A.—3.

1940. NEW ZEALAND.

COOK ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1939.]

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

REPORT OF THE COOK ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION. (FOR YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1940.) Visits. In July, 1939, Rarotonga and the Lower and Northern Cook Groups were honoured by an official visit from His Excellency Viscount Galway, P.C., G.C.M.G., D.5.0., 0.8. E., Governor-General of New Zealand, accompanied by Her Excellency Lady Galway. _ _ ; The people of the Cook Islands are intensely loyal to the Throne, and this visit of His Majesty s representative, made in such a kindly and helpful spirit, made a deep impression, particularly upon the Native people throughout the whole Group. Finance. Local revenue for the year ended 31st March, 1940, amounted to £24,942 15s. s|d., and expenditure to £53,204 2s. 2-Jd. Of the resulting deficit of £28,261 6s. 9d., £24,000 was met by a grant from the New Zealand Government and the remaining £4,261 6s. 9d. from accumulated cash balances and investments. The year closed with a cash balance of £1,193 12s. 7d. The Revenue Account and Balance-sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1940, are printed on pages 9 and 10, Appendix A. .... The Balance-sheet takes into account the value (after writing oft depreciation amounting to £2,517 10s. 6d.) of all Administration assets as at 31st March, 1940, and all liabilities, and shows an excess of assets amounting to £82,543 18s. Bd. Trade. For the year ended 31st December, 1939, the value of exports was £56,689 and of imports £73,559, showing an excess of imports of £16,870. _ . For the previous year the corresponding figures were : Exports, £73,184 ; imports, £74,789. Details are printed on pages 11 and 12, Appendix B. The export of oranges, owing to a light crop, decreased by 39,250 cases, and tomatoes decreased by 4,582 boxes. Bananas increased by 1,056 cases. The following table illustrates the trend of trade in the Cook Islands from 1925 to date :

Exports.—The following table shows the quantities of main exports over the last seven years

I—A. 3.

Year Imports. Exports. Total. £ £ £ 1925 .. .. 130,609 151,939 282,548 1930 .. .. 103,468 109,438 212,906 1931 .. .. 69,260 79,945 149,205 1932 .. .. 63,585 73,409 136,994 1933 .. .. 76,716 73,983 150,699 1934 .. .. 61,449 59,307 120,756 1935 .. .. 61,676 53,599 115,275 1936 .. .. 72,576 67,556 140,132 1937 .. .. 86,534 86,333 172,867 1938 " .. 74,789 73,184 147,973 1939 .. .. .. 73,559 56,689 130,248

1933. 1934. 1935. 1936. 1937. 1938. 1939. Citrus fruit .. (Cases) 92,752 78,099 48,268 75,390 69,369 94,852 55,058 Bananas 47.494 52,314 22,539 49,431 39,910 45,209 46,265 Tomatoes" .. „ 17,737 34,545 62,383 38,546 34,390 15,442 10,860 CoTra !■ (Tons) M45 963 1,353 689 1,629 908 912

A.—3.

