C. 452 (a). M. 166 (a). 1925. VI.

Geneva, September 3rd, 1925.

REPORTS OF MANDATORY POWERS

Submilled lo the Council of the League of Nations in Accordance wilh Article 22 of the Covenant and considered by the Permanent Mandates Commission at its Sixth Session (June-July 1925^.

V

REPORT

ON TH E

ADMINISTRATION OF NAURU

DURING THE YEAR 1924

PREPARED BY THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR SUBMISSION

TO THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

SOCIÉTÉ DES NATIONS — LEAGUE OF NATIONS

GENÈVE ---- 1925 GENEVA NOTES BY THE SECRETARIAT OF THE LEAGUE OF NATIONS

This edition of the reports submitted to the Council of the League of Nations by the mandatory Powers under Article 22 of the Covenant is published in execu­ tion of the following resolution adopted by the Assembly on September 22nd, 1924, at its Fifth Session : “ The Fifth Assembly of the League of Nations... requests that the reports of the mandatory Powers should be distributed to the States Members of the League of Nations and placed at the disposal of the public who may desire to purchase them. ” The reports have generally been reproduced as received by the Secretariat. In certain cases, however, it has been decided to omit in this new edition certain legislative and other texts appearing as annexes, and maps and photographs contained in the original edition published by the mandatory Power. Such omissions are indicated by notes by the Secretariat.

The annual report on the administration of Nauru under mandate of the British Empire for the year 1924 was received by the Secretariat on the 15th June, 1925, and examined by the Permanent Mandates Commission on the 2nd July, 1925, in the presence of the accredited representative of the British Empire, the Rt. Hon. Sir Joseph Cook, High Commissioner for Australia in London. (See Minutes of the Sixth Session, pages 93-95.) The observations of the Commission on this report are contained in document A.14.1925.VI, page 9.

The references in this report to pages in previous reports refer to the original edition published by the mandatory Power, which the Secretariat has not yet been able to have reprinted.

s. d. N. 650- 10/25 (A). — Imp. Réunies, Chambéry. *

CONTENTS

Page Report for 1924 ...... 5 Addendum—Replies to the Observations of the Permanent Mandates Commission on the Report for ] 923 ' :...... 19 Appendix A.—Reported the Government Medical Officer ...... 21 Appendix B.—Report of the Officer in Charge of Schools ...... 43 Appendix C.—List of Ordinances and Regulations made during 1921, 1922, 1923, and 1924 ... 56 Appendix D.—Ordinances and Regulations made during 1924 1 Appendix E.—Supplementary Agreement Concerning Nauru dated 30th May, 1923 ...... 57 Appendix F.-—Report and Accounts of the British Phosphate Commission for the Year ended 30th June, 1923 58 Map of Nauru.

-Voie by the Secretariat of the League of Nations : Appendix D is not reproduced in the present edition. REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF NAURU DURING THE YEAR 1924.

DESCRIPTION.

Nauru is an oval-shaped atoll of approximately 12 miles in circumference, surrounded by a reef, bare at low water. On the seaward side the reef dips abruptly into deep water. There is no anchorage adjacent to the Island. On the landward side of the reef there is a sandy beach interspersed here and there with coral pinnacles. From this sandy beach the ground rises gra­ dually to about 30 feet above sea-level to a coral cliff which extends round the Island and rises more or less abruptly to a height of from 40 to 60 feet. At the top of this cliff is an extensive plateau bearing phosphate of a high grade, the mining rights of which are vested in the British Phosphate Commission. It is chiefly on the fertile section of land between the sandy beach and the coral cliff that the natives have established themselves and from which they obtain the necessary food for themselves and their families. With the exception of a small fringe round a shallow lagoon about a mile inland, the plateau which contains the phosphate deposits contains very few food trees, and no inhabit­ ants ; but portions of this plateau are now being planted with fruit trees. A map is attached, showing (a) the phosphate-bearing land—uninhabitated, and at present non-food producing ; ( b) the non-phosphate-bearing land—inhabited and food producing ; and (c) the area of phosphate-bearing land— already worked, or now being w-orked. There is ample room on (b) for a much larger population and for the extension of food- bearing trees to support such population. (1) The approximate total area of the Island is ...... 5396.3 acres (2) Approximate total area of phosphate-bearing lands ...... 4216.5 acres (3) Phosphate lands held by British Phosphate Commission under mining leases ...... 167.676 acres (4) Phosphate lands held by British Phosphate Commission worked or partly worked, included in (3) ...... 105.531 acres The Island is situated in longitude 166 degrees east and is 26 miles south of the Equator.

HISTORY.

On the 1st October, 1888, the German warship Eber arrived at the Island, and the follow­ ing day hoisted the German flag and proclaimed the Island as German Territory. Subse­ quently, for administrative purposes, it was treated as if it formed one of the Marshall Island Group (German) and remained under the control of that Administration until its surrender to the Australian Forces in 1914. The Island was included in the cession of colonies made by Germany in 1919 to the Allied and Associated Powers, whose representatives agreed that a Mandate over it should be given to His Majesty the King of Great Britain. On the 2nd July, 1919, the British, Australian, and New Zealand Governments agreed that the administration of the Island should be vested in an Administrator, and that the first Administrator should be appointed for a term of five years by the Australian Government ; thereafter the Administrator was to be appointed in such manner as the three Governments decided. The first Administrator was appointed by the Australian Government and assumed duty in June, 1921. The only claim of the Island to importance is the phosphate deposits which were discovered in 1900, and it may be as well to repeat, briefly, the history of the working of these deposits. In 1888 the Imperial German Government granted to the Jaluit Gesellsehaft (a German company) the exclusive right to exploit the guano (phosphate) deposits existing in the Marshall Islands Protectorate. This agreement was confirmed in 1905 and continued for a period of 94 years from the 1st April, 1906. Nauru formed a part of the Marshall Islands Protectorate, and in 1905 the Jaluit Gesellsehaft, with the approval of the Imperial German Government, transferred the exercise of their right to exploit the phosphate deposits of Nauru to the Pacific Phosphate Company, a company registered in Great Britain. Under this agreement, the Pacific Phosphate Company in 1906 commenced to work the phosphate deposits of Nauru. In addition to the Nauru deposits, the Company had obtained also a concession to wrork the — 6 — deposits on Ocean Island, an adjacent island belonging to Great Britain. The interests of the company in the phosphate deposits of these two islands were in 1919 purchased by the British. Australian, and New Zealand Governments. These Governments in turn vested their interests in the deposits in three Commissioners. The functions of the Commissioners, so far as Nauru is concerned, are limited to the business connected with the phosphate deposits. The Admi­ nistrator alone is charged with the responsibility of all matters pertaining to the government, moral and social welfare, labour conditions, etc., of all on the island—the British Phosphate Commission being treated, from a Government point of view, as if it were a private company. The Administrator has all the powers of government, administrative, legislative and judicial, in the Island, and all expenses of administration are met from local revenue. When the German New Guinea Possessions were surrendered to the Australian Forces, it was agreed that local laws and customs should be continued, as far as practicable ; and it was not until '23rd September, 1922, that these were repealed in Nauru and new laws substi­ tuted. After the foregoing introduction it is proposed, for easy reference, to deal with all further matters in the order in which they are shown in the Questionnaire for “ C ” Mandates, dated Geneva, 12th October, 1921.

I. Slavery. (a) 1. What measures are being taken with a view to ensuring the suppression of the slave trade ? 2. What results have been obtained? (b) 1. Is slavery recognized legally ? 2. Does domestic or other slavery still exist? Give statistics. 3. What are the principal causes of slavery (gambling, drink, etc.) ? 4. Is the pledging of a person recognized legally ? 5. Under what conditions can a slave gel his freedom ? 6 . What measures have been taken, or are being taken, to provide for the emancipation of slaves and to put an end to all slavery, domestic or otherwise ? 7. Is there any limit fixed for the emancipation of slaves ? If in the affirmative, how long is the period ?

(a) 1. — Slavery does not exist on the Island. There is, therefore, no necessity to take any steps to ensure its suppression. (b) 1-7. — Slavery is not recognized legally.

II. Labour.

(a) 1. Have measures been taken to ensure, in accordance with Part X III. of the Treaty of Versailles, the taking into consider­ ation of conventions or recommendations of International Labour Conferences ? 2. Are these conventions or recommendations being carried into effect ? 3. By what other provisions is free labour protected ? (b) 1. What are the measures intended to ensure the prohibition of forced labour for purposes other than essential public works and services, and what are the effective results of these measures ? 2. For what public works and services is forced natives labour required ? How is this regulated ? 3. Are there any other forms of forced labour, such as labour in lieu of taxation, maintenance of highways, etc. ? If in the affirmative, how are these regulated ? (c) 1. How is the recruiting of labour required by private enterprise organized and regulated ? Does the Administration parti­ cipate in this recruiting ? 2. Does the Administration allow recruiting in the mandated area of labour for another Territory ? 3. Is there any system of indentured (Chinese or other) labour in the Territory, vis-à-vis the indentured labourers? 4. What compulsory and disciplinary measures are authorized with respect to native labour ? 5. What powers has the Administration for controlling labour contracts in order to ensure their loyal fulfilment both on the part of employer and employed, and what powers does it possess to prevent any abuses in this respect? fa) 1-3.—The development of the Island natives is in its infancy, and, in consequence, the time is not yet ripe for adopting in iolo the conventions and recommendations of the Inter­ national Labour Conferences, which are generally intended to apply to more highly civilized communities. Certain of the recommendations, however, are now under consideration of the Governments controlling the Administration, and it is hoped that, at an early date, they will be adopted. (b) 1-2 .—No particular legislation has been made to ensure the prohibition of forced labour, but forced labour for any purpose, even public works and services, is not permitted — all labour for such work is voluntary, and paid for at usual market rates. All persons, how­ ever, are required to maintain their lands and houses in a clean and sanitary condition, and owners of land through which a road passes are required to keep such road in a reasonably efficient condition. (b) 3.—There is no form of forced labour in lieu of taxation. (c) 1.—The recruiting of Nauruan native labour is not practised ; as a rule the men are employed by the day, week, or month, as the case may be. If any written agreement or con­ tract is entered into, it is subject to the approval of the Administration. The standard rate of wages for Nauruans employed on work other than domestic service is 3s. per diem, and for skilled or semi-skilled labour higher rates are paid. (c) 2.—Recruiting in Nauru for another Territory is not permitted. (c) 3.—The principal industry in Nauru is the raising and export of phosphate rock. Very few Nauruan natives care for this or any other kind of sustained work, although some of them are, from time to time, casually employed in work connected with the phosphate industry. The labour, other than European, from other countries at present employed on the island is : — Chinese ...... 785 Kanakas (natives of South Sea Islands other than Nauru) . . 11 The number of indentured labourers who came to the Island during the year was 324 all of whom were Chinese ; the number of Chinese who left the Island was 137. As the health of the New Guinea natives employed on the Island was not satisfactory, it was considered advisable to return them to their homes in July, 1924, and at the present time no New Guinea natives are on the Island. All indentured labourers are employed under agreement voluntarily entered into on the Island, the maximum period of which is limited to three years ; the agreement rates of pay, hours of work, conditions of labour and living are subject to the approval of the Administrator, who is responsible for conditions fair and reasonable to the labourers (see Chinese and Native Ordinance 1922) and who from time to time makes, or causes to be made, inspections to ensure that the conditions are complied with. Chinese and Kanakas have been employed on the Is­ land in comparatively large numbers for many years, and there has never been any trouble between them and the Nauruan natives ; on the contrary, the Nauruans welcome them, as they constitute a market to whom they (the Nauruans) can dispose of their surplus pigs, fish, coco­ nuts, fowls, etc., at remunerative prices. The labourers are well-behaved and industrious. During the year a sum of £9,051, savings from wages, was remitted to China on behalf of the Chinese workmen. The intercourse between the imported labourers and local natives is very limited. After ten o’clock each evening and before five o’clock each morning the movements of imported labourers and Nauruans are restricted to the districts in which they respectively reside (Move­ ments of Natives Ordinance 1921) ; at other times there is no restriction. The death rate among the Chinese labourers during the year was at the rate of approxi­ mately 6 per 1,000. (c) 4.—A labourer who has entered into contract of service, and who neglects without reasonable cause to perform any work which, under the contract, it is his duty to perform, may be fined by the competent Court a sum not exceeding Twenty pounds, or in default of payment, may be sentenced to imprisonment not exceeding three months. (Chinese and Native Labour Ordinance 1922.) Chinese and natives employed under contract or written agreement for a specified period who are habitually idle or absent themselves or desert from work without reasonable cause, or feign disease with the object of shirking work, are liable to be fined by the competent Court a sum not exceeding £5 or to be imprisoned for a term not exceeding six months. (Native Regulations 1922). Chinese and native labourers, in common with other natives, are subject to the restriction as to being abroad at night contained in the Movements of Natives Ordinance 1921. (c) 5.—The Chinese and Native Labour Ordinance 1922 contains many provisions for controlling labour contracts and for preventing abuses. These pow'ers have been found hitherto to be sufficient. If they are found to be inadequate, additional powers will be taken by Ordinance. GENERAL.

Practically the whole of the imported labour on the Island is Chinese. These men are recruited principally in Hong Kong by a firm representing the British Phosphate Commission — each man, before final selection, being examined by an official of the Government of Hong Kong, who reads and explains the terms of agreement. On arrival at Nauru, the men are examined by the Government Medical Officer to ensure that each man is free from any contagious or infectious disease. The Agreement, the standard form of which was published as an Appendix to the Report for last year, is read and explained to the men by the Administrator, through the Government Interpreter, and signed by them. Every care is taken to see that the men, while on the Island, are well fed and cared for. If they have any complaints to make, they may go direct to the Administrator ; and the Labour Ordinance makes it an offence for any one to hinder them from doing so. With the exception of a few buildings, which are fitted with double-tier berths, the barrack rooms in which they are quartered are roomy and airy, and up-to-date in every respect. Notice was served on the British Phosphate Commission in 1923 that the double-tier berths must be removed prior to the 30th June, 1925—this date was fixed to give time to the Commission to provide the necessary additional accommodation, which is now nearly completed. All ordinances and instructions of the Administration relating to Chinese are translated into Chinese and copies posted in the Chinese locations. During the year, a Chinese Interpreter, selected by the Government of Hong Kong, arrived at Nauru for service with the Government.

III. Arms Traffic.

1. What measures are being adopted to control the traffic in arms and ammunition? What are the statistics relating to imports of arms and ammunition of different categories ?

1. It is an offence, punishable by a fine of £200 or imprisonment for two-years, for any person to supply any native, either directly or indirectly, with any firearms or ammunition ; and it is also an offence for a native to have in his possession any firearms or ammunition (Arms, Liquor and Opium Prohibition Ordinance 1921). The importation of arms and ammu­ nition, except by special approval of the Administrator, is prohibited (Customs Tariff Amend­ ment Ordinance 1922). All persons are required to obtain a permit (Licence), renewable on the 1st January of each year, to enable them to keep firearms (Licences Ordinance 1922). No permits have been issued to natives. The number of firearms licensed for the year 1924 was 15, and the importation of ammuni­ tion for the year was 500 cartridges only.

IV. Trade and Manufacture of Alcohol and Drugs.

1. What steps are being taken to assure the prohibition of abuses of the liquor traffic ? 2. How is the. campaign against alcoholism organized ? 3. What are the effects of these measures? (Statistics relative to the import and to the local manufacture of alcoholic liquor, etc.) 4. What are the countries of origin of alcoholic liquor, other than wine and beer, imported into Ihe Territory? 5. What measures have been taken to assure the prohibition or regula­ tion of the importation, production, and consumption of dangerous drugs ?

1. — It is an offence, punishable by a fine of £200 or imprisonment for two years, for any person to supply a native with intoxicating liquor of any kind. It is an offence for a native to have in his possession intoxicating liquor of any kind. 2. — No special campaign against alcoholism has been organized other than the rigid enforcement of the order prohibiting the supply of intoxicants to natives. During the year now under review, thirteen Chinamen and one Kanaka were convicted of drunkenness. No cases of drunkenness on the part of Europeans or Nauruans were reported. — 9 —

3 and 4. — Statistics. — Relative to imports of alcoholic liquors during the year ended 31st December, 1924 —

Imports of Intoxicating Liquors, twelve months ended 31 si December, 1924. Country of Origin. Beer . . 39,898 bottles (qts.) Australia Stout .. 384 Australia Whisky 587 Great Britain Brandy Nil Gin 108 Great Britain Liqueur 24 France Wines . . 1,957 Australia 84 Italy There is no local manufacture of alcoholic liquors. No permits have been granted to natives to be in possession of alcoholic liquors. 5. — The importation is prohibited of — opium, morphine, cocaine and heroin ; salts of morphine ; salts of cocaine ; salts and preparations of heroin which contain more than 0.1 per cent, of heroin ; all preparations (officinal and non-officinai, including remedies which are advertised as anti-opium remedies) which contain more than 0.2 per cent, of morphine, or more than 0.1 per cent, of cocaine and of all new derivatives of morphine or of cocaine or of their respective salts, and every other alkaloid of opium, which may be shown by scientific research, generally recognized, to be liable to similar abuse and productive of like ill effects, unless imported by persons licensed by the Administrator. (Importation of Opium, Morphine, Cocaine and Heroin Ordinance 1922.) Licences are issued only to registered medical practitioners, and provided the goods are imported for medicinal purposes only. Only one such licence has been issued. Records of how the drugs are disposed of are required to be kept, and these records are subject to inspection from time to time by Administration officials. A few cases have been reported — and dealt with — of Chinamen having been found smoking opium. The quantities of opium discovered were very small in each case and doubt­ less were brought into the Island — notwithstanding the rigorous search made — by Chinese labourers. There is no reason to suspect that smuggling on an extensive scale is being carried on.

V. Liberty of Conscience. 1 . What measures are being laken to guarantee liberty of conscience and religion ? 2. What restrictions have been laid down for the maintenance of public order and morality ? 3. Is there free exercise of religious worship and instruction ? 4. If not, what restrictions are there to limit such exercises ? 5. What are the results of such restrictions ?

1. — No measures have been taken to guarantee liberty of conscience and religion — the fact is so undisputed that any special legislation in this direction seems unnecessary — and there are no restrictions whatever on the liberty of conscience and religion of the Nauruans and other residents of the Island. 2. — No restrictions with regard to liberty of conscience and religion have been found necessary for the maintenance of public order and morality. 3. 4 and 5. — It has not been found necessary to place any restriction on the free exercise °f religious worship and instruction. General. — The Missions on the Island are — fa) The London Missionary Society (Protestant). It is regretted that there is no resident European missionary attached to this Mission ; it is, however, hoped that the London Missionary Society will be able to arrange, at an early date, for a European missionary to be stationed permanently on the Island. At present visits are made occasionally by a missionary who resides at Ocean Island. There is a native pastor in charge during his absence, assisted by a local council. (b) The Sacred Heart Mission (Catholic), whose staff consists of one European missionary (a French citizen, who has been on the Island for many years, and has a thorough knowledge of the Nauruan character and language. — 10 —

The following shows the number of adherents (Nauruans) of both Missions on blst Decem­ ber, 1924 :— Men. Women. Children. Total. Catholic Church 91 ... 88 . ... 163 ... 342 Protestant Church ...... 245 238 ... 299 .... 782

336 ...... 326 .... 462 .... 1,124

Figures are those given by the head of the church in each instance.

VI. Military Clauses. 1. Are there any fortresses or military or naval bases ? 2. What are the forms of native military organization and instruc­ tion ? 3. Are there any police forces independent of the military charged with the defence of the Territory ? What is the respective importance of these two forces and the amount spent on each ? 4. In whal respect is the military organization of the Mandated Territory different from that in force in the neighbouring possessions of the Mandated Power ?

1. There are no fortresses or military or naval bases on, or connected with, the Island. 2. There is no form of military organization on the Island. 3. There is a police force of 31 natives, armed with Martini-Enfield single-loading rifles for the preservation of order on the Island ; the cost of the force for 1924 was £1,803 12s. 6d. 4. There is no military organization on the Island. A Civilian Rifle Club, not in any way under the jurisdiction of the Government, has been formed. The Government supplies a limited quantity of rifle ammunition to the Club at less than cost price ; apart from this, the Club has no connexion with the Administration.

