35

A.—3

of the gang referred to had to borrow money from their relatives at Niue wherewith to pay the Customs duties on the goods brought back by them. When it is understood that the goods supplied to the men by their employers' storekeeper are charged against the men's wages at prices, in many cases, about 75 "per cent, in of Niue retail prices, in addition to which Customs duty has to be paid on them, it will readily be conceded that the Natives are entitled to receive in future greater protection in these matters than they have received in the past. Public Works.

During the financial year the funds of the Administration were called upon to bear an unusually heavy expenditure on public works, the details of which are fully set out in the table given hereunder :—

Total public works expenditure to date, £5,340 17s/Jld. As intimated in my last report, the Niue Island Administration undertook to build a public school, schoolmaster's residence, and other necessary buildings and conveniences required in connection therewith. On the 31st March last the main school building had been completed ; and the Master's residence, &c, and a concrete reservoir for the conservation of fresh water for school purposes, were well in hand. These works should be completed in the course of a few weeks. I had hoped to have had everything finished by the 31st March, but work has been considerably delayed through Native feasts and celebrations, at which times the Natives will not work, and through wet weather. The school building is of ample proportions, and has been constructed with due regard to the climatic conditions experienced here. The dimensions, excluding the verandah, are —length, 100 ft. ; and breadth, 30 ft. A verandah of a uniform width of 8 ft. 3 in. surrounds the whole. The school is divided into three rooms, the largest being 40 ft. by 29 ft., while the other two rooms each measure 29 ft. by 29 ft. The framework of the building is mainly constructed of Niue hardwood (kafika), cut in the bush and adzed into shape by the Natives ; but a fair quantity of kauri pine was also used. The framework of the walls is encased in a setting of coral lime, while the floors throughout are constructed of concrete. The building is roofed with corrugated iron, and the catchment thereby provided will prove ample to keep the reservoir, which is being constructed in the school ground, well supplied with fresh water. Owing to the uneven nature of the site it was necessary to expend a considerable sum in constructing a solid concrete foundation for the building. The master's residence, which is now almost completed, is designed after the bungalow style, and contains five rooms and necessary conveniences. It is located in a very pleasant situation overlooking the sea, and, being in close proximity to the school, will, I have no doubt, prove both comfortable and convenient. Among the works completed during the year were concrete reservoirs for the Villages of Makefu and Tamakautoga. They have each proved a thorough success, and are greatly appreciated by the Natives of those villages. ; S ' As will be seen from the table given above, a few small works of pressing necessity were also carried out, but they do not call for any special comment.

Cost of Work. Particulars of Work. Remarks. Labour. Material used. Total Cost. Construction of Makefu Reservoir Construction of Tamakautoga Reservoir Maintenance of reservoirs Alofi-Liku Road £ s. 22 18 26 5 1 12 9 2 d. 6 0 6 0 £ s. d. 7 15 8 £ s. d. 30 14 2 Part cost charged to last 27 12 5 53 17 5 year. Avatele-Hakupu Road .. j 6 10 0 1 10 0 0 2 2 1 9 5 3 2 6 9 4 2 7 19 5 Building up road through Motutapu Bush. Widening and forming approach to Avatele Village. Repairs and additions to, I and general maintenance of, Government j buildings and plant Erecting new store shed 12 18 3 18 6 0 66 18 7 109 17 1 0 6 9 4 4 9 Part cost charged to last Levelling Tufu Publicschool site and grounds Erection of Tufu Public School Erection of schoolmaster's | residence, Tufu Construction of reservoir i at Tufu Public School 48 16 434 11 26 19 23 0 6 3 6 0 5 2 10 367 6 9 53 19 4 801 18 0 year. Considerable blasting and filling-in required. There will be further small expenditure. Not completed. 220 0 0 246 19 6 11 4 0 34 4 0 ii 646 11 9 709 8 7 1,356 0 4