863 4,000 1,457 153 144 2,801 1,347 6,523 263 1926 .. 699 14,441 692 280 972 1,079 1,749 1,083 11,070 603 1927 .. 257 4,788 7,564 4,679 1,747 1,445 1,327 935 49,951 2,319 1928 .. 621 11,445 14,010 6,254 3,182 2,365 121 75 20,680 525 1929 .. 735 11,652 17,434 7,683 2,948 1,879 574 386 6,606 222 1930 .. 335 3,382 21,456 9,787 1,012 660 1.214 810 5,694 183 1931 .. 204 2,269 8,703 3,590 801 480 271 185 3,789 151 15 278 1932 .. 366 3,815 22,828 8,384 682 270 775 467 13,104 315 31 348 1933 .. 190 1.760 24,596 8,542 670 320 1,222 729 384 5 4 41

Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Apparel .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 495 United Kingdom .. .. 67 Otter .. .. .. 45 607 Biscuits .. .. .. New Zealand . . .. .. 557 Cotton piece-goods .. .. New Zealand .. .. 312 United Kingdom .. .. 1,020 Other .. .. .. 55 1,387 Drapery .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 194 United Kingdom .. .. 132 Other .. .. .. 16 342 Drugs .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 279 Other .. .. .. 1 280 Hardware .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 257 United Kingdom .. .. 3 Other .. .. .. 2 262 Iron, galvanized roofing .. New Zealand .. . . 347 Other .. .. .. 29 376 Meats, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. .. . . 762 Motor-cars and parts .. .. New Zealand . . .. .. 316 Oils: Benzine and kerosene .. New Zealand . . . . .. 743 Soap . . .. .. . . New Zealand , . . .. 242 Timber, sawn .. .. .. New Zealand . . .. .. 250 Timber, shooks .. .. New Zealand .. .. 1,085 Other .. .. ., 12 1,097 Tobacco .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 368 Australia.. .. .. 671 Other .. .. .. 1 1,040 Sundry .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 4,193 United Kingdom . . . . 220 Australia.. .. .. 170 Other .. .. .. 279 — 4,862 Total imports .. .. .. .. £13,123

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The total trade of the island over the last ten years is set out in the following table :

Shipping. Throughout the year the island has had a regular four-weekly service by the N.Z.G. M.V. " Maui Pomare " This is the only regular shipping service to the island at the present time, but, in addition, one call was made during tlie year by a copra vessel. Legislation. No Ordinances were passed during the year by the Island Council, but the following legislation affecting the island was passed m New Zealand : Customs Amendment Act, 1932-33 ; Niue Island Fumigation Regulations, 1933 ; Regulations for preventing the Growth of Noxious Weeds, 1933. Island Council. The Island Council is established under the provisions of the Cook Islands Act, 1915. It consists of twelve Native members, under the presidency of the Resident Commissioner, the Native members being appointed by the Governor-General. The Council has met frequently for the purpose of discussing matters affecting the welfare of the people. High Court and Native Land Court. Criminal cases heard during the year totalled 526, 467 convictions being entered. The majority of the offences were minor ones. There were ten civil cases and one Native Land Court case. Medical, and Public Health. The health of the people has been excellent. One case of cerebro-spinal meningitis occurred, but immediate isolation prevented any spread of the disease. There was only one known leper on the island at the end of the year, a woman, who has since been removed to Samoa en route for the leper station at Makogai, Fiji. The following summarizes the work performed at the hospital: Admissions, 228 ; average length of stay, 30 days; deaths, 2; out-patients, 5,932; visits, 2,272. Operations—Major, 14; minor. 52. Dental extractions, 107. Injections—Bicreol, 159 ; novarsenobillon, 155. Yaws. This disease is not greatly in evidence among the inhabitants in a severe form, only thirty cases in infective stage and four of extensive ulcerations being observed and treated. Filarial Disease.—The incidence of microfilariasis is approximately 33 per cent, of the adult male population. Eighty-two cases of filarial fever were treated, but probably many more occurred. Intestinal Parasites.—There has been no mass treatment of the population for some years, but only occasional cases of worm infestation have been observed. Gonorrhoea. There was a total of 150 cases for the year. This figure is higher than usual, but is due to a more rigid inspection, and not to any increase in the disease. Tuberculosis. Twenty-one cases were reported during the year, the incidence in one village being particularly high. Instruction regarding this disease has been given to the people, and an endeavour made to prevent its spread by the better isolation of the sufferers. The medical work of the island is carried out by a European medical officer and a European nurse, with assistance from several Native trainees, and is subsidized by the New Zealand. Government.

