3

A.—Bα

" I attach a return showing the number of permits issued by each medical man during the year, also a return show-ing the quantity of liquor sold on permits. " Rarotonga is the only island in the Group in which liquor is sold. Some of the Resident Agents would like to have a. stock of liquor to dispense to the Natives on the out-islands, but I have always turned a deaf ear to such proposals, for the system is apt to be gradually abused. " The police sergeant and a Native constable are on watch while vessels are in port, and the baggage of returned labour and passengers is searched, but very seldom indeed is any liquor found. If any does happen to be dropped upon it is confiscated, and the person is prosecuted. " In conclusion, I might state that it is my honest opinion that there is very little drunkenness nowadays from imported liquor. " Return showing the Quantity of Liquor imported by and delivered to White Persons during the Year ended 30th September, 1912. Quantity in Gallons. Whisky ... ... ... .. ... ... 219 Brandy ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 Gin ... ... ... ... .. ... 36 Rum ... ... ... ... ... ... 32 Beer ... ... ... ... ... ... 306 Stout ... ... ... ... ... ... 126 Claret ... ... ... ... ... ... 370 Port ... ... ... 2 . Hock ... ... ... ... ... ... 4

" Return showing the Quantity of Liquor sold on Permits issued by each Medical Man in Rarotonga during the Year ended 30th September, 1912.

"Return showing the Number of Permits issued by Medical Men in Rarotonga during the Year ended 30th September, 1912.

" W. J. Stevunson, " Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 24th October, 1912." Collector of Customs. My personal experience and the information I have gained lead me to very much the same conclusions as Mr. Stevenson has expressed. I have given prominence to his views because of his long experience in the special duties imposed by the Licensing Acts. I am satisfied that he would not countenance any abuse of liquor. I entirely agree with him that little drunkenness is caused by imported liquor, especially among Natives. Of eighty-five convictions for drunkenness during the past six months, only one case, that of a European, was found to be caused by

Quantity in Gallons. Beer. Whisky. Claret. Brandy. Gin. Rum. 31 ro ! Stout. >r. Baldwin >r. Dawson >r. Maclurkin . . >r. Story >r. Perceval 4 5 - i I 23 16 7 30 3 1 4 6| I U 9 .. .. 2 2-| 2 1 3 .. 1 3 16 I 2 7 u 1 30 9 3 3 1 4 2 1 29 6 2 2 I I 2 1 2 .. ' Totals 17 35 21 9* 42 3 7 S2 !_ I

Month. )ctober November . . )ecember . . anuary February larch Lpril lay "une uly Lugust ieptember . . Dr. Baldwin. Dr. Maclurkin. Dr. Dawson, j Dr. Perceval. I I ..7 .. 9 5 15 .. 11 .. ! 76 .. 12 .. I 47 .. 10 ..35 .. .15 .. I 25 .. 9 .. j 14 24 15 ..36 15 8 33 1 10 ..44 .. 3 ..38 .. 8 11 4 I Dr. Story. 6 8 1 1 " Q Q1 A A I 1 1 K 381 44 111 5 16