COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS (REPORT ON THE VISIT OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE), WITH NOTES OF CONFERENCES BETWEEN THE MINISTER IN CHARGE OF THE ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION (HON. C.H. MILLS) AND THE NATIVES OF EACH ISLAND.

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1903 Session I, A-03b

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CONTENTS.

Page Annexation proposals .. .. .. 1 Proclamation as to extension of boundaries of colony .. .. .. .. .. 1 Visit to the islands arranged for .. .. 2 Names of members of Parliamentary party .. 2 Rarotonga— Arrival at; visit to Queen Makea .. .. 3 Description of .. .. .. .. 4 Conference with Arikis .. .. .. 4 Second conference with Arikis .. .. 7 Mangaia— Description of .. .. .. 10 Conference with Arikis and others .. .. 11 Mauke - Description of .. .. .. 14 Minister's address to Natives .. .. 15 Atiu .. .. .. •• ..15 Aitutaki — Description of .. .. .. 16 Conference with Arikis and others .. .. 16 Visit to Araura Boarding-school .. .. 18 Tahiti .. .. .. .. ..19 Penrhyn— Description of .. .. .. 19 Minister's address to Natives .. .. 20 Manihiki — Description of .. .. .. 20 Minister's address to Natives .. .. 21 Tutuila .. .. .. .. ..22 Upolu .. .. .. .. ..22 Niue — Description of .. .. .. 22 Conference with traders .. .. 23 Conference with Natives .. .. 26 Vavau, Friendly Islands .. .. 29 Tongatabu, Friendly Islands .. .. 29 Suva, Fiji .. .. .. .. ..29 Levuka, Fiji .. .. .. SO Return to New Zealand .. .. 30 Islands annexed not visited during tour .. 30 Memorandum by Minister in Charge .. .. 32 Statement of receipts and expenditure, Cook and other islands (not including Niue), for year ending 31st March, 1903 .. .. 34 Revenue and expenditure, comparative return for eleven years .. .. .. 35 Imports and exports, comparative return for eleven years .. .. .. 35

Page Statement of revenue and expenditure of Niue to 31st March, 1903 .. .. .. 36 Summary of exports from Niue during year ending 31st December, 1902 .. .. 37 Report on Cook Islands horticulture by Mr. T. W. Kirk and Mr. W. A. Boucher .. .. 37 Further report on Cook and other Islands horticulture by Mr. T. W. Kirk .. .. 41 Sooial distinctions of Rarotonga .. .. 42 Illustrations. to face page i Rarotonga: Resident Commissioner and others coming off to the " Mapounka " .. .. 4 I Vakapora Vaine brings a present from Queen Makea .. .. .. .. .. 4 Pa Anki, Makea Ariki, Hon. C. H. Mills, and Tinomana Ariki, Rarotonga .. .. 6 Mission-station (L.M.S.), Avarua, Rarotonga .. 6 The Residency, Rarotooga: Mount Ikurangi in the background .. .. .. .. 8 Group at Makea's Palace, Raroconga .. .. 8 Village scene, Mangaia .. .. .. 10 Nohoroa Ariki, Hon. C. H. Mills, King John, and Pa Ariki, Mangaia .. .. .. 10 Group at Mangaia .. .. .. 12 Mangaia: Oneroa Village from the makatea .. 12 Hon. C. H. Mills, Colonel Gudgeon, Mr. J. A. Hanan, M.H.R., and leading Natives, Mauke 14 ! Scene at Mauke .. .. .. 14 Scene at Aitutaki .. .. .. 16 Mr. J. T. Large, Hon. C. H. Mills, and Arikis, Aitutaki .. .. .. 16 At Orongo, Aitutaki: Monument of late Rev. H. Royle .. .. .. 18 Araura Mission Boarding-school, Aitutaki .. 18 Landing-place at Omoko, Penrhyn .. .. 20 Group at Penrhyn .. .. .. 20 !At Tukao Village, Manihiki .. .. 22 Group at Tauhonu Village, Manihiki .. .. 22 Landing-place at Alofl, Niue .. .. .. 24 ; Hon. C. H. Mills meeting King Togia at Niue .. 24 Planting a cocoanut-palm, Niue .. .. 28 House built by Natives for Resident Agent, Niue 28 Husking cocoanuts, &c. .. .. 38 Outrigger canoes conveying fruit, &c. .. .. 40 The cocoanut in all stages .. .. 42 I Maps .. .. .. .. ..At end.

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1903. NEW ZEALAND.

COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS (REPORT ON THE VISIT OF MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY TO THE), WITH NOTES OF CONFERENCES BETWEEN THE MINISTER IN CHARGE OF THE ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION (HON. C.H. MILLS) AND THE NATIVES OF EACH ISLAND.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The idea of extending the boundaries of New Zealand by the annexation of islands in the Pacific is not a new one. As far back as 1852 the late Sir George Grey appears to have entertained the thought of annexing the Sandwich Islands, and from time to time during later years a good deal of attention has been given by the Legislature of the colony to the question of establishing closer relationships with different parts of the island-world in the Pacific. In 1883 the New Zealand Parliament passed the Confederation and Annexation Act, introduced by Sir George Grey, " to facilitate the confederation with or the annexation to the colony of New Zealand of any island or islands in the Pacific the government or constituted authority of which may make proposals to that effect to the Government of New Zealand." This Act, however, did not receive the Royal assent, and, although some five years later a protectorate was established over the Cook Group, it was not until 1900 that any practical step was taken in the direction of annexation in the Pacific. On the 29th September of that year the Eight Hon. the Premier moved the following resolution in the House of Eepresentatives : " Whereas it is desirable in the best interests of the colony and of the inhabitants of certain islands in the Pacific hereinafter mentioned that those islands should be annexed to the colony, this House therefore approves of the alteration of the boundaries of this colony, and consents to the extension of the said boundaries so as to include the Cook Group, including the Islands of Rarotonga, Mangaia, Atiu, Aitutaki, Mitiaro, Mauke, Hervey (Manuae) ; also the following islands : Palmerston (Avarau), Savage (Niue), Pukapuka (Danger), Eakaanga, Manihiki, and Penrhyn (Tongareva)." This was carried by a large majority and amidst the greatest enthusiasm ; and by a later resolution, passed on the 20th October, the Island of Suwarrow was also included in the extended boundaries. On the 13th May, 1901, in pursuance of these resolutions, the Imperial Government, under " The Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895," passed an Order in Council affirming the annexation, and on the 11th June, on the occasion of the reception in Auckland of Their Eoyal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cornwall and York, His Excellency the Governor, Lord Eanfurly, read the following proclamation : — APPOINTING DATE OF EXTENSION OP BOUNDARIES OP COLONY TO INCLUDE COOK GROUP AND OTHER ISLANDS. Banfukly, Governor. A Pboclamation. Whereas by Order in Council dated the thirteenth day of May, one thousand nine hundred and one, and made under " The Colonial Boundaries Act, 1895," it has been ordered by His Majesty the King that, on and after a, date to be appointed by the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand by Proclamation under his hand and the public Seal of the Colony, the boundaries of the Colony of New Zealand should be extended so as to include the islands of the Cook Group and all other the islands and territories then or thereafter forming part of His Majesty's dominions situate within the boundary-lines therein mentioned, being the boundary-lines specified in the schedule hereto : And whereas the aforesaid extension of boundaries has been consented to by resolution of both Houses of the General Assembly of the colony: Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me by the said Order in Council, and of all other powers and authorities enabling me in this behalf, and in the presence of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York, who in token thereof hath been graciously pleased to sign his name hereto, I, Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, do hereby proclaim and appoint the eleventh day of June, one thousand nine hundred and one, to be the date on and after which the boundaries of the colony shall be and be deemed to be extended as specified in the said Order in Council. Schedule. Boundary- lines. A line commencing at a point at the intersection of the 23rd degree of south latitude and the 156 th degree of longitude west of Greenwich, and proceeding due north to the point of intersection of the Bth degree of south latitude and the 156 th degree of longitude west of Greenwich ; thence due west to the point of intersection of the Bth degree of south latitude and the 167 th degree of longitude west of Greenwich ; thence due south to the point of intersection I—A. 3b.

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of the 17th degree of south latitude and the 167 th degree of longitude west of Greenwich ; thence due west to the point of intersection of the 17th degree of south latitude and the 170 th degree of longitude west of Greenwich ; thence due south to the point of intersection of the 23rd degree of south latitude and the 170 th degree of longitude west of Greenwich; and thence due east to the point of intersection of the 23rd degree of south latitude and the 156 th degree of longitude west of Greenwich. Given under the hand of His Excellency the Right Honourable Uchter John Mark, Earl of Ranfurly ; Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of Saint Michael and Saint George ; Governor and Com-mander-in-Chief in and over His Majesty's Colony of New Zealand and its Dependencies ; and issued under the Seal of the said Colony, at the Government House, at Auckland, this tenth day of June, in the year of our Lord one thousand nine hundred and one. R. J. Seddon. W. C. Walker. „ J. G. Ward. Jas. MoGowan. w ' jORGE - J. Carroll. T. Y. Duncan. Wμ. Hall-Jones. C. H. Mills. Approved in Council. J. P. Andrews, Acting Clerk of the Executive Council. God save the King ! From the 11th June, 1901, therefore, the above-mentioned islands have formed part of New Zealand territory, and the colony has naturally a deeper and more direct interest in their welfare and development, and a larger measure of responsibility for their administration, than was the case during the period of the protectorate. It was the consideration of these facts that .led to the proposal that members of Parliament should be given an opportunity of visiting the islands, in company with a member of the Ministry, so that they might judge for themselves as to the capabilities and prospects of the annexed territory and the lines it would be best to follow to insure the most successful administration. In accordance with promises made by Sir J. G. Ward, Acting-Premier, in reply to a question asked by Mr. J. H. Witheford in the House of Representatives on the 4th September, 1902, and to comments made by Messrs. James Allen, George Laurenson, and others, negotiations were entered into with the Union Steamship Company in March last to obtain a steamer suitable for the members of the Legislature to visit the islands in, this course being rendered necessary owing to the fact that the accommodation on the " Tutanekai," the Government; Steamer, was not sufficient for the number of members who had expressed their intention of going. The company generously placed the fine steamer " Mapourika " at the disposal of the Government free of charge ; but as it was thought advisable that she should fly the New Zealand ensign, it was arranged that she should be formally placed under charter to the New Zealand Government, and so become, to all intents and purposes, a Government boat for the voyage. In reply to a circular letter addressed to members of the Legislature by the Eight Hon. the Premier in February, 1903, between forty and fifty members signified their intention of visiting the islands, but owing to business and other considerations a number of these subsequently found themselves unable to join the party. The " Mapourika " left Wellington, with the majority of the party, on the 16th April, and, despite the fact that the morning was exceedingly wet, a number of friends, including the Eight Hon. the Premier, Sir J. G. Ward, and the Hon. W. Hall-Jones, came down to witness the departure and wish the party bon voyage. At 10.53 a.m., in a heavy downpour of rain, the steamer left the Eailway Wharf, Wellington, for Auckland, amid the cheering of the crowd led by the Eight Hon. Mr. Seddon. Shortly after Pencarrow Heads were passed the Hon. Mr. Mills called the members together in the saloon, and, after having introduced Captain Crawshaw, addressed them briefly regarding the objects of the visit, stating that the primary purpose was to gather all the information it was possible to obtain as to our recently acquired territory in the South Seas, and adding that he hoped the tour, although a business one, would prove most enjoyable to one and all. We arrived at Auckland on Saturday, the 18th April, at 4.45 p.m., and although we had been expected earlier in the day there were a large number of people assembled on the wharf to meet the party. Immediately on arrival a telegram was received by the Minister from the Eight Hon. the Premier, conveying the sad news of the death of Ngamaru Ariki, the husband of " Queen " Makea, of Earotonga. and the Hon. Mr. Mills at once obtained a wreath to place on the chief's tomb on our arrival at the island. At Auckland we were joined by other members from both Houses, making the number of legislators who actually participated in the tour thirty-three. The following are the names : Hon. C. PI. Mills, Minister in Charge of the Islands Administration ; members of the Legislative Council—Hon. C. C. Bowen, Hon. W. M. Bolt, Hon. J. E. Jenkinson, Hon. John Eigg, Hon. D. Pinkerton, Hon. Major Harris, Hon. J. Marshall, Hon. T. Thompson, Hon. A. Baldey, Hon. W. C. F. Carncross ; members of the House of Eepresentatives —Hon. Sir. W. J. Steward, Mr. E. G. Allen, Mr. J. Allen, Mr. J. F. Arnold, Mr. W. H. P. Barber, Mr. George Fisher, Mr. F. R. Flatman, Mr. G. Fowlds, Mr. W. Fraser, Mr. J. A. Hanan, Mr. E. M. Houston, Mr. F. Lawry, Mr. E. G. B. Moss, Mr. T. Mackenzie, Mr. C. E. Major, Mr. J. O'Meara, Mr. T. Parata, Mr. J. C. Thomson, Mr. J. W. Thomson, Mr. J. Vile, Mr. A. D. Willis, Mr. W. T. Wood. In addition to the members of Parliament, the party included Dr. J. M. Mason, M.D., F.C.S., &c, Chief Health Officer for the colony, who was commissioned to report on the health of the islands, with special reference to certain alleged cases of lerjrosy at Penrhyn ; Mr. T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., Government Biologist (Chief of Division of Biology, Horticulture, and Publications, Department of Agriculture) ; Mr. J. W. Black, Private Secretary; Mr. E. MacCarthy, Official Eeporter; Mr. G. A. Eead, Official Photographer; and Messrs. E. B. Walrond, H. Winkelmann, A. J. Wilkin, and G. H. Hicks, the photographers representing respectively the New Zealand Graphic, Auckland Weekly News, Canterbury Times, and Otago Witness.

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The necessary coal and stores having been embarked, the " Mapourika " left Auckland at five minutes past 3 on Sunday morning, the 19th April. At 11 o'clock a.m. divine service was conducted in the saloon by the captain, who continued to perform this duty every Sunday throughout the voyage. On Monday, the 20th, a fresh breeze and squally weather were experienced, which confined many to their berths. During the next few days nothing of note occurred, and members busied themselves with the fine selection of South Sea Island and other books that had been courteously supplied by the Chief Librarian of the General Assembly Library for the use of the party during the voyage. EAEOTONGA. Saturday, 25th April.—During the morning the magnificent Island of Earotonga was sighted, the rugged pinnacle of Ikurangi, with its attendant peak on either side, being observed about 11.30 a.m. rising trident-like from the ocean. By 4 o'clock in the afternoon we were off the Village of Avarua, and cast anchor in 8 fathoms of water. Colonel Gudgeon, the Eesident Commissioner; the Eev. W. Lawrence, of the London Missionary Society; Dr. Gatley, Health Officer; Mr. E. Blame, Eegistrar of the High Court; Mr. Digby Smith, Agent for the Union Steamship Company ; and other residents came off at once in the surf-boats, and on their arrival on board were introduced to the members of the party by the Hon. Mr. Mills. After the Minister and the Commissioner had briefly discussed matters, the party went ashore, and proceeded to the palace of Makea Ariki, where the old Queen, who was evidently expecting us, was found seated on the verandah, dressed in deep mourning. Colonel Gudgeon having made the necessary introductions, the Hon. Mr. Mills addressed Makea as follows : Before I left Auckland the Eight Hon. the Premier wired to me telling me the sad news of the death of Ngamaru Ariki, and asking me to express the deep sorrow of the Governor, himself, and colleagues, and all the members of this party, for the loss you have sustained, and their sincere sympathy with you in your bereavement. We are all very much grieved that Ngamaru was called away to the great spirit-land of his ancestors before our arrival here. We had been told of the good works he did during his lifetime, and of his loyalty to the great British Empire to which we all belong. And since you and others have become more closely connected with that Empire, we are glad of the opportunity of acquiring a more intimate knowledge of those residing in these islands. When the Premier returned to New Zealand after visiting the islands he gave us his impressions of what he had seen, and naturally there was great interest shown by the members of both Houses of Parliament. As the Minister in charge of the islands I have found it very difficult to deal with many matters which have come before me from Colonel Gudgeon, not having had the opportunity of seeing things for myself and forming my opinions on the various important matters that continually affect the welfare of so many different islands ; and so I and the friends who are with me—all eminent men from our colony—are now travelling expressly for the purpose of gaining further information. The Premier asked me to specially mention that he realised what great benefits your late husband had been able to render Colonel Gudgeon since his arrival here, and he desired me to at once procure a wreath for Ngamaru's grave, and to convey his and his family's deep sympathy with you under such a heavy bereavement. I hope you will kindly allow me to place this wreath on the grave in fulfilment of what I feel to be a solemn duty, and in order that I may be able to tell the Premier that you have kindly permitted me to do as he desired. Queen Makea, who appeared to be much affected, then replied, and the Eev. W. N. Lawrence, conveying the substance of her remarks, said, —She wishes me to express to you, Mr. Mills, her sense of pleasure in receiving such expressions of sympathy from the Governor, the Premier, yourself, and your colleagues, and more especially is she pleased with the token of respect for her deceased husband which you intend to give by placing a wreath upon his tomb. Hon. Mr. Mills, resuming his speech, said, —Queen Makea, tins is the emblem which I wish to place on the grave of your late husband. You will see that it represents an anchor, and it is suggestive of the good work Ngamaru Ariki used to do between the different islands of this Group, for we are told that wherever his vessel dropped her anchor at the different islands good results were sure to follow. I have been told that he was a brave sailor, a just and good man ; and I have also heard that he was always doing his best to improve the laws and regulations which were framed to guide the people of these islands. I need only say that every one of my party feels the deepest sympathy with you, and I have to ask you to kindly convey to your friends the Arikis, Eangatiras, chiefs, and the people themselves our warmest sympathy and our sincere feeling of respect for your late husband, who has so recently been called away. And now, with your permission, before laying the wreath on the grave, I will introduce the Hon. T. Thompson, who has another wreath to present on behalf of the Auckland people. Hon. Mr. Thompson: Queen Makea, —I have been requested by many of your friends, especially the Glover family, in Auckland, to present to you this wreath as a last token of respect and love for your departed husband. I have been asked to assure you that you have their deepest sympathy in the great loss you have sustained. It is needless for me to say that individually I indorse what our Minister has said, and I believe all our party share the same feelings. We then proceeded to the burial-ground of the Makea family, which adjoins the palace, and the Hon. Mr. Mills reverently placed the wreath on the tomb as a tribute from the New Zealand Government. After this ceremony the party dispersed to see as much of the island as the lateness of the hour would permit, and the Minister and Private Secretary proceeded to the Commissioner's residence with Colonel Gudgeon. Darkness fell after a very short twilight, and the majority of the members returned on board; others looked up friends and stayed the night on shore, and were very hospitably entertained.

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Earotonga is certainly the finest island in the Cook Group, both in point of scenic attractions and in respect of its general productiveness. It is a particularly good specimen of the volcanic order of islands, and the rugged grandeur of its- mountain-peaks and the variety and luxuriance of its vegetation combine to present one of the most romantic and picturesque scenes that one could possibly find even in the South Seas, where the romantic and the picturesque are supposed to abound. Attaining, as it does, a height of 3,000 ft., the island is well watered; and a belt of rich alluvial soil, varying from one to two miles in width, extends all round from the mountains to the sea. The circumference of Earotonga is over twenty miles, and it will be seen, therefore, that the area available for cultivation is by no means inconsiderable. The land at present is not being utilised to anything like the full extent of its possibilities, and, while it is true that the existing land-tenure operates somewhat against a more systematic and extensive cultivation of the soil by the Natives, there does not appear to be any insuperable difficulty in the way of the complete development of the resources of the island. The Land Titles Court is doing good work, and there seems to be a growing inclination on the part of the Arikis to lease their lands to suitable tenants, preferably Europeans. A considerable portion of the island has been surveyed, and with the advent of a larger European population we may look for a steady increase in the yield of the staple products of the island. In the case of copra it will be some years before the production can be greatly increased, but the cocoapalm is being extensively planted, and, given favourable conditions, the results may be awaited with confidence. The banana trade is developing satisfactorily, and as Earotonga is particularly well adapted to the growth of the banana, the outlook so far as this item is concerned is distinctly hopeful. The coffee industry, which received a check a few years ago in consequence of an attack of leaf-blight, is once more in a satisfactory condition. This year's crop has turned out well, and, according to latest reports from the island, some large purchases had been made by traders, while the quality of the commodity was first class. The education of the island is conducted by the London Missionary Society, and good work is being accomplished. The mission training-school at Avarua supplies teachers for many of the other islands ; and at Tereora, two miles from Avarua, there is a mission boarding and training school, for the support of which the island Government makes a yearly contribution of £2 10s. for each pupil up to fifty. Good service has been done, too, by the Eoman Catholic Mission ; and the Seventh Day Adventists have also contributed something to the educational work on the island. The population of Earotonga is nearly 2,100, about seventy being Europeans. Sunday, 26th April (Saturday according to island time). —Hon. Mr. Mills and Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon interviewed Queen Makea, who kindly promised to make arrangements for entertaining the party during that day and the following Monday. They then proceeded to the Government Buildings, where a deputation was received and a large amount of departmental business was 'attended to. A presentation of mats, &c, was made to the Minister in the palace-grounds, and the Atiu and Avarua Natives, dressed in black, performed a dance and sang a song of lamentation over the death of Ngamaru, who had been chief of the Islands of Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro, as well as the principal Ariki of Earotonga. The voices blended sweetly in the plaintive music of the song, the burden of which was "He is dead; he has flown away like a bird; he is sleeping a long sleep." After this a song and dance of welcome were performed in honour of the Minister and party. In the afternoon an interesting exhibition of pedestal dancing was given by the Arorangi Natives, and the tasteful pink-and-white costumes of the dancers contrasted agreeably with the garb of mourning worn by Makea's people during the performance earlier in the day. It was a unique display, and one which will long be remembered by those who were privileged to see it. During the afternoon the members of the party were entertained at the Mission Station, where afternoon tea was dispensed by Mesdames Gudgeon, Lawrence, and others. The Minister, meanwhile, was busily engaged in conference with the five Arikis of Earotonga—Makea, Tinomana, Pa, Karika, and Kainuku. The following is a report of the conference : — Confekence between Ministeb in Charge of the Islands and the Abikis op Eabotonga, held in the residence of Queen Makea, Earotonga, 26th April, 1903. Colonel Gudgeon : Mr. Mills, —The whole of the five Arikis of Earotonga are now before you, and I believe they have something to say to you. They wish Mr. Lawrence to interpret. Hon. Mr. Mills : I shall be pleased to hear anything they have to say, if Mr. Lawrence will kindly interpret for them. Pα Ariki : We, the chiefs of the island, have met here under the power and protection of New Zealand, and now the Minister has come from New Zealand to convey to us the wishes of the Government of New Zealand. Our minds go back, and we think of our first words and the first revealing of our wishes. We petitioned the Queen of Britain that there might be left still in Earotonga a meeting of chiefs—that is, the Council. We petitioned also that Makea should be left as the head of that Council, and that Colonel Gudgeon should still be left with us to be our guide and councillor. The Governor of New Zealand came here, and he also told us that it would be so. We meet in the one place that the work on the land may be done. Hon. Mr. Mills : What is that—surveying? Mr. Lawrence: No; they meet here for the discussion of any work that is to be done in connection with the government of the islands. Pα Ariki : We have learned, and have done the work that was left us to do, and so also has the Eesident. We have done all the work that has required to be done —that is, in the administration of the law in the island—and we have had no trouble whatever. But we now hear that certain of the foreign residents that live amongst us wish one of their number added to our Council, and that one of their number should also become a member of the New Zealand House

Rarotonga: Resident Commissioner and Others coming off to the "Mapourika."

Vakapora Vaine brings a Present from Queen Makea.

