A.-6

+1, ,t V® uT 7 eI1 J tlrel}r 011 ram for thelr water-supply, and it is very necessary that the reservoirs should be increased considerably. During the year a few additional tanks were erected and others were maintained m good repair. It is proposed during the coming year to concentrate on building more tanks. s By Tramport.-The Administration have five trucks and four cars, besides four trailers. The former were used mainly in connection with the transport of bananas and on road work. Agriculture. I his department has progressed satisfactorily. Since practically 100 per cent, of the population depend on their plantations the importance of this department will be appreciated. During the year in the viflages pea " fowls were lm P ortod - Ther e has been an improvement in the stock There is very little soil available—only a few inches—the subsoil being very pure carbonate of lime, the rest up-heaved coral rock. These factors make it difficult for the Natives to obtain adequate food-supplies, especially as it has been the practice for very many years to burn all rubbish or tTe scSol curriculum 0 * C ° nsider f tha * this sub J ect is 01le of th « most important in the school curriculum, and one morning m each week the boys of Tufukia School receive uracticd agricultural instruction at the Administration plantation. It is hoped that as time »oes on this procedure will have beneficial results. ° High Court and Native Land Court. .AH offences were of a minor nature, indicating that the Niueans are a law-abiding people During the year 898 cases were dealt with. people. Island Council. Villag6 eI6CtS a member t0 the Islalld Comicil t0 assist Resident Commissioner in his ■ , There are iio chiefs m Niue, and the Councillors provide the usual channel of communication between the Resident Commissioner and the people. Legislation. No new laws were passed during the year, as those in existence were found to be adequate. Wireless. One European officer controls this department, assisted by a Niuean boy. Inward Traffic.—Three hundred and twelve messages, containing 5,117 words were receiver! as compared with 329 messages, containing 5,321 words, the previous year. ' Outward Traffic. Three hundred and eighty-three messages, containing 6,228 words, were despatched, as compared with 392 messages, containing 6,746 words, the previous year. lie service has been very satisfactory, the station having been kept in operation without any breakdowns, despite the fact that the plant is not an up-to-date one. Meteorological. Ihe total rainfall for the year was 77-42 in., as compared with 53-70 in. for 1937 Thero been an average fall of 81-15 in. per annum for the past thirty-three years. The average maximum thermometer for the whole year was 85-7, the highest ever recorded Ihe mean average temperature for the whole year was 78-2, also the highest on record. Shipping. i The -?T i ealan , d Government's motor-vessel " Maui Pomare " called each month. This vessel has provided the only regular shipping communication with the outside world Ihe importance of the service to Niue cannot be overestimated. If it were not available, it would bt impossible to ship fruit, and instead of this Island being self-supporting, as it has been over the past few years, it would have required substantial assistance from the Consolidated Fund each year During the year the ship Sonora called and took away copra. Ihe yacht Ngataki " also visited the Island during its cruise. Vital Statistics. The Native population is now 4,276, an increase during the year of 61 There were 152 births and 89 deaths.

Population Table.

5

jsasr.s* i * M ar« "a?- jasa «*«&$». M. F. Total. J M. F. Total. M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total M. F. Total. 2,0j3 2,162 4,215 83 69 152 37 52 89 64 49 113 j 65 50 115 2,098 J2,178 L,276