RAROTONGAN AFFAIRS. REPLY TO THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.

Evening Post, Volume LVI, Issue 75, 26 September 1898, Page 5

RAROTONGAN AFFAIRS. REPLY TO THE GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION.

lby telegeaph — pkkss association.] Auckland, This Day. Before he left Rarotonga Mr. J. F. Moss, the late British Resident, was presented with an address of the Law aud Order League, which referred to his long stay and faithful service, thanked him for his many services, and hoped that his labours to improve the condition of the natives may yet be found not to have beeu in vain. In his reply, Mr. Moss said he had retained the confidence of the people till within the last year or two, when his influence had been undermined. He felt sure the natives would be all right if left alone. The arikis are forwarding toLordßanf urly a reply to the proclamation read at the installation of Che new Resident. In this they state that " had Her Majesty known that Mr. Moss did not inform us that a Federal Court Bill for Rarotonga was her wish, she would not have expressed her displeasure at us, her loyal subjects. This has made us sorry. We are also vexed that Her Majesty has been informed that we listened to mischiefmakers. This is not the case. It is Mr. Moss who has listened to the mischiefmakers, and the people who only work for their own good and not for the good of all. • We did not not refuse to pass the Federal Court Bill, but only asked Mr. Moss for time to understand it." They also assure His Excellency that he can rely on the good will of the inhabitants of the Cook Islands to support the new Resident in carrying out the }}ood laws as become loyal subjects of Her Majesty the Queen.