NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1939 Session I, A-06

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1939. NEW ZEALAND.

NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION.

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

REPORT ON THE NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION, 1938-39. Finance. The estimated expenditure for the year ended 31st March, 1939, was £20,460, the sum actually expended being £20,196 lis. Id., or approximately £260 less than the amount authorized. The estimated revenue was £16,871 and that actually received, £14,468 6s. 2d., the reduction beino due mainly to adverse trade conditions and factors beyond the control of the Administration. The deficit provided for was £3,589. Even though the amount expended did not exceed that authorized, as a result of the decrease in revenue the deficit actually amounted to £5,728 4s. lid. This sum was provided from reserves held by the Administration. Expenditure has been kept at an absolute minimum, and no new works or undertakings have been attempted. Tkade. Imports for the calendar year 1938 totalled £16,380 and exports, £15,045, a total trade value of £31,425. In the previous year the total trade amounted to £52,630. The reduction was due to the fact that very little copra was made owing to the very low price obtainable, and also to the shortage of bananas available for shipment. Copra. Three hundred and ninety-five tons, valued at £3,500, were exported. The following were the local prices paid in the villages during 1938 : January to April, £5 per ton ; May to August, £3 per ton; September to December, £1 10s. per ton. Approximately four 'thousand coconuts are required to make one ton of copra. When the amount of labour involved in gathering these four thousand nuts, husking them, cutting out the kernel for copra, drying it, and taking it to the trader is considered it will be understood why little copra is being made. The price paid is very low, yet when the costs incurred by the merchants in transport, bagging, &c., are considered the price offered is as much or even more than can be expected while the market value remains at its present low level. Bananas. The shortage in the banana shipments was due to adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, much of the available land has already been planted, and the balance is not being planted as it should be, because it does not produce such good crops. This year exports amounted to 18,656 cases, valued at £6,500, whereas during the previous year 26,709 cases, valued at £10,283, were exported. Kumeras—A record quantity was shipped during the year. Altogether, 318| tons, valued at £3,371, were exported, as compared with 123J; tons, valued at £1,451, for the previous year, a record up to that period. Hats and Baskets.—Hats exported constituted a record for several years, there being 1,043 dozen, valued at £483, shipped, the previous year the total being 694 dozen, valued at £254. There was also a record for several years in the export of baskets, 436 dozen, valued at £400, were shipped, as compared with 167 dozen, valued at £92, the previous year. The following table shows the quantities and values of the principal exports for the last ten years : —

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Copra. Bananas. j Baskets. Hats. Fungus. Kumeras. Year. Val "e. Quantity. Value Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. | Quantity. Value. Qu an - ! Value. ' tity. Tons. £ Cases. £ Dozens. £ Dozens. £ lb. £ Tons £ 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 "l5 278 1932 .. 366 3,815 ! 22,828 8,384 682 270 775 467 13,104 315 31 348 1933 .. 190 j 1,760 j 24,596 8,542 670 320 1,222 729 384 5 4 41 1934 .. 125 j 961 j 28,393 10,006 308 130 920 492 5 137 81 13 273 1935 .. 316 I 2,031 1 22,714 8,620 162 78 1,769 756 7 593 77 40 360 1936 .. 662 7,077 35,701 13,744 93 80 880 384 3 >,8.3 35 94 1 464 1937 .. 728 | 10,825 26,709 10,283 167 92 694 254 261 4 123 1*451 1938 .. 395 I 3,500 j 18,656 6,503 j 436 400 • 1,043 483 3,679 53 318 3371 ii| '

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The principal items of imports for the year 1938 were as follow : —