V II. Economic Equality. 1. Whal derogations are there lo the principle of economic equality as regards — (a) Concessions? (b) Land tenure? (c) Mining rights (in particular, prospecting) ? (d) Fiscal regime (direct and indirect taxation)? (e) Customs regulations (imports, exports, transit)? 2. Whal immigration laws are there? 1. (a) Concessions. — The Governments of Great Britain, the Commomvealth of Austra­ lia and New Zealand own, by purchase from the Pacific Phosphate Company, the exclusive right to work the phosphate deposits in the Island. (b) Land Tenure. — Companies not incorporated in the British Dominions or in Nauru cannot hold land in Nauru, but any Company incorporated in the British Dominions or in Nauru, whatever the nationality of its shareholders, can hold land. (c) Mining Bights / There is no derogation to the principle of economic equality in (d) Fiscal Regime \ respect of these matters. 2. The Immigration Act 1901-1920 of the Commonwealth of Australia has been adopted as a law of the Territory, but no steps have yet been taken to put it into force.

V III. Education. 1. What steps are being taken for the elementary education of Ihe natives of the Territory (organization and statistics)? Is this education free to all natives, and if not, in whal cases is il free ? 2. What steps are being taken to provide for higher education of the natives, such as medical, veterinary, and technical? 3. In what language is instruction given in the different categories of schools ? 4. Are Mission Schools compelled to submit to certain conditions ? If so, what ?

1. Special attention continues to be paid by the Administration to the question of educa tion on the Island. The Compulsory Education Ordinance 1921 makes it obligatory for children up to the age of sixteen years to attend school regularly. 11 —

Europeans. — A school for the children of European residents was opened in 1921, the system of education, curriculum, etc., being the same as that prescribed for schools of the Education Department of Victoria (Australia). A teacher of the Victorian Education Department is in charge, and, in addition to his duties with the European School, he acts as Officer in Charge of the Native Schools. Native Schools. — Up to the 30th September, 1922, the education of native children was jn the hands of the Missions. From that date the Administration has accepted full responsi­ bility for the secular education of the children — the religious instruction remaining in the hands of the Missions. The Schools are well equipped and fitted, and up-to-date ; the results have been highly satisfactory. The attendance at the Schools is remarkably good. Instruction in the schools — except in the junior classes — is in English. In the junior classes Nauruan is used. In addition to the usual school subjects, instruction is given in physical training, sewing a n d hygiene. _ _ _ Two native youths were sent in November last to Australia to be trained as teachers. It is proposed to send two more next year for training. It is proposed, during 1925, to obtain material for the establishment of a sloyd class, to train the boys in the use of tools. 2. We have not yet reached the stage of development which would make it possible to provide for the higher education of the natives ; but when the time arrives, arrangements will be made for selected promising students to continue their education at higher schools and the Universities of Australia. A system of apprenticing a few youths to the British Phosphate Commission to be taught trades is in force, but naturally this is very limited. In all probability, arrangements will be made, within the next year or so, to send lads to Australia to be taught trades, etc. The only Mission schools are those for religious instruction. No conditions are imposed.

IX . Public Health. 1. Whal steps are being taken in the Territory lo provide for public health, sanitation, and to combat endemic and epidemic diseases ? 2. What provisions are made for medical assistance ? 3. Whalis Ihe actual situation as regards prostitution, and what steps are being taken in this matter ? Public Health—Supplementary Questions. 1. What public health organizations for the investigation of, preven­ tion, control, and treatment of diseases exist in the Territory ? State any noteworthy results of the work of this organization during this year. 2. Whal endemic or epidemic diseases are responsible for Ihe greatest morbidity and mortality in the Territory? Please supply as complete statistics as possible regarding the morbidity and mortality attributable to such diseases, where possible by months and age and sex. 3. Please indicate the birth rale, the death rate from all causes, and the infant mortality rate for those portions of the Territory, if any, for which such information may be available. 4. Describe the measures in force for the collection of vital statistics in the Territory? 5. Please supply such other information of epidemiological interest concerning the Territory as may be available, with special reference to the incidence of such serious diseases as sleeping sickness, etc., where this information does not come within the scope of question (2) above. 1. and 2. There are two Medical Officers on the Island, viz. : [a) The Government Medical Officer. [b) The Medical Officer employed by the British Phosphate Commission. Ihe Government Medical Officer, in addition to his ordinary duties, visits each district least once each month, examines each person and gives simple instructions on hygiene and ianitation to the natives. The duties of the Medical Officer employed by the British Phos- Pate Commission are confined to the medical care of the employees of the Phosphate Com­ mission. T he Phosphate Commission has well-equipped hospitals for its employees. The sites ® the Chinese and Native Hospitals, however, were not considered to be suitable, and the • irninistrator gave notice that they were to be removed to a more suitable location. This Work is now in hand. — 12 —

Frequent inspections of the Chinese and Kanaka Hospitals are made by the Administrator or the Government Medical Officer. They are invariably found to be well conducted, clean, and the patients well cared for. The Government Hospital is intended for Nauruans only. No charge is made for either medical attendance or medicines. Food for patients is supplied by the families ; but, if any special diet is ordered, this is supplied at the Government expense. A Nurse (European) was appointed to the Government Hospital during the year, and has taken up her duties, which comprise : — Supervision of Government Medical Hospital under the Medical Officer ; Instruction to women in the respective districts in the treatment and feeding of infants ; Training of native nurses and midwives. 3. There is little or no prostitution on the island.

Supplementary Question 1. The Island and population are so small that no official health organization, apart from the resident Medical Officers and Sanitary Inspector, have been considered necessary.

Supplementary Question 2. See Report of Medical Officer (Appendix A.).

Supplementary Question 3. See under Demographic Statistics.

Supplementary Question 4. The law requires that all births, marriages, and deaths be reported to the Admi­ nistrator. This, in the case of Nauruans, is done by the District Chief, to whom every person and event is known. The statistics are therefore complete.

Supplementary Question 5. See report of Medical Officer (Appendix A.). General. — Each month shows an improvement in the sanitation of the Island. All native wells have been concreted, covered in, and provided with pumps, so that the water supply is free from pollution. Latrines are being built and the natives encouraged to use them, instead of the bush. Concrete cisterns for the storage of rain water have been built in several of the districts ; and, by the end of June next, each of the fourteen districts will be provided with one. The many water-holes, and small lagoons, are being gradually filled in, thus reducing the possible breeding places for mosquitoes. From a medical and public health point of view the natives are well cared for. Venereal Diseases. — See report of Medical Officer (Appendix A.). X. Land Tenure. 1. What systems of land tenure and foresl law exist ? How are they legally recognized ? Whal lands are considered as belonging to the Stale and whal are regarded as communally owned ? 2. Whal measures are being adopled for Ihe registration of landed property ? 3. What are the regulations for the alienation of land in which natives or native communities exercise rights by virtue of heredity or use ? 4. What other measures are being taken lo prolecl the rights and interests of natives and native communities in respect lo land (usury, forced scale, etc.)? 1. and 2. — Land Tenure. — The system of land tenure is governed by old custom, and practically with the exception of small allotments held by the Government and Missions, the whole of the Island is owned by individual natives. A survey of the Island is in progress, and a small Lands Commission has been formed to define boundaries and ownership. On completion of the survey a certificate will be issued to the owner of each allotment, defining his boundaries and showing that he is recognized as the owner of the allotment. The only lands belonging to the State are the Government Station and the area required for the Wireless Station, approximately 100 acres. These lands were acquired by the German Government by purchase from the native owners. Under Article 257 of the Treaty of Peace these lands became transferred to the “ Mandatory Power in its capacity as such, ” and as such have been dealt with as the property of the Administration. — 13 —

Up to date no revenue has been received from these lands ; but, in the event of such a fircumstance arising, any moneys received would be paid into the consolidated revenue of the Nauru Administration. No lands are communally owned. 3, — The alienation of land in which natives exercise rights by virtue of heredity or use is governed by local native custom. 4. — To protect the rights and interests of natives in respect to land, an Ordinance was passed in October, 1921, making it illegal for any sale, lease, contract, or agreement with regard to land to be concluded unless the consent of the Administrator had been first obtained. The same Ordinance also contained a clause showing the rates to be paid for lease of— (a) Phosphate land, ( b) Non-phosphate-bearing land. These rates were the result of an agreement made between the native owners, the Admi­ nistrator, and the British Phosphate Commission as to the general rate to be paid. This agreement is limited to a period of six years from 1st July, 1921, and will be then subject to review. For phosphate land. — £20 per acre, for a lease extending to 31st March, 2000, and royalty of 3d. per ton for each ton of phosphate shipped. (One penny of the three-pence royalty is paid to the Government for the benefit of the Nauruan popu­ lation generally ; the remainder is paid to the owners of the land.) These rates have been in force for over three years, and so far as is known, the owners are satisfied that such rates shall remain in force until expiration of the agreement ; but they desire, in the next review of the agreement, an annual rental to be paid for the lease of phos­ phate lands, instead of the lump sum as in the present agreement ; and that the royalty be increased to more adequately meet the commercial value of the phosphate.

X I. Moral, Social, and Material Welfare. Whal are, generally speaking, Ihe measures adopted lo ensure ihe moral, social, and material welfare of the natives ? (Measures to maintain the interests, rights, and customs of the natives, their participation in public service, native tribunals, etc.) The Island has from time immemorial been divided into fourteen districts, each district being under a Chief, the fourteen chiefs being controlled by a Head Chief. It may be argued that the Island is very small to be divided into so many districts, but the policy of the Administration is to encourage the preservation of native customs and rights where it can reasonably do so. No attempt has, therefore, been made to alter this arrange­ ment, which really works very well in practice. The Chiefs are charged with the maintenance of order in their districts, and in 1921 were granted powers to deal with minor offences, the accused in all cases having the right to appeal to the Administrator. In addition, the Chiefs are called together each month and afforded an opportunity of bringing matters under the notice of the Administrator. Advantage is also taken of this meeting to obtain the views of the Chiefs on native administrative matters generally. The office of Chief is not hereditary but elective, the whole of the people of the district having a voice in the election ; but, as a matter of fact, hereditary plays a part in the election, as it is generally the son or some other member of the family of the deceased Chief who is elected. Women are eligible for appointment. An Advisory Council has been formed, whose duties are : To advise the Administrator on all matters on which he may desire advice. To bring forward any suggestions for the betterment of the Administration and the community generally. To be a medium through which any grievances or complaints may be brought under the notice of the Administrator. Up to date, the Advisory Council has met on two occasions only. For the moral welfare of the natives, the Missions provide Catholic Mission of the Sacred Heart 2 large central churches, and 1 church in leper station. London Missionary Society 1 large central church, 4 district churches, 1 church in leper station. To encourage the natives to improve their material welfare, the Administration has ®ranged annual competitions for natives industries, including canoe building, fishing, mat taking, fishing, line making, etc., and for the best and most suitable house constructed of Qative material. — 14 —

The natives take very keen interest in these competitions, and they have been the means of restoring many of the minor native arts, which had, more or less, fallen into disuse or been altogether forgotten except by the older people. A museum for the preservation of Nauruan antiquities is also in process' of formation. To encourage the natives in habits of thrift, the Administration arranged for the opening of an agency of the Commonwealth Savings Bank in Nauru. The agency is established in connexion with the Post-Office, and one of the Island Chiefs, with an excellent knowledge of English, was placed in charge of the Post-office and Bank Agency, the Administration accountant supervising and advising him. The Agency has been in existence now for a little over three years, and on the 31st Decem­ ber, 1924, the deposits held by the Agency on account of Nauruan Native depositors amounted to £4,154 Is. 4d. Soon after the Administration took over control under the Mandate, some of the Chiefs asked permission to establish a co-operative store at which the Nauruan natives could purchase the stores they required at the lowest price possible consistent with keeping the store solvent. Permission w-as given, and a committee of Nauruan natives, principally Chiefs, was appointed to manage it. Up to date, it has been very successful, supplying the natives with necessaries at a cost below' that charged by other competing stores. The only supervision now exercised by the Administration is that of auditing the accounts each quarter to ensure that the money invested in the store, all belonging to Nauruan natives, is properly accounted for and that the business is solvent. The store pays the same duty on stores imported and the same trading licence-fee as that imposed on other similar trading concerns. In addition, the co-operative store buys copra from the natives, and by so doing maintains a healthy competition which ensures that the natives receive a reasonable price for their copra. All the minor administration appointments are filled by Nauruans, and, with the better education facilities existing, there is nothing to prevent practically the whole of the service appointments being, in course of time, filled by Nauruans. No petitions have been received for transmission to the League of Nations.

GENERAL.

Judicial Organization. — The Judicial Organization consists of (a) District Court, presided over by the Administrator, with power to award punish­ ment not exceeding a fine of £50, or imprisonment for twelve months. Any person sentenced to (a) A fine of not less than £5, or (b) Imprisonment, may appeal to the Central Court. (b) Central Court, which consists either of the Administrator and Magistrates appointed to the Court ; or of Magistrates alone. (Judicial Ordinance 1922). Although the Administrator may, under the provisions of the Ordinance, sit on the Central Court, up to the present he has not done so. The powers and functions of the Central Court are similar to those of Judges of the Supreme Court of Queensland. (Judicial Ordinance 1922). Sentences awarded by the Court are not required to be confirmed by a higher authority ; but the Administrator has power to remit, commute, suspend, or mitigate any sentence. Up to date there have been no appeals to the Central Court from decisions of the District Court. With regard to Natives and Chinese being conversant with the law, etc. — all Ordinances and Orders of the Administration are translated into Nauruan and copies forwarded to each Chief. The Chief of each district assembles his people every Saturday evening, and, amongst other things, reads and explains the Ordinances, etc., to them. All Ordinances relating to Chinese are translated into Chinese and posted in the Chinese locations.

X II. Public Finance. The general schedule of receipts from, and expenditure on, ihe Terri­ tory, budget system, indication of the nature and assessment of taxes. All expenditure is met from local revenue. £ s. d. Credit Balance at 1st January, 1924 ...... 16,967 17 6 Revenue from all sources during 1924 (asper statement below') 18,199 16 7

35,167 14 1 Total expenditure during 1924 (as per statement below) .. 13,580 5 4

Credit Ralance at 1st December, 1924...... 21,587 8 9 — 15 —

Comparative Statem ent of Revenue and Expenditure for 1923 a n d 1924. Revenue. 1923. 1924. £ s. d. £. s. Import Duty 2,521 17 8 3,749 6 Export Duty 98 0 3 191 11 Licences 183 5 0 192 15 Capitation Taxes ' 964 10 0 1,106 5 Harbour Dues 539 10 2 651 7 Court Fees and Fines 372 1 0 313 14 Shipping Fees 95 10 0 112 10 Royalty on Phosphate shipped 4,487 13 0 6,688 13 Police Contribution 1,000 0 0 1,250 0 Post Office Receipts 350 9 2 2,615 15 Sale of Government Property 25 4 0 30 15 Pound Fees. . 33 3 0 12 2 Miscellaneous Receipts 85 6 10 259 2 Wireless Receipts 447 2 0 500 17 Interest on Investments . . 633 15 0 525 0

11,837 7 1 18,199 16 7

Expenditure. 1923. 1924. £ s. d. £ s. d. Administrator’s Department 2,812 15 5 3,052 19 3 Police and Prisons 1,874 12 6 1,803 12 6 Medical 1,460 2 3 2,225 1 6 Post Office . . ■ 125 14 0 651 8 2 Wireless Station 1.679 13 11 1,128 19 0 European School 434 12 1 437 12 9 Public Works, recurring 612 7 1 1,035 15 1 Public Works, non-recurring 469 12 9 1,804 3 7 Miscellaneous 759 9 0 1,018 3 0 Island Survey 36 15 0 422 9 8

10,265 14 0 13,580 5 4

S tatem en t o f A ssets and Liabilities at 31st December, 1924. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. d. Cash in hand 66 13 10 Cash at Bank 3,053 3 4 Advance Account 1 1 0 0 Suspense Account 1,641 3 6 Trust Account V. , 5914 9 Police Canteen Account 124 17 2 Investments — At Fixed Deposit 7,000 0 0 Excess of Assets over Liabilities .. 21,587 8 9

21,772 0 8 21,772 0 8

I mports f o r t h e Twelve Months E nded 31st December, 1924. £ s. d. Beer and Stout .. 2,015 9 9 Cigars and Cigarettes 1,540 19 7 Coal and Coke .. 12,275 4 2 Cycles and Accessories 790 18 9 Cordials 634 18 3 Drapery and Boots 3,406 0 5 Fancy Goods and Perfumes 555 1 7 Hardware and Machinery 34,908 9 1

' Summary of Capitation Taxes. Europeans 70 at 40s. . £140 0 0 Nauruans 221 at 15s. 165 15 0 Chinese 715 at 20s. 715 0 0 Other South Sea Islanders 114 at 15s. 85 10 0 £1,106 5 0 16 —

£ s. d. Medicines and Drugs 1,195 3 10 Oils, Fuel 3,982 8 0 Paints and Oils 587 14 7 Provisions 23,998 2 9 Stationery 469 2 8 Sundries . . 3,063 16 6 Timber . . 6,904 1 3 Tobacco . . 2,080 9 0 Wines and Spirits 604 14 1 Motor Car and Lorry 441 5 0 Cash and Treasury Notes 800 0 0 100,253 19 3

E xports for the Twelve Months E nded 31st December, 1924.

Phosphate-Guano 280,990 tons Copra 383 ”

D e s t i n a t i o n o f P h o s p h a t e S h i p p e d .

Australia 200,770 tons New Zealand 80,220 ”

280,990 ’ ’

Ships E ntered During the Twelve M o n t h s E nded 31st December, 1924. British 56 247,066 gross tonnage Foreign . . 7 29,380 ”

63 276,446

N a u r u R o y a l t y T r u s t F u n d . On the 1st January, 1924, the Administration had a Credit Balance £ s. d. in this fund of. . 562 5 2 Received during 1924 £ s. d. Phosphate Royalty ...... 1,091 10 10 Interest ...... 18 0 0 1,109 10 10

1,671 16 0

The expenditure for the year 1924 has been Native Education— £ s. d. Native Teachers. . 498 10 4 School Books, etc. 14 0 2 School Buildings, Repairs, etc.. . 20 1 11 Miscellaneous — Erection of Cisterns, Catchments, etc. 299 7 2 Filling in Water Holes 77 0 8 Oiling Wells and Cisterns 2 15 7 Prizes, Native Industry Competitions 47 10 0 Building Latrines and other Sanitary Improvements 11 0 8 Advance to meet Expenses of Nauruan Trainees to Aus tralia 50 0 0 Nauru Brass Band — New Instruments, etc. 99 16 11 Sports Material 18 10 3 Milk for Native Infants 24 7 8

1,163 1 4

Balance in hand at 31st December, 1924 £508 — 17 —

The amount expended directly and solely in the interest of Nauruan natives during 1924 is therefore—

From Administration Funds — £ s. d. Medical 2,225 1 6 Survey 422 9 8 From Nauru Royally Trust Account— Native Education 532 12 5 Water Cisterns and Catchments 299 7 2 Sundry 331 1 9

3,810 12 6

N a t u r e a n d A s s e s s m e n t o f T a x e s .

Customs. — See Customs Tariff Amendment Ordinance 1922.

Briefly—Under the concession granted by the German Government to the original Com­ pany for the exploitation of phosphate on Nauru, the British Phosphate Commission— “ enjoys freedom from Customs duty for the material and appliances serving for the exploitation of the guano (phosphate) as well as for the provisions imported by the" Commission for the feeding of the employees and workmen engaged in the exploitation of guano (phosphate). ” All foodstuffs imported are free from duty, and there is also a lengthy free list of other imported minor articles. There are special rates for tobacco and intoxicants, and 10 per cent, ad valorem duty on all other imported goods. Export Duly. 10s. per ton on Copra. Licences. — See Licences Ordinance 1922. Briefly— £ s. d. Trading Licence, Main Store . 10 0 0 Branch Store . 5 0 0 1 Wine, Spirit, and Beer Licence, unrestricted . 40 0 0 restricted . 10 0 0 To Import Explosives . 5 0 0 Motor Car . 5 0 0 Motor Cycle 1 10 0 Bicycle . 0 5 0 Each Dog . 0 5 0

1 The wine, spirit, and beer licence is for liquors not to be consumed on the premises. The sale of intoxicating liquors to be consumed on the premises is prohibited.

C a p i t a t i o n T a x .

(Capilalion Tax Ordinance 1922.)

