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1895. NEW ZEALAND.
PACIFIC ISLANDS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH RESIDENT, RAROTONGA. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1894.]
Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency the Governor.
No. 1. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 14th July, 1894. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Federal Parliament met on the sth, and to enclose (1) the opening address from the Chief of the Government; (2) Messages recommending grants towards an agricultural show, and to make roads and give other aid to the school for teaching English, now being built by the London Missionary Society. A Bill for substituting British currency for the present Chilian dollar, as the only legal tender in these islands, has also been laid before Parliament. I enclose a copy for your Excellency's information; but no action has yet been taken upon the Bill, as the Parliament adjourned in the absence of the Aitutaki members, who have since arrived. The session will be resumed on the 17th instant. I have, &c, Frederick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.
Enclosure No. 1. From the Government to the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Salutations. "We now inform you of the principal events of the past year, and of some of the work which we are of opinion you should consider in your present session. The Bevenue For the year ending 30th June, 1894, is ... ... ... ... ... $8,309 06 This is more than was estimated; but we must not forget that much of the money comes from the sale of postage-stamps to collectors. This cannot be relied upon for more than year to year. The Expenditure, Including actual payments and liabilities, for which provision must be made, is ... $7,353 10 Full accounts of revenue and expenditure will be laid before you. The Imports Of all kinds (except specie) amount to ... ... ... ... ... $136,829 00 This includes goods snipped to islands beyond the Federation and landed free of duty here in order to encourage trade with those islands. The Exports Have been as follows:— Produce of the Cook Islands ... ... ... ... ... ...$122,41100 Produce of other islands ... ... ... ... ... ... 6,170 00 $128,581 00 In accordance with the Import Duty Amendment Act, passed by you last session, the currency dollar is valued in the above figures at the same rate (3s. to the dollar) for both imports and exports. The returns to be laid before you will therefore be more clear. I—A. 3.
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The Estimates For the coming year will be laid before you. The revenue from the small import duties is sufficient to meet all reasonable charges for the Government. We urge you to keep those charges as low as possible to avoid further taxation. In our opinion no increase of taxation should be made except for special objects to be stated at the time of imposing the tax, and to which the proceeds of the tax should be appropriated. This will be the best safeguard against extravagance and waste, because if they take place it will then be seen by all the people. A Hospital. New diseases have been brought among us which we do not understand, and others, like measles or smallpox, which killed such numbers in Fiji, may come at any time. The missionaries have done a doctor's work and given to it much time and trouble in the past; but we recommend you now to make provision for a doctor who will give all his time to the work, and with a view ultimately to having a hospital, about which the doctor would be able to advise when he came. Think well of this matter. It concerns the lives l of yourselves and your children. British Money. We recommend you also to consider if the time has not come when British money can be substituted for the Chilian dollar. In accordance with the resolution passed by you last session, inquiry into this subject has been made, and a Bill will be laid before you for consideration. Do not be in a hurry over this great matter, but consider it well, so that when you go to your homes you may be able to make it clear to all the people. The Governor of New Zealand. During'the year we have been visited by Lord Glasgow, the Governor of New Zealand, and the representative of Her Majesty Queen Victoria in that great colony. We and all the people did our best to make the visit pleasant to Lord Glasgow, and to Lady Glasgow and their party, and to let His Excellency see freely for himself all connected with the Government, and its working in these islands. We presented an address of welcome, which, with the reply, will be laid before you. We are glad to be able to inform you that Lord Glasgow was well pleased with his visit, and sorry only that he could not remain longer in Aitutaki, and that he was unable to visit Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke. :.. .3 .._.- . o . ; The Federal Flag. We thought that the coming of the Governor of New Zealand would be a good opportunity to hoist for the first time the flag of the Federation. At our invitation, Lord Glasgow undertook this, and the flag was hoisted by him at the Parliament House, on the sth April. This is the flag that will be used by all vessels belonging to the Cook Islands; and we recommend that it should be hoisted at Parliament House whenever the Parliament is in session. Each island can hoist its own flag when its own Council is in session, and all the people will thus be reminded of the difference between the Parliament and the Councils. The Parliament is to do those things for all the islands which one island is not strong enough to do for itself; but each island will continue to do all other work through its own Council. New Laws. Ws think that the getting of British money, and providing for a doctor, are quite enough for this session. Other matters will, no doubt, occur to yourselves. We pray for God's blessing on your work in this the fourth meeting of the Parliament of the Cook Islands. Makba, Ariki, Earotonga, sth July, 1894. Chief of the Government.
Sub-enclosure. Addbess. Earotonga, 29th March, 1894. To His Excellency the Eakl op Glasgow, Governor of New Zealand, &c. Wβ, the Government of the Cook Islands Federation, for ourselves and in the name of the Chiefs, Governors, and people of the Cook Islands, cordially welcome your Excellency as the Eepresentative of Her Majesty Queen Victoria in the great Colony of New Zealand, to which we are under obligation for many acts of kindness and help. We thank you also for bringing Lady Glasgow and your family to visit us. Your Excellency will be able to see the good work that has been done in bringing our islands under a settled form of Government, and we ask you to report to Her Majesty Queen Victoria our deep thankfulness for having covered us with the protection of the British flag, under which our Government has been formed, and under which we hope to establish in these islands a free, prosperous, and educated Maori people: To this end our great desire is that English shall be taught to our children, so that their knowledge may be increased by reading English books, and that they may carry that knowledge to other islands. Your Excellency will be pleased to learn that the London Missionary Society is sending out teachers, and that we are building a house and school for them, so that English may be hereafter taught to the children of these islands,
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Enough, We wish your Excellency and your family health, happiness, and God's blessing. Makea Takau, Ariki, Chief of the Government of the Cook Islands, that is to say, of the Arikis of the several islands, who are :— Earotonga ... Makea, Ariki. Atiu, \ ... Ngamaru, Ariki. ... Karika „ Mauke, and I ... Parua „ „ ... Tinomana „ Mitiaro J ... Eongomatane „ ... Pa „ Aitutaki ... Vaeruarangi „ „ ... Kainuku „ „ ... Tamatoa „ Mangaia ... John „ „ ... Teurukura „ ~. Nooroa „ „ ... Maharangi „
Eeply. Earotonga, 29th March, 1894. To Makea Takau, Ariki, Chief of the Government of the Cook Islands, and to the Arikis who form the Government, whose names are affixed to the address received on my arrival this morning. I thank you for the cordial welcome you have given me as the Governor of New Zealand, with which great colony you have been so long in close intercourse, and also for your welcome to Lady Glasgow and my family, who have come with me to visit your beautiful islands. From the time when I first came to New Zealand till now I have wished to visit you in order that you might have a proof of the interest which I take in your welfare, and to assure you of the goodwill of the inhabitants of New Zealand to you and your people. I had hoped, if time and weather permitted, to visit all the islands—namely, Aitutaki, Atiu, Mitiaro, Mauke, and Mangaia, but I fear that I cannot undertake to do so, and I ask you therefore to convey to the Arikis, Governors, and people of those islands my regret that I cannot visit them on this occasion, and my best wishes for their happiness and welfare. I shall take the greatest pleasure in conveying to Her Majesty Queen Victoria your expressions of thankfulness for the protectorate over your islands. Her Majesty will be pleased to hear that your children are to be taught English, for their own great good and that of the people of other islands, to whom they will be able to become guides and teachers. I have been glad to hear from the British Eesident, Mr. Moss, how well your Government has maintained the law among your people, and how earnestly your Federal Parliament and the Councils of the various islands have striven to perform their duties, the due observance of which have tended so much to render the maintenance of order and good government easy among you. Persevere in this work, so that by unanimity and cordial co-operation you may be strong to do good for your people. I pray for God's blessing on your labours, and for the success of your young Government, and the happiness and prosperity of the inhabitants of your islands. Glasgow.
Enclosure No. 2. Message No. 1. We recommend Parliament to pass a resolution undertaking to appropriate next session a sum not exceeding $200 towards the expenses of a fair, to be held in July next year, in Earotonga, at which fair prizes will be given for the best of certain articles made or grown by people of all races in the Cook Islands. If you pass the resolution it will give time for people to prepare, and the fair can be held during the next session of Parliament. sth July, 1894.
Enclosure No. 3. Message No. 2. We find that the London Missionary Society has paid $125 duty on the importation of timber and other material for the school now being built at Nikao. As the school is for the good of all the islands we should have liked to remit this duty, but on considering the question have decided that the law does not allow it. Also, in the Society's school at Arorangi, Miss Ardill has been doing good work and teaching English to fifteen children, who have been boarded there since last November. But the Society has no claim to any of the grant made by you last session (11th July, 1893) because that was for teaching children from all the islands, and not from one. This cannot be done in the school at Arorangi as it is not large enough. To show your goodwill to this school, now being built at Nikao, we recommend you to make provision: (1.) For making a good road to the Nikao School; (2.) For contributing a sum, not exceeding $200, towards the expense of the feast which is usual on the first opening of all houses and buildings. Earotonga, sth July, 1894.
Enclosure No. 4. [This Bill to be submitted to the Parliament is published for general information. Copies may be obtained on application to the Chief Postmaster.—22nd June, 1894.] No. 1, 1894. —To Establish Beitish Coinage as the only Legal Curkency, It is hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands, — 1. That no action under this law shall be taken by the Chief of the Government without the previous approval in writing of the British Eesident.
