A.—3.

Svtzrr "• * 20 "• - taiit - w " ik - i Titik "*' s ° h »»' * -»*~ for t£lr ProVMed f ° r the landin «-P laCe and bathing-places at Atiu, and a new tank supplied at Mangaia!° 110 * tankS f ° rWarded to Mitiaro ' and a new tank was provided for the radio-station Health sertirnf eSS " Stati ° n Mand ' and als ° a leper concentration hospital (see Pukapuka eIeSS ° ffiCe bUllt at Manihiki ' and mater ials for ā similar office were forwarded to f buildings throughout the entire Group were repaired and renovated as opportunity offered, and additional furniture was made and supplied where required. comp^V f 'oveA7u£i7 The Adrm,l,stratlon vehic,es were ke Pt in. good running order, four being AGRICULTURE. Citrus.—Citrus trees are still recovering from the hurricane experienced during February 1935 +V ta i i m han i d the F rUning ° f tlleil treeS ' removin g dead and cutting new woodS Vt, Ī been done the trees are showing good results in the production of new .voou. Nevertheless as so many of the trees are aged and worn out, it is apparent that they should b Z,™'£££* rouns " ees - Stops « **£•«» The crop prospects this season on Rarotonga itself are light, and it is anticipated that the export ī° m T* ISknd Wlll b6 ?TT ttan laSt 6ar - Re P° rts to lla » d fi'mii the o her isEs indicate that good average crops are likely. o n 16 total export of citrus fruits from the whole Group for the period under review was 75 671 casesa w (con g™B 29 ' 43 * oranges, 604 mandarins, 105 lemons, 3 limes, 18 grape-fruit, and 64 tangerines) from Rarotonga and 45,446 cases of oranges from the outer islands. at 4tiu Ind4°9o0 1 pi P Vm'\ " +T- ller , m^ d l en v °y a g e > approximately 5,100 cases of oranges tt'gTmts s;ts.:r not Bh,pp6d • " tl,ongh !> " oM - d 1 *» In addition, 249 cases of oranges were short-shipped at the Island of Atiu by m.v " Hauraki " loading there m June last. J Bananas. The planting of bananas remains about normal. Better-quality fruit, with a fuller stage of maturity, is being shipped since the advent of refrigerated zmgszxzr*- " d m ™° faT °™ bk —— -^ 10« «XV™ th 6 !>eriod ™ s 49 ' 964 *" from ™™ » f "» Tomatoes — The tomato crop was about normal, many growers, however, neglected givino- full attention to their plantations particularly m the way of spraying to prevent disease attacks. I lie total export of tomatoes for the year was 39,541 boxes. Coconuts.—Coconut plantations generally are thriving well. The total export of coconuts has amounted to a total of 1,003 sacks. In addition a small auantitv of loose nuts was exported through the Parcels Post Branch quantity Copra prices have firmed considerably this year, but there is a general shortage of nuts on Rarotonga and copra-making has not been very extensive. The total quantity of copra exported from the whole Group during the twelve months was 1,184 tons, much below normal. Domestic Crops.—The planting of products for local consumption, such as taro, kumeras, melons, &c., has been normal, and sufficient to supply requirements. Planting Statistics, Rarotonga, for year ending 31st March, 1937,-Citrus, 945 ; bananas, 201,600 • tomatoes, 1,008,000 , pineapples, 4,740 ; taro, 420,650 ; kumeras, 221,800 ; yams, 7,390 ; breadfruit, 153^ Noxious Weeds. During the latter part of the year special attention has been given to the question of clearing noxious weeds, which m some instances are rather prevalent. A thorough inspection has been made, and some 398 warning notices were issued to occupiers of property. Clearing is now well m hand and a follow-up inspection at an early date should find considerable improvement Failing satisfactory work being undertaken it will be necessary to bring delinquents before the Court for not complying with the requirements of the regulations. Rat Menace —Poison baits have been given a good trial in dealing with the rat pest during the past baft touse 8 y results - Red Sc L mll powder appears to be the most satisfactory form of poison

2—-A. 3.

9