Crop Prospects - For the coming season the prospects in Rarotonga and in the Group Islands are for an exceedingly heavy orange crop. Shipping. Overseas shipping at the Port of Avarua, Rarotonga, for the period under review comprised a total of twenty-three vessels. Legislation. The following legislation was passed in respect of the Group :— The Radio (Cook Islands Amendment) Regulations 1939. The Cook Islands Immigration Regulations 1939. The Dependency Emergency Regulations 1939. The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939. The Dependency Emergency Regulations (No. 2) 1939, Amendment No. 1. The Port of Apia, in Western Samoa, was declared a port of entry for the purposes of the Customs Act, 1913, for the islands of Pukapuka and Nassau. Medical. General Health. —An outbreak of influenza with complications occurred in May, July, and August and during the last quarter. An epidemic of diarrhoea and vomiting occurred in September and accounted for many deaths amongst infants owing to failure to report. Chicken-pox occurred in two cases (Ngatangiia) in July. In September and October in Arorangi it was so widespread that the school was closed. In October it appeared in Avarua. Pratique. Twenty-three vessels from overseas were inspected, and pratique granted save in one instance, where there was influenza aboard. Public Health. —House-to-house inspections by the Chief Medical Officer in June and Julybakeries and privies included—were made, and the general sanitation was found good. Inspections were also made by the District Nurse in the course of her tours. Owing to the outbreak of .smallpox in Tahiti, fresh vaccines were ordered, and prophylactic inoculations of all school-children and teachers and later of all wharf labourers were carried out. Child Welfare. —The voluntary association continues to do good work. The cup was won by Maraerenga for the best work and fewest deaths during the year. The second prize was awarded to Tutakimoa. Schools. The annual inspection of all schools, which started in June, was completed in December. Treatments, other than surgical, followed, and were completed by March, 1940. Four hundred and eighty-five NAB injections for slight tertiary yaws were given. Prophylactic inoculations for smallpox, which had been delayed on account of the outbreaks of influenza and diarrhoea and vomiting, were completed by December. All school-children and teachers were inoculated. Total inoculations given were 1,208. X-ray Department—The X-ray plant (a Caldwell portable) has functioned well. During the year forty-five exposures were taken, which were mostly for diagnostic purposes and for the control of artificial pneumothorax. Extensions. An extension to the out-patient building incidentally provided more room for the laboratory, store-room, and dental clinic. At Atiu a cottage hospital, containing four beds, and a house for the Native Medical Practitioner were built during the year. Laboratory.—One hundred and twenty-one specimens were examined. Hospital— In-patients .. .. .. .. .. _ _ 325 Out-patients .. .. .. .. .. ~ .. 15 491 Treatment— (а) Injections— (1) Anti-tetanic serum .. .. .. ~ _ 29 (2) Bicreol .. .. .. .. .. ' 103 (3) Colloidal calcium .. .. .. . _ _ _ gj (4) Gonococcal vaccine .. .. .. .. 21 (5) Novarsenobinzol .. .. .. .. . _ g4g (6) Staphylococcol vaccine .. 19 (7) Prontosil .. .. .. .. 5 (б) Anaesthetics— (1) General .. .. .. .. _ _ 22 (2) Local .. ~ .. t t (c) Operations— (1) Major .. .. .. .. .. _ 24 (2) Minor .. .. .. .. .. _ 248 (d) Confinements .. .. .. .. 37 (e) Artificial pneumothorax .. .. .. .. 15 (/) X-ray " '' 45 (g) Miscarriages and abortions (conducted) .. .. .. 4 (h) Visits .. .. .. .. 1; 42 0

2

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Vital Statistics.

Of the deaths recorded, fifty were under the age of one year, as compared with fifty-eight for the previous year. Education. Schools. —The following are the schools in the Cook Islands, together with the number of children attending each

The school population of 3,090 shows a decrease of 54 on last year's figures ; attendance has been regular and satisfactory throughout.

3

j Arrivals and De- ' tjwi, 0 rtaofvia for partures for Year end- MarEstimated Population, S ended Year ended ed Blst March, 1940. Estlm ate d Population, 31st March, 1939. 31st March, 31st March, 31st March, 1940. Year 1940. 1940. Arrivals De P arfc - ended Arrivals. ures . 31st 1 — March, I „ 1940 - M. F. Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. Total. Rarotonga .. 2,868 2,563 5,431 98 98 48 45 83 44 69 65 2,932 2,595 5,527 35 Aitutaki . ..986 914 1,900 46 45 23 19 1,009 940 1/949 21 Mangaia .. .. 825 756 1,581 29 25 9 7 845 774 1,619 15 Atiu .. 604 534 1,138 31 22 14 11 621 545 1,166 13 Mauke .. .. 380 331 711 17 15 3 7 394 339 733 13 Mitiaro .. •. 163 133 296 5 4 5 1 163 136 299 .. Penrhyn .. 257 244 501 8 10 3 5 262 249 511 lyiWiiWibi .. 266 282 548 9 4 8 5 267 281 548 1 Rakahanga .. 158 154 312 10 10 3 2 165 162 327 4 Pukapuka .. 354 335 689 10 8 14 7 350 336 686 11 Total .. 6,861 6,246 13,107 263 241 130 109 83 44 69 65 7,008 6,357 13,365 113