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of Representatives. And this is what we wonder about, as to why they should think so, because we have been living here in peace and concord. Now, this is what we think : that we should still continue as we have been. That is our wish with regard to that point. Here is another of our wishes : We are now joined to New Zealand, and we also think that the produce of these islands should be protected by New Zealand, and that we should be assisted by New Zealand to get a profitable return for our produce. Our produce goes in the same ship with the produce from the Society Islands, and the addition of the shipment from the Society Islands to the shipments from here causes the price to go down. It is our wish that you should seek some means of assisting us in this matter. This is another desire we have : that the knowledge of the people in the Cook Islands should grow. We do not see at present any means of establishing schools in all the islands and villages. We think that if children were taught to be teachers that they then could teach the people in all the villages. We wish that a school of that nature should be established for the training of our children as teachers, so that they may go and become teachers in the other islands of the Group and in the villages of this island. Mr. Lawrence : These are the principal things that they would request you to consider at present. He says there are other matters that have already been talked about—such as the establishment of a hotel—but he thinks that that perhaps is finished. Hon. Mr. Mills : I would like him to say what the Arikis and people think about that matter. Pα Ariki: This is our thought and our wish, and, in fact, what we decided when we talked upon the matter before : It is a good thing that a house of accommodation should be established in Barotonga, where visitors may live, because it is a sad thing when visitors do come to the island, if they are respectable people and wish to live in a respectable place and do not care to live in a Native house, that there should be nowhere else for them to go. For that reason we think it is a good thing that such a house should be established. But there is one kind of food— or drink—that has been a source of trouble to us, but which white people have been accustomed to indulge in more or less—that is, wines, beer, and spirits. Ido not want to prevent white people drinking these if they wish to. That is one point, and we have come to the conclusion that we will leave it there that it might be tried. But with regard to the Natives, the law here is that Natives should not drink liquor. We have no fault to find with the white people having what they wish, but with regard to the Natives they should not be allowed to drink that. We wish to impose no bar upon the white people, but the Natives should not be allowed to have intoxicating liquors in that house. But the Maoris say to us, " There are two laws ; there is a law for the white and a law for the Maori." Our reply to that is that the Natives cannot drink in moderation, whereas the white man can. But, on account of that objection which the Natives make —that there is a law for the Maori and another for the white —we think there should be something allowed that is suitable for the Natives. Colonel Gudgeon : Not spirits, though. Mr. Lawrence : He has not defined what he thinks suitable. Pα Ariki : We mean wine and beer. Colonel Gudgeon (to the Minister) : " Wine " here means claret; that is the only wine imported into the island. Mr. Lawrence (to the Arikis) : Have you anything else you wish to ask the Minister ? Pα Ariki: That is all we have to ask. Hon. Mr. Mills : lam very pleased to be with you to-day. I recognise that you hold very high positions in these islands, and I also understand that your names are held in the very highest respect not only in Earotonga, but also in the adjacent islands. Therefore it is very pleasant for me to be able to meet you and hear your views and give you some of mine. I realise that you are the representatives now of those great Arikis who have been called away to the spirit-land of their fathers. I am very sorry that we have arrived too late to see the great chief who has just passed away. The Premier himself would have liked very much to come up with the party, but it was inconvenient for more than one Minister to leave New Zealand at this time. As I have been during the past fifteen months administering all matters in connection with this and the other islands when submitted to the Government by Colonel Gudgeon, it was deemed necessary for me to come. lam sure that you will readily understand how difficult it is to satisfactorily communicate with people unless you see them and know their manners of life and thought. Now, when I go home and see my chief, who is the Premier, and my colleagues, I shall be able to say that I have met and, I hope, made good friends with the great Arikis of Earotonga; and if you should at any time wish to communicate with the Government through me I shall be the better able to deal with your letters through my having met and spoken to you. I have heard a good deal about these islands for many years past, but it is only when one has actually seen Earotonga that one can realise what a beautiful picture it presents to visitors. I have seen very many beautiful scenes in New Zealand, very lovely pictures indeed, but they are all different from Earotonga. This island is one panoramic tropical picture. Everywhere I look I behold beautiful scenes, and I am having some photographs taken of different views, so that I shall be better able to retain them in my memory, and I shall have very much pleasure in sending you, the Arikis of Earotonga, some copies. The question that my friend Pa Ariki brings up with regard to protection on the produce shipped from this island is a very important one, and I intend to get all the information that I can at the various islands, so as to be able, if possible, to submit to the Premier and my colleagues a consensus of opinion obtained from different sources. You will all understand that it would be premature on my part to give any decision on this question until it has been submitted to the Premier and my colleagues in Cabinet, but I shall certainly do my best to place the matter before them in such a way that they will clearly understand what it means for those who are residing here to compete with other islands which

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are not annexed to New Zealand and are not part of the British Empire. Since the islands—that is, taking them collectively—have joined New Zealand, you are just like a part of the great circle in which we are all combined together, and we are most anxious to do all that we can to benefit the islands, and to bring them into closer communication with ourselves, so that we may have produce coming regularly from your islands, and you in return may receive produce from New Zealand. I may, at any rate, safely say that it will be to the interests of the Government to see that these islands derive every benefit they possibly can, and that you should not have to suffer on account of the produce of other islands in which we have no interest being sent into New Zealand at the same time as yours, thereby lowering the price of your fruit. lam glad to hear and see for myself how well everything is going on in this island, and how satisfied the people are with all that has been done up to the present time. I was very pleased to hear my friend Pa speak as he did about Colonel Gudgeon. I have been getting numerous letters from the Colonel during the past fifteen or eighteen months, and I have read letters sent by him previous to that, and I can assure you that you have a good friend in the Resident Commissioner. He writes what he thinks, and I have been able to gain a good deal of valuable information from his letters. Just before leaving Wellington I conferred with the heads of Departments and asked them if they had any views that they wished disseminated in the islands. The Secretary for Education said he was very sorry to say that he had but little information, but he hoped I would be able to give him a good deal on my return, and then he would consult the Minister and see what he would ask Parliament to do in the best interests of the islands. Now, my friends, when you get a public school, I would like to impress upon you all the great necessity there is for you in your high positions to do all you possibly can to assist in the education of the children. In our language we say that "knowledge is power," and we know that it is so ; and therefore, living as you do in an age of competition, you must have education. You are not so isolated now as formerly. Every year is bringing you into positions of competition such as Pa Ariki spoke of a short time since. Therefore your children as they grow up must be able to take their places in the great battle of life. You may all have what we call great natural abilities, but unless you organize among yourselves, and arrange matters so that you have some system among you and among the young people growing up, you cannot hope for any real progress. For this reason I always do what I can to persuade the parents in my own native colony to see that their children go regularly to school. You will realise that a great deal of what we have occasion to regret at times takes place from want of knowledge, but if children grow up well educated, and their parents show them a good example, we generally find that they are able to occupy satisfactory positions. Will you kindly tell them that it is only as they grow older that they will realise what great benefits they have derived from their teachers ? I can tell you from my own personal knowledge how troublesome it is for the teacher when the children do not attend school regularly. I suppose most parents are like myself; I have children, and I like to see them improving. So please tell your young people if ever they feel discouraged at first they must persevere, as there is always room for one —at the top. lam speaking to you to-day at greater length than I should have done, but it may be my only opportunity, and I realise that I am talking to those in authority, whose responsibility is a great one, and whose example must and will carry considerable weight with others. Notwithstanding all that the Government may do in establishing good laws and regulations, the foundation of everything will still he in your own homes, and if you do not impress upon your people the necessity for guiding the children in their home life the law may mean very little to them. Now, with regard to the hotel. You cannot expect a place like Earotonga, with all its attractions, to become frequented by the class of people who would like to come, unless you have some place for them to stay at. It seems imperative to me that you should have a hotel in this place, but- it must be conducted under very strict regulations, for a certain time at least, because we readily understand that at the present time a great number of your people, especially the young ones, are not sufficiently educated to realise what a dangerous thing it is to take liquor. I have always been strongly opposed to any one taking too much drink; but I recognise that as you are living in a commercial world you must have the ordinary requisites and comforts for people who are travelling through the islands. I would suggest that you erect a good serviceable accommodation-house only, if I thought that would answer the requirements of the case, but lam afraid it would not. No person would come here and expend a large sum of money with the knowledge that he would have only a limited number of visitors for the time being, unless he could have the sale of liquor as well. It is one of those great complex questions which the Government is now considering, because very recently we have had an election in New Zealand, and a great number of my old friends carried what we call " prohibition," thinking it better not to have any publichouses at all in certain districts. So, while I tell you what my own idea is with regard to having a hotel built here, you will understand that the first point the Government has to consider is whether it would be beneficial for the people here or not. There can be very little doubt that a certain quantity of spirits is at present sold and distributed throughout the island, and the question to my mind is whether it is not something more like poison than good liquor. Now, I say to each and all of you, be temperate in all things : that is the cardinal virtue in my opinion. We have already partly discussed the question of representation. You are just in the same position as New Zealand was when my father first came to it. There were the Customs duty and other taxes collected in New Zealand in the early days; but as civilisation increased, naturally taxes increased too. It is one of those questions in which each one must help the other. Therefore, realising this, and knowing the position you are in, I can assure you that the Government recognises that there should never be any taxation without representation of some kind. But this, again, is one of those great questions that still require a lot of consideration ; and the best way to decide what would be merely doing justice to these islands is a matter that will have to be carefully considered, and all the information that we can get must be obtained from the different islands as we move along, so that we may see whether the change can

Pa Ariki, Makea Ariki, Hon. C.H. Mills, and Tinomana Ariki, Rarotonga.

Mission Station (L.M.S.), Avarua, Rarotonga.

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be made to advantage, or if it is necessary at all at the present time. However, I shall bring the matter before my colleagues when I return. The main thing, in my opinion, for all of you to study is what is best to be done with your lands, so as to reclaim what has not been cultivated from its primitive condition. Now, an old friend of mme _ in New Zealand told me that he once owned 1,000 acres of good land, and made a certain sum of money from it every year. When his eldest boy grew up he gave him 250 acres of land, which left 750 for himself, and he made as much money that year as before. A year or two afterwards another boy got married, and he gave him 250 acres, leaving 500, and still he reaped the same financial result. Then his only girl was married, and he gave her 250 acres, and he made more money every year from the remaining 250 acres than be had made from the 1,000. So you see it does not necessarily require a great area of land to produce a good return. Therefore I ask you to think it over very quietly, calmly, and considerately, and then decide what you think is the best way to deal with your lands. I know you are getting portions of them surveyed, and it seems to me that if you cannot let them amongst yourselves you should let them to respectable Europeans. You would then get into much closer communication with Auckland and Wellington, and make more money for yourselves ; and I can assure you that the Government, of which I am a representative, will do what they think is best for you. Now, I thank you very kindly for the earnest consideration you have given to what I have had to say ; and while I was never a man to make great promises, I always endeavour to carry out more than I promise, and do what I think is best for those I have to represent. Pa Ariki thanked the Minister for his reply, and said the people had great faith and trust in the Government of New Zealand. Monday, 27th April (Sunday, Earotonga time). —Early on Monday morning a heavy gale arose, and members awoke to find the steamer plunging heavily, the captain having wisely decided to run out to sea rather than risk remaining at anchor off the coral reef. By daybreak, however, we were back to our anchorage again, the wind having turned, although it was still blowing hard. The gale continued throughout the day, accompanied by heavy rain, but the Minister decided to lose no chance of seeing as much of Rarotonga as possible during our limited stay. He accordingly arranged to drive round the island with Colonel Gudgeon and as many of the party as cared to make the journey. The wind was blowing with almost hurricane force, but the little horses struggled bravely on over the muddy road, in the face of a blinding rain and amid falling cocoanuts. Here and there large trees had been thrown down by the storm, almost 'blocking up the way, but despite such drawbacks the scenery of the island was greatly admired, and members had ample opportunity of observing the fertility of the soil. We noticed several small sections fenced off, with the young cocoanut-palms in splendid condition. These were plantations belonging to young NewZealanders, and if all goes well they will in a few years yield the owners a very handsome profit on their outlay. During the drive the Minister called at the residence of Pa Ariki. We reached the Government Buildings again at dusk, very wet and cold, but well pleased with our outing. The storm had a very disastrous effect on the banana-crop, and will mean a loss to the island of something like £2,000. The Natives were very much impressed by the determination of the NewZealanders to see the island regardless of difficulties. Tuesday, 28th April.—The Minister was early ashore, and spent the greater part of the morning transacting departmental business with the Resident Commissioner. During the morning the villagers of Arorangi and Takitumu came in, and after making presentations of fruit, mats, &c, in front of the Government Buildings they proceeded to the palace-grounds, where dancing went on for the rest of the day. While this was in progress a second conference with the Arikis was held, all the New Zealand legislators being present. The following is a report: — Second Confeeence at Rarotonga, 28th April, 1903. Present : Makea Ariki, Pa Ariki, and Tinomana Ariki, and the members of the parliamentary party. The Rev. Mr. Lawrence interpreted. Hon. Mr. Mills: Queen Makea, Pa Ariki, and Tinomana Ariki. The party who are present here to-day with me comprise ten Legislative Councillors and twenty-two members of the House of Representatives. They are gentlemen who occupy very high social and political positions in the Colony of New Zealand, and their object in making this tour is to form a better acquaintance with you and your people, and to obtain and carry back with them whatever useful information they can glean regarding the islands. I have requested you to meet us before we leave Rarotonga so that we might have the opportunity of asking you if there were any vital public questions, or any matters of importance to yourselves, that you would like to speak to us about while we are all present. I can assure you that we are all most anxious to gain any reliable information we possibly can that will lead to improving matters in the Cook and other islands. I shall not detain you any time, but simply say that so far as I have gathered from my party they fully appreciate the cordial welcome you have given them, and it will be many a long year before we forget your hearty reception and the many kindnesses we have received in this gem of the Pacific. [Hon. members : Hear, hear.] In our further movements round these islands, with which we are now all connected, we shall not forget to inform the other Natives how kindly and cordially we have been treated here. In terminating our visit we feel sure that a closer and warmer friendship will certainly exist between us in the future, and after the object-lessons on different subjects we have studied while moving round here we shall be able on our return to New Zealand to give much practical and reliable information which gained to the Premier, my colleagues, and the other members of both Houses, while those members who were unable to come with us will only regret it once, and that will probably be all their lives. We shall now be pleased to hear your views. Pα Ariki : You, the Minister and members of the Upper House and the members of the Lower House, we are exceedingly glad to have met with you, and to meet with you now. By the grace

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and favour of God we have been permitted to meet each other. We have lived apart in former days, and in these later days we have met and have become as one family. And in one family, when you think of it, there should be only one heart. This day we have heard of your love and wishes towards us on account of our meeting together. Our hearts are glad on account of that. We hear what you have said: that it is your purpose to seek some means for our good, because we are living in darkness and not in the light. It is true that some of us have a glimmering of light, but others have not. It is for you who are enlightened to think of us who are not enlightened, and to find out some means that will be for our good and benefit, and we shall be very glad on account of that. This day we shall part. We shall not forget this meeting, neither shall we forget the words that you have spoken to us. We shall keep remembering you because we believe that you are engaged in seeking our good. Now salutations to you all of you. May you live. On account of our approaching separation may you who go be attended with all goodness and gladness, and may we also who stay also have all goodness. May you all live. Rev. Mr. Lawrence (after conferring with Pa Ariki): He says he does not thoroughly understand the nature of the things he should ask you. He wants to know what you would like to have his ideas about. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Lawrence) : Ask him, please, if he wishes to mention anything with reference to island matters that he thinks require attention, so that our members may have the opportunity of hearing an expression of his ideas. Also ask him as to the opinions of the people on the island—are they on the whole generally satisfied with the way the laws are being administered at present ? Eev. Mr. Lawrence having put the question to Pa Ariki, — Pa Ariki : Concerning our part of that question —that is, the Native part of that question—with the laws and administration at present the Natives are perfectly satisfied. We all know that there are law-breakers, and that in all probability the law-breakers who have fallen in the way of the law are not likely to be satisfied. But those who are law-abiding, the chiefs and Eangatiras, and the people who obey the law, are perfectly satisfied with the law. On account of our connection with New Zealand, the people are perfectly satisfied concerning that. They have raised no trouble or question on that matter. Concerning the European part of this question, and those who live here, we do not lcnow exactly what they think, neither do we know exactly what they want. They have come from those parts of the world where wisdom grows, and they are more enlightened than we are. Whether they are satisfied with our ways, and. customs, and manners I cannot say, but there has been no definite trouble on the whole, and they respect our laws and live under them, and they have caused no trouble. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Lawrence) : Kindly ask Pa Ariki what is the opinion of the Arikis with regard to the establishment of a licensed hotel on the island. Pα Ariki : To the Minister who has come from afar : This is my reply to you. We formerly had some talk about this matter among ourselves, and we asked each other unto whom should this work be intrusted. And now this is what we have thought, and it is the thought of our hearts, and that is that a suitable man in New Zealand might be found who would have knowledge and wisdom enough to conduct this house. But we here are in darkness and do not know who that man is likely to be. Hon. Mr. Mills (addressing Mr. Lawrence) : Ask him, please, whether they approve of having a hotel or not. Mr. Fowlds : Or would they prefer having it a Government institution ? Pα Ariki: It would be very much better if the Government should take charge of this matter, but if this cannot be arranged, then it should be a man that can be trusted to carry out the work in accordance with the law. Let it be forbidden that this work if established should become a matter for deceiving the law. Now, this is what we said : that liquor might be sold to the white man (intoxicating liquor —that is, spirits), but that beer and wine only might be sold to the Natives ; but it may be that the sale of wine and beer to the Natives may be made the occasion of letting them have spirits also, and if that were done it would not be in keeping with our purposes, and therefore we say that it must be a man that can be trusted to carry out the law, and not make provision for getting behind the law —that is, a man who will not forget the honour of the Native race and behave ignobly. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Lawrence): Please ask him if they think, collectively, that it is advisable to grant a license for the purpose we have mentioned supposing we enforce very strict regulations ? Pα Ariki : 1 think that it is right that in the hotel there should be provision made for all the needs of travellers. Some travellers think that they ought to have liquor, and will have liquor ; and others, again, do not want liquor, but for that reason we would not stop the sale to European travellers. But we would emphasize the fact that you must have a fitting man in order that only that may happen. Hon. Mr. Mills : That is all right. Mr. Arnold: Would you ask him, please, to what extent Natives get spirits now. Hon. Mr. Bowen : Do I understand the Ariki to say that he does not wish a license given to any man for his own advantage, but that it must be under the control of the Government, and the man in charge not interested in the sale? That is the question which I should like put to the Ariki, in order that the matter may be perfectly clear. Hon. Mr. Mills: As I understand the position, it is that if it is possible the Arikis wish to have somebody appointed by the Government whom they could have implicit faith in. Hon. Mr. Bowen : But I thought he referred to giving a license. Hon. Mr. Mills : We will ask him again to make it clear. Ask him, Mr. Lawrence, please, if he thinks that the Government officially should manage and control the house, or did he mean that if they could not appoint a man, then a suitable man should be found.

Buck Bow— J. A. Hanan, M.H.E.; T. Mackenzie, M.H R.; Hon. W. M. Bolt M.L.C: Hon J. E. Jenkinson, MIC , Hon T Thompson, M.L.C; J. W. Thomson, M.H.B.; ,1. Allen, M.H.K.; Hon. D. Pinkerton, M.L.C; J. Vile, M.H.R.; K.'m Houston, M.H.B.; Hon. Major Harris, M.L.C.; G. Fowlds, M.H.K. Second Bow.-J W. Black. Private Secretary; J. F. Arnold, M.H.K.; Pa Ariki; Makea Ariki; Hon. C. H. Mills; Tinomana Ar.ki; W. Fraser, M.H.K.; Hon. W. C. F. Carncross, M.L.C Third ltow.—W. T. Wood, MH.R,; Dr. Mason; J. C Thomson, M.H.R.; G. Fisher, MH.R.; F. Lawry, M.H.R.: T Parata M.H.R.; Hon. A. Baldey, M.L.C.; W. H. P. Barber, M.H.R.; Hon. Sir W. J. Steward, M.H.R. Front Bow.— F.R. Flatman, M.HR.; E. G. Allen. M.H.K.; A. D. Willis, M.H M. ; C. E. Alajor, MH.R.; Hon. J. Marshall, M L.f!. • Hon. J. liigg, M.L.C. [A _ 3B

The Residency, Rarotonga: Mt. Ikurangi in the Background.

Group at Makea's Palace, Rarotonga.

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Eon. Mr. Bowen : I should like to distinctly point out that the question was asked whether they wished that a license should be given to any one for the sale of liquor under any circumstances. There were two repetitions of the answer as far as I can gather ; I may be wrong. Eev. Mr. Lawrence having interpreted,— Pα Ariki: We are not fully enlightened about the white man's usage in regard to this matter. We have never had a hotel on the island, and we do not know thoroughly about the different ways in which a hotel may be managed, and it is for you, the members, to enlighten us in this matter. Hon. members : Hear, hear. Mr. Barber: A question might be asked to illustrate this matter. Is it not possible for the Natives to get as much liquor as they like at any time from shops on this island, almost openly ? Mr. Fisher: I challenge that statement. Ask the honourable member to obtain any liquor. I know of no such place. Will the honourable member please mention that place ? Hon. Mr. Mills : That is not the point; it is a question as to whether the Arikis consider the time has arrived when a house of the description mentioned by Pa Ariki and myself should be erected, in order that tourists and others who care to come here may obtain accommodation for themselves and their families on the island. Mr. Fisher: Every sensible man understands that. Hon. Mr. Bigg : I would like to ask a rather important question on a matter that has not been mentioned. I would like to know whether the Ariki is prepared to approve of establishing schools on the New Zealand system, at which attendance should be compulsory, and which should be secular in their instruction. Bey. Mr. Lawrence ; I cannot frame your question for you ; will you kindly put the question direct, and I will interpret. Hon. Mr. Bigg: Do you approve, Pa Ariki, of the Government establishing schools here, at which the education would be free of charge, the attendance compulsory, and the education secular, as in the part of New Zealand that we come from? Pα Ariki : That is our thought and our wish, that our children should be taught all useful knowledge ; that those who have been taught in our school should in turn become teachers in other places. We wish that our children should be taught, and that if the Government is to do it, well, let the Government do it accordingly. Mr. Fisher : The question, I take it, is this : Do they believe in the teaching of secular instruction to the entire exclusion of all religious instruction ? Pα Ariki: The missionaries have looked after and still look after the religious instruction of the children. Mr. T. Mackenzie : I should like to know if they approve of selling their lands, if they would not rather retain a system of leasehold, and if they would not like a law passed to prevent the sale of land ? Pα Ariki : The questions have now come upon the subject of the sale of land. This is our wish, and that is that it should be leasehold. Mr. Fowlds : And sales prohibited ? Pα Ariki : We do not wish the sale of our land ; no. Colonel Gudgeon : At present we are leasing land to Europeans under a proper lease at a yearly rental, for purposes according to the wish of the lessee, and for periods of fifty, sixty, and seventy years, as well as for smaller periods. The land is let at from 4s. to 10s. per acre per annum. Mr. T. Mackenzie : The next question is, Do they prefer that system to their own system of cultivation, and if that system is adopted by Europeans what effect will it have upon the Natives ? Pα Ariki : What do you exactly mean ? Mr. T. Mackenzie : What I mean is this: supposing land is leased to Europeans and cultivated by them only, the Natives receiving the rents, what would be the effect on the Natives by their having no work to do ? Pα Ariki: This is how it is: the lands which have been in our hands, and are in our hands, but are uncultivated —these are the lands that we are now putting into the hands of white people. All the lands that are now in the hands of our people shall remain with our people. Hon. members : Hear, hear. Sir W. J. Steward (addressing Hon. Mr. Mills) : I should like to ask, sir, if the Arikis would give us clearly to understand what they mean when they use the word " we." What is the tenure of the land ? Does the land belong to the Arikis personally, or is it tribal land ? Pα Ariki : This is the custom from our fathers : The Ariki—that is, the King (or Queen) —has his land. Now, he puts that land into the hands of his people. The Mataiapo owns his land. He also has that land in the hands of his people. Following the chief there is the Komono, and he also holds land, and is linked with the chicf —is under the chief. The land is in his hands and the hands of his people. The word about the people on his land is with the chief to whom he adheres. Now, when the chief has any work in hand he sends his messengers to the Komono and to the Kiato under him. Then they do what the chief requires; they bring whatever he has instructed them to bring. Concerning the Arikis, they have under them Rangatiras, and these Rangatiras are usually the younger members and branches of the kingly family. And there is their subdivision of land in their own hands. But the power over these Eangatiras is with the Ariki. When the Ariki has work in hand he sends word to these Eangatiras of his, and they come at the summons of the Ariki, and do what is to be done, when anything is required in the way of food, or so on. This is our system on the land here. Hon. Mr. Mills : Ask him, Mr. Lawrence, please, whether all these various holdings have natural and fixed boundaries. 2—A. 3b.

