water supply has been abundant in most districts and considerable new ground has been worked this year. New discoveries have been reported in the Tolovana district, on Wild River, in the Koyukuk and Kuskokwin River regions. The older placer mines of the Territory continue to yield considerable quantities of gold, although the output is much less than the years immediately following their discovery. In copper production Alaska is steadily forging to the front; the output of this metal alone for the present calendar year, it is estimated, will reach in value $20,000,000. The low-grade placer deposits are very extensive in interior and northwestern Alaska, the development of which awaits cheaper transportation facilities and cheaper power. Mining began in Alaska in 1880, and since that time the Territory has produced $244,156,000 in gold, $19,800,000 in copper, $2,251,000 in silver, $370,000 in coal, and the rest in tin, lead, quicksilver, marble, gypsum, petroleum, etc. Copper mining began in Alaska in 1901, and the total production is about 133,000,000 pounds. The certainty of railroad communication with the Yukon Basin has greatly stimulated prospecting, mining, and agricultural development. There is a noticeable increase in investigations by large mining enterprises, as compared with previous years, and this is solely due to the expectation of cheaper transportation. Lode mining in southeastern Alaska, where several large mines are now in operation, is annually attaining greater proportions, due to the success that has been achieved in the treatment of low-grade ores, such as are found in this section. For the first time in the history of Alaska antimony in commercial quantities has been shipped during the present season from interior and northwestern Alaska. The total production of Alaska tin mines since the industry started in 1902 is about 550 tons of metallic tin, valued at $380,006. Two copper mines and five lode mines were operated in the Prince William Sound region in 1914. This number has been increased during the present year, and the output of both copper and gold will greatly exceed the output of the previous year. It is estimated that 125 placer mines, employing 1,200 men, were operated in the Fairbanks district during the summer of 1914. Thirty-nine gold dredges were operated on Seward Peninsula for the whole or part of the open season of 1914. A similar number has been operated the present year. About 1,200 men were engaged in mining on the peninsula in 1915, of which 450 were employed on the dredges. A number of locations of potential iron mines were made in 1914 about 25 miles northwest of Nome, but at only one locality is a considerable body of iron ore apparent. The prospecting work done so far shows only the area of the deposit and not its depth.

The office of the governor of Alaska would have been literally swamped with work for the past two years had it not been for the

action of the territorial legislature in making an annual appropriation for clerk hire in that office, Congress having failed to do so, although yearly requests have been made for additional clerical and stenographic assistance.

HAWAII.

The governor of Hawaii in his annual report stated that the year ending June 30, 1915, has been one of unusual prosperity in the main industry of the islands, sugar growing, not only in the increase in quantity produced but in financial returns. Their second exportable staple, canned pineapples, increased in production and gross value, but individual growers of pines suffered greatly from the collapse of prices to a point below cost. Other products are limited and no exceptional changes took place. How generally the notable prosperity of the Territory has been diffused can hardly be calculated. Evidence of general prosperity appears in the improvements throughout the Territory, particularly in the great number of attractive, artistic, unpretentious homes being erected. No discontent among labor has been apparent. The legislature, session of 1915, has made reasonable appropriations that will increase employment and provide for many necessary improvements.

Imports and exports.-The imports for the fiscal year amounted to $26,064,855, a decrease, as compared with the previous year, of $9,485,402. The exports amounted to $62,338,356, the exports of sugar amounting to $19,758,187, and of pineapples to $1,257,604, and the increase over the preceding year being $20,774,284.

Customs and internal-revenue receipts.-Customs receipts for the fiscal year totaled $1,019,534.63, a falling off of $164,881.49. Internal-revenue receipts yielded $419.057.39, an increase over the previous year of $186,082.96.

Receipts and disbursements.-The Territory still collects and pays over to the city and county of Honolulu and the counties the greater part of their revenues, and in turn receives back from them the cost of assessing and collecting taxes and the interest and sinking fund on bonds issued by the Territory for the benefit of the counties. Territorial finances.-The assessment of property increased $15,413,996 over the year 1914 making a total of $176,601,222. This illustrates the working of the Hawaiian law, making certain taxable valuations subject to their basis as enterprises for profit. Nineteen hundred and twelve was a prosperous year and valuations totaled $176,834,801; 1914 was less prosperous and valuations fell to $161,187,226; while 1915 shows the rise again. The total revenues collected by the Territory and counties aggregated $4,691,831.81, an increase of $380,100.41 over the year 1914. Of the above income 8161°-INT 1915-VOL 1- -8

$2,557,675.73 was by law set aside for the county governments and $2,134,156.08 remained for Territorial expenditure. Out of the $3,162,148.16 available for the Territory from current revenues, including cash on hand, $2,747,270.35 was expended, leaving a net cash balance on hand at the close of the year of $414,877.81. The bonded indebtedness of the Territory was increased during the year by the sale of $1,179,500 of 4 per cent public improvement bonds of the issue of 1914 at 100.01 and decreased by the payment of $150,000 of the 1903 issue of 4 per cent public-improvement bonds, leaving a bonded indebtedness of $7,873,500 at the close of the year.

Bank deposits.-Bank deposits at the close of the calendar year were $20,114,610.85, of which $7,736,569.32 were savings deposits. The increase of commercial deposits was $2,006,166.93 and of savings $1,460,778.69.