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Imports. Exports. Year. Total New United . .. Total New Tn+nl Trade. Australia. Other. , - LU1 " M „ , , Other iotal Zealand. Hmgdom. Imports. Zealand. " l,ler - Exports. £ £ £ I £ | £ £ i £ £ £ \Ht. " '• X ' 028 1)393 208 16 ' 798 14 ' 603 •• 14,608 31,406 |925 .. .. 14,953 2,056 1,550 188 .18,747 17,320 109 17,429 36,176 J® 2 ® • • 5 1,790 1,153 515 17,563 17,655 .. 17,655 35,218 J927 .. .. 10,896 2,003 878 229 14,006 .14,290 60 14,350 28,356 | 928 '■ " If' 403 2 . 4 76 1,027 731 18,637 16,347 4,591 20,938 39,575 1929 •• .. 14,688 2,866 880 673 19,107 13,449 8,757 22,206 41,313 1930 •• •• 14,863 1,588 955 1,224 18,630 13,323 2,554 15,877 34,507 1931 ■■ .. 8,958 961 678 910 11,507 5,186 2,005 7,191 18,698* 1932 .. .. 11,568 2,424 360 404 14,756 10,820 3,167 13,987 28,743 1933 •• •• 10,400 1,442 ! 841 440 13,123 10,225 1,317 11,542 24,665 * Island recovering from drought and storms.

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Postal. Total volume of business amounted to £9,207, as against £10,283 in 1932-33. Wireless. The plant has functioned without interruption, and a satisfactory service has been maintained. Meteorological. Barometer mean for the year, 29-942. Thermometer : Highest, 91 in February, March, and October ; lowest, 55 in July. Rainfall, 83-79. Public Works. In view of the financial stringency, only essential works have been carried out. These included certain repairs and additions at the hospital and improved ventilation in the fruit-shed. All existing reservoirs have been kept in order, and two new concrete ones have been erected. Roads have been kept in repair. Agriculture. Owing to the lack of soil and the abundance of rocks, agriculture presents a difficult but very important problem. The Administration maintain an experimental and demonstration plantation designed to show the Natives how best to adapt the resources of the island to their needs. There are some 1,300 pigs on the island, but owing to lack of new stock these have deteriorated badly. The Administration are making a determined effort to improve the strain and have imported a number of animals from New Zealand, the progeny being distributed among the various villages. In addition, several animals have been generously donated by the following New Zealand breeders: Mr. S. Austin Carr, Auckland; Mr. F. Discombe, Hautapu, Cambridge; Messrs. Roach Bros., Matangi; Messrs. Waione Model Piggeries, Ltd., Papakura. The Administration are greatly indebted for the assistance so rendered in a matter of no small importance to the Niueans, and also for the efforts of Mr. W. G. K. Wright, Managing Editor of " The New Zealand Dairyman," in this connection. A similar effort is being made in regard to the poultry on the island and a number of birds have been imported for breeding purposes. There are no cattle in Niue, lack of food being the main difficulty, but a small number of goats have been introduced and two are supplying milk. Considerable attention is paid to the quality of bananas shipped to New Zealand and a very rigid inspection is made of all cargoes delivered to the N.Z.G. M.V. "Maui Pomare." The results are reflected in the popularity of the Niue fruit on the New Zealand market, no difficulty being found in disposing of the full quantities offered by the island. Education. The Administration maintain two schools under a European headmaster, the combined average roll number being 260. The work of the year was satisfactorily performed. The importance of agriculture is not overlooked in the schools, and regular instruction is given at the Administration Experimental and Demonstration Plantation. Technical classes are carried on, instruction being given in woodwork, concreting, &c. In addition to the Government schools, ten others are maintained by the London Missionary Society, who receive a small Government subsidy. The combined roll number was 260.