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2. That the Chief of the Government shall, by Proclamation, fix a date from and after which the current gold and silver coinage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland shall be the only coinage current as legal tender in the Cook Islands. 3. The unit of account shall continue to be the dollar of one hundred cents. 4. The sovereign and the half-sovereign shall be legal tender as five dollars and two and a half dollars respectively. 5. The silver coins shall be legal tender as follows : — The florin, at fifty cents or half-dollar; The shilling, at twenty-five cents or quarter-dollar; The sixpence, at twelve and a half cents; and other silver British coins at proportioned ratios of a dollar. 6. The copper coins shall be current at 100 halfpence to the dollar, and other copper coins in accordance with the ratio. 7. No person shall be obliged to accept as legal tender silver coins to an amount exceeding twenty-five dollars, nor copper coins exceeding twenty-five cents, in any one payment. 8. The Chief of the Government is hereby authorised to issue, with the approval of the British Eesident as hereinbefore provided, Government notes to an amount not exceeding in all the sum of two thousand pounds, in such form and of such separate amounts as may be found most suitable. 9. The said notes shall be numbered consecutively, and entered in a registry so kept as to indicate the dates of issue and the amount in circulation at any one time. They shall be signed and countersigned by persons appointed by public notification by the Chief of the Government and approved by the British Eesident. 10. Any person or persons may obtain Government notes as an advance, secured upon the deposit of Chilian or other dollars now current, but such advance shall not exceed two shillings on each dollar. 11. The dollars upon which the advance has been made shall be exported for sale. On receipt of the proceeds in British coin the advance shall be repaid. If there be a deficiency, the person or persons to whom the advance has been made shall pay such deficiency; if a surplus, it shall be paid to the said person or persons. 12. The amount of the notes in circulation shall not at any time exceed the amount of the dollars held in security at the rates aforesaid, or of British coin representing the full value of said notes. 13. The said notes shall be received for import duty and all other dues payable to the Federal Government of the Cook Islands, or to the local Government in each of the islands forming the Federation. They are hereby secured upon the Federal revenues of the Cook Islands, and shall be all or any of them redeemable in British coin at such time or times as the Chief of the Government may by Proclamation direct. 14. All existing obligations of the Government for salaries or otherwise shall be estimated at three shillings to the dollar, and all sums due to the Government may be compounded for British coin at the same rate. 15. The Chief of the Government is authorised to make all arrangements and appointments, and to incur all expenditure, necessary to give effect to this Act. Dated at Earotonga, this day of , one thousand eight hundred and ninety-four.
No. 2. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Governor. My Lokd, British Eesidency, Earotonga, 14th August, 1894. I have the honour to enclose an Act passed by the Federal Parliament, "to establish a British currency," in lieu of the Chilian and other South American dollars which have become the current coin of these islands. The original Bill, of which a copy was enclosed for your Excellency's information in my despatch of 14th July (No. 6/94), provided that dollars and cents should be retained as the money of account. This was struck out by the Parliament, on the ground that unless the change were made thorough and complete the Chilian dollar would continue to pass in ordinary exchange here, as it still does in the French possessions adjacent to the Cook Islands. I represented the advantage of a decimal coinage in account, but the Parliament, after full consideration, adhered to their first decision, and I felt it my duty to concur. In the absence of a bank or other means of securing a regular supply of British coin, the successful working of the Act must depend on the provisions for the issue of temporary Government notes in exchange for dollars, and to take their place while the dollars are exported to be sold and replaced by British coin. The unavoidable delay in procuring these notes from New Zealand, and the advisability of not breaking into a quarter's accounts, will prevent the change being effected till the end of the present year. I have endeavoured to secure the co-operation of the merchants and traders, and at my request a special meeting was convened on the 11th June. They wrote expressing an almost unanimous opinion in favour of the change; and the Bill to be laid before the Parliament was afterwards submittted for their consideration. But one of the largest importers did not concur. How far his influence, and the prospect of change in the markets for produce by making them more open in character, may affect others remains to be seen. In any case, in view of the continued fall in price of the Chilian dollar (now worth only 2s. 6d. in Earotonga), in view of its uncertainty as a measure of value, and of its uselessness as a medium of exchange in any accessible market except Tahiti, the
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establishment of British currency may reasonably be expected to render more free the course of trade, to enlarge its scope, and, I venture to hope, materially facilitate commercial intercourse with New Zealand. I have, &c, Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand, &c.
Enclosure. No. 1, 1894. —To Establish a Beitish Cueebncy. It is hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands :— 1. That no action under this law shall be taken by the Chief of the Government without the previous approval in writing of the British Eesident. 2. That the Chief of the Government shall, by Proclamation, fix a date from and after which the current gold and silver coinage of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland shall be the only coinage current as legal tender in the Cook Islands. 3. No person shall be obliged to accept as legal tender silver coins to an amount exceeding five pounds, nor copper coins exceeding one shilling, in any one payment. 4. The Chief of the Government is hereby authorised to issue, with the approval of the British Eesident, as hereinbefore provided, Government notes to an amount not exceeding in all the sum of two thousand pounds, in such form and of such separate amounts as may be found most suitable. 5. The said notes shall be numbered consecutively, and entered in a registry, so kept as to indicate the dates of issue and the amount in circulation at any one time. They shall be signed and countersigned by persons appointed by public notification by the Chief of the Government, and approved by the British Eesident. 6. Any person or persons may obtain Government notes as an advance secured upon the deposit of Chilian or other dollars now current; but such advance shall not exceed two shillings on each dollar. 7. The dollars upon which an advance has been made shall be exported for sale, and on receipt of the proceeds in British coin the advance shall be repaid therefrom. If there be a deficiency, the person or persons to whom the advance has been made shall make good such deficiency. If there be a surplus it shall be paid to the said person or persons. 8. The amount of the notes in circulation shall not at any time exceed the amount of the dollars held by the Government in security at the rates aforesaid, or the amount of British coin representing the full value of said notes. 9. The said notes shall be received for import duty, and all other dues payable to the Federal Government of the Cook Islands, or to the local Government in each of the Islands forming the Federation. They are hereby secured upon the federal revenues of the Cook Islands, and shall be all or any of them redeemable in British coin at such time or times as the Chief of the Government may by Proclamation direct. 10. All obligations of the Government for salaries or otherwise existing when the change to British currency is made shall be estimated at three shillings to the dollar, and all sums due to the Government may be compounded for British coin at the same rate. 11. The Chief of the Government is authorised to make all arrangements and appointments, and to incur all expenditure necessary to give effect to this Act. Dated at Earotonga, this 27th day of July, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident.—7th August, 1894.
No. 3. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 14th August, 1894. I have the honour to enclose the following Acts passed by the Federal Parliament during the present session, which is expected to close on the 17th instant: — (1.) Supreme Court Amendment Act. (2.) Passengers Act. (3.) " Appropriation Act, 1894." I also enclose :— (4.) A declaration of the Parliament as to land. (5.) Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the years 1894-95, showing also the expenditure of 1893-94. 2. The Supreme Court Amendment Act merely alters the name to that of the Federal Court, the original name having been found misleading as to the character and jurisdiction of the Court. 3. The Passengers Act is an attempt to prevent the overcrowding of small vessels, Native and others, as far as means permit. 4. The declaration as to land lays down the principle on which Maori tenure exists and has existed from time immemorial. It appeared to me desirable that this should be placed on official record, and the declaration from the Parliament afforded the most suitable means. The declaration received the unanimous concurrence of the Parliament as a correct statement of the case.
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5. In the Appropriation Act your Excellency will observe that one thousand dollars is devoted to the assistance of the school for teaching English, which is now being built at Nikao by the London Missionary Society. A sum of eight hundred and sixty dollars is also appropriated to aid the Arikis' Courts in the several islands in maintaining the officers of the Courts and the police, under the new system established last year. lam glad to say that no further taxation has been necessary, and that the revenue for the year has been estimated at so low a figure that there is no doubt of its being fully realised in the ordinary course of affairs. 6. The work of the Parliament for this session has practically ended, after sitting at intervals since the sth July. An adjournment was made to the 17th instant, merely to receive the report of a Committee appointed to obtain a site for the erection of suitable public offices for the Federal Government, towards which each Island has offered to give a portion of its annual subsidy. The desire is satisfactory, as indicating the growth of the Federal feeling and weakening of the jealousies which were so marked and bitter when the Federation was formed three years ago. I have, See., Frederick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand, &c.
Enclosure No. 1. No. 1, 1894.—" Supreme Court Act 1891 Amendment Act, 1894." Whereas a Court was established in the year 1891 for the enforcement of Federal laws and other purposes stated in the said Act: And whereas the name given at the time to the said Court is misleading, in so far that it has no connection as a Court of Appeal or otherwise with the Arikis' Courts in each Island : It is.hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands :— 1. That the said Court shall henceforth be , styled the Federal Court of the Cook Islands. Dated at Earotonga, this Ist day of August, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Eesident. —7th August, 1894.
Enclosure No. 2. No. 2, 1894.—Passengers. It is hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands :— 1. That no sailing-vessel shall carry from island to island within the Federation, nor from any of the Cook Islands to places beyond the Federation, a number of passengers in excess of those provided in the Schedule to this Act. 2. That the Collector of Eevenue in Earotonga may refuse to give clearance to any sailingvessel carrying passengers until satisfied that the said vessel is seaworthy, and provided with a proper supply of boats, food, and water. 3. That the penalty for breaking this law shall be a fine not exceeding one hundred dollars, to be recovered by the Collector in the Federal Court of the Cook Islands from the master or owners of the vessel; and any passenger refusing to leave the vessel when ordered by the master so to do shall be liable to a fine not exceeding forty dollars. 4. That the Collector of Eevenue is charged with the enforcement of this law. Dated at Earotonga, this Ist day of August, 1894.
