A—3

Quantities and Values of Principal Exports—continued

Imports from New Zealand reached a record level, to the relative exclusion of all other import sources. There were no imports from the United States of America ; ■Canada supplied some canned fish and twist tobacco during the year. Copra. —lncreased exports for 1947, together with an increase in the f.o.b. price, resulted in a threefold increase in the island's income from this source since 1945. It is interesting to note that in 1937 copra exports were 728f- tons, valued at £10,825. Bananas. —lt was found impossible to guarantee the arrival of fruit-vessels at the Island at such times as would avoid Sunday work on the part of the Niueans, who had expressed themselves as being against work in any form on the Sabbath. The result of this has been that no bananas were shipped in the year under review. Native Plaited Ware. —Exports for this year did not reach the high figure attained in 1946. Shipping was not available between February and May, and this factor, which necessarily restricts buying, was the main reason for the decline in exports of this commodity.

61. Meteorological Report

Rainfall for 1947 was normal, and as it was spread over the whole year there were no periods of drought. No severe storms were experienced, and thus food crops, bananas, and coconuts have not been affected. Two extra weather schedules (making a total of six) have been included in the system of receiving hurricane warnings from the Meteorological Office in Suva which has already proved its value.

Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, not given ; printing (1,158 copies), £lOB

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. — l94B.

Price Is.]

37

Item. 1946. 1947 • Copra Bananas Kumaras Native plaited ware .. Tons. 352 Cases. 9,346 Tons. 20 £ 10,179 5,335 292 19,652 Tons. 695 £ 28,505 15,797

— 1943. 1944. 1945. 1946. 1947. Total rainfall (inches) 64-79 71-55 80-80 93-94 72-09 Number of rainy days 146 158 210 206 220 Highest for any day (inches).. 2-94 515 3-60 4-50 2-34 Date 20th Oct. 29th Jan. 23rd Apr. 15th Dec. 29th Oct. Highest temperature (p.) 94.0 90-0 92-0 90-8 90-2 Date 11, 12, 14,15, 25 Feb.; 3 Nov. 13, 17, 19, 25, 28 Mar. 22nd Mar. 28th Mar. 20th Mar. Lowest temperature (f.) 58-0 58-5 57-0 60-2 57-5 Date 17th July 28th Aug. 6th June. 27th June. 26th Aug. Mean of maximum thermometer 84-5 82-4 82-27 82-28 82 173 (I\) Mean of minimum thermometer 69-77 69-3 70-3 70-16 71-023