Each male person between 16 and 60 years of age is required to pay— £ s. d. Europeans ...... 2 0 0 per annum Chinese 10 0” All Others, including Nauruans 0 15 0 ”

The Capitation Tax is invariably remitted in the case of natives who are in any way '^capacitated and unable to wrork.

F i n a n c e s o f B r i t i s h P h o s p h a t e C o m m i s s i o n .

The report and accounts of the British Phosphate Commission for the year ended 30th June, 1923, are printed as an Appendix. The report for the year ended 30th June, 1924, kas not yet been received. 9 — 18 —

XIII. Demographic Statistics. Births, Marriages (Polygamy), Deaths, Emigration, Immigration. Approximate Population on 31st December, 1924 : — Men. Women. Children. Total. Chinese 785 785 Europeans 68 i ! 31 ‘ " 26 ’ " 125 Nauruans 344 .. 355 .. 520 . . 1,219 Kanakas (South Sea Islanders other than Nauruans) 11 11

1,208 . . 386 . . 546 2,140

B irths D uring 1924. Females. Males. Total. Europeans 2 . . 1 .. 3 Nauruans .. .. 32 .. 24 . . 56 Others . . . . 1 1

34 .. 26 .. 60

Taking the Nauruan births and Nauruan population only, the birth-rate for the year was 46 per 1,000 of mean population.

Marriages during 1923.

Europeans ...... - • ■ 3 Chinese ...... • • Nil Nauruans ...... - ■ ■ 14 Polygamy is neither practised nor permitted.

Deaths During 1923. Europeans ...... 1 Chinese ...... 5 Kanakas (South Sea Islanders other than Nauruans) . . . . 7 Nauruans (including 20 children under 1 year) ...... 34

47

Taking the Nauruan population only, the death-rate for the year was 27 per 1,000 of mean population. The death-rate of infants under 1 year was at the rate of 357 per 1,000 deaths.

Immigration and E migration During 1924.

Arrivals. Departures. Europeans ...... 135 .. 124 Chinese ...... 325 .. 137 Kanakas (South Sea Islanders other than Nauruans) .. 1 100 Nauruans ...... 2

General International Conventions. The question of the application of general international conventions to Nauru is under consideration by the governments responsible for the administration. “ The Permanent Mandates Commission would be grateful to the Mandatory Powers if they would be good enough to add to the reports the text of all the legis­ lative and administrative decisions taken with regard to each Mandated Territory in the course of the past year. ” The text of Ordinances and Regulations made during the year are published as an Appendix. (Signed) T. G r if f it h s , Nauru, Administrator. 17th January, 1925. — 19 —

ADDENDUM REPLIES TO THE OBSERVATIONS OF THE PERMANENT MANDATES COMMISSION ON THE REPORT FOR 1923.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS.

“ The Commission notes with interest that the Report contains, as an appendix the Agreement concluded on 2nd July, 1919, between His Britannic Majesty’s Govern­ ment, the Australian Government, and the New Zealand Government in regard to the Administration of the Island of Nauru. The Commission would have been glad if the Agreement of 30th May, 1923, concluded between the same High Contracting Parties, which supplements the previous agreement, had also been included in the Report. The text, which was communicated to the Commission last year in a sepa­ rate sheet, will, it is hoped, be printed as an annex to next year’s Report. ”

R e p l y :— A copy of the Agreement referred to is attached — (Appendix E).

SPECIAL OBSERVATIONS.

A dministrative O rganization .

“ The Commission has noted the accredited Representative’s statement to the effect that next year’s Report will contain more detailed information regarding the composition of the administrative staff of the Island of Nauru, of the Advisory Council, and of the Central Court. ”

R e p l y :— The A dministrative S t a f f consists of :

Europeans. Administrator. Medical Officer. Accountant and Officer in charge of Customs. Officer in charge of Schools (on loan from Victorian Education Department). Officer in charge of Police. Surveyor (on loan from New South Wales Lands Department). Stenographer (Female). Two Wireless Officers. Matron of Hospital. Natives. Clerk and Interpreter. Postmaster. Nine Teachers of Native Schools. One Wireless Watcher. Hospital Assistants. Police. Gaol Warders. Mechanics. Chinese. One Interpreter. One Mechanic. One Gardener. The duties of the Advisory Council are detailed in the body of the Report, under the heading : X I. Moral, Social and Material Welfare.

The C o u n c i l consists of : Two Europeans. Two Native Chiefs. The Europeans were appointed by the Administrator, the Chiefs were elected by the Island Chiefs. As at present in existence, the C e n t r a l C o u r t consists of : Three European Magistrates, one of whom is an Administration Official. Nauru is so small a place, both in population and in size, and so remote from other places, that it is not reasonably practicable to arrange for any elaborate judicial machinery - 20 —

Consideration is, however, now being given to a proposal to release the Administrator from duty in the lower (District) Court, so as to permit him to sit as the Presiding Officer of the Central Court.

L a b o u r .

“ The Commission, in view of the special conditions prevailing in the Island of Nauru, shares the hope of the accredited Representative that it. may be found possible to substitute in cases of breach of labour contracts a civil action in lieu of proceedings in a criminal court, and invites the attention of the Mandatory Power to the measures taken in this connexion in Western Samoa.

R e p l y : — Very earnest attention is being given to this by the Administration. There are, however, very many difficulties in the way. The situation in Western Samoa is entirely different from that at Nauru. In the former, the Chinese are split up into small parties working on plantations ; they can leave one employer and go to another ; or an employer can discharge an unsatisfactory labourer, and it rests with the labourer to secure other employment ; if he (the labourer) does not do so, action can be taken against him as a vagrant. In Nauru there is only one employer, the British Phosphate Commission ; and if a labourer wilfully absents himself from wrork, or otherwise commits a breach of his agreement, unless some penal action can be taken against him, the only alternative will be to return him to China.

T r a d e i n , a n d M a n u f a c t u r e o f , A l c o h o l a n d D r u g s .

“ The Commission draws the attention of the Mandatory Power to the apparent contradiction between the statement on page nine that “ it is an offence for a native to have in his possession intoxicating liquor of any kind ”, and the statement on page 23 of the Report that coco-nuts and coco-nut toddy are the two staple articles of Nauruan diet. ”

R e p l y :— Nauru is one of the “ barren ” islands of the Pacific. The native staple diet consists of : — Ekarawe, or Toddy — the sap from the coco-nut tree. This has a high carbohydrate content, and is stated by medical men to be rich in Vitamin B. The toddy is taken when freshly gathered, and before it ferments. It certainly is an intoxi­ cant if it be permitted to ferment, and it is an offence for a native to have fermented toddy in his possession. Before fermentation it is not an intoxicant. Eanikiwi, or meat of the old coco-nut. This is grated, and sw'allowed with the aid of water. Ini, or young coco-nut — both the meat and milk, especially eaten by voung children. Fish. Pandanus Fruit.

P u b l i c F i n a n c e .

“ The Commission wTould be glad to have more complete information in regard to the Trust Account and Trust Fund, to which various references are made on pages 17 and 18 of the Report. ”

R e p l y :—The Trust Account referred to on page 17 of the Report for 1923 (page 16 of Report for 1924) refers to money held in Trust, on the last day of the year, on account of deceased estates, property of prisoners, and such like. The Trust Account referred to on page 18 of the Report for 1923 (page 17 of Report for 1924) deals solely with the Nauru Royalty Trust Fund. Prior to the Australian Government taking over the Administration of the Island in June, 1921, the native owners of phosphate land received no payment for the lease of their lands to the Phosphate Company ; they received payment of a royalty of only one half-penny for each ton of phosphate raised from their lands and shipped. These were the conditions approved by the German Government and continued in force by the British Administration until the Administration was taken over by Australia in 1921. Immediately on the conclusion of the war, and when the native owners realized that German control had ceased, they appealed for better treatment in respect to their lands and the phosphate deposits. They subsequently agreed that the following conditions would be fair and reasonable for phosphate lands : — Payment of a lump sum of £20 per acre for a lease terminating in the year 2,000 ; Payment of a royalty of 3d. for each ton of phosphate raised and shipped from their land ; and this was agreed to. This agreement terminates on the 30th June, 1927, before which the conditions will be subject to review. Following on a custom which obtains at Ocean Island (another phosphate island) the native owners, in fixing th e royalty rate, made a proviso that out of the 3d. per ton royalty, ■»

— 21 —

Id. should be retained by the Administration, to be expended “ solely in the interests of the jVauruan Natives. ” The Id. per ton referred to is paid into a Fund designated “ The Nauruan Royalty Trust Fund, ” which is vested in the Administration (Lands Ordinance 1921).

(Signed) T. G r if f i t h s , Nauru, 12th March, 1925. Administrator.

APPENDIX A.

REPORT OF GOVERNMENT MEDICAL OFFICER.

P u b l ic H e a l t h a n d S a n i t a t io n , N a u r u , 1924.

Disposal of Refuse. — This matter, especially in regard to the disposal of human excrement, is of greatest importance in the native districts. It is now the duty of district chiefs to see that sufficient latrines are constructed and maintained in each district. These latrines are pits sunk to high water-level, or not less than 8 feet in depth, and must be renewed when re­ quired. They are inspected from time to time. The improvement is very apparent, and the total absence of dysentery in the last five months, in spite of the hot, dry, dusty conditions obtaining, is noteworthy. Vegetable refuse is disposed of by fire or burying — mainly the former. Disposal on the roof is not permitted. The inspection of districts is made by the Administrator in person every three months, and a high standard of cleanliness is required. Incinerators are to be installed in all districts for the destruction of refuse. Two such have been constructed to date. The salt-wrater carriage system of sewerage in the British Phosphate Settlement locations leaves nothing to be desired. The pit latrines on the phosphate fields have been maintained in excellent condition. The conservancy system in vogue on the Government Station is not altogether satisfac­ tory. Lack of a suitable water supply prevents the use of septic tanks ; but a “ Kaustine ” (chemical) plant was installed recently in the gaol. This system appears to be most efficient, and will be installed throughout the station. Other refuse is disposed of by incineration. Water Supply. — The work of cementing in and fitting pumps to wrells from wrhich the natives obtain their supply has now been completed. In addition, in all but three districts, 5,000-gallon cement cisterns have been provided, and the remainder wrill be completed early in the ensuing year. An order has been made prohibiting the deposit of any material in the vicinity of wells or cisterns liable to give rise to pollution of the water. The natives are, at the present time, dependent on the wells for their water supply owing to the continued rainless weather. Dwellings. — Native dwellings have, on the whole, been maintained in a cleanly condition. The chief sanitary objection to the native house is the floor, which consists of loose coral shingle, and cannot be cleansed. Even if it were possible to ensure frequent renewal it would not be satisfactory. It has been decided that every native house shall have a cement floor, raised to at least 9 inches above the surrounding ground level — the work to be completed by the end of 1925. The Administration has imported the cement, and is supplying it as required to the districts at cost price. Clean and sanitary houses are, of course, urgently necessary in the prevention of the spread of leprosy amongst the natives, apart from the general sanitary effects. The housing of the indentured labour has been under constant supervision and, with the exception of the double-tier berth barracks, is satisfactory. In twro barracks the berths have been removed and single beds substituted, and the remainder are to be similarly converted by June, 1925, failing which their use will be prohibited. Housing regulations requiring 50 square feet of floor space per head have been adopted. The food supplies, latrines, wrater supply, and barracks and houses in the locations have been inspected at monthly intervals, and all have been most satisfactory. The houses are ''ell constructed, airy, and well kept, and no complaints relative to housing or food were made by the labourers. Quarantine. — The s.s. Arabien arrived from China on 30th August with a number of -hinese labourers on board — these were landed in quarantine and released after a period four days. — 22 —

The origin of the influenza epidemic in August being traced to the s.s. Nauru Chief, the Gilbert Island native crew were refused permission to land on the Island on the vessel’s return from Ocean Island, and no Nauruan was permitted to board the ship. A similar order was made on the vessel’s arrival in November. Epidemics. — A widespread and moderately severe epidemic of influenza occurred in August. The native population suffered most ; the Europeans and Chinese being but lightly affected. There were two deaths in infants from broncho-pneumonia. Another mild epidemic of bronchitis followed in October, and was practically confined to the natives. The mortality was nil. Two cases of mumps among the newly-arrived Chinese were reported on 17th September. The patients were isolated at the British Phosphate Commission’s Hospital. No further cases appeared.

Hygiene of Natives. — The natives are instructed to be strict as regards their personal hygiene and, on account of the leprosy, this is of vital importance. House to house inspections, instruction of patients and caretakers in hospital, instruction to the people at the monthly inspections, and lectures to district chiefs and constables for transmission through them to the people of their districts, have all assisted. Clothing, food, and cleanliness of the person have been particularly stressed with good result. The personal hygiene of the early and doubtful cases of leprosy attending the leper out­ patient clinic receives special attention. Separate food, utensils, mats, and clothing, must be used by each patient ; and surprise visits are paid from time to time to prevent any laxity in this ;regard. Shower baths have been erected in three districts.

Repatriation of Commission Labour. — The entire New Guinea labour was repatriated before expiration of the contract on 25th July, 1924. A month prior to their departure an examination was made in conjunction with the Medical Officer of the British Phosphate Com­ mission to determine the fitness of the “ boys”. About half of the number were declared unfit for further service, and their repatriation ordered ; but the Commission decided to return the total number. There was a great deal of ill health amongst these labourers — tuberculosis especially being rife, and the mortality was high. Nine cases were admitted to the Government Hospital annexe — but all were advanced — and five terminated fatally. Of the 145 Chinese labourers repatriated in August, 67 were medically unfit for service, the contracts of the remainder having expired.

Government Hospital. — A statement of cases treated during the year is appended. From various causes the appointment of a trained nurse was not made until October, Miss Carter arriving in the middle of November. The present staff consists of three Nauruan male orderlies. Four native girls have been selected for training in both general nursing and midwifery and will commence their work in the new year, The wrards at present are of native construction, with concrete floors — each house taking three patients. The scattering of patients increases the work considerably, and a lot of waste time results. European wards, male and female — each to carry twelve patients — and an operating theatre, are to be erected. The materials for the operating theatre and one ward have now been landed on the Island and only require assembling. An incinerator has been installed. The following figures indicate the work done in the out-patient department for the year :— Consultations. — (First attendance at the hospital for any particular complaint. The cases admitted are included) — M ales...... 1,773 Females ...... 1,320

T o t a l ...... 3,093

Attendances for dressings and medicines— Males ...... 3,623 Females ...... 2,149

T o t a l ...... 5,772

The out-patient leper clinic is a separate unit situated at a little distance from the hospital. It consists of an enclosure in wdiich are two buildings of native construction — one an injection room and ante-room, the other a shelter shed for patients. — 23 —

Treatments are given on six mornings a week. Since July, when the clinic was first com­ menced, the numbers of injections given are — Males ...... 2,606 Females ...... 2,734

T o t a l ...... 5,340

Of this number, 4,978 have been intravenous ; the remainder, intramuscular. British Phosphate Commission. — The staff consists of a medical officer, a dispenser, and a matron in charge of the White Staff Hospital. The orderlies are Chinese. The plans for the new hospital, and the site, have been submitted and approved, and the hospital is to be constructed before the end of June, 1925.

I n f e c t i o u s D i s e a s e s .

Dysentery. — Twenty-five cases occurred during the first seven months of the year — three of which were amoebic. There were five deaths ; three of which occurred in infants under one year of age. One case of amoebic abscess of the liver died after operation. Gastro-Enteritis. — Seven deaths in infants under one year of age are recorded under this heading, and possibly three further deaths entered as broncho-pneumonia may be attri­ buted to this^cause. The course of this disease is extraordinarily rapid and extremely fatal, almost invariably so. The average duration in fatal cases, from the onset to death, has been from 12-14 hours — the greatest 48 hours. The usual history obtained is that of vomiting after eating, perhaps a mild diarrhoea, followed by laboured breathing, collapse, and death. One previously apparently normal child woke up at night, vomited once, and died in fifteen minutes. A striking feature is the total absence of resistance to the disease. The course is a febrile, with perhaps a slight terminal, rise in temperature, and stimulation produces no response. Respiration is laboured, but not obstructed — the pulse very rapid. All the cases have been well-nourished and well-developed infants — breast-fed and bottle- fed infants in almost equal proportion. Post-mortem examinations were performed where possible, the constant findings being small ecchymosis and slight congestion of the gastric mucosa, and small and early involvement of the lung. One is inclined to think that lack of sufficient vitamin in the diet is a large factor in the low resistance, although the toxin must be a virulent one. At the weekly baby clinic, and at the monthly inspections, the importance of fresh “toddy”, the only substitute for fruit-juice obtainable, taken daily by both mother and child, has been stressed ; but it is distressingly obvious that some people have failed to grasp it. Nowr that nursing assistance has been obtained, weekly clinics and demonstrations for all infants and the women are to be instituted, and it is hoped and expected that the present high infant mortality rate wrill be much reduced. Influenza. — This outbreak has been discussed above. Tuberculosis. — Three cases of pulmonary tuberculosis are in-patients at the Government Hospital and are responding well to treatment. There is one case in the leper station. In addition, there is one case of scrofula and one of bone tuberculosis. Venereal Diseases. — These diseases are not common on the Island. Two natives — males — were found to be suffering from gonorrhoea, both apparently recurrences of previous disease. An inspection of the entire population, both male and female, in September failed to reveal the presence of these diseases. Twenty-two cases in all have been reported during the year — two amongst the Chinese labour — the remainder being members of the crews of visiting ships. These latter were not permitted to land on the Island, except for admission to and isolation in hospital for treatment. Treatment was provided on board during the vessels’ stay in port. Of the cases amongst the Commission’s labour one was repatriated, the other being still in isolation until certified as non-infective. Twrenty coolies were refused permission to land from the s.s. Arabien recruit in August. On the vessel’s return from Ocean Island, nine of this number were passed and landed, the remainder being returned to China, via Australia. Filariasis. — Partly owing to anti-mosquito measures, and partly to the scanty rainfall, mosquitoes .have not been numerous. The many water holes and small lagoons scattered round the Island are the main breeding places. These are to be drained and filled up, and for this purpose a truck and set of rails has been purchased by the Administration and a definite Programme mapped out. Commencing at Aiwo District all water holes will be successively filled in. Beri Beri. — This has occurred amongst the Nauruans during the year — six in the leper station and four in the districts — all of the typical paraplegic variety. This is due, I believe — 24 —

in the main, to the increasing consumption of white rice and to the substitution of sugar water for toddy in the native diet. To combat this, the production of toddy is being insisted upon and an Ordinance is in preparation to prohibit the sale of any but undermilled rice to natives. Leprosy. — The accompanying preliminary report, prepared at the request of the Secre­ tary of State for the Colonies and the British Empire Leprosy Relief Committee, indicates the position with regard to leprosy at Nauru. It is necessary to add that, as fully anticipated, further mild and doubtful cases have been attached to the out-patient clinic for treatment, the total now being 153. Careful observation fails to indicate further spread of the disease under the present policy.

R e t u r n o f D i s e a s e s a n d D e a t h s a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t H o s p i t a l , N a u r u ,

f o r t h e Y e a r 1924.

Yearly Total Nationalities. Disease. Total Remaining Remaining Nau- New in Hospital Admissions. Deaths. in Hospital Chinese Guinea. Others. end of 1923 Treated. end of 1924.

Acuie Infective Diseases. Dysentery 1 26 5 27 25 2 Gonorrhoea 1 2 3 2 1 Influenza 36 36 36 ! .. Leprosy 1 1 1 Pneumonia 12 4 12 1 12 Pyrexia of uncertain origin 8 1 8 8 Tuberculosis of Lung . . 2 6 3 8 3 5 3 ” Glands. . 1 1 1 1 1 Bone . . 1 4 5 5 Peritoneum 4 3 4 2 2 ” Pleura. . 3 3 ! . . 3 Generalized Tuberculosis 1 1 1 1 Epidemic Bronchitis . . 34 34 34

10 133 17 143 5 131 3 9

Certain Morbid Conditions. Adenoma of Breast 1 1 1 Sarcoma of Lung 1 1 1 1

2 1 2 2

General Diseases. Beri Beri 4 4 1 2 2 Debility 4 4 3 1

8 8 1 5 3

Parasites. Filariasis 3 12 15 15 Parasitic Fungus 2 2 2 2

3 14 2 17 17 -- Local Diseases. Diseases of the Nervous System Neuritis 2 2 2 Convulsions of Infancy 2 1 2 2 Cerebral Softening 2 2 1 1 1 Observation 2 2 1 1

8 1 8 1 6 2

Diseases of the Eye. Conjunctivitis 5 5 5 Pterygium 1 1 1 Strabimus 1 1 1 I n j u r y ...... 1 1 1

8 8 8 R etu r n of Diseases and D eaths at t h e Go vern m en t H o spita l, N a u r u , for the Year 1924— continued.

