A.—3

18

Towards the end of the year the Natives made a spontaneous offering of over £50 to the War Fund. Tn addition they despatched two oases of Niuean goods to be disposed of in New Zealand for the same purpose. The greatest credit is due to one and all who so willingly worked and so generously gave in the great cause. Estimates for 1918-19. As the new Resident Commissioner has not yet arrived, I venture to attach the, estimates for the year. Naturally, I have made them as low as I consider advisable. Compared with those of last year they vary slightly, because I took as my guide generally the amount of actual expenditure under the different heads during that year. The estimated expenditure for the year 1918-19 is £2,010. The revenue is expected to reach £3,000. Shipping. In addition to the trips made by the " Awanui," the " Manua " made three trips and took .away a considerable quantity of copra. There is one matter in connection with the visits of ships to Niue requiring attention. At present all and sundry seem to be able to go aboard a ship in port at their own sweet will and pleasure. It would be most desirable to enforce the War Regulation under which no one can board a, snip without a permit,signed by the Resident Commissioner. RHTNOCEROS-REETLE. Prior to the coming of the " Manua," and since, her first trip to Nine, many fears were expressed that her advent would result in the introduction of the dreaded rhinoceros-beetle into this island, but the Administration has not been lax in this matter. First of all, the great need for the Ordinance relating to the cleaning-tip of the coconut plantations was clearly shown to the people, who were urged for their own sakes to obey strictly the Ordinance. Then the Biological Department in New Zealand, and the Agricultural Department of' Samoa, under military occupation, were communicated with and asked to forward specimens of the beetle in all stages of its growth, as well as all literature dealing with the dreaded pest and its destruction. Moreover, this Administration arranged with the Administrator of Samoa that all luggage and articles of any kind whatsoever shall be thoroughly fumigated before being shipped to Niue. Every article coming off the ship from Samoa is put into the bond in Niue and thoroughly examined and searched. No plants, soil, vegetables, and other things of like nature are allowed to be landed. The Natives and the Department may rest assured that the Administration will do its utmost to keep out the beetle, but the Natives must help the Administration in every way. Medical and Health. I append a copy of the report of the Medical Officer for the year ended 31st December last, which speaks for itself. With reference to the section " Visits and Dispensary," I have suggested to the, Medical Officer that medicines and drugs be given only to those people whom he has examined and found to require them —in short, that no free medicine be, given without his prescription. If other things are required they should be paid for. The crying need of this island is a well-equipped hospital where acute cases can be properly attended to. 1 have, &c, J. C. Evison, The Hon. the Minister for the, Cook Islands, Wellington. Deputy Resident Commissioner.

REPORT OF MEDICAL OFFICER, NIUE. Alofi, 11th April, 1918. I have the honour to lay before you my annual report for 1917. Visits and Dispensary. —During the year I paid 3,265 visits to patients in their own homes, and the numbers for the dispensary were 14,942. In connection with the latter I cannot forbear drawing your attention to the utterly futile nature of much of this work save in time of severe sickness. Many Natives look upon the dispensary as a store, and will ask for things which they see, quite ignorant of what they are used for ; but these, as you may imagine, are summarily dismissed. Others come with the most trifling ailments which need no treatment at all. I have thoroughly reorganized this Department, made strict regulations, and closed the dispensary twice a week ; but with the enormous amount of prophylactic work to be done on the island I am still much hampered by these petty details. I really believe a small nominal charge for medicine, save in case of real illness, would obviate much of this trouble.