A.—3.

MEDICAL ATTENDANCE. No. 78. Sik, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd December, 1907. Referring to our conversation before you left Wellington, I have to request you to be good enough to ascertain whether arrangements could be made for periodical visits to Niue by the Medical Officer resident in Tonga. If such an arrangement could be carried out for a reasonable sum, this Government will be prepared to undertake the expense. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. Jambs McGowan.

No. 79. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 30th December, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd instant (No. 274), with reference to arranging periodical visits to Niue by the Medical Officer resident in Tonga. I am writing to the British Consul at Nukualofa by this mail to see if any thing can be done in the matter, and, if so, on what terms. Of course, you will understand that the medical men in the Tongan Group are all officials of the Tongan Government. While it is very gratifying to learn that the New Zealand Government is prepared to undertake the expenditure of a reasonable sum in securing periodical visits of a medical man to Niue, it appears to me that little good would result unless such medical officer could spend a few weeks here on each visit. While the general health of the people of Niue is very good, there are several bad skin-diseases running wild in the villages on the eastern side of the island; therefore, if the visit of a doctor is to be of any use at all, he would require to spend some time here. I think it would be as well to allow the matter to stand over until the regular service is established, as we shall then know whether it will be practicable to obtain the services of one of the Tongan doctors. I have, &c, H. Cornwall, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

Approximate Cont of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,550 copies), £.',C> 17s. Od.

Authority : John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9oB.

•Price, Is. 3d.

62