Corporations.-During the fiscal year 25 mercantile, 4 agricultural, 2 savings and loan, 1 insurance, and 8 eleemosynary corporations-40 in all-were created; and 8 mercantile, 2 agricultural, and 1 eleemosynary corporations were dissolved-11 in all-leaving at the close of the year 935 domestic corporations-an increase of 29. The total capitalization of domestic corporations other than eleemosynary, etc., is $175,086,293, a decrease of $543,400, or 0.3 per cent for the year. Foreign corporations to the number of 152, as compared with 149 the preceding year, are authorized to do business in the Territory. Five national banks also do business in the Territory. Prior to the 1915 session of the legislature there was nothing that could be done to wipe defunct corporations off the books. Act 57, laws of 1915, gives the treasurer this authority and he is actively engaged in this work. The corporations that are positively known to be dead are capitalized at $22,637,900.

Population and its problems.-The estimated population June 30, 1915, was 223,256 civilians, 9,600 Army and Navy, total 232,856. Orientals predominate, totaling 136,626. In births orientals predominate far in excess of the average. Native full-blood Hawaiians continue to decrease. The total number of births during the year was 8,507, an increase of 1,751 over the number for the previous year, showing a birth rate of 36.52 per thousand, estimating the population at 232,856. The total number of deaths from all causes was 3,556, a decrease of 151 from the previous year, showing a death rate of 15.03 per thousand on the same estimated population. The marriages number 2,730, a decrease of 419.

Public health.-The Territorial department of public health does most of the public-health work, although some is done by the local governments, and much assistance is given by various corporations, organizations, and individuals, financially and in other ways. The officials of the United States Public Health Service and the Terri

torial health officers work in cooperation. The general health conditions in the Treasury are best reflected by the morbidity and mortality reports. An analysis of these shows that health conditions have been better than during 1913-14, and that they compare favorably with other States in the Union. At the last session of the legislature a number of new laws on the subject of public health were passed and some amended. Provision was made for the care, control, and treatment of persons addicted to the excessive use of drugs or liquor, and increased accommodation for insane persons of the acute and curable class; for the appointment of a commission to compile the sanitary code of the Territory; and for the transportation of females to the insane asylum. The sections of the revised laws relating to pure food and abatement of nuisances and insanitary lands and to the sale of opium were amended so that the methods of procedure would be more effective, as was also the law relating to the recording of births.

Public lands.-No notable features have occurred during the past year. There has been normal homesteading, but no areas of moment have by expiration of leases been returned to Government control. Much attention is being paid to preparation for action upon expiration of leases covering public lands. During the year 176 homesteads, covering an area of 2,348.58 acres, valued at $37,635.55, were taken up. Since the amendments made in the organic act five years ago 2,603 homestead lots have been offered, covering 67,612.14 acres, at valuations aggregating $666,773.38. During the 15 years of Territorial government 2,926 homesteads have been taken, of which 931, or an average of 133 a year, were taken the first 7 years, and 1,995, or an average of 249 a year, during the last 8 years.

Agriculture.-In 1908 the United States Reclamation Service reported that the maximum of cultivable land in the Territory was about 400,000 acres. While this limit has not yet been reached, it has been closely approached. Much time has been devoted to the breeding and distribution of parasites for the Mediterranean fruit fly and horn fly, and large numbers of these parasites have been liberated throughout the islands. Much information regarding the control of certain pests and diseases of plants and vegetables has been given.

Forest reserves.-Forest reserves should be established on the island of Oahu and some authority secured from the Congress of the United States to add to the area from private ownership.

Public works.-Public works are being energetically forwarded and cover quite a range of objects, particularly that of wharves and water-front improvements. Nearly every island port has had attention, and the coming year should show completion of most projects

not in conjunction with those of the Federal Government. The construction of a modern prison has been commenced during the year and is well under way on a site covering 9,816 acres in area in a suburban district of Honolulu. The sum of $150,000 was appropriated out of loan funds for this purpose. Expenditures during the year amounted to $30,842.28, leaving a balance of $119,157.72 unexpended.

Honolulu Harbor enlargement.-Plans for material enlargement have been made, but await the necessary appropriations. The board of harbor commissioners is entering on extensive wharf improvements at Honolulu and are completing the few requirements of the other island ports.

Education. The number of school children increased during the year by 3,241, making a total of 36,529, and it is estimated that at the opening of schools September 13, 1915, the enrollment will be 37,729 pupils. The school accommodations under the bungalow system of buildings, so adapted to the climate and financial resources, are rapidly supplying the demand for room for the marked increase of pupils. With a lack of skilled employment, the question of occupation for the educated youth presents quite a problem. The only sensible solution has seemed to be to encourage to a greater degree education that will not result largely in dependence upon mental rather than physical employment. The course of study as adopted has the above in view, although every facility and opportunity is provided for those mentally equipped, ambitious, and able, that they may acquire higher education.

With his report the governor submits charts containing compilations of data under the following titles: Public lands of the Territory of Hawaii, population, Territory of Hawaii, percentages of increase or decrease of population by nationalities, comparative (as to nationalities) table of births, educational problems, food problems, problems of business by races.

NATIONAL PARKS AND RESERVATIONS.

The creation of the Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho by the act of March 1, 1872, marked the beginning of a policy on the part of Congress of setting aside tracts of land as recreation grounds for all the people. Since that time 12 additional national parks have been established in various sections of the country, the latest being the Rocky Mountain National Park, in Colorado, which park was opened to the public last June. The total amount of land embraced in these reservations is 4,665,966.25 acres. To these parks should be added as speedily as possible the Grand Canyon of the Colorado River, with its wonderful scenic features. The areas of these