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FUNGOID GROWTH ON ROADS. No. 46. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 14th September, 1909. I have the honour to forward you herewith, under separate cover, specimens of a fungoid growth which is rapidly spreading over all the roads of this island. During dry weather it shrivels up and is hardly noticeable, but in rainy weather, and when the atmosphere is damp, it swells out a dark-green colour, and, being of a very slimy nature, renders the roads slippery and dangerous. Various methods have been tried by the Natives for eradicating this nuisance, but so far without success. It seems to me that the only sure eradicator would be fire run over all the roads, but this would entail an immense amount of work, and some danger. I should be glad if you could submit the matter to, say, the Agricultural Department, and ask them if they could give me any advice on the subject, with a view to the destruction of the growth by means of a chemical sprayer or otherwise. I have, &c, H. Cornwall, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 47. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd December, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 14th September last, forwarding a specimen of a fungoid growth which is stated to be spreading over the roads at Niue. The matter has been referred to the Department of Agriculture, and I enclose for your information copy of a memorandum received from that Department on the subject. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. J. Carroll.

Enclosure. The Under-Secretary, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington. Department of Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourists, Wellington, Ist December. 1909 Your minute of 27th October on your attached papers 09/109 :— With reference to your request for advice as to the treatment of a slimy growth becoming a nuisance on the roads at Niue, this Department's Biologist reports that the specimen sent by you belongs to a group of plants known as the fresh-water alga- (Cyanophycece). He is not in a position yet to definitely name it, but it probably belongs to the genus Nostoc. An authority on the subject has shown that dilute applications of sulphate of copper have great toxic action against the Cyanophyceas, and the Biologist would suggest the watering of the roads with a solution of 1 lb. of copper-sulphale to 50 gallons of water. This should kill the growth. It will be well to scrape up the masses of dead alga after the spray has been applied, as after it lias been killed it will still be able to mechanically absorb water. The best time to apply the spray would be during a spell of dry weather. F. S. Pope, Secretary.

No. 48. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th December, 1909. Referring to my letter of the 3rd instant, I beg to forward copy of a further memorandum from the Secretary for Agriculture with reference to the fungoid growth on the roads of Niue. I have, ice., The Resident Commissioner, Niue. J. Carroll. Enclosure. The Under-Secretary, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington. Department of Agriculture, Commerce, and Tourists, Wellington, 7th December, 1909. My memo, of Ist instant: — Further information is now available regarding the slimy growth on the roads at Niue. Arsenic compounds would probably be found more effective than the copper-sulphate recommended, but there would be the danger of poisoning the animals owned by the Natives. An application of freshly slaked or powdered lime would be beneficial on sodden ground : but, of course, if the roads are hard and generally dry one of the other remedies mentioned should be used. F. S. Pope, Secretary.

No. 49. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 10th March, 1910. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters. No. 272, of the 3rd December, and No. 278, of the 9th December last, forwarding instructions with reference to eradicating