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tration has been put to great inconvenience, as the whole of the Building-material for the hospital is thus still m New Zealand. The trailers were inadequately supplied with foodstuffs for the hurricane season, and there was also a scarcity of native foods, so that the Natives had a somewhat anxious time until the arrival of the " Mokena " on the 29th February, when some 50 tons of cargo, mostly foodstuffs, were landed. I can only hope that the contract Vessel during the coming season will make at least her usual five trips. The Governor-General's Visit. On the 26th June the s.s. " Tutauekai " arrived, bringing Their Excellencies Lord and Lady Liverpool on their farewell visit to the islands. The Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands, the Hon. Dr. M. Pomare, and Mrs. Pomare were among the party. Through the chance arrival of the ''Hennette" a few days previously Nine lead been made aware e>f the impending visit, but the time die! not permit of the preparatiem of the right royal welcome the Natives wished to give. As no New Zealanel Governor had visiteel Niue since the hoisting of the- flag, this visit made- a eleep impression on the Natives, and their only regret was that the vessel had to depart the same day. On landing, the party were welcomed in speeches from leading Alerfi Natives and myself, after which His Excellency elelivered an aeldress. His speech was subsequently, through the cemrtesy of the Rev. J. H. Cullen, published in Niuean in the Missionary Se,e:iety paper, anil has thus been reael throughout the island. 'The party then elrove to Tufukia School, where a programme by the children had been prepared, and the school was subsequently addressed by His Excellency and by the Minister. After lunch at, the Residency the Alofi Natives gave an impromptu exhibition of Native dances and of various old-lime customs, and Their Excellencies and eacli member of the party planted a coconut as a memento of the trip. A return was made to the steamer shortly after 4 o'clock, and thus closed a visit which had been all too short. Parliamentary Party's Visit. On the evening of the 29th February the s.s. " Meikoia " arrived, bringing a large number of members of both Houses of the New Zealand Parliament on a visit to the island. The members of a Trade Commission and a number of prominent New Zealand Civil servants were also with the party. Messengers were despatched to the various villages that evening, with the result that the Island Councillors, police, anel returneel soldiers, as well as a large number of Natives from all the villages, came to Alofi the following day. At a meeting in the morning the party were introduced to the members of the Islanel Council, who were invited to place any grievances before the visitors. Three members of the Council spoke and brought forward various matters for consideration, and in reply Sir James Allen addressed the gathering. These proceedings lasteel about an hour, and the party then went down to Tufukia School, where the children entertained them with drill, singing, and recitations until lunch-time. After lunch Sir James Allen addressed the returneel soldiers, who mustered in uniform, and presented a captured German gun, with which memento the Natives are very pleased. It has been mounted on a concrete platform beside the monument to the Nine soldiers who died at the front. Several traelers and Administration officials gave evidence before the Trade Commission, anel facilities were given to the various Civil servants to se-e as much as possible of the islanel in the limited time at, their disposal. The island confidently experts that pjucb good-"will result from this, visit, anel the- keenness and sympathy of the whole parly were much appreciated by local residents. As in the case of the Geivernor-Geiieral's visit, tin- Natives were unable- to do much to entertain the party. Preparation for their entertainments runs into weeks, and this visit came as a complete surprise, as no vessel had visited Niue since November of the previous year. Hospital. In August last information was received that the executive of the Red Cross Society in New Zealand, through His Excellency the Governor-General, had made a donation of £1,000 towards (he erection of a hospital in Niue. There was much gratification amongst the Natives when they heard of this splendid gift, and undoubtedly the most urgent need of the island is now to be Satisfied. The lack of proper medical and surgical attention has accounted for many deaths in I he-past, and once, the hospital is established there should be an immediate reduction in the deathrate. The balance of the estimated cost of building and equipment is already in hand, having been accumulated during the past two years, and as soon as materials arrive from New Zealanel the erection of the various necessary buildings will be pushed ahead as quickly as possible. _ The Natives'have-voluntarily rendered assistance, each village having burnt an umu of puga (lime), and this material will be used for the walls of the building. The hospital should be ready for patients before the end of 1920, and will be known as " The Lord Liverpool Hospital." Public Works. The work of re-forming and widening the roads has been continued practically eiuring the whole of the year, and the following roads have now been completed : Alofi-Hakupu Road (balance), five miles; Alofi-Mutalaei Road, ten miles and three-quarters; Tamakautoga-Hakupu Road, six miles and a half. The roads still requiring attention are from Man a corner to Lakepa, six mile's, anel from Mutalau to Liku, seven miles, and work will be. continued em these lirimceliatelv. Another important road requiring attention is that from Alofi to Avatele. The twentytwo miles of road covered during the past year cost. £800. Oood roads are as important here as they are- to the baokbloeks seltler in New Zealand, and I have accordingly given them first place among public works. A good deal of work has alsei been, done on the tracks connecting the various villages with the sea. The Natives have in the-se eases provided free labour and hall cost of explosives usee I.