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Pα Ariki: The boundaries are known. The land that is in the hands of the Ariki is known, and the boundaries fixed by stones and trees, and so on. Also is that the case in regard to the land in the hands of the Eangatiras, and that which is in the hands of the Kiato. Bey. Mr. Lawrence : The Kiato, I may say, are the younger members of the Mataiapo family, as the Eangatiras are the younger members of the kingly family. Hon. Mr. Bigg: Do they receive rent for the use of the land—l mean payment? What return do the people give to the chiefs for the use of the land ? Pα Ariki : Yes, there is an acknowledgment, and this is the nature of the acknowledgment: when the Ariki or chief has any work in hand he sends his messengers to those who hold land under him, and if necessary they will supply pigs and the fruits of the earth to feed the people in connection with this work. Sir W. J. Steicard : I should like to know whether the people under the Eangatiras hold their land at the pleasure of the Eangatiras ? Pα Ariki: The small people that you now refer to, their name is unga. The land they hold comes out of the Ariki's own personal land. And the unga stays on that land, and he pays attention to whatever instructions or wishes the Ariki may make known to him. It is as if the land were rented to them. But the rent as you call it is really what they bring at this time or the other time to the Ariki, for it is no fixed sum of money or anything of that kind. Sir W. J. Steioard : May not the Ariki dispossess them at any time ? Pα Ariki: If at any time the Ariki should send word to one of his people that he requires a pig, which is practically our money, and that man disregards that message, the Ariki shall send to him again, and he shall wait one, two, and three years. If at the end of three years he does not bring a pig, well that means that he has given up the land, and therefore the Ariki says to him "Go." Mr. Fowlds : How many are there of these families ? Pα Ariki: I have not formed an estimate of the number. Mr. Fowlds : Would it be about a fourth of the people ? Pα Ariki : No ; they are not very numerous. Hon. Mr. Pinkerton: Has the Ariki the right to demand any number of pigs he thinks fit ? And if that number is not forthcoming, can he then tell the tenant to go, after waiting three years? Pα Ariki : This is how it is : If the man does not come voluntarily and bring me a pig the first year, I simply take notice of that fact and wait for a second year, and then, if he still brings me no acknowledgment, I may then wait for a third year, and then I send my messenger to him to see whether he will not send me a pig. If my messenger then returns and sa\s that the man has no pigs, and I know that he has got pigs, but, being unruly, he refuses to bring any acknowledgment in the shape of a pig to me —thus occupying my land without acknowledgment of any kind—then I behave just as if he had a lease with a yearly rental, according to your ways. For your custom is to apply for the rent, and, if it is not paid, to ask again, and if he refuses to pay, then you tell him he must go. But according to our custom we bear with him for three years, instead of according to your custom. Hon. Mr. Bolt: I should like to know what quantity of land is given to a man in return for which the Ariki gets a pig in rental. Pα Ariki : One man may have 2 acres, one may have 3 acres, and another man may have 5 acres, according to the situation and the boundaries of the land. Let it not be understood that we insist on early acknowledgment. If he should forget one year, and remembers next year, we are content; but he must not entirely forget. Mr. Major-: I should be glad if you will kindly tell them that we are very anxious to obtain as much information concerning themselves and the islands as possible, now that they are annexed to New Zealand, as many questions will come up for discussion in Parliament. Mr. Flatman : With regard to the question of leasing unoccupied lands, would a Native be allowed a lease of land if he applied for any of these unoccupied lands ? Pα Ariki : In reply to that question, Why should it not be right, if any Maori asks me or Makea to place land in his hands at a yearly rental, to let him have it? If lam convinced that the man can pay his rent we will treat him the same as Europeans. Hon. members : Hear, hear. The Minister then said that he and his party were very pleased to have heard the views expressed, and they would now say good-bye, wishing the people of Rarotonga every prosperity in the future, and a closer relationship with New Zealand. Before leaving, the Minister presented the Arikis with New Zealand ensigns, books, and pictures of the King and Queen, on behalf of the New Zealand Government. Flags were left with the Arikis or other leading Natives in each of the New Zealand islands visited during the tour, and were much appreciated. Colonel Gudgeon and Pa Ariki joined the steamer at Earotonga, having arranged to accompany the Minister to the neighbouring islands of the Cook Group, and at 8 o'clock in the evening of the 28th April the " Mapourika " got under way for Mangaia, 112 miles distant, arriving there about 7 o'clock the following morning. MANGAIA. This is one of the largest of the annexed islands, being about thirty miles in circumference, and having an area of some thirty square miles. Given proper landing facilities, it would be in no way behind Earotonga, except in the lack of that impressive mountain scenery that lends such a peculiar charm to the latter island. Mangaia is somewhat peculiar in structure. At a short distance inland from the shore there rises an almost perpendicular wall of dead coral, about 100 ft. high, as if the reef of earlier days had been lifted bodily by some convulsion of nature. This makatea, as it is called, runs right round the island, and

Village Scene Mangaia

Nohoroa Ariki, Hon C.H Mills, "King" John, and Pa Ariki, Mangaia.

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is perforated by numerous caves and crevices, which in olden times were used as depositories for the dead, as well as for storage and other purposes. These caves still supply, in the calcareous formations in which they abound, the material from which the Natives manufacture some of their household implements. The top of the makatea averages about a mile in width, and is well adapted to the growth of the citrus family of fruits. The interior face of this coral rampart slopes down gradually into a basin of rich swamp land containing extensive taro-plantations, and from this the land rises again in a succession of low hills to a central plateau, about 650 ft. high, known as the " Crown of Mangaia." These taro-swamps still supply most of the food of the Mangaians, although for many years the tribes have lived in the Villages of Oneroa, Tamarua, and Ivirua, on the coast. The interior of the island, which contains some splendid valleys, is well watered by streams which filter through below the base of themakatea into the sea. The population, according to latest returns, is 1,560 ; and the people are said to display a greater degree of industry than is usual among Natives of the Pacific islands. This fact, combined with the natural resources of the island, promises well for the future prosperity of Mangaia. There are considerable areas of waste land awaiting cultivation, and the Natives are becoming alive to the necessity for planting these with cocoanuts, &c. Citrus fruits are already growing in profusion, and it is estimated that with proper cultivation the output could be increased twenty-fold. Mangaia produces the best coffee in the Group at present. The trade of the island has hitherto been hampered to a considerable extent in consequence of the difficulty in shipping produce. The reef, which encircles the island at a short distance from the shore, is without an opening, and communication between the island and outside can only be obtained by crossing the reef in Native canoes. This process, where cargo is concerned, is necessarily slow and costly—it takes as long to ship 50 tons over the reef at Mangaia as it does to ship 200 tons at Rarotonga—besides which the produce is always liable to be damaged by saltwater. It has happened, also, owing to this difficulty of communication, that when a steamer has obtained a full cargo at the other islands she has passed on, leaving tons of fruit and produce, which had been got ready for shipment at Mangaia, to go to waste. Steps are being taken, however, to have suitable boat passages blasted in the reef, and when this has been accomplished the chief hindrance to the development of the trade of this island will be removed. The landing of the Minister and party was effected safely, and the experience of being paddled over the reef on the curl of a breaker was found to be rather exhilarating lhan otherwise. We were met by the Rev. H. Bond-James, of the London Missionary Society ; Mr." C. F. Proctor, Postmaster ; and Daniela Tangitoru, the most prominent figure in some respects in Mangaia. Daniela has travelled a good deal in his time, and the experience he has thus gained, combined with a considerable degree of natural shrewdness, has enabled him to achieve a position, in point of prosperity and influence, not often enjoyed by a Native of the islands. Some months ago he visited New Zealand in the interests of the island trade, and on that occasion made the acquaintance of the Hon. C. H. Mills, and the welcome he extended to the Minister and those accompanying him to Mangaia was exceedingly cordial. Immediately on arrival the party proceeded to the residence of " King " John Trego, where a conference, of which the following is a report, was held : — Conference with Aeikis and Others at Mangaia. Present: Pa Ariki, of Rarotonga ; " King " John, of Mangaia; Nohoroa Ariki; Meringitangi, Judge ; Colonel Gudgeon; Mr. C. F. Proctor, Postmaster (who interpreted), and others. Hon. Mr. Mills : King John, Nohoroa, and others in this meeting, salutations to all. lam very pleased to meet you here to-day. The Premier of the colony has asked me to convey to you his very best wishes, and to say that he was very sorry he was unable to come with us and see you again. All the friends you see with me are gentlemen of eminence in New Zealand, and hold high positions there socially and politically ; and since you have voluntarily become annexed to a portion of the great Empire to which we are all so proud to belong, we are anxious to become better acquainted with those who reside on these islands. As \ have been administering the islands affairs, as sent through to me by Colonel Gudgeon, during the last fifteen months, the Premier thought it advisable for me to come with the party you see here to-day. We are all very anxious to get any information you may be able to give us concerning your affairs, and you have now an opportunity of speaking to a great number of members of both Houses of Parliament, and to the Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands Administration. I know the Maoris very well; I was born in New Zealand, and have lived there all my life ; but I do not understand your language, nor your ideas, nor your needs ; and that is why lam with you now. You will all understand that the Government of New Zealand is desirous of doing what is best for every one. We realise that a great responsibility has been placed on the Government since the annexation, and therefore it is well for us to see you and become acquainted with you, and get such information from you as will enable us in the future to do what will most conduce to our common welfare. Of course, you all know that Colonel Gudgeon is Resident Commissioner of the islands, and we have great faith in his administration. He furnishes me with information, and advises me as to what he deems the best course to be pursued in any matter. Now that I have seen the islands, and gained some knowledge of them, I will understand far better what is required when he writes to me regarding them. We are all agreed that it would be much better for the islands if more regular and rapid communication could be established between them and New Zealand. We have been to Earotonga, and have had a look round that charming island, and we are sorry we cannot remain longer here and see more of Mangaia. After leaving Mangaia we go to Mauke, from Mauke to Atiu, and from Atiu to Aitutaki, and there we leave Colonel Gudgeon and Pa Ariki. Then we go on to Tahiti, and then visit in order Penrhyn, Manihiki, Samoa, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, and after calling at the Kermadecs return to New Zealand. So you see we have a long distance to go, and it is impossible therefore for us to stay as long as we should like in the different islands. I wish you now to say if there is anything

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you think we can do for you, as in the direction of providing proper schools, or whether you would prefer to be left as you are, or what you think should be done in the interests of your children. Then, if there are any matters affecting your land that you wish to speak about, or any other questions that you consider of importance to you, we shall be glad to hear what you have to say regarding them, and when we return to New Zealand we shall be able to tell the Premier and the Cabinet, and the other members of Parliament, the impressions we have formed through visiting the islands. Now, with regard to any local Ordinances that your Island Council passes, I should like you to realise that you are in the same position as we are in New Zealand. And, therefore, whenever your Council passes an Ordinance, the proper course is to forward it through Colonel Gudgeon. He will send it on to me, and I will refer it to Cabinet, who will see that it is in accordance with what you intend and what you require. It will then be transmitted to the Governor for his approval. This is placing you in exactly the same position as our County Councils in New Zealand. When they send information by the various members of Parliament to the House of Eepresentatives, and a law is passed by that House, we send it to the Upper House. If, after going through the measure, the members of the Upper House approve of it, they pass it, and it is then sent on to the Governor. When the Governor has signed it it becomes law, and we have it made public; but you must understand that it is not law until the Governor has actually signed it, and your Ordinances, when they come to New Zealand, have to go through a similar course before they can be gazetted. After being gazetted they are law, and you administer the law. Now, on behalf of all my friends who have accompanied me, and form the party that is here to-day, I want to thank you very cordially for the kind way in which you have met us. We are very pleased to meet you all, and see you looking so well, the bonny children, the pretty girls, and the strong men, all apparently in the pink of good health. I can assure you that we shall carry back with us to New Zealand very pleasant memories of our visit to Mangaia. Hon. members : Hear, hear. Tamangaru : I represent the King and the Governors that are gathered together here on this island. I wish to tell you of certain trouble that cropped up here on the 19th March last. This is the trouble. It is working on the roads. I went and told all the people through the settlement the wishes of the Council. It was agreed by the Council that it should be three days a month, and I went and told all the people so. The people insulted me, saying we should alter the time, as it was not according to the law. It was said it should be one day a month, and that this Council was a bad one. And they all said similarly. They will not agree to work three days a month, and they made a trouble about it. The Europeans also said one day a month was quite sufficient, and would not agree to three days a month. And they gave up that idea, and did not go on with the three days. The Council would like to ask for some money for that work, say, £500. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Proctor) : What work does he mean, making a road, or what? Do they wish to make the road in good condition from one end of the island to the other, a road right round the island, similar to Earotonga ? Tamangaru : Yes, we want a good road. Hon. Mr. Mills : How much money did you say—£soo ? Tamangaru: Yes. Hon. Mr. Mills : Is that all about roads ? Tamangaru : That is all about the roads. Hon. Mr. Mills : I think my friends in the Council must have been under some misapprehension with regard to the law, because, from what I recollect of your law, it only provides that the Natives shall work for nothing eight days in one year. So that those in authority need to be very careful in reading over the law before they send out a message asking the people to perform any work. We in New Zealand always obey the law, but we do not like doing anything the law does not require us to do, in the way of work especially. But I should not think those who reside on the island would disobey any orders issued by the Council if they were legal. The Council must be careful to see that their law has been assented to by the Governor, and then let the information be spread abroad amongst those who have to live under these Ordinances. Now, with regard to providing a certain sum of money, I give no promise of that here to-day, but I will submit your request to Cabinet on my return. If the Cabinet agree to provide anything towards making your road on this island, the amount will then have to be placed on the estimates, and brought forward in Parliament, and the members here will be able to give some information to those others who have not visited the islands with us. Mangaia is a good distance from Earotonga, and probably it would be as well to have some one here to assist matters —to have what we call a Eesident Agent living here and assisting the Council in their good work. Because, although you may not have dealt entirely with New Zealand, still we are anxious for all of these islands to be more closely connected with us in our business and trade relations. As our productions increase every year, many things are now made in New Zealand that we formerly had to import. Any goods of any kind that are free in New Zealand will be free to you all here, that is as far as Customs are concerned, and lam speaking just now as the Minister in charge of the Customs. I want you also to realise that you must gain considerably by having a quicker and more ready communication with New Zealand. I think I have dealt with both the points mentioned. If there are any other questions you would like to ask, I shall be glad to answer them. Tamangaru : Here is another matter : we wish that the laws made by the Council be sent direct to New Zealand to be signed by the Governor, and then returned to Mangaia. Hon. Mr. Mills: In reply to that, of course, until some other arrangements are made we must recognise, and you must recognise, the constitutional authority at Earotonga. I have conversed with Colonel Gudgeon about this matter, and he has no personal feeling in wanting you to send your Ordinances to Earotonga if something better can be arranged. But you will understand that

Group at Mangaia.

Mangaia Oneroa Village from the "Makatea"

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among the number of islands we have the Government must have some one as the great Ariki or the great Chief to read the laws carefully through and advise us about them. Unless the steamer sailed from here for New Zealand instead of from Earotonga you could not gain any time. But I can assure you that the Government will give full consideration to any suggestions that you make, and will advise you in reply. Now, is there anything else you wish to say ? Meringitangi : All that has been said is good. What that young fellow has said is right; we wish things to be straight, not crooked. We desire to have direct communication with New Zealand. Here are some little things I wish to speak about. About Colonel Gudgeon. I have heard that Colonel Gudgeon is Chief over the Cook Islands, and is here to teach and protect the Natives of the Cook Islands. On the flying of the British flag it was said that New Zealand laws would be brought to Mangaia. Hon. Mr. Mills : Who said that ? Meringitangi : It was said on the day of the annexation of the islands. Colonel Gudgeon : Who said it ? Meringitangi : Governor Eanfurly said at the time of the annexation that Mangaia and New Zealand would be as one with regard to laws. Colonel Gudgeon also came here and established a rule that the money from the Courts here should go to Earotonga. And since he has come here the money collected here is carried over to the Treasury in Earotonga. I have given the money before now to Colonel Gudgeon, but now I wish to retain it. Hon. Mr. Mills : Eeplying to what you say—first in regard to getting direct communication with New Zealand. We should be very pleased if it could be arranged, but the difficulty is that with so many islands we cannot possibly get a steamer to trade from each. You have to work them together. You have Earotonga here, Mangaia there, Mauke, Atiu, and Aitutaki away to the north, and all of them a good distance from each other; and if you work apart from one another you cannot do much good for yourselves. You should all work together, and be like the bundle of sticks in the old story —they could not be broken easily. There is not sufficient trade in any one island to require a steamer to run continually to New Zealand. Therefore you must work them as well as you can together. We have had to do the same thing in New Zealand ; the same laws and commercial rules apply to Auckland and Dunedin, and to the North Cape and Stewart Island. By working all together you may get a steamer to go round the islan3s once a fortnight or once a week. Last year we had 560,000 parcels of fruit coming to New Zealand, and out of that lot we only got 57,000 from all these islands. Under proper management we in New Zealand ought to be able to get all the fruit we require from the Cook Islands. Now, my counsel to you is to work together as much as you can. lam 3ure the Government will do all they possibly can to give you quicker and more ready communication with our colony. And now with regard to the money. Of course, if you keep here the money which ought to be sent to the one big chest or treasury you are breaking the law, because at the present time Earotonga is the island on which our accounts of revenue and expenditure are kept. In New Zealand we have the Town of Wellington as the capital, to which all the money is sent from one end of the colony to the other ;it all goes to Wellington. If we had Departments in different parts of the colony each keeping the money the accounts might not be kept properly, and confusion would ensue. So, as it is the law at present that you are to send your revenue to Earotonga, it must be done without any hesitation or delay; that is the proper thing for you to do, and Colonel Gudgeon must furnish you with a statement of accounts every year. Meringitangi here rose, and walking hurriedly up to the Minister, shook hands very warmly with him, saying, "That is good; I only wished things to be straight, not crooked," illustrating his point dramatically as he spoke by an alternate straightening and bending of his upraised arm. He then resumed his place at the opposite end of the table. Hon. Mr. Mills : I want you all clearly to understand that you have equally as much interest in the distribution of that revenue from Earotonga as if you lived there. I understand that what is done in Earotonga is just the same as is done in Wellington in New Zealand. After Parliament has allocated the money at its disposal, cheques are sent to different parts of the colony —say, to people in Dunedin or Auckland—to pay what is owing to them there. At the end of each year you at the different islands ought to be sufficiently interested to look through the statement of accounts for the year. Meringitangi : In the time of Mr. Moss those accounts were received and were also read, but during the time of Colonel Gudgeon we have not seen those accounts at all. Colonel Gudgeon: It is true they may not have seen them, but they have always been published. Hon. Mr. Mills : In reference to that, I will ask Colonel Gudgeon to send us copies of accounts, and when we get them we will send you the public statements of accounts, so that you can look them carefully through. Colonel Gudgeon, I may say, tells me that formerly they had a newspaper in Earotonga, in which these accounts were published, but since the newspaper has become defunct they are only gazetted. But I shall take care that you get the true accounts henceforth. Meringitangi : That is straight-talk. We like it. Hon. Mr. Mills : Has any one any more to say ? Tai: Yes, I have. Salutations. All that has been said is very good ; all that you have said is good. I now wish to speak of something that I know about Colonel Gudgeon to-day. I have two things to speak of. One trouble is about a law, the other is a land trouble. This is the nature of the law as I understand it. I wish to tell you to-day that it is not a good law. Here is our Judge, Meringitangi. It is not right. Hon. Mr. Mills (to interpreter): What law does he mean ? Tai : I mean the laws made by Judge Meringitangi. He is beating all the people. All the people are in subjection to him. This is how I see it. He is charging all the people under illegal

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laws. This is what I say. I wish you to protect the people from being downtrodden. I expect you, also, Gudgeon, to protect the people. That is why I wished to come to this meeting. Let the laws be real laws, not charge a man from the mouth only or any other means, but only under proper laws. If the people have to die, well, let them die under proper laws. This is all I have to say on that subject. Colonel Gudgeon and Mr. Mills have heard that I wish Colonel Gudgeon to weep for the people. Hon. Mr. Mills : In reply to what has been said, let me say that the Government always insists upon the law being properly administered, obeyed, and carried out, so that it matters not whether a man is rich or poor, he is in the same position under the law. Colonel Gudgeon has his duty to perform in seeing that the law is properly administered, and I believe there must have been some little misunderstanding, which I hope will be all cleared away, like a dark cloud before the sunlight, and all will be clear and fair again, and the laws will be properly administered. Tai: There is some feeling over this land trouble. Colonel Gudgeon knows of it. If he does not like to attend to it this day, he may leave it until another time. Colonel Gudgeon, I say, knows of this land trouble dispute between two men. This is the nature of the trouble :I am one of the disputants in this trouble. The trouble is not yet settled. This is what is not good in it. Judge Meringitangi is a bad man. Colonel Gudgeon,: When I heard the case you are talking about there were no Land Courts established, and I heard it only for the sake of peace. Now that a Land Court has been established for all the islands, that Court will come here and deal with the case as if it had never been heard before, and will come to a decision, and will put the person whom they find to be the owner in possession of the land, and survey it, so that his right may never be disputed again. Meringitangi: Gudgeon, you heard what I said on a certain day on one of the occasions of your coming here, out on the verandah. I told you on that day, the Ariki did not tell you, the Governor did not tell you, no one told you except me. I spoke of the bravery of my ancestors, and you, Gudgeon, told me that a man who was brave and courageous in war was above a king, above a governor, above a judge, or any other similar person. And these were good words. Colonel Gudgeon (to interpreter) : Kindly tell Meringitangi that he altogether misunderstood what I said on that day. Colonel Gudgeon (to Hon. Mr. Mills) : What I said to him ob that day was that all Arikis owed their rank in the first place to bravery in war, and that it was war that made them ; that* in early times all men who had raised themselves above others had done so by their bravery, and that when these men were removed they were removed by braver men. I also told him that these old times had passed, and I thought he knew it. Meringitangi: On account of these words, I thought it was good when a man like Tai made trouble about land to sit down on him. Daniela Tangitoru came in at this point and warmly greeted the Minister, saying he wished to make him a presentation of food and mats. Hon. Mr. Mills : I wish to say that we have had a very pleasant day, and that our meeting must do good. A great deal of what has been said is new to us, and I know my friends have all listened very attentively to those who have spoken. You are not strangers to us. We look on you as part and parcel of our great Empire. The administration of these islands is from New Zealand, and that is the only difference. I have to thank you one and all, on behalf of the Eight Hon. the Premier, my colleagues, myself, and the members of both Houses of Parliament, for the careful and considerate way that you have listened to what I have had to say to you. I may add that I hope that before many years are past the relations between the islands will be very much closer, and such as will make for the benefit of us all. We are sorry we have to leave to-night, but we shall carry away with us very pleasant remembrances. Kia orana katoa. At the close of the conference the party were entertained by Daniela in the Courthouse. We then returned on board, and left for the Island of Mauke at 5.30 p.m. Hitherto there has been no Resident Agent on Mangaia, but arrangements have now been completed to transfer Mr. J. T. Large from Aitutaki to Mangaia, and it is anticipated that his advent to the latter will bring about a very necessary improvement in the conduct of affairs in the island. The Native judgeships in Mangaia will then be abolished. MAUKE. We arrived at Mauke about 7.30 a.m. on Thursday, the 30th April, after a run of 116 miles from Mangaia, and anchored off the western shore of the island. Mauke is low and flat, and a belt of ironwood (tod) skirting the island obscured to some extent the cocoanut-palms which are usually one of the most prominent and first-observed features in the landscape of a Pacific island. This ironwood was formerly found in large quantities, and was much sought after by traders. Mauke, like Mangaia, has a fringing reef, which, however, does not lend itself to the process of crossing in canoes that obtains in Mangaia. A landing has to be effected on the edge of the reef itself, and one reaches dry land by wading or being carried through the shallow water covering the depression in the coral between the outer edge and the shore. There is a landing at the northern side of the island also, and the Eesident Commissioner has arranged for a road to be constructed to connect this with the western side. When this is completed it will be possible to ship goods at almost any time, as it has been found that when the western landing is inaccessible through bad weather the sea at the northern side remains quite smooth. Mauke also has its makatea, or raised coral area, but it merges almost imperceptibly into the volcanic formation of the centre, and the general level of the island all over is about 60 ft. above the sea. The island is small, its area being only about four square miles and a half ; but it is remarkably fertile, and, notwithstanding that, in common with the other islands of the Group, it is very imperfectly planted, it exports 100 tons of copra and 3,500 boxes of oranges annually, an output that exceeds that of Atiu, which is six or seven times its size. There is no Eesident Agent on Mauke, but the duties of Postmaster are performed by an intelligent young Native named Mana. The population of the island is about 370.

