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cases Native teachers are carrying out the work. The new examination system will probably soon enable this work to be done largely by Native women teachers, under the supervision of European teachers. " School Journal. —Preliminary arrangements have already been made for the publication of a Cook Islands school journal. It will probably be necessary to limit the publication to six issues per annum. " Northern Islands. —Owing to the isolation of the Northern Islands, and the fact that they have not yet been visited by an educational officer, the curriculum is very vague. It is proposed to visit these schools during 1926, so that opportunity will be taken to study the needs of the people and to devise a curriculum that will serve, and to arrange for the training of the teachers." Public Works at Rarotonga. The Public Works Department at Rarotonga, under the able supervision of Mr. Reid, has carried out a large number of works during the year, the principal being as follows : — Hospital. —The new out-patients' building is now finished, and the alterations and extensions to the main building are well in hand. The amount expended to date is £1,874 4s. 9d. Refrigerator. —This is now completed. The old structure has now been replaced by an entirely new building, with Poilite roof, containing three insulated chambers', engine-room, &c. The new plant comprises engine, condenser, compressor, ice-tanks, and all necessary fittings. The old engine and compressor have been put into good repair, thus providing a reliable stand-by plant for emergencies. The total outlay is in the vicinity of £4,000. Roads and Bridges. —The main road round the island is being maintained in good repair by the Administration. 300 ft. of tramway, with double loading-loop, and two trucks, have been added to the plant. The policy of the Administration in regard to Tapere or district roads, which in nearly all cases serve only the Native families of the Tapere, is to build all bridges and culverts necessary, and to supply food for labour which is given voluntarily. Several Tapere roads have been put in repair during the year, as well as the Avatiu Valley Road. Two new bridges, with concrete piles and abutments and jarrah decking, have been erected in the Avatiu Valley, and one on the Ara Metua Road, near the mission grounds. The Avana Bridge, Avarua Bridge, Potai's bridge, and Connel's bridge have been repaired and substantially strengthened. New concrete culverts have been built at Matavera and Titikaveka. The amount spent out of local revenue on roads and bridges amounted to £2,174 15s. Water-supply. —The Titikaveka water-supply system was extended to Papua, a distance of two miles, at a cost of £378. New strainers have been provided for the Avarua and Ngatangiia systems. Gaol. —A new yard, with walls of reinforced concrete, 12 ft. high, has been erected, and new lavatories and other sanitary facilities provided : cost, £280. Telephone System. —Two miles of new line from Matavera to Ngatangiia have been erected. The Department has carried out a considerable amount of repair work rendered necessary by the recent storms. Beacons.-—Two pairs of leading-beacons have been erected for the Avarua anchorage, in accordance with the specifications supplied by H.M.S. " Laburnum." General.—-A- new slipway for the Administration boat has been built. Necessary extensions, costing £375, have been carried out at the Residency at Ngatipa. The retaining-wall on the foreshore, damaged by the storm, has been repaired at a cost of £72. The masts at the wireless stations at Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and Mangaia have been repainted with two coats of Feredor paint. Public Works at Group Islands. Pukapuka.—A residence has been erected for the Resident Agent. A concrete tank with a capacity of 5,000 gallons has been erected at the village of Loto. Mauke. —The school has been reroofed with iron, and an additional 2,500-gallon concrete tank provided there. Atiu. —A new road to the landing-place has been blasted through the coral wall, providing a shorter route for the carriage of cargo. The cargo-shed has been re-erected on a. more convenient site. A. new class-room has been added to the school, and a post-office building has also been erected near the Residency. Penrhyn. —The channel from the reef to the main village, a distance of one, and a half miles, has been rendered safer for navigation by the blasting out of coral heads and the provision of beacons. ManiKki. —Blasting operations have been carried out in the Tukao Channel. It is proposed this year to blast a new channel through the reef. Aitutaki. —The water-supply at this island has been considerably improved by the sinking of nine wells in the various villages. Pumps are being provided. The Amuri Road has been improved by a cutting, 210 ft. long, through the hill, and by fillings on either side of the hill over a distance of 400 ft. The cargo-sheds have been improved by the addition of verandas for the protection of fruit. Six concrete culverts have been built on the Amuri, Ureia, and Arutanga Roads, and the roads generally have been maintained in good order. A passenger and mail boat, and also a cargo-boat, together with a punt for the carriage of metal, have been built under the supervision of the Resident Agent. Considerable improvements which were made to the wharf were destroyed by the recent storm, necessitating the reconstruction of the greater part of the pier. This work is now in hand, and new rails are being laid. Blasting operations have been carried out in the main channel to the reef, and also the boat-passages at Tautu and Nikaupara, rendering them more navigable.