T , , „ , , Roll Island. School. Number. (a) Government Schools. Rarotonga .. .. .. Avarua (including European 387 Side School) Arorangi .. .. 228 Ngatangiia .. .. 201 Titikaveka .. .. 191 Aitutaki .. ■ ■ Araura .. .. .. 474 Atiu .. ■ • • ■ Atiu .. .. .. 227 Mangaia .. .. .. Oneroa .. .. .. 225 Ivirua .. .. .. 106 Tamarua .. .. 68 Mauke .. .. •• Mauke .. .. .. 116 Pukapuka .. .. •• Pukapuka .. .. 156 2,379 (b) London Missionary Society Schools. Mitiaro .. .. • ■ Mitiaro .. .. .. 58 Manihiki .. • • • • Tukao .. .. .. 21 Tauhunu .. .. 53 Rakahanga .. .. •• Rakahanga .. .. 62 Penrhyn .. • > • • Omoka .. .. •. 53 Tetautua .. .. 68 Palmerston .. .. •• Palmerston .. .. 34 349 (c) Roman Catholic Mission Schools. Rarotonga .. .. .. St. Joseph's Convent .. 159 Atiu .. • • • • Atiu Catholic .. .. 48 Mauke .. • • • • Mauke Catholic .. .. 70 Mitiaro .. • • • • Mitiaro Catholic .. .. 25 Manihiki .. .. • • Tukao Catholic .. .. 19 Tauhunu Catholic .. 13 Rakahanga .. .. • • Rakahanga Catholic .. 28 362 Total .. .. 3,090

A.—3.

Staff. —Staff in Administration schools numbers one hundred, comprised of an Education Officer, an Organizing Infant-mistress, six European Head Teachers (two of whom are Resident Agents, whose educational work is confined to general supervision 011 their particular islands), two European Assistants, one of whom has charge of the small number of European children on Rarotonga, five Native Head Teachers, twenty-four Native Assistants, fifty-six Native Student Teachers, and five Native Monitors. Training of Native Teachers. —Classes for Native teachers to improve academic qualifications and teaching methods have been held regularly throughout the year, and a general improvement has been shown, although the majority are a long way below the standard aimed at. Forty-nine Native teachers attended a refresher course held at Avarua, Rarotonga, from 30th October to 10th November. Problems arising from Native staffing are still troublesome, and the real solution lies in the establishment of a training-school to serve the needs of the Group. Plans for a school of this type are well advanced, and it is hoped that it will be functioning within the next two years. Buildings and Equipment.—Rarotonga: The two Native-built class-rooms at Titikaveka have been reroofed, and a Native-built handwork-room has been erected by the teachers and pupils. Mangaia : At Oneroa the floor of the main room has been put down in concrete and two partitions erected, making the building much more suitable. The floor of the Native-built class-room has also been concreted and the raw roof rethatched. At Tamarua floors and walls of both class-rooms have been rebuilt, using native lime, by the people of the village. Permanent roofs are needed to make this building satisfactory. Atiu : The people of Atiu have built walls of native lime round two class-rooms. Permanent roofs are also necessary here. Aitutaki: At Araura School the floors of two class-rooms and the Headmaster's office were concreted. Health. —Health on the whole has been good. Mild epidemics of influenza caused a general closing at Rarotonga for ten days and at Aitutaki for two weeks. On the outbreak of chicken-pox at Arorangi, the Chief Medical Officer closed that school for three weeks. All children attending the five schools on Rarotonga were examined and the results recorded on individual health cards. Dental. —The recently appointed Dental Officer completed a survey of the teeth of the children of the five Rarotongan schools and the eight schools on the other islands of the Lower Group. Public Works. Roads. —the main road has been kept in good repair. Tapere (subsidiary) roads have been maintained by the districts concerned, with the assistance of the Administration. Bridges and Culverts. —Five wooden bridges on the main road and one bridge on the Avatiu tapere road have been repaired during the year. Five new concrete culverts were built on tapere roads. Water-supply.—All supply systems to the various villages have been kept in good order during the year. All five intakes have been supplied with new water-strainers. Buildings. —All Government buildings have been kept in a good state of repair and repainted where necessary. Extensions to the engine-room at the wireless-station were made. Transport.—All administration vehicles have been kept in good running-order. Agriculture. Citrus. —Practically no pruning was carried out during the last pruning season, except in the districts of Muri and Arorangi, in Rarotonga. There is 110 doubt that pruning is very beneficial to the old fruit-trees, and it appears that most growers are of the same opinion, though the majority of them do not take active part in the work. A system of gassing and pooling of oranges was instituted at the beginning of the season, which resulted in the fruit from Rarotonga arriving in New Zealand in a more satisfactory condition than in former years. Bananas. —The system of wharf inspection is still in operation and is responsible for the great improvement in the condition of the bananas on arrival in New Zealand. Although plantings have not been made with as much energy as was anticipated, they are on the increase. Tomatoes. —Large quantities of tomatoes were planted during the year, but, due to excessively heavy rains, most were lost. Many growers planted as often as four and five times without harvesting a single case. Nursery-work and Experimental Farm.—The work at the Takuvaine Orange Nursery has progressed on satisfactory lines during the past year. The work on the Experimental Farm has been cut down to a minimum, though the permanent plants growing there have been kept in a good state of cultivation. Citrus-replanting Scheme. —During the year a citrus-replanting scheme was put into operation. Domestic Crops. —The planting of domestic crops appears to be sufficient for the requirements of the population. Outer Islands. —The Outer Islands were visited, and demonstrations given in methods of pruning.