Yearly Total. Nationalities. Disease. Remaining Total Remaining N ew in Hospital Admissions. Deaths. Cases in Hospital Chinese Others. end of 1923. Treated. end of 1924.

Diseases of the Ear. Otitis Media 10 10 ■ 10 i Diseases of Organs of Circulation. Varicose Veins. . 1 1 1

Diseases of the Organs of Respi 1 ration. Asthma 6 6 6 Bronchitis 34 34 34 i Catarrhal Laryngitis 1 1 1 1 Empylema 1 1 1 Haemoptysis . . 1 1 1 Pleurisy 1 1 1

44 1 44 44

Diseases of the Organs of Digestion. Alveolar Abscess 1 1 1 Colic 1 1 1 Diarrhoea 16 16 14 Dyspepsia 8 8 8 Appendicitis 3 3 3 Constipation 2 2 2 Fistula . . 1 1 1 Food Poisoning 1 1 Gastro-Enteritis 11 11 ii Gastritis 3 3 2 Hepatitis 9 10 10 Intestinal Obstruction 1 1 1 Liver Abscess 1 1 1 Parotitis 9 2 2 Subacute General Peritonitis 1 1 Stomatitis 2 2 1 2 Tonsilitis 1 1 1

2 63 9 65 3 60 5

Diseases of the Lymphatic System Lymphangitis 13 13 12 1 Adenitis 4 4 3 1

17 17 15 2

Disease of the Urinary System Stricture 1 1 1 — Diseases of the Male Organs of Generation. Epiditymitis 1 1 1 Elephantiasis Scroti . . 1 1 Hydrocele 1 1 1 Phimusis 1 1 1 Urethritis 1 1 1

5 5 5 1 — 26 -

R e t u r n o f D i s e a s e s a n d D e a t h s a t t h e G o v e r n m e n t H o s p i t a l , N a u r u , f o r t h e Y e a r 1924— continued.

Yearly Total. Nationalities. Disease. Total Remaining Remaining Nau- New Admissions. Deaths. in Hospital Chinese in Hospital Guinea. Others. end of 1923 Treated. end of 1924.

Diseases of the Female Organs of Generation. Abortion 1 1 1 Ectopic Gestation 2 2 2 Endometritis 2 2 2 Lacerated Perineum 1 1 1 Mastitis. . 3 3 3 Uterine Inertia. . 1 1 1 Puerperal Sepsis ; 1 1 1 Toxaemia of Pregnancy i 1 1

12 12 1 12

Diseases of Organs of Locomotion Elephantiasis of Leg 2 2 2 Fibrostitis 2 2 2 Suppurative Arthritis o 3 3 Synovitis 2 2 2

9 9 9

. ...

Diseases of the Connective Tissue. Abscess 31 31 9 25 5 1 Cellulitis 7 / 2 7

38 38 4 32 5 1

Diseases of the Skin. Boils 3 3 1 3 Carbuncle 1 1 1 Erythema Multiforme. . 1 1 1 Impetigo 4 4 4 Irritant Dermatitis 5 5 1 5

14 14 2 14

Injuries. Contusions and Lacerations . . 16 16 1 15 1 Sprains 4 .. 1 4 2 4 Burns 2 9 2 Concussion of Brain 1 1 1

23 23 3 22 1

Miscellaneous. Parturition 2 2 2 Infants removed from Leper Station at Birth 3 3 1 3 .

5 5 1 5 — 27 —

S u m m a r y .

Yearly Total. Nationalities. Disease. Remaining Remaining Total New in Hospital Admissions. Deaths. in Hospital Chinese O'.hers. man». Guinea. end of 1923. Treated. end of 1924.

Acute Infective Diseases 10 133 17 143 5 131 3 9 Certain Morbid Conditions 2 1 2 2 General Diseases 8 8 i 5 3 Parasites 3 14 2 17 17 Local Diseases. Diseases of Nervous System .. 8 1 8 i 6 2 the Eye 8 8 8 the Ear 10 10 i 10 Organs of Circulation 1 1 1 Organs of Respiration 44 1 44 44 Organs of Digestion 63 9 65 3 60 5 Lymphatic System 17 17 15 2 the Urinary System 1 1 1 Male Organs 5 5 5 Female Organs 12 12 2 12 Organs of Locomotion 9 9 9 Connective Tissue 38 38 4 32 5 the Skin 14 14 2 14 Injuries 23 23 3 22 i Miscellaneous 5 5 1 5

Total 15 415 31 430 23 398 20 10 2

Ca u s e of D e a t h in A ge a n d S e x (N a u r u a n s ), 1924.

Under 1 year. 1-5 years o-21 years. Over 21 years. Disease. Total. Males. Females. Male». Female*. Males. Females. Males. Fem ales.

Acute Infective Diseases. Dysentery 2 1 1 1 5 Gastro-Enteritis. . 5 2 7 Pneumonia 3 4 7 Pulmonary Tuberculosis i 1 2 Tabes Mesenterica 1 1 Toxaemia of unknown ori­ gin ...... 1 1 Parasites. Parasitic Fungus .. 1 * 1 2 Morbid Conditions. Sarcoma of Lung 1 1 Diseases of Nervous Syslern Convulsions of Infancy .. 1 . . . . 1 Diseases of Organs of Respiration. Catarrhal Laryngitis 1 . . . . 1 Diseases of Organs of Digestion. Infantile Diarrhoea 1 1 Liver Abscess i 1 Subacute General Perito­ nitis 1 1 Diseases of Organs of Circulation. Cardiac Failure l 1 Not classified. Marasmus l 1 Still Birth (V)

.__ 10 10 2 .3 1 .. 2 5 34 — 28 —

REPORT ON LEPROSY BY THE GOVERNMENT MEDICAL OFFICER.

Nauru, an atoll of 10.66 miles in circumference, is situated in longitude 166° east, and is 26 miles south of the equator. It is ovoid in shape and surrounded by a coral reef, bare at low water. On the landward side is a narrow sandy beach, and from this the land rises gradually to about 10 feet above sea-level to a coral cliff which extends round the Island and rises more or less abruptly to a height of 40-60 feet. At the top of this cliff is an extensive phosphate-bearing plateau. About 1 mile inland is a shallow lagoon. The area between the sandy beach and the coral cliff, or foreshore, is the only fertile and food-producing land, with the exception of a fringe round the lagoon. The foreshore varies in depth from 100 yards to a quarter of a mile, and is heavily wooded with coconut trees (Conus nuciferae), and it is in this fringe that the natural water supply—shallow, somewhat brackish, wells and lagoons—exist. The climate is hot, but not unpleasant. The average shade temperature ranges between 95° F. maximum and 72° F. minimum, and the average humidity between 70 and 80. Easterly weather prevails for the greater portion of the year—a windless day is a rarity. Between November and March westerly gales, rough seas, and torrential rainfall are the rule. The bulk of the rainfall occurs during this season. The average rainfall is high—120 inches yearly—and necessarily so as the soil is very porous and permits the water to escape rapidly. However, droughts do occasionally occur ; six years ago only 40 inches were received over a period of two years. As may be seen by the accompanying chart, the Island is divided into districts—fourteen in number—which radiate seawards from the central lagoon districts, and the native popula­ tion is registered in these districts. Registration in a district, in the main, implies residence therein, but by no means invariably so. Many persons with interest in other parts of the Island live away. The marriage of natives in different districts necessitates one party leaving his or her district, but the registration is usually retained. The children, as a rule, adopt the mother’s district, irrespective of place of residence. This is mentioned here at some length to point out that the statistics given hereunder, which are arranged by registration and not by residence, may not indicate exactly the incidence of leprosy amongst the residents of each district. The differences are, however, very slight. Each district is under the charge of a chief, elected by the people, who is assisted in his duties by a constable. The British Phosphate Commission head-quarters are situated on the west side of the Island, and the Commission occupies a portion of two adjoining districts—Aiwo and Denigo- modu. The white staff is resident in Aiwo ; the labourers living in locations in Denigomodu. The European population is approximately 110, and the labourers, with the exception of seven Caroline Islanders—all Chinese—number 750. The accompanying map shows clearly the distribution of the native population and the arrangement of the districts.

Natives.—The Nauruans are a brown-skinned people of good average physique. The men are of sturdy build, and average between 5 ft. 6 in. and 5 ft. 7 in. in height. They are well nourished, the women in particular, inclining to plumpness. The race is not a pure one, as various admixtures have occurred from time to time. Pro­ bably the greatest number of migrants have come from the adjacent Gilbert and Ellice Islands. The nearest approach to the original Nauruan is to be found in the western and northern districts ; here the people have somewhat darker skins than those living in the eastern and southern districts, who more closely resemble the Gilbertese. The original native dress—male or female—consisted of the “ ridi ”, strips of coco-nut leaf suspended from the waist and extending almost to the knee. Of late years the popular male garment has been the lava-1 ava or loin-cloth, possibly a ridi worn over it" Cotton singlets are in general use, especially with the younger generation. In addition, quite a large number of natives now affect white “ European ” clothes on Sundays and gala occasions. The women have adopted the “ Mother Hubbard ” —a long cotton garment. As a rule, the ridi is retained. The native houses are oblong four-posted structures carrying a thatch made from the leaves of the pandanus tree. The floors are raised, and consist of coral shingle ; a few have a raised platform made of coco-nut slabs. Most of the houses are open, a n d protection pro­ vided by movable coconut-leaf blinds. The floors are covered by mats, the sleeping mats being laid on top of these. Dwellings are, on the whole, kept in a cleanly and sanitary condition. The diet is described elsewhere. For water the population was, in the past, dependent on shallow open wells scattered round the Island. At the present time all the wells have been cemented in, and provided with pumps, so that they are now free from pollution. In eleven districts rain-water cisterns have been established, and the cisterns for the three remaining districts will shortly be com­ pleted. With regard to sanitation, latrines have been established in the districts, and c o n s i s t of deep pits, the contents of which are covered with soil. Promiscuous use of the bush is now & thing of the past. — 29 -

In this connexion, it is pleasing to record that although dysentery, both amoebic and bacillary, has in the past been endemic on the Island, not a single case has appeared during the last five months. Rubbish is disposed of by fire, burying, and dumping in the sea. Arrangements have now been made for the establishment of incinerators in each district for the disposal of such rubbish. The Nauruans bury their dead in the vicinity of their dwellings, but not close thereto. The law requires that graves must be at least 6 feet in depth. Insect pests do not abound on the Island. First place must be given to the mosquitoes, a good number of which appear during the wet season, but they are not numerous during the dry season. No survey has been undertaken, but the most common varieties appear to be Culex quinquefascialus and Aedes aegtjpti. No Anophelenes have been observed. Filling in of a number of lagoons has resulted in much improvement. When the pro­ gramme of filling in all the lagoons is completed the mosquito should be a rarity. ° Flies rarely or never appear in large numbers. Only one biting fly (S. calcitrans) appears very occasionally. The Calliphora, or “ blue bottles, ” are sometimes seen. Bugs and lice, with the exception of the Pediculus capitis, have not been observed. The common cattle-tick occurs, but there is no record of it having attached itself to human beings. Scabies is rare. New Chinese recruits invariably bring the disease with them, but there is very little risk of transmission to the natives. No cases have appeared in the last twelve months. The most common diseases affecting the native population are— (a) Filariasis.—In the main, cases show only lymphangitis and abscess. There is one gross case of elephantiasis of the leg on the Island, and a few mild cases, mainly scroti. (b) Tuberculosis is fortunately not of high incidence. At the present time three pulmonary, one bone, and two gland cases are known, and are receiving treat­ ment. One of the cases of pulmonary tuberculosis is a patient at the leper station and is in isolation. (c) Venereal Diseases are rare. Two cases of gonorrhoea (males) were treated during the past ten months, both of whom claimed to have contracted the disease many years ago. In a survey of the entire population in September not a single case was detected. N<5 syphilis, primary, secondary, tertiary, or congenital, has been observed. (d) Influenza.—The natives are very prone to this disease. In August there was a mild but widespread epidemic. A similar epidemic occurred about the same time in the previous year. (e) Dysentery is endemic, both amoebic and bacillary. (f) Beri Beri.—Four cases appeared early in the year in the leper station. At this time the station was somewhat congested, and all cases gave a history of improper diet, the food taken consisting of sugar, biscuits, rice, tinned meat, etc. The large station and attention to the diet has effected great improve­ ment, and no further cases have appeared. (a) Yaws is practically non-existent. (h) Skin Diseases.—A few cases of tinea, eczema, etc., crop up from time to time. Impetiguous sores previously were common amongst children, but strict and prompt attention to all such cases has resulted in a marked diminution in the number of patients treated.

H is t o r y .

The first case of leprosy amongst the native Nauruans was diagnosed in June of 1920. Subsequently by 1923, 34 additional cases had been discovered and isolated. In August of 1923, 153 persons were in isolation, and receiving treatment for the disease, including one Caroline Island labourer, an employee of the Phosphate Commission. At the present time, 189 cases are in segregation, and a total number of 284 are under treatment for leprosy. 1 he manner in which the disease was introduced into Nauru is more or less vague, although several possible sources have been discovered. There is no evidence suggesting the existence °fthe disease before the year 1906, the advent of the Pacific Phosphate Company. Mr. Morgan, investigating the question in 1922, determined that a leper, a Gilbertese "Oman, settled on Nauru in 1912, in close proximity to the first known Nauruan case. This "Oman, declared to be leprous by the Medical Officer in charge at that time, died about two )ears after landing on the Island. Little information was obtainable concerning leprosy amongst the Chinese or natives 10m other Pacific Islands ; but that cases did occur is undoubted. The case of a Chinese, j'ho, returning to China via Australia, after eight years’ residence on Nauru, was found to be leProus, is significant. , U is stated, also, that a short time prior to the arrival of the Gilbertese woman, a Caroline abourer was declared a leper, and repatriated. The period of his residence on the Island is n°t known ; but it has been fully established that he was in close association with Nauruan - 30 — natives, particularly Demau, the first known Nauruan leper, certainly before this disease was diagnosed, and possibly afterwards. For a time, he was in isolation—subsequently he was transferred to a cage slung over the side of a vessel, and so repatriated. Demau, the first Nauruan leper, with three further cases, had been under observation for some time before bacteriological confirmation was obtained in November, 1920. In October of the same year, an outbreak of pneumonic influenza occurred on the Island, claiming an almost 100 per cent, incidence ; and of the four cases, Demau alone survived. The epidemic, which was exceedingly severe, claimed many victims, and left a good deal of ill health and debility in its wake. There are good grounds for the supposition that the lowered resistance of the Nauruan population during the period immediately following the epidemic, favoured the rapid extension of leprosy, and is mainly responsible for the present high incidence of the disease amongst the Nauruan people. Since 1920, the disease has received active attention. Dr. Clapp, Medical Officer to the British Phosphate Commission, and part time Government Medical Officer, was in charge, and under his direction the leper station was established, and the excellent system of monthly examination of the population for leprosy was instituted. Expert bacteriological assistance has been rendered on two occasions—Dr. Morgan inves­ tigated a number of cases in 1922, and Dr. Dew a further number in 1924. A copy of Dr. Dew’s recent report, is appended.

Clinical A spects of the D is e a s e .

Clinical Types.—The three “ text book ” varieties of leprosy are to be found amongst the cases on the Island. The maculo-anaesthetic type, in a very early stage, preponderates. Of the 284 cases— Maculo-Anaesthetic Leprosy .. .. 268 .. 94.37 per cent. Nodular Leprosy ...... 9 .. 3.17 ” ” Mixed Leprosy ...... 7 .. 2.46 ” ”

D istribution of D isease on th e Isla n d .

The following table indicates the number of lepers per district, and the percentage infected The last column is taken from Dr. Morgan’s report : —

T able A.

Lepers Isolated iu Lepers attending Total known Gross Native Percentage Infected Known Nauruan District. Leper Station. Out-patient Clinic. Nauruan Lepers. Population. per District. Lepers. June, 1922.

Aiwo 10 10 20 79 25.32 1 Boe 35 21 56 157 35.66 7 Yarren 18 11 29 136 21.32 2 Menen 9 9 18 142 12.67 2 Anibare 12 5 17 98 17.34 1 Ijuw 35 Anabar 17 5 22 59 37.09 6 Anetan 8 3 11 65 16.91 4 Ewa 16 5 21 57 36.84 4 Baiti 7 8 15 62 24.19 2 Uaboe 13 6 19 66 28.78 Nibok 3 2 5 40 12.50 Denigomodu . . 3 3 6 42 14.28 Buada 37 7 44 147 29.93 5

Total 188 95 283 1,185 34

Percentage of total Nauruan population infected—23.88 per cent. Caroline Island labourer excluded. A few comments may not be out of place. The two most highly infected districts are Anabar and Ewa ; in the former, Demau, the first Nauruan leper, resided ; in the latter, Etsio. Neither of the two districts is thickly populated—the dwellings are situated in groups of two or three, and fairly widely separated. On the other hand, Boe, 35.6 per cent, infected, covers a fairly small area and supports a relatively large population. The same may be said of Aiwo district, the natives dwelling in a small portion of the o r ig i n a l area. Buada, or the lagoon district, 29.93 per cent, is also comparatively thickly populated. — 31 —

It is difficult to understand why the Ijuw district has remained free from the disease. Six persons from other districts (Anibare, 2 ; Anabar, 2 ; Anetan, 1 ; Ewa, 1) live in Ijuw, and as many registered in Ijuw live in the neighbouring districts. There has been no form of isolation, the inhabitants mixing freely with their fellows as elsewhere. Situated as it is, a good deal of traffic passes through it.

F amily Co n n ex io n of L eper s and A ssociation w ith L e p e r s .

In 1922, when only 35 cases were known, it was possible to follow out family connexions ; but a t the present time such an attem pt only results in hopeless confusion. As may be imagined, with a population of approximately 1,200, persons and families are very closely con­ nected. Almost every family has at least one representative a leper. Almost every native has been in contact with a leper, which is the cause, or result, of the extremely rapid spread. However, full details of family connexions and close contacts are taken in every case, and ffhen thoroughly followed out, may shed some light on the problem of the spread of the disease. Heredity. — Leprosy has not been observed in the infant. The youngest patient, discovered six months ago, is three years of age. Age and Sex Incidence.—In the following tables, approximations in regard to age have had to be made ; but to all intents and purposes are correct. It is not possible to judge age above 50 years. The oldest patient must be very close to 80 years of age.

T a ble B.

Statistics of Lepers Isolated in the Leper Station, and Type of Disease, by District, Age and Sex. October, 1924.

1-10 to-:>0 20-30 3040 40-50 50 years Total and over by Sexes. Maculo Nodular Mixed District. Total. Leprosy. Leprosy. M. F. M. F. M. i F. M. F. M F. M. F. M. j P. Leprosy.

Kanaka Location . . 1 1 1 1 Aiwo 1 1 2 1 1 2 1 1 5 5 10 1 9 Boe . . 1 6 11 3 5 2 3 1 i 22 13 35 2 2 31 Yarren 1 5 5 2 2 2 l 10 8 18 18 Menen 2 3 1 1 1 5 4 9 9 Anibare 9 4 1 2 3 9 3 12 1 1 10 Ijuw Anabar 2 2 3 1 3 3 8 9 i? i i è Anetan 1 3 2 i 1 6 2 8 8 Ewa 1 1 6 2 2 1 2 10 6 16 2 14 Baiti 3 1 3 4 3 7 1 6 Uaboe 1 3 2 4 2 1 5 8 13 i 12 Nibok 1 1 1 2 1 3 3 Denigomodu 1 1 1 1 2 3 . . 3 Buada 4 2 6 7 4 5 2 2 2 3 18 19 37 3 34 ------— --- — ------Total 14 18 49 23 20 19 14 14 3 6 6 3 106 83 189 9 7 173

Percentage of Total 16.93 38.10 20.64 14.81 4.76 4.76 100 100 4.76 3.70 91.54 — 32 -

T able G.

Siatistics of Cases of Early Maculo-Anaesthetic Leprosy Attending the out-patient Leper Clinic by District, Age and Sex. October, 1924.

