A—3

There are no facilities for agricultural research in the Group, though agriculture is taught in schools, and with the appointment of a Crop Development Officer in charge of the new experimental farm it is intended to give intensive and advanced instruction in agriculture. At present, five Maori youths are being brought from the outer islands for training in citrus production. The former experimental farm was abandoned three years ago due to its liability to flooding. While it was in operation demonstrations were given; this work is now carried out at the citrus plots established in each district. A more suitable experimentalfarm site is being acquired and will be the responsibility of the Crop Development Officer. There are seven district packing-sheds situated at suitable points around Rarotonga. These sheds are run by local committees, who also arrange for the discussion of agricultural problems at frequent intervals. There is a Fruit Advisory Committee elected by the growers in the four main centres, and this Committee is in close contact with the latest developments in production and shipping of citrus fruits. There is no veterinary service in the Group. Land Tenure The laws relating to land tenure are contained in the Cook Islands Act, 1915, and its amendments. Practically all land is either Native customary land or Native freehold land as defined in the Act. Alienation of land is prohibited by law, and the land therefore remains in the possession of the family group in perpetuity. Few sections of land are vested in single owners. Section 50 of the Cook Islands Amendment Act, 1946, contains a provision by which security of tenure may be guaranteed to an individual desiring to plant long-term crops. Considerable use is being made of this section of the Act which is in accordance with slowly changing custom. Tenure may be divided into the following five categories : (i) Native Customary : Land held under Maori custom wherein the individual owners or families have not yet been determined. (ii) Native Freehold: Land held as above but where ownership has been determined by the Native Land Court. (iii) Leasehold: Land leased by the owners to individuals—European or Maori. It includes areas leased by the Crown for public purposes either on a short-term lease or lease with perpetual right of renewal. (iv) Crown Land : Land taken by the Crown by Order in Council or transferred by conveyance for public purposes. (v) Land vested in religious bodies. Land held by non-indigenous inhabitants :

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— Area. Total Rarotonga. Outer Islands. (i) Leased by Europeans (ii) Land leased by the Crown (iii) Land owned by the Crown (iv) Land vested in religious bodies A. B. ~P. 1,601 1 21 123 2 33 167 1 17 83 3 19 A. E. P. 1,593 1 30* 202 0 29 978 3 9f 58 2 29 A. K. P. 3,194 4 11 325 3 22 1,146 0 26 142 2 7 1,976 1 10 2,833 0 16 4,809 1 26 ♦Includes the lease of Manuae and Te Au-o-Tu Islands, 528 and 996 acres respectively. f Includes the Islands of Nassau and Suwarrow, 300 and 600 acres respectively. Both these islands are uninhabited.