A.—3

46

up to maximum during this trying period is extremely satisfactory. The practice of allowing the boys to go to their homes at the week-ends will be continued until such time as the food crops regain their normal condition. Health of the People. During the past year there have not been any epidemics on the island, and, generally speaking, the health of the people has been normal. Dr. Schumacher, the newly appointed Medical Officer, arrived in Niue on the 27th May, 1911, and commenced his duties on the 15th June in temporary premises. The erection of a building to serve as a dispensary, consulting-room, &c, was held over until the doctor's arrival in order that his advice might be obtained as to the accommodation required. Work was commenced at once on the dispensary building, but unfortunately it was delayed owing to the non-arrival of material, and the doctor was not able to move into his permanent working-quarters until the 12th September. Dr. Schumacher from the first was popular with the Natives, and, judging from the amount of work he has been doing ail along, there has been no abatement of his popularity. He has succeeded in doing a great amount of good, but has found it impracticable to travel from village to village or to arrange any set times to visit the distant settlements. The matter was given a good deal of consideration, and it was finally decided that in order to do the greatest good to the greatest number the people would have to visit him in Alofi, the central village, the doctor merely going to the distant settlements on receipt of urgent calls. This system has worked well, judging by the large numbers that consult the doctor every day. In my report for 1909-10 I mentioned that the Natives had agreed to subsidize the medical service by contributing a sum of £150 per annum for a term of three years, as soon as a doctor was appointed. When Dr. Schumacher arrived the Natives set about collecting their first year's contribution, and at the first meeting of the Niue Island Council they paid in the total amount to the Administration. It may be of interest to review the cost of the Niue medical service in its first year. The expenditure has been as follows : Salary of Medical Officer, £337 12s. Bd. ; medical supplies and assistance, £271 Bs. ; travelling-expenses, New Zealand to Niue, £45 11s. : total, £654 lls. Bd. : less subsidy received from Natives (£150), £504 lls. Bd. It will be seen that the total cost for the first year was £654 lls. Bd., of which £504 lls. Bd. became a charge against the Niue Island Administration, but this will be reduced by £100 as soon as the first annual subsidy promised by the New Zealand Government is received. I may further mention that the cost to the Niue Administration on account of the land and buildings requisite for the establishment of a medical service, up to the 31st March last, has been as as follows : Purchase of land, £60 ; Medical Officer's residence, £609 12s. ; dispensary, consultingroom, &c, £144 10s. : total, £814 2s. The setting-up of this service has proved rather a severe drain on the slender resources of the Administration, but, with the increase of the trade of the island and the consequent increase in revenue, it is hoped that the Administration will be able to meet all charges without curtailing the expenditure on necessary public works. Quarantine Station. With the experiences of the past year it became evident that a suitable place must be acquired for the purpose of establishing a quarantine station. Fortunately, when the " Kereru'" arrived in July last with measles on board part of the school-grounds and the teacher's residence was available and a temporary quarantine station was established there, but a permanent place is absolutely necessary. This matter is receiving attention, and I hope to be able to announce shortly that a piece of land, suitably situated, has been secured. When the land is acquired, buildings in the way of bare necessities will be put in hand at once. Vital Statistics. I give hereunder the number of births, deaths, and marriages for the year 1911-12, as compared with the four preceding years : — Year. Births. Deaths. Marriages. 1907-8 .. .. .. .. ..97 104 31 1908-9 .. .. .. .. ..115 95 56 1909-10 .. .. .. , .. 104 79 40 1910-11 .. .. .. .. ..80 93 46 1911-12 .. .. .. .. .. 100 77 44 The number of deaths during the past year was the smallest recorded in any year since the establishment of the Government in Niue. During the past eleven years the total number of births numbered 1,081, while in the same period there were 1,082 deaths. Census. As mentioned in last year's report, the census books and forms for Niue went astray, and it was not possible to take the census on the date appointed. However, new books and forms were received on the sth October, and the count was made on the 17th November. The census was taken as carefully as possible, and I am satisfied, as far as the population is concerned, that the figures are very reliable. With regard to the figures relating to live-stock, coconutpalms, &c, those for the first-named item are fairly accurate, while in the latter case it is known that the figures have been largely understated. Full returns have been forwarded to the Government