A.-S

36

ELECTION OF NATIVE ASSESSORS. No. 34. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 10th March, 1910. I have the honour to inform you that Rimataei has been elected a Native Assessor for the Ivirua Settlement, of the Island of Mangaia, vice Puroku, deceased. This election has been duly gazetted in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge!, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 35. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 11th April, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th March last, stating that Rimataei has been elected a Native Assessor for the Ivirua Settlement, of the Island of Mangaia, vice Puroku, deceased. I have, &c, Ihe Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

NIUE ISLAND. REPORT OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER. No. 36. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 15th April, 1910. I have the honour to forward herewith my report for the year ended 31st March, 1910, together with the following enclosures: Statement of Revenue; Statement of Expenditure; Statement of Liquor Account; Return of Imports for the Year 1909; Return of Exports for the Year 1909. I have, Sec, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands, Wellington.

Niuk Island. —Report for the Year ended 31st March, 1910. Revenue and Expenditure. lam pleased to be able to report another satisfactory year's working. The revenue derived from all sources amounted to .£1,683 25., and the expenditure to .£1,260 (Is. Id. The balance at credit of the Administration, which stood at £ 1,206 Bs. at the beginning of the year, was increased to £1,629 9s. Bd. at the close of the year. While the revenue fell short of the amount realised in 1908-9 by £126 (is. lid., the receipts benefited in that year by the refunds on account of the schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " liisui ance Fund. With regard to the revenue items, Customs duties, trading licenses, and stamp-sales all show increases, while the amounts received from other sources may lie regarded as satisfactory. The total expenditure amounted to £1,260 os. 4d., or £423 less than the receipts. Owing to the very heavy expenditure on public works during the previous year, I deemed it expedient to curtail expenditure on new winks as much as possible during 1909-10, with the result that the financial position of the Administration has been strengthened. The expenditure during the past year may be classified as follows: — £ s. u. Permanent charges (salaries, &c.) ... ... ... ... 461 2 !> Public works, as per Statement C ... ... ... ... 645 11 I Other charges ... ... ... ... ... ... 153 6 6 £1,260 0 4 Full details of the revenue and expenditure will be found in statements A and B. Public Works. During the year the schoolmaster's residence and outbuildings, and the school reservoir, were completed, and the school grounds were enclosed with a substantial wall built of rock. A start was also made late in the year with the erection of the workshop for technical instruction; but, as that building is being erected by the pupils, under the supervision of the teacher, only the cost of material and equipment will be charged against the Administration. Additions were made to the reservoirs at Alofi South, Mutalau, and Lakepa, while two large iron tanks were installed at Fatiau. a very small village at the extreme south of the island, with the view of augmenting the