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Article. Whence imported. Value. £ £ Arms, ammunition, and explosives New Zealand .. .. .. 257 Bags and sacks .. .. New Zealand .. .. 392 Western Samoa .. .. 39 431 Cement .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 280 Confectionery .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 200 Drapery — Apparel, n.e.i. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 334 Western Samoa 4 United Kingdom .. .. 11 Canada .. .. .. 15 — 364 Cotton piece-goods .. .. New Zealand . . .. 305 Western Samoa . . .. 79 United Kingdom . . .. 510 Japan .. .. . . 70 964 Drapery, n.e.i. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 467 Western Samoa .. . . 9 United Kingdom .. .. 80 556 Drugs .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 452 Fancy goods .. . . . . New Zealand . . . . 359 Western Samoa .. .. 22 United Kingdom .. .. 26 Australia ... .. 3 American Samoa .. ,. 1 411 Hardware .. .. New Zealand . . . . 465 United Kingdom .. .. 45 Western Samoa .. .. 3 United States of America .. 6 — 519 Instruments, musical .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 224 Iron, galvanized, corrugated, New Zealand .. .. .. 609 roofing, &c. Motor-vehicles and bicycles .. New Zealand .. .. 978 United Kingdom .. .. 1 979 Oil, benzine, and kerosene .. New Zealand .. .. 614 United States of America .. 93 707 Paints and varnishes .. . . New Zealand . . . . 201 Western Samoa .. . . 6 207 Provisions — Biscuits .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 690 Fish, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. . . 278 Western Samoa. .. . . 4 Canada .. .. .. 149 United States of America .. 167 598 Flour .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 3 Western Samoa .. . . 26 Australia .. .. 216 245 Meats, preserved and salted .. New Zealand .. .. .. 1,233 Milk, preserved .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 268 Provisions, n.e.i. .. . . New Zealand .. . . 621 Western Samoa .. .. 12 633 Rice .. .. .. New Zealand .. . . 337 Western Samoa .. .. 2 — 339 Carried forward .. .. .. 11,166

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The principal items of imports for the year 1938—continued.

Summary. £ New Zealand . . . . 14,080 Japan .. .. .. 70 Australia .. .. .. 815 American Samoa .. .. 1 United Kingdom .. .. 671 Western Samoa .. .. 296 Total .. .. .. £16,380 United States of America .. 266 L_ Canada .. .. .. 181

Ihe total trade of the island for the last ten years is set out in the following table :—

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Article. j Whence imported. Value. £ £ Brought forward .. .. .. ..11,166 Sugar .. .. . . New Zealand . . .. . . 237 Soap • • • • .. New Zealand .. . . .. 319 Timber, sawn .. .. . . New Zealand .. . . 216 Western Samoa .. . . 17 233 Timber, shook,s .. .. New Zealand .. .. .. 1,212 Tobacco .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 1,109 Australia .. . . 532 Western Samoa .. .. 12 1,653 Miscellaneous .. .. New Zealand .. .. 1,417 Western Samoa .. .. 78 Australia .. . . 63 United Kingdom .. .. 2 1,560 Total.. .. 16,380

Imports. Exports. Year. 1 1 j Total New United l A t ,• nt] Total New Total Trade - Zealand. Kingdom.| ' Imports. Zealand. 0th ' Exports. ■ ■ , ■ . . . __ _ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £ 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 1934 .. .. 11,888 658 515 311 13,372 11,34-2 999 12,341 25,713 1935 .. .. 13,191 942 780 375 15,288 10,010 2,066 12,076 27,364 1936 .. .. 22,280 609 649 1,124 24,662 15,915 7,077 22,992 47,654 1937 .. .. 26,142 840 855 1,472 29,309 12,469 10,852 23,321 52,630 1938 .. .. 3,850 87 236 182 4,355 11,479 3,566 15,045 31,425 * Island recovering from drought and storms.

