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Mountains of considerable height in the centre of the island act as natural storage reservoirs for water, and supply ever-flowing streams, which some day, no doubt, will be utilised for irrigation purposes. True, in dry seasons they become subterranean when nearing the shore ; but the supply is always abundant near the head-waters, and at small expense, by means of dams and a system of pipes, could be conveyed to the dry lands with much benefit. The principal commercial products of Earotonga are copra, bananas, pine-apples, oranges, limes, and coffee. Definite data of the quantity of these products annually exported from Earotonga are not available at present; but careful observation and inquiry show that not one-tenth part of the land suitable for the cultivation of the staple products is as yet planted. Since 1898, 300 acres of land have been leased by Europeans, in blocks varying in size from 30 acres to 100 acres; and in some instances have been, in others will be, planted with cocoanuts. The system now adopted by Europeans of planting in definitely laid-out rows, with given distances between the rows and each tree in the rows, is in marked contrast to the want of system in Native plantations, where distances between trees and rows of trees have not been observed. It is no uncommon thing to see cocoanuts, bananas, oranges, and limes growing together in wild confusion, which, though exceedingly picturesque, is far from satisfactory from a commercial aspect. The orange-trees are self-grown seedlings, originally imported from Tahiti. Many of the trees are far past their prime, and have been allowed to grow at their own sweet will, often to a height of 30 ft. or 40 ft. Such trees cannot possibly yield the maximum of profit. Mangaia. This island comprises about thirty square miles. Here the cocoanut, banana, orange, lime, pine-apple, and coffee flourish. Indeed, the coffee was the most healthy of any we saw; though, like everything else, it had never received any attention whatever, and had therefore attained great height, even as much as 15 ft. to 25 ft. This, of course, reduced the crop, and rendered effectual picking impossible. Yet the best coffee in the group is produced here. The soil is largely volcanic, and eminently suited to the orange and other citrus fruits; and there are large areas lying waste. These are covered with very light scrub, which could be cleared at small cost, and the output of the island increased twentyfold in a few years. At the present time large groves of limes exist which have become so interwoven as to render it impossible to gather more than one-tenth of the crop. We suggested to the leading men of the island that wide tracks should at once*be cut through this jungle to allow the fruit to be gathered. Thus the 4,000 gallons of limejuice exported last season might at once, if desired, be raised to 20,000 gallons. Maukb. Four square miles and a half. This is a remarkably fertile little island, which at present, although only a small portion is planted, sends away 100 tons of copra and 3,500 boxes of oranges annually. These might just as easily, could the Natives be induced to work a few more weeks in the year, be increased fourfold respectively from the existing trees. Coffee, oranges, pines, bananas, and vanilla all flourish, while guavas are becoming the common " scrub " of the island. In the centre is a large well-sheltered area, fully a mile long by three-quarters of a mile wide, which would make an ideal orange orchard, while the surrounding country and makatea is but very sparsely utilised for cocoanut and banana. MITIABO. About four square miles. This island exports about 70 tons of copra and 500 boxes of oranges. Both could be considerably increased ; but the island being merely an elevated coral reef, with some good land and also some swamps in the centre, it is not likely to become of any considerable commercial importance for a number of years at least. Bananas are also largely grown, but on account of difficulty of shipping, and vessels not calling at frequent intervals, the product is dried instead of being despatched green. There are a number of other small islands in the Group, which will ere long export considerable quantities of copra, but not much fruit. One island has been leased to the Cook Islands Trading Company, and systematic planting with cocoanut-trees has been almost completed. In ten years' time the output of copra from this Group should be enormous. The importation of Tahiti oranges has practically ceased; but large quantities of fruit reach New Zealand from Huahine, Eaiatea, and other French possessions. Oranges from Mauke, Mitiaro, and Aitutaki are now sold here as Tahitian. This is practically recognised as a guarantee of high quality. Atiu. Area, about thirty-two square miles. Exports about 5 tons of coffee, 118 tons of copra, 4,000 boxes of oranges, and 50 barrels of limejuice annually. Coffee, pine-apples, bananas, and vanilla grow luxuriantly. A considerable area of land on this island well adapted for the cultivation of oranges, limes, and cocoanuts still remains to be planted. Here, as in the case of several of the smaller islands of the Group, the want of more frequent communication with the markets prevents the extended cultivation of the more perishable fruits, such as pine-apples and bananas.