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SELECTED EXTRACTS PROM CORRESPONDENCE AND REPORTS OF RESIDENT COMMISSIONER AND SUB-ENUMERATORS. (1.) From Correspondence of Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. I need not point out to you the great difficulties in supplying accurate information with regard to some of the islands, in consequence of the fact that 1 have to rely in some cases upon the Natives themselves to supply the information, but I think you will find that as far as possible the census has been correotly taken. The figures for the Islands of Rarotonga, Mangaia, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, and Manuae may be taken as fairly correct, as Europeans, mostly my own agents, had the matter in hand. {2.) From Report of Enumerator at Rarotonga. Rarotonga. You will notice, sir, that there is an increase in the population of Rarotonga since last census taken in 1906, which was then 2.-'S.'S4 Natives. This large increase can be accounted for by the arrival of large numbers of Mangaians as labourers, and also arrivals from Tahiti and other French islands of Natives who have come to Rarotonga to settle. I found that ii would lie misleading to enter tin' number of live-stock and cocomit-pahns, as tin' Natives i hen,selves could not tell mc truthfully what they individually owned. The live-stock is generally family property. When I put the question to several they looked suspicious, and asked mc if this was for the purpose of a future taxation. 1 assured them to the contrary. In reference to the number of coconut-palms, just at present it would be impossible to get the number of trees owned by individuals, for in almost every block of land there are many owners, therefore these blocks would have to be subdivided to accurately arrive at the individual ownership of palms. I can only therefore make a fair estimate of the number of coconut-bearing trees on the island — viz., 30,000 and 25,000 trees not yet attained full maturity. The principal foods grown are — taro, yams, kumara, breadfruit, taro-papa, tarotaro-a, plantains, iitu, <fee. These foods are grown on all the islands of the Cook Group. The religion taught is mostly that taught by the London Missionary Society (Congregational), and is marked in many places as " L.M.S." There are a few who belong to the Roman Catholics, and still fewer to the Seventh-Day Adventists. The great majority are adherents of the London Missionary Society. Education : The children receive daily instruction by the missionaries attached to the London Missionary Society in each village; the same body also conducts a higher-grade school at Tereor"a. The Roman ( atholic Mission conduct a school at Avarua, which is fairly attended. The total of European population resident on the Island when the census was taken was 138. Hervey Islands (Manuae and Teau-o-Tu). Retains to hand show total Natives resident on that island to be 29. These Natives are employed there as labourers. Live-stock, A-e.—2l horses. 89 pigs, 368 fowls, 72 ducks, in goats. 2!i..'il>o coconut-palms. Mauke. Census returns from this island show a total Native population of 257 males and 190 females — total of 447. The enumeration of 1906 showed the Native population to then be 444 Natives and 2 Europeans -total 440. There are J Europeans and ."> half-castes living as Europeans at present on Mauke: this makes the total population for-the present to be 450. Education : The children receive daily instruction by the Native pastors attached to the London Missionary Society in each village. The Roman Catholic .Mission also conducts a school in the beach village. General: This island is not half cultivated, and could support four times the population it does. Copra and oranges are its chief exports. There are l>7 horses on the Island. Penrhyn. According to the census returns, the Native population at present is 148 males and 184 females —a total Native population of •S-'i2. There are 3 Europeans resident on the island : thus the total population of the island will be 335. The enumeration for the year 1906 showed the Native population to have been 414, and also (i Europeans —a total of 420. Education : The children receive instruction from the Native pastors attached to the London Missionary Society (Congregational). Religion ; Thai taught by the London Missionary Society. General : These islanders are the lowest standard of the Cook-Islanders. Chief products are copra and pearl-shell. There are 7 pigs on the island.
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