A.—3.

Water-works. — Hew septic tanks and sumps constructed at hospital, Chief Medical Officer's residence, Nurses' Home, and " Ngatipa." All pipes, taps, &c., of houses on sea-front overhauled. Strainers at all intakes of water-supply systems cleared. Drains. —Cleared drains from Tutakimoa and Maraerenga through Experimental Farm to sea. Administration Offices. —Clearing away rocks, stones, and debris; top-dressing with soil, and replanting grass and hedges. Repairing concrete walls. Hotel Rarotonga.—Grounds cleared of rocks, stones, and debris ; top-dressing with soil, and planting grass and hedges. Repairing concrete wall and fences. Customs Residence.—Clearing away rocks, stones, and debris ; top-dressing with soil and replanting hedges. New ceiling for front veranda. Repairing concrete wall. The grass and hedges are growing well, and these three properties have something of their appearance prior to the hurricane. Fruit Department Building.—Reconstructing Fruit Inspection buildings and making new office. . Soldiers Memorial.—Constructing concrete combing round memorial and replanting grass. Residence, Director of Agriculture.—Extending concrete wall, and rebuilding fences. Replanting hedges. Freezer. —Repairs to walls and ceiling of freezing-chambers, and partly insulating. Ice-tank repaired. Buildings repainted throughout.—Hospital, " Ngatipa" residency, Hotel Rarotonga, C.M.O.'s residence, wireless residences (both), Customs officer's residence, Director of Agriculture's residence, Administration offices, Fruit Inspection offices, boat - shed, public conveniences, European school, wireless-station. Work still to be completed.—Boat-slip, hospital out-buildings, freezer (reconstruction of both freezing-chambers and reinsulation), minor repair work. GROUP ISLANDS. Aitutaki.—Repairs to Residency and Nurse's Home ; roads repaired ; repairs to wharf and cargo shed ; repairs to roof of main school, including new iron, reconstruction of two classrooms in wood with iron roofs, and repairs to schoolmaster's residence ; rebuilding four Native-built classrooms completely destroyed and timbers smashed ; school material replaced—desks, blackboards, slates, &c. ; new tanks for Residency, Nurse's Home, and Dispensary. Atiu. —Repairs to school-buildings ; repairs to landing-place and cargo-shed (cement, iron, and timber supplied) ; Residency repainted ; two new tanks. Mauke. —Repairs to landing-place and cargo-shed (cement, iron, and timber supplied). Mangaia.—Vaiteitei packing-shed reconstructed ; repairs to landing-place. Paimerston.—Timber and iron supplied for re-roofing church which is catchment-area for public tanks. PUBLIC WORKS. Roads and Bridges.—The maintenance of roads is always a heavy item, the greatest expense being the continual replacement of the coral and gravel surfaces necessary on account of the frequent heavy rains and the pulverizing effect of heavy traffic. The great increase of motor traffic in recent years has necessitated considerable expenditure in the easing of corners and widening of roads, and the replacing with stronger structures the larger wooden bridges —most of which were built thirty years ago for light wagon traffic and the small bridges with reinforced concrete culverts. During the year the main road has been kept in repair, and in some places widened. The Parekura-Tapere road has been widened for its full length, including the concrete culvert near the tennis-court. Assistance has been given in reconstructing and widening the Ara Metua between the Avatiu Road and Tutakimoa, and it is hoped that next year this road will be opened up right through to Takuvaine, as it will be of considerable convenience to the public. The Administration maintains the main road right round the island, and is responsible for the provision and repair of all bridges and culverts thereon. In regard to the Ara Metua and Tapere roads serving properties almost exclusively occupied by Natives, the policy is to assist the Natives (who pay no road-tax, and are not liable to render any services in connection with roads) to keep these roads in repair by grants of food and supplies, and the provision of bridges and culverts. The Administration similarly assists where drainage work's are necessary. Water-supply.—All supply systems to the various villages have been maintained in good order. Water is supplied from five different intakes, and is available to every house in the main village of Avarua, and in the six villages around the island. Although the circumference of Rarotonga is twenty-one miles, there are thirty-one miles and a half of water-mains, and the supply pipes to the various houses are additional. Government Buildings—Throughout the whole Group Government buildings have been kept in good repair, and many minor improvements made. Desks and cupboards have been made for various schools. Old London Missionary Society's Schoolroom at Arorangi.—ks, this had fallen into disrepair it was demolished by the Public Works Department, and the stone used for new buildings, and the repair and widening of roads.

12