Schedule.
Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Fkedebick J. Moss, British Eesident.—7th August, 1894.
Tonnage. Within the Federation. Beyond the Federation. .0 tons 10 , iO „ :0 „ ini for every additional 2 tons vessel up to 100 tons to carry more than vessel up to 200 tons to carry more than Passengers. 10 20 30 40 2 Passengers. 3 5 15 20 1 50 100
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Enclosure No. 3. No. 3, 1894.—" Appkopbiation Act, 1894." It is hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands:— 1. That the expenditure for the public service for the year ending 30th June, 1895, shall not exceed the sums stated in Schedule A of this Act, amounting in all to eight thousand eight hundred and two dollars. 2. That the Chief of the Government, with the approval of the British Eesident, may authorise the transfer of savings from any vote (other than a vote for salaries) to any vote (other than a vote for salary) for which it may be found that sufficient provision has not been made in the said Schedule. Also that a statement of transfers so made shall be laid before Parliament at the next session. 3. That every account against the Government shall, before it is sent to the Auditor, be certified by the British Eesident, or by persons appointed for each department or service by the Chief of the Government, with the approval of the British Eesident. That such certificates shall state that the services therein to be paid for have been duly performed, or the articles charged for duly supplied, and that the prices are fair and reasonable. 4. That the various sums in Schedule B of this Act, which have been paid under the authority of Act No. 4 of 1892 (unauthorised expenditure) shall be charged to the purposes named in the said Schedule to the amount of seven hundred and seventy-six dollars and thirty-eight cents. 5. That no money shall be paid except on cheques signed by the Paymaster, and countersigned by the Auditor. Dated at Barotonga, this Bth day of August, 1894.
Schedule A.
Vote" No. Service. Amount. Total. Fixed Appropriations— Members of Parliament ... Subsidies— Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke Aitutaki ... ... ... ... Mangaia ... Barotonga ... 9 360 460 600 600 600 I 2,620 Collection of Eevenue —■ Collector 5 Revenue Officers ... 1 Eevenue Officer 200 100 50 3 4 Federal Court: Chief Judge ... Post OfficeChief Postmaster 3 Postmasters ... Clerical assistance Postal delivery and contingencies ... 350 120 100 30 60 100 290 80 200 100 200 180 992 150 500 450 90 120 300 200 500 500 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Shipping Master Paymaster and Clerk to Parliament and Government . . Auditor Expenses, Chief of Government ... ... Interpreting, and clerical assistance ... General contingencies Ngatipa ... Parliament House ... Printing, stationery, &c. Passages of Members Expenses of Parliament Eoad to the English school at Nikao ... Towards expenses of opening school ... Establishing British currency, expense of printing, &a. ... Maintenance of children at school (Nikao) Subsidies in aid of Arikis' Courts and Police—■ Mangaia Aitutaki Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke Earotonga 160 160 160 380 860 Total $8(802
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Schedule B. 9 o. Interpreting and clerical assistance ... ... ... •■•99 20 General contingencies ... ... ••• ••• ••• fon cq Printing, stationery, &c. ... ... ■•• ••• ••• ™ go Parliament House ~, ... ••• ••• •■■ bti 6A Approved. To come into operation forthwith. $776 38 Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident.—llth August, 1894.
Enclosure No. 4. DECLABATION AS TO LAND. Wβ, the Parliament of the Cook Islands Federation, having regard to the great importance of all matters connected with the land, hereby declare the customs of the Maori in that matter from time immemorial to the present day. These customs can only be changed by laws made for that purpose by the Council of the Island in which is situated the land about which the law is to be made. _ We, the Parliament, cannot make such laws. We can only say what is now the Maori law and custom on thsse islands, and we do so because we find that the laws and customs of foreigners are different to ours in this great matter. We wish all people to know those differences, so that none may be misled. The Ownee. The land is owned by the tribe; but its use is with the family who occupy that land._ The family consists of all the children who have a common ancestor, together with the adopted children, and all the descendants who have not entered other tribes. The control of that land rests with the head of the family; but it is for the support of all the family, and all children have a right to that support, as well as the others of the family who may be in distress from sickness, weakness, or old age. We are told that, among foreigners, the man or woman in whose name the land is placed can lease or sell that land and keep the money. Also, that he can pledge that land in security for borrowed money, and that, if he fail to pay back that money, or to pay the interest upon it, or if he owe money for goods or other things, the creditor' can take that land and leave the family in poverty and dependent upon others for their support. We wish all men to know that this is not the Maori custom or law, but that the land is for the family, for their support, and cannot be taken from them. Selling Land. This has always been prohibited in the Cook Islands. No Maori can sell to another Maori, or to a foreigner. Therefore on that point we need not say more. Leasing Land. Land has been leased in two ways : (1) For fixed periods, and with rent to be paid in money; (2) for indefinite periods on the Maori tenure, and with rent to be paid in services or in kind. Those leases for land which has been openly occupied, and is occupied now, are agreements which the law must uphold. But they are to be interpreted according to Maori law, and not according to foreign laws or customs. Thus, the Maori law will not help or know any onewho takes a lease merely to make money by selling that lease to some other person. The land is for the shelter and support of the family, and must be used for that purpose, or the family will become burdens on strangers and other people. Also, the lease to such land cannot be taken away by a creditor; nor must it be sold to another unless the person who holds that lease, and who wishes to sell, make at the same time proper provision for the sustenance of those who have been dependent upon him and upon that land. To care for them is the first thing to be considered in any changes that the law may make. Also, the right of access to water on that land, and the right to a road through it, can never be taken from the people without a special law of the Council of the Island in which the land is situated, and that law being approved by the Council of Arikis and the British Eesident. But as to such roads, the lessee has a right at any time to call on the Government to mark off that road, so that if he wishes to fence and improve that land he may do so without fear that his work will be thrown away. We, the Parliament of the Federation, speak of the past and of the present in order that all people may understand the Maori law in this great matter of the land. As tothe future, it is for each Island to make its own laws, which must be approved by the Council of Arikis and the British Eesident. But we ask the Councils never to depart from the Maori maxim that the land is for the support of all, and that every one must have enough for the maintenance of himself or herself and the children and others dependent upon them. If the Councils depart from this maxim, who, we ask, will provide food and shelter for those who have no land, and who are weak or sick, or old, or unable to get work from strangers and other people ? Fencing Land. This is another great matter. Who will plant for a future day unless sure that he or his children will reap the fruit of his labour? Will he plant merely for other people's cattle or horses or pigs to destroy the work he has done ? It is not for us, the Parliament, to deal with this matter, but for the Councils of the different Islands. We speak of it only because we are met here from all the Islands, and can consider together what concerns them all. So we ask the Arikis and the Councils to protect from cattle and horses and pigs those people who wish to plant coffee and other Valuable products which would make these islands and their people rich and prosperous. Dated at Earotonga, this 3rd day of August, 1894.
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Enclosure No. 5. Estimates, 1st July, 1894, to 30th June, 1895.
Expenditure.
Bevenue. Estimated, 1893-94. Actual, 1893-94. Estimated, 1894-95. import Duty 3 ostage-stamps Miscellaneous $ o. 4,000 00 1,650 00 100 00 I c 6,290 17 1,854 07 164 81 8 c. 4,500 00 1,500 00 100 00 Balance, 1st July, 1894 6,100 Oi 2,686 li $5,750 00 $8,309 05 $8,786 1 Memo.—Liabilities on 1st July, 1894, $1,589 19c.
Vote No. | Service. Voted, 1893-94. Expenditure, 1893-94. Vote for 1894-9; * c. 8 o. 8 c 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 3 4 Fixed Appropriations— Members of Parliament Subsidies— Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke Aitutaki Mangaia Earotonga Collection of Eevenue — Collector Eevenue Officers, 5 at $20 1, Aitutaki Federal Court: Chief Judge ... Post OfficeChief Postmaster Clerical assistance Postmasters : 3, Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke... Shipping Master Paymaster and Clerk to Parliament and Government ... Auditor Expenses, Chief of Government Interpreting and Clerical assistance ... General Contingencies Transferred from votes for Parliament House Printing and stationery ... Liabilities, 1st July, 1894 ... Ngatipa ... Parliament House ... Liability, 1st July, 1894 ... Printing, stationery, &c. Liabilities, 1st July, 1894 Passages of Members Expenses of Parliament Draining Eoad to Ngatipa ... Eoad to School (Nikao) Contributions towards opening-expenses of School Expenses establishing British currency Maintenance of Children at Nikao School Subsidies in aid of Arikis' Courts and Police, &c.— Mangaia Aitutaki Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke Earotonga 360 00 600 00 600 00 600 00 600 00 200 00 100 00 20 00 120 00 100 00 30 00 80 00 150 00 100 00 200 00 180 00 500 00 166 64 168 36 360 00 440 00 300 00 300 00 300 00 200 00 100 00 20 00 120 00 100 00 30 00 80 00 150 00 100 00 200 00 170 00 500 00 166 64 168 36 360 00 460 00 600 00 600 00 600 00 200 00 100 00 50 00 120 00 100 00 60 00 30 00 80 00 200 00 100 00 200 00 180 00 500 00 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 150 00 900 00 300 00 90 00 150 00 682 71 75 00 90 00 492 00 150 00 400 00 38 00 300 00 150 00 90 00 120 00 160 00 300 00 200 00 500 00 500 00 160 00 160 00 1,000 00 160 00 160 00 160 00 380 00 Act No. 4, 1892 : Unauthorised 7,475 00 800 00 4,962 71 776 38 8,640 00 22 $8,275 00 $5,739 09 $8,640 00
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Supplementary Schedule No. 1.
