11

A.—3

Special attention has been given to the health of the school-children. For instance, they received first consideration in the injections for yaws. Hygiene is now being taught at both schools, -and there is an improvement in general health which should be reflected in future attendance figures. The Technical School at Tufukia continues to do good work. Sewing classes have also been started at that school. Classes in native arts and crafts have been commenced at both schools. Should finances permit, the Resident Commissioner hopes to get a school built at Mutalau during the coming year. Tuapa and Ciku are also clamouring for education, and the Natives are quite willing to do their share. They will provide ground free both for the school and the teacher's house. They will also build the school and provide native building-material. It is only iron, cement, and paint that fall to the Administration, but these, together with school equipment, are a heavy item. However, now that the Medical Service is on a satisfactory footing, there is no doubt that tiducation is the greatest need of these people, and every opportunity will be taken to extend the education scheme to other village's. Island Council. No meeting of the Island Council was held until the arrival of the new Commissioner in November. Since -then the Council has met twice". The only important business has been the passing of an Ordinance renewing the Aid to Revenue Ordinance for a further term of three years. Under this Ordinance all Native males over eighteen years pay an annual tax of |()s.. aged and infirm excepted. This money is earmarked for medical services and roads, as heretofore. Difficult though it is to find revenue, the Commissioner was not prepared to ask the Natives to increase this tax. Copra, is all they have at present, and prices being what they are, the island is poor. Should the fruit trade develop it may be possible' to derive further revenue from this source at a future date. M ETEOROLPGICAL. Summarized, the readings for 1922 an- as follows: Barometer (mean for year), 3003. Thermometer highest,, 95, in February and March; lowest, 60. in .Inly; mean maximum, 84-58; mean minimum. 71-77. Rainfall, 87-15 in. Rain fell on IS3 days. On the 21th December there was a severe thunderstorm, of which Alofi gol the worst. The' Administration flagstaff was struck by lightning, but was not seriously damaged. On the Bth and 9th March, 1923, there was a heavy northwesterly gale, and the barometer dropped as low as 29-53. Fruit crops were affected to some extent, but copra has hardly suffered at all, so that the island came off lightly. Postal. The following figures show the postal business transacted during the year: Money-orders — issued, £1,452 2s. 7d. ; paid, £958 14s. 2d. Savings-bank deposits, £2,886 2s. ; withdrawals, £428 2s. Postal notes issued, £62 19s 6d.; paid, £27 15s. 6d. Miscellaneous payments, £724 (is. Bsd. Payment of various amounts connected with the war, such as gratuities, retrospective allowances, &c, unduly swelled the' volume of business during the past two years, but this year's figures are more normal.

Return of Criminal Cases for the Year 1922.

Mules. Females. Offence. Convicted. Acquitted. Convicted. Acquitted. 35 6 35 6 2 .. 6 2 1 1 I 25 11 32 4 I I 8 1 1 4 2 4 1 2 I 1 2 5 17.. 2 8 2 8 21 2 3 I 1 Total. 82 10 1 2 72 13 1 5 li 1 6 I 2 13 2 L8 27 I Total. I 'niter Cool: Islands . let. Adultery Indecent acts Indecent, assault (lama] knowledge Assaults. &C. Disorderly conduct Profane language Mischief .. Trespass Furious riding Trespass Furious riding Cruelty to animals Wandering animals Sorcery and witchcraft Defamatory libel Theft Contempt of Court Under Regulations, Failure to report contagious diseases 1 .. 4 .. 5 / 'mtrr Ordinances, 1 m morality Copra Fish-protection 13 20 13 : ■ 21 1 4 12'.) is 122 34 67 I 4 333