50 years M O years. 10-20 years. 20-30 year,. 30-40 ^ears. 40-50 yearS' Total by Sexes District. Total. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F. M. F.

Aiwo 1 3 5 I 8 2 10 Boe 3 4 5 4 1 1 1 2 9 12 21 Yarren 2 2 3 2 2 7 4 11 Menen 4 2 2 1 5 4 9 Anibare 1 2 1 l 1 4 5 Ijuw Anabar 2 1 1 1 4 1 5 Anetan 1 2 1 2 3 Ewa 4 l 4 1 5 Baiti 1 2 2 1 1 1 3 5 8 Uaboe 1 1 1 2 i 4 2 6 Nibok 1 1 1 1 2 Denigomodu 1 1 1 2 1 3 Buada 2 1 2 2 2 5 7

Total 6 4 22 14 14 12 7 8 1 i 6 51 44 95 I QO Percentage of Total .. 10.53 37 27 37 15 79 1 . 05 7. 37 100

It will De observed that the great number of cases fall between the ages of 10 and 30years. A large number of cases, however, fall into the first and fourth groups. The age incidence both in the leper station and outside approximate closely. The number of males infected — 157 — somewhat exceeds that of females — 127. Mode of Onset. — The usual history obtained from patients that have come up for inves­ tigation- is as follows : — One or more white spots noticed for two or more years, which have increased in size very slowly, in many cases have not increased at all. Patch tested from time to time by patient himself or friends for loss of sensation to heat and pain ; in some cases anaesthesia was positive — in many, negative. Invariably a member of the family is a leper or he has been in close contact with a leper. With regard to previous illnesses, influenza in 1920 is universal with perhaps dysentery in addition, and yaws in youth. Another history is that of a sore or boil, generally on a limb, a year or two prior to exam­ ination. The sores healed without treatment, leaving a zone of depigmentation around it {depigmentation, as a rule, occurs always around wounds). The depigmentation remained, and later anaesthesia was noted. The latter type of history is perhaps the most common, and one is struck by the number of nodules showing a small central scar reputed to have been the site of a sore or boil. This suggests inoculation, and a recent case may be of interest. A man fell from a bicycle, causing fairly wide abrasions to the back of one elbow. These remained for two days, after which he was treated regularly at hospital, and the wounds soon healed, having, as is usual, some surrounding depigmentation. One month later the depigmentation was found to have in­ creased, and anaesthesia to heat and pain was marked. A month prior to his fall he had been carefully examined and no suspicion of leprosy was entertained. Some natives previously mutilated their lesions in the hope of effecting a cure. The favo­ rite method was to burn the unaffected skin with a hot iron all round the lesion, leaving a scar that, it was hoped, would prevent a peripheral spread. Other lesions were scarred by burns received whilst being self-treated. We have not seen a case of leprosy beginning with an acute onset. Four cases of nodular leprosy developing in the last twelve months, three of whom were previously suspected maculo- anaesthetic lepers, but not proven, all developed deposits rapidly and suddenly, but without any constitutional disturbance. Only two cases have shown an early macular rash. Fever, neuritis, pains in limbs, erythema, etc., have been wanting. — 3 3 —

T y p e s o f t h e D i s e a s e .

(a) Maculo-anaeslhetic.

Macules. — Four clinically distinct types are seen. 1. The most common is the simple pale depigmented area, clearly contrasting with the surrounding skin. Some very early lesions have been observed, and consist of small vague discolorations, with definite shape and outline. The typical developed macule has a sharply defined edge, as a rule more or less regular, but often very irregular. The whole lesion is absolutely flat and the edge cannot be felt. These lesions sometimes show a deeply pigmented area around a central scar. They then appear as deep brown spots surrounded by a relatively large pale areola. A number fail to show a definite limiting edge and fade gradually into the surrounding skin. The early simple lesions closely resemble the small leucodermatous spots so common amongst the natives. 2. Flat pale areas surrounded by a raised, almost papular, regular and sometimes irre­ gular, edge. As the raised edge extends peripherally the depigmented area increases in size. The edge is erythematous and the lesion closely resembles ringworm. 3. A group of small pale spots varying in size from 3- .5 mm. The pale dots are separated by normal skin giving it a stippled appearance, and are usually very slightly raised. 4. A rare form, only four cases having come under notice. Unfortunately, the earliest appearance has not been observed ; but the developed macule shows the usual depigmented centre, the edge being formed by tiny, raised, colourless, somewhat transparent, elevations. These are continuous, and closely resemble an herpetiform eruption, without injection of the bases. The elevations are formed by proliferation of the superficial layers of the epidermis and do not contain bacilli. Shape varies considerably ; but the majority are roughly round or oval. The size of the macule is liable to the greatest variation, ranging from 5 cm. to 20 cm. in diameter. The larg­ est macular area, situated on the leg of a boy, measures 30 cm. by 10 cm. As to distribution, sufficient time has not been available for proper classification. To generalize, the distribution on the limbs and trunk is about equal. Macules are frequently found on “ pressure points, ” in particular the knees and elbows. They occur on exposed portions, legs and forearms, rather than on thighs and arms. The anterior surface of the trunk is more often affected than the posterior. In very few cases do macules appear on the head or face. In number, the macules average between three and four per patient. One patient shows as many as 30 ; another has a single macule.5 cm. in diameter. Some lesions, untreated, have become erythematous and thickened ; in these cases treat­ ment at first exaggerates the symptoms. After two months’ treatment, as a rule, all thickening and erytheme has disappeared, and a very dark area, generally surrounded by a narrow pale areola, remains. The only cases of marked hyperpigmentation in macules have been produced in this manner. There is very little to report concerning the skin surface of lesions, except to state that apparently there is little interference with the mechanism of the sweat glands, and that the hairs are not much affected. The typical hairless eyebrow is wanting. Anaesthesia. — To date, no anaesthesia without corresponding skin changes has been observed. It can be demonstrated in practically all macules, and is confined roughly to them. Loss of sensation of heat and cold is first evident, and is followed by loss of the sense of pain and loss of sensation to light touch. In our experience, macules show loss of sensation to both heat and pain, before loss to light touch becomes evident. On mapping these forms of ab­ normal sensations in a round and developed macule, three almost concentric circles are obtained. Disturbances in the sensation to even mild degrees of pressure have not been observed, even in the more extensive macules. Affections of the larger nerves are rare. The ulnar nerve is definitely involved in two cases (unilateral), both of whom show macules on other parts of the body, but have no macules °r anaesthesia corresponding to the distribution of the nerve. In each case the nerve is enlarged, with marked thickening just above the internal condyle, and can be traced up the arm. Another case shows marked nodulation of a superficial nerve on the volar surface of the forearm. The investigation of other nerves—Peroneal, Great Auricular, etc.—has not revealed abnormalities. A striking feature of this type of the disease is the almost total absence of acid-fast bacilli to the nasal mucus. The mucous membrane has been persistently and vainly examined for S1gns of lesions. Both Dr. Morgan and Dr. Dew have commented on this fact. The more advanced signs of nerve leprosy, bullae, ulceration, deep anaesthesia, paralysis, deformities and other trophic complications have not appeared.

N odular and Mix e d L e pr o sy . These cases are in the minority, 16 in all, or 5.63 per cent. They present no remarkable features. 3. — 34 —

There is one advanced case—Demau—and three severe cases, the latter of fairly recent onset. A ll previously displaying huge numbers of acid-fast bacilli in the nasal mucus, fiVe cases only now give positive swabs, in three of which the bacilli are scanty, and the nasal lesion far from gross. Two cases developed leprotic fever with considerable constitutional disturbances and development of new lesions. This was followed by a marked general improvement and a rapid absorption and disappearance of the nodules. Neither case has since retrogressed. These patients, with the exception of Demau, whose disease has advanced somewhat have strikingly demonstrated the value of treatment. No ulceration of nodules has occurred on the body. Demau shows considerable ulcera­ tion of the mucous membrane of the nose. The nasal septum and the turbinates are also ulcerated. Bacteriology.—Routine nasal and tissue smears are prepared and examined. The former have not been at any time helpful—the results in all maculo-anaesthetic and early cases bein» persistently negative. Tissue smears from nodular cases reveal the typical Hausen’s bacillus. In maculo-anaes- thetic leprosy, the most common finding is a large round cell, about 30 mm. in diameter, having a large peripheral nucleus, and faintly acid-fast protoplasm. Scattered about the body of the cell are strongly acid-fast particles, mostly coccidiform, but some resembling small bacilli, the greatest of which measures about 1.5 by .4 mm. One has not seen such a cell containing a typical bacillus. In some of the more advanced of these cases, should a little underlying superficial nerve be secured, it is possible to demonstrate the Hausen’s bacillus.

Methods of D etection and Control of the D ise a se .

The former is carried out by means of a monthly inspection of the entire native population. Notices of the inspections are issued in the weekly Administration Orders ; and at specified times the people assemble under the Chiefs in the respective districts. Each person presents him or herself for inspection, dressed only in a lava-lava, or ridi, so that the greater part of the body surface is exposed to view. Attendance is obligatory, and a complete roll of the inhabitants is kept, and attendances checked by an accompanying medical orderly. In September, an individual and searching inspection of all natives was carried out at the Government Hospital, for both leprosy and veneral diseases. Such inspections are to take place every six months. Suspicious cases so detected are then called in to the Government hospital, and given a complete clinical examination. Those clinically negative, are put on record, and although, for practical purposes, regarded as non-leprous, they are classed as suspects, and thereafter closely observed. Clinically positive or doubtfully positive cases are examined bacteriologically. Whatever the results of the examination may be, they are regarded and recorded as leprous ; and receive treatment for the disease, either— (a) In the out-patient leper clinic ; or (b) In the leper station (segregation). The leper station and the treatment given to inmates, are dealt with hereafter.

O u t-patients T reatm ent of L e p r o sy .

Owing to the large number of mild and suspicious cases on the Island, it was decided, after Dr. Dew’s visit in May, to give out-patient treatment—for the very earliest, and doubt­ fully positive cases detected in the district—for the control of the disease. Some land in the vicinity of the Government hospital was set aside for the purpose, and a treatment and examination room, and a shelter-shed for patients were erected thereon. Operations commenced at the end of June, and have been steadily carried out ever since. The drugs administered are, as in the leper station, Chaulmoogra Oil and Moogrol. One wishes to stress the fact that only the mildest cases, who appear to be, after repeated bacteriological examinations, non-infective, and the doubtfully positive cases, received such treatment ; all others being segregated in the leper station. The nodular, maculo-anaesthetic with multiple or progressive lesions, or early maculo- anaesthetic cases, showing any progression whatsoever, are isolated. In the same way, any patient under treatment showing even the slightest aggravation of symptoms, is to be promptly segregated, although, to date, such a course has not been found necessary. The clinic is in operation six mornings a week. The patients attending, are, of course, all under close and constant supervision. Lesions are examined weekly, and the record of treatment and a progress report are entered up at the end of each month. T he patients have been taught, and now, one thinks, fully realize the nature and dangers of the disease, and the duties of each to the community at large. They receive explicit in­ structions in the matter of personal hygiène, and the need for strict retention of c l o t h e s , mats, — 35 — food utensils, etc., for personal use. The danger of lending and borrowing of clothing, mats, etc., is particularly stressed. This policy of out-patient treatment of early cases, it is hoped, will keep the disease under control, and prevent its further spread. If, in spite of these measures, there is further exten­ sion, there will be no alternative but to resort to total segregation. The number of persons undergoing treatment at the clinic is by no means the final one, as the suspects, so far clinically negative, are all to receive treatment ; and probably a number of these will develop some symptoms of the disease later on. Now that the clinic is fully orga­ nized, and the assistants more experienced, the larger numbers of patients can be efficiently dealt with. The risk of infection of the labourers, Chinese and others, is almost negligible, as there is practically no contact between labourers and natives. The Chinese and Native Labour Ordi­ nance restricts the movements of labourers to their location limits after sunset each night ; and a further order prohibits their entry to any native house or dwelling. A few Nauruan natives are employed by the British Phosphate Commission, in various capacities. These employees are examined each month by the Government Medical Officer, in conjunction with the Medical Officer to the Commission, and only employed if above sus­ picion. A few, also, are employed for domestic service—house boy and laundresses. The commu­ nity has been warned, per Administration Orders, that owing to the presence of leprosy on the Island, no person is to be employed for any purpose, unless in possession of a certificate of fitness, signed by the Government Medical Officer. Such certificate must be renewed each month. All these persons are required to pass a minute and thorough examination before a certificate is granted.

T he L e p e r Sta tio n .

This institution was established on 29th April, 1922. Situated at Atae, in the district of Menen, on the most easterly point of the Island, it comprised an area of approximately 7 acres. To this station 35 known cases were transferred from the enclosure previously established in the Yarren district. As lepers were detected, they were admitted to the station, and the number of cases receiving treatment finally reached that of 150 in August of 1923. An additional 3 acres of adjoining land was enclosed, and made available for the patients towards the end of 1923. In April, 1924, the number of patients had reached 198, and it became imperative that extra area should be made available for them. The present station now comprises the original station and the foreshore of the southern half of Anihare district and Anibare Bay. Thus, the patients have an area of over a mile in length—the foreshore has a depth of not less than 100 yards, in places 200 yards, and is well supplied with water and food bearing trees. Patients may, at all times of the day, be visited by, and talk with, friends and relations. At each end of the station there are double fences about 16 feet apart enclosing a “ No-Man’s Land. ” A caretaker (non-leper) is in constant attendance during the hours of daylight— one at the northern and one at the southern extremity, whose duty it is to see than no person enters the “ No-Man’s Land, ” and also to deliver gifts, food, etc., to the patients. The hospital building is situated at the southern end. One room, used by the Medical Officer, is outside the station, although connected with the remaining rooms. One room is used for treatment—the remainder as wards when required. The rain catchment from this building is stored in a cement cistern. Passing from the south end to the north end of the station, one sees the school, a semi- European structure, which provides rain-water catchment. Then there is a sports ground, on which a cement cricket pitch has been laid. W hat was once the old married and single women’s quarters, now carries but a few dwellings—that of the Head Chief and hospital staff. The hospital buildings come next ; beyond this is an enclosed area of about 4 acres. This is an isolation area for the more advanced cases or those cases showing greater infectivity. These patients, at least nineteen in number, are not permitted to come into contact with cases in the main station, and their personal hygiene is closely supervised. They are permitted to visit their friends “ from outside ” three times weekly, and special areas have been set aside for them at the visiting places for the purpose. These cases, when improved, join their friends in the main station. The remaining area is settled by the main body of patients. The inmates live, in the main, under their natural conditions. The houses are of native construction throughout—the floors consisting of coral shingle, at least 6 inches above the surrounding ground level. The maximum number of persons sleeping in any house is four. It is required that all houses must be maintained in a cleanly condition, as well as the sur­ roundings—each household being held responsible. All sleeping mats and floor coverings are put out in the sun at least two hours a day. Fly-proof latrines are provided at intervals along the shore. They consist of pits sunk to high water level, covered by cement slabs, and wooden or metal cover laid over the aperture ln the slab. No roof is provided, and the slabs and pits are disinfected daily by a sanitary gang. All the work of the station—house-building and repairing, thatch-making and mat- making, etc., is performed by the patients, which not only makes the institution more or less — 36 —

self-supporting, but also assists materially in maintaining the “ happiness of mind ” so essential in the treatment of the disease, by providing non-strenuous occupation. With regard to the water supply, this is obtained both from wells and rain catchments. The rainwater is issued twice daily—the wells have been cemented in, and have been fitted with pumps. The water is potable and permanent. In addition, there are two non-potable wells used solely for bathing and washing. The hospital staff consists of three Nauruans, themselves patients. The senior orderly, before admission to the station, held a similar position at the Government hospital. An extremely efficient and dependable orderly, he has become expert in the administration of intravenous injections, and the greater part of the injection work is performed by him. The junior orderly, a trainee of twelve months’ standing, is now proficient in injection work. The remaining member is a trainee of recent appointment. The work is directed and supervised by the Government Medical Officer, who attends daily. Records are kept of the treatment given to each patient, and the progress shown by each. The hospital contains the minimum of equipment. Sterile dressings, etc., are prepared at the Government hospital, and sent out weekly. In the same way, all dispensing is done outside. Examinations of bacteriological specimens, etc., are carried out at the Government hospital.

T reatm ent of Cases in the L e p e r S ta tio n .

A.— General Measures. (a) Diet.—The problem of diet is most difficult of solution, as Nauru is one of the “ barren” islands of the Pacific. The native staple diet consists of : — (1) Ekawawe or toddy—the sap from the coco-nut tree. This has a high carbo­ hydrate content, and is, one thinks, the main source of vitamin B. (2) Eanikiwi or meat of the old coco-nut. This is grated and swallowed with the aid of water. (3) Ini or young coco-nut—both the meat and milk, especially eaten by children. (4) Fish enters largely into the diet, mainly cooked but often raw. (5) Epo, or pandanus fruit—eaten fresh, or made into a preserve. This is supplemented very occasionally by other fruits, such as mummy apple, breadfruit, and soursop. Pigs and poultry are raised mainly as a source of revenue, and enter the diet only on special occasions. “ European ” foods, such as sugar, biscuits, flour, rice, oatmeal, tinned milk, and tinned meat, etc., are in increasing demand, and are rapidly coming into general use. The patients in the leper station subsist on native diet, supplemented by a Government ration of sugar, rice, biscuits, and bread—the latter baked at the station—and such foods as they obtain from private sources. A bi-weekly issue of cod liver oil helps to supply7 the deficiency in animal fats. A fresh milk supply is unfortunately7 impossible. (b) A literally open air life is led by7 the patients. The houses, constructed as they are, are alway7s airy7, and the continued warm, sunny, rainless weather induces them to spend most of their time outside the houses. (c) Care of the skin is a most important consideration. Each patient takes a daily7 bath, and all cuts, abrasions, etc., are treated immediately. Occasionally, impetiguous sores appear on children, who are treated and isolated until cured. Ringworm and other skin diseases are uncommon. (d) The patients form a very cheerful and happy7 community. Restrictions are reduced to a minimum and apart from certain community7 duties, each patient is free to do that which he so desires. There is little or no fear or dread of the disease—due, no doubt, both to the mild nature of the infection and the almost universal improvement manifested under treatment. As mentioned, a sports ground is provided for recreation—fishing and swimming are largely indulged in. A school, staffed by trained patients, and visited weekly by the Officer in charge of Edu­ cation, is maintained. There are two churches—Protestant and Roman Catholic—and the adherents receive regular visits from their respective pastors.

B .—Specific Treatment. Since the leper station was instituted in 1922, the following treatments have been given : — (lj Chaulmoogra Oil by the mouth as an emulsion. (2) Intramuscular injection of Chaulmoogra Oil (Heiser’s formula). (3) Intravenous injection of crude Chaulmoogra Oil. (4) Intramuscular injection of the ethyl esters of Chaulmoogra Oil. Twro preparations of the esters have been used : — Moogrol—Burroughs Wellcome <& Co. Ecco—Dr. Muir. The followings table contains the statistics of treatments given over the period of the period of the past thirteen months : —

Intravenous Intramuscular. Intramuscular. Intramuscular Year. Month. Injections of Injections of Injections of Injections of Chaulmoogra Oil. Chaulmoogra Oil. Moogrol.

1923 ...... October 1,243 5 96 111 ” November 1,390 4 80 92 December 1,217 4 82 91 1924 ...... January 1,593 3 69 69 February 1,757 4 95 84 March 2,025 4 92 76 April 1,677 3 119 95 May 1,934 92 71 June 1,752 64 32 ” J u l y ...... 2,196 106 August 1,2241 36 September 1232 112 October 2,071 308

Total 20,202 27 1,351 721

At the present time, as may be seen, only two methods of treatment are being applied ; crude Chaulmoogra Oil intravenously, and Moogrol, intramuscularly. Heiser’s injection was administered to one case only, and was abandoned in favour of the intravenous method. Ecco appeared to be responsible for untoward symptoms, in particular, Haemoptysis, in several cases, and was discontinued in June, 1924. The crude Chaulmoogra Oil is sterilized by heat in a water bath, and is injected at body temperature into a suitable vein. The dose ranges from five to twenty minims, and is admi­ nistered three times weekly. Record hypodermic syringes have been found suitable for the purpose. As at the present moment, individual attention cannot be given to each leper, and tem­ peratures cannot be taken, one is chary of increasing the number of weekly injections. How­ ever, a moderate reaction is obtained in many of the cases, and the results of this treatment have been uniformly encouraging as evidenced by repigmentation of lesions, and decrease in the areas of anaesthesia. The results of combined treatments on patients (total treated at leper station) may be set down as follows : — (a) Much improved 30 per cent. 63 cases. (b) Improved 40 „ j 84 „ (c) Stationary . . ... 27.6 „ „ 58 ” (d) Progression of symptoms (in no case gross) 24 „ „ 5 „ 21 cases were released on parole in 1924. I feel hopeful that the more intensive treatment, which it will be possible to institute before the end of the year, will result in a improvement on the above figures. The ethyl esters have, to date, been given intramuscularly, in graduated doses, up to 4 cc. weekly. Previously, this was given at one injection ; divided doses twice a week are now in vogue, and appear to be more satisfactory. Intravenous administration of the esters is to be given a trial shortly. Some previously stationary cases have derived great benefit from alternate courses of oil intravenously, and the esters, intramuscularly. In addition, one case received a course of treatment with sodium morrhhate, but too short to enable one to form any opinion as to its efficiency. Supplies of this drug are now on order.

