A—3

Area and Population Area and estimated population of the various islands as at 31st March, 1950, are as follows :

Cook Island labourers absent in Makatea at 31st March, 1950, totalled 309, the number being made up as follows : From Rarotonga .. .. . . .. 114 From Mangaia .. .. .. .. 80 From Mauke . . . . . . . . 52 From Mitiaro .. . . .. .. .. 14 From Atiu .. . . .. .. 49 Total males .. .. .. .. 309 Topography The Lower Group. —With the exception of Manuae, which is a coral atoll, the Lower Group islands are of volcanic origin, having a hilly or mountainous interior surrounded by fertile lowlands. The height of the interior varies up to an elevation of 2,140 ft. All the islands are surrounded by a coral reef. Most have in addition an elevated coral reef—known locally as the makatea—which encircles the islands almost immediately behind the coast-line. The soil of the Lower Group is very fertile and is suitable for the cultivation of the usual tropical and sub-tropical products. The Northern Group.—The islands of the Northern Group are typical coral atolls. The soil of the majority of these islands is poor, being largely coral sand. Coconut palms thrive, but there is some shortage of other food crops.

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Island. Area, in Acres. Mai Nonindigenous. Popul es. Indigenousation. Females, indigenous.| In digenous. Total. Rarotonga 16,500 167 2,798 88 2,631 5,684 Mangaia 17,500 9 948 5 996 1,958 Mauke 4,600 4 362 2 457 825 Mitiaro 2,500 119 134 253 Atiu 6,950 4 673 2 622 1,301 Aitutaki 3,900 11 1,347 9 1,289 1 2,656 Palmerston 1,000 36 36 72 Pukapuka 1,250 4 346 1 342 693 Manihiki 1,250 2 234 ' 248 484 Rakahanga 1,000 1 174 159 334 Penrhyn 4,000 2 382 344 728 Manuae 1,524 1 29 10 40 Takutea 302 Nassau 300 Suwarrow 600 3 3 Totals i 203 ! 7,453 ) 106 I 7,268 15,030 63,176 7,656 1 7,374