A—3

The quantity and value of principal exports of agricultural produce for 1949 are included in the trade statistics on page 25 of this report. Prices returned to growers have in all cases been maintained or increased. Copra has sold at contract prices of £4B sterling for 1949 and £4B 10s. for 1950 per ton f.0.b., oranges at 19s. lOd. per case f.0.b., and mandarines at 21s. 9d. per case f.o.b. The prices for tomatoes have varied from 6s. 4d. to 17s. Bd., as compared with 4s. Bd. to 225. 6d. for the previous year. Arrowroot has increased a -|d. per pound to s|d. From January to June, Fancy lemons were priced at 265. 9d., with the second grade, known as Commercial, at 245. 3d. ; during the remaining months of the year the prices were 18s. 3d. and 17s. 9d. respectively. Agricultural Equipment and Research The Department of Agriculture has taken delivery during recent years of a number of tractors, rotary hoes, and power sprayer units which are made available on hire to orchardists and other farmers. Artificial fertilizers are imported under a growers' scheme and distributed throughout the Group. There is no controlled system of plant breeding and selection; however, the purchase of a 44-acre section of land on Rarotonga for the establishment of an experimental farm is under negotiation. Rudimentary agriculture is taught in the schools, and it is anticipated that intensive and advanced instruction will be possible when the experimental farm is operating under the Crop Development Officer. At present six Maoris from the outer islands are training in citrus work at Rarotonga. Live-stock A general stock census is to be carried out in the Group in the coming year. In the absence of more comprehensive figures, the following schedule of stock on Rarotonga is given : Horses : 153 stallions ; 1,074 mares ; 490 geldings ; 156 foals. Cattle : 35 bulls ; 248 cows ; 31 steers ; 62 calves. Goats : 128 males ; 658 does ; 157 kids. Pigs : 211 boars ; 1,056 sows ; 95 barrows ; 1,150 piglets. Forestry In the Lower Group islands the land is covered by secondary growth, coconut palms, and a scattering of larger trees including breadfruit, mango, kapok, and chestnut trees. In the Northern islands the growth is mainly of coconut palms and low scrub. Fisheries Bonito is the only common type of deep-sea fish in the Group. Most islands have sufficient quantities of off-shore fish for domestic requirements, and shell-fish are found on the reef. There is no commercial fishing. Pearl-shell is dived for in the Manihiki and Penrhyn Lagoons, and large quantities have been shipped to the United States of America during the year. Regulations are in force restricting this occupation to Polynesians, defining areas which may be fished, and forbidding the gathering of shell with diving equipment in the' shallower parts of the fishing reserves.

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