A—3

A District Nurse to take charge of child welfare work was appointed during the year. A shortage of transport, now overcome, prevented full development of this work for some time. The two Niuean dental cadets previously training in Western Samoa returned to Niue in November, 1945, and commenced work immediately in temporary quarters. Erection of the dental-clinic building was begun as soon as materials came to hand and it is now practically completed. As a result of the offer of a very generous donation towards the cost of an x-ray plant by Mrs. M. Collins, a local resident who was the first European nurse in Niue, the provision of the necessary equipment and a suitable building to house it is now proceeding. Education The Administration maintains three schools, which are under the control of a European Headmaster. Some forty Niuean teachers and assistants are employed. In addition, the London Missionary Society maintains schools in the villages in which there are no Administration schools. A subsidy of £5OO per annum is paid to the society. Roll numbers of Administration and Mission schools at 31st December, 1945, and the previous four years were as follows :

During the year a visit was paid to Niue by a party of education officers, headed by Dr. C. E. Beeby, Director of Education. Administration and Mission schools were inspected and local education matters were discussed. As a result of recommendations made by Dr. Beeby and party, it is now proposed, with the agreement of the Mission, to replace the present nine Mission schools with four strategically placed Administration schools. The change-over is expected to be spread over a short period of years. Judicial Organization The Resident Commissioner of Niue is also Judge of the High Court and Judge of the Native Land Court. Another officer is Commissioner of the Native Land Court. Following is a summary of proceedings for the years 1941-45 :

High Court

Offences for which convictions were recorded during the year were mainly of a minor nature. One Niuean was charged with murder. The case was brought to trial in January, 1946, and a verdict of manslaughter resulted. No sittings of the Native Land Court were held during the year. A proposed increase in the judiciary staff will release an officer for this work.

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— 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Administration schools 656 740 778 686 679 London Missionary Society 363 370 388 427 506 schools Totals 1,019 1,110 1,166 1,113 1,185

— 1941. 1942. 1943. 1944. 1945. Criminal convictions 760 593 539 566 629 Civil judgments 2 0 1 3 Nil Divorces granted 7 9 12 7 8