A.—3

25

Return of Imports and Exports for the Twenty-six Years, 1903 to 1928, inclusive.

Copra. —The export of copra, our main product, shows a big improvement on that of the previous three years, and is once again back to normal output. The palms have now fully recovered from the very severe setback they received during the drought conditions of 1925 and 1926. Fruit.—During the year eight shipments, totalling 13,942 cases and 97 bunches of bananas, were made. The first two shipments made in the " Hinemoa " —i.e., February and March —were carried direct to the Auckland markets, and arrived in a ripe condition to a glutted market. The prices realized on these shipments were disastrous, and showed to the Natives a dead loss per case of 6s. on the first and 4s. on the second. The Natives were considerably disheartened by these severe losses. However, subsequent shipments by the " Maui Pomare " have proved more profitable, and the average net returns for same have been between ss. and 6s. per case. The industry is steadily improving, and during the coming year we should be able, if space permits, to export 3,500 to 4,000 cases each trip of the " Maui Pomare." Cotton. —A further attempt to again reintroduce the cotton industry on Niue has been made, but the result has not been very encouraging. A sample of the lint obtained is being sent to the British Cotton-growers' Association, Manchester, for report thereon. Fungus.—2l,B9o lb. were exported. The market has greatly been affected by the unsettled state of affairs in China. There is very little prospect of it improving in the near future. Basketware.—There is still a good demand for this class of goods in New Zealand, and at present the demand exceeds the supply. 3,1821 dozen were exported during the year. Hats. —This industry is practically dead, owing to the importations of large quantities of same from Italy. 121J dozen were exported during the year. High Court and Native Land Court. Criminal cases for 1928 totalled 245, as against 207 in 1927. As usual, the majority of these were offences against morality, and there was very little that could be called serious crime.. Pees and fines collected amounted to £92 13s. 6d. Civil work was negligible in quantity, there being only 14 actions. In the Native Land Court, the only work before the Court was one. application for adoption order, four applications for annulment of adoptions, and one application for confirmation of alienation of land, orders being granted in all cases. Niue Island Council. Four meetings of the Niue Island Council were held during the year, one in each quarter. No new Ordinances were passed. The term of office of the old Council having expired, an election of new members took place on the 12th and 14th December. There have been but very few complaints from the Natives and certainly none of a serious nature. It is very evident that the Niueans appreciate the assistance they have received from the New Zealand Government from time to time, particularly as to the steamer service and towards providing additional motor-lorries to assist in the carriage of fruit from the back villages, where most of the fruit is grown,

i i Total Year. Imports. , Exports, i Total Value. Year. Imports, j Exports. Value ! I | | | i £ ' £ £ £ £ £ 1903 .. 8,001 1 7,862 15,863 1916 .. 9,512 3,379 12,891 1904 .. 6,707 , 7,016 13,723 1917 .. 13,079 9,400 22,479 1905 .. 5,698 9,868 15,566 1918 .. 17,258 16,537 33,795 1906 .. 6,707 8,724 15,431 1919 .. 21,733 35,977 57,710 1907 .. 8,491 7,955 16,446 1920 .. 20,524 13,140 33,664 1908 .. 6,458 7,107 13,565 1921 .. 26,339 16,721 43,060 1909 .. 10,047 12,203 22,250 1922 .. 15,418 15,122 30,540 1910 .. 9,182 ! 12,112 21,294 1923 ' .. 18.388 13,227 31,615 1911 .. 9,838 ! 12,047 21,885 1924 .. 16,798 14,608 31,406 1912 .. 19,119 ; 15,709 34,828 1925 .. 18,747 17,429 36,176 1913 .. 13,761 i 12,170 25,931 1926 .. 17,563 17,655 35,218 1914 .. 11,200 9,503 20,703 1927 .. 14,006 14,350 28,356 1915 .. 9,678 ; 8,130 17,808 1928 .. 18,637 20,938 39,575 I I