A—6

The first contact with the Group by the missionaries was made in the middle of the nineteenth century. In 1846 two canoes of Tokelau Islanders, the survivors of a fleet dispersed by storms, lauded at Wallis Island, to the west of Savai'i in Samoa. Here the survivors were succoured by Roman Catholic missionaries who had been working for several years with the Wallis people. In 1861 the Catholic Mission returned to the Tokelaus a party of sixteen men and women who had gone to Wallis Island in 1852 and been converted to Christianity. On this occasion the missionaries themselves landed and preached Christianity, though for a long period the inhabitants were reluctant to be converted. In 1858 the London Missionary Society vessel " John Williams " visited Fakaofo and the Rev. Murray left behind on the island two Tokelau Islanders who had learned Christianity in Samoa. Two Christian Rarotongans were placed on Atafu at the same time, and here their teaching was immediately successful. Nukunono had in the meantime been successfully converted to Catholicism. Frequent visits to the Tokelaus by missionary vessels during the subsequent years confirmed the establishment of Christianity in the Group. At the present day the inhabitants of Atafu and the majority of those on .Fakaofo are adherents of the London Missionary Society, while the people of Nukunono are adherents of the Roman Catholic Mission. The London Missionary Society's new " John Williams " has resumed annual visits to Atafu and Fakaofo. Two Catholic priests, one European and one Samoan, have been in residence on Nukunono since December, 1946. In September, 1948, three sisters, one European and two Samoan, arrived on this island to take up residence at the newly established convent. The Catholic Mission has trained Tokelau catechists to work with their own people, and the London Missionary Society from time to time sends Samoan pastors for terms of duty in Fakaofo and Atafu. The educational work of the missions is dealt with under the educational section of this report. 9. Judicial Organization At present the Fa'amasino —Native Magistrates appointed by the Administrator —have limited summary jurisdiction in criminal and civil matters. There is a Chief of Police on each island, and, in addition, three Native constables at Atafu, two at Nukunono, and three at Fakaofo. There is also a wardress on the Police establishment. The full criminal code of law was published in the annual report for the year ended 31st March, 1948. Of this, the principal crimes and their penalties are:—

There is an absence of serious crime in the Group. Any term of imprisonment is served in Samoa,

7

Offence. Maximum Penalty. V Murder Theft Drunkenness Malicious damage to cultivation Death. Sentence carried out only on the authority of the Governor-General of New Zealand. Six months' imprisonment or fine of £5. Where a knife or other weapon has been used, up to two years' imprisonment. One to six . months' imprisonment. Three to twelve months' imprisonment and to make good loss.