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High Court. Criminal Jurisdiction. —During the year under review 1,356 cases were dealt with on the criminal side. This represents an increase of 105 cases over the previous year's total; 77 of these were cases of animal trespass. Outer Islands. —Returns of Court work in the various islands of the Group are received as communication permits, and the work appears to be kept well up to date. No serious offences have been reported. During the year the Chief Judge visited the Northern Group once and the Lower Group on three occasions, and during those visits he dealt with all cases which were outside the jurisdiction of the Commissioner of the Court. Native Land Court. The past year has seen considerable activity in Native Land Court work. The Chief Judge held several sittings at Rarotonga to determine the succession to the Ariki title of Makea Nui ; decision was given, but later leave to appeal to the Supreme Court of New Zealand was granted. Following the arrival of Judge McCarthy at Rarotonga, a sitting of the Court was commenced on the 29th May, 1939, and continued until the 15th June. During that time ninety-nine applications were dealt with, of which twenty-two were dismissed and-seventy-seven ordered. In addition to these, several applications were partly heard and adjourned for further evidence. A short sitting of the Court was held before the Chief Judge on the 22nd November, when ten cases were dealt with. Judge McCarthy proceeded to Aitutaki, where between the 26th June, 1939, and the 31st March, 1940, the Court sat on 148 days. Post Office. The usual services have been maintained at all post-offices throughout the Group. Post Office Savings-bank. —Deposits totalled £17,794 16s. lOd. and withdrawals £16,270 16s. 10d., leaving an excess of deposits over withdrawals of £1,524. Inward transfers amounted to £5,410 12s. sd. and outward to £6,208 15s. 2d. ; interest credited to depositors was £848 6s. The amount at credit of depositors in 2,010 accounts was £30,981 15s. Id. at the 31st March ; compared with last year's figures, there has been an increase of 119 in the number of accounts and of £2,372 6s. in the amount at credit. Postal Notes.—Number of notes, issued, 1,474; value of notes issued, £613 16s. 7d. Money-orders.—lssued : Number, 1,886 ; value, £36,237 3s. 2d. Paid : Number, 289 ; value, £3,350 Is. 9d. Telephone Service.-—The telephone system continues to give satisfactory service ; during the year all telephone lines, instruments, and fittings were tested for faults, and several defective instruments were replaced. Cook Islands Postage and Revenue Stamps.—Revenue from the sale of stamps at Rarotonga and Group offices for postage purposes dropped to £658 18s. 9d. Wireless. Rarotonga Radio.—The parent station communicates direct with all seven substations of the Lower and Northern Groups and, in addition, maintains regular schedules with the wireless-stations at Apia, Suva, Papeete, and Wellington. Paid radio telegrams numbering 5,573 and totalling 121,894 words were handled during the year by Rarotonga-Radio, and receipts amounted to £1,655. The total revenue from radio messages for all stations was approximately £2,413. Police. The following table gives the strength of the Cook Islands police as at 31st March, 1940:—

5

Island. Chief Officer.' Sergeants. Constables. Total. Rarotonga . . . . 1* 2 7 10 Aitutaki .. .. .. 1 6 7 Atiu .. .. 1 4 5 Mitiaro .. .. .. .. 1 2 3 Mauke .. .. .. .. .. 1 3 4 Mangaia .. .. .. .. .. 6 6 Penrhyn .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Pukapuka .. .. .. .. .. 3 3 Manihiki and Rakahanga .... 1 5 6 1 7 39 47 * European.

A.—3.