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Native Affairs. The Niueans are among the best workers in the Pacific. This is mainly due to the difficulties they experience in growing their food-supplies, there being very little soil available. The Island is only 64,000 acres in extent. Three-quarters of this area is covered with bush growing among rocks, so that the population of 4,276 people have to obtain all their requirements from about 16,000 acres of land, half of which is practically worked out. There are no secondary industries to help them and little paid employment offering. The London Missionary Society is the only Church organization in Niue, and practically all the Natives are members. The Society does excellent work with its one European Missionary. Medical and Public Health. The £2,468 spent on the medical services has assisted to maintain the health of the people, who receive free medical treatment in their villages and at the hospital. The nursing staff at the hospital consists of one European Matron and five Niue nurses. The following is a summary of the work performed at the hospital, but, in addition, each village is visited weekly by the Medical Officer, and at such other times as he is summoned: — (1) Infectious Diseases — (3) Hospital and Dispensary—continued. (a) Tuberculosis .. .. 15 Average number of days in hospital (b) Gonorrhoea .. . . 27 per patient .. .. 20 ■26 (c) Yaws .. .. .. 528 Daily average bed state .. 10-43 (d) Pneumonia and broncho- District out-patients .. .. 9,345 pneumonia .. .. 21 Dispensary out-patients .. 3,367 (e) Conjunctivitis .. .. 225 Special visits .. .. .. 1,011 (/) Ringworm .. .. .. 112 Special district visits .. .. 816 (g) Varicella .. .. .. 2 In-patient dressings .. .. 3,956 (2) Endemic Diseases— Out-patient dressings .. .. 5,364 (а) Filariasis .. .. .. 82 Operations— (б) Myositis tropica .. .. 8 Major .. .. .. 0 (3) Hospital and Dispensary — Minor .. . . . . 86 In hospital, Ist January, 1938 . . 12 Dental extractions . . .. 127 Admitted during year .. .. 161 Injections: N.A.B. and Eisoxyl .. 1,417 Discharged during year .. .. 167 Confinements .. .. .. 15 Died in hospital during year . . 1 Anaesthetics — Remaining in hospital, 31st General .. .. .. 20 December, 1938 .. .. 5 Local .. .. .. 54 General. —A somewhat severe epidemic of bronchial catarrh, complicated in some cases by pneumonia and broncho-pneumonia, visited the Island at the end of July, and lasted for five weeks. It was characterized by a s,udden onset, high fever, and the duration of the lung complications, which in some instances took six to eight weeks to clear up. There were, however, only four deaths, all being of patients under two years of age. It is probable that the disorder was brought here from Western Samoa, where it was epidemic at the time. The Government and Mission schools were closed during the greater part of the epidemic. Apart from this outbreak, the health of the people was good. Inspection of Schools. —Owing to frequent reports of the prevalence of yaws amongst the schoolchildren it was decided to inspect them all. The work was commenced at the end of September and completed in October. In all, 762 children were examined, and of these, 550 had yaws in some form., and practically all had enlarged epitrochlear glands. It was decided to give each of the 550 infected children three injections of N.A.B. at weekly intervals. At the end of the year, owing to the school holidays, the pupils of Tufukia School only had been injected, but it was intended that the work should be resumed towards the end of February. The results should prove interesting. This Department has functioned very satisfactorily, the work being greatly appreciated by all concerned. There has been a very marked improvement in the health of the Natives. Education. This service is carried out by the Administration and the London Missionary Society, there being at present two schools controlled by the former and ten by the Mission. The Administration has commenced the erection of a new school at Mutalau, and it is hoped to have this functioning before long. The £2,159 spent by the Administration includes a subsidy of £500 paid to the London Missionary Society to assist them in their school-work. The average roll strength of the two Administration schools was 388, and the average attendance 88 per cent., the figures for the Mission schools being 522 and 89-5 per cent. The educational system is being carried out on modern methods as far as they can be applied to local conditions, and is producing good results, both Administration and Mission working in perfect harmony. Public Works and Transport. Buildings. —No new buildings were erected during the year, as it was considered advisable to concentrate on carrying out necessary repairs and improvements to the existing buildings. Roads. —There has been a great improvement in the roads. Expenditure for the year was heavy, but after the roads have been put in order maintenance will not be very great. The improved surfaces have reduced considerably the work of keeping transport in good order.

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+1, ,t V® uT 7 eI1 J tlrel}r 011 ram for thelr water-supply, and it is very necessary that the reservoirs should be increased considerably. During the year a few additional tanks were erected and others were maintained m good repair. It is proposed during the coming year to concentrate on building more tanks. s By Tramport.-The Administration have five trucks and four cars, besides four trailers. The former were used mainly in connection with the transport of bananas and on road work. Agriculture. I his department has progressed satisfactorily. Since practically 100 per cent, of the population depend on their plantations the importance of this department will be appreciated. During the year in the viflages pea " fowls were lm P ortod - Ther e has been an improvement in the stock There is very little soil available—only a few inches—the subsoil being very pure carbonate of lime, the rest up-heaved coral rock. These factors make it difficult for the Natives to obtain adequate food-supplies, especially as it has been the practice for very many years to burn all rubbish or tTe scSol curriculum 0 * C ° nsider f tha * this sub J ect is 01le of th « most important in the school curriculum, and one morning m each week the boys of Tufukia School receive uracticd agricultural instruction at the Administration plantation. It is hoped that as time »oes on this procedure will have beneficial results. ° High Court and Native Land Court. .AH offences were of a minor nature, indicating that the Niueans are a law-abiding people During the year 898 cases were dealt with. people. Island Council. Villag6 eI6CtS a member t0 the Islalld Comicil t0 assist Resident Commissioner in his ■ , There are iio chiefs m Niue, and the Councillors provide the usual channel of communication between the Resident Commissioner and the people. Legislation. No new laws were passed during the year, as those in existence were found to be adequate. Wireless. One European officer controls this department, assisted by a Niuean boy. Inward Traffic.—Three hundred and twelve messages, containing 5,117 words were receiver! as compared with 329 messages, containing 5,321 words, the previous year. ' Outward Traffic. Three hundred and eighty-three messages, containing 6,228 words, were despatched, as compared with 392 messages, containing 6,746 words, the previous year. lie service has been very satisfactory, the station having been kept in operation without any breakdowns, despite the fact that the plant is not an up-to-date one. Meteorological. Ihe total rainfall for the year was 77-42 in., as compared with 53-70 in. for 1937 Thero been an average fall of 81-15 in. per annum for the past thirty-three years. The average maximum thermometer for the whole year was 85-7, the highest ever recorded Ihe mean average temperature for the whole year was 78-2, also the highest on record. Shipping. i The -?T i ealan , d Government's motor-vessel " Maui Pomare " called each month. This vessel has provided the only regular shipping communication with the outside world Ihe importance of the service to Niue cannot be overestimated. If it were not available, it would bt impossible to ship fruit, and instead of this Island being self-supporting, as it has been over the past few years, it would have required substantial assistance from the Consolidated Fund each year During the year the ship Sonora called and took away copra. Ihe yacht Ngataki " also visited the Island during its cruise. Vital Statistics. The Native population is now 4,276, an increase during the year of 61 There were 152 births and 89 deaths.

