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The following table shows the ages and sex of the Native population at the census of 25th September, 1945 : Males. Females. Males. Females. Under 5 years .. . . • ■ 305 287 50 years and under 55 years .. 63 87 5 years and under 10 years . . 317 291 55 „ 60 ~ .. 68 98 10 „ 15 „ . . 299 269 60 „ 65 „ . . 36 51 15 „ 20 „ .. 224 210 65 „ 70 .. 34 62 20 ~ 25 ~ .. 119 160 70 years and over .. .. 44 39 25 „ 30 „ . . 121 133 30 „ 35 „ .. 11l 127 2,041 2,189 35 „ 40 „ .. 113 142 s y- I 40 „ 45 „ ..96 113 Total .. .. 4,230 45 „ 50 „ ..91 120 Religion The former pagan heritage of the people has been completely replaced by the Church of the London Missionary Society. Apart from a small Seventh Day Adventist congregation which participates in the activities of the London Missionary Society, there are no other denominations represented on the island. The Church is of great importance in the lives of the Niueans, being now the sole social organization outside the family. The London Missionary Society has a European missionary stationed on the island, and has long maintained mission schools and chapels which, until the recent prosecution of a more vigorous policy of secular education, provided the island with its educational system. Language, <&c. The Niuean language is a Polynesian dialect peculiar to the island but closely related to Tongan, Samoan, and Cook Island Maori. English is taught in all schools, though Niuean is used at Native functions and in the everyday life of the people. The younger generation tend to be bi-lingual. Niuean customs associated with birth, marriage, and death closely resemble those of other Polynesian groups. Cannibalism was quite unknown, nor was tattooing practised. Speech-making is a great feature of Niue life ; their dancing is graceful, resembling the Samoan style rather than the modern " hula " of Karotonga. The Niueans, especially those living on the western shelf, are expert canoe men. For fishing they use a type of out-rigger canoe which is peculiar to the island. The women are expert weavers of hats, baskets, and similar ware, which, during recent years, have been a valuable item of export. The comparative lack of natural resources requires the Niuean to work hard to extract a living from the land. The islanders are industrious and are of a hospitable and peaceful disposition. They have perhaps a slightly lower cultural standard than other Polynesian groups. The traditional form of government is patriarchal, the ruling heads of families, the " patu," having authority in their own villages. In earlier times the " patu " met in conclave under their appointed King to control affairs relating to the island. The Kingship was restored in 1876, and was retained until the end of the century for the purpose of administering a written code of laws. It lapsed, however, with the introduction of the present administration. D. Goveknment Niue is constitutionally included in the Cook Islands, a British Protectorate annexed to New Zealand in 1901 under the provisions of the Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895 (Imperial). In 1903, Niue, while remaining within the boundaries of New Zealand, was placed under a separate Administration which is directly responsible to the New Zealand Government. The inhabitants of Niue have British nationality and New Zealand citizenship.

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