21

A.—3

Meteorological. The following table shows the temperature in the shade for the year ending 31st March, 1929, and also the rainfall during that period : —

The total rainfall at Avarua (Rarotonga) for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1929, was 82-17 in., the highest fall recorded for twenty-four hours being 4-00 in., on the 2nd April, 1928. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade at 9 a.m. was 89°, on the 23rd September ; and the lowest was 55°, on the 28th June. For the twelve-months period the mean of the maximum was 81-7°, and the mean of the minimum 68-I°. Daily observations are taken of weather conditions (including barometer, thermometer, wind, clouds, rain, &c.), and a monthly return is forwarded to the Director of the Meteorological Office at Wellington. Full weather reports are sent daily by radio to Apia for the purposes of the scheme of weather reports and storm warnings in the South Pacific Ocean. Research Work. Ethnology. —Under the auspices of the Bernice P. Bishop Museum of Honolulu, Dr. P. H. Buck, the noted New Zealand scientist, who was appointed Anthropologist to the Museum, is at present in the Cook Group continuing the research work in ethnology and anthropology which he commenced in 1926. As the Group offers a wide field for the investigation of the arts, crafts, social organization, customs, history, traditions, language, and physical characteristics of the Maori inhabitants, Dr. Buck proposes to work in both the Lower and Northern Groups until the end of 1929, or later if necessary. Owing to the close affinity of the peoples of the Cook Group and New Zealand, it is fortunate that the work is being carried out by a New-Zealander with expert Maori experience. When the results of Dr. Buck's research are published they should form a valuable addition to New Zealand's knowledge of her island possessions, and provide the scientific detail from this locality that is necessary to the study of the Polynesian people as a whole. Furthermore, it is fortunate that scientific work that concerns us so vitally is being done without expense to the Administration or the New Zealand Government. Botany. —Dr. Gerritt P. Wilder, who is also attached to the Bishop Museum, is at present engaged on botanical research work in Rarotonga and the Group islands. Already in Rarotonga he has discovered fifty species of trees, flowering-shrubs, and plants not recorded in Cheeseman's " Flora of Rarotonga," published over twenty-five years ago. No doubt, however, the majority of these are exotic, and have been introduced since the late Mr. Cheeseman conducted his researches in Rarotonga. The results of Dr. Wilder's researches in the Cook Islands will be published. Zoology.—The Royal Danish research ship " Dana " paid a three-days' visit to Rarotonga last October, and investigations were made regarding fish and eels. The yacht " Illyria," collecting for the Chicago Field Museum of Natural History made a call in March, 1929, for the purpose of studying bird life. Owing to bad weather a landing could not be made at Rarotonga, and the vessel was advised that whilst en route to Fiji our marine birds could be procured at the Island of Suwarrow. Group Islands. Visits made by the Resident Commissioner during last year, and reports from the Resident Agents of these Islands, showed a satisfactory position. There has been no communication with the Northern Group since the close of the year under review. The first schooner to go north after the hurricane season will not leave Rarotonga until about the end of May.

M ,, Mean ' Mean Highest Lowest S „ . , , Maximum. | Minimum. Maximum. Minimum. I am a ' I ! I ° ° ° Inches. April .. .. .. .. 83-5 | 69-3 864 66-5 10-50 May .. .. .. .. 80-6 66-9 83-8 62-0 3-88 June .. .. .. .. : 77-3 62-5 80-0 55-0 ! 147 July .. .. .. .. 754 63-7 80-0 58-0 i 5-81 August .. .. .. 78-0 64-7 82-0 59-0 I 2-66 September .. .. .. 79-5 65-7 89-0 60-0 ; 6-26 October .. .. .. 81-9 65-3 87-0 60-0 1 7-05 November .. .. .. 84-8 67-9 89-0 59-0 [ 3-57 December .. .. .. 85-1 71-2 88-0 64-0 2-60 January . . . . . . 84-2 72-1 88-0 66-0 17-04 February .. . . .. 85-8 74-8 88-0 70-0 9-09 March .. . . . . .. 84-7 73-1 87-0 66-0 12-24 Means and totals .. 81-7 ' 68-1 . . .. 82-17 I I