Schedule No. 2.
No. 4. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Govebnoe. My Lobd,—- British Eesidency, Earotonga, 14th August, 1894. I have the honour to enclose a resolution passed by the Federal Parliament with reference to the appointment of a medical practitioner in the Cook Islands. The difficulty is to find a suitable dwelling, to which also a temporary building might be attached for the reception of a few patients, till permanent provision could be made. The watersupply in connection with the building is also an important consideration. The Parliament represented to me that it would not be possible to find the funds for these purposes if a new building were to be erected; while the school at Nikao, the roads, and other public undertakings precluded the hope of voluntary effort in any new direction. They asked, therefore, if the building put up by voluntary labour and contributions from all the Islands, as a Eesidency, could be lent to them for the purpose of a temporary residence for the doctor. If that be granted, they will see to a proper water-supply and road, and other requisites to make the Eesidency habitable. I requested them to embody the application in their resolution with reference to the doctor. They have done so accordingly. I respectfully recommend that the request be granted, and the building placed at the disposal of the Federal Government for the purposes named. A doctor is very necessary ; and the building can only be made habitable by further outlay, which could be recouped by the Cook Islands Government if possession of the building be resumed for its original purpose of a Eesidency. .Or the building and ground might be granted permanently for a hospital, on consideration that another suitable site be provided for a Eesidency, to be built at some future time when funds are available. I have, &c, Fbedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.
Enclosure. Besolved, That a respectful address be presented to the Chief of the Government authorising the appointment of a doctor, with a view to the ultimate establishment of a hospital, on such terms and conditions as the Chief of the Government, with the approval of the British Eesident, may find advisable. The cost not to exceed $2,000 per annum; and this Parliament undertakes to add, if necessary, to the import duty a sufficient sum to defray the cost. Besolved, Also, that a respectful address be presented to the British Eesident, asking leave to use the house built for a Eesidencyas a dwellinghouse for the doctor, until the Eesidency is required for the purposes for which it was originally intended. Earotonga, 7th August, 1894.
;:. •:-.. No. 5. His Excellency the Goveenok to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sib,— Wellington, 23rd August, 1894. I have to acknowledge your despatch of the 14th July, enclosing the opening address from the Chief of the Government, and messages to the Federal Parliament recommending grants, &c.; also, a Bill substituting British currency ; and I approve of the proceedings of Parliament in so far as I have been informed of them. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Bavotonga, Glasgow.
4 12 Post Office, Postal delivery ... Parliament House, Furniture Total $i 100 00 62 00 162 00 8,802 00 162 00 $8,802 00
iXpen: >itube during 1893-94 under Act No. i, 1892 ( iITUBE luring 89£ |_C urn (Unautb lorised), tc be charged as follows :— Interpreting and Clerical assistance ... General Contingencies Printing, Stationery, &c. Parliament House ... 99 20 469 17 139 69 68 32 ( $776 38
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No. 6. His Excellency the Governoe to Mr. F. J. Moss. SIR ___ Wellington, 23rd August, 1894. I have the honour to forward, for your information, copies of the despatch I wrote A.-l, 1891 Home to the Secretary of State reporting my visit to the Cook Islands, and Lord Ripon s No. jb. 1 ,i , A. — />) .LoyOi reP Vhrnthe correspondence regarding the jurisdiction over the Cook Islands is complete, a copy N °- ?• of it will be forwarded to you. l haye > * c -> F. J. Moss, Esq., British Resident, Rarotonga. Glasgow.
No. 7. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed — British Residency, Rarotonga, 24th August, 1894. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Penrhyn schooner " Tetautua " arrived here in July, having called in at Manihiki by the way. The master tells me that a Hawaiian schooner had taken seventy or eighty Manihiki natives in the previous month (June) to Fanning Island to work there; but for what period, or under what kind of agreement, he was unable to say I believe that Fanning Island is under the British flag, and within the jurisdiction of the Hi°-h Commissioner. It lies about eight hundred miles northward of Manihiki. I should be glad if a chart and "Pacific Directory " were supplied for this office, as it is not easy at all times to get information when required. I have, &c, J Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Resident. Governor of New Zealand.
No. 8. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Mv T ord — British Residency, Rarotonga, 24th August, 1894. I have the honour to report the arrival of H.M.S. "Rapid," Captain Sir Henry Ogle, Baronet, on Sunday, the 19th instant, and that she leaves to-day on her return voyage to New The visits of Her Majesty's ships are so rare, are so much prized by the Natives, and do so much good, that I regret the stay of the " Rapid " could not be longer. I should like to have gone round the group, and Sir Henry Ogle would have taken me if necessary But although the visit to these islands could not fail to be useful, lam glad to say that there is no difficulty of any importance that would have warranted me in making a special vest - * J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Resident. Governor of New Zealand.
No. 9. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. M T nun - British Residency, Rarotonga, 24th August, 1894 I have the honour to enclose (No. 5/94) an Act passed by the Federal Parliament to make permanent provision for the security of debts owing to the Governments of the Federation or of the separate Islands. J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Resident. Governor of New Zealand.
■ Enclosure. No. 5, 1894.—Government Debtoes. Wheee4S by the Provisional Powers Act, of 10th June, 1891, power was given to the Federal Government "to make all public moneys held by any person or persons a first charge on proper y oillo&s owned by such person or persons within the Cook Islands : And whereas it is desirable to make such provision permanent: It is hereby enacted by the British Resident and the Parliament ° f C T k Th 1 a a t n all'mone y s due to the Federal Government, or to any of the local Governments of the Cook Islands, shall be and are hereby declared to be a first charge on the property of the person or persons owing such moneys & rf Chambers he shall issue an order authorising any person, duly appointed for that purpose under the hand of the Chief of the Government to enter upon and take possession of all property within the Cook Islands in possession of oi belonging to such debtor or debtors, including books, book debts, and accounts, and to hold the same in clstody for a period of four weeks from the date of the said order.
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3. That the Custodian shall cause a proper inventory of such property to be taken, and shall report the same within the four weeks above named to a Judge of the Federal Court, who may then order such property, or such portion thereof as he may consider necessary, to be realised, in such manner as may seem to him most suitable. 4. That the proceeds of such sale shall be deposited with the Federal Court and appropriated to the payment in full, or, if insufficient for that purpose, to the payment in such proportions as the Court may direct, with the approval of the British Eesident, of debts to the Federal Government or to the Government of any Island respectively. 5. That, failing the appointment of any person by the Chief of the Government, the Collector of Eevenue shall take all necessary action under this Act. Dated at Earotonga, this 20fch day of August, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith.—2lst August, 1894. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident.
No. 10. His Excellency the Goveenoe to Mr. J. F. Moss. Sic,— Wellington, 17th September, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch of the 14th August (No. 7), informing me that the Federal Parliament of the Cook Group has passed an Act " To establish a British currency" in lieu of the Chilian and other South American dollars which have become the current coin of the Islands. While I regret that the non-concurrence of one trader has prevented your reporting that the merchants and traders are unanimous in favour of the measure, I beg to congratulate you on your success in getting an enactment so important in the interests of the Island trade carried through the Legislature, and I trust you will find its success equal your anticipations. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Resident, Earotonga. Glasgow.
No. 11. His Excellency the Goveenoe to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sic,— Wellington, 17th September, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch (No. 8) of the 14th August, enclosing the following Acts which have been passed by the Federal Parliament during the present session : (1) Supreme Court Amendment Act; (2) Passengers Act; (3) "Appropriation Act, 1894." Also (4), Declaration of Parliament as to System of Land Tenure; and (5) Estimates and Expenditure for 1893, 1894,1895. These Acts appear all to be highly necessary, and I am rejoiced to learn that $1,000 are devoted to the assistance of the school for teaching English; also that no further taxation has been necessary. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Glasgow.
No. 12. His Excellency the Goveenob to Mr. F. J. Moss. Bm,— Wellington, 17th September, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge your despatch (No. 9) of 14th August, enclosing a resolution passed by the Federal Parliament with reference to the appointment of a medical practitioner in the Cook Islands. I am extremely glad to learn that such a resolution has been addressed to the head of the Government, as you mention, for I am very certain that upon such an appointment depends to a great extent the question whether those beautiful islands are to become in future the home of a healthy and increasing population, or whether the inhabitants are doomed to extinction. But, with reference to the address presented to you as regards the site of the temporary hospital, I regret that I am not able to approve of the proposal to use the Eesidency for that purpose, for the following reasons : — 1. The Eesidency is built on land granted to Her Majesty the Queen, with funds contributed by the Arikis of all the islands of the group. It therefore appears to me that it should not be put to a use which would, practically, be for the benefit of Earotonga alone. 2. The Eesidency, being intended by all the Islands to be used for the occupation of the Eesident, it would not, in my opinion, be proper to allow it to be used as a hospital. The next Besident might consider that the fact of its being so used would make it unsuitable as a residence. 3. Even if the first and second reasons had not the weight which I attribute to them, the Eesidency is not well situated for a hospital: it is too remote from the centre of the settlement, and not near enough to the public road. 4. If the Eesidency were allowed to be used as a temporary hospital, it would only put off the time for choosing a site until the appointment of the next Eesident. Its situation makes it as admirable as a Eesidency as it makes it undesirable as a hospital, and, therefore, the proposal that it might be granted permanently as a hospital cannot be entertained. At present, building sites in Avarua are scarce, and it is therefore advisable that a site should be procured without delay. . For these reasons I an unable to concur in approving of the Eesidency being used as a temporary hospital. I am, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Resident, Earotonga. Glasgow.
