A.—3.

2

MEMORANDUM. Cook Islands .Administration Department, Wellington, 7th July, 1915. The annual reports of the Eesident Commissioners at Rarotonga and Niue are attached hereto, in which particulars of the operations for the past year are fully set out. During the year Their Excellencies the Governor and the Countess of Liverpool paid a visit to the Islands, accompanied by myself. The visit was much appreciated by the people, who received Their Excellencies with great enthusiasm and hospitality, and the opportunity to discuss matters of interest to the islands was availed of. It is satisfactory to note that an improvement in the health of the people is indicated by the vital statistics, but much still remains to be done. The experimental nursery established at Rarotonga is proving its usefulness in illustrating the fact that additional products can be grown for export. An important work has been the establishment of schools, three of which have been opened during the year—two at Rarotonga and one at Aitutaki. European teachers have been appointed from New Zealand and a keen interest in the scheme is being manifested by the people, the attendance being large and the average well- kept up. M. Pomaeb.