A.—3

8

Wireless. The plants for tho substations to be erected at the islands of Aitutaki anel Mangaia have arrived, and it is expected that these stations will be; in working-order within the next few months. Four Rarotongan scholarship boys have; been transferred from St. Stephen's College to the Wireless Ce>lle;ge at Wellington, and it is hoped that they will be able to satisfactorily take charge of and. work these stations. The New Zealand Government has generously provided a vote of £1,500 towards the cost, so that the cosf to the local Administration should not be more than £500 or £600. Shipping. Wharf. —The Union Steamship Company's new wharf and the new boat-slip at Avarua have; both been completed, and are; greatly facilitating the handling of the carge> and lighters. Shipping-lights. —An electric lamp) of 40 candle-power has been erocteel on the wireless mast at a height of 145 ft. abe>ve sea-level, with a visibility of twelve to fifteen miles. During tin; visit of H.M.S. " Laburnum " the astronomical position of the wireless mast was fixed. The lights mentioned in the last report for the islaneis of Aitutaki, Atiu, anel Mangaia have been erected. All those; lights are proving of considerable convenience to shipping-masters. Native Fruit Company. This eiompany, referred to in the last annual report, is still being carried on under the supervision of Mr. Reid. The; membership has been increased to 397, anel the exports for last year were;: Oranges, 3,035 cases; bananas, 7,301 cases: total, 10,336 cases. The selling-price f.o.b. Rarotonga averaged 6s. 9d. per case for oranges and lis. per case for bananas. The net proceeds for the year amounted to £3,984 14s. 3d. It is expected that the membership for the coming ye;ar will exceed five hundred. Agriculture. Experimental Farm. —This is being carried, on in gooel. e)rde;r. During the year Mr. C. J. Boucheir was appointed Assistant Fruit Inspector, in order that more attention e;oulel be; given to fruitinspection, and to assist growers in the cultivation of fruit plants anel trees, both in Rarotonga and the Group islands. A campaign against noxious weeds has been, inaugurated, and Mr. Boucheir has been successful in having a large number of properties cleared up. Meteorological. The total rainfall at Avarua for the year ended 31st March, 1924, was 95-87 in., the highest reoorded for twenty-four hours be;ing 4-53 in. on the 25th March, 1924. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shaele for the; year was 87°, on the Ist January, 1924, and the lowest was 57°, on the 18th August, 1923. The mean of the maximum was 86-3°, and the mean of the minimum was 75-15°. REPORT OF NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION. Niue, Ist April, 1924. Finance. The year was commenced with a Credit balanoe of £972 18s. 9d. Revenue amounted to £4,642 4s. Idd., the, main items being- Customs duties, £1,857 19s. 7d. ; stamp-sales, £831 lis. 9d. ; copra export duty, £701 19s. ; and aid to revenue, £487. Expenditure amounted te> £4,403 os. Id., leaving a balance at 31st March, 1924, of £1,212 3s. 6d. The Resident Commissioner estimates the revenue for the coming year at £4,000. Stampsales will show a drop, as will also Native; Lane! Court fees and the Ammunition anel Lique>r Accounts. As to these last two, the credits shown for this year are largely due; to a decrease in stocks held. Expenditure for the coming year has been estimated at £4,075. It is apparent that unless some fresh source of revenue is found little further progress can be made, at any rate with works which will mean added upkeep expenses in future years, such, for instance, as further schools. The revenue available is now very little more than sufficient to cover the ordinary working-expenses of the Administration, whose activities have increased considerably of recent years, and there is but little money available for new works. The establishment of a fruit trade appears to be the only practicable solution of the difficulty, and in the meantime it is very necessary, in considering new works, te> study the question of future upkeep even though there should be money available for the initial work. This matter will be referred to again under " Education,"