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No. 13. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Govebnor. My Lord, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 15th October, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's despatch of the 17th September with reference to the resolution of the Federal Parliament as to the appointment of a medical officer, and application for the temporary use of Ngatipa as a doctor's residence and hospital. I have written to Queen Makea, informing her of your Excellency's satisfaction at the decision to appoint a medical officer, and of your regret at not being able to sanction the use of the house at Ngatipa for the purposes proposed. In the lettsr I have stated your Excellency's reasons for declining, and Makea fully acquiesces in the decision. The whole subject has unexpectedly assumed a new phase by the arrival of the " Pitcairn," the schooner attached to the Adventist Mission, whose headquarters are at Detroit, United States of America, and whose missions have been placed at various of the Society and other groups of islands. The "Pitcairn" has landed here a gentleman who, with his wife, two children, and a nurse, is occupying temporarily a house in the native settlement, and who has begun practice as a doctor in these islands. No application has been made to the Government for assistance of any kind so far, and I have no information beyond that the gentleman in question comes from the institution at Detroit belonging to the parent mission. He has brought with him the timber necessary to build a house, and several sections of land in the settlement have been offered to him by the Native owners on lease for such building. The question of a medical officer is therefore set at rest until the effect of this movement of the missionary society is better understood. I have, &c, Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.
No. 14. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 15th October, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's despatch of the 17th September, expressing approval of various Acts passed by the Federal Parliament, and of the appropriation made towards the support of the school for teaching English at Nikao. The school is being rapidly completed, and, if it be supplied by the London Missionary Society with the efficient and sufficient teaching staff which the Parliament was led to expect, cannot fail to be a great success. I have, &c, Fbedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.
No. 15. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Governob. My Lord, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 15th October, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's despatch of the 17th September, referring to the Act for establishing a British currency, and to thank your Excellency for the congratulations on its passage which you are pleased to send. The continued fall of the Chilian dollar renders the change daily more necessary, and the Act •will, I hope, be in operation by the end of December. lam sanguine that the change will tend to materially increase the trade with New Zealand. I have, &c, Fredebick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.
No. 16. Mr. F. 3. Moss to His Excellency the Governob. My Loed, — British Besideney, Earotonga, 15th October, 1894. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's memorandum No. 161/94, covering a letter to me from the High Commissioner, Fiji, and requesting particulars in reply. I enclose a reply which contains the information required and the acceptance of certain duties, subject to your Excellency's approval, in order that, if approved, the reply may be sent accordingly. I have, &c, Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.
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No. 17. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, British Besidency, Barotonga, 15th October, 1894. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Barotonga Council began its session on the 31st August, and has been in session till the present time, owing to frequent adjournments to 1 consult with their constituents. I have encouraged this practice as useful in itself, and as a substitute for "going into Committee" on the various measures for the Council's consideration. These measures are of a practical and useful kind, but have yet to pass the Council of Ankis before they are complete. I defer reporting upon them till then, but may specially refer to the resolution enclosed respecting the establishment of special settlers from New Zealand. There is no public land in Barotonga. All is privately owned, and time must be required to bring the matter to a successful issue ; but this may be regarded as a first step towards increasing the productions of the country. . I am glad to say that a desire for such increase, and for progress in other directions, has been strikingly evidenced in the proceedings of the present Council. A tax on all occupied land has been passed for making roads, and will, no doubt, receive the assent of the Arikis. The tax is to be paid according to the frontage, and will therefore fall with tolerable fairness on all. A more exact test as to ability to pay is, at present, impracticable. The revenue to be dealt with by the Council is not quite £700, but sufficient for immediate needs. The estimates are being keenly scrutinised, and the appropriations are not yet completed. Fruit for the New Zealand market, and coffee, are being planted somewhat extensively by the natives in the other islands, as well as in Barotonga. The absence of stimulating causes peculiar to Barotonga, with its central position, makes the other islands more backward ; but progress is none the less apparent in them, though in a less degree. I have, &c, Fbederick J. Moss, His. Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G. British Besident. Governor of New Zealand.
Enclosures. Proposal fob advancing Babotonga. A LAEGE quantity of the best land in the island is now lying waste and idle. It could yield much valuable coffee and other saleable produce, but there are not people enough to use it. The remedy is to induce people to come from other countries. If this be done, the owners could lease the land to them, and obtain much money as rent for that from which they now derive very little, and Barotonga would flourish. If the owners of a sufficiently large block would agree to give that block for a special settlement, it might be cut up into sections of 10 to 20 acres each, and be made to produce a great quantity of Indian corn, and bananas, and other quick-growing fruit, till the coffee-trees planted upon it are old enough to bear and give good annual return. Those coffee-trees would be kept low and trimmed properly, and not be allowed to grow wild as they now do. The owners would then get much more coffee, and be able to pick it in at least one-fourth the time now required. The reason for having the land in one block is that the people on it may not require to fence against one another, as they would have to do if Maoris keeping pigs and animals were with them. Foreigners on that land would not keep more animals than they could feed without letting them run loose. The pigs would be kept in, and the horses or cows tethered, and the money for fencing could be used in paying men to help them in planting. The rent of the land ought to be very little for the first five years, while the coffee is growing; and the person who plants must be sure that he will not be turned off and some one else get the benefit. The tenure should therefore be a lease for five years (at, say, pence an acre), with a right to renew the lease for thirty years (at, say, shillings per acre), and a further right to renew the lease for another thirty years at a rent to be then fixed by arbitration as to the value of the land (without the crops or trees growing upon it) at that time. Eoads through the block for the public convenience should be marked off, and other details be considered, if the chief points are agreed to. They are : (1.) A sufficiently large block of land, of first quality, to be set aside for a ~ special settlement of ten or twenty families as a beginning. (2.) The land to be leased as above. (3.) Boads to be marked off through the land, and a limit put to the quantity that any one family can take, as the island is small, and the object is to get people as well as coffee and other productions. I have thought a good deal over the best way to advance Barotonga. The Government is now settled and working well. That being done, the next thing is to increase production, and have more people in the country. The above plan is that which seems to me the best; let the Council consider it well. Feedebick J. Moss, British Besident.
Besolution re Special Settlement. Besolved, That this Council considers that the time has come to form special settlements of people from New Zealand who might desire to be planters of coffee or other products on the lands lying unused in Barotonga. They recommend the subject to the Government (i.e., the Ankis) to take such measures as to the selection of the lands and the conditions of occupation and other
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matters as they (the Arikis) may consider desirable, and which will secure not only additional production, but an increased population living on the land set aside for their occupation as special settlements in Earotonga. Dated at Avarua, this 26th day of September, 1894.
No. 18. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenok. My Lobd,— . British Besidency, Barotonga, 14th November, 1894. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Barotonga Council closed its session on the 26th October, on which day the Arikis' House approved of the measures that had been passed, and sent them to me for approval. I enclose, — 1. Opening address from the Government to the Council on 31st August. 2. Statement of account for the year 1893-94, with statements of revenue and expenditure attached. 3. Estimates for 1894-95, as finally adopted by the Council. 4. Besolution respecting special settlements (referred to in my last despatch, No. 19, of 15th October). 5. The following laws, passed by the Council and approved by me: No. 1, Animals (trespassing; No. 2, Guavas (for their eradication); No. 3, Cruelty to Animals; No. 4, Damage to Property; No. 5, Tax for Boads; No. 6, Land Occupants; No. 7, British Currency in Barotonga; No. 8, Census Act; No. 9, Appropriation Act, 1894-95. No. 5 (Boad Tax) is the first attempt at raising a local revenue from general taxation in this or any other of the Cook Islands. The original proposal was to place the tax on all lands, whether occupied or left waste; but the Council resolutely declined to apply the tax to any but occupied lands: This tax marks, I hope, a new departure, and will lead to a fair and proper payment to the labourers on roads and other public works, which, nominally voluntary, have really been made under a system of forced labour on the part of those who dare not refuse the demand of their chiefs for such work as they were called upon to do. No. 6 (the Land Occupants Act) will be useful in securing those who occupy land from the arbitrary ejectment and demands to which they have been subject. I have also to inform your Excellency that a Proclamation was issued by Makea, the Chief of the Federal Government, on the 6th November, proclaiming the Ist January, 1895, as the date from which British current coin is to be the only legal tender in the Cook Islands. At the end of October the Boman Catholic Mission was opened in Barotonga by two French priests from Tahiti, who inform me that a school for teaching the natives in English will be shortly opened, under the control of two English or Irish sisters appointed for the purpose. The school built at Nikao by the London Missionary Society will also be opened during the present month. I have, &c, Fbedebick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Besident. Governor of New Zealand.
