A—3

their profession. Approximately two teachers are sent to New Zealand each year for six months to take observational courses in primary and Maori schools. This scheme is proving a useful means of stimulating interest in the teaching profession. Roll numbers of Administration and mission schools during the last five years are set out in "the following table :

The approximate number of children of school age (between six years and fourteen years) as at 31st March, 1949, was 1,100. More than 100 children over school age attend the schools as pupils. The rolls of Administration schools for 1948 average attendances, staff numbers, and pupil-teacher ratios are set out below :—-

PART IV—ECONOMIC CONDITIONS A. Natural Resources The natural resources of Niue lie exclusively in tlie products of the soil. The island is well wooded, and supplies of timber for housing and canoemaking are obtained by the people from the indigenous forest which grows luxuriantly on the decayed coral. Material for plaited ware such as mats, baskets, hats, and table-mats is obtained from the coconut-trees and the leaves of the pandanus palm. The coconut is to be found all •over the island, though is grows only sparsely in the interior. The coconut grows to perfection on the lower terrace, where it forms a forest which almost rings the island. Foodstuffs such as taro, yams, tapioca, maize, and other vegetables are cultivated •on plantations, usually situated at a considerable distance away from the villages. The banana, of which there are several varieties, grows almost everywhere, and flourishes even in the rockiest areas of the island. Limes and lemons grow well; no attempt, however, has been made to cultivate the orange extensively, though experimental plantings have been made. Pia, or native arrowroot, is not cultivated, but grows wild in the bush and on semi-barren areas. The extremely rocky nature of the island makes agriculture difficult, and practically all crops have to be grown in the small pockets of soil amongst the coral rocks. The only live-stock that can be kept under these conditions are pigs and poultry, the quality of which the Administration improves from time to time by importing new blood and varieties.

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— 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. 1948. Administration schools 686 679 667 653 701 London Missionary Society427 506 521 454 524 schools Totals 1,113 1,185 7 1,188 1,107 1,225

School. Rolls. Average Attendance. Miuean Teachers (Including Teacher-trainees). 1 Teacher-Pupil Ratio.* Boys. Girls. Total. 1 Men. 1 Women, j I [ Total. Tufukia Kofekofe Tuatea 182 102 94 145 86 92 327 188 186 278-34 157-78 167-64 14 11 12 18 9 6 32 20 18 1 : 10-25 1 : 9-40 1 : 10-33 *The low teacher-pupil ratio is due to the large number of junior Muean teachers under training against the time when the Administration takes over the schools at present being run by the London Missionary Society.