The number of prosecutions in the High Court as a result of police activities during the year was 1,356, an increase of 105 cases compared with last year. Fines amounting to £1,024 9s. 3d. were imposed, of which £202 4s. 9d. was collected, compared with £863 imposed and £182 9s. 6d. collected during the previous year. Unpaid fines are required to be worked out on public works. During the year 121 dogs were registered and fees totalling £60 10s. were collected. Many unregistered and stray dogs were destroyed by the police. Thirty-six owners were prosecuted for failing to register their dogs. Fees amounting to £221 16s. lOd. were collected under the Motor-vehicle Regulations, compared with £206 lis. Bd. for the previous year. Ninety-seven cinematograph films, totalling 498,484 ft., were submitted for censoring during the year. Of these, four were rejected as unsuitable for exhibition within the Cook Islands, and cuts were made in others. The Chief Officer of Police, as Bailiff of the High Court, served thirty-one civil summonses during the year. Meteorological. The total rainfall at the Radio-station, Rarotonga, for the year ended 31st March, 1940, was 108-61 in. The heaviest rainfall in twenty-four hours was 7'2oin. on the 19th March. The previous heaviest rainfall registered was 9-63 in. on the 10th December, 1936. The highest reading of the Fahrenheit thermometer in the shade was 88 degrees on the 14th January and 6th February. The lowest reading was 57 degrees on the 12th July. The mean of the maximum thermometer for the year was 80-97 degrees and the mean of the minimum thermometer 70-32 degrees. The lowest reading of the barometer was 29-751 on the 10th February and the 20th March, 1940.

LOWER COOK ISLANDS. Aitutaki. Trade and Shipping.—There were nine shipping calls during the year. The orange crop was poor, and only 7,750 cases were exported. High Court. —Criminal cases for the year totalled 239, and none was of a serious nature. There were no civil cases. Health. —The general health of the people has been satisfactory. There was a mild influenza epidemic in July with no serious cases. The Chief Medical Officer visited the Island in April and July and the Assistant Medical Officer paid a visit in June. Schools have been visited regularly and all children inspected. Public Works. —Roads and all Government property have been kept in good order and condition. Three 5,000 gallon tanks and one of 1,600 gallons capacity were erected during the past year, and repairs to various catchments were also effected. Part of the Vaimaru Spring was concreted. Education. —The school roll at 31st March was 474. Attendance and work for the year have been good. Planting of Lands. —Planting of lands has been heavy and ample foodstuffs are available. Atiu. Trade and Shipping.—There were eleven shipping calls during the year. A total of 17,114 cases of oranges was exported for the season. Owing to the low price offering, no copra was made. High Court. —Court has been held at regular intervals, and 171 cases, none of a serious nature, were heard. Health. —The general health of the people has been good. Visits from the Chief Medical Officer and Assistant Medical Officer were received on three occasions during the period. The Native Nurse, trained in Rarotonga, is doing good work, particularly in the child-welfare movement. Public Works. —Constant work on the main road and subsidiary roads to the fruit-lands has been carried on. A new cottage hospital and house for the Native Medical Practitioner have been erected in the main settlement of Teenui. The water-supply has received considerable attention, and tanks have been maintained in good condition. Education.—Attendance at the school, which is under the guidance of a Native Head Teacher, has been good. The people rethatched two schoolrooms and also commenced work on two new class-rooms. Planting.—Planting during the year has been very satisfactory. All Native foods are planted in profusion and are carefully cultivated.