Vital Statistics.

W. M. Bell, Resident Commissioner.

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"' " " ~ ~ " ' i Total aVtafc January, Births> Deaths _ Arrivals. j Departures. 3 lst December, 1933. M. P. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. 1,818 1,999 80 64 18 26 23 23 16 24 1,887 2,036

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NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION. Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1933. Expenditure. \ Income. Local Grants from N.Z. Total Revenue. Government. Revenue. Dr. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. To Agriculture .. .. .. 129 10 8 j By Agriculture .. .. 53 10 I .. 53 10 1 Ammunition .. .. 123 11 9 ] Aid to revenue .. .. 502 5 0 .. 502 5 0 Benzine and kerosene .. 744 0 0 Ammunition .. .. 133 2 10 . . 133 2 10 Customs duties (refunds) .. 0 16 2 Benzine, kerosene, &c. .. 831 17 0 . . 831 17 0 Education .. .. .. 1,534 0 0 Bond-storage .. .. 012 4 .. 012 4 Exhibits, exhibitions, &c. .. 12 .7 5 Copra export duty .. 282 17 3 .. 282 17 3 Fruit-cases, &c. .. .. 2,309 8 6 Customs duty .. .. 2,088 4 10 .. 2,088 4 10 Fruit-inspection .. .. 91 18 4 Dog-tax .. .. .. 58 12 6 .. 58 12 6 Fumigation .. .. .. 0 13 5 Education.. .. .. 168 11 2 1,440 0 0 1,608 11 2 Interpreters and cadets .. 140 11 6 Exhibits, exhibitions, &c. .. 14 9 9 .. 14 9 9 Jetty, boats, bond-sheds, &c. .. 85 12 7 Fruit-eases, &c. .. .. 3,047 11 9 .. 3,047 11 9 Landing and shipping .. 662 0 1 Fruit-inspection .. .. 172 711 .. 172 711 Lepers (maintenance, &c.) .. 113 5 6 Fumigation .. .. 7 12 6 .. 7 12 6 Liquor .. .. .. 11l 15 11 High Court fees and fines .. 126 18 6 .. 126 18 6 Medical service .. .. 1,967 18 11 Interest on investments .. 10 0 0 .. 10 0 0 Miscellaneous services .. 21 7 7 Landing and shipping .. 1,081 2 1 .. 1,081 2 1 Niue Island Council .. .. 79 11 0 Licenses .. .. .. 135 0 0 .. 135 0 0 Office: Stock-supplies .. 408 6 1 Liquor .. .. .. 122 12 9 .. 122 12 9 Police .. .. .. 604 16 5 Medical services .. .. 20 7 7 2,080 0 0 2,100 7 7 Printing and stationery .. 28 16 1 Native Land Court fees .. 2 0 0 .. 2 0 0 Prisoners .. .. .. 473 5 6 Office: Stock-supplies .. 484 11 3 .. 484 11 3 Public works .. .. 676 15 7 Police (refund) .. .. 2 10 0 . . 2 10 0 Quarantine . . .. .. 15 4 8 Printing and stationery .. 4 14 4 .. 4 14 4 Registration and permit fees Prisoners, labour .. .. 18 13 6 .. 18 13 6 (refunds) .. .. .. 0 5 0 Public works: Stock .. 635 8 0 .. 635 8 0 Reserve Fund Account .. 2,000 0 0 Registration and permit fees 18 10 0 .. 18 10 0 Residency .. .. .. 122 11 0 Stamp-sales .. .. 2,544 2 3 .. 2,544 2 3 Resident Commissioner's Depart- Transport .. .. 1,600 10 8 .. 1,600 10 8 ment .. .. .. 418 2 8 Wireless .. .. .. 180 15 4 . . 180 15 4 Roads . . .. .. 270 15 11 Stamp-printing .. .. 28 16 9 Transport .. .. 1,496 4 6 Treasury Department .. 469 17 4 Visitors : Transport .. .. 19 13 9 Water-supply .. .. 40 7 5 Wireless Department .. 574 3 1 Storm Reparation Fund .. 256 0 0 Depreciation . . .. 887 18 6 Excess of income over expenditure 949 1 7 £17,869 11 2 £14,349 11 2 £3,520 0 0 £17,869 11 2 Note. —These accounts are subject to audit.

