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By making seven or eight the age for commencing school these numbers would be somewhat reduced, but it will be seen that even then the education of these children is no small matter, and can be met only by appointing more than one teacher in villages that require it, or, if only one can be appointed, for him to take boys and girls on alternate days, or in villages too large even for this, to make four divisions, senior and junior boys and girls, each division receiving one day's instruction per week. Small as this may seem, it would be a great advance upon that now given by the Native pastors, and this modest foundation of an education system would ensure that no child should grow up without at least the rudiments of an English education. I have, Arc, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. W. C. Smith. Public Health. On the 10th September last the Island Council passed an Ordinance entitled the Niue Island Public Health Ordinance, 1912, which was assented to by His Excellency the Governor on 12th September last. Power is given under this Ordinance to more effectually prevent the introduction of diseases to the island, and to prevent as far as possible the spread of dangerous infectious and contagious diseases within the island. The Ordinance was supported by the Medical Officer, who found he was considerably hampered in his work through the absence of necessary legal authority. I very much regret that Dr. Schumacher, our first Medical Officer, was compelled to resign his position on the 27th August last, on account of continued ill health. During his fifteen months term in Niue he did much to prevent the introduction and spread of disease, and his work was generally appreciated. Dr. Buck, M.P., arrived in Niue on the 13th December last to act in the capacity of locum tenens until a suitable man could be secured to permanently fill the position of Medical Officer. During his stay he has worked very hard in his endeavours to alleviate the sufferings of the afflicted, and as a consequence has become very popular with both Europeans and Natives. In January I arranged for a complete medical inspection of the island, and I myself accompanied Dr. Buck on a journey lasting a fortnight and embracing the whole of the eleven villages. During the journey Dr. Buck found little time for other than professional work, and succeeded in treating no less than 1,001 cases, major and minor, in the fortnight. With the information acquired during his stay Dr. Buck will be in a position to furnish a very valuable report on the health of the people of Niue. I sincerely trust that you will be successful in securing the services of a suitable man to take up the position before or soon after Dr. Buck leaves Niue. During the period from the 27th August to the 13th December we were without the services of a Medical Officer, but the Rev. Gavin Smith, the resident missionary, who has a considerable knowledge of drugs, kindly offered to dispense medicine to the people until a new doctor arrived. I accepted the Rev. Smith's generous offer, and I wish to place on record my appreciation of the valuable work rendered by him to the Administration during that period. With the view of making matters as comfortable as possible for the Medical Officer, it has been decided to furnish the Medical Officer's residence. Orders have gone forward to New Zealand for the necessary furniture, which is expected to arrive in June next. The cost of the Niue medical service during the year 1912-13 was as follows : — £ s. d. Medical Officer's salary ... ... ... ... ... 330 3 7 Travelling-expenses, Arc, ... , ••• ••■ ••• ••• 85 11 0 Medical supplies and assistance ... ... ... ... 165 7 0 £581 1 7 Less contribution by New Zealand Government (six months) ... 50 0 0 Cost to Niue Island Administration ... ... ... ... £531 1 7 I may mention that the second annual contribution of £150 from the Natives of Niue was not received until after the close of the financial year, therefore it does not appear in this year's accounts. Taking that contribution into account, the net cost of the medical service is reduced to £381 Is. 7d. Marriage, Registration, and Divorce. Ever since the inauguration of the Government considerable difficulty has been experienced in Niue owing to the absence of any divorce laws similar to those in force in most other islands. Under section 3 of the Cook Islands Government Act, 1908, provision is made that all laws, customs, and usages of the Native inhabitants in force at the time the Government took over the control of Niue shall continue until other provision is made. In the year 1903 the Niue Island Council passed an Ordinance entitled the Niue Island Marriage, Divorce, and Registration Ordinance, 1903, in which it was sought to give to the people of Niue, inter alia, a law of divorce similar to that in force in Rarotonga. The Ordinance was disallowed in New Zealand, and it was returned to Niue with the suggestion that it be repassed by the Island Council omitting all reference to divorce. The Island Council acted upon the suggestion and passed the Niue Island Marriage and Registration Ordinance, 1904. The old practice in the matter of divorce, which held good in the absence of any statute law, was to give the missionary absolute discretion. Since the Government came to Niue the people have not been satisfied with the continuance of the old practice, and have continually appealed to me to assist them in the matter.