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Mauke. Trade and Shipping. —There were ten shipping calls at Mauke during the year. Only 7,834 cases of oranges were exported, and the year was a poor one for the people. High Court.— One hundred criminal cases were heard, but none was of a serious nature. Health. —The general health of the people has been good and there have been no epidemics. Good work has been performed by the Native Nurse. Public Works. —Roads have been kept in good order, and the road to Angataura has been regraded and remetalled. A new case-shed has been built at the village of Kimiangatau near the main landing. Government property has been kept in good repair. Education.—Attendance and work under the Native Head Teacher have been satisfactory. The roof of a class-room at the Government school has been rethatched, and work on a new classroom was commenced by the people during the hurricane season. Planting.—Planting of Native foodstuffs has been carried out steadily and there are ample supplies available. Mitiaro. Considerable crops have been planted and there is no risk of any shortage in the food-supply. There is an ample supply of water at present, and repairs to tanks were made last year. The general health of the people during the past twelve months has been good. Mangaia. Trade and Shipping.—There were ten shipping calls during the period under review. Exports for the year were 17,632 cases of oranges, 229 cases of bananas, 1,595 boxes of tomatoes, and 9,248 lb. of coffee. High Court.—There were 855 criminal cases but no serious crime. Health. —There were no epidemics during the year and the health of the people has been good. Since May a Native Medical Practitioner has been stationed at this Island and has done excellent work. Public Works.—All roads and Government buildings have been kept in good repair. Two 800 gallon concrete tanks were erected. A new house for the Native Medical Practitioner was erected. School buildings at Oneroa have been repaired. A concrete floor was put down to replace the old wooden one, and the Native building has been completely reroofcd. The school building at Tamarua has been enlarged, and cement walls have been built to replace the reed walls. Education. —The attendance of pupils has been good. Planting of Lands.—Planting of foodstuffs has been maintained and there are ample supplies of Native foods. NORTHERN COOK ISLANDS. Penrhyn. Trade and Shipping.—There were five schooner calls during the year and three overseas yachts paid visits. The year has been a poor one for the people; only 40 tons of copra, 9 tons of pearl shell, and £400 worth of pipi pearls were exported. High Court.—There were 138 criminal cases during the year, none of which was of a serious nature. One civil case was heard. Health.—The health of the Island has been quite good and there have been no serious epidemics during the past year. The Assistant Medical Officer visited the Island in September. Public Works.—All Government buildings have been kept in good order. Work on the new Courthouse at Omoka has progressed slowly and it is expected to be completed next year. The school has been repaired and a new cement floor has been laid. The water-supply has been kept in good order. Education. —Attendance and work at the two London Missionary Society's subsidized schools have been good. Planting. —Planting of land has been carried out systematically. The Island should be well supplied with coconuts during the coming year. Manihiki. Trade and Shipping.—There were six schooner calls during the year and two yachts also paid visits. During the year 141 tons of copra and 10 tons of pearl shell were shipped. High Court. There were 148 criminal cases, none being of a serious nature. One civil case was heard. Health.—There were no epidemics during the year and the health of the people has been good. Frequent inspections of the villages have been carried out, and houses have been periodically cleaned and disinfected. The Assistant Medical Officer visited the Island in September and again in November.

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Public Works. —Throughout the year the water-supply and roads have been kept in good order and repair. A 10,000 gallon water-tank was built at Tauhunu and a 5,000 gallon tank at Tukao. Wells were also repaired. The old 5,000 gallon tank at Tukao was cleaned and recemented inside. Education. —At the London Missionary Society's subsidized schools and the Roman Catholic schools work and 'attendance were satisfactory. Planting. —Considerable attention was paid to the care and planting of coconut lands. Breadfruit and bananas have also been planted. The Department of Agriculture in Rarotonga has kept the Island well supplied with plants of kumera, taro, arrowroot, and other island foodstuffs. Rakahanga. Trade and Shipping. —There were six schooner calls during the year. Of the 160 tons of copra shipped, 70 tons were on hand from 1938, which leaves the production for the year at only 90 tons. High Court. —One hundred and three criminal cases were heard and there was none of a serious nature. There were no civil cases. Health. —The general health of the people has been good and there were no epidemics during the year. Frequent inspections of the village were carried out, and houses were cleaned and disinfected regularly. The Assistant Medical Officer visited the Island in September and again in November. Watersupply was inspected, and arrangements were made for the installation of fly-proof latrines, eighteen of which have been supplied. Public Works. —Roads were kept in good repair and the water-supply in good order. Education.—The attendance and work at both the London Missionary Society's subsidized school and the Roman Catholic school were satisfactory. Planting. —A good supply of plants was received from the Agriculture Department in Rarotonga, and attention has been paid to the care and planting of lands. Pukapuka. Owing to lack of communication, this report is for the twelve months ended 30th September, 1939. There have been four schooner calls during the past twelve months, and 129 tons of copra were exported. High Court. —Eighty-two cases, involving only minor offences, were dealt with, and 74 convictions were recorded. Health. —The general health of the Island has been satisfactory. The Chief Medical Officer paid a visit in October, 1938. Education. —The roll number at the end of the year totalled eighty-six boys and seventy girls. Pupils have attended regularly and satisfactory progress has been made. Planting. —Owing to drought many taro beds have died out, but they are in readiness to be planted as soon as there is sufficient rain. Breadfruit-trees are growing well, and there is no shortage of foodstuffs. Palmerston. The London Missionary Society (subsidized by the Government) maintains a school on the Island. A large concrete tank, erected by the Administration, provides an adequate water-supply. Communication with this Island is most infrequent as there are no exports. According to advices received in 1939, the general health of the inhabitants was good and there was no shortage of the Native foods grown there.

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APPENDICES.