Hon. C.H. Mills, Colonel Gudgeon, Mr. J. A. Hanan, M.H.R., and leading Natives, Mauke.

Scene, Mauke.

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The settlement in Mauke is in the interior, and is reached by a good level road running for a mile or so from the beach through a luxuriant growth of tropical vegetation. In and around the large central area, which is comparatively bare of growth, stand the church (a large and elaborate structure), the meeting-house, and the dwellings of the three Arikis—Tararo, Te Au, and Samuela— and people. The only European residents we met were a Mr. Franheim, and Father Bernardine, a French priest of the Roman Catholic Church. The party were received with the ■ utmost cordiality, and after some .little time had been spent in looking over the island the Natives were assembled in the meeting-house, and the Minister addressed them as follows :— Hon. Mr. Mills : Friends, salutations to you all. The Premier sends his greetings to you. I want to say a few words to you on this my first visit to your island, with my friends, who are members of one or other of the two Houses of Parliament in New Zealand. We are specially interested in your welfare since you have become annexed to New Zealand, and, like ourselves, belong to the great British Empire, and we feel that it is the duty of the Government to do all they possibly can to improve matters on the various islands included in the annexation. The Premier would have liked to come along with us, but it was impossible for him to get away. He asked me, however, to tell you all that he intends if possible to visit the islands with the Governor about January next. I have been administering the affairs of the Cook and other islands during the past fifteen months, and have obtained a good deal of information through our Resident Commissioner, Colonel Gudgeon. But information obtained in that way cannot possibly appeal to one so forcibly as a visit to the islands, in which one has the opportunity of seeing your surroundings and observing your manner of life. All the members here with me are also very anxious to gain information for themselves, so as to know what is the best course to follow when any statutes affecting che Cook Islands are broughc forward in the New Zealand House of Parliament and the affairs of the islands are discussed. lam sorry that the time at our disposal will not allow us to remain in your beautiful island all day, but as we wish to call at Atiu this afternoon, and have a large number of islands to visit before we return to New Zealand, we must not lose any time in our movements. But I can assure you one and all that any matters you may wish to bring before the Government through our Resident Commissioner, Colonel Gudgeon, who will send them on to me, will be submitted to Cabinet, and then, if necessary, to Parliament; and we shall be only too happy to do anything we can to further the interests of this island. I can now only tha*k you most heartily for the kindly reception you have accorded to us. When I return to New Zealand I shall tell the Premier and Cabinet, and my friends will no doubt tell the other members of Parliament and others who take an interest in the islands, of the very hearty reception you gave us. Now, as our captain has sent us word that the sea is rising, and that it will be advisable for us to go off to the steamer, I have, on behalf of myself and friends, to say good-bye to you. I hope at some future time to be able to visit the islands and stay much longer. I will now ask my friends to give three hearty cheers. The Minister and the party then cheered heartily for Mauke and its people. Te Au, one of the Arikis expressed a wish that the party should stay at Mauke until the following day, as the Natives wished to bring presents of food, &c, and pay their respects. The Minister explained that this was not possible, but said he heartily accepted the will for the deed. We left for the island of Atiu shortly after midday, and arrived off the landing-place at 5 o'clock in the afternoon, the distance being forty-three miles. On the way the little coral island of Mitiaro was seen lying away to the north. It is only five miles in circumference, and lies very low, but it contributes its share of the copra and oranges exported from the Group. ATIU. This island is much like Mauke in appearance, having the same high fringing reef and the same dead-coral formation over the greater part of its area. It is much larger, however, its ai - ea being about thirty-two square miles, and it has four times as much waste land as Rarotonga. Atiu is a valuable island, and exports good quantities of copra, oranges, coffee, and lime-juice. All the usual island fruits grow well, but a fuller development of the resources of the island is retarded through the lack of proper facilities for shipping produce. Arrangements are being made, however, to have a boat passage formed througli the reef at the earliest possible moment. The cavernous formation, which is so marked a feature of the makatea at Mangaia, is also present in the coral-rock portion of Atiu, and must, no doubt, be found more or less in all islands that owe their existence in any degree to the upheaval of a sea-worn coral reef. The late Ngamaru Ariki was practically King of Atiu, although he had lived for many years in Rarotonga, and as such he exercised a measure of sovereignty over Mauke and Mitiaro, both of which were conquered by the Atiuans prior to the introduction of Christianity. The population of the island is something over 900 Natives, but this does not represent anything like the total of the Atiuan tribes. They are largely represented in the subordinate islands, as well as in Tahiti. The only white resident is Mr. Adolph yon Nagel, who acts as British Resident without salary. The settlement at Atiu is some distance inland, on the flat summit of the low central hill to which the island rises; and, arriving as we did so late in the afternoon, a visit to it was out of the question. Only a few of the party accompanied the Minister ashore. The landing on the reef was effected with some difficulty, as there was a heavy sea running, and there were no Natives on the reef to render assistance. Some little distance from the landing we were met by Mr. yon Nagel and a few Natives. The Hon. Mr. Mills addressed them briefly, explaining the purpose of our visit, and expressing his regret that the party could not stay longer on the island. He assured them that the New Zealand Government was deeply interested in their welfare, and would do its best to help them it) every way. Then, as it was already growing dark, we put off at once for the steamer. Our boat narrowiy escaped being smashed on the reef when leaving the island, but we reached the ". Mapourika " safely, and by 6 o'clock we were on our way to Aitutaki, 122 miles to the north-west.

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AITUTAKI.

Early on the morning of Friday, the Ist May, the Island of Aitutaki was sighted, and about 8.30 a.m. the " Mapourika " anchored outside the Avatapu Channel, opposite the principal Village of Orongo, on the western side of the island. Mr. ,T. T. Large, the Resident Agent, came off to the steamer, and accompanied the Minister and party to the shore. Aitutaki combines the features of the volcanic island and the atoll ; indeed, it may be regarded as an atoll in course of formation, and it affords a good illustration of the different stages of the process. The island is almost surrounded by a barrier reef, which supports several fruitful islets, and on the south-east lies five miles distant from the land. On the western side it approaches much nearer, the entrance to the channel mentioned above being about a mile from the wharf. At the northern point of the island the reef fringes the shore as in the other main islands of the Cook Group, the barrier stage having not yet been reached. This island approaches more closely to Earotonga in the general appearance of fertility than any of the others, and it can also claim to possess a considerable degree of scenic attractiveness. It rises somewhat abruptly on the western side to a height of 360 ft., and slopes away gradually to the eastern coast. The area is about seven square miles. The population at present is twelve hundred, two-thirds of these living in the four settlements on the western side, and the remainder in the Villages of Vaipae and Tautu on the east. The wharf at Orongo is a very serviceable structure of considerable length built of loose blocks of stone, and reflects much credit on the Eesident Agent, to whose ability and energy the work is due. He reports, however, that to make it secure against damage from the heavy seas that roll in from the westward during the hurricane months it will be necessary to build it up with stone set in concrete to a further height of 3 ft. The lagoon on this side of the island is shallow, and can only be used by vessels of a very small class; but Mr. Large states that on the eastern side the lagoon is much deeper, and freer from coral patches, and that there are several places in the reef where, it is believed, a navigable channel might be formed. The land at Aitutaki is divided among the people in small sections, and when the Land Titles Court has completed its work the question of tenure will be satisfactorily settled, so far, at least, as the rights of the Natives are concerned. There are four Arikis on Aitutaki—Vaeruarangi, Tamatoa, Te Urukuru, and Manarangi, the last-named being a woman. The following is a report of a conference with the Natives held in the Courthouse at Orongo during the morning. Mr. J. T. Large, the Eesident Agent, who interpreted, explained that the reason there were not more Natives present was that the steamer had arrived unexpectedly, and the majority of the Natives, being away in the interior, had not heard of her arrival. Hon. Mr. Mills : Friends, salutations and greetings to you all. The Premier desired me to remember him to you, and to say that he regretted very much he could not accompany us on this trip. He hopes, however, to be able to pay you a visit with the Governor early next year. We are all very pleased to be with you to-day. You will understand that until the islands became annexed to New Zealand we had very little chance —that is, collectively—of knowing much of your customs and ways of living; in fact, we were short of a great deal of necessary information, and that is the principal reason why I and my friends are here with you now. On our return we shall be able to tell the Parliament what we have seen, and what we think of the various islands we have visited up to the present. We have every faith in the Eesident Commissioner, Colonel Gudgeon, and Mr. Large, our Eesident Agent, and those who represent the Government; but it is really impossible to administer these islands without first getting what we call bed-rock information, and being able to see you all and those who administer your laws. We hope, on our return, to have some changes for the better made—that is, by endeavouring to get closer communication, and also by getting more produce from the islands in order to satisfy the wants of New Zealand. I have told our friends at Earotonga, Mauke, and Mangaia that we are now importing every year a very large quantity of tropical fruit into New Zealand. As Minister of Customs, I instructed the Secretary to prepare a return for me showing what quantity of tropical fruit we imported into the colony last year, and find that there were no less than 560,000 parcels of fruit imported into New Zealand last year, and out of that large quantity we only received 57,000 from the Cook Islands. So you will see what large room there is for you to improve the development of these islands, and thus produce and export a good deal more than you do. It has been represented to me on some of the islands that it would be advisable to impose a duty on some of the fruits that are brought in from Australia, Fiji, or Tahiti, and when I return I shall submit the proposals made to me to the Premier and the Cabinet, and the matter will then be discussed by the Ministers ; but you will readily understand that it is a question of State policy whether we impose these duties or not. But you may rest assured that whatever is done will be done in the best interests of these islands. As you are now connected with New Zealand, and as you have now become a part of the British dominions, and are administered from New Zealand, the Government recognise that there is a very serious responsibility cast upon them to see that everything possible is done to further the interests of these islands, and that facilities are afforded for a better interchange of commerce with New Zealand. Any information that any of the Arikis or others here wish to forward to New Zealand can be sent at any time through your Eesident Agent to Colonel Gudgeon, the Commissioner, and it will reach me in due time by the mail, and it will always receive the consideration it merits. Speaking for my party, I can assure you that we, one and all, realise that these islands possess very great producing qualities, much better than we anticipated, and we hope that all the islands will be steadily developed, and more speedily than they have been during the past few years. We have been received so kindly and cordially by the Natives in all the islands that we shall carry away very warm recollections of the kindness extended to every one of the party. Should any of you wish to communicate anything to me during my stay here, I shall be very pleased to hear it; but we leave to-night at 6 o'clock and go on to Tahiti, and it is impossible to remain as long among you as we would wish. Some of my friends are very anxious for the Natives

Scene at Aitutaki.

Mr. J.T. Large, Hon. C.H. Mills, and Arikis, Aitutaki.

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to show them how they catch sharks; I believe they catch them by the tail. I shall therefore have to stop talking to you; but kindly tell those who are not present here now, but whom you are likely to see during the day or later on, that all the party are very pleased with what they have seen, and if any of you chiefs or Arikis should at any-time visit New Zealand, and should come on to Wellington, I hope you will ask for Mr. Mills. That is all I intend to say to you now. Colonel Gudgeon (addressing the Natives) : I may say that the purpose of Mr. Mills's remarks is to incite the Natives to a better cultivation of their lands, particularly in the direction of planting cocoanuts, and to developing the resources of the island to a much greater extent than at present. John: Hon. Mr. Mills, Minister of the Government of New Zealand, Colonel Gudgeon, and members of Parliament who have arrived here to-day, salutations to you all. We are very pleased, indeed, to meet you this day. We had already been informed that you intended to come and visit us, and now on this day God has brought you here to meet us, and I trust that God may protect you and guide you in your future movements, because you have become as parents to us and we are your children. We have something to say to you. We have heard our Magistrate here tell us that you have said that if anything be placed before you you will be pleased to hear it. We are yery desirous that you should help us. You are aware of our deficiencies, and know in what respects we are lacking. There is one thing we want, and that is some monetary assistance—a subsidy to the Council of this island. Now, one thing is the improvement of our wharf. We want to raise it and improve it generally, so that it may be of more use to this island. Now, we have not the means of doing this, so we therefore bring this matter before your notice. If you are not able to accede to our wishes we will not take it in ill part. There is another matter chat we wish to bring before you : in connection with the fruit trade of this island. We want the Government to appoint a good man in Auckland to receive the fruit for us, and not to make exorbitant charges, for we are an ignorant people, and require guidance in matters of this kind. All we can do now is to send the fruit from here to Auckland. We do not know what is done with it there, or how it is disposed of. We do not know what charges are incurred, or what trouble or losses there are in connection with it. Therefore we ask the Government to assist us in this matter, and we shall thank God that you have been able to do so. That is all I have to say. Hon. Mr. Mills : I have listened very attentively to what our friend has told us, and I shall make representations to the Government on my return to New Zealand. What has been said about the fruit trade seems to be very reasonable, and it will be for the Government to consider what is best to be done, not only in Auckland, but in all the ports of New Zealand. There may be avenues of trade further south which may be opened out and developed in such a way as to take a great deal more produce than we import at the present time. With regard to the monetary assistance, that part of your request has been heard by Colonel Gudgeon, who submits proposals to the Government with regard to the revenue of these islands, and if the revenue is insufficient to meet the general requirements of the islands, then Colonel Gudgeon will submit other proposals to the Government for their consideration. You will readily understand that a very large outlay was incurred by the Government in having the " Countess of Banfurly " built, in order to have a steamer moving among your islands, and so institute a better system of collecting the fruit from the various islands and delivering it at a seaport in New Zealand, and the Parliament of the colony raised no objection to granting that large sum. But if the revenue of the islands is insufficient to meet the present requirements, I have no doubt that Parliament will vote what they consider necessary to help you, provided that there is a probability of further revenue being acquired each year. Since I have been connected with the administration of these islands I have made inquiries from those people who know a great deal in reference to the trade, and they all tell me that there is a weak spot somewhere in the islands —that is, you do not take all the care you should take with your fruit before it is shipped. You require to be more careful, —not to put it into baskets, then strap it on to horses, and have some one riding on top of it to the shipping-places. I can assure you that the successful trader in New Zealand is the man who carefully watches his own produce, and sees that it is delivered in thoroughly good order. So if you are all careful in seeing that your fruit is placed on board the ship in good order, I will speak to the agents of the company, and ask them to be more careful, if they can, with the fruit that you deliver to them. Mr. Large : What they really mean, sir, is this : that some person should be appointed in New Zealand who will receive their fruit and forward it on to other parts of the colony at once, and who will make a reasonable charge for his services, because hitherto the large amount of fruit that has been sent from here has brought in no remuneration whatever, in consequence of the exorbitant charges made in Auckland and elsewhere. Hon. Mr. Mills : In making inquiries, before I left the colony, in reference to the importation of fruit into New Zealand, I found that the trade was very irregular, and that sometimes large parcels came in from Fiji and these islands within a few days of each other, and the consequence was that sometimes every man lost a great deal owing to the large quantity of fruit suddenly coming into the market. I will confer with Mr. Kirk, who is to supervise these matters on our journey round, and then I will submit some proposition to Cabinet, and see if we can arrange for a man in Auckland who will act as receiver for the whole of the island fruit. I cannot say that it will be done at once, because these things are matters of trade and business, and we shall require to make a careful inquiry first, in order that we may find out what should be done for the best. Mr. T. Mackenzie : Are the charges in Auckland exorbitant ? Hon. Mr. Mills : I have made inquiries as to the charges, and as far as I can learn they are not excessive. That is what I have gathered from the people I have talked to. I have not been able to ascertain where the bulk of all the island goods is consigned to, but 1 shall make iuquiries on my return to Auckland. One thing lam certain of, and that is that if we all work in unison we shall in time get very great improvements made, both for these islands and for the colony. 3—A. 3b.

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Colonel Gudgeon : Mr. Mackenzie, I do not think they intended to say that the charges in Auckland were higher than those in other places, but in many cases they received very little return for their fruit, and the charges in all cases seem unreasonably high. There is truth in their contention, but not as to any one place specially. "Another thing I may tell you is that they have a habit of not sending to one person alone; one man sends to one person and another man to another, the consequence being that all the fruit is in the market at the same time, and one shipper is placed in competition with another. Mr. Large : They also strongly object to the charges in their accounts. Their balance-sheets, which they brought to me, were very unsatisfactory. Further, the accounts are not full and explicit; indeed, they show the expenses at the end of the year—freight and other expenses—in a lump sum, and the Maoris do not know how that money has been expended. They are not enlightened upon that point, and that is one thing they are not satisfied with. Hon. Mr. Mills : I will ask Mr. Large to send me copies of two or three of the accounts from different agents that are sent back to this island; then I shall be properly armed when making inquiries in Auckland, because I know what would be a reasonable charge, and if they have been charging more than what would be a fair thing we shall point out what appears excessive, and I have no doubt, at any rate, of the Government being able to arrange with some one —either a reliable business-man or a man whom they could place there to take charge of all the fruit and see that you get fair and full value for your produce. But do not neglect among yourselves to see that the fruit is placed on board in good order, so that it will keep during transit. Mr. Large : I will have those accounts collected, and will forward them on through Colonel Gudgeon to you, so that they will be in Auckland in readiness for you when you arrive there. Hon. Mr. Mills : There is one matter Mr. Large has brought before me, and that is the question as to whether those who send produce from here should receive back goods in exchange, instead of money. Now, you will find that in all communities, in the early stages, there is a great deal of traffic done in that way. In New Zealand I recollect that for many years this kind of traffic went on, and unless we took goods in exchange for our produce we could not obtain a reasonable price. We must look at it in two ways. You may get better value in goods here, than you would get if you had payment in money, but the sooner you do get paid in cash the better it will be for the community. Mr. Large : They say that they want to be paid in cash alone. Mr. Wood : That is a very proper request. Mr. J. Allen : Is not the Truck Act in force here? If not, it ought to be. Colonel Gudgeon : If they are foolish enough to take goods instead of money it is their own fault, as there is an ordinance in force that everything is to be paid for in cash instead of goods. Hon. Mr. Mills : You want more organization. If these islands are developed as they ought to be, instead of having a monthly steamer as at present you would have one every week, for hundreds of people would visit the islands, some of them possibly with money, who wish to do business, and others who wish to see places of this description, and that would increase the traffic so much that you would be able to send away fruit once a week. Otherwise, if a large quantity of tropical fruit arrives in Wellington from. Sydney the day before or the day after your produce one or the other must suffer. Mr. Wood : I should like to know, sir, whether they are satisfied with the present system of education in the. island. Hon. Mr. Mills : I understand you have two missionary schools on this island, and our own Education Department have not received sufficient information to warrant Parliament in making any special grant for further education on the island as yet. But I may as well tell you that it is the wish of the Minister of Education to bring these islands under our general scheme. I hope, at any rate, that with the means you have of getting your children taught here you always see that they attend regularly at the schools, because you must understand and bear in mind that as they grow up every one of your children will be in open competition with those who trade in these islands, and for their own sake and the sake of their families they ought to learn all they possibly can. Israela : We shall be very pleased to welcome the advent of the New Zealand system of education to these islands, as soon as the Government may see fit to introduce it. Mr. Wood : I would like Mr. Large to explain that it is free, compulsory, and secular. Mr. Large explained, and, addressing the Minister, said, —I would like to say, sir, that there is a great deal of playing truant among the children of the island. Hon. Mr. Mills ; Have they any more to say ? Mr. Large : No. Hon. Mr. Mills : I will now ask all my friends to give three hearty cheers for Aitutaki and its people. This call was readily responded to, and the Minister then presented the Arikis with a New Zealand ensign and some books on behalf of the Government. After luncheon in the Courthouse a number of the party went out to the edge of the reef to test the possibilities of the Aitutakian method of catching sharks, referred to by the Minister in his speech. Others strolled round the island pursuing their investigations. The Hon. Mr. Mills called upon the Rev. J. Jones, the representative at present of the London Missionary Society, and had an interesting conversation with him about the educational work carried on by the mission on the island. Mr. Jones conducts a school in Orongo, open three days'a week, in which the children, in addition to receiving instruction in their own language, are given an elementary English education. He is of opinion that a compulsory system is necessary, as there is no discipline in the homes, and attendance is apt to be erratic. A splendid work is also being done in the mission boarding-school at Araura, towards the centre of the island, to which Mr. Jones

At Orongo, Aitutaki: Monument of late Rev. H. Royle.

Araura Mission Boarding school, Aitutaki

Rev. J. Jones. Miss Royle. Miss Harriet Royle. I A.-3b.