Surgical Treatment. Owing to the absence of complications, practically no surgical treatment has been neces­ sary. In six cases, the first ten months ago, small macules have been excised with good mar­ gins of normal skin ; and so far, no recurrences have been observed on the scar.

The Administrator, Nauru. Dear Sir , I beg to submit the following report on leprosy at Nauru.

Influenza epidemic commenced. Treatment stopped. Non-delivery of supplies of suitable injection syringes. — 38 —

G e n e r a l .

The two well-known clinical types of leprosy are represented among the cases on the Island. The nodular type is relatively rare. It is characterized by skin lesions which take the form of thickenings and tubercular masses ; these tend to finally break down and ulcerate. Facial and nasal lesions are common, and this type must be considered the more active type of the disease. Unless arrested by specific treatment, the expectation of life is rarely more than eight to nine years. The diagnosis of this type usually causes no trouble, as the specific orga­ nism is readily discovered in the skin lesions and the nasal discharges. The maculo-anaesthetic type is very common on the Island, and comprises about 90 per cent, of these cases. It is seen in all its manifestations from the very earliest stages. The specific bacillus in this type shows an extraordinary predilection for nervous tissues and may for a long time be confined to them. The skin lesions take the form of one or more macules of varying sizes. These are usually deprived of pigment, and associated with cutaneous anaesthesia to heat, cold, and pain over all or part of their area. As the disease progresses the macules and anaesthesia extend—various nerves become particularly affected, and paralysis and atrophy may appear. In some cases thickening and induration of the macular edges occur, and a mixed form of leprosy may develop. This form of the disease is extremely chronic, and the expectation of life may be 30-40 years even without treatment.

P r e s e n t I nvestigation .

The Government Medical Officer selected a series of this type of case in which the bacillus could not be previously demonstrated by ordinary means. These cases were all carefully examined and investigated by me. The examinations were as follows : — (1) Clinical examination revealed macular lesions of various sizes in various positions and, in all, some degree of loss of cutaneous sensation to heat, cold, and pain was detected. (2) Rhinoscopical examination of all cases was made, but in none was any lesion found high up on the septum. Careful examination of nasal swabs after cocainization failed to reveal the specific bacdlus. (3) Under novocain anaesthesia large pieces of the affected macules (1 i inch x | inch) were excised in each case, and a small subcutaneous nerve was dissected out either from below the macule or from the excised piece. Part of the excised skin was fixed in formalin and finally embedded in paraffin of high melting point (56° C.) for microscopical section. The small piece of nerve was teased out, fixed, and stained with Zeil-Neilsen’s stain. Scrapings were taken through the various layers of the cutis vera seriatim and stained in the same way.

By these methods the specific organism was demonstrated in all the suspected cases. In all it was found that the organisms were most abundant in the nervous elements, and in the cases which, on clinical grounds, appeared to be the earliest, were practically confined to them. It is important to note that coccoidal forms of the bacillus were commonly seen, and that the nerve endings in the cutis vera appeared to be their favorite site. Bacillary forms, on the other hand, were found usually among the nerve fibres themselves, but were never very plentiful. The examination of paraffin sections confirmed these findings. This predilection of the bacillus leprae for the nervous elements in this type of the disease explains the great difficulty of discovering the bacillus with the ordinary methods. Nasal swabs in these cases are prac­ tically useless ; the examinations, however, have confirmed the clinical diagnosis in all cases, and it may be laid down dogmatically that definite cutaneous anaesthesia in the presence of macular lesions is diagnostic of leprosy.

S u g g e s t i o n s as t o I s o l a t i o n , T r e a t m e n t , E t c .

The following clinical groups of cases exist on the Island : — Group 1.—Nodular-leprosy. Group 2.—Maculo-anaesthetic leprosy, with multiple, progressive lesions, and with induration and paralysis. Group 3.—Maculo-anaesthetic leprosy, with definite anaesthesia and varying degrees of skin changes. Group 4.—Suspicious cases. Groups 1 and 2 are all at present confined to the leper station, and a great number of Group 3, but there are still a few living outside. These should be collected and isolated in the leper station. The monthly inspection by the Medical Officer should be strictly carried out, and Groups 3 and 4 carefully separated. The cases in Group 4 can, in the same way, be kept under observation, and the development of fresh cases discovered. — 39 —

I s o l a t i o n . As there is at present a high incidence of leprosy on the Island, and as it has spread rapidly during the past few years, strict isolation and treatment should be carried out. Groups 1, 2, and 3 should all be isolated in the leper station area. This would entail the provision of a larger area than at present allotted. The ideal to be aimed at is in improvement of the phy­ sical and, more especially, the mental well-being of the inmates. They should be encouraged to live as far as possible the normal life of the native. Attention should be given to housing ; and scrupulous cleanliness of their houses and person should be encouraged. Their habits and diets should also, if possible, be regulated. It would be advisable in the area to separately segregate the advanced cases from the milder cases. Any children born in the station should be removed at once, as the risk of infection in early life is very great. The buildings onthe present site should be augmented with the provision of admission and discharge rooms, treat­ ment rooms, and an incinerator. S u s p i c i o u s C a s e s . A careful nominal roll of the suspicious cases should be kept, and their movements and progress controlled by regular inspections, or by compulsory reporting to the Medical Officer. Any extension of the disease as noted clinically in these cases should lead to their transference to the isolation area. A specialb uilding for inspection andt reatment should be erected, and it would seem possible, with adequate control and treatment in these early stages, the disease should be controlled and checked. These cases should be subject to the same restrictions as are imposed on the cases allowed out on parole (last paragraph).

T r e a t m e n t . The treatment already in vogue at the leper station, with Chaulmoogra Oil and Moogrol, is very satisfactory and thorough. Much improvement has occurred in many cases—it should be persevered with. More orderlies should be trained, and the equipment of the buildings somewhat improved. P a r o l e . There are at present in the leper station a number of cases in which all signs of the disease have vanished after some months of treatment. These cases could undoubtedly be allowed out on parole to their districts, and this would have a good moral effect on the natives as a whole. .They should, however, be kept under observation, and treatment should be per­ severed with. They should be subject to the following restrictions : — (1) They should not be allowed to act in any capacity in the white settlement. (2) Their movements should be restricted as far as possible. (3) They should be instructed to be strict as regards their personal hygiène. (4) They should have their own clothing, mats, etc. Yours faithfully, ( Signed)

H. R. D e w , 7th May, 1924. M.S., B.S., Melb. ; F.B.C.S., Eng.

REPORT OF DISEASES TREATED IN MEDICAL SERVICE OF BRITISH PHOSPHATE COMMISSION, NAURU, 1924.

Y early Total. Nationalities.

Diseases. Ilemaining Total Remaining in Hosi-ital Admissions. Deaths. in Hospital Chinese Kanakas. Others. peans. Guinea. end of 1923. Treated ' end of 1924.

Infective Diseases. Dysentery 1 23 24 3 16 1 4 Herpes Zoster 1 1 1 influenza 72 72 16 51 i i 3 Parotitis 4 4 4 Pneumonia 6 6 i 2 3 Pyrexia of unknown ori­ gin ...... 1 43 44 37 l 5 1 Rheumatic Fever 1 1 i Tuberculosis of Lung . . 2 27 29 3 l 6 22 Glands 1 1 1 Abdomen 2 11 13 1 12 Bone .. 2 2 2 Venereal Chancroid X Gonorrhoea 1 6 "l 2 4 Syphilis I. 3 3 3 Syphilis II. Syphilis III. .. i i i • • — 40 -

R e p o r t of D is e a s e s T r e a t e d in M e d ic a l S e r v ic e o f B r it is h P h o s p h a t e C omm ission N a u r u — continued.

Yearly Total. Nationalities.

Diseases. Remaining Total Remaining in Hospital Admissions. Deaths. in Hospital Chinese Kanakas. p a " " Guinea. Others. end of 1923. Treated. end of 1924.

Intoxications. Toxemia of Pregnancy . . 2 2 2

Certain Morbid Conditions Carcinoma of Liver, Colon, etc. 1 1 1 1 Liponia-lipoma 1 1 i

General Diseases. Beri Beri 2 99 101 7 101 Debility 21 21 18 3 Scorbutus 4 4 1 3

Parasites. Ankylostoma 1 1 1 . • Filaria . . _ 10 10 . . 2 1 7 Malaria 9 9 3 5 i Scabies 4 4 4 Tinea 1 1 1

Diseases of the Nervous System. Melancholia 2 2 2 Neurasthenia and Shell Shock 1 1 1 Neuritis 1 1 i Diseases of the Eye. Conjunctivitis 1 9 10 7 3 Foreign Body in Eye . . 2 2 1 1 Iritis 1 . . i 1 1 Keratitis. . 3 3 3 Opthalmia 2 2 2 Trachoma 3 3 3 Xeropthalmia 1 1 i 1 Diseases of the Ear. Otitis Media 3 3 1 2 Diseases of the Or y ans of Circulation. Arteriosclerosis 1 1 1 Cardiac Strain 28 28 2 28 » • Endocarditis 1 1 1 Diseases of the Oryans of Respiration. Abscess of Lung. . 1 1 1 1 Asthma 20 20 5 15 Bronchitis i 92 94 i2 1 71 3 17 2 Hemoptysis 5 5 4 1 Laryngitis 2 2 2 Pleurisy with Effusion . . 4 4 1 1 2 Pleurodynia 1 1 1 Diseases of the Diyestive Oryans. Appendicitis 5 5 4 1 Catarrhal Jaundice 1 1 1 Colitis 2 2 i 'i Constipation 53 53 i 49 3 Diarrhoea l 91 92 "6 6 79 16 Dyspepsia 1 1 1 Fistula 2 2 2 Food Poisoning . . 3 3 *3 — 41 —

Report o f D is e a s e s T r e a t e d in M e d ic a l S e r v ic e o f B r it is h P h o s p h a t e C o m m is s io n , N a u r u -continued.

Yearly Total. Nationalities.

Diseases Remaining Total Remaining Deaths. in Hospital Chinese. Kanakas. Others. in Hospilal Admissions. pean. Guinea. end of 1923. Treated. end sf!924.

Gastritis. . 3 3 3 Glossitis 1 1 i Hepatisis 1 1 1 Hernia 1 1 1 Intestinal Autointoxi­ cation 2 2 2 Pyorrhoea 1 1 1 Splenomegaly 1 1 1 Stomatitis 2 2 2 Tonsilitis 9 9 4 5 Tooth Extraction 2 2 2

Diseases of the Urinary System. Cystitis 1 1 1 Nephritis . . 1 1 "i Renal Lithiasis 1 1 i , . Vesical Calculus. . 2 2 i ‘2

Diseases of the Lymphatic System. Lymphadenitis 23 23 16 7

Diseases of the Male Oryans of Generation. Funiculitis 2 2 1 1 ■ Hydrocele 5 5 3 "i 1 Orchitis 3 3 3 Phimosis 4 4 i 3 X Stricture 1 1 1 Urethritis 1 1 1

Diseases of the Female Organs of Generation. • Mastitis 1 1 l Uterine Congestion 1 1 l

Diseases of the Organs of Locomotion. Arthritis 1 1 1 Osteitis 2 2 2 Periostitis 10 10 9 i Synovitis 1 1 1

Diseases of the Connective Tissues. Abscess 13 13 10 3 Cellulitis. . 2 2 l 2 Sepsis 4 51 55 2 "2 45 "5 3

Diseases of the Skin. Dermatitis 4 4 4 Erysipelas 1 1 1 Furunculosis 13 13 "1 7 4 i Impetigo 3 3 3 Insolation 1 1 i Ulcer 3 3 1 3

Injuries. Burns Contusions and Laceration 2 U2 2 114 7 '2 94 i 14 3 Dislocations 1 1 1 Fractures 3 9 i 12 3 10 1 Sprains . . 39 39 1 4 31 '2 1 1 — 42 —

R e p o r t of D is e a s e s T r e a t e d in M e d ic a l S e r v ic e of B r it is h P r o s p h a t e C o m m issio n , N a u r u — continued.

Yearly Total. Nationalities.

Remaining Diseases Remaining Total New in Hospital Chinese. Kanakas. in Hospital Admissions. Deaths. pea™! Guinea. Others. end of 1923. Treated. end of 1924.

Miscellaneous. Parturition 3 3 3 Simple and Ill-defined . . 48 48 3 44 4 Swallowing a Coin 1 1 "i

S u m m a r y .

Infective Diseases 7 201 8 208 6 24 129 3 47 5 Intoxications 2 2 2 Certain Morbid Conditions 2 1 2 1 ’i General Diseases 2 124 126 120 6 Parasites 25 25 3 13 i 1 7 Diseases of the Nervous System 4 4 1 2 1 Eye . . 1 21 22 1 15 6 ,, Ear 3 3 1 2 ,, Circulatory System 30 30 2 1 28 1 ,, Respiratory System 1 126 1 127 12 7 95 4 19 2 „ Digestive System 1 221 222 8 26 175 1 19 1 ,, Urinary System 5 5 1 3 2 ,, Lymphatic System 23 23 16 7 ,, Male Organs of Genera­ tion 16 16 1 12 1 2 ,, Organs of Locomotion 16 16 2 12 2 ,, Female Or­ gans of Generation 2 2 2 ,, Connective Tissue of the Skin 25 25 1 2 18 4 1 Injuries 5 161 3 166 11 7 136 3 16 4 Miscellaneous 52 52 3 4 44 4

21 1,125 13 1,146 52 90 874 14 142 26

(Signed)

L a u r e n c e R. C l a p p , Medical Officer, B.P.C. APPENDIX B.

REPORT BY OFFICER IN CHARGE OF SCHOOLS.

E uropean S chool.

The number of children attending this school has diminished considerably this year owing to three or four families leaving the Island. The number on the roll varied from fourteen to seventeen, and the percentage of attendances for the whole year was 87 per cent. The “ Course of Study ” throughout the school is the same as that set out by the Victorian Education Department for use in the elementary schools. In December last year, two children were presented at an examination for the Victorian Education Department’s Certificate of Merit, and they were both successful. This year one boy was presented for the Merit examination and another for the Qualifying examination ; no results are yet to hand. At the annual examination held on 1st December, 1924, the school mark in the various subjects was as under : — Reading ...... 7 Recitation ...... - . 7 Spelling ...... 8 Writing ...... 7 Composition ...... 7 Grammar ...... 6 Arithmetic ...... - . . . . 6 Mental Arithmetic ...... 6 Geography ...... 6 History and Civics . . . • • • • • • • • • 7 Drawing ...... 7.5 During the year a gymnastic class was arranged for the boys, and is held every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. No regular class in swimming is held ; every child in the school, however, is able to swim, and methods of life-saving are taught. The school buildings are in good condition, and the equipment of the school is good.

N ative Schools.

After twelve months’ trial of the “ Course of Study ” outlined in 1923, it was found neces­ sary to revise the programme in several of the subjects, especially as regards Civics, Hygiene, and Geography. In all cases where alterations have been made, a higher standard of education has been set. The new “ Course of Study for Native Elementary Schools ” is appended to this Report. The annual examination of the Native teachers was held in September last, and all teachers, with one exception, either in this examination or the supplementary examination held in December, qualified for promotion. The annual examination of all Native schools was held during the first week in December.

Central S chool, A:wo. •

Reading. —The reading throughout the whole school is good, only one child having failed. During the coming year, however, still more time will be devoted to phonics, and special atten­ tion will be paid to all vowel sounds. It has also been found necessary to introduce free reading into the schools, especially in the lower grades, as there are many children who can recite prac­ tically the whole of the prescribed reading book from memory. Composition.—The work in this subject is very good, some of the children doing excep­ tionally well. The work of the 8th grade was particularly pleasing. The essays were well arranged ; I would suggest that in the correction of compositions great care be exercised in Pointing out the more simple grammatical errors, and in the lower grades each written compo­ sition be preceded by an oral lesson. Writing.—The writing is good in the Senior grades, but requires more attention in the lower grades. In Grade 1, more time must be spent in forming the elements of the letters. The writing in copy-books is very creditable. Dictation.—In the lower grades, especially, the work is excellent, and it has been found necessary to raise the standard in Grades 1—6. The spelling in the 7th and 8th grades is very fair, 24 children being presented and 18 obtaining a pass. Teachers have been asked to pay Particular attention to this subject, not only in the dictation lesson, but in all subjects in the school programme. — 44 —

Grammar.—Formal lessons in this subject are only given to the 7th and 8th grades. At this school the work is very well done, 24 children being presented, 21 of whom obtained a pass. The lessons in grammar mustl however, be applied to composition lessons, for it is useless learn­ ing the rules of syntax and then to make mistakes in composition. Colloquial English.—Progress made in this subject reflects great credit on all the Native teachers. The work was of a particularly high standard. In the senior school, the children were able to hold a conversation with the teacher, or with one another, and speak most intelli­ gently on simple topics. In the middle school, a description of pictures was asked of each child, and, in nearly all cases, well arranged compound and complex sentences were used in the description. Children in the lower school formed good simple sentences describing pictures and objects. There is, naturally, a tendency for the children, when at a loss for a word, to resort to pidgin English, and teachers should try to gradually improve grammatical construction of the children’s sentences. It would be advisable to allow the child to express himself in pidgin English, if necessary, and then carefully point out the faulty construction. Arithmetic.—In the senior school 24 children sat for the examination, 22 of whom passed ; in the middle school 26, 22 of whom passed ; in the lower school 24, 29 of whom passed. The native children seem to have a natural aptitude for Arithmetic, and the standard of the 1923 programme, in all grades, was found to be too low. The syllabus has now been altered, bring­ ing the work of the 8th grade practically up to the standard of the Qualifying Certificate in the Victorian Education Department. The Mental Arithmetic shows great improvement—95 per cent, of the children of this school obtained a pass. Geography, History, Civics, Hygiene.—Prior to the taking over of the schools by the Administration, these subjects were not included in the Native Schools’ Curriculum. It was felt, however, that Hygiene was of such great importance on this Island, that at least one lesson a week should be devoted to it. It has been decided in the new programme to give one hour per week to this very important subject. No written examination was held in Hygiene, but in the oral examination the children answered all questions very intelligently. The exa­ mination in Geography, History, and Civics was given to the senior school, the percentage of passes in Geography being 91, History 59. In the new syllabus more attention is to be paid to Civics, and the standard of the Geography raised. Elementary treatment of these subjects will be given to the 5th and 6th grades.

A netan S chool.

Reading.—The reading in this school is excellent, every child obtaining a pass. The pronunciation is good, and the children understand the subject-matter of the reading lesson. Composition.—This subject is from good to fair ; 34 children being presented, 25 of whom obtained a pass. The spelling in the composition was weak, and needs to be carefully corrected. The arrangement into paragraphs of the work in the senior grades also needs attention. Writing.—The writing is good—60 children out of 65 obtaining a pass. The writing in the copy-books is very good, much better, in fact, than the writing in the work books would lead one to believe. Dictation.—The spelling is very fair, the passes being 82 per cent, of the total number presented. As was pointed out, however, with regard to the composition, the spelling in all school subjects needs very careful attention. Grammar.—The work in this subject is very disappointing, and more care must be taken in the teaching. Colloquial English.—The progress made in this subject is excellent, only one child in the school failing to reach the pass standard. (See note on Aiwo School.) Arithmetic.—The arithmetic in the middle and lower grades is very good, but in the senior grades only fair. The methods are understood, but the work in many cases is careless and inaccurate. In the middle grades, the work is well set out and neatly done. Mental Arith­ metic needs to be given more attention.

