A.—3.

Fines amounting to £825 13s. were imposed and £215 ss. collected during the year, as against £719 19s. 6d. imposed and £262 17s. collected for the previous year. The police have exerted themselves in the endeavour to collect fines, but it would appear that the majority of offenders prefer to work out their fines. x. ■ a Crimes and offences involving dishonesty have decreased, the number of theft cases having dropped from 69 to 42 ; but there were 6 cases of burglary, against 4 for last year.^ During the first six months of the year the number of sexual cases increased, there having been 9 Native girls and 4 Native men convicted of offences relating to prostitution ; but for the las six months of the past year there has not been a single case of this kind. Prison. —At the present time there are 12 prisoners in the gaol at Rarotonga. On week-days the prisoners are handed over to the Public Works Department to assist on road-works and various other public activities, where they are employed until 4 p.m. and then returned to the gao . Registration and Licensing of Motor-vehicles.—Seven motor-vehicles, 4 motor-cars, and 3 motorcycles were registered. Thirty-six drivers' licenses were issued. During the annual licensing period ending 31st March, 1937, 96 annual road licenses (46 motortrucks 44 motor-cars, and 6 motor-cycles) were issued, and £186 ss. 2d. m fees collected. Twenty-six annual passenger licenses were issued and £36 2s. 6d. collected in connection therewith. The total amount collected under the provisions of the Motor-vehicles Ordinances m force at Rarotonga for the past year was £238 17s. 8d„ as against £230 16d. Bd. collected during the previous yeaX Owing to the discontinuance of the mail-boat service between Sydney and San Francisco, it is anticipated that there will be a marked decrease in the number of passenger licenses issued this year Registration of Dogs.-During the year ended on 31st March, 1937, 120 dogs were registered at BM Films Censorship.—Ninety-one films were censored during the year, and of these, 2 were rejected as being unsuitable for Native audiences, cuts were made m 3 others, and 1 was passed as being suitable for exhibition to adults only. Films are now exhibited at the Royal Hall, Avarua only, usually two evenings each week. Ihis building is maintained in fairly good order, and ample fire-escapes are provided , Bailiff— As Bailiff of the High Court, 33 civil summonses were served and 4 writs of sale executed. dUrl feeri-The conduct of both the Native and European population has been very good during the past year, but that of some of the visitors (European men) was not all that could be desired. METEOROLOGICAL. The total rainfall at Avarua, Rarotonga, for the year ended 31st March 1937 was 95-49 in. The heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours was 9-63 in. on 10th December, 1936. The previous heaviest rainfall registered was 9-46 in. on 9th November, 1927. „ , The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer m the shade was 88 degrees on the 17th be biuary, 1937, the lowest, 55-5 degrees on the 22nd August, 1936. The mean of the maximum thermometer was 79-68, and the mean of the minimum thermomete 70-16 degrees. . The lowest reading of the barometer was 29-642 m. on 25th February, 1937.

SOUTHERN COOK GROUP. AITUTAKI. Trade. Trade generally has improved somewhat owing chiefly to increased output of fruit this season. The fruit crop during the year has been good, and a total of 22,651 cases was exported Owing to serious lack of rain during the period March to September a considerable amount ot frmt was lost through falling and splitting, the loss being estimated at not less than 7 000 cases. The prospects for the coming season are very bright and it is estimated that the output will be approximately 30,000 cases. . m High Court. —Criminal cases for the year 1936 totalled 200, as against 342 for 1935. lherc were no cases of a serious nature. . , , . T , , . , , Medical and Public Health,.—An influenza epidemic occurred during July and August,l936 ofa gastric-bronchial type, some deaths following on relapses. Otherwise the general health of the people has been satisfactory. i -n u a Seven new cases of leprosy, all males, were discovered. Six of the cases were children between the age of seven and twelve years, the other being an adult aged seventeen years. All were segregated and treated with Moogul oil. Five responded so well to the treatment that they were liberated, but still receive treatment each week. Pulmonary Tuberculosis is still pronounced amongst inhabitants ot all ages. Children affected with yaws have been given injections of Bicreol and N.A.L. The school has received a complete inspection monthly, and all children have improved genera ly. Daily issues as prescribed of cod-liver oil, tonic, cough mixture, and magnesium sulphur have been given. Daily sea-bathing has been carried out under supervision by all school-children to aid with skm-diseases.

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