A.—3

Cases treated — Alimentary .. .. .. . • • • • • • • 891 Circulatory . . .. . ■ • • • • • • • • 199 Respiratory .. . . . . .. • • • • ■ • 446 Skin .. .. .. .. . • • ■ • • .. 416 Injuries .. . . .. . • • • • • • • .. 19. Visits .. .. .. .. . • • • • • .. 201 A.T.S. injections .. .. .. .. ■ • • • .. 14 Bicreol injections .. .. .. .. • • • • • • 233 Nose, eye, ear .. .. .. . • ••, • • .. 11 Nervous .. .. .. . • • • • • • • • • 3 Special tropical .. .. .. . • • • ■ • .. 89 Minor operations .. .. .. .. ■ • • ■ 30 Confinements .. . . . ■ • • • • • • .. 22 Worm treatment .. . . . . .. ■ ■ ■ ■ .. 15 Typhoid injections .. • ■ • • • • • • .. 28 Two new concrete tanks, one 2,500 gallons capacity and the other 5,000 gallons, have been erected. Public Works. —Government buildings have been painted throughout, and a new tool-shed has been erected and the new Courthouse completed. A new road, one mile and a half in length, from Teenui to the Matai Landing has been made. The main road has been widened for a considerable distance. Education.—The roll at 31st March was 230 pupils. The attendance was very good. This school has been under the control of a Native Headmaster. The schoolrooms were rethatched during the year by the residents, and one new schoolroom was completely rebuilt with European timber and an iron roof. All three rooms were refloored with concrete. Planting of Lands.—Planting during the past twelve months has been satisfactory. Several thousand plants of food-supplies such as taro, arrowroot, kumera, bananas, and yams have been planted. General. —Monthly inspections of all dwellings have been made. The people are gradually building better homes, with concrete floors where possible. . The Island Council has met frequently and has been of great assistance in the work of the Island during the past twelve months. Mauke. Trade and Shipping.—There were four calls of "Matua" at Mauke during the year and seven schooner calls. . High Court.—There were 244 cases before the High Court during the year, none being of a serious nature. , Medical and Public Health.—The general health of the people at Mauke for the past year has been good. Two visits were paid to the Island by the Assistant Medical Officer and one visit of a Native Medical Practitioner. The Island escaped the measles epidemic. Mrs. G. Cowan, who had been acting as Native Nurse, was officially appointed in February, 1939. Public Works. —A new road about two miles long has been opened up at the back of Ngatiarua Settlement, and this now gives easy access to the orange-plantations of Ngatiarua and Vaimutu Five new tanks have been erected, and the water-supply is now sufficient. All Government buildings have been kept in good order and have been painted regularly. Education. —The roll at 31st March was ninety-two pupils. The attendance was good. Like Atiu, this school was under the control of a Native Headmaster. Planting. —Plantings of Native foodstufls have been satisfactory and the people have an ample supply. Mitiaeo. Mitiaro, with an area of 2,500 acres and a population of 230, lies 140 miles north-east of Rarotonga. There are considerable areas of makatea, or coral rock, and swamps, so that the area of cultivable land At present the only export is copra, and although the Island grows good oranges, the quantity is not sufficient to warrant calls of the cargo-steamer. _ The Island is administered by the Resident Agent of Mauke, which is some twenty-five miles distant. Transport is available by a good seaworthy boat. An Island Council takes charge of affairs during the absence of the Resident Agent. . . , , , £ , The Island was visited by the Assistant Medical Officer m September. The general health of the people has been good. • n , , r - , m , , Five new tanks were built, and the water-supply for the island is considered sufficient. Ihe work of erecting the tanks was carried out with free labour. NORTHERN COOK ISLANDS. Penrhyn. Trade and Shipping.—Nine vessels called at the Island during the past year: Schooners 6 ; yachts, 2 ; and the " Tui Cakau " to transfer lepers to Fiji. Exports were mother-of-pearl shell, approximately 22 tons ; copra, approximately 68 tons ; and pipi pearls to the value of £300. The demand for mother-of-pearl shell is rapidly decreasing, and the price being offered for pipi pearls is very low.

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