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accompanied us. The building, of which the foundation-stone was laid by Lord Banfuii) , eonuuiiS eight rooms, including two large dormitories and schoolroom. The scholars, both boys and girls, struck one as being a very intelligent and well-disciplined lot of young people, and they listened attentively to the few words of encouragement and exhortation that the Minister addressed to them. This excellent school is under the charge of two trained teachers, the Misses Eoyle, daughters of the first European missionary to the island, and the instruction imparted is of a higher grade than that given in the other school. From the school we passed on to the Village of Vaipae, returning again to Orongo via the mission-house. Before leaving for the steamer the Minister was presented with mats, &c, by the Natives as a token of their good will. Colonel Gudgeon and Pa Ariki remained at Aitutaki to return to Barotonga by the Union Company's steamer. The " Mapourika " left at 5.45 p.m. for Tahiti. As already stated, Mr. Large is being transferred to Mangaia, where it is hoped he will be able to do as good work as he has done in Aitutaki. He will be succeeded in his present position by Mr. J. C. Cameron. TAHITI. Monday, 4th May. —The Island of Moorea was sighted at 8.45, and at 10.50 we embarked the pilot off Papeete Passage. A few minutes later, the Health Officer having granted pratique, we steamed in and made fast to the wharf at Papeete, the capital of the French Island of Tahiti. The Mayor of Papeete, Mons. H. Langomazino, came on boaxd at once, and welcomed the Minister and party. The Hon. Mr. Mills then called on the English Consul, Mr. E. T. Symo.ns, who kindly arranged for the party to pay their respects to the Governor, M. Edouard Petit, the reception being fixed for the following morning. Tuesday, sth May.—At 10 o'clock the Minister and party proceeded to the Governor's residence, and were introduced to M. Petit by Mr. Symons. After the Minister had conveyed to His Excellency the good wishes of the Premier, his colleagues, and the members of the party, the Governor expressed his regret that our stay in Tahiti was to be so short. He was kind enough to say that had we been able to remain on the island for a day or two longer he would have arranged a. fete for the entertainment of the party, but things moved slowly in Tahiti, he explained, and he was sorry that in the short time available nothing of the kind could be done. His Excellency added that he was greatly interested in New Zealand, mentioning specially her land system, trade, and colonisation, and said he was watching the progress of events with pleasure. He desired the Hon. Mr. Mills to thank the Premier for certain facilities granted to French subjects at Eotorua. After a little general conversation His Excellency asked the Minister and party to join him in drinking success to the expedition. Before we left the Governor graciously acceded to the request of the Minister to allow himself and Madame Petit to be photographed with the members of the party in front of the residence. In the afternoon some of the party drove out to Point de Venus and inspected the fine lighthouse erected there by Pomare IV. in 1867, and the interesting memorial of Captain Cook's observation of the transit of Venus in 1769. Others visited Point Venus in the steamer's launch. During our stay in Papeete the local clubs—the Corcle Bougainville and the Cercle Militaire—very generously extended the privilege of membership to the party. Wednesday, 6th May.—lt had been arranged for the steamer to leave at daybreak, but owing to the difficulty in obtaining water we were unable to get away until after 1 o'clock. As the "Mapourika" glided past the British Consul's residence on her way out of the harbour we gave the Consul three such British cheers as were never heard before in that French settlement. At 2 o'clock the Papeete Passage was cleared, and we steamed for Penrhyn. PENEHYN. We arrived off Penrhyn shortly after midday on Saturday, the 9th May, after a run of 720 miles from Tahati, and went ashore in. the steamer's launch and boats, landing at the Village of Omoka, where we were met by the Resident Agent, Captain M. J. Nagle, and the Native chiefs Tautaitini and Silinga. Penrhyn is a good specimen of the pure atoll. It is merely a ring of coral, about forty-eight miles in circuit, supporting a number of low islands, from 200 to 300 yards across, and enclosing a lagoon of ninety square miles in area, of which twentyfour square miles are more or less covered with pearl-shell. There are three passages into the lagoon, the principal one having a depth of 18 ft. at low water, and there is sufficient wharf accommodation at Omoka for the small class of vessel that visits the island. The other village at Penrhyn, Te Tautua, is some ten miles distant. The total population is nearly 450, about a dozen being Europeans. The pearl-shell fishing is the main industry of the island, although last year 100 tons of copra were exported; and Colonel Gudgeon reports that "from some unexplained cause the cocoanut-palms have suddenly regained their old fertility, and thousands of young trees, planted on land only a few feet above sea-level, are growing as vigorously as those planted on the best alluvial land in Earotonga." The practice followed with regard to pearlshell fishing is to divide the lagoon into three parts, which are alternately closed against fishing for a certain period. When the interdiction is removed from any area the Natives may dive without restriction beyond the payment of a small fee to the Government. After the naked diving has been in operation for a time the machines are allowed to be brought into requisition until the limit of time has been reached. That area is then closed, and the same procedure is repeated in another portion of the lagoon. By this means each area is given rest for about a year, and as the shell is said to grow very rapidly at Penrhyn the supply is well maintained. An Ordinance of the Federal Council prohibits the removal of shells of less than in. in diameter. Over 90 tons of ■pearlshell, representing an amount, of £9,300, were exported from the northern islands during 1902, and. it would be safe to say that the greater part of this came from Penrhyn, from which island alone over 100 tons annually were formerly obtained. The value of the shell ranges from £100 a ton to upwards of £200.

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The Natives having been called together the Minister addressed them as follows ! — Hon. Mr. Mills : Chiefs and people, we are very pleased to be here with you to-day. You will probably wonder how so many members of our Parliament have come to see you. Some time ago our Premier visited some of the islands in the Pacific, but did not get so far as Penrhyn. When he came back and told us what lovely places he had seen we were all very anxious to come and see them. He instructed me to make arrangements to visit them, and I have done so, and brought with me thirty-two members of Parliament from New Zealand lam the Minister of Customs, and also the Minister who has charge of the Cook and other islands that were annexed to New Zealand some two years ago. And in administering these islands you will readily understand how hard it is for a man to do justice to them unless he can first see them, and see the people and talk to them as I talk to you to-day. My friend the Eesident Commissioner, Colonel Gudgeon, writes to me direct, and Mr. Nagle also writes to me through Colonel Gudgeon, explaining what is wanted and what they think is best for your advantage ; but still a man requires to look for himself, to see the place and those who inhabit it, and thus know exactly what is meant by the letters that come to him. The Premier recognised how necessary it was for us to see the islands for ourselves. And now we have come up here to gather what information we can, so that by-and-by when we go back again we shall be able to tell the Premier and my colleagues the other Ministers what we have seen, during our visit to the islands. I heard a great deal about these islands when I was a young man, and thought a great deal of them. I was very nearly coming to them many years ago, and, judging by what I have seen of the islands, I believe that if I had come I should have been living here ever since. I was born in New Zealand, and therefore I know a good deal of the Maoris. I can remember them when quite a little boy, and have always seen a great deal of them; and therefore I feel deeply interested in all your people here, as I believe it is from your Hawaiki that the Maori race in New Zealand came. So we are very anxious now in moving round to form the best judgment we can as to what we ought to do in the future for the people by improving matters affecting their welfare. I intend to have a talk with Mr. Nagle about different matters, and while here I should like it known that if any one wants to speak to me about anything of public importance I shall be very pleased to hear it. From what I can gather, the main industry of this island is your pearl-shell fishery in the lagoon, and it will take a little time to understand what is best to be done and the manner of doing it. But if we can do anything by the alteration of the regulations which are by law established for the better working of this lagoon then the Government will be very pleased to do it. We are glad to know that your cocoanut-palms are yielding so well. The Premier would have very much liked to come up here this time, but he could not manage to get away from New Zealand just now. But I may say that he intends to come up with the Governor early next year if possible. Now, we have come from the Islands of Barotonga, Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Aitutaki, and Tahiti, to Penrhyn, and we go from here to Manihiki, Tutuila, Upolu, Niue, Tonga, Fiji, the Kermadecs, and back to New Zealand. We have had to visit three other islands that I had not originally on my programme, and as we were delayed at Tahiti for over half a day to get water I am very sorry to tell you that we cannot stop here to-night. We have to start for Manihiki to-night, or we should have yisited the other settlement to-morrow ;we regret being unable to do so. I also wanted to go over and see the unfortunate lepers on the island to ascertain if they were being properly looked after, and if everything was being done that could be done for their comfort, and we want to see some of your expert men who can dive to such marvellous depths in this clear water and bring up the pearl-shell; we have heard a lot about it, and should like to see you at it. I am not going to occupy any longer time talking to you, but shall simply say that we are all very pleased to have met you and to be able to carry back with us to New Zealand our impressions of what we have seen here in the islands. Now, I have brought a flag from the Government which I intend to leave here for the Eesident Agent to erect. It is a flag of enlightenment. This flag is the one that is now recognised all over the world as the flag of New Zealand. The New Zealand Parliament passed an Act some two years ago which enabled us to fly this flag. [Hon. Mr. Mills then unrolled the flag, to the great delight of the Natives.] Since you have been annexed to New Zealand we are all one —all under one flag. It represents the Union Jack of Old England—the largest and best Empire in the world—and also the flag of New Zealand. So you will see that it is really two flags embodied in one—the flag of the Empire and the flag of New Zealand. I have now to thank you all for listening with so much attention to what I have had to say, and I shall be very pleased when the opportunity arises to come back and see you all later on. After the gathering had dispersed a number of the party went out on the lagoon to witness an interesting exhibition of diving for pearl-shell, and were much impressed with the skill and endurance of the divers. The depth was said to be 15 fathoms, and the men in some instances were under water for over two minutes. During the afternoon Dr. Mason visited the leper settlement at Morokai, taking with him a supply of provisions for the few afflicted people there. On his return he informed the Minister that their camp was clean, and they were very pleased with the changes which had been made for their comfort since the Eesident Agent had been looking after their wants. By 6 o'clock we were under way for Manihiki, 198 miles to the south-west. MANIHIKI. This island was sighted shortly after 11 o'clock in the morning of the 10th May, and at 1 p.m. we went ashore at the Village of Tukao. The landing on the reef was somewhat exciting, a capsize being narrowly averted. Manihiki also is an atoll, but, unlike Penrhyn, it has no opening through the reef into the lagoon, and when the Natives wish to visit the neighbouring Island of Eakahanga their boats have to be carried across the narrow strip of land from the lagoon to the sea. The island consists of about two square miles of land encircling a lagoon of some six miles in diameter. A great deal of pearl-shell has been obtained from Manihiki, t>ut about two years

Landing-place at Omoka, Penrhyn.

Group at Penrhyn.

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ago it was found necessary to close the lagoon, as the shell-beds had been fished almost to tiie point of exhaustion. The Natives of this island have some reputation for their skill in tne manufacture of hats, for which there is a good demand in Auckland, and some really excellent specimens of their workmanship were seen during our visit. Walking-sticks, paddles, &c, inlaid with pearl-shell, are also manufactured. The export of copra from Manihiki last year amounted to 135 tons, and as the Natives are beginning to see the wisdom of thinning out the superabundant growth of their palms the production of this item should materially increase. The Native teachers of the London Missionary Society look after the education of the children of the island. The total population is approximately five hundred. Our reception by the Natives here was particularly cordial, and we were struck by the general appearance of the village itself, the narrow but well-formed street, with its covering of coral sand, and its low wall on either side fronting a regular row of houses, giving to the place quite a neat and orderly appearance. The Resident Agent in this village is Mr. George Ellis, a man of extensive knowledge of the islands and of considerable influence among the Natives. At his suggestion the Minister decided to visit the Village of Tauhonu on the opposite side of the lagoon; consequently the time at our disposal in Tukao was very limited. The Natives were called together in the meeting-house, and the Hon. Mr. Mills briefly addressed the gathering, explaining the purpose of our visit to the islands and stating that he would be glad to hear anything they might have to say. Te Pα, a member of the Native Council, said, —I am sorry you came so suddenly, or we would have had a more fitting reception for you. We did not know when you were going to arrive. We did not expect you so soon. We should like to gather the people and give you a w.irm welcome, but as you say you must see the other village there is not time. I think you should stop here to-day. The Natives wish to make you some presents in honour of your arrival. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Ellis) : Kindly tell them not to put themselves to any trouble. Jone, the Native missionary, then said, —Salutations. I send God's best wishes on board your ship with you We are all pleased to meet you. We have heard long about you, but now we see you ourselves. We had been told about your visit, and had prepared dances and enjoyments for you, but you must be gone too soon. The meeting having dispersed, the members went on board again, and the " Mapourika" steamed round to the Village of Tauhonu, the Minister making the trip across the lagoon with Mr. Ellis in his cutter. Tauhonu was reached about 3 o'clock, and we were warmly received by the Eesident Agent, Mr. Henry Williams, and the Natives of the village. The Minister addressed a gathering of the people in the schoolhouse as follows, Mr. Williams interpreting:— Hon. Mr. Mills : Mr. Williams, Mr. Ellis, and Natives of Manihiki, I want to offer you all, on behalf of myself and friends, our greetings on our arrival at Manihiki, and to tell you how pleased we are to be able to come here and see you all, and your pretty island, and also how deeply we regret that we are unable to stay very long. The Premier wished me to be sure and tell you all that he regretted he was unable to come with us and visit the island, but he hoped to be up this way early next year with the Governor. You will see that we have in the party visiting you today a number of gentlemen who hold high positions in New Zealand, and who represent the members of the two Houses of Parliament, and we are making tins trip to your beautiful island to gain all the information we possibly can, learn something of your methods of life, and find out what can be done to improve matters on the island. Wβ have already visited a large number of places, and we have still a good many places to go to before we return to New Zealand, and that is the reason why we are making such hurried visits wherever we go. I can say for myself and for all my party that we are very pleased with the warm and hearty welcome we have received all round, and I want you all to realise that now that these islands have been annexed to our colony you are part and parcel of New Zealand; and you will readily understand that as laws are made by your Council, and passed by the Governor in New Zealand, you must obey them, as we obey the laws in the part of the colony we come from. If you do this you will be doing what is right. Colonel Gudgeon is the Eesident Commissioner, and, as you know, we have Eesident Agents in the different islands. We have here Mr. Ellis and Mr. Williams to represent us. And now that we have seen the islands we shall know something about them, and be better able to understand any recommendations that Colonel Gudgeon may send forward to the Government at any time. In most of the islands we have visited we have been very pleased to find schools of some kind in which the children are being educated. Now that we have visited this island, and seen so many fine children, lam glad to hear you have a school also to provide for the education of the children. And I hope that before very long something like more regular communication will be established between the islands and New Zealand. If there is anything any of you wish to speak about while we are here we shall be glad to hear what you have to say. All my friends are anxious to hear if there are any matters of importance—matters affecting the welfare of the island—that you would like to place before them. We are all very pleased to hear that everything is going on pleasantly in your island, and hope it will continue to be so. I must thank you one and all for the very generous way in which you have met us, and for the gifts you have so kindly brought forward. We will retain the most pleasant recollections of our visit here long after we have left the island. And now, on behalf of the Government, myself, and party, I thank you most heartily for the way in which you have received us. The Minister here presented the Natives with a New Zealand ensign, explaining the significance of its design, and said, —I am sure you will value this flag, because you realise what it means. Wherever the flag is hoisted you know that you have a power behind it that will protect you at all times. I have very much pleasure in handing it to Mr. Williams. Mr. Williams: We are all very pleased that you have come here to meet us. (To the Natives): These are gentlemen of high standing; they are people of the Government. Why do

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not some of you get up and speak to some of these gentlemen? I suppose because you have no strength of mind, no spirit, no thanks in you. You have only come here to have a look, and do not see the good we have got from them —that is, bringing this flag to us to protect us, Nobody would come now and molest us as in the old days of the Callao vessels, when the Spaniards came in here and seized the people and took them on board as slaves. Now we are protected ; this flag will protect us from the slaver. I was nearly taken myself to Callao, but now there will be no more of that. You ought to praise these people for protecting us. That is all I have got to say to you. A number of the young men and women of the village then performed a song and dance in honour of the flag in the most enthusiastic fashion. This was followed by similarly spirited compliments to King Edward and Lord Eoberts. We left at 6 o'clock for Tutuila, G32 miles to the south-west. TUTDILA. Monday, 13th May.—This island, the.most easterly of any size in the Samoa or Navigators Group, was sighted about 4 a.m., and at 8 o'clock we entered the magnificent harbour of Pago Pago (or, as it is pronounced, Pango Pango), the large mail-steamer " Ventura " steaming in ahead of us. With the exception of Vavau, this island has probably the finest harbour in that part of the Pacific. It is almost entirely land-locked, and the steep hillsides are thickly wooded from the summits to the water's edge. Tutuila, which belongs to the United States of America, is used merely as a naval station, and no attempt has been made in the direction of colonisation. The Minister and party, on going ashore, were introduced to Captain Underwood, the Commandant, the Hon. E. W. Gurr, Chief Secretary of Native Affairs, who is a young New-Zealander, and other officials of the United States Government, all of whom were very kind and courteous. At the invitation of the Minister these gentlemen joined the party at luncheon on board. A pleasant day was spent ashore, and when the steamer left the wharf at night a most hearty send-off was accorded by the officials and others assembled there. The harbour-entrance was cleared at 11.30 p.m., and we steamed for the Island of Upolu. UPOLU. Wednesday, 14th May.—Apia Harbour, eighty-two miles from, Pago Pago, was reached about 8 a.m., and immediately on landing the Minister proceeded to the British Consulate, and was cordially received by Mr. T. Trood, Acting-Consul, who then accompanied the Hon. Mr. Mills to the residence of the Imperial Governor of Samoa, Dr. W. H. Solf. The Governor, who converses freely in English, is a gentleman of broad sympathies and genial disposition, and a very pleasant hour was spent at his residence. " New-Zealanders," remarked the doctor playfully in the course of the conversation, "always think of Samoa with a tear.in their eye." So far as the legislators who visited the Island of Upolu are concerned this is probably truer now than ever it was, and they no doubt sympathize with, if, indeed, they do not entirely share, the feelings that actuated the Eight Hon. the Premier when he wrote his memorandum of the 16th April, 1900, to His Excellency the Governor on the subject of the Samoan Convention. During the morning several of the party visited " Villa Vailima," the residence of the late Eobert Louis Stevenson, and a few enthusiasts succeeded in making a pilgrimage to the top of Vaea Mountain, where the distinguished novelist lies buried. In the afternoon Dr. Solf received the members in his official chambers in the town, and then accompanied them to Mulinuu, where an interesting interview was held with the High Chief Mataafa. Short addresses were delivered by Dr. Solf, the Hon. C. H. Mills, and Mr. T. Parata, M.H.E., the last of whom spoke in Maori, and was listened to with marked interest and attention by the Natives, who were able to some extent to follow his remarks. He also spoke to them in English, his address being interpreted by Mr. Charles Taylor, a highly cultured Samoan gentleman, and head interpreter to the German Government. At the conclusion of the speeches the kava-bowl was passed round with due ceremony; then, after witnessing a short exhibition of dancing, the party returned, to the steamer for dinner, at which they were joined by His Excellency the Governor. Night closed in with heavy rain, but several went on shore again for an hour or two. At midnight the steamer left for Niue, 348 miles distant in a south-easterly direction. NIUE. This island was reached early in the afternoon of Saturday, the 16th May, and at 1.30 we anchored off the Village of Alofi. The Eesident Agent, Mr. C. F. Maxwell, came off to the steamer, and immediately thereafter the party went ashore. At Alofi the fringing reef is broken by a narrow boat-passage, partly natural and partly the result of improvements effected by H.M.S. " Mildura " a few years ago. The weather at the time of our arrival was beautifully fine, and the landing was effected without the slightest difficulty at the end of the little wharf that has recently been erected. Niue is the largest of the annexed islands, having an area of upwards of a hundred square miles, and a circumference of forty miles by road.. It consists entirely of uplifted coral, and is probably the result of a series of upheavals. In general formation it takes the shape of two terraces, the lower being about 90 ft. above sealevel, and the other about 220 ft. In addition to the one at Alofi, there are landing-places at Avatele and Tuapa, and arrangements are being made to have a boat-passage formed at the latter, where Togia, the " King "of Niue, resides. Although so rocky that it is for the most part unploughable, Niue is by no means unproductive. All the usual tropical fruits grow well, and large trees are found averaging from 18 in. to 2 ft. 6 in. in diameter, and in some cases attaining a diameter of 4 ft. and running up to 100 ft. in height. A good deal of this timber,, however, is situated in rocky country, and it is questionable if it would pay to cut it and bring it out. One of the principal drawbacks to Niue trade in the past has been the lack of good roads connecting the various villages

At Tukao Village, Manihiki.

Group at Tauhonu Village, Manihiki.

Mr. H. Williams, Resident Agent. [A -Bb.

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with the principal landing-place, but this difficulty is fast being removed. In addition to a road right round the island, there is now a road through the centre, with branch roads to the settlements on either side. A surveyor is now engaged on road-work in Niue, and before long there should be a good system of roads throughout the island. The principal industry on the island is the manufacture of hats. This has languished somewhat recently, as a result, it is said, of the imposition of the New Zealand tariff on tobacco. This commodity is largely used by the traders as a means of payment, and the Natives are not disposed to make hats for the smaller quantity of tobacco which they now receive. The Natives are very expert plaiters, but the material used—a kind of pandanus —is not the best for the purpose. It is proposed to import the genuine Panama leaf, and if this can be done, and some, concessions in the duty can be made, the; hat trade in Niue will be developed immensely. At present the hats appear to be made in only one style, and if the Natives could be given a little instruction in the direction of varying this as may be necessary it would no doubt assist in expanding the trade. During the year ending the 31st December, 1902, hats to the number of 2,766 dozen were exported from Niue, principally to Auckland, the value represented being £1,830. There is also a good trade done in curios, the value of the exports under this head amounting to £343 for the : year. The amount of copra exported was 413 tons, the value being £3,879 ; while fungus to the value of £486, representing 38,9981b., was also despatched from the island. The population of Niue may be stated as 4,100, exclusive of some four hundred men at present absent in other islands. The Niueans are naturally of a roving disposition, and numbers of the men go to Tonga, Samoa, Maiden Islands, &c. Many go under engagement as labourers, and return on the.expiration of their term. The white population does not number thirty persons. The Hon. Mr. Mills spent the whole of the afternoon and most of the evening discussing departmental matters with the Resident Agent. In the morning (Sunday, the 17th May—Saturday on the island) the Minister received a deputation of traders who wished to discuss with him the question of the Customs tariff and other matters affecting their interests. Notes of a Deputation, bepbesenting the Tradebs of Niue, which waited upon the Hon. C. H. Mills at Alofi, 17th May, 1903. Mr. W. T. Wood, M.11.8. : Hon. Mr. Mills, I wish to introduce to you Mr. Eex, who desires to bring before you some matters with reference to the business of the island. Mr. Eex is intimately acquainted: with the manners and customs of the island, and has been living here for some time. He has been elected spokesman for the traders, and will speak of the various matters affecting them, in the hope that something may be done for them. Duty on Tobacco. Mr. Bex : The first question is that of the duty on tobacco. Nothing is more largely imported into the island than tobacco. It is the only pleasure Natives have. Since the duty has been imposed they only get three sticks for Is., whereas formerly they got eight. What we wish to know is whether anything can be done with a view to reducing this duty. We admit that it is rather a difficult matter to arrange this for Niue alone, as no doubt the other islands will want to share in the reduction also. Mr. Head, sen., and Mr. Head, jun., who have been trading here for many years, can throw a good deal more light upon the subject of trading than I can. Again, in the old days the Natives would make hats, &c, to obtain tobacco, whereas now they get so little tobacco for what they make that they are inclined to throw up the hat-making industry. Mr. B. D. Head : I think a duty of Is. a pound would be a fair thing. It would not reduce the revenue, as the people would smoke more than they do now. You will later on hear what the Natives themselves have to say on this matter. Mr. Bex : There is no doubt the duty tends to decrease the industries of the island. We are failing with the hat industry, and that will be a very serious loss. Mr. B. D. Head; The tobacco is not worth much. It is not sold in New Zealand. Even the Maoris do not smoke it. It is very common twist tobacco, and is only worth about lid. a pound in the colony in bond. It is no use anywhere else than in Niue. On " Derby " and "Juno " and the dearer tobaccos the duty might remain the same as at present. This tobacco which I show you is preferred by the Natives to the good tobacco. It is stronger, and is only fit for sheep-wash. [A sample of the tobacco in question, known as " Beaconsfield Twist" and " Barrett's Twist," was here produced.] Mr. Percy Smith fixed a duty ad valorem of 10 per cent, on all merchandise brought to Nine, including tobacco, and now the New Zealand Government has altered the duty on goods imported into Niue and imposed the New Zealand tariff, and the Natives cannot understand why this heavy duty is fixed on articles that are so very useful and valuable to them. They use tobacco as a sort of currency amongst themselves, and now they say they cannot live. We were thinking that it might be possible for the New Zealand Government to fix a duty of Is. a pound on the common black tobacco referred to. That would meet all the requirements of the case, and would satisfy us. The full tariff might still be charged on other kinds of tobacco imported, but there is a great deal of dissatisfaction with regard to the high duty on the twist tobacco. If you can arrange the reduction asked for it will be a source of much gratification to the people of the island. Mr, B. Head, sen. : Another matter is with reference to drugs imported and dispensed to the Natives. We have been accustomed to do this from the early missionary days to the present time, and we make no regular charge for them. '. We import the drugs and dispense them ourselves, but the New Zealand tariff is charged on them, and this is a great hardship to us. Hon. Mr. Mills : I am very pleased to be here to-day and meet you all as the representatives of the trade and commerce of Niue. There is nothing like meeting people face to face and hearing their opinions direct. One can then arrive at a conclusion much more readily. You are all aware that Mr: Percy Smith-when-here-stated-that as a tentative measure the 10 per cent, duty would be