APPENDIX A. COOK ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION. Revenue Account toe the Year ended 31st March, 1940. Expenditure. £ s d Bmmmt. Administrative .. .. 7,775 9 11* Agriculture .. .. 1 271 18 li * *' ± Agriculture 2,290 11 3 Education .. .. ' 215 6 0 Educatacn 8,993 8 5 Health .. . ' 92 ? ea 3 th 10,069 6 0 Justice .. .. !! 774 0 us ice .. .. .. 3,215 9 7 Police and prisons .. .. 295 11 10 Prfiee and prisons .. .. 503 311 Post-office and telephones .. 1,777 1 Post-office and telephones .. 1,972 6 7 Public works .. . 119 12 7 Public works .. .. 4,937 410 Treasury and Customs .. !18 708 8 6 Treasury and Customs .. .. 5,937 1 2 Wireless .. 2 396 3 2 Wireless .. .. .2 476 19 R " oyo a z _____ aq i-i i * * ~ # # _ 25,651 3 6i IWrtta. , to. f - 2 ;-SIS 1! A Xr^CS," d, ~ MD,b ' , . E ~" ,to , 0 A M „„nt .. :: :: i;gS.f £52,218 18 £52,218 18 10£

2—A. 3.

9

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APPENDIX A—continued. COOK ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION—ccmtinued. Balance-sheet as at 31st March, 1940. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Accumulated funds .. .. 84,026 15 7 Land .. .. .. .. .. 9,913 5 0 Less excess expenditure over Buildings .. .. .. 45,394 0 9 revenue .. .. .. 1,482 16 11 Additions .. .. .. 1,414 4 5 82,543 18 8 Sundry creditors, ordinary .. . 862 13 8 46,808 5 2 Sundry deposits held in Treasury .. .. 2,234 0 0 Less depreciation .. .. 1,169 110 45,639 3 4 Waterworks, Rarotonga .. .. 5,348 16 3 Less depreciation .. .. 222 17 4 5,125 18 11 I Waterworks, Outer Islands . . 1,588 13 6 Additions .. .. .. 412 2 1 2,000 15 7 Less depreciation .. .. 44 17 4 1,955 18 3 Telephone system .. .. 517 13 3 Less depreciation .. . . 25 17 8 491 15 7 Plant and tools .. .. .. 4,908 5 0 Additions .. .. .. 348 15 0 5,257 0 0 Less depreciation .. . . 381 3 10 4,875 16 2 Office furniture and fittings .. 790 14 7 Additions .. .. 117 4 3 907 18 10 Less depreciation .. . . 39 10 7 868 8 3 Furniture, household . . .. 3,505 1 7 Additions .. .. .. 277 15 2 3,782 16 9 Less depreciation .. .. 273 5 11 3,509 10 10 Boats .. .. .. 746 19 2 Additions .. .. .. 242 1 4 989 0 6 Less depreciation .. .. 73 2 7 915 17 11 j Motor-vehicles .. .. .. 1,392 18 4 Additions .. .. .. 270 0 0 1,662 18 4 Less depreciation .. .. 287 13 5 1,375 4 11 j Stocks on hand .. .. .. .. 3,999 17 5 \ Investments — Post Office Savingsbank : Deposits Account .. . . 1,725 15 2 | Sundry Debtors, ordinary .. .. 4,054 3 4 Less reserve for bad and doubtful debts .. .. .. 703 13 1 3,350 10 3 Sundry advances .. .. .. 191 12 II j Cash and bank balances— Cash in hands of Resident Agents 607 0 0 Cash in hand, Rarotonga .. 448 5 3 Reserve Bank of New Zealand— Cook Islands Administration Account .. .. .. 639 11 11 Cook Islands Treasury Account 7 0 3 1,701 17 5 £85,640 12 4 £85,640 12 4

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APPENDIX B. COOK ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION. Return of Imports for the Year ended 31st December, 1939.