Enclosure No. 1. From the Government to the Council of Babotonga; We welcome you to your yearly meeting, and pray God that your deliberations may be for the good of Barotonga. The Revenue I c. For the year has been ... ... ... ... ... 2,105 20 To which must be added the balance from the previous year ... 901 67 3,006 87 The Expenditure Has been 2,041 07 . ." :.: $965 so The fines from the Arikis Courts in Avarua and Arorangi for the half-year from Ist January to 30th June have not yet been received. The next Year. After providing for all necessary expenditure for Judges, police, and other purposes, we are of opinion that you will have about a thousand dollars for works for the good of Barotonga. To improve the road at the Black Bock should, we think, be one of the first works taken in hand from this money. It will be well for you to consider how best to encourage people to plant coffee and cocoanuts and other good things, and to protect them when planted from being destroyed by horses, cattle, and pigs. We wish you also to say whether the magpies that have been brought here do good or harm. If they do good you should protect them; if they do harm let them be destroyed. We wish you to tell us your thoughts on this matter. The guava plant is spreading fast. Think well how that evil can be stopped.
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It will be good to see how Earotonga can best take part in the Fair which is to be held for all the islands in July or August next. The school at Nikao will, we hope, be opened at the end of the year. Children from all the islands will then be taught English, so that they may become teachers for others in their turn. The accounts for the year will be laid before you in full, as usual. For the Government, namely,— Make a, Ariki. Pα, Ariki. Kaeika, Ariki. Kainuku, Ariki. Tinomana, Ariki, Earotonga, 31st August, 1894. Chief of the Government of Earotonga.
Enclosure No. 2. Statement of Accounts for Yeab ending 30th July, 1894. Receipts. $ c - 1893, July 1. To Balance on hand ... ... ... ... ... ... 90167 1894, June 30. Eeceipts for permit fees, per account ... ... ... 1,665 20 Subsidies from Federal Government, viz.,— Fixed appropriation ... ... ... ... ... 300 00 Special appropriation ... ... ... ... ... 140 00 Total ... ... ... ... $3,006 87 Expenditure. * °- 1894, June 30. By Expenditure as per accounts, from 1st July, 1893 ... ... 2,04107 Balance on hand ... ... ... ... ... ... 965 80 - • • Total $3,006 87 I hereby certify that I have examined the above account and find the same to be correct. — J. Scaed, Auditor.—Earotonga, 10th July, 1894.
Statement of Expenditure for the Year ending 30th June, 1894.
No. of Vote. Service. Voted. Expended. 1 2 3 4 5 7 8 Clerk Paymaster Auditor Bent of Bond ... Clerk of Court, — Avarua Arorangi Takitumu ... Police, — Avarua Arorangi Takitumu ... Interpreting, contingencies Fixed appropriations, Arikis and Mataiapos, — Makea, Ariki, Avarua Arikis and Mataiapos, Avarua Tinomana, Arorangi... Mataiapos, Arorangi Pa, Takitumu Arikis and Mataiapos, Takitumu Judge,— Avarua Arorangi Takitumu Maintenance of Roads, — Avarua Arorangi Takitumu ... Old Accounts ... Expenses of Members ... Making Bridges at Avarua Inspection of Work » o. 50 00 35 00 30 00 36 00 45 00 30 00 30 00 120 00 60 00 60 00 200 00 100 00 35 00 75 00 25 00 75 00 25 00 » o. 50 00 35 00 30 00 36 00 45 00 30 00 120 00 60 00 199 10 100 00 35 00 75 00 25 00 100 00 60 00 60 00 100 00 60 00 10 200 00 100 00 100 00 294 00 80 00 350 00 17 50 200 00 100 00 11 12 13 14 294 00 80 00 349 47 17 50 Total ... $2,392 50 $2,041 07 Makea Daniela, Paymaster. II .ereby certify that I have examined the above accounts, and compared the vouchers there id find the same to be correct. — J. Scabd, Auditor. with, a:
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Statement of Fees on Permits for Liquor received and due to Licensing Officer, Rarotonga, from 1st July, 1893, to 30th June, 1894.
J. H. Gaenieb, Licensing Officer. —Earotonga, 10th July, 1894. I hereby certify that I have examined the above accounts, and compared the vouchers therewith, and find the same to be correct. — J. Scabd, Auditor.—Earotonga, 11th July, 1894.
Enclosure No. 3. Estimates, 1st July, 1894, to 30th June, 1895.
Expenditure.
Amounts received ... Expenditure,— Salary, Licensing Officer Printing, Wildman and Lyell ... $360 00 8 40 2,033 60 368 40 $1,665 20 Cash to Bank Account In course of collection $ c. 1,548 65 116 55 $1,665 20
Eβ venue. Eeceived, 1893-94. Estimated, 1894-95. Balance in hand, 1st July Subsidies for year Permit-fees for year Subsidies, special From Federal Government, for bridges ... Fines from Arikis Courts for year, 1894-95 9 o. 901 67 300 00 1,665 20 I c. 965 80 600 00 1,000 00 380 00 140 00 800 00 Fines from Avarua Court, due for half-year to 30th June, 1894 Fines from Arorangi Court, due for half-year to 30th June, 1394 Dog-tax Boad-tax, half-year $3,006 87 3,745 80 127 00 127 00 120 00 400 00. Total $4,519 80
Service. Voted, 1898-94. Expended, 1893-94. Vote for 1894-95. 1. Clerk to the Council and Government 2. Paymaster 3. Auditor 4. Eent of Bond... .... 5. Clerks to the Arikis Courts — Avarua Arorangi ... 'Takitumu ... ... ... 6. Police — Avarua Arorangi ... Takituinu ... 7. Interpreting and contingent 8. Fixed Appropriations for Arikis and Mataiapos— A varua Arorangi ... Takitumu ... ... ... I c. 50 00 50 00 30 00 86 00 90 00 60 00 60 00 240 00 120 00 120 00 200 00 270 00 200 00 200 00 I o. 50 00 35 00 30 00 36 00 I c. 50 00 50 00 50 00 36 00 45 00 30 00 90 00 60 00 60 00 120 00 60 00 240 00 120 00 120 00 250 00 199 10 135 00 100 00 270 00 200 00 200 00 Carried forward ... ... .... 1,726 00 840 10 1,796 00 3—a; 3.
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Expenditure— continued.
Enclosure No. 4. Eesolution re Special Settlements. Besolved, That this Council considers that the time has come to form special settlements of people from New Zealand who might desire to be planters of coffee or other products on the lands lying unused in Barotonga. They recommend the subject to the Government (i.e., the Arikis) to take such measures as to the selection of the lands and. the conditions of occupation and other matters as they (the Arikis) may consider desirable, and which will secure not only additional production, but an increased population living on the land set aside for their occupation as special settlements in Earotonga. Dated at Avarua, this 26th day of September, 1894.
Enclosure No. 5. No. 1, 1894. —Animals. It is hereby enacted by the Barotonga Council: — It That no horses, cattle, or pigs shall be allowed by their owners to wander on the roads, or on to other persons' land. 2. Any cattle, horses, or pigs so wandering shall be taken by the owner or occupier of that land to the public pound, and the owner of the animal shall pay a quarter-dollar for every day that it is in the pound. 3. The pound to be used shall be provided by the Au of the district, and it shall be their duty to see that this law is enforced. They shall bring the person who breaks it before the Arikis' Court; and the penalty imposed on him shall be a fine for each animal, not exceeding one dollar, together with the costs of the Court. 4. Money collected under this Act shall go as follows : The pound-money to the keeper of the pound ; the costs of Court, to the Earotonga revenue; and the fines to the Au. 5. If the fine and other charges are not paid within two days of judgment being given, the animal shall be sold by the pound-keeper by public auction, of which two days' public notice shall be given by posting it on the door of the Court and of the Post Office in the district. Dated at Avarua, this 17th day of September, 1894. Passed by the Arikis' Council on 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Fredebick J. Moss, British Eesident.—29th October, 1894.
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Service. Voted, 1893-94. Expended, 1893-94. Vote for 1894-95. Brought forward ... $ c. 1,726 00 9 o. 840 10 9 o. 1,796 00 9. Fixed Appropriations for Judges— Avarua Arorangi ... Takitumu ... 10. Maintenance of Eoads— Avarua Arorangi ... Takitumu ... 11. Outstanding accounts ... 12. Expenses of the Council 13. Bridges, Avarua 14. Inspection of Works ... 15. General contingencies ... 200 00 120 00 120 00 200 00 100 00 100 00 294 00 80 00 350 00 17 50 100 00 60 00 200 00 100 00 200 00 120 00 120 00 200 00 100 00 100 00 294 00 80 00 349 47 17 50 80 00 150 00 Total ... $3,307 50 $2,041 17 $2,866 00 Supplementary. 16. Inspection of Works 17. -For the. following Eoads :— Tuoro In Avarua ... „ Ngatangiia „ Matavera „ Muri Enua ... .:'. „ Titikaveka Contingent expenses 60 00 700 00 200 00 200 00 100 00 100 00 200 00 100 00 Total ... $4,526 00
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Enclosure No. 6. No. 2, 1894.—Guavas. It is hereby enacted by the Earotonga Council: — 1. That all guava trees or plants growing in Earotonga shall be destroyed before the 31st of October, 1894. 2. If any such trees or plants are found on any person's land after that date, the Au of the district shall take out a summons to the owner or occupier of the land to appear before the Arikis' Court. 3. The Judge shall order the offender to pay the costs of the Court, and that the trees or plants be destroyed within the week. If this be not done, the owner or occupier shall be fined any sum not exceeding five dollars per week, and shall pay that fine until the trees or plants are all destroyed. 4. The costs of the Court shall be paid into the Earotonga revenue. The fines shall be paid to the Au. Dated at Avarua, this 17th day of September, 1894. Passed by the Arikis' Council, 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident.—29th October, 1894.