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NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION-—continued. Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1933. Liabilities. Assets. £ s - d - £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated funds on Ist April, 1932 26,447 6 2 Land .. .. .. .. 1 070 0 0 Excess of income over expenditure .. 949 1 7 Buildings .. .. .. 10,679 11 10 27,396 7 9 Less depreciation .. .. 266 19 9 Storm Reparation Fund .. . . . , 506 0 0 Reserve Fund .. .. . . .. 2,200 0 0 10,412 12 1 Suspense Account, M.V. " Maui Pomaie" .. 13 8 6 Additions .. .. .. 32 9 11 10,445 2 0 Reservoirs .. .. .. 941 17 6 Less depreciation .. .. 23 10 11 618 6 7 Additions .. .. .. 148 14 5 1,067 1 0 Plant and tools .. .. .. 3,643 12 9 Less depreciation .. .. 273 5 2 3,370 7 7 Additions .. .. . . 181 7 4 — 3,551 14 11 Office furniture and fittings .. 485 18 2 Less depreciation .. .. 24 5 11 461 12 3 Additions .. .. .. 20 7 10 482 0 1 Household furniture and fittings .. 1,533 15 10 Less depreciation .. .. 115 1 4 1,418 14 6 Additions .. . . .. 156 2 4 1,574 16 10 Boats .. .. .. .. 559 12 6 Less depreciation .. .. 41 19 5 517 13 1 Motor-vehicles .. .. .. 952 0 0 Less depreciation .. .. 142 16 0 809 4 0 Stores on hand .. . . . . .. 2,495 17 3 Investments .. .. . . .. 2,706 0 0 Cash in bank, Wellington . . 446 18 3 Cash in bank, Auckland, in transit to Wellington .. .. .. 3,398 5 2 Cash in hand, Niue .. .. 1,551 3 8 5,396 7 1 £30,115 16 3 £30,115 16 3 Note.—These accounts are subject to audit.

