45

A.—.3

" The population of the island consists of some four thousand Natives, divided into eleven communities, and each community is expecting a separate supply of seed. It is the custom of the Natives of each community to co-operate in such matters for the common good of their particular division, and, as they all expect seed, it will be difficult for me to satisfy them, .1 should be glad, therefore, if you could see your way clear to forward me a further and larger supply of the Sea Island variety. " Referring to your kind offer to supply a hand-gin after you have seen a sample of the first crop, I would point out that Niue is a very isolated place, and communication with the outside world is very infrequent—about eight ships a year, generally with New Zealand and Apia (German Samoa): therefore I would suggest that it would be better to arrange to send. a gin immediately, so that it would be ready to deal with the crop at the appropriate time, otherwise much valuable time will be lost. The average time for letters from England to Niue.is three months, but they may at times take four months, so that you will readily understand the position in which we are placed, and the attendant difficulties. " I should be pleased if you would favour me with an immediate reply, so that I may again hear from you prior to the end of the year, as during the hurricane season in the Pacific—January to March inclusive—communication between Auckland and Niue is very rare, as ships do not care to come here during that time. " I have, &c, " H. CORNWALL, " Resident Commissioner. " The British Cotton-growing Association, 15 Cross Street, Manchester, U.K."

" The British Cotton-growing Association, 15 Cross Street, Manchester, " Dear Sib,— , 15th July, 1910. \ " With further reference to your letter of 11th April, we have now pleasure in handing you herewith our pro forma, invoice, No. 1213, for 50 lb. each of American and Sea Island cottonseed, which has been shipped to you, care of Mr. W. F. Utting, Auckland, New Zealand, in accordance with your instructions, by the s.s. "Empire Transport," which sailed from Liverpool on the 2nd instant. We have forwarded a duplicate copy of our invoice direct to Mr. Utting, whom we have requested to receive the bag of seed on arrival and arrange for its despatch to you, and, no doubt, you will also have communicated with him. As mentioned in our letter of the 28th ultimo, we do not purpose making any charge for this seed, and the invoice enclosed,.as already mentioned, is simply a pro forma one, in case you require an invoice for Customs purposes. We trust the seed will reach you without delay and in good condition, and that your experiments with same will prove successful. " Yours, &c, " J. W. Babeon, " pro Secretary. V '■' H. Cornwall, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Nine Tsland Administration, Niue, via New Zealand."

" Dbae Sib, — " Nine Island Administration, Niue, 25th October, 1910. "I have the honour to inform you that the 1001b. of cotton-seed referred to in your letters of the 28th June and 15th July duly reached me on the 20th instant. Owing to the isolated position of Niue and the infrequent service between Auckland and here, the consignment took over three months to reach me. The seed will be planted in the course of a week or two, and in due course I will forward samples of the lint for your inspection and report. I have to thank your association for the supply of seed, also for the literature which has been forwarded on the subject of cotton-cultivation. " I have, &c, " H. Cornwall, " Resident Commissioner. "The Secretary, British Cotton-growing Association, 15 Cross Street, Manchester, England-"

As will be seen from the correspondence, it was decided to give the Sea Island cotton a trial, and the seed of that variety was distributed in suitable parts of the island. The reports to hand state that the plants have grown well, and that the cotton will be ready for picking shortly. As soon as this is done, a sample will be despatched to England for an expert report. Should the report be favourable, planting on a larger scale will be proceeded with.

, , , Health of the People. Speaking generally, the health of the people for the past year has been normal, and there have been no epidemics of any kind. The following axe the vital statistics for 1910-1911, and those for the preceding five years : — , ~,.-;..» Year. Births. Deaths. Marriages. i 1905-6 ■.„..; ... ... ... 90 95 53 1906-7 ... .. ... ... 106 110 30 1907-8 ... - ... ... ... 97 104 31 , J 1908-9 ... ... ... ... 115 .95 56 1909-10 ... = ~ ~,---104 79 40 ~ 1910-11 ... - .:• ..: ' ... 80 93 46 : '- ■' ■ 592 576 - 256