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deal more than in any former year, notwithstanding the fact that no sickness of an epidemic nature has been reported as having occurred on the island. This is very difficult to understand, as there has been nothing exceptional in climatic conditions, or in anything else so far as is known, to account for it, unless it be that, having had both a doctor and a nurse on the island, people have been more prone to have their ailments attended to. Aitutaki has had a better chance of being cleared up from a medical point of view than at any previous period in the history of the Administration, but recent reports from the Assistant Medical Officer and district nurse do not seem to indicate any great improvement. Northern Islands. —These islands were all seen during the latter part of the previous year, and were then in a good condition. It has not been possible during this year to revisit them. Reports, however, from the Resident Agents indicate that the health of the islanders is good, and that there has been no epidemic sickness. Palmerston Island was visited, by H.M.S. " Veronica," and she reported that the island is free from any serious sickness. Lepers. —There has been no change in the condition of affairs except that the two on Aitutaki were receiving special treatment during the stay of the Assistant Medical Officer there, and he reports that their condition has somewhat improved. Efforts will be made during the coming year to give all the others special treatment by medicine brought by the Chief Medical Officer from England. Inspection of Vessels. —Seventy-seven were inspected during the year. Water-supplies, &c. —The remarks made in former reports cover this question. General. —With the exception of Aitutaki, the general health in the islands has been good throughout the year.

REPORT OF NIUE ISLAND ADMINISTRATION. Niue, 24th April, 1922. Financial. The total revenue was £4,292, as compared with £5,563 for the previous year. The expenditure was £8,894, which easily constitutes a record. The balance at the end of the year was £1,357. Statement of Revenue and Expenditure for the Year ended 31st March, 1922. Revenue. . £ s. d. i Expenditure. £ s. d. Ist April, 1921'—Balance forward .. 5,958 811 Compensation for land acquired .. 37 10 0 Aid to revenue .. .. .. 499 0 0 Education .. .. .. .. 033 2 2 Contributions to Medical Fund .. 250 0 0 Furniture for officers'quarters. . .. 82 7 2 Customs duties .. .. f. 1,275 12 2 Government buildings, maintenance, &c. 2,282 19 2 Copra export duty .. .. .. 553 3 3 Interpreting.. .. .. .. 102 0 6 Dog-tax .. ..' .. .. 31 10 0 Jetty, maintenance, &c. .. .. 48 14 9 Emigration fees .. .. .. 22 0 0 Liquor purchased .. .. .. 173 1 0 High Court fees and fines .. .. 211 10 9 Medical Officer —Local travelling-expenses 410 7 0 Licenses .. .. .. .. 175 0 0 Medical supplies and assistance .. 2,2.53 12 10 Liquor-sales . . .. .. 203 10 9 Miscellaneous services . . .. 130 12 3 Native Land Court fees .. .. 317 0 Office fittings and requisites .. .. 27 10 11 Registration fees .. .. .. 18 11 0 Police .. .. .. .. 1,892 5 0 School fees .. .. .. .. 30 13 0 Printing and stationery .. .. 110 10 2 Stamp-sales.. .. .. .. 1,011 11 0 Prisoners, supervision, &o. .. .. 253 7 7 Public Library .. .. .. 215 0 Rent, officers' quarters .. .. 33 0 0 Reservoirs, maintenance, &c. .. .. 817 5 Resident Commissioner—Local travelling oxponscs .. .. .. .. 252 15 4 Roads, maintenance, &c. .. .. 157 15 0 Balance, 31st March, 1922— £ s. d. Cash in hand .. .. 998 10 4 Bank of New Zealand, Auckland .. .. 358 14 3 1,357 10 7 £10,250 19 10 £10,250 19 10 Postal. The following are the principal items : Money-orders —Issued, £4,308 9s. 7d. (a record) ; paid, £291 10s. Savings-bank—Deposits, £4,152 17s. 9d. ; withdrawals, £1,101 12s. 3d. Postal notes, &c. — Issued, £71. 6s. lid. (a record) ; paid, £9 os. OJd. Stamp-sales, £184 2s. War pensions, &c, £622 2s. lOd. The most pleasing feature about these figures is the gradual annual increase in savingsbank deposits. Trade. Though no vessel arrived until the 12th July, 1921, to carry off the accumulating copra, still the " Ysabel's " four trips fairly cleaned out the sheds ; 553 tons of copra were exported, and this is said to be a good average year.

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