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levied on tobacco ; but as soon as the House dealt with the question of annexation and the Cook Islands Act all the islands fell into line witli ourselves, for now that you are annexed to New Zealand you are carrying on trade under the laws and regulations of New Zealand. The question of this tobacco is one that received careful consideration, and you will find in the Cook Islands Amendment Act that we provided a clause to prohibit those who wished to export tobacco from Niue to any other part of New Zealand. It was a preventive measure, introduced, as I told Mr. Head in Auckland, to meet this difficulty —that if we lowered the duty or kept only 10 per cent, on tobacco in Niue there was nothing to prevent speculative men from running in a cargo of tobacco here, paying the 10 per cent, to the Collector of Customs, and shipping it off to the other islands or New Zealand, and thus making a lot of money. It was impossible, therefore, to regulate matters for Niue, at any rate, until this clause had been passed in the Act of last year. Now, the Cabinet have power by Order in Council to make some alteration if they deem it wise. There is one point in connection with this question of duty that you must not overlook—that is, that while you pay 3s. 6d. per pound on tobacco you are getting other things from New Zealand at much lower rates than it you were paying the 10 per cent, duty all round As to the twist tobacco, I can hardly agree that it is fit only for sheep-wash. While our young people in the colony may prefer '■ Juno," &c, I think this sample is a very fair tobacco. The question is whether we can impose a tariff on tobacco on a graduated scale. If we can do that, and it can be shown that there is a good deal of difference in the cost of the different brands, we might meet Niue in some way. The matter will be submitted to Cabinet, together with your views, on my return. I would like you to explain to the Natives, however, that they are benefiting in respect of many other things. For h'stance, the old duty of 25 per cent, on hats and the 10 per cent, import duty on New Zealand produce has been swept away. We do not want to impose anything excessive in the way of duty ; we only want to improve matters between these islands and New Zealand if we can. I should think that an island with the acreage of Niue must be capable of much further advancement, and with more regular communication with New Zealand industries would probably open up here that you cannot deal with at the present time. You also want more roads, and better roads; but you must not overlook the indirect benefits which you are to receive from annexation with New Zealand. You need more regular communication, and, if possible, opportunities to export produce outside New Zealand. Then,-the Commonwealth sends over an immense quantity of tropical fruit, though I cannot say how far this affects Niue. In any case the matters I have referred to should have your attention. When Cabinet has decided the tobacco question I will send you word as soon as. possible. In the meantime there can be no alteration. Mr. Bex: We understood that the 10 per cent, duty would remain indefinitely, but we are informed by the Resident Agent that we must pay the New Zealand duty. Hon. Mr. Mills : There was some misunderstanding between Mr. Head, jun., and myself when I saw him in Auckland a short time ago, or the matter would have been settled in Wellington when he visited that city. m Mr. Bex : Probably an excise duty would help us. Federal Council. Mr. Bex : I have to ask you, Mr. Mills, whether the Earotonga Council can pass our laws. We are not certain whether we are under the jurisdiction of the Eesident Commissioner at Earotonga, or, if not, whose jurisdiction we are under. Hon. Mr. Mills : I believe Niue is under the Ordinances passed by the Federal Council for the Cook Islands, but I have learned since coming here that you have no representative on that Council. It is,.of course, a cardinal principle in all politics that there should be no taxation without representation. Some satisfactory arrangement must be made with reference to this matter as soon as possible, but in view of the imperfect communication between here and Earotonga it would appear to be somewhat difficult to arrange for proper representation from Niue. I wish to make certain definite arrangements with regard to the " Countess of Eanfurly " so that her time of arrival may be known more exactly and traders may rely upon her movements. The question of communication with Earotonga would then be simplified. I think that, considering the distance between the islands, it would be better if everything you require could be done by your island Council here. I should like to hear your opinions on the matter, and if you think it will be best I shall see that you are represented. I wish to point out that Colonel Gudgeon is Eesident Commissioner for the islands. He holds that position under appointment by the Governor and also under Act of Parliament. Everything must be done through him as far as possible, but the Eesident Agent may communicate with me direct in cases where a saving of time can be effected. Liquor Question. Mr. Bex : We believe that a petition has gone round the island to prohibit the importation of liquor here. We trust that the New Zealand Government will not make this a prohibition island. There is very little imported into it, and it has never been abused. We trust that the Government will not take away the little pleasure we have. Mr. Head, sen. : The Niue Islanders from the beginning, from heathen times, up to recently have been a totally abstaining people. In the old days they never even made kava. They were just a simple people, and abstained from intoxicants, and this condition of things prevailed until recent years. Now, a few months ago a large quantity of spirits was landed and placed in bond, and it was evident amongst all of us that the liquor had a bad effect. There were several cases of drunkenness, and we believe —and I have been here thirty-seven years—that prohibition would be a good thing both for the foreign residents and the Natives. §,;-> Mr. Bex : The liquor imported into this island is not being sold to the Natives, and I challenge any one to prove that one drop of liquor has been sold to a Native or given to him. There is much

Landing-place at Alofi, Niue.

Hon. C.H. Mills meeting King Togia, at Niue.

Mr. R. Head. Hon. 0. H. Mills. Mr. C. F. Maxwell, King Togia. Resident Agent. [A.-3B.

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liquor brought from Tonga by the Natives themselves, and you will find that many Niue people are over in Tonga because they can get liquor there. As to the liquor that has been imported, I challenge anybody to prove that any trader has sold a drop to the Natives. Liquor is prohibited to the Natives, and if we were found selling or giving liquor to them we would have to put up with the consequences. Ido not think the traders here should be denied what is given to every white trader in New Zealand. We do not want to import largely, but we want some for ourselves. Hon. Mr. Mills : The vexed question of prohibition is making rapid strides in New Zealand, but, generally speaking, my own idea is that every one should be moderate in the use of liquor, as in all things. Ido not think that any man who knows exactly how to act, and can act accordingly, should be debarred from having what he requires. But there can be no doubt that liquor among Natives has been proved to be a very harmful agent, and while it may not be sold to the Natives it is a question whether they do not get it surreptitiously. Mr. Bex : They do not get it from the traders. Hon. Mr. Mills : I am very glad to hear that the traders recognise the necessity for being careful with the Natives. I may say, however, that I have a petition from the Natives of Niue, which has been handed to me by Colonel Gudgeon, in reference to this matter. This will be brought before Cabinet on my return, when we will have to discuss the question not only as affecting Niue, but Earotonga as well. In Barotonga it is felt that there should be some provision for the accommodation and comfort of visitors, and if this can be arranged in such a way that we can prevent an increased distribution of liquor among the Natives, that consideration will no doubt weigh a good deal with the Government in dealing with the representations made. But, of course, I cannot say whether the Government may not decide that it is better not to have liquor there at all; but the matter will be laid fully and fairly before them, and I will let you know the decision. Mr. Head, sen.: Several months ago there was liquor imported into Niue, and this liquor was taken out of bond and sold to the foreign residents in the island without a license. Has a trader authority to sell liquor without a license ? Mr. Bex : I can throw a little light on that. My license receipt will show that I have a wholesale license to trade in the islands, and this enables me to trade wholesale and retail with the whites only. Hon. Mr. Mills : I understood that traders were allowed to sell only a certain quantity of spirituous liquors to Europeans in a week. Mr. Bex : Three bottles a week. Hon. Mr. Mills : The question will have to be considered, as I said just now, in its broader aspect as affecting Earotonga as well as Niue. Meanwhile I see nothing for it but to go on with your trading until the question has been finally settled. Traders' Licenses. Mr. Bex : The next thing is the question of our annual licenses as traders. We have to pay £10 for a wholesale and £5 for a retail license. The traders think that when they are paying duty on their goods and contributing towards the revenue of the country they should be freed from having to pay these licenses. If we wish to open a store and sell retail to the Natives we pay £5 for a license; if we sell wholesale we have to pay £10. Everybody is a wholesale trader here. We may appoint a man to act for us in the back of the island, retailing only to Natives, probably never selling goods to a white man; yet the fact of our opening another place, and supplying from our main store the man who works for us, constitutes us wholesale traders, and we have to pay the £10 license. • We think a word from you might put that matter right. Hon. Mr. Mills : I will see Mr. Maxwell and talk the matter over with him. The point seems to be whether it is really opening a new store or simply, as we say, " packing " goods. In New Zealand our mining laws and regulations meet these cases more than the civil laws. We allow a man to " pack " goods without a license, but when he opens a store he has to pay a license fee. Mr. Bex : The fact of opening a store in another part of the island makes our main store a wholesale one. Island Revenue. This question having been alluded to, — Hon. Mr. Mills said, —I shall arrange to have the accounts audited the same as the Earotonga accounts. Particulars of the revenue and expenditure will be published in the Cook Islands Gazette, and I will see that copies are sent to you so that you may examine them for yourselves. In saying this I am not casting any reflection on any of our agents, who are all doing their best to put things clearly before the Government; but there is only one way to deal with public accounts, and that is to make them as public as possible. Mr. Bex : There was a lot of trouble caused here through the report that the money from here goes to Earotonga. Hon. Mr. Mills : That is not so. Roads. Mr. Rex : We want you, sir, if you can, to have the main road round the island attended to. There is more traffic on that than anywhere else at present. From here to Tuapa the road is in a disgraceful state, and it is the same with the portion to Avatele. If you mention the matter to the Besident Agent he will no doubt see that it is attended to. It would not take long, and the Natives are willing to work, and if the Agent mentions the matter to them we could have a good road right round the island in about six months. Hon. Mr. Mills : I think the question of roads is one of the most essential. We would like to have gone round this island as we did at Earotonga, but we are unable to do so. I will talk over ' 4—A. 3b.

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this matter with the Resident Agent, and I shall have no hesitation in asking the House to assist where assistance will help to bring about closer settlement and better communication between the traders or facilitate the shipping of produce. I think there are three places where you can ship on the island. Mr. Bex : The roads to the shipping-places are the worst in the island. Hon. Mr. Mills : I will see what funds Mr. Maxwell has for going on with the work, and authorise him to do all he possibly can in the matter. Mr. Bex : I have to thank you very much for your kindness. The Minister and party were then introduced to " King " Togia. A large gathering of chiefs and people had already assembled on the open grassy space in front of the new house which the people have built for the Eesident Agent, and a lengthy conference took place, Mr. E. D. Head interpreting. The following is a report of the proceedings : — Hon. Mr. Mills : On behalf of the Premier of New Zealand, my colleagues, myself, and party I have to convey to you our hearty salutations and greetings. The Premier hoped that he would be able to come with us too, but found he was unable to do so. So as Minister in charge of the Cook and Other Islands Administration I have taken his place, but he will probably visit you some time early next year. When the Right Hon. Mr. Seddon returned from his visit to the islands some two years ago and told us what he had seen in them, a great deal of interest was created, as well as a desire on the part of members to see them for themselves. So the Government resolved to form a party this year from both Houses of Parliament and make the trip to the islands, so that we might get a great deal of information and be more familiar with your ideas and customs. We have already visited a number of islands, and we have now come to Niue, and when we leave here to-night we shall visit Tonga, and from there we shall go to Fiji, and then back to New Zealand. I can assure you that a great number of our party would like to remain longer than to-day, but we cannot spare the time. The General Assembly of the New Zealand Parliament meets during next month, and we must all be back there in time to take up our respective duties when the House meets. We have been very much pleased with our visit to the various places, and we shall be able to carry back a great deal of valuable information, so that the Government and the House will better understand what these islands that have recently been annexed to New Zealand really mean to the colony. I want you all to understand that one of the results of this annexation is that you have become part and parcel of the great British Empire to which we all belong, and New Zealand is answerable for the administration which deals with matters relative to the islands. We shall therefore be only too happy and pleased to hear any expression of opinion from any of you present here to-day, because we are very anxious to gain all the information we possibly can. I have received a petition from Niue, handed to me by Colonel Gudgeon, in reference to the liquor traffic on this island. When I return to New Zealand this will be submitted to the Cabinet, and it will receive their consideration when they deal with the same question as affecting Rarotonga and the other islands. I shall be very pleased to write and let you know what the Cabinet's decision may be with regard to it. I understand also that there has been some feeling as to what is being done with regard to the revenue derived from this island, and I have to tell you that the Government has arranged with Colonel Gudgeon that whatever revenue is collected from Niue is to be administered by your Resident Agent, Mr. Maxwell, and will have nothing whatever to do with the revenue at Rarotonga. King Togia : Thank you. Hon. Mr. Mills : I shall have copies of your accounts printed both in English and in the Native language, and a fair number of these publications will be sent down here so that you can look them carefully through. Then you will all see how these funds have been administered during the past year, and you will be able to tell me by letter whether you are satisfied or not. The Government will give careful consideration to your requests, and do what it considers best in your interest and the interests of the whole colony. I should be exceedingly glad if I had more time to personally visit the different parts of the island, and so be able to speak from my own observations, but I must rely on information which is supplied by those people whom I can depend upon here. I have heard that there has been some dissatisfaction with regard to the duty imposed on tobacco, and on my return to New Zealand I shall bring this item before Cabinet, and it will then be fully discussed, and we will see what can be done to meet your wishes by reduction of the duty on that commodity. I will then communicate at once with the Resident Agent here, Mr. Maxwell, and he will let you know what the Government has decided to do. I understand that tobacco has been in general use for commercial purposes and as a medium of exchange instead of silver, and therefore I quite realise the necessity of getting the matter settled once and for all. At the same time, I must point out that, while you may have suffered with regard to the duty on tobacco, there are many other things which are now imported into Niue from New Zealand which will be free of duty, as the old 10 per cent, duty formerly collected on goods from our colony has been removed, as well as the 25 per cent, duty charged on hats ; and it is a question for consideration whether even the extra duty derived from tobacco might not be profitably and satisfactorily applied in effecting certain improvements which would assist you greatly, as in the way of better facilities for shipping produce from the islands or in the further construction of your roads, thus bringing people into closer communication so that they could ship whatever they have to export with greater facility. Now, I shall not detain you any longer, as I understand some of you would like to bring some important matters before me, and my friends also are anxious to hear whatever you have to say. I want you all clearly to understand that it is not simply a pleasure excursion that brings us here ; we are here to obtain all the information we possibly can get. A great number of our party are men holding very responsible positions in New Zealand, and they have had great difficulty in sparing the time necessary for such a long journey as this will be, so if there are any important matters that you wish to lay before us now is the proper time to have them ventilated.

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King Togia then said, —I am very glad to meet the chiefs from New Zealand and the great country of Great Britain to-day. We thank God for having suffered us to meet together to-day. I wish to thank you on behalf of the chiefs of the island for this visit from the Ministers of New Zealand. We are glad that you have come to bind together the agreements that we have made in the past. There are eleven villages in the island, and there will be eleven chiefs to speak. We had previously arranged that only five of the chiefs should speak to-day, but seeing that such a number of chiefs have come from New Zealand we have decided that eleven should speak. That is all I have to say. My spokesman will say everything I have to say. Hon. Mr. Mills (to the interpreter) : Kindly ask them to speak as shortly as they can and to the point, as otherwise it will take too long. A great number of my friends are not used to sitting out in a tropical sun for so long a time. Let them select two of the chiefs for the purpose ; then if they omit any particular matter any one of the others can mention it, and my Secretary will record it. Pulekula, Native teacher, said, —We are the chiefs and the people of the Island of Niue, and we wish to speak to Mr. Mills, as Minister of New Zealand, and also the members of Parliament assembled here to-day. The Queen of Great Britain sent Mr. Thompson here to hoist the flag to protect this island. He was sent direct from London by the Imperial authorities. Governor Eanfurly also came, the Governor of New Zealand, and hoisted the British flag as an annexation flag, and the chiefs and the people at the time told the Governor that they wished to be connected with Great Britain. To-day we hear that Niue has been handed over to the control of the New Zealand Government. We do not quite understand Governor Eanfurly's message by letters and telegrams. In regard to the agreement made with the chiefs and people of Niue —we wished to be annexed to Great Britain, and not in any way to be connected with any part of her dominions. But now that the British Government has handed us over to New Zealand we wish to deal directly with New Zealand. We wish, I say, to have direct communication from Niue to New Zealand, and from New Zealand to Niue, and not to have any connection with Barotonga whatsoever. We wish to show you a few laws that were in existence on the island formerly. The liquor law is one thing—that is, that liquor should not be brought into the island ; this is the old law of Niue. Also, as regards the manufacture of liquor in these islands—orange-beer or pineapple-beer, similar to what is manufactured in Barotonga and other islands—this should not be allowed. We wish also that British residents in Niue shall be prohibited from taking liquor —both white Europeans and coloured Europeans. The next matter is the land laws. We do not wish any land sold. We wish that law to be made a permanent law —that land shall not be sold in Niue. Niue is a very small island. A portion of the land is utilised because it is good for planting food—taro and other vegetables. A great portion of the land, however, is useless rock, &c. ; it is useless for any purpose whatever. Another thing is that the Natives have great disputes with regard to the boundaries. They do not know exactly who owns the land. Then, in reference to the duties on goods brought here by Niue Natives; they go away to other islands and return again with passengers' luggage. We wish the duties reduced on these Natives' luggage. Likewise the duty on tobacco, which you have already spoken about; it is too heavy for the island. Another important matter is about horses ; horses imported into Niue are liable to a duty of £1 per head. Hon. Mr. Mills : Not from New Zealand ? Mr. Head : No ; he means from Tonga. Pulekula : We wish the £1 duty on horses to be set aside. This is the house we have built for the use of the resident sent here from New Zealand [pointing out the building]. All that timber has been supplied by the Natives, also the lime has all been supplied by the Natives. All the inhabitants of Niue have helped to build that house, and there are carpenters among them. All the people that did the bulk of the work wish the Government to grant them something as payment for their work. We also wish that a Niue man be appointed to look after the Government Treasury to see that all the money is properly disposed of. The law that was made in Earotonga with regard to trading licenses is another matter. Latterly we hear that the license does not apply to Natives. Does that exempt the Natives of Niue from paying a license fee ? Are we to understand that the Niue Natives are to be allowed to trade without paying for licenses ? Hon. Mr. Mills : I will have all the correspondence with reference to the matter looked up, and send you word as soon as possible about this. Pulekula : Then, I wish to say something with regard to the vessels that come here for labour. Do the captains of these labour-vessels pay the Government Agent any fee? Mr. Maxwell: Yes ; the last captain paid a fee of 2s. per man. That money, of course, went to the Treasury. Hon. Mr. Mills : They pay a fee of 2s. each for registration. Mr. Head : Pulekula refers, I think, to labour licenses. Hon. Mr. Mills : They have not been paying any licenses similar to what you refer to, but they have brought traders' licenses from Australia, from the Commonwealth, and this is one of the matters I intend to look into. Pulekula : Now, there is another thing —the Niue people leaving the island. Formerly they tried to stop this, but at the present time Natives are leaving in great numbers, and therefore the population of Niue is decreasing. The men that go as labourers are paid their advances in the presence of the Eesident Agent, and 4s. is stopped from the amount. They do not wish that money to be stopped. Hon. Mr. Mills : This is in accordance with the regulation passed by the Council. It will be for the Council to alter it. I understand that this law was drawn up by Mr. Percy Smith, and then passed by the Council. I understand that this law was passed so that those who took men away might be known, and would have to bring them back again ; but I think that nothing should be charged beyond what will pay for the clerical assistance needed.

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Mr. Head : That is all the spokesman has to say. Now a chief from each village will stand up and say a few words. This is Togiafulu, member of the Island Council for Tamakautoga. He is also a Magistrate. Togiafulu: This is what we wish. We wish to"be under a large cloak—that is, Great Britain. Hon. Mr. Mills : You are, the same as we are. While annexed to New Zealand it is only that the administration comes from New Zealand, as being closer than Great Britain. Togiafulu : I have practically the same to say about liquor as the previous speaker. We wish to be always on friendly terms with our parent—that is, the New Zealand Government, that has taken us over. Why we wished to be under British control was that we thought that an older person would have more experience than a young one. Hon. Mr. Mills : No ; Britain would have less knowledge so far as the Natives are concerned. Tatagata (member of the Council for Alofi) : Formerly we used to do things according to the Niue fashion. Now that the Government have taken over the island we wish things done according to the European fashion. We wish to be cut adrift from Rarotonga; Colonel Gudgeon to have jurisdiction over Rarotonga only ; Niue to be governed from Great Britain or New Zealand. That is all. Hegotule (member of the Council for Avatele) : When Lord Ranfurly came here we all met in this settlement. We asked him that Great Britain should take care of us. Yes, he led us to understand that he was sent here by England, and although he was Governor of New Zealand he had not come here as such, but as a representative of the Queen. Latterly we heard that we were to be under the control of the New Zealand Government. We are also, it seems, connected with Rarotonga, for some of the Rarotonga laws were brought here, and it has been very hard on us. We also hear that in New Zealand they do not have laws like the laws of Rarotonga and the laws that have been passed here. Also the traders having to pay a license ; that is a law that emanates from Rarotonga, not a New Zealand law. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Head) : Tell him he is wrong there. They pay licenses in mining districts in New Zealand. I can assure him that traders in mining districts in New Zealand pay for their licenses, somewhat similar to what is being done in these islands. Hegotule: Formerly we paid a small duty of 10 per cent., and latterly the Rarotonga duties were brought here, and they are very heavy on us. There is a heavy duty also on the Native passengers' luggage. Hon. Mr. Mills (to Mr. Head) : Tell him there is an exemption up to £100 allowed in New Zealand, and by the New Zealand tariff, on luggage belonging to a man which has been used by him. Mr. Head : They do not wish the articles to be valued separately. If a box contains twenty or thirty pounds' worth of goods they wish the duty to be charged on that—ls. or 2s. for the box, as the case may be. Their arrangements with Mr. Smith were upset all of a sudden. Hon. Mr. Mills : Well, I cannot say for what length of time Mr. Smith made arrangements, but I understand it was only a tentative measure to have effect until matters were definitely arranged by Act through the Parliament of New Zealand, and then when the House met they looked upon this island as part and parcel of themselves, and so no difference was made at all. Mr. Head : They say the island was given to Great Britain, and it was handed to New Zealand without consulting them in any way. As to Government works, such as road-making, they wish to be paid for their labour. Hon. Mr. Mills : Mr. Maxwell informs me that when work has been done for the general good of the island he has distributed a certain quantity of food, &c, as encouragement to the workers, but when he specially engages labour he pays a full day's wages. Uea (a teacher in the Village of Alofi) : I wish to speak on behalf of the mission. lam the only teacher of Alofi who is speaking on behalf of the mission. They wish that any timber or iron they import shall be exempt from duty provided it is for missionary work. Hon. Mr. Mills : In that case those who are interested should write to the Collector stating what they wish and the amount of rebate it would mean. The letter would then be sent on to me as Minister of Customs, and I should reply either granting the privilege or not. I could not definitely say until Cabinet had given the matter full consideration and decided if the request should be granted. Vile (a householder) : There is paper money here. It is not right. Then, with reference to Colonel Gudgeon, we do not want Colonel Gudgeon to have jurisdiction. When the traders send us to any part of the island with messages they give us a paper, value Is. They should give us Is. in cash. We return the paper and get goods. This is what we want :we want a cash price for everything, and no barter—we want the traders to give us money for everything, and no paper money. That is all I have to say. A Native : The Britishers are a very strong people. When you return to New Zealand we hope you will have a pleasant journey across the sea and reach home to find all well. This is the house we have built; the people of Niue have built it for the use of King Edward, and it has been handed over to Mr. Maxwell. If in future it wants any repair the Government will have to compensate those working upon it. The house took longer to build than it would have taken if the timber and iron had come down together. That is all. Togia : This is the house we have built for the use of the Resident for New Zealand. We handed him the house on the 12th of this month as the representative of Great Britain. Of that day we have said all we have to say. To-day we have come to meet Mr. Mills, the Minister of New Zealand. That is all. Hon. Mr. Mills : I have to thank you for meeting me here to-day and giving me your views on these several matters. I have had notes taken of all you have said so that nothing will be lost. On my return to New Zealand these matters will be fairly represented to Cabinet, and I can assure

Planting a Cocoanut-palm, Niue.