Enclosure No. 7. No. 3, 1894.— Ceuelty to Animals. It is hereby enacted by the Earotonga Council :— 1. That if any person cruelly treat any horse, bullock, or other animal, such as by starving the animal, or using it when hurt, or with a sore back, or hurt badly in any other way, he shall be summoned before the Arikis' Court, and be liable to a fine not exceeding ten dollars for each offence. 2. The police shall see to the enforcement of this law, and any person may complain through them to the Court. 3. That fines and costs of Court shall go to the Earotonga revenue. Dated at Avarua, this 17th day of September, 1894. Passed by the Arikis' Council, 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident.—29th October, 1894.
Enclosure No. 8. No. 4, 1894. —Damage to Peopebty. It is hereby enacted by the Earotonga Council: — 1. That no person shall destroy or damage the property of others or of the Government. 2. If he do so unintentionally, he shall make good such damage. 3. If he do so intentionally, he shall make good the damage and be fined not exceeding five dollars in addition. 4. Any one may complain to the police if there be such destruction, and the police shall bring the case before the Arikis' Court of the district. Dated at Avarua, this 17th day of September, 1894. Passed by the Arikis' Council, 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident.—29th October, 1894.
Enclosure No. 9. No. 5, 1894.—Tax for Eoads. It is hereby enacted by the Earotonga Council: — 1. Every person occupying a house in Earotonga shall pay the sum of one dollar a year as a road-tax. 2. He shall pay this in two instalments —namely, one-half on the Ist of March, the other half on the Ist of September, in each year. 3. A further tax shall be paid for all frontages to either the old or new road in excess of 50 feet, where any person is living on the land. This tax shall be at the rate of 1 cent per foot in excess of such 50 feet, in the following districts : Avarua, from Avatiu to Pue; Matavera, from Te Tarava to Pouara ; Ngatangiia, from Turangi to Aroko ; Muri-enua, from Puna-ariki to Aremango ; Titikaveka, from Arekakaia to Aruki; Arorangi, from Uri to Pakau; and at the rate of J cent per foot for all occupied land outside those boundaries. 4. The Government shall appoint some one person in each of the above places to receive the road-tax for such place, and the remuneration of such person shall be one-tenth of the sum collected by him, and which he may deduct from the money as it is received ; the balance shall be paid at the end of each month by the Tax Collectors to the Bank Account in Earotonga. 5. Proper receipt-books shall be given to the Collectors, who shall keep an account of all receipts, to be audited by the Auditor at the end of each year. 6. Every person neglecting to take his road-tax to the Collector within fourteen days of its being due shall pay one-half more.
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7. At the end of such fourteen days the Tax Collector shall summon the person in default before the Arikis' Court. If he neglect to do so, the amount due shall be deducted from the tenth allowed for his remuneration. Dated at Avarua, this 10th day of October, 1894. Passed by the Arikis' Council, 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Eesident. —29th October, 1894.
Enclosure No. 10. No. 6, 1894.—Land Occupants. It is hereby enacted by the Earotonga Council: — 1. That if any person claim land which is at the time of such claim in the occupation of some other person, the claimant shall go to the Judge of the Arikis' Court of the district, and the Judge shall summon before him the person occupying the land. 2. The Judge shall then hear the case, and send his judgment to the Ariki of the district, whose decision thereon shall be final. 3. That natives of the Cook or other Islands now occupying land in the settlements of Avarua, Arorangi, ■ Ngatangiia, Matavera, Titikaveka, and Muri-enua, which land was set apart for such occupation free of charge in olden times, are hereby guaranteed the full and quiet possession of such land, so long as their families have any living descendant in occupation of the land. If there be no descendant at any future time, the land is to go back to the original owner; and, if there be no descendant of the original owner, the land is to go to the people of Earotonga, and be dealt with for public purposes as the Council may by law direct. 4. All land of all kinds, for which there may at any time hereafter be no living person resident in Earotonga who is the descendant of the present or original owner, shall go to the people and the Government of Earotonga, to be also dealt with in such way for public purposes as the Council may by law direct. Dated at Avarua, this 10th day of October, 1894. Passed by the Arikis' Council, 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Eesident.—29th October, 1894.
Enclosure No. 11. No. 7, 1894. —British Currency in Earotonga. It is enacted by the Earotonga Council, That, when British coin shall have been established as the currency, whenever the dollar is mentioned in any law of the Council tip to the present date, the equivalent shall be three English shillings, except in the Appropriation Act of this session, in which special provision has been made. Dated at Avarua, this 25th day of October, 1894. Passed by the Arikis' Council, 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Eesident.—29th October, 1894.
Enclosure No. 12. No. 8, 1894.—Census Act. Whereas it is desirable to ascertain the number of people, and other matters, in Earotonga : It is hereby enacted by the Earotonga Council: — 1. That a census shall be taken on the first day of June, in the year one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, and thereafter in every three years. 2. That forms, as the chief of the Government may direct, shall be left at each house, and shall be filled up on the evening of the day above-named. 3. That any person refusing or neglecting to give the information required shall he fined not exceeding twenty dollars. Dated at Avarua, this 25th day of October, 1894. Passed the Arikis' Council, 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Eesident.—29th October, 1894.
Enclosure No. 13. No. 9, 1894.—" Appeopriatton Act, 1894." It is hereby enacted by the Earotonga Council: — 1. That the money, amounting to four thousand five hundred and twenty-six dollars, as per Schedule attached hereto, shall be applied to the purposes respectively stated in the said Schedule. 2. That all accounts must be formally certified to by the Auditor as being in accordance with the attached Schedule, and to be applied to the purposes respectively stated. 3. That Makea Daniela is hereby appointed Paymaster and Clerk, and to sign all cheques ; but such-cheques must not be paid until countersigned by the Auditor.
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4. That the Paymaster shall not issue any cheques, nor the Auditor countersign the same, unless the services to be paid for are certified by the head of the department as having been properly performed, or the works to be paid for certified by the Inspector of Works as having been properly clone. 5. That the name of the Inspector of Works shall be notified to the Auditor by the Clerk of the Government. 6. That, in this Act, the dollar shall be equivalent to three shillings of British money for all salaries payable from first January, one thousand eight hundred and ninety-five, and to two shillings and threepence in British money for all public works. It shall be lawful for this financial year to advance the salary for the six months from first January to thirtieth June to all who desire to take it. Dated at Avarua, this 25th day of October, 1894. Passed by the Arikis' Council, 26th October, 1894. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident.—29th October, 1894.
Schedule.
No. 19. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenor. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 12th February, 1895. I have the honour to enclose the annual trade report for the year ending 31st December, 1894. I have, &c, Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G. British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.
Enclosure. Eepoet on the Trade of the Cook Islands for the Yeae ending 31st December, 1894. , . Shipping and Navigation. There is little change to note in the returns of this year as compared with 1893. The entries inwards for 1894 were 82 vessels, of 20,299 tons ; and the entries outwards 81 vessels, of 20,221 tons (Table I.). Of these entries the mercantile tonnage, in and out, was 36,198, against 36,474 for the year 1893. The entries of vessels owned and worked by natives of the Cook Islands were, in and out, 58, and the tonnage 2,599, against 59 entries with a tonnage of 2,665 for the previous year. Two of the native shooners made voyages to New Zealand; but their trade is with the Cook and adjacent islands. The mail steamer " Eichmond" has called regularly at Earotonga, and has occasionally visited other of the Cook Islands on her monthly round between New Zealand and Tahiti. There has been no alteration in the port charges. Vessels anchoring in either of the harbours pay a pilotage of 18s. up to 50 tons, with 3s. for every 10 tons additional. An old-established royalty to the chief who owns the harbour, of 12s. for every vessel using it, is the only other charge.
