A.—6,

Yaws. —This disease appears to be well under control, only 17 cases reporting for treatment during the year. Filarial Disease.—A considerable portion of the population continues to suffer from microfilariasis, and the matter is one that is receiving the close attention of the Administration. Gonorrhoea. —Forty-two cases were reported during the year, a considerable decrease on last year's figure of 150. Typhoid Fever. —One case was discovered in May, and a second one, in the same district, in November. As a protective measure all European officials and members of the hospital staff were vaccinated. There was no further outbreak during the year. Pneumococcal Meningitis.—One case reported. Cerebrospinal Meningitis. —One case reported. Postal and Wireless. The total volume of postal business amounted to £9,882, as compared with £9,207 for 1933-34. The radio plant has functioned satisfactorily and regular services have been maintained with New Zealand and Western Samoa. One hundred and eighty-seven messages were received and 230 despatched. Meteorological. Barometer mean for the year, 29-936. Thermometer : Highest, 94 in March ; lowest, 56 in July. Rainfall, 114-15 in. Public Works. Roads have been improved where possible, and three concrete tanks erected, but owing to the financial position no public works of any magnitude have been attempted. Agriculture. Agriculture presents one of the most difficult problems the Niueans have to meet. The island is extremely rocky, with very little soil, and there are no streams. During the year under review there has been no shortage of Native food, owing partly to the satisfactory rains, but mainly to the enforcement of the laws regarding planting and weeding. Weeding of coconut plantations has been considerably neglected of late years, and as a natural result crops have deteriorated. However, much work in this direction has now been carried out, and there is a marked improvement in both the quantity and quality of the nuts. The Administration maintain a demonstration and experimental plantation, which has proved of very great educational value to the Niueans. Waste and useless land was selected in order to demonstrate fully what could be done in agriculture as a result of adopting up-to-date methods in the care and treatment of the soil. The results have been very satisfactory, and there are indications that the people realize the advisability of altering their methods, though naturally it will be some time before great changes in this important subject will become general. The importance of the scheme cannot be overestimated, for not only does it affect the food-supplies of the people, but it also has an important bearing on the increased production of commercial fruit, to which the island must look if it is to be self-supporting. For the year under review it has not been necessary for the hospital to purchase taro, ample supplies having been available from the Government experimental plantation. Similarly, sufficient pandanus has been grown there to enable the school to be relieved of the necessity for buying material for basketware, &c. The total area available is about/ 30 acres, but so far only half of this has been used, 10 acres being put in grass, the balance being in coconuts, citrus fruit, taro, pandanus, breadfruit, pawpaws, bananas, pineapples, mangoes, &c. There are no cattle on the island, but goats have been imported, so that a milk-supply will in time be available for Europeans and the sick. A great deal of attention has been given to pigs, as they are the main source of meat-supplies for the inhabitants. For a considerable number of years no fresh blood had been imported and the stock had deteriorated to a very great extent. However, as the result of the generous action of several NewZealand donors, to whom reference was made in the last annual report, a number of pure-bred animals have been imported, and the stock has improved considerably. Education. The Administration maintain two schools, under a European headmaster, the combined average roll number being 270. The work of the year has been satisfactorily performed. The importance of agriculture is not overlooked in the schools, and regular instruction is given at the Administration . experimental and demonstration plantation. The boys work on the plantation for half a day each week and while there receive short talks on agricultural subjects and are usually shown, on the ground, what is being discussed. They receive instruction in planting, spraying, care of horses, feeding of pigs, and such other matters as will come into their daily lives.

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