A.—3

46

From these figures it will be seen that in six years we have a net gain of sixteen, which certainly cannot be regarded as satisfactory. Pulmonary and syphilitic diseases have obtained a fairly strong hold among the people of Niue, but it is reassuring to learn that a Medical Officer (Dr. Schumacher) has been appointed, and is expected to reach Niue shortly. Emigration and Immigration. During the year 180 persons left Niue and 104 arrived, there being a loss of seventy-six. It should be borne in mind, however, that this loss is only temporary, as seventy-five men left under contract to work at Maiden Island and Tonga during the year, and in accordance with the terms of the contracts they will be sent home in the course of a few months. The following are the particulars of the departures and arrivals : — Place of Departure to, r, , ■ , . ■ r , , ' Departures. Arrivals. or Arrival from. * New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... 22 9 Australia ... ... ... ... ... 3 Tonga ... ... ... ... ... 71 71 German Samoa ... ... ... ... ... 23 10 American' Samoa ... .. ... ... 6 4 Papua ... ... ... ... 10 Maiden Island ... ... ... ... ... 55 180 104 During the past year 1910 an Ordinance was passed by the Government of Tonga, regulating the landing of Natives of Niue in the kingdom of Tonga. This Ordinance prohibits the landing of Niueans in Tonga unless under a written contract to work, which contract must stipulate for the return of the labourer to his home. This will have the effect of considerably decreasing the number of emigrants from Niue, as Tonga is the country to which most of them have gone in the past. Subsidized Service. The close of the year 1910 saw the second year of the existing three-years schooner contract finished, leaving but one year remaining to complete it. It will therefore be necessary during the current year to make a new contract for a service to commence working in 1912. Whilst the present contractor has, with the schooner " Kereru," succeeded in making the five trips as specified in the contract, there have been loud complaints, both as regards the shortage of the space available for carrying the produce of the island away, and the accommodation and food provided for passengers. During the first year of the service a considerable quantity of produce was shipped to Samoa, but traders now find that it is to their advantage to ship copra, <fee., to Auckland. There is, therefore, much more cargo now offering for the subsidized vessel than formerly, and this, coupled with the increased output of the island, makes it necessary that a larger vessel should bo employed, or a more frequent service established. The following is a schedule of the voyages made during the second year of the contract : —

AUCKLAND TO NIUE.

Average time for direct trips, 18J days.

NIUE TO AUCKLAND.

Average time for direct trips, 16| days; average duration of stay at Niue, 8f days.

Left Auckland. April 6 June 14 August 11 October 1 November 15 Route. Arrived Niue.* I . . i Direct . . .. .. I April 23 .. Via Tonga (left Vavau June 29) j July 2 Direct .. .. .. August 30 .. .. October 18 ,, .. .. .. December 2 Number of Days. .. J 18 19 20 18 .... 18 * Local time one day behind New Zealand time.

Left Niue.* Rout Route. te. Arrived Auckland. J i Number of Days. I day 4 uly 11 September 7 )ctober 22 )ecember 12 .. Via Tonga .. Direct ;> • • j> • ■ I June 3 August 1 September 20 November 5 January 4 . . 29 ... 20 .. ! 12 .. J 13 .. I 22 * Local time one day behind New Zealand time.