A.—3.

planted in the early part of February this year. It is yet too early to say what the results will be : so far the plants in some villages appear to be doing well, but in others at least 75 per cent, of the seed failed to germinate. Basketware.—-There is still a good demand for these goods in New Zealand. 1,747f dozen were exported during the year. Hi&h Court and Native Land Court. Criminal cases for 1927 totalled 207, as against 291 in 1926. As usual, the majority of these were offences against morality, and there was very little that could be called serious crime. Fees and fines collected amounted to £84 2s. Civil work was negligible in quantity. In the Native Land Court the only work before the Court was two applications for adoption orders, both being granted.

High Court. Return of Criminal Cases for the Year ended 31st December, 1927.

Return of Civil Cases. Debt and damages .. .. .. .. .. .. 5 Divorce —Decree absolute .. .. .. .. .. 7 Letters of administration .. .. .. . . .. 1 Total .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 13 Native Land Court. Applications for adoption-—Orders granted .: .. .. 2 Niue Island Council. Four meetings of the Niue Island Council were lield during the year, one in each quarter. The following Ordinances were passed : — No. 28, Niue Traders' Hours of Business Amendment Ordinance, 1927 : Amending the closing-hour from 5 p.m. to 4 p.m. No. 29, Niue Permit Ordinance, 1927 : To regulate and control the emigration of Natives from Niue. No. 30, Niue Traffic Regulations Amendment Ordinance, 1927 : To regulate and control the motor traffic on the island. This was found very necessary owing to numerous complaints from the Natives in regard to motorists driving at excessive speed dangerous to public safety.

15

Male. Female. Offence. r 1 1 Total. Convicted, j Acquitted. Convicted. | Acquitted. Cook Islands Act: — Adultery .. .. .. 30 2 26 1 59 Theft .. .. .. .. 20 3 11 .. 34 Disorderly conduct .. .. 15 1 14 .. 30 Assault .. .. .. .. 10 .. 4 .. 14 Wandering animals .. .. 8 .. 5 .. 13 Defamatory libel .. .. .. 1 .. 6 .. 7 Burglary .. .. .. 3 .. .. .. 3 Mischief .. .. .. . . 3 .. .. .. 3 Trespass .. .. .. .. 3 .. .. .. 3 Indecency .. .. .. 2 .. .. .. 2 Contempt of Court .. .. 2 .. .. .. 2 Water-pollution .. .. .. .. .. 2 .. 2 Under Regulations : —- Fruit-packing .. .. .. 5 .. .. .. 5 Under Ordinances : — Suppression of immorality .... 8 1 8 1 18 Failure to cultivate . . .. 10 .. .. .. 10 Public health .. . . . . 2 .. .. .. 2 Totals .. .. 122 7 76 2 207