A.—3,

14

During the Resident Commissioner's visit to Rakahanga he unveiled the Soldiers' Roll of Honour, The loyalty of the people in these far away islands was demonstrated by the fact that every resident of the island was present at the function, when speeches were delivered by the Resident Commissioner, by Dr. P. H. Buck (Te Rangi Hiroa), and Mr. Henry Williams, Resident Agent. Schools. —At the subsidized London Missionary Society's schools (two at Manihiki and one at Rakahanga) attendances were well maintained and good work done. All schools are now well equipped with desks, cupboards, blackboards, and other requisites, and plentiful stocks of ordinary school supplies are in hand. General. —There have been no severe storms during the year. The lagoon at Manihiki, according to regulations, has been closed since last December, so there has been no shell diving and very little pipi-pearl diving since then, which has enabled the people to give attention to improving their lands. The H.M.S. " Veronica " arrived at Manihiki 011 the 7th July, 1929, and left on the Bth. The Commander and some of the officers came on shore and unveiled the Soldiers' Roll of Honour at Manihiki. They also gave a searchlight display, which entertained the people very much. The ship's doctor very kindly attended to a number of sick people. The vessel also visited Rakahanga on the Bth July. Penrhyn. The following are extracts from the report of the Resident Agent at Penrhyn for the year ended 31st December, 1929 : — Trade and Shipping.—The auxiliary schooner " Tiare Taporo " made six calls at the islands during the year, and the auxiliary schooner " Tagua " two calls. Copra shipped for the year amounted to 126 tons. The island could produce a great deal more copra, but for some years the people have been devoting most of their time to diving for pipi-pearls and mother-of-pearl shell. The pipi-pearl industry has been declining considerably for some time on account of the poor prices obtainable in London and on the Continent. Supplies of pearls from other fisheries throughout the world, and also the competition from culture pearls, have decreased the demand for the pipi variety of pearl. The lagoon abounds in mother-of-pearl shell, but for a number of years prices have not been payable, hence the small amount of diving. In order to encourage the industry the Administration has thrown both lagoon reserves open for both machine and naked diving continuously until 1932. Previously the two Penrhyn reserves and the reserve at Manihiki were worked for yearly intervals in rotation. The pearlshell output for the year was 14,271 lb. Health.—Health conditions have been quite good during the year. The Chief Medical Officer paid visits to the island in January and September-October, when three new cases of leprosy were discovered. These have been securely isolated, and will await an opportunity to be transferred to Makogai, Fiji. High Court. —There were only thirty-five cases, all of a trivial nature, for hearing this year. Police Department. —Police officers have carried out their duties satisfactorily. Island Council. —Several meetings of the Council were held, particularly during the visit of the Resident Commissioner, when various matters were discussed. Visit of Resident Commissioner and Land Court. —The Resident Commissioner and the Registrar of Courts visited the island at the end of June. A Land Court sitting lasting a week was held, when a large number of genealogies dating from ancient times were recorded. Dr. P. H. Buck visited the island at the same time, on behalf of the Bishop Museum. Water-supply. —The 5,000-gallon concrete tanks have been put in order, and there has been a plentiful supply of water. Schools.—The schools at Omoka and Tetautua did satisfactory work during the year. General.—The Soldiers' Roll of Honour was unveiled by Dr. P. H. Buck in July in the presence of a large attendance of residents. H.M.S. " Veronica " paid a visit to Penrhyn from the 9th to the 13th July. Pukapuka. The following are extracts from the report of the Resident Agent at Pukapuka, for the year ended 31st December, 1929 :— Health. —The health of the people in general has been very good all through the year. Many treatments have been given for yaws and hookworm, and these diseases have now nearly disappeared. Coughs and fevers have not been so troublesome this year. As there was 110 schooner from Rarotonga, no doctor visited the island this year. Lack of communication from Rarotonga for the past two years has been very inconvenient. The only communication being by schooner from Samoa. Trade. —During the year the auxiliary schooner " Choiseul " paid eight visits to the island. There were 62 tons of copra exported, whilst imports of goods totalled £1,337 4s. lid. A further 62 tons of copra await shipment. Vital Statistics. —There were 31 births, 11 deaths, and 4 marriages (all of Natives) for the year. Planting of Lands.—The three islands comprising Pukapuka are now fully planted, and the inhabitants have sufficient food crops. Roads. —All landowners helped in the maintenance of roads, which are in good order.