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Article. j Value. j| Article. ' Value. . t * £ £ Agricultural produce .. .. 739 Oil,kerosene,&c. .. .. 2,303 Arms, &o. .. .. .. 32 Oil n.e.i. .. .. .. '689 Bags and sacks .. .. 815 Paints .. .. .. 917 Boots and shoes .. .. 660 Paper, wrapping.. .. .. 909 Building-material n.e.i. .. . . 208 ProvisionsCement .. .. 672 Biscuits .. .. .. 814 Confectionery .. .. .. 732 Butter .. .. . i 1,552 Cordage .. .. .. 754 Fish, preserved .. .. 582 Drapery — Flour .. .. .. 2,919 Apparel .. .. .. 1,477 Meat, preserved .. .. 6,652 Articles of textile . . .. 883 Meat, salted .. .. .. 188 Cotton piece-goods .. .. 3,305 Meat, frozen .. .. .. 483 Silk • • • ■ • • 1,335 Milk, preserved .. .. 567 Drapery n.e.i. .. .. 1,460 Provisions n.e.i. .. .. 2,836 Drugs .. .. .. 1,617 Rice .. .. .. 738 Earthenware, glassware, and lamp- Sugar .. .. 2 905 ware • ■ • • • • 685 Tea, coffee, and cocoa .. .. 388 Fancy goods .. .. .. 410 Soap .. .. .. 1,561 Fertilizer .. .. .. 617 Stationery .. .. .. 1,408 Hardware .. .. .. 2,203 Timber, sawn .. .. 1 775 Iron, corrugated .. .. 170 Timber, shooks .. .. .. 11,814 Iron, galvanized .. .. 432 Tobacco .. .. .. 3,420 Machinery n.e.i. .. .. 394 Tools .. .. .. ' 394. Machinery, electric .. . . 966 Woodenware .. .. .. 206 Matches .. .. .. 286 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 2,525 Medicinal liquor . . . . 775 Motor vehicles and bicycles .. 2,609 Total .. .. £73 559 Nails ...... 778 • ■ • _ ' Summary. £ £ New Zealand .. .. .. 56,334 China .. .. .. 31 United Kingdom .. .. 5,597 France .. .. .. 28 Australia . . . . . . 4,014 India . . .. . . 28 United States of America .. 4,011 Western Samoa .. .. 25 Japan .. .. .. 1,776 Java .. .. .. 23 Canada . . .. .. 515 Switzerland . . . . . . 15 Norway . . .. . 242 Denmark . . . . . . 12 Russia .. . . 176 Holland . . . . . . 7 Tahiti .. .. ,. 165 Czechoslovakia .. .. .. 6 Hong Kong .. .. .. 161 Jamaica .. .. . 2 Fiji 158 Arabia . . . . . . 1 Germany .. . . . . 84 Ethiopia .. .. .. 1 Dutch East Indies .. .. 64 Belgium . . . . .. 50 Total . . . . £73,559 Burma . . .. .. 33 -—

A.—3.

Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1939.

Summary. £ New Zealand .. .. •• •• 50,697 United States of America .. .. .. • ■ • • 4,690 United Kingdom .. .. .. • • - • • • 1 > 293 Western Samoa .. .. • • • ■ • ■ • • • 9 Total .. .. £56,689

Approximate Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing( 500 copies), £18.

By Authority : E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington.—l94o.

Price 6d.'\

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Article. ! Exported to Quantity. j Value. £ Oranges .. •. • • New Zealand .. .. 54:,568 cases .. 24,54:3 Western Samoa .. .. 19 cases .. 9 Bananas .. .. •• New Zealand .. .. 46,265 cases .. 19,716 - . Tomatoes .. .. • • New Zealand . . .. 10,860 boxes .. 4,019 Orange-juice .. .. • ■ New Zealand .. .. 6,972 gallons .. 1,307 Coconuts . - - - • • New Zealand .. .. 1,237 sacks .. 464 Lemons .. .. • ■ New Zealand .. .. 229 cases .. 189 Mandarins .. .. • New Zealand . . .. 148 cases .. 151 Grapefruit . . .. • - New Zealand . . .. 94 cases .. 61 Cucumbers .. .. ■ • New Zealand .. .. 390 boxes .. 52 Pineapples .. .. ■ ■ New Zealand .. .. 169 cases .. 43 Mixed fruit .. .. • - New Zealand .. .. 128 cases .. 32 Kumeras .. .. .. New Zealand .. .. 79 gunnies 26 Beans .. .. . ■ New Zealand .. .. 146 boxes .. 20 Tangerines .. . . ■ ■ New Zealand .. .. 6 cases .. 3 5 Taro .. . • ■ ■ | New Zealand .. .. 7 cases .. 2 Avocado pears .. .. New Zealand .. .. 9 cases .. 1 Tons. cwt. qr. lb. Arrowroot .. •. . ■ New Zealand .. .. 1 3 3 10 45 Coffee-beans . . . . ; New Zealand .. .. 0 2 0 0 9 Orange-peel .. .. • • | New Zealand .. .. 0 6 0 0 7 Chilli peppers .. .. New Zealand .. .. 0 117 6 Copra . . . • - New Zealand .. .. 0 3 0 0 1 ! United Kingdom .. 242 0 0 0 1,293 United States of America .. 670 0 0 0 4,690 Total .. .. £56,689