A.—3a

4

Leeward Islands. —This group, comprising three independent States, named after their respective chief islands, Huahine, Eaiatea, and Borabora, and each with a distinct national flag, continues to draw the most of its foreign supplies from the market of Tahiti, which takes from the Leeward Islands in return, cotton, copra, and other native products. These islands possess very good harbours. The entire population of the group amounts to from 4,500 to 5,000. The following tables are appended to Consul Miller's report:— British Shipping. —The subjoined table gives the total amount of British shipping that arrived in each of the last five years at the port of Papeete:—

British and Foreign Shipping and Coasters. —The following is a summary of the shipping of all countries (British shipping included) that came annually to the port of Papeete during the five years from 1875 to 1879 :—

Authority : George Didsbuey, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBB4.

Years. Number of British Vessels entered. Tons. Crews. Invoice Value of Cargoes. .875 .876 .877 .878 .879 27 16 14 15 15 5,349 3,941 2,472 2,029 1,941 253 151 133 124 148 £ 30,800 28,055 26,020 14,408 18,850

Ships en| Foreis ;aged in the n Trade. Ships ei Coasting T; itsDi nployed in the :ade of Tahiti and jpendenoies. Total of ft of al that enten Merchant Ships [ Nations id in each Year. Years. Vessels entered. Tons. Vessels entered. Tons. Number of Vessels. Tons. .875 .876 .877 .878 .879 169 182 155 129 144 24,838 28,636 22,931 23,140 18,438 131 139 125 106 94 6,175 7,344 5,467 4,126 4,871 300 321 280 235 238 31,013 35,980 28,398 27,266 23,309