House built by Natives for Resident Agent, Niue.

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you that they will give them every consideration. I have to thank you on behalf of the Government for the earnest way in which you have shown your desire to promote good feeling between New Zealand and Niue. The Government will always see that the house you have built is kept in proper order, and they will fully appreciate the kindness and liberality with which you have come forward to do this good work. On behalf of the party and myself I must now say good-bye, but we shall not forget the hearty way in which you have received us. During the day there was a good deal of dancing by the Natives, the warlike element, which had been entirely absent from the performances of the other islanders, being exhibited here prominently, particularly in one dance, which was said to represent the reception accorded to Captain Cook on the occasion of his visit to the island. Another, in which the performers were a number of boys hideously blackened and girls dressed in white, was said to be symbolical of the heathen darkness of early times contrasted with the Christian enlightenment of to-day. Before the gathering dispersed large presents of food, &c, were made by the Natives to the Minister and party, and the Hon. Mr. Mills presented Togia with the New Zealand ensign, pictures of the King and Queen, and some books, for which the old King returned his thanks very warmly, saying that he would always hold the flag sacred. In accordance with the custom of the island, the Hon. Mr. Mills while in Niue planted a couple of young cocoanut-palms. It is usual to ask a distinguished visitor to perform this ceremony, and it is understood that on the occasion of any subsequent visit to the island he is entitled to the fruits of his tree. From a letter received from Togia since our return from the islands it would appear that any resentment he may have felt at the annexation of Niue to New Zealand has now passed away, although his antipathy to Earotonga still exists. He says, "It is very good that my kingdom is not to be connected with Earotonga. Let New Zealand and Niue be one kingdom." The Minister in charge of the islands has introduced legislation which will separate the administration of Niue from that of Earotonga, and, it is hoped, place matters on a more satisfactory footing than has been the case hitherto. At 5.30 p.m. we went on board, and the vessel steamed westward for the Friendly Islands. VAVAU. On Monday, the 18th May, about 4.30 in the afternoon, having completed a run of 257 miles, we entered the magnificent land-locked harbour of Vavau, and by 6 o'clock we had made fast to the wharf at the Village of Nieafu. Early next morning a number of the party visited the flattopped hill of Telau, about two miles from the village. From this point one is able to obtain a fairly comprehensive view of the harbour and the many small islands which help to form it. During the morning a number of the local traders waited upon the Minister in the saloon, and represented to him the disadvantages under which they laboured as compared with traders in the Cook Islands in respect of their shipments of fruit to New Zealand. They pointed out that their oranges on arrival at Auckland were condemned by the Inspector and destroyed if they were found to be affected by the fruit fly maggot in any degree, while those from the Cook Islands were carefully picked over, and the sound fruit fumigated and allowed to be sold. They also mentioned that their imports from New Zealand were considerable, and asked that they be placed on as favourable a footing as the merchants in Earotonga. The Minister promised to bring the matter before Cabinet on his return to New Zealand. We left Nieafu at 1 o'clock, and steamed down the harbour to the Cave of the Bats, on Kava Island, one of the many famous and interesting caverns in the Vavau Archipelago. Several members of the party had preceded us in the steamer's launch, and after the remainder of our number had explored the cave the " Mapourika " proceeded on her way to Nukualofa, in the Island of Tongatabu, southward 180 miles. TONGATABU. We reached the wharf at Nukualofa at 7.30 a.m. on Wednesday, the 20th May. Later in the morning the Hon. Mr. Mills called on the British Consul, Mr. Hamilton Hunter, who, after some conversation, accompanied the Minister to the residence of the Eev. J. B. Watkin, a gentleman of long residence and much influence in Tonga. At the request of Mr. Watkin, His Majesty King George kindly arranged to receive the party at the palace, and also to have a recital given in the evening by the Tongan choirs, of whose excellent singing we had heard before leaving New Zealand. Accordingly, in the afternoon the Minister and members proceeded to the palace, where they were cordially received by King George. The King is of a rather shy and reserved disposition, and is not inclined to converse very freely with strangers. Later on, however, the Hon. Mr. Mills had a long talk with him in the palace-grounds. All reserve and formality were thrown aside, and His Majesty entered.heartily into the conversation. In the evening the party attended the Eoyal chapel, and listened to a fine programme of music rendered by the King's choir, and the Boys' College choir, separately and in combination. The singing was entirely unaccompanied, and, including as it did such items as the "Hallelujah Chorus," the performance in every way was a remarkable one. At the conclusion of the singing the Minister thanked the choirs on behalf of himself and party, and complimented them highly on their performance, which he thought would compare favourably with any choral work he had ever heard. We left Nukualofa at 6 o'clock the following morning, Thursday, the 21st May, and at 9 o'clock on Friday night we entered the harbour of Suva, at Fiji, 420 miles to the north-west. SUVA. At 7 o'clock a.m. on Saturday the " Mapourika" made fast to the wharf at Suva. At 10 o'clock His Excellency the Governor, Sir Henry Jackson, received the Minister and party at Government House. His Excellency expressed his pleasure at meeting so many members of the New Zealand Parliament, and regretted that the party had not arrived in time to be present at a

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baU'which had been given at Government House the previous evening. On Saturday afternoon and Sunday most of the members took the opportunity of Eeeing as much as possible of Suva and its surroundings. On Monday, the 25th May, at the kind invitation of the citizens of Suva, the party made a trip up the Eewa Eiver as far as the "Village of Navuso. They were accompanied by Mr. A. M. C. Duncan, Warden of Suva; Hon. William Sutherland, M.L.C., Acting Colonial Secretary ; Hon. William Burton, M.L.C., manager of the Bank of New Zealand ; Mr. William McBae, manager of the Bank of New South Wales ; Mr. S. L. Lazarus, merchant; Mr. Henry Marks, merchant; and Mr. F. J. Barnett, merchant, who constituted the committee of management : and also the Hon. J. M. Brown, M.L.C. ; the Bev. William Thompson, Presbyterian minister; Mr. J. H. Garrick, solicitor; Mr. B. Caldwell, solicitor; Mr. L. B. Benjamin, merchant, and three of the officers of H.M.S. " Pylades." At Nausori, where the Colonial Sugar-refining Company's mill is situated—the third largest in the world—we were joined by Mr. B. Gemmell Smith, the general manager of the company in Fiji. The mills were not in operation at the time, and we did not go ashore. On arrival at Navuso the party were entertained at a sumptuous luncheon at the bouse of Princess Thakombau. Mr. Duncan, on behalf of the citizens of Suva, proposed the health of the Minister and party, coupling the toast with the names of the Hon. Mr. Mills and Mr. James Allen, M.H.B. The Minister thanked Mr. Duncan and his friends most heartily for the generous manner in which the party had been entertained, and Mr. Allen also responded briefly in a few well-chosen words. A Fijian meke was then performed by the Natives, after which we left on our return journey down the river. On the way a short stay was made at the Boman Catholic mission-station at Naililili, which is in charge of the Bev. Father Bougier. The steamer had been unable to wait there on the way up, as the river was shoaling with the receding tide. This was one of the most enjoyable days of the whole tour, and the members were unanimous in their praises of the hospitable reception accorded to them by the good people of Suva. A word of thanks is due also to the members of the Suva Club for their kindness and courtesy to the Parliamentary party during the time we were there. In the evening the Minister dined with Sir Henry Jackson. Shortly after midnight the steamer left for Levuka. LEVUKA. After a run of sixty miles we reached Levuka, in the Island of Ovalau, arriving alongside the wharf about 7 o'clock on Tuesday morning, the 26th May. Here the Minister was received by the Chairman of the Town Board. At the invitation of Captain Bobbie, Chairman of the Levuka School Board, a visit was paid to the State school, where we were most cordially received by the master, Mr. J. Garner Jones, who was most attentive to the party throughout the day. Under his direction an exhibition of knot-tying was given by the elder boys. Mr. Jones is a man of boundless energy, and he and his assistant have a school to be proud of. The scholars having been dismissed for the day, Mr. Jones entertained a number of the party at his residence. The afternoon was spent in a general inspection of Levuka and its surroundings, and at 6 in the evening the " Mapourika" left for the Kermadecs. Our departure from Levuka was the occasion of a remarkable display of enthusiasm, the people cheering and singing "God save the King" until we were well out from the wharf. Sunday, 29th May.—Sunday Island, in the Kermadec Group, was sighted after 12 o'clock, and about 5 in the afternoon we stood close in, and steamed along towards Hutchison Bluff. Owing to the lateness of the hour and the heavy sea, however, Commander Crawshaw deemed it inadvisable to attempt a landing, and we accordingly passed on for Auckland. Monday, 1st June.—We reached Auckland shortly after 3 p.m., and a large crowd was found waiting to welcome the party's arrival home. The northern members and a few others left the steamer there, and shortly after midnight we sailed for Wellington. Thursday, 4th June. —At 7 a.m. the " Mapourika " reached the Queen's Wharf, Wellington, the voyage having occupied exactly seven weeks, and the distance travelled being 8,015 miles. A map showing the course and the itinerary of the voyage will be found at the end of this paper.

Of the sixteen islands included in the annexation eight were visited, the remaining eight being Mitiaro, Takufcea, Manuae, Palmerston, Suwarrow, Bakahanga, Danger, and Nassau. Mitiako. This is a small coral island lying about forty miles to the north-east of Atiu, and an equal distance from Mauke. Its area is only about four square miles, and it nowhere rises higher than 50 ft. above sea-level. It contains some good land, however, and is capable of producing 100 tons of copra annually. Its present export is about 70 tons of copra and five hundred boxes of oranges. In the centre is a pretty little lagoon, bordered by a belt of swamp. The population according to the last returns was 165. Takutba. This is the smallest island in the Cook Group, its area being about 400 acres. It lies about 125 miles to the north-east of Barotonga, and close to the Island of Atiu. It belonged to the late Ngamaru Ariki, and was by him presented to His Majesty King Edward for the benefit of his subjects in the Group. The Besident Commissioner proposes to have the island systematically planted with cocoanut-palms, and he anticipates that it will in time yield 200 tons of copra annually.

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Palmerston. Palmerston is an atoll, with a land-area of one square mile, lying to the north-west of Rarotonga, some 273 miles distant. The reef carries a number of small islets, which are in the occupation of the descendants of the late William Masters, an old English sailor. One of these, Joel Masters, acts as Resident Agent, and he with six other members of the family constitute the island Council. The lagoon, which is about eight miles in diameter, does not carry pearlshell at present, but it is hoped that spawn may be successfully introduced from other islands. The planting of the land is being well looked after by the Masters family. The population is 115. Manuae and Te Au-o-Tu. These two small islands are enclosed within one reef, and are known as the Hervey Isles—a name that is frequently applied to the Cook Group as a whole. They contain approximately 500 acres and 800 acres respectively of good cocoanut land, and under the careful cultivation of the Cook Islands Trading Company, to whom they are leased, they will ere long produce an immense amount of copra. The islets form a dependency of Aitutaki, from which they are about sixty miles distant, and by which they were conquered in heathen times. By a recent decision of the Land Titles Court Te Au-o-Tu was awarded to the Arikis of Aitutaki and their clans, seventy-one owners, who claimed the islands by right of conquest ; while in the case of Manuae an order was made in favour of the eighty-six descendants of the conquered people, their claim also having been recognised as good. This partition of the islands ends a long-standing contention between the rival claimants, and the judgment is admitted to be an equitable one. The Cook Islands Trading Company's lease runs for twenty-five years from the 7th June, 1898, and the rent will now be shared equally by the owners of the two islands. The population is stated as ten. Suwabbow. Suwarrow is a valuable atoll, 530 miles from Rarotonga. Its value lies chiefly in its lagoon, however, the land-area being very small. The lagoon is from eight to ten miles long, and about four miles across at the widest part, and it makes a splendid harbour, having an entrance sufficiently deep to admit vessels drawing up to 20 ft. of water. The island is under lease to Levers' Pacific Plantations (Limited) " for the purpose of removing guano or other fertilising substances therefrom, and of planting the land with cocoanuts, and for collecting pearl-shells, and for other purposes of a like nature." A portion of one of the reef islets, known as Anchorage Island, is vested in the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty as a reserve for naval purposes. Large quantities of pearl-shell of excellent quality have been obtained from the lagoon by the Pacific Trading Company, the predecessors of the present lessees ; but diving has been discontinued for some time now, and the shell-beds are being given a long rest, the company having transferred its operations to Christmas Island. It is probable that on the expiry of the present lease in August, 1913, the islands Government will take over the control of the lagoon, so far, at least, as machine-diving is concerned. It is estimated that one machine will obtain from 40 to 45 tons of shell a year at Suwarrow. There are about thirty people on the island. Rakahanga. This island lies about twenty-five miles to the north of Manihiki. It is not so large as its neighbour, and the lagoon does not contain any pearl-shell, but otherwise the two islands are very much alike. They are owned and inhabited by the same people, and what has been said concerning Manihiki is true, for the most part, of Rakahanga also. The duties of Resident Agent are performed by Pahapa Wauharangi, a teacher of the London Missionary Society, whose good sense and great influence with the people enable him to fill the position very satisfactorily. Rakahanga exported 160 tons of copra last year; but here, as in Manihiki, the cocoanut-palms must be judiciously thinned out before the limit of production can be reached. Rakahanga has a population of 400. Danger (Pukapuka) and Nassau. Of these two islands which lie away towards the north-west corner of the annexation boundary, it is not possible to say much at present. Concerning the former Colonel Gudgeon writes, "At Pukapuka I found a very singular population, who have now some knowledge of the Rarotongan language, but whose language is not intelligible to the Maori of the Pacific. This is such a primitive people that I considered it advisable for the present to leave them under their own ancient form of government, inasmuch as they are seldom visited by Europeans, and produce only a little copra." The island is a small atoll of about three miles in diameter, and the lagoon produces some pearl-shell. The population numbers about five hundred. Nassau is owned by a resident of Apia, Samoa.

A.—3b.

MEMOBANDUM BY THE MINISTEE IN CHARGE OF THE COOK AND OTHEE ISLANDS ADMINISTRATION. The subjects dealt with in the foregoing report being in many cases common to all the islands, the report of the proceedings might have been condensed somewhat; but, seeing that the people of each island have to a large extent an individuality of their own, I have thought it advisable to meet what I know to be the wishes of the Arikis by placing on record a report of the proceedings of each meeting. Visiting members of the Legislature were present at most of the meetings, and in some cases took part m the discussion. Owing to the extended nature of the itinerary, embracing as it did a stoppage at fifteen different places—viz., Earotonga, Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Aitutaki, Papeete, Penrhyn, Manihiki, Tutuila, Apia, Niue, Vavau, Nukualofa, Suva, and Levuka-—the time spent at each of our own islands was necessarily limited, and was found to be barely sufficient for a full discussion of the matters the Natives and the Resident Agents had to bring before me. Notwithstanding this, much information was obtained that will be invaluable in connection with the future administration of the islands and in discussions in the House. The principal matters brought before me by the Natives were : — Barotonga — Hotel or accommodation-house. Government schools. Encouragement of fruit trade. Mangaia — Grant of £500 for road. Publication of accounts. Aitutaki — Grant for improving wharf. Agents for fruit in Auckland and Wellington. Niue — Direct communication with New Zealand. Total prohibition of alcoholic liquors. Modification of duty on tobacco. Abolition of duty on Natives' luggage. Abolition of duty on horses from Tonga. Traders' licenses. Labour licenses. Prohibition of sale of land. Emigration fees. Paper money. Payment for labour. Duty on material used for the purposes of the mission. The Natives' views on these matters will be found in the reports of the proceedings. The Land. The area of the sixteen islands within the colony's extended boundaries is about 235 square miles, a great portion of which is rich volcanic land capable of producing large quantities of cocoanuts, oranges, bananas, pine-apples, limes, and other tropical fruits, as well as coffee, &o. In addition to this, -tobacco grows well at Mangaia. In the present undeveloped state of the islands it is really impossible to say what their capabilities are ; but if only half the area is rich volcanic soil, and if one imagines a vast greenhouse or conservatory of 118 square miles in extent, one gets an idea of the enormous quantities of fruit that can be grown in that tropical climate. When the surveys now in progress at Earotonga are complete, if enterprising colonials will open up new plantations, I am satisfied that sufficient tropical fruits will soon afterwards be grown to supply all our requirements. While at Rarotonga I was told that suitable sections of 50 acres, and more, could be leased there for terms extending to sixty years at from 4s. to 10s. per acre per annum, according to quality. Though it takes from eight to ten years for a cocoanut-palm to come into full bearing, banana-plants, which may be grown among the maturing palms, commence giving handsome recurring crops when they are a year old. Look where one will, the rich, expansive foliage gives one the impression that Nature seems never to get tired in that tropical region. For nine months of the year the heat of the islands is not oppressive, and European residents speak very highly of the climate. The Natives. According to the last census the population of the whole Group was 12,292, the number of Europeans being very small. The Natives of both sexes are a well-developed, generous-hearted people. Moreover, their intellectual and physical capacity is equal, if not superior, to that of most aboriginal races. They should be taught to work their plantations on a proper system, for there can be no doubt that under European guidance they would show much better returns from their lands. In those islands, however, where Nature has bountifully provided nearly every necessary of life, it is difficult to instil into the minds of the Natives the advantages to be derived from a systematic cultivation of the soil or the need for working between meals. It is a singular but notable fact that Natives who show no inclination to work while at home become in many cases reliable and competent workmen when they remove to another island in the Group or to Tonga or Tahiti. The Federal Council has very wisely taken steps, by passing " The Asiatics Immigration Eestriction Act, 1900," to prevent the settlement of Chinese in the islands. The evils resulting from the influx of Chinese and other Asiatics into other islands of the Pacific are well known.

32

33

A.—3b

Education. Though much remains to be done, this important adjunct of civilisation has been far better attended to than most people think. In this connection, the schools at Barotonga and Aitutaki conducted by the London Missionary Society deserve special mention. In the former young men and women are trained as teachers, and then sent to the islands where they are most needed. By their persistent and self-denying efforts that society—which is non-sectarian, but Protestant —has, as a result of many years of arduous labour, established a fair system of education, and has imparted knowledge that has been a great boon to many thousands of children in the Group. Just as the Natives are proud of their religion and their churches, so they desire further facilities for gaining secular knowledge. A number of Arikis accordingly expressed a desire to have the New Zealand system of free, secular, and compulsory education extended to the islands. Further inquiries should therefore be made as to the advisability of establishing more schools on the different islands, and making education compulsory. English is taught in a few of the schools, and I am strongly of the opinion that it should be taught in them all. Trade and Commerce. On reference to the statement of accounts at the end hereof, showing the revenue and expenditure of the Cook and other islands, it will be seen that substantial, if not rapid, progress has been made during the past five years, and there can be little doubt that as more frequent communication is established with this colony trade will gradually expand and become of mutual benefit to the islands and New Zealand. Our imports of tropical fruits from all places last year represented 560,000 parcels, of which only 57,000 came from our islands. It will thus be seen that there is great room for expansion of trade in that commodity alone. Moreover, under an extensive system of cultivation, and with an increasing consumption of European foods as against the cocoanuts at present largely used by the northern Natives, the islands should in time be able to export nearly 30,000 tons of copra annually. The Cook Islands traders have petitioned the Government to impose a duty on tropical fruit imported from places outside New Zealand territory, and the Natives desire the Government to arrange for agents at Auckland and Wellington to receive their consignments of fruit. These matters deserve serious consideration. Last year the value of our imports from' the Cook and other islands amounted to £32,163, and our exports to them to £22,973. Our imports from and exports to Fiji amounted to £327,972, and £59,690 respectively. A few amounts to which some exception may be taken have been placed on the estimates for expenditure in connection with the islands, but we must bear in mind the fact that the greater portion of the duty on goods sent to Barotonga and Niue is paid in the colony and becomes part of the consolidated revenue. In order that we may ascertain how much revenue is collected in this way, I have instructed the Customs Department to have separate accounts kept at the different ports of the duty-paid goods shipped to the islands. The " Countess of Ranfurly." Since this auxiliary oil-engine schooner started trading with the islands the direct financial return has not been such as to make her self-supporting—it was hardly to be expected that during the initiatory stages of her work the result would be otherwise. She has, however, been of great service to the islands, one of the results of her advent being a material reduction in freight charges. Moreover, the Union Steamship Company now sends its steamer for produce to islands which were formerly not called at without a guarantee being first given. A new time-table for the schooner was recently drawn up, and it is expected that in consequence of this her earnings will greatly improve. I have had an actuarial table prepared, showing instalments of principal and interest on her cost that should be paid annually for fifteen years by the two islands Administrations. I therefore propose to arrange that these payments shall be made, along with the insurance premiums, by the islands Administrations until trie debt in connection with the vessel is liquidated. Landing Facilities. The boat-landings at Mangaia, Atiu, and Niue being almost as Nature formed them, a proper boat-passage should be cut through the reef at each place. When this is done, and proper moorings are laid at each island, shipping will be greatly facilitated. A grant is required to improve the wharf at Aitutaki. Steam Communication. A steamer belonging to the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand leaves Auckland every month for the Cook Islands and Tahiti under contract with the Postal Department, and I am inquiring as to what it would cost to run a suitable mail-steamer once a month from Wellington. If this could be arranged at a reasonable cost we should have a regular fortnightly service with the islands. No better foundation could be laid on which to foster trade with our new possessions, and thus further develop their resources, than to bring them into closer communication with the colony. This would probably result before long in the products of our islands being generally used here in preference to those of Tahiti, Tonga, Fiji, and Queensland. Tourist Traffic. This great revenue-producing source cannot possibly attain even reasonable dimensions in the islands until the vexed question of the establishment of a suitable accommodation-house or hotel at Barotonga, either by the Government or by some trustworthy individual, is definitely settled. Any house so established should be firmly controlled by regulations. The present system of alcoholicliquor control, established under the old islands law, is most unsatisfactory, and is pernicious to the Natives. It should therefore be altered, and supplies to the Natives should be strictly prohibited. 5—A. 3b.

