A.—3.

4

Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1923.

Return of Imports and Exports for the Nine Years 1915 to 1923, inclusive.

Visit of the Hon. Minister of the Cook Islands. The visit of the Hon. Minister, accompanied by the Secretary of the Cook Islands Department, from the 30th September to the 2nd November last, was productive of much good, lor, besides the; many business matters which were discussed and settled, a much better feeling was promoted amongst all sections of our community, both European anel Native. There will be recognized in this report many new projects which are the direct result of the visit. The hope has been generally expressed that the Minister will, if possible, visit us annually, as so many of our matters require consideration anel adjustment on the; spot in the light, of our peculiar local circumstances anel conditions. Obituary. It is with regret that the death, on the 24th November last, of Mr. Thomas Duncan, Resident Agent at Mangaia, has to bo lecorded. The' late Mr. Duncan joined the service in 19.13 as Resident Agent at Aitutaki, and he was transferred to Mangaia in a similar capacity in. 1919. The loss of such a zealous, conscientious, and capable; official is being very widely and keenly felt. Medical and Public Health. The health of the people has remained satisfactory throughout the year. Provision is being made on this year's local estimates for alterations and extensions to the hospital at Rarotonga, including the provision of a detached out-patients' department, as approved by the Minister during his visit to Rarotonga.

Article. Where exported. Quantity. Value. I Oranges Bananas Tomatoes .. Limes and lemons Mandarins .. Kumeras ;. Coffee Taros i. New Zealand .. i. ,, l . : . ,, l . I . ,, i i ,, 138,857 cases 70,206 „ 24,578 -„ 375 „ 588 „ 90 „ 19 sacks 10 „ 2 „ 107 „ 10 „ £ 43,464 32,719 10,033 221 271 29 95 3 1 .16 2 ,, . . ,, i . ,, Mailgoevs Pines i. ,, ,, Avocado pears , , : . . . Coconuts i. Now Zealand Tahiti .. United States of America .. 2,213 „ 1,338 „ 1,176 „ Copra New Zealand Tahiti United States eif America .. Apia 4,727 „ 1,400 1961 t° n s 508| „ 1,1824 ,. 131 „ Shell 2,018 „ 26,205 United Kingdom New Zealand United States of America . . 301 „ 32 4 ,, 11 1-4 " 2,251 64| „ £118,710

Year. Imports. Exports. Total Value. 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 £ 65,590 58,478 80,061 99.632 .142,925 177.911 112,974 116,726 131,590 £ 63,057 68,146 60,190 82.708 127,729 94. 697 69,301 135,802 118,710 £ 128.647 126,624 140,251 182.340 270,654 272,608 182,335 252,528 250,300