Geography, History, Civics, Hygiene.—The geography and hygiene are very fair, but the history and civics are very weak. A great improvement needs to be shown within the next few months.

Me n e n S chool.

Reading.—-The reading in this school is very good ; in fact, the best work of the school is seen in this subject—38 children were presented for examination, 37 obtaining a very good pass. Composition.—The composition is from good to fair, the percentage of passes being 70. The work of the seniors is good and well arranged, but that of the middle grades shows lack of care. The spelling in this section was fair. — 4 5

Writing.—The writing is very good, 94 per cent, of passes being obtained. A little more supervision of the lower grades would later improve the standard of the writing throughout tjie school. Copy-books in this school show a gradual improvement. Diclaiion.—The spelling in this school is only fair, and requires a good deal of attention. Error lists must be kept, and daily spelling tests be given. Grammar.—The grammar is very fair, and, with the exception of two or three children, the paper was fairly well done. Colloquial English.—As in the other schools, this subject has improved very much, 88 per cent. of the children obtaining a pass. Arithmetic.—The arithmetic ranges from good to fair. In the lower grades good progress has been made, but in the upper grades, most of the work shows lack of care. Geography, History, Civics, Hyyiene.—The work in all these subjects is fair.

LEPER STATION SCHOOL.

The work of this school has been somewhat hindered by the change of head teacher about September of this year, but nevertheless a high standard has been maintained. The results in English, composition, dictation, and reading are quite up to the standard of the outside schools. Owing to the change of teachers the arithmetic and colloquial English have fallen off to a slight extent in the senior grades. In the middle grades, however, the arithmetic is of a very high order, and all the children are well in advance of the programme. It is only natural to expect the children of this school, not having the same opportunity of conversing in English with Europeans, to be somewhat backward in colloquial English. It has not been found possible to establish a sewing class, but in all other respects the standard of education is the same.

P ercen ta g e T able of P asses

A n eta n Subject. Aiwo School. Men en Leper Station School. School. School. i

0/ 0/ 0/ % /o zo /o Reading 87 100 95 80 Spelling 90 82 67 86 Writing 93 84 94 92 Composition 72 76 70 73 Grammar 87 7 50 56 Arithmetic 92 81 58 70 Geography 91 54 50 68 Civics 59 7 67 60 Colloquial English 89 98 88 66

Gen er a l R em a r k s.

Special provision is made for the physical well-being of the children in their school life. I Deep breathing exercises and physical drill are taken every school day, and the boys have an I hour’s company drill one afternoon per week, under the instruction of the sergeant of police. I Organized games are given for half an hour per week, and the children enter into them with I great zest. I The Australian game of football has been recently introduced to the island, and it is I hoped, next year, to commence a junior competition between the different schools. 9 The sewing class for the girls is proving of great value. This year most of the girls in I grade 8 have learned to cut out and make a garment, and the value of the lessons in mending lis plainly seen by the improvement in the condition of the children’s clothes. I It is the intention of the Administrator to commence a class in woodwork about next II June, and all boys over the age of ten will receive instruction. The school buildings are in good condition, well ventilated and roomy. The equipment I lsgood and up to date,

Ot h e r E ducational A ctiv ities.

A night class for police boys, Nauruan apprentices and adult Nauruans is held two nights Per week, when instruction in English is given. This class is well attended, and all the students Jire making good progress. — 46 -

A class in English for Chinese mechanics, employed by the British Phosphate Commission, I was commenced in November. The class, for the present, is limited to twenty students, I and this number attend regularly. The Government Chinese Interpreter acts as instructor. In September last, two Nauruan boys were sent to Melbourne by the Administration to I be educated, and on their return to the Island, will take up positions as teachers in the schools. I Is is hoped that other Nauruan boys will have, later on, the same opportunity for education. I

Course of Study ” for A ssistant and J unior T ea c h e r s.—N ative E lem enta ry S chools. 1 Assistant Teachers.

Second Year. Reading.—To read with fluency, expression, and with understanding the subject-matter j of the School Paper grade 8 (Victorian Education Department) and one approved supplemen- I tarv reader. Writing.—Judged on composition and dictation, and throughout the year on B.B. work. I Spelling.—To spell the words in the School Paper grade 8 (non-asterisked lessons) and all words in word-building and word-grouping lessons. To use the dictionary intelligently. Composition and Grammar.—Reproduction of the thought in reading lessons and poems. I To make notes in connexion with silent studies, and to work these notes up into a continuous I composition. Direct and indirect narration. Letter writing—private and business letters. | Narrations and descriptions. Punctuation. Active and passive voice ; indicative and im- I perative moods ; participles and infinitives. Analysis of complex sentences. The leading I principles of syntax and their application. Arithmetic.—Mensuration.—The rectangle, triangle, square and circle. Rectangular ] solids and cylinder. Business transactions. Simple balance-sheets, e.g., cricket club. Fac- I tors and prime numbers ; H.C.F. and L.C.M. Square root. Exercises in vulgar and decimal I fractions. The common forms of pure recurring decimal fractions. To express a vulgar fraction as a decimal fraction, and vice versa. To express one quantity as the decimal fraction of another. Decimalization of money at sight. Decimal coinage—dollar and cent. Percen- I t.ages and their application to easy examples, such as school statistics, profit and loss, commis- I sion and trade discount. Simple and compound interest, limited to interest and amount. 1 (The principal is to be expressed as an integral number.) Mental exercises based upon the I work set out above. Geography.—The occurrence of dew, frost, and rain. Form and motions of the earth ; ! day and night ; the seasons ; zones and characteristics. An elementary treatment of the I atmosphere and its phenomena. Chief conditions governing climate. The geography of the i British Empire, the outlying possessions of the Empire. A simple treatment of Nauru’s I trade relations with the chief countries of the world. Ocean traffic between Nauru and the I chief countries ; the chief ports of call on the way. Mapping-Exercises based upon the above- I mentioned work and involving the use of the atlas, text-book, and other sources of information ; ! use of map scales ; intelligent reading of a map. History and Civics.—Public education—its necessity, value, and the provisions for securing I it. Public health—how the individual, the school, the municipality, the State, and the Com- momvealth stand related to it. Law and justice—the law courts, policeman, magistrate, il judge. Rates and taxes. Liberty and law. The rights and privileges, with the contingent I duties and responsibilities, of citizens. Equality and fraternity. The debt each citizen owes 1 the community. Care of public property. Thrift in its personal and national aspects. Hygiene.—Detailed treatment of the following subjects :—Cleanliness : the pores in the I skin ; bathing ; sudden changes and colds ; care and cleansing of teeth, hair, and finger nails. I Clothing : the purposes of clothing ; dangers of tight fitting garments ; other common faults in I clothing. Exercise, rest, and recreation, physical exercises and games, gymnastics. Dangers |l of excess rest, sleep, amusements, and relaxation. Dwellings : suitable sites ; sweeping and I dusting ; drainage and other sanitary conditions. Smoking : nicotine as a poison ; use of I tobacco to destroy insects on plants ; physical and mental effects on boys of smoking cigarettes. H Accidents and emergencies : accidents of school life ; what to do till the doctor comes.

First Year. Reading.—As for 2nd year. Writing.—As for 2nd year. Spelling.—As for 2nd year, with the exception that only non-asterisked lessons are to be > I learned. Composition and Grammar.—To summarize the reading lessons. Letter writing— private letters and simple business letters. Narrations and descriptions. Punctuation. Functions of all words in easy sentences and their classification into parts of speech. Inflexions of nouns, — 47 — adjectives, and pronouns. Analysis of simple sentences into subject and predicate. The verb—tense ; participles. Combining simple sentences. Correction of common errors of speech. Arithmetic.—As for Grade 6.—Practical—Exercises in operations in the four rules, using only fractions such as halves, thirds, fourths, sixths, eighths, and tenths. Measurement of length and area (rectangles only), for example, the school-ground, the school-room. Measure­ ment of rectangular objects to find cubical contents. The four rules and reduction in the prescribed weights and measures, including cubic measure. Factors and multiples. Easy exercises in H.C.F. and L.C.M. Extension of decimal notation to quantities less than unit. The four rules in vulgar fractions and terminating decimal fractions. To convert vulgar fractions into decimal fractions, and vice versa. Application of simple vulgar fractions and decimal fractions to familar concrete examples. Exercises in common business transactions. Simple and compound practice. To set out in fractional form the working of problems. Long tots and cross calculations restricted to money denominations. Symbols and their use—the bracket, the various signs expressing division. Easy exercises in mensuration, based on practical work specified above. Mental.—-Exercises based upon the above mentioned work. Geography.—To lay down a North and South line by equal shadows ; to note changes in meridian altitude, in the time and position of sunrise and sunset, and in the length of the day and night. Recognition on map or globe of the main features of the continents, the principal countries in each continent, and the chief seas and islands of the world. The areas of produc­ tions in the chief countries of the British Empire, of foodstuffs, materials for clothing, and minerals. Ocean traffic between Nauru and Australia and the British Isles by the Suez Canal, and by the Panama Canal. History and Civics.—The Government of Nauru and other Pacific Islands. Forms of Government within the British Empire. The need for a Government (illustrations from the home and the school). Different forms of government. Brief treatment of the forms of govern­ ment in Australia. Local government (illustrations from the making and care of roads, the lighting of streets, and the removal of rubbish). The districts of Nauru and Chiefs’ meetings. Hygiene.—Detailed treatment of the work set out in the “ general course of study for elementary schools. ” Junior Teachers.

Second Year.

Reading.—As for assistant teachers but read grade 6 instead of grade 8. Wriling.—As for assistant teachers. Spelling.—As for assistant teachers, but read grade 6 instead of grade 8. Composition and Grammar.—Composition giving the thought contained in the lessons and poems read. Description of holidays, pictures and stories. Punctuation. Combining simple sentences, correction of common errors of speech, inflexion of the noun and pronoun. Arithmetic.—As for 1st year assistant teachers, but easier examples to be given. Geography.—Change in length of shadow at a given time of the day ; to lay down a North and South line. Broad outline of the geography of Australia so as to study mountain masses, plateaux, rivers and river basins, lakes, islands, and other geographical features. The build of Nauru. To be able to intelligently use an atlas. Elementary treatment of the continents, their build, and chief countries. History and Civics.—Elementary treatment of history and civics as set out for 1st year assistant teachers. Hyyiene.—As for 1st year assistant teachers.

First Year. In all subjects the syllabus will be the same as that for the 8th grade in the native elemen­ tary schools, but the work will be of a more advanced character.

NATIVE EDUCATION.

O b je c t s .

1. The uplift and betterment of the natives. 2. To teach all children to read, write, and speak the English language. 3. To teach all children to read, write, and speak the Nauruan language. 4. To endeavour to educate the natives to such a standard, that they will be fitted to take positions as clerks and tradesmen. — 48 —

The native school staff will consist of : — 1 Head Teacher. 3 Junior Teachers. 3 Assistant Teachers. 1 Sewing Mistress.

Allotment of Staff. Central School (Aiwo) — Anetan School— Menen School— Head Teacher. 1 Assistant Teacher. 1 Assistant Teacher. 1 Assistant Teacher. 1 Junior Teacher. 1 Junior Teacher. 1 Junior Teacher. Salary of Staff. Head Teacher £108 to £132 per Assistant Teachers 60 to 84 ,, Junior Teachers 20 to 40 ,, Sewing Mistress 30 ,,

Teachers’ Class. A teachers’ training class will be held in the central school each Tuesday from 1.45 p.m. to 2.30 p.m. for instruction in theory ofteaching and school management. All teachers will attend. Any absence to be reported in writing to the officer in charge of schools. The officer in charge of schools will instruct this class.

Assistant and Junior Teachers’ Class. The head teacher will arrange classes for assistant and junior teachers. Time—one and a half hours per week. Instruction in English will be given by the officer in charge of schools, on Thursday afternoon from 1.45 to 2.30 p.m. Total for assistant and junior teachers—three hours per week.

Examination of Assistant and Junior Teachers. An examination of the above teachers will be held during the European school vacation in September of each year. Teachers failing to pass this examination will not be eligible for the annual increment.

School Terms. First Term : Monday nearest 22nd January—Wednesday preceding Good Friday. Vaca­ tion—five days. Second Term : Tuesday following Easter Monday—Saturday nearest 31st July. Vaca­ tion—seven days. Third Term : Completion of above vacation—Saturday nearest 12th December.

General Course of Study for E lem en ta ry S chools.

Notes on Oryanizalion.—For all pupils attending these schools the period covered will be between the ages of six and sixteen years. Of the ten years of school life, for the normal pupil, three years will be spent in the Primary School—Grades I. to III. ; three years in the Middle School—Grades IV. to VI. ; and four years in the Upper School—Grades VII. to VIII. Examinations.—The head teacher will examine his school fully in June and in December, and will record the results, together with his comments, in the examination register. These, and the pupils’ papers, must be kept for the perusal of the officer in charge of schools. Work Programme.—Since the work of the schools and the progress of the pupils may be tested by the officer in charge of schools at any time during the year, the work program m e should show a properly-arranged and carefully-graded course of work in the school subjects. The teaching in the schools will be wholly in the English language—the Nauruan language being used only in the Nauruan reading lessons and during reading lessons in English, to convince the teacher, if necessary, that the child understands the meaning of the passages read. Home Lessons.—Home lessons have a certain disciplinary value that justifies their inclu­ sion in the native school programme. No home lessons will, however, be given to any but the Grades V. to VIII., and this only on three nights per week. In no circumstances should the tasks set call for more than half an hour’s effort on the part of the pupil. In the main, the tasks set should be of the nature of recapitulation of lessons received, or of making simple application of the facts taught. 49 —

Subjects to be taught— Primary School— (1) English. (5) Nauruan. (2) Manual Training. (6) Singing. (3) Arithmetic. (7) Hygiene. (4) Physical Training and Organized Games. (8) Stories. Middle School — (1) English. (5) Hygiene. (2) Arithmetic. (6) Singing. (3) Manual Training. (7) Stories. (4) Physical Training and Organized Games. Upper School— (1) English. (5) History and Civics. - (2) Arithmetic. (6) Hygiene. (3) Manual Training. (7) Physical Training and Organized Games. (4) Geography. (8) Singing.

Times of Instruction. Tuesday 8.30-12.30 4 hours Wednesday 8.30-11 1.30-4 5 „ Thursday 8.30-12.30 4 „ Friday. . 8.30-12.30 4 „ Saturday 8.30-12.30 4 „ Sewing, one hour per week extra, times to be arranged.

Approximate Weekly Time Allotment (in Hours) for the Several Subjects in the Course of Study

Grades. Subjects. Lower. Middle. Upper.

1. English 11 11 9 y2 2. Nauruan 2 3. Arithmetic 3 y2 5 y2 6 4. Geography 1 5. History and Stories y2 y2 y2 6. Drawing y2 y2 y 7. Physical Training and Organized Games (including assembly) i y2 i y2 i y2 8. Singing i i i 9. Hygiene i i i

Total hours . . . * ...... 21 21 21

Drill or Neddlework 1 1 1

Note.—The time allotment set out above is suggestive, and is intended to indicate to what proportion the school time should be distributed between the several subjects.

G e n e r a l C o u r s e o f S t u d y f o r P r i m a r y S c h o o l s .

ENGLISH.

First Grade.—Language : This should commence with the naming of common objects which the children see and use daily. Naming of animals and objects seen in pictures. W riting Informal lessons based on things in which the child is naturally interested, such as the swing and fish-hook. To write in Copy Book—Preparatory. To combine these elements into the simpler letters. Second Grade.—Language : To learn to speak correctly on a single topic, such as a picture, game, or experience. Very short stories, beginning with “ I see, ” “ It is, ” are all that can be expected. 4. — 50 —

Reading : Words taught by means of objects and pictures. Simple reading as set out in first steps. About 30 to 40 simple words in common use should be taught, and the choice of these should be such as to enable reading to be corre­ lated with other lessons. Reading in this grade should be mainly a matter of associating word and idea. One lesson per week in free reading. Phonics:To receive lessons on the short vowel sounds and on simple combi­ nation of these with consonants. Only monosyllabic words should be used in this grade. Writing: To write the small letters and to be learning to write the more common capital letters. To write in Copy Book—No. 1.

N o te .—The letters should be taught in groups based on a common element, e.g.. i. u, w, n, m, v.

Third Grade.—Language : To be learning to express thought in very simple narrative form, both oral and written. (1) To describe a picture or any subject of special interest. (2) To receive guidance in the use of correct speech and pronun­ ciation. Reading : To read in script and in print. The Primer to be read to page 44. All readings should be taught on a phonic bases. The use of the capital letter and the full stop should be recognizcd in the construction of all reading lessons. One lesson per week in free reading. Phonics : To learn the names of all letters in association with the sounds and symbols. Later, to receive lessons on the double consonants and the long sound of “ a. ” Writing : To write in ruled exercise, with pen or pencil, the small and capital letters. To transcribe words and sentences. To write in Copy Book—No. 2. Spelling : To page 19 in Primer.

a r i t h m e t i c .

Firsl Grade.—To count in Nauruan and English to 20. To limit definitely and number objects to 20. To learn to write figures to 10. Analysis of figures to 8. Second Grade.—To count, read, and write numbers up to 50 in both Nauruan and English. To know the place value of digits up to 50. To count up to 50, by tens, fives, and twos. To know the analysis of numbers up to 20. To be able to write the facts learned. To recognize and name the shilling, sixpence, and penny ; and to be learning the relative value of these. Third Grade.—To count, read, and write numbers up to 100 in English, and to 500 in Nauruan. To count by twos, fives, and tens, to 100, and by threes, fours, and sixes, to 36. Subtraction : Minuend not to exceed 50—Subtrahend not to exceed 9. To add any numbers together, the total not to exceed 50. To recognize and name the penny, half-penny, threepence, sixpence, one shilling, and two shillings.

MANUAL TRAINING. First Grade.—To draw such common objects as eggs, fruit, trees, and the like ; and straight lines, as posts, gates, houses, and other similar objects. Second Grade.—To draw with freearm or freehand, natural or common object interesting to children. To draw from memory any such objects. Third Grade.—Freearm and freehand as for 2nd grade. To draw with a ruler, simple exercises representing common objects, such as a door, table, gate, etc. — 51 —

STORIES. Mythological, fairy, and nature stories. The old Nauruan legends should be included as much as possible.

PHYSICAL TRAINING.

Physical exercises—Breathing exercises. Marching exercises—Games. At least five minutes breathing exercises should be given each day.

HYGIENE AND SINGING.

As set out for senior school.

G e n e r a l C o u r s e o f S t u d y f o r M i d d l e S c h o o l . ENGLISH.

Fourth Grade.—Language : Short description of pictures, holidays, etc., and the connecting of sentences by “ and, ” “ or, ” etc. Reading : (a) To read in script or in print. (b) To complete the reading of the primer. (c) Free reading (two lessons per week from approved supplemen­ tary reader). Phonics and Spelling : To receive lessons on the long vowel sounds. To learn to spell all words in primer. The spelling of words should be used in association with their use in sentences. • Writing : Exercise in transcription and dictation. To write in bold and legible small hand. To write the Australian Copy Book No. 3.

Fifth Grade.—Language : Fuller description of pictures, holidays, and subjects of local interest, and connecting of sentences by—“ who, ” “ when, ” “ but, ” etc. To write short stories descriptive of same. Reading : (a) To read narrative in script and in print. (b) To read the First Book to page 44. (c) Free reading with words contained in the prescribed books. (Two lessons each week from approved Supplementary Reader.) Phonics and Spelling : Daily exercises in vowel sounds, both by long and short. These exercises should aim at the removal of any ■ defects of speech, and at securing purity of vowel sounds. To learn the spelling of all words in the First Book to page 44. To use these words in simple sentences. Writing : To write in bold and legible small hand, the subject matter of the class work. To write the Australian Copy Book No. 4 or from copies on the blackboard. Exercises in transcription and dictation.

Sixth Grade.—Language : Further work in oral composition on the subject-matter mentioned for the 5th grade work. One lesson per week to be given on written compositions on subjects treated in the oral lessons. Extension of work in joining sentences by suitable conjunctions. Reading : To read with reasonable fluency and expression, and with under­ standing of the subject-matter, the whole of the First Book. Free reading within the scope of the prescribed Text Book should be given at least twice per week from approved Supplementary Reader. Phonics : To receive lessons on the double vowel sounds and double conso­ nants. Daily exercises having as their object the cultivation of clear and correct speech. Spelling : To spell all the words in the First Book. To be able to use these words in word building exercises. . To aim at correct spelling in all written work. — 52 —

Writing : To write in bold and legible small hand, the subject-matter of the class work. To write the Australian Copy Book No. 4, or from copies on the blackboard. Exercise in transcription and dictation to the standard of the spelling course.