Vote. No. Service. Voted. 1894-95. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Clerk to Council and Government Paymaster Auditor ... Bent of Bond Clerks to Courts, three districts Police, three districts Interpreter, and clerical assistance Fixed Appropriations : Arikis and Mataiapos ... Fixed Appropriations : Judges, three districts ... Maintenance of roads, three districts ... Expenses of Council General contingencies Inspector of Works Eoads and bridges ... $ c. 50 00 50 00 50 00 36 00 210 00 480 00 250 00 670 00 440 00 400 00 80 00 150 00 60 00 1,600 00 $4,526 00 Dated at A ■arua, 19th October, 1894. P
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Currency. To the 31st December, the South American dollar formed the currency ; but on the 1st January, 1895, the law passed by the Federal Parliament in August came into operation. British currency is now the only legal tender, and the only money taken by the Government. The dollar is still taken by traders, and will only be gradually displaced among the natives. Its fluctuations during the last six months have been from 3s. to 2s. 8d., 2s. 6d., 2s. 3d. and 2s. The exchange at the present time is nine dollars to the pound sterling. The Government has protected itself, in the absence of a bank, by the provision of currency notes. In event of no British currency being available, the dollars tendered in payment of duties are exchanged for these notes, and exported, to be sold for British coin. As the Government only advance Is. 8d. to the dollar in such cases, merchants prefer importing the British coin for themselves, and no issue of currency notes has, so far, been required. The displacement of the dollar by British coin is now assured, but the process must be gradual. The dollar is twice the size of the British florin, though worth very little more as coin, and this size is an attractive feature to the natives. They all, however, prefer British gold coin to silver of any kind. It may be worth mentioning that among the dollars, those of Guatemala and Columbia have lately been refused in Tahiti at less than 20 per cent, below others, and are in consequence refused in same way in the Cook Islands. Exports. The exports for 1894 (Table II.) were £20,665, against £19,668 for the previous year. They were sent as follows : — 1894. 1893. £ £ To New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... 15,906 14,307 „ Tahiti ... ... ... ... ... 4,759 5,361 The chief articles of Cook Islands produce exported were, — £ £ . Coffee ... ... ... ... ... ... 7,782 6,444 Copra ... ... ... ... ... ... 6,189 5,712 Cotton ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,701 3,069 Oranges ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,534 2,537 Other fruit ... ... ... ... ... 482 510 Coffee and copra show an increase, but cotton has gone nearly out of cultivation, owing to the low price. Coffee and copra are both capable of large increase, the former especially. The fruit trade must also increase with increasing population in New Zealand, which is the only market. The increase in the export trade has been with New Zealand; that with Tahiti shows a slight falling off. Imports. The imports show an excess over the exports for the first time, but no conclusion can be drawn from a single year. The total for 1894 (Table III.) was £22,433, against £19,284 for the previous year. m , . , .. 1894. 1893. The imports were as follows: — £ £ From New Zealand 13,151 10,187 „ Tahiti ... ... ... ... ... 9,282 9,097 It will be observed that the increase has been from New Zealand. The chief articles from Tahiti were, — £ £ Clothing and soft goods ... ... ... ... 3,995 4,265 Breadstuffs ... ... ... ... ... 840 720 Provisions and groceries ... ... ... ... 982 748 Lumber ... ... ... ... ... ... 804 738 Hardware .. . . ... ... ... 610 916 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... 1,398 1,283 Tobacco ... ... ... ... ... ... 234 208 Spirits, wines, and beer ... ... ... ... 114 191 In addition to the imports and exports shown in the Tables II. and III., there has been an import of specie (so far as could be ascertained) of £3,048, of which £1,045 was British coin from New Zealand. The export of specie was £1,965, in Chilian dollars, to Tahiti. Revenues. The Federal revenue for the year ending 30th June, 1894, was £1,246 7s., of which £943 10s. was from the import duty of 5 per cent, on goods of all kinds, which is the only tax levied by the Federal Government, and £302 17s. from the Post Office, Shipping-master's fees, and other sources. The chief of these is the sale of postage stamps, for which orders have been sent from many countries, making what must have been an acceptable addition to the small revenue. No regular local taxation has been hitherto levied in any of the islands. The system has been for the chiefs to undertake that the district or tribe shall do certain work or find certain money — a system which practically means forced labour, and leads to great exactions from those whose position compels them to submit. Last session of the Earotonga Council was marked by a new departure : a tax was levied for the maintenance of roads, every person to pay in proportion to the frontage of the land which he occupied. Proper assessment rolls are made up, and paid collectors appointed. This will be a great advance if successful, and do away with the system of tapere,
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or district taxation, which is a levy made by the chief of the district without any record of what each individual has been made to contribute. The change will, it is hoped, give greater individual security, and lead to an extension of cultivation. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident, and Agent for the New Zealand Government. Earotonga, 29th January, 1895.
Table I.—Report of Shipping at the Port of Rarotonga (Cook Islands) for Year ending 31st December, 1894.
Table II.—Exports from the Cook Islands for the Year ending 31st December, 1894. [Valued in Chilian dollars, at 3s. each; centals at 100lb. English.]
Sailing. Steam. j No. Tons. No. Tons. II i Men-of-war. I Total. No. I Tons. No. Tons. r nwards. British Lmerican ... 'rench look Islands f.Z. Government steamer " Hinemoa " 19 2 6 30 1,456 198 480 1,376 23 14,628 1 ... 1,420 43 2 6 30 1 17,504 198 480 1,376 741 ' 1 "741 Totals 57 3,510 24 15,369 1,420 82 1 20,299 httivards. British American ... French Cook Islands N.Z. Government steamer " Hinemoa " 20 2 6 28 1,531 198 480 1,223 23 14,628 1 1,420 44 2 6 28 1 17,579 198 480 1,223 741 "i 741 Totals 56 3,432 24 15,369 1,420 81 20,221
To New Zealand. To Tahiti. Total. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Coffee, centals... Gopra, centals... Oottou, centals Lime-juice, gall. Dranges, cases about 300 each Pearl-shell, lb.... Fungus, lb. Gocoanuts, hundreds Bananas, bunches Pineapples, No. Dther articles ... 1,592 13,293 606 5,289 12,767 67,920 1,249 118 10,152 11,297 ft 35,407 34,297 8.124 957 16,888 6,659 87 183 2,590 627 218 674 4,100 234 11,805 8 16,471 9,762 3,218 2,065 2,266 17,393 840 5,289 12,767 79,725 1,249 118 10,152 11,297 8 51,878 44,059 11,342 957 16,888 8,724 87 183 2,590 627 431 ... "213 Total, dollars ... $106,037 .j $31,729 $137,766 Total, pounds sterling ... : £15,906 £4,759 £20,665 Included in the above are the following 'ederation:— Pearl-shell, lb. ... Copra, centals .... 3 • Produce of islands not part of the Cook Islands 79,725, value 8,724 1,383, „ 2,800 $11,524= £1,729 Specie exported in 1894 to Tahiti $13,100 = £1,965
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Table III.—Imports into the Cook Islands for the Year ending 31st December, 1894. [Valued in Chilian dollars at 3s. each.]
No. 20. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 12th February, 1895. I have the honour to report that during the past year the Liquor Law has worked well in Earotonga, and that drunkenness among the natives is very rare. During the orange season some of them stupify themselves occasionally, by secretly drinking the fermented juice, prepared and consumed in the uninhabited bush. This is prohibited by law, and they are punished when discovered. At Aitutaki, the local Government drew up a law authorising the issue of permits to buy liquor from vessels calling at the island. On a French schooner from Eurutu calling, they appointed a permit officer and at once brought the law, on the plea of urgency, into operation. They wrote informing ine of what had been done—that the law was passed by nine out of eleven members in the Council, and approved by a vote of a great majority of the people. I at once replied by a refusal to sanction the sale of liquor in any way in Aitutaki, as no effective control would be possible. At the same time I sent an official notification, to be shown by the Federal Eevenue Officer to all masters of vessels, informing them that the local Government had no authority to issue permits, and that they were liable, under the Federal Eevenue Eegulations, to a fine of £45 for each offence, which fine would be strictly enforced if liquor were landed on the island. According to the regulations, the Collector of Eevenue in Earotonga is the only authority who can give a permit, and he, of course, is debarred from doing so where the local law is prohibitive, as it is in all the islands excepting Earotonga. The local Government of Aitutaki have since written expressing their great regret, have cancelled the appointment of a permit officer, and endeavoured to excuse themselves on the plea of anxiety to do away with the smuggling that is known to take place, and to make a revenue for the local Government. The affair may now therefore be regarded as ended, but seems to me of sufficient importance and sufficiently characteristic to be included in my report for your Excellency's information. I have had trouble also at Mauke, where liquor has, I am informed, been landed, and have sent to that and all the islands of the Federation a copy of the notification to shipmasters which was sent to Aitutaki. To prevent vessels calling at these islands without first coining to Earotonga, and making it the only port of entry, would entail hardship altogether out of proportion with the evil to be remedied. Nor would it prevent smuggling to a certain extent, where the law of prohibition is enforced against the will of a large section, if not a considerable majority, of the people. The smuggling is on all accounts to be regretted; but, so long as no liquor can bo stored and sold on shore, the mischief will be confined within very narrow limits. . . -Ihave,&c,, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., Feedeeick J. Moss, Governor of New Zealand. British Eesident. Approximate Cost of Paper— Preparation, not given; printing (1,375 copies), £17 2s. 6d. By Authority: Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—1895. Price 9d.'\
From New Prom m , , Zealand. Tahiti. 10tal - Total. ft ft ft Animals ... ... ... ... ... ... 953 75 1,028 Clothing ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,994 3,480 7,474 Piece and fancy goods ... ... ... ... ... 21,626 23,146 44,772 Provisions ... ... ... ... ... ... 11,624 4,469 16,093 Breadstuffs ... ... ... ... ... ... 5,396 5,594 10,990 Groceries ... ... ... ... ... ... 9,310 2,081 11,391 Spirits ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,105 440 3,545 Wines ... ... ... ... ... ... 144 250 394 Beer ... ... ... ... ... ... 198 68 266 Lumber, manufactured and unmanufactured ... ... 12,408 5,348 17,756 Hardware ... ... ... ... ... ... 11,115 6,062 17,177 Tobacco ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,490 1,554 3,044 Other articles... ... ... ... ... ... 6,311 9,316 15,627 I 1,028 7,474 44,772 16,093 10,990 11,391 3,545 394 266 17,756 17,177 3,044 15,627 Total, dollars ... $87,674 $61,883 $149,557 $61,883 $149,557 Total, pounds sterling ... ... £13,151 £9,282 £22,433 Included in above are goods exported to islands beyond the Federation, — Duty paid ... ... ... ... ... ... $3,604 From bond ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,522 $8,126 = £1,219 Specie imported,— — . ■ From Tahiti ... ... ... ... ... $13,353 = £2,003 From New Zealand (British coin) ... ... ... ... 1,045 £3,048
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/parliamentary/AJHR1895-I.2.1.2.4
Bibliographic details
PACIFIC ISLANDS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH RESIDENT, RAROTONGA. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1894.], Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895 Session I, A-03
Word Count
15,907PACIFIC ISLANDS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH RESIDENT, RAROTONGA. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1894.] Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1895 Session I, A-03
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