A—3

Table 7—Causes of Admission to the Rarotonga Hospital

Nutrition The Northern and Lower Groups naturally fall into separate nutrition areas. The diet of the former consists largely of fish and coconut and is high in protein content,' while in the latter, where locally grown foodstuffs are considerably augmented by imported flour and tinned meats, the carbohydrate content seems to be predominant. During recent years nutritional surveys have been carried out in the Group and valuable reports submitted. The question of nutrition in the South Pacific area has been taken up also as a project by the Research Council of the South Pacific Commission, from which much advice is expected relating to the scientific approach to healthy and balanced dieting. Visit of Medical Research Team During the year arrangements were made by the Department of Island Territories, in conjunction with the Medical Research Council of New Zealand, for a medical research team from Otago University to carry out a period of research work in the Group during the University vacation. The team, led by Sir Charles Hercus, Dean of the Medical Faculty, Otago University, and including Dr. S. Faine, Mr. J. A. Samuel, and Dr. G. Satchell, began work in mid-December on Rarotonga, where it remained for two months. D. Housing Conditions and Programmes Native materials such as pandanus leaves, coconut palms, and the sticks of the purau tree are widely used in house-building by the Cook Island Maoris. These materials can be attractively combined in a building which is both durable and healthy. European influence is noticeable in much of the Maori housing on Rarotonga, where burnt lime is used for walls and corrugated iron for roofs. The style is often unattractive and has the added disadvantages of interior dampness and darkness. Concrete blocks have been successfully introduced as a building-material, and a new block-making machine is on order. Its arrival will assist in the construction of houses which will be durable, clean in appearance, and inexpensive. ; The Building Ordinance 1948, enacted by the Legislative Council of the Cook Islands, provides for the removal of insanitary premises by Court order. Further local legislation is under consideration to establish minimum building standards in the public interest. With the scarcity of materials and skilled labour, construction of additional houses for Administration staff has been slow. Certain approved European appointments to the Administration : have of necessity been postponed in the absence of suitable accommodation.

14

Percentage of 1 Total Admissions. I Filariasis 88 12-2 Hydrocele 16 2-2 Tuberculosis 36 4-9 Broncho-pneumonia 28 3-8 Hernia • .. . . 10 1-3 Typhoid ; .. 10 1 - 3 188 25-7 Other causes ; . 533 • 74-3 Total; ... 721 100-00