Population Table.

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jsasr.s* i * M ar« "a?- jasa «*«&$». M. F. Total. J M. F. Total. M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total. 2,0j3 2,162 4,215 83 69 152 37 52 89 64 49 113 j 65 50 115 2,098 J2,178 L,276

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NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION. Revenue Account for the Year ended 31st March, 1939. Expenditure. £ s. d. Revenue. £ b. d. Agriculture Department .. .. 572 7 1 Aid to Revenue 483 0 o Accident to Sekavani Head .. .. 121 711 Ammunition ' J Audit 29 18 6 Bond storage.. 0 6 Education Department .. .. 2,165 1 9 Copra export duty 11 Interpreters and office staff .. .. 209 14 7 Customs duties Island Council 71 13 0 Dog-tax fees 51 14 b Jetty 156 5 3 Fruit-cases 1 a „A; no 15 13 0 Fumigation fees .. • • • • Lepers !! !'. 1 .. 117 12 4 High Court fees and fines .. .. 100 1» 0 Medical Department .. .. •• 2,603 5 3 Interest .. •• •• ' Miscellaneous services .. • • 69 10 10 Licenses .. .. •• -0104. Native Land Court .. .. 811 1 Liquor .. Police Department 388 17 4 Registration fees ' < ' Printing 109 17 9 Stamps 2,01.6 9 9 Prisons Department .. . • • • 265 18 0 Stock supplies .. • • • • Public Works Department .. .. 541 13 3 Transport Department •• •• r , Residency .. . .. .. 83 16 4 Excess of expenditure over revenue .. 0,814 o 1 Resident Commissioner's Department . . 464 9 8 Roads • • • • • • • • 1 ' 829 4 4 Survey Department . . • • • • 147 10 .! Treasury Department . . . . • ■ 539 10 6 Water-supply Department .. • • 99 5 1 Wireless Department . . . ■ • • 465 8 4 Depreciation . • • • • ■ 1 > 358 10 8 £12,435 2 1 £12,435 2 1 Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1939. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated funds ..28,805 7 0 Land 1.261 0 0 Less excess of expenditure Jetty .. .. • • - • over revenue .. 5,814 5 1 Reservoirs .. •• J'™ f. ? 22,991 1 11 Buildings •• •• 9,862 12 9 11,™ Fund ■■ 13,206 0 0 Plant, wireless .. •• 1,886 17 4 Simdiv creditors .. .. 417 8 2 Plant and tools .. .. 1,247 3 6 sundry ereaitors .. 230 8 6 Office equipment .. . . 631 5 9 .Equipment, medical .. 238 5 0 Furniture, household .. 1,639 15 0 Motor-vehicles .. •• 1,249 9 2 20,287 1 4 Stocks on hand .. •• •• 4,626 17 2 Sundry debtors .. ■ • • ■ 94 9 O Suspense Account: . " Maui Pomare " .. 110 18 1 Investments .. .. • • .. 10, 000 0 0 Cash in bank, Wellington .. •• 1,040 19 0 Cash in hand, Niue .. • ■ • • 454 4 8 £36,614 10 I £36,614 10 1 N.B. —These accounts are subject to audit.

Approximate Cost 0/ Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (570 copies), £8 li>s.

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1939.

Price 6d. |

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