ARITHMETIC.

Fourth Grade.—To count, read, and write the numbers to 500. To decompose the numbers into ones and tens. To count by twos, fives, and tens, to 500, and by threes, fours, and sixes, to 72. To add any numbers together—the total not to exceed 500. Measurement with the foot rule, and to draw lines of given length in feet, inches, and half inches. Subtraction : Minuend not to exceed 500. Multiplication table to 4 times 12. Mental arithmetic to be given on the above rules. Fifth Grade.—To recognize and name the coins in use—their relative values—dozen and score, minute, hour, day, week. Revision and extension of work of previous grades. To read and write numbers up to 9,999. To know the local and intrinsic value] of digits, singly and in pairs. Addition and subtraction of any quantities—totals not exceeding 9,999. Use and application of the symbols “ -j- ” and “ — ”, Multiplication tables to 12 times 12.

Menial. Exercises in concrete quantities, based upon the above mentioned work. Leading to operations with abstract numbers. Sixth Grade.—The four simple rules, products and dividends not to exceed 9,999. Multiplication tables to 12 x 12 with the correlated division tables. Easy application of multiplication and division to one step reduction in the weights and measures learnt. Multipliers not to exceed 99 and divisor not to exceed 12.

Money Tables and Tables of Weights and Measures. These should be taught practically. Numeration and notation of numbers to 10,000,000.

Mental. Concrete exercises based upon practical work and upon facts within the range of the] experience of the pupils.

MANUAL TRAINING. Fourth Grade.—Freearm and freehand : Extension of work from previous grades. Examples containing simple curved lines and straight lines, or both, in com-1 bination. To draw with the aid of ruler and set square—objects and patterns composedl of squares, oblongs, and triangles. No lines shorter than ^ inch should be| employed. Fifth Grade.—To draw with a freearm or freehand, natural forms and common objects. To draw with a ruler, set square and compass, simple decorative pattern^ composed of squares, oblongs, triangles, and circles. Sixth Grade.—Freearm and freehand to be an extension of work in previous grade. Ruled drawing to be an extension of work in previous grade.

HISTORY AND CIVICS. Mythological stories and old Nauru legends. T he discovery of Nauru and a general study of its history from then till the presentj time. Why laws are made and why they must be obeyed.

PHYSICAL TRAINING. Physical exercises from Physical Training Manual. Breathing Exercises ; Marching ; Organized Games ; Class Prill. - 5 3 —

HYGIENE AND SINGING. As set out for Senior School.

G e n e r a l C o u r s e o f S t u d y f o r S e n i o r S c h o o l .

ENGLISH.

Seventh Grade.—Reading : To be read with reasonable fluency and expression and with understanding of the subject-matter, the non-asterisked lessons in the School Paper—Grade III. At least one lesson per week to be given to free reading from approved supplementary reader. Phonics : Daily practice in the proper use of the tongue, lips, and teeth in speaking. The exercises should aim at the removal of common defects of speech, and at securing purity of vowel sounds and distinctness of consonant sounds. Writing : To write in bold and legible small-hand the subject-matter of the class work. To write in the Australian Copy Book (No. 5), or in plain books from copies on the blackboard. (Children should be taught here to criticize their own writing, and to indicate faults in the formation of letters.) The aim of teachers should be to cultivate correct writing in all written subjects. Spelling : To spell the words of the selected lessons in the School Paper. To spell the words used in word grouping and word building lessons. (The spelling of words should be learnt in association with their meaning and use in sentences.) Composition : Oral composition, giving in full or in part the thought con­ tained in the reading lessons. Oral descriptions of holidays, pictures, and stories. Exercises in combining two or more simple sentences by suitable link words. Punctuation : Simple treatment of full stop and comma ; use of capitals. Correction of common errors of speech. Written composition based upon the above work. lighlh Grade.—Reading : To read with fluency, expression, and with understanding of the subject-matter, the whole of the School Paper—Grade IV. At least one lesson per week to be given to free reading from approved supplementary reader. Phonics : Daily exercises, having as their object the cultivation of the abith of clear and correct speech. Writing : To write in a bold and legible small hand the subject-matter of the class work. Formal writing limited to one lesson a week. Speed exercises should be given with sufficient frequency to ensure a satisfactory degree of rapidity in writing, combined with a reasonable accuracy in form. Writing that is legible and, on the whole, well formed will, if rapidly executed, be regarded as satisfactory. Writing from Copy Book No. 5. Spelling : To spell the words in the School Paper—Grade IV. To spell the words used in the word grouping and word building lessons. Persistent effort should be put forth to secure correct spelling in the written work throughout the school. Composition and Grammar : Oral reproduction of the throught in reading lesson and the subject-matter of lessons. Oral and written statements of topics of common interest. Division of simple sentences into subject and predicate. Use of noun, verb, adjective, and personal pronoun. Tense—present, past, and future. Further work on combination of simple sen­ tences. Correction of common errors of speech. Letter Writing : Private letters and simple business letters. — 54 —

ARITHMETIC. Seventh Grade.—Practical : Measure of length—inch, foot, yard, chain ; idea of 1 mile. To estimate quantities and check estimates by measuring and weighing. Application of such fractions — ^ | — especially as applied to the foot rule. Oral and Written : Revision and extension of work of previous class. The dozen and score rules. Long tots. Long division. Tables of length, weight, capacity, and time. Compound addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in all tables learnt. Problems within the scope of the above rules. Mental : Exercises applying the above-mentioned work to transactions within the range of the pupils’ experience. Aliquot parts of £1. Eighth Grade.—Practical : Exercises in showing on strips of paper and by other means simple vulgar fractional parts. Exercises in operations on the four rules—using only fractions such as halves, thirds, fourths, eighths, and tenths. Measurement of length and area (rectangles only). Oral and Written : Revision and extension of work of previous grade. Fractional parts. Bills of parcels. Receipting accounts. The four rules and reduction in the prescribed weights and measures, including square measure. Decimals : Addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Conversion of vulgar to decimal fractions and vice versa. Long tots and cross tots. Mental : Exercises applying the above-mentioned work to transactions within the range of the pupils’ experience.

HYGIENE. Deep breathing and its value. Care of the skin : Evils of dirt ; proper cleaning of slates. Clothing : Danger of wet clothing. Need for exercise : Healthful exercises ; school games ; dangers of excess ; need for rest ; right times for sleep. Water : Pure drinking water ; how to preserve water from contamination ; how to render impure water safe for drinking ; water as a cleanser. Infectious diseases : Their cause and prevention. Restoration of the apparently drowned. Cleanliness : The pores in the skin ; bathing ; care and cleanliness of hair and finger nails. Dwellings : Suitable sites ; drainage ; and other sanitary conditions. Smoking : Nicotine as a poison ; use of tobacco to destroy insects on plants ; physical and mental effects upon boys of smoking cigarettes. Accidents and emergencies : Accidents of school life, what to do till the doctor comes. Care, cleanliness, and covering of open wounds—especially as regards contagion.

GEOGRAPHY.

Seventh Grade.—The eight principal points of the compass. Idea of distance and direction. Recognition of simple geographical forms, e.g., mountain, lake, island, bay, ocean, continent, etc. Map of Nauru and its formation with regard to coconut-bearing land and phosphate land. Nauruan exports and where sent. Nauruan imports and countries from which they come. The importance of Nauru to other countries and Nauru’s dependence on the outside world for different materials. Trade routes between Nauru and Australia, and Nauru and England. Additional for Eighth Grade.—Australian states and capitals. Continents and oceans. Zones of the earth. Sunrise and sunset. Winds. Causes of rain. — 5 5 —

SINGING.

Note Exercises : To sol-fa from the modulator and the hand signs ; exercises including easy leaps to any of the notes in the diatonic scale. Time Exercises : To sing on one tone to the syllable la a, or to the time names ; exercises in two-pulse, three-pulse, or four-pulse measure, containing one, two, or more whole-pulse notes, half-pulse notes, and whole-pulse rests on the non­ accented pulses of the measure. Songs : Suitable school songs in unison and for two equal voices. At least five songs should be prepared each year.

HISTORY AND CIVICS. Eighth Grade.—Further treatment of the history and government of Nauru. Forms of government within the British Empire—especially dealing with the Pacific Islands. Local government : Illustration from the making and care of the roads ; the cleaning of lands ; and removal of rubbish in each district. Additional for Eighth Grade.—Government Departments : Postal, Customs, Health, Law, Education. Duties of a citizen. Taxation. What loyalty means. Why a court is necessary.

MANUAL TRAINING.

Seventh Grade.—To draw with freearm or freehand from natural forms and common objects— such as shell forms—showing special curves and illustrating the principle of continuity of lines. To draw to scale simple objects from measurement. Extension of geomet­ rical construction from previous grade. Eighth Grade.—As for above ; but the work should be of a more advanced character and of better quality in execution.

PHYSICAL TRAINING. As set out in the handbook—“ Junior Cadet Training. ”

SEWING.

Middle School.—Hemming : The pupil is to begin the hem, to show a join, and to finish off unaided. Top Sewing : To run and fell seams, to sew and fell seams, to make a small useful article. Darning : Not to be crossed ; used as a decoration stitch in various coloured threads on suitable material. Upper School.—Hemming over the ends of seams ; stitching. Sewing on of tapes ; decorative needlework. Herringbone ; pleating ; strengthening tapes ; chain stitch as a decorative stitch. Button holes. Feather stitching ; gathering ; tucking. Darning : The hedge-tear darn and cross-cut darn. Patching : The flannel patch ; calico patch ; print patch. To cut out and make a suitable garment, showing gathering, tucking, and simple feather stitching. — 56 —

APPENDIX C.

LIST OF ORDINANCES AND REGULATIONS MADE DURING 1921, 1922, 1923, AND 1924

Nn mber. Title. Where Printed.

1921 Movements of Natives Ordinance 1921 Report for 1921, page 7 Leper Station Ordinance 1.921 8 Quarantine Area Ordinance 1921 ... 8 Prohibition of Sale or Barter of Government Stores Ordinance 1921 9 Customs Tariff Amendment Ordinance 1921 9 Gaols and Prisons Ordinance 1921 ... 9 Marriages Ordinance 1921 ... 10 Native Status Ordinance 1921 11 No. 9 of 1921 Arms Liquor and Opium Prohibition Ordinance 1921 11 No. 10 of 1921 Compulsory Education Ordinance 1921 12 No. 11 of 1921 Sanitary Inspectors Ordinance 1921 12 No. 12 of 1921 Lands Ordinance 1921 13 No. 13 of 1921 Suspension of Sentences Ordinance 1921 ... 14 1922. No. of 1922 Quarantine (Plague) Ordinance 1922 Report for 1922, page 19 No. of 1922 Clearing of Lands Ordinance 1922 ... 19 No. of 1922 Customs Tariff Amendment Ordinance 1922 19 No. of 1922 Leprosy Suppression Ordinance 1922 20 No. of 1922 Leper Station and Hospital Enclosure Ordinance 1922 21 No. of 1922 Cemeteries Ordinance 1922 21 No. of 1922 Motor Tariff Ordinance 1922 22 No. 8 of 1922 Laws Repeal and Adopting Ordinance 1922 22 No. 9 of 1922 Judiciary Ordinance 1922 ... 24 No. 10 of 1922 Licences Ordinance 1922 25 No. 11 of 1922 Capitation Tax Ordinance 1922 27 No. 12 of 1922 Miscellaneous Fees Ordinance 1922 27 No. 13 of 1922 Shipping Fees Ordinance 1922 27 No. 14 of 1922 Customs Regulations Ordinance 1922 27 No. 15 of 1922 Roads Maintenance Ordinance 1922 28 No. 16 of 1922 Movements of Natives Ordinance 1922 28 No. 17 of 1922 Native Administration Ordinance 1922 28 Native Regulations 1922 29 No. 18 of 1922 Chinese and Native Labour Ordinance 1922 30 No. 19 of 1922 Importation of Opium, Morphine, Cocaine, and Heroin Ordinance 1922 ... 32

1923. No. 1 of 1923 Wireless Telegraphy Regulations Ordinance 1923 Report for 1923, page 35 No. 2 of 1923 Notification of Infectious and Contagious Diseases Ordinance 1923 ,i » ” 35 No. 3 of 1923 Appropriation Ordinance 1923-1924 -, n ” No. 4 of 1923 Nauru Royalty Trust Fund Appropriation Ordinance 1923-1924 ...... ,, 36 No. 5 of 1923 Chinese and Native Labour Amendment Ordinance 1923 ,, 36 1924. No. 1 of 1924 Customs Tariff Ordinance 1924 Report for 1924, page 52 No. 2 of 1924 Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1924 No. 3 of 1924 Explosives Ordinance 1924 £>Z No. 4 of 1924 Leper Station and Hospital Enclosure Extension Ordi­ nance 1924... No. 5 of 1924 Public Service Ordinance 1924 53 No. 6 of 1924 Bee Importation Prohibition Ordinance 1924 54 No. 7 of 1924 Prohibition of the Possession of Tobacco by Children Ordinance 1924 54 No. 8 of 1924 Appropriation Ordinance 1924-1925 54 No. 9 of 1924 Nauru Royalty Trust Fund Appropriation Ordinance 54 1924-1925 ...... 55 No. 10 of 1924 Chinese and Native Labour Amendment Ordinance 1924 55 No. 11 of 1924 Licences Amendment Ordinance 1924 55 No. 12 of 1924 Wild Birds Preservation Ordinance 1924 ... 55 Regulation No. 1 of 1924 (Customs) ...... — 57 —

APPENDIX E.

SUPPLEMENTARY AGREEMENT CONCERNING NAURU DATED 30TH MAY, 1923.

AGREEMENT between His Majesty’s Government in London His Majesty’s Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and His Majesty’s Government of the Dominion of New Zealand. Whereas a Mandate for the administration of the Island of Nauru has been conferred upon His Majesty : And whereas by an Agreement dated the second day of July, 1919*, be­ tween His Majesty’s Government in London the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia and the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand (hereinafter called the “ Contracting Governments ” ) it is among other things provided th at—

A r t i c l e I. “ The administration of the Island shall be vested in an Administrator. “ The first Administrator shall be appointed for a term of five years by the Australian Government and thereafter the Administrator shall be appointed in such a manner as the three Governments decide. “ The Administrator shall have power to make Ordinances for the peace order and good government of the Island subject to the terms of this Agreement and particularly (but so as not to limit the generality of the foregoing provisions of this Article) to provide for the educa­ tion of children on the island to establish and maintain the necessary police force and to esta­ blish and appoint courts and magistrates with civil and criminal jurisdiction. ” And whereas the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia have appointed Brigadier- General Thomas Griffiths, C.M.G., C.B.E., D.S.O., to be the first Administrator : And whereas it is expedient to make further provision for the good government of the Island under the terms of the Mandate and of the Treaty of Peace with Germany subject to the terms of the Agreement aforesaid : It is hereby further agreed between the three Governments as follows : — 1. All Ordinances made by the Administrator shall be subject to confirmation or disallow­ ance in the name of His Majesty, whose pleasure in respect of such confirmation or disallowance shall be signified by one of His Majesty’s Principal Secretaries of State, or by the Governor- General of the Commonwealth of Australia acting on the advice of the Federal Executive Council of the Commonwealth, or by the Governor-General of the Dominion of New Zealand acting on the advice of the Executive Council of the Dominion, according as the Administrator shall have been appointed by His Majesty’s Government in London, or by the Government of the Commonwealth of Australia, or by the Government of the Dominion of New Zealand, as the case may be. 2. The Administrator shall conform to such instructions as he shall from time to time receive from the Contracting Government by which he has been appointed. 3. Copies of all ordinances, proclamations and regulations made by the Administrator shall be forwarded by him to the Contracting Government by which he has been appointed, for confirmation or disallowance, and to the two other Contracting Governments for their information ; and the Administrator shall supply through the Contracting Government by which he has been appointed such othet information regarding the administration of the Island as either of the other Contracting Governments shall require. 4. All such reports as are required to be rendered to the Council of the League of Nations in virtue of Article 22 of the aforesaid Treaty of Peace or otherwise shall be transmitted by the Administrator through the Contracting Government by which he has been appointed to His Majesty’s Government in London for presentation to the Council on behalf of the British Empire as Mandatory. Dated this 30th day of May in the year of Our Lord One thousand nine hundred and twenty-three. Signed by His Grace the Duke of Devonshire for and on j behalf of His Majesty’s Government in London, in the ' DEVONSHIRE presence of — W. C. H a n k i n s o n . ( Signed by the Right Honorable Sir Joseph Cook for and on behalf of the Government of the Commonwealth of ( jQ S E P H COOK Australia, in the presence of— i O. C. W. F u h r m a n . I Signed by Colonel the Honorable Sir James Allen for and i on behalf of the Government of the Dominion of New ! j ^MES AI LEN Zealand, in the presence of—- f C. K n o w l e s . i

This Agreement is reprinted in the Report for 1923, page 40. — 5 8 —

APPENDIX F.

THE BRITISH PHOSPHATE COMMISSION. Report and Accounts for the Year ended 30th J u n e , 1923. Accounts for the third year of the Nauru-Ocean Island phosphate business under the control of the Board of Commissioners are submitted herewith. Weather and other conditions at the Islands during the year were good. The total tonnage of phosphate cargoes shipped amounted to 311,650 tons, a reduction of 49,555 tons on the previous year, due to a smaller demand, principally in European countries. The distribution of shipments was — To Australia ...... 65.43 per cent. New Zealand 16.54 United Kingdom Nil Other countries 18.03 There is every prospect of a considerable increase in output for the fourth year. The f.o.b. cost, as shown by the accounts, includes a sum of £224,053 10s. 2d., being interest at 6 per cent upon the purchase price paid for the business by the Governments and contribution to a sinking fund for the redemption of the capital sum in 50 years, in accordance with Article 11 of the Agreement of the 2nd July, 1919. ALWIN R. DICKINSON, ] HAROLD B. POPE, [ Commissioners. ALBERT F. ELLIS, )

Dr. Trading Account for Twelve M onths ended 30th J u n e , 1923. Cr.

s. d. s . cl. F.o.b. cost of phosphate, includ­ Phosphate sales and sundry ing interest on capital, contri­ credits, less freight and insu­ bution to a sinking fund for rance, etc. 542,348 8 4 the redemption of capital, and other charges in accordance with Article 11 of Agreement of the 2nd July, 1919 538,099 1 7 Government Appropriation Ac­ count ... 4,249 6 9 £542.348 8 4 £542,348 8 4

Balance-Sheet, 30th J u n e , 1923. Liabilities. Assets. £ s. d. £ s. il. United Kingdom Government 1,466,966 0 5 Nauru and Ocean Island phos­ Commonwealth Government ... 1,466,966 0 5 phate rights, buildings, and New Zealand Government 558,844 4 3 plant and steamer Nauru Chief, less reserves for depre­ 3,492,776 5 1 ciation, and other charges Sinking fund for redemption of in accordance with Article 11 capital...... 38,723 14 11 of Agreement of the2nd July, Sundry creditors and outstandings 124,238 8 6 1919 ...... '.. 3,170,056 15 1 Government Appropriation Sundry debtors and bills receiv­ Account...... 94,887 5 3 able ... 144,033 11 6 Voyages in progress 7,927 0 0 Phosphate and goods in transit 26,789 1G 0 Stocks at Nauru and Ocean Island and Australia...... 266,417 5 4 Cash at banks and in hand 135,401 5 10 £3,750,625 13 9 £3,750,625 13 9

We have examined the foregoing balance-sheet with the books and vouchers of The B ritish Phosphate Commission and the audited accounts from London. We have accepted the certi­ ficates of officers of the Commission for the valuation of the stocks. We have obtained all the information and explanations we have required. In our opinion the balance-sheet is properly drawn up so as to exhibit a true and correct view of the state of the Commission’s affairs according to the best of our information and the explanations given to us and as shown by the books of the Commission. KENT. BRIERLEY, and SULLY, Melbourne, 26th September, 1923. Public Accountants. A u d ito rs .

Note by tïie Secretariat of the League of Nations. — The original edition of the report contains 11 photographs which reproduced in the present edition.