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NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION—continued. Income and Expenditure Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1934. Expenditure. Income. Local Grants from N.Z. Total n Revenue. Government. Revenue, rr * • £ s - d " Cr ' £ s. d. £ s. d. £ a. d. To Agriculture .. .. .. 168 10 11 By Agriculture .. .. 48 10 9 .. 48 10 9 Ammunition .. .. 132 13 5 Aid to revenue .. .. 448 10 0 .. 448 10 0 Benzine and kerosene .. 604 12 3 Ammunition .. .. 144 16 0 .. 144 16 0 Customs duties (refunds) .. 6 9 5 Benzine and kerosene .. 792 10 6 .. 792 10 6 Education Department .. 1,527 7 2 Bond-storage .. .. 0119 .. 0119 Exhibits and exhibitions .. 42 10 4 Copra export duty .. 167 18 11 .. 167 18 11 Fruit-cases .. .. .. 1,610 12 6 Customs duties .. .. 1,672 5 2 1 672 5 2 Fruit-inspection .. .. 73 11 8 Dog-tax . . .. .. 48 15 0 ..' '4815 0 Fumigation.. .. .. 2 610 Education.. .. .. 161 4 8 1,440 0 0 1 601 4 8 Interpreters and office assistants 144 8 9 Exhibits and exhibitions .. 37 11 0 .. '37 11 0 Jetty, boats, bond-sheds, &c. .. 58 15 5 Fruit-cases .. .. 2,308 2 9 .. 2 308 2 9 Landing and shipping .. 484 16 7 Fruit-inspection . . .. 226 9 9 .. '226 9 9 Lepers (maintenance, &c.) .. 132 17 0 Fumigation .. .. 390 .. 390 Liquor . . .. .. 33 15 8 High Court fees and fines .. 138 18 0 .. 138 18 0 Medical Services Department 1,907 3 3 Interest on investments .. 114 9 4 .. 114 9 4 Miscellaneous services .. 31 17 9 Landing and shipping .. 719 19 10 .. 719 19 10 Native Land Court (refunds) .. 0 15 0 Licenses .. .. .. 135 0 0 .. 135 0 0 Niue Island Council .. .. 82 7 6 Liquor .. .. .. 94 2 7 .! 94 2 7 Police Department .. .. 502 12 8 Medical Services Department 12 4 3 2,080 0 0 2 092 4 3 Printing and stationery .. 34 5 4 Native Land Court fees and Prisons Department .. . . 446 6 0 fines .. .. .. 110 0 .. 110 0 Public Works Department .. 750 611 Police uniforms .. .. 056 .. 056 Quarantine .. .. .. 418 8 Printing and stationery .. 4144 .. 4144 Registration and permit fees Prisoners .. .. .. 16 176 .. 16176 (refunds) .. .. .. 0 2 0 Public Works Department .. 679 14 9 .. 679 14 9 Reserve Fund Account .. 1,000 0 0 Registration and permit fees.. 18170 .. 18170 Residency .. .. .. 82 6 11 Residency furniture (refunds) 0 9 0 .. 0 9 0 Resident Commissioner's Depart- Stamp-sales .. .. 317 811 317 8 u ment • • ■ • .. 457 5 7 Stock-supplies .. .. 528 3 2 .. 528 3 2 Roads .. .. .. 183 6 0 Transport .. .. 1,438 13 8 1 438 13 8 Stock-supplies .. .. 397 111 Wireless .. .. .. 170 711 .. '170 711 Transport Department . . 1,427 10 2 Excess of expenditure over Treasurer .. .. .. 421 1 0 income .. .. .. .. 119 311 Treasury 11 15 7 " Water-supply . . . . 20 22 Wireless .. . . .. 450 9 8 Depreciation . . .. 856 12 11 £14,091 14 11 £10,452 11 0 £3,520 0 0 £14,09?14 11 Note.—These acoounts are subject to audit.

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XI OK ISLAND ADMINISTRATION —continued. Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1934. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ a. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated funds, Ist April, 1933 27,409 16 3 Land .. .. .. .. .. 1,070 0 0 Excess of expenditure over income .. 119 3 11 Buildings .. .. .. 10,445 2 0 27,290 12 4 Depreciation .. .. .. 261 2 6 Reserve Fund .. .. •• 3,706 0 0 10,183 19 6 Additions .. .. • • 231 3 1 — 10,415 2 7 Reservoirs .. .. .. 1,067 1 0 Depreciation .. .. .. 26 13 6 1,040 7 6 Additions .. .. .. 47 0 3 1,087 7 9 Plant and tools .. .. .. 3,551 14 11 Depreciation .. .. .. 266 7 9 3,285 7 2 Additions .. .. .. 265 1 7 3,550 8 9 Office furniture, &c. .. .. 482 0 1 Depreciation .. .. .. 24 2 0 457 18 1 Additions .. .. .. 45 2 0 503 0 I Household furniture, &c. .. .. 1,574 16 10 Depreciation .. .. .. 118 3 1 1,456 13 9 Additions .. .. . • 117 1 0 1,573 14 9 Motor-vehicles .. .. .. 809 4 0 Depreciation .. .. .. 121 7 7 687 16 5 Additions .. .. .. 290 8 2 978 4 7 Boats .. .. .. .. 517 13 1 Depreciation .. .. .. 38 16 6 478 16 7 Stores on hand .. .. .. .. 3,104 17 9 Suspense Account, M.V. " Maui Pomare" .. .. .. .. 34 2 9 Investments .. .. .. .. 3,706 0 0 Cash in bank, Wellington .. 3,801 12 11 Less unpresented cheques .. 229 17 4 3,571 15 7 Plus credit in transit .. . . 13 7 — 3,572 19 2 Cash in hand, Niue .. .. .. 921 17 7 £30,996 12 4 £30,996 12 4 Note. —These accounts are subject to audit.

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given; printing (490 copies), £9 15s.

Authority: G. H. Loney, Government Printer, Wellington—-1934.

Price, fid.]

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