A.—3b

34

The Arikis, the Missionary, and the Eesident Commissioner are all agreed that a proper place for the accommodation of tourists should be established, and if this is done either by the Government or under their supervision, and an efficient fortnightly service established, it should not be long before large passenger traffic takes place between the islands and New Zealand. Suitable residences are also wanted for the medical officer and other officials. Horticulture and Health. As regards the horticulture of the islands and the general health of the Natives, I need not say anything, as a report on the former by Mr. T. W. Kirk, F.L.S., Biologist of the Department of Agriculture, is appended hereto, and Dr. J. M. Mason. M.D., F.C.S., D.P.H., Chief Health Officer of the Department of Public Health, has prepared an interesting report on the subject health and sanitary conditions of the islands. Parliamentary Representation. This question was discussed with some of the traders and Arikis at Earotonga and Niue, but some little time must elapse before anything practical can be arranged. As our social, fiscal, and commercial relations become more closely interwoven, however, the cardinal principle that there should be no taxation without representation will have to be applied to the islands, and legislation passed to meet the case. Future Administration. No comprehensive scheme for the administration of these islands which would be lasting in its effects could be suddenly inaugurated without causing friction among the islanders, for they have always been used to only a primitive system of government under their old laws and customs. Any material changes must therefore be made slowly, while the Natives are becoming educated to see the necessity for them. The Resident Commissioner and the Eesident Agents, with the leading chiefs and Arikis, deserve great commendation for the good work they have done during the past few years, and I feel certain that satisfactory progress will continue to be made. I take this opportunity of thanking the island officials for the valuable assistance they rendered by familiarising me with the requirements of the islands. Conclusion. The Europeans and the Natives vied with each other in their efforts to make our stay among them as interesting and as pleasant as possible, and I desire to place on record the Government's appreciation of their many kindnesses. The thanks of the Government are due to the directors of the Union Steamship Company for generously placing the s.s. " Mapourika " (Commander George Crawshaw) at their disposal, and charging only the net expense of the trip. Seasonable and experienced persons who look carefully into the matter of including South Pacific islands within the boundaries of this colony must recognise the absolute necessity for outdoing so, not with the narrow or prejudiced view of an immediate return, but on the broader and higher ground of Imperial policy. They must also recognise that a great mistake was made in the past in allowing any foreign Power to take possession of any one of those islands, which should all be part of the territory of a Greater New Zealand. Instead of only thousands as at present, there will in years to come be millions of people in this colony who will be the best customers of the islands. The day is not far distant when steam and electricity will so assist vessels in their desperate race against time that Earotonga will be not more than a three-days' journey from this colony, and New Zealand, with the South Sea islands, will oontinue to be among the brightest gemsof the British Empire. Wellington, 31st October, 1903. C. H. Mills. Cook and other Islands (not including Niue) Eeceipts for the Ybab ending 31st Maech, 1903. £ s. d. Balance in hand on 31st March, 1902 ... ... ... 1,697 10 10 Customs duties ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,674 9 5 Traders' licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 418 9 5 Liquor dues ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 17 11 Sale of stamps ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,132 3 0 Fees and fines— High Court ... ... ... ... ... ... 147 9 1 Arikis' Courts ... ... ... ... 178 15 4 Aitutaki E.M. Court ... ... ... ... ... 123 16 6 Land Titles Court ... ... ... ... ... 16 19 0 Eents ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 116 0 0 Sale of old buildings .. ... ... ... ... 63 0 0 Money-order commission ... ... ... ... ... 0 12 6 Sale of forms ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 15 4 Shipping fees ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 15 0 6,584 13 4 Expenditure for year ending 31st March, 1903, as below ... 4,725 16 11 Surplus on hand, 31st March, 1903 ... .. ...£1,858 16 5

35

A.—3b

Expenditure for Year ending 31st March, 1903.

W. B. Gudgeon, Eesident Commissioner. Earotonga, 2nd April, 1903. T. E. Hebd, Treasurer.

Comparative Return of Revenue and Expenditure. Revenue. Expenditure. Surplus. Year. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. 1892-93 ... ... 825 9 0 933 19 8 1893-94 ... ... 1,246 7 1 860 17 4 1894-95 ... ... 1,287 1 4 1,376 8 9 1895-96 ... ... 1,428 17 8 1,441 0 8 1896-97 ... ... 1,230 2 9 L,6o± 0 6 L 897-98 ... ... 1,379 10 0 1,439 9 5 1898-99 ... ... 1,801 13 4 1,402 12 5 1899-1900 ... ... 3,165 7 10 2,188 9 10 1900-01 ... ... 4,252 17 11 2,951 14 10 1,301 3 1 1901-02 ... ... 4,063 9 6 2,335 7 3 1,697 10 10 1902-03 ... ... 6,584 13 4 4,726 16 11 1,856 16 5 Imports and Exports. Imports. Exports. Year. £ £ 1892 ... ... ... ... ... 16,249 20,337 1893 ... ... ... ... ••• ••• 19,284 19,668 1894 ... ... ... ••■ ■■• 22,435 *20,665 1895 ... 23,269 *20,138 1896 ... ... ... ... ••• ••• 23,068 *16,819 1897 ... 26,861 24,132 1898 ... ... 18,155 12,617 1899 ... ... 13,555 14,219 1900 .. ... ... ... ... 21,181 22,379 1901 ... ... ... ... ... 24,862 27,819 1902 ... .. ... ... 27,623 34,821 * Eour years during which the Rarotonga coffee brought 20 cents per pound. W. B. Gudgeon, Eesident Commissioner.

;e. Service. Votei Expeni 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 Postmaster, Customs Officer, and E.M., Aitutaki Pilot and boat, Aitutaki ... Medical and Health Officer Secretary, Interpreter, and Printer... Besident Agent, Penrhyn... Eegistrar, High CourtThree Native Judges, High Court ... High Court expenses Postmasters, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro Supplies for Hospital Ground-rent, Hospital ... ... ... Chief of the Federal Government ... Vice-Chief, Federal Government Grant-in-aid, Tereora School Two Judges, Arikis' Courts, Barotonga Three Judges, Arikis' Courts, Aitutaki Three Judges, Arikis' Courts, Mangaia Three Judges, Arikis' Courts, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro ... Police, Earotonga and Aitutaki Police, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaru Two Clerks of Arikis' Courts Ground-rent, Wharf and Government Biuldiugs Contingent expenditure ... Foreman of Works Subsidy in aid of the Government schooaoi ... Salaries unpaid on the 31st March, 1902 Public Office Buildings Supp lemen tary. Chief Judge, Native Land Titles Court, travelling-expenses Eegistrar, Native Land Titles Court Passages £ b. d. 120 0 0 10 0 0 270 0 0 120 0 0 150 0 0 60 0 0 30 0 0 70 0 0 18 0 0 200 0 0 7 0 0 60 0 0 15 0 0 125 0 0 60 0 0 24 0 0 24 0 0 16 0 0 50 0 0 25 0 0 40 0 0 13 15 0 200 0 0 70 0 0 1,000 0 0 50 0 0 700 0 0 £ s. d. 120 0 0 10 0 0 308 1 8 120 0 0 150 0 0 66 13 4 22 10 0 35 6 6 15 10 0 129 13 3 7 10 0 60 0 0 15 0 0 96 17 6 60 0 0 15 0 0 16 10 0 16 0 0 45 0 0 23 10 0 35 0 0 13 15 0 341 1 6 60 0 0 1,000 0 0 66 15 0 1,563 12 8 1 2 3 66 13 4 133 6 8 20 0 0 66 13 4 133 6 8 112 10 6 3,747 15 0 4,725 16 11

A.—3b

36

Island op Niub. —Beturn of Ebvbnue and Expenditure for the Fifteen Months ending the 31st March, 1903. Revenue. & s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Customs .. .. .. .. 1,024 3 8 Expenditure as per Schedule I. .. .. 267 1 2 Trade licenses .. .. .. .. 97 10 0 „ „ 11... .. 52 14 9 Fines and Court fees .. .. .. 72 11 9 Material for Government House — Sale of hats .. .. .. .. 4 8 0 Wingate and Co. .. .. .. 83 5 3 Emigration fees .. .. .. 57 12 0 Kauri Timber Company .. .. 45 10 0 Shipping fees .. .. .. .. 3 7 0 Freight for above material .. .. 14 19 8 Labour fees .. .. .. .. 13 4 0 Refund ........ 1 0 0 463 10 10 Stamps sold in Niue .. .. .. 162 2 1 By cash in Treasury, 31st May, 1903 .. 1,242 3 4 Stamps sold in New Zealand .. .. 269 15 8 £1,705 14 2 £1,705 14 2 W. E. Gudgeon. Resident Commissioner.

Schedule I.—Expenditure from January, 1902, to 31st December, 1902. £ s. d. Office-rent... ... ... ... ... ... ... 12 15 0 Messengers ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 15 0 Labour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 18 0 Compensation ... ... ... ... ... ... 500 Eefunds ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 112 9 Interpreter ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 12 0 Police allowance ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 8 .0 Horse-hire ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 0 0 Stationery... ... ... ... ... ... ... 2 17 6 Salaries of Niue Council ... .. ... ... ... 92 14 0 Salaries, Native Magistrates ... ... ... ... ... 35 2 0 Pay of police ... ... ... ... ... ... 47 13 0 Canoe-hire... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 10 Nails, &c, for building quarters ... ... ... ... 9 15 6 Sundries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 410 Police equipment ... ... ... ... ... ... 291 Provisions issued to workmen ... ... ... ... 19 6 4 Stamps for office use ... ... ... ... ... 050 Payment for extra land ... ... ... ... 1100 Timber for quarters... ... ... ... ... ... 1 16 0 Freight on horse from Tonga... ... ... ... ... 2 10 0 £267 1 2 W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

Schedule 11. —Statement of Expenditure for Quarter ending the 31st March, 1903. £ s. d. Purchase of house for Niue Government ... ... ... 11 00 Horse-feed ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 18 0 Labour ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 15 12 4 Nails ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 3 6 Office-rent ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 3 0 0 Messenger ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 040 Police ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 17 3 Provisions for workmen ... ... ... ... ... 17 1 6 Canoe-hire ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 040 Compensation ... ... ... ... ... .. 010 0 Freight, " Countess" ... ... .. ... ... 114 2 Sundries ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 0 0 £52 14 9 W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

37

A.—3b

Summaet of Expoets from Niue during the year ending the 31st December, 1902. £ s. a. Copra, 413 tons 7 cwt. Oqr. 91b. ... ... ... ... 3,879 16 2 Fungus, 38,9981b. ... ... - ... ... ... 486 1 9 Oranges, 5 cases ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 Hats, 2,766d0z. ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,830 17 0 Curios ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 343 12 11 Arrowroot, 5,7741b. ... ... ... ... ... 63 10 10 Yams, 23 tons ... .. ... ... ... ... 106 2 8 Cotton, 3841b. ... ... ... ..'. ... ... 416 0 6,715 17 4 Drapery reshipped ... ... - ... ... ... 3442 Total exports ... ... ... ... ... £6,750 1 6

APPENDIX A.

COOK AND OTHBE ISLANDS HOETICULTUEE. Eepoet ]!y T. W. Kibk, F.L.S., Chief of Division of Biology and Horticulture, and W. A. Boucher, Pomologist, Department of Agriculture. Division of Biology and Horticulture, Department of Agriculture, Wellington, 2nd February, 1903. Memorandum for the Hon. the Minister for Agriculture. In accordance with your instructions we left for the Cook Islands by the Government schooner " Countess of Eanfurly " on the 12th December, 1902, calling at the Kennadecs to search for the missing boat from the s.s. " Elingamite." Keemadec islands. Here we found growing,— (a.) Seedling oranges of superior flavour, which mature later than those of the Cook Islands, and could, if facilities were available, be placed on the New Zealand market at Christmas time, when a high price is always obtainable. (b.) True Lisbon lemons of excellent quality. The proprietor has also planted several hundred young trees. (c.) Bananas and other tropical plants also grow, but would probably not pay to produce on a commercial scale. The difficulty of securing transport, and the poor landing, also stand in the way. We do not, under existing circumstances, suggest any immediate action with regard to Sunday Island, but venture to express the opinion that ere many years have passed it will have become very valuable, 'and should not be permanently alienated. We reached Earotonga on the 27th December, and at once placed ourselves in communication with Colonel Gudgeon, the Eesident Commissioner, who arranged that we should have opportunities for thoroughly examining the following islands : Earotonga, Mangaia, Mauke, Mitiaro, and Atiu. The ship's other engagements and the weather prevented our landing at Aitutaki; but this, Colonel Gudgeon says, is less to be regretted, as the bulk of the land has already been parcelled out amongst the Natives and planted. We may now give, as briefly as possible, an account of the present condition of the so-called plantations at each of the above islands, and our suggestions for future work. In so doing we feel that our joint experience in California and Queensland entitles us to speak with some amount of confidence. Eaeotonga. Much misapprehension appears to exist with regard to the climate of the Cook Islands, many being under the impression that the temperature of summer makes existence barely tolerable for Europeans. The heat, which is by no means excessive for a tropical country, even in midsummer, is usually tempered by steady breezes from the south, while for nine months of the year the climate is all that could be desired. Area, approximately thirty square miles. Earotonga being not only the seat of administration, but also the commercial centre from which the trade of the Cook Islands is conducted, there is already a population of Europeans sufficiently numerous to make social life enjoyable. There is a regular monthly steamer service, with sailing-vessels calling at irregular intervals. The soil may be generally divided into two classes—volcanic, and decomposed or decomposing coral. The volcanic soil for the most part is of excellent quality ; while it is hardly necessary to state that the decomposed coral, being rich in lime and decayed mineral and vegetable matter, is capable of producing the exuberant tropical vegetation which lends a special charm to the scenery of the island.

38

.I.—Sβ

Mountains of considerable height in the centre of the island act as natural storage reservoirs for water, and supply ever-flowing streams, which some day, no doubt, will be utilised for irrigation purposes. True, in dry seasons they become subterranean when nearing the shore ; but the supply is always abundant near the head-waters, and at small expense, by means of dams and a system of pipes, could be conveyed to the dry lands with much benefit. The principal commercial products of Earotonga are copra, bananas, pine-apples, oranges, limes, and coffee. Definite data of the quantity of these products annually exported from Earotonga are not available at present; but careful observation and inquiry show that not one-tenth part of the land suitable for the cultivation of the staple products is as yet planted. Since 1898, 300 acres of land have been leased by Europeans, in blocks varying in size from 30 acres to 100 acres; and in some instances have been, in others will be, planted with cocoanuts. The system now adopted by Europeans of planting in definitely laid-out rows, with given distances between the rows and each tree in the rows, is in marked contrast to the want of system in Native plantations, where distances between trees and rows of trees have not been observed. It is no uncommon thing to see cocoanuts, bananas, oranges, and limes growing together in wild confusion, which, though exceedingly picturesque, is far from satisfactory from a commercial aspect. The orange-trees are self-grown seedlings, originally imported from Tahiti. Many of the trees are far past their prime, and have been allowed to grow at their own sweet will, often to a height of 30 ft. or 40 ft. Such trees cannot possibly yield the maximum of profit. Mangaia. This island comprises about thirty square miles. Here the cocoanut, banana, orange, lime, pine-apple, and coffee flourish. Indeed, the coffee was the most healthy of any we saw; though, like everything else, it had never received any attention whatever, and had therefore attained great height, even as much as 15 ft. to 25 ft. This, of course, reduced the crop, and rendered effectual picking impossible. Yet the best coffee in the group is produced here. The soil is largely volcanic, and eminently suited to the orange and other citrus fruits; and there are large areas lying waste. These are covered with very light scrub, which could be cleared at small cost, and the output of the island increased twentyfold in a few years. At the present time large groves of limes exist which have become so interwoven as to render it impossible to gather more than one-tenth of the crop. We suggested to the leading men of the island that wide tracks should at once*be cut through this jungle to allow the fruit to be gathered. Thus the 4,000 gallons of limejuice exported last season might at once, if desired, be raised to 20,000 gallons. Maukb. Four square miles and a half. This is a remarkably fertile little island, which at present, although only a small portion is planted, sends away 100 tons of copra and 3,500 boxes of oranges annually. These might just as easily, could the Natives be induced to work a few more weeks in the year, be increased fourfold respectively from the existing trees. Coffee, oranges, pines, bananas, and vanilla all flourish, while guavas are becoming the common " scrub " of the island. In the centre is a large well-sheltered area, fully a mile long by three-quarters of a mile wide, which would make an ideal orange orchard, while the surrounding country and makatea is but very sparsely utilised for cocoanut and banana. MITIABO. About four square miles. This island exports about 70 tons of copra and 500 boxes of oranges. Both could be considerably increased ; but the island being merely an elevated coral reef, with some good land and also some swamps in the centre, it is not likely to become of any considerable commercial importance for a number of years at least. Bananas are also largely grown, but on account of difficulty of shipping, and vessels not calling at frequent intervals, the product is dried instead of being despatched green. There are a number of other small islands in the Group, which will ere long export considerable quantities of copra, but not much fruit. One island has been leased to the Cook Islands Trading Company, and systematic planting with cocoanut-trees has been almost completed. In ten years' time the output of copra from this Group should be enormous. The importation of Tahiti oranges has practically ceased; but large quantities of fruit reach New Zealand from Huahine, Eaiatea, and other French possessions. Oranges from Mauke, Mitiaro, and Aitutaki are now sold here as Tahitian. This is practically recognised as a guarantee of high quality. Atiu. Area, about thirty-two square miles. Exports about 5 tons of coffee, 118 tons of copra, 4,000 boxes of oranges, and 50 barrels of limejuice annually. Coffee, pine-apples, bananas, and vanilla grow luxuriantly. A considerable area of land on this island well adapted for the cultivation of oranges, limes, and cocoanuts still remains to be planted. Here, as in the case of several of the smaller islands of the Group, the want of more frequent communication with the markets prevents the extended cultivation of the more perishable fruits, such as pine-apples and bananas.

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Pests and Diseases. These are worst on the Island of Rarotonga, which appears to be a perfect paradise for all species. We understand that there is a little scale on Aitutaki, but the other islands visited are, so far as aur observations went, practically free from "pests, except black aphis. There being no matured fruit at the time of our visit we were unable to ascertain the area of distribution of the fruit-fly maggot, but believe it to be confined to Earotonga. At present all pestS are absolutely neglected. If all exported fruit were inspected it might be possible to trace infected fruit, and by the destruction of the crop, or trees if necessary, be the means of eradicating this troublesome pest. On the islands visited there are as yet no actual plantations of oranges, the trees scattered all over the islands being for the most part self-sown, and frequently attaining 30 ft. and 40 ft. in height. This being the case the impossibility of treating such trees for scale and other pests, except at a cost that would be prohibitive from a commercial aspect, is obvious; so that there appears to be but little hope for improvement in this respect until commercial orchards, systematically planted with varieties of comparatively dwarf habit, are established and managed as commercial orchards should be to turn out clean, sound fruit. Feesent Expobts op Fbesh Fbuit. So far as can be ascertained, these amount to between 40,000 and 50,000 packages. These figures could at once be increased fourfold could the Natives be induced to perform a little more work than is absolutely necessary to supply the wants of the moment. It is stated that at present fully one-half of the entire crop of oranges, &c, is retained by the Natives for making orange-beer, the consumption of which does not tend to improve the people. Large quantities of pines and cocoanuts'are also used for the preparation of intoxicating liquors. Complaints have been made that shipments frequently do not pay. This, however, is principally due to preventible causes, as will be seen by the following: Little care is taken in picking, although considerable improvement has been made of late. The fruit, after picking, is put into sacks, slung over a horse, the Native frequently mounting on top, and so conveyed to the port, getting sadly bruised on the way. There green and ripe, of all sizes, are packed together, the result frequently being disaster. When such packages have been a week in the hold of a steamer their condition may be imagined. We have often seen not more than one to two dozen good fruit picked out of a large double case of, say, 300 oranges on arrival at Auckland. It is pleasing to state that the steamers now give more care than formerly to fruit cargoes. Beyond the increase indicated above, no considerable commercial expansion need be looked for till the waste lands have been rendered available for occupation by Europeans. The Natives, with few exceptions, cannot be brought to realise the importance of care and system. Last year New Zealand imported 557,583 packages of fruit of all kinds. From the above particulars it will be seen that the colony could, if some protection were given its island dependencies, at once supply the greater portion of the tropical fruits required from within its own boundaries, while, with twelve months' notice, these islands could send us all the bananas we could possibly use. Summaby. Cocoa. —So far the cultivation of this has not assumed any proportions, a few trees only being found, and these have received no care. The pods produced, however, demonstrate the fact that good beans could be raised. Coffee. —Formerly considerable quantities were exported, but, as already stated, the plants receive no attention whatever. Still, even so, the export is said to have paid till New Zealand removed the duty. The island residents claim that a great injustice was thus done them, and New Zealand was flooded with cheap Costa Rica products. There can be no doubt that with proper care large quantities of coffee of high grade can be grown. At present the beans cured are sent to Tahiti. Cotton. —Formerly this plant covered considerable areas, and the quality was fair. Cotton is now found wild in many places. We do not, however, recommend its culture in the Cook Group, even if there were a sale for it, because it seems to have sadly exhausted lands which would give much greater returns under other crops. Copra. —At present the exports amount to about 2,000 tons, and are steadily increasing. There is, however, great waste. It is estimated that each Native uses, or wastes, fully fifteen hundred nuts per year. Much of the copra now made is not so good as it should be, the Natives drying many young nuts, while, as a matter of fact, none but ripe nuts should be used, and even those should be kept for some weeks, as they then give more oil and dry quicker. No use is made of the coir. Pine-apples. —These grow readily, and large crops can be got. The output could be readily increased. The cultivation of this fruit, for which both soil and climate of all the islands visited are eminently adapted, is hardly likely to expand to any great extent until there is a more frequent and speedy service between the islands and New Zealand. The difficulty of conveying this perishable fruit to markets at any distance, involving several days in transit, will be recognised. Still, it may be anticipated that the canning of this delicious and favourite fruit may in the future become one of the established industries of the islands. Arrowroot. —The scarcity of water at present precludes the preparation of this commodity on a commercial scale. Vanilla. —Several small cultivations exist, both of the Tahiti and Mexican varieties. At the request of Colonel Gudgeon, this Department some months ago secured 200 plants of true Vanilla aromatica, which will reach Rarotonga shortly. Further experiments will be made.

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40

Citrus Fruits. —There is ample room for improvement in the cultivation of the orange and lime. That the climate and soil of the islands are eminently adapted to the citrus family is proved by the fact that these fruits are now growing absolutely wild. How much may be accomplished by introducing choice varieties and-extending the season by introducing those ripening late can hardly be realised. It still remains for approved varieties of lemon and citron to be introduced —the lemon both for export fresh and in brine, the citron for export in brine. New-Zealand in 1901 imported lemon and orange peel in brine to the value of £2,447. • Bananas. —These grow luxuriantly on all the islands; but any considerable increase in the area planted is hardly to be expected, as during several months of the year the New Zealand markets are so well supplied from islands outside the boundaries of the colony, some of which have a shorter sea-trip, that the price received leaves little or no margin for profit. A duty on fruit imported from outside New Zealand, or some equivalent advantage, would no doubt result in an immediate expansion of this branch of the island trade. With a view to supplying useful information to the residents, we propose to write a number of short articles —similar to the leaflets issued by this Department, which have become so popular in New Zealand —on the proper treatment of the principal crops, &c. These articles Colonel Gudgeon and the Rev. Mr. Lawrence have volunteered to translate into Maori and publish, both in Maori and English, in the Mission Journal Tβ Karere, which circulates throughout the islands, and is read by Europeans and natives alike. Many other varieties of useful plants and fruit grow readily; but these, to secure the best returns, need care and systematic work, a knowledge of which the residents are at present deficient in. Amongst the varieties noticed were passion-fruit, ginger, castor-oil, anatto, alligator pear, pawpaw, rubber-tree, and many others. The questions of utilising for papermaking the stems of bananas cut away after the annual crop is gathered, the preparation and export of coir, and many minor matters must be deferred to the future. All energies should at present be devoted to improving the quality and increasing the quantity of the staple products—copra, oranges, limejuice, bananas, and pines. Every effort should be made to induce the planting of large blocks of land with those fruits for which each island seems best adapted, so that increased-inducement may be furnished for steamers to call more frequently, and the steamship companies to supply for this trade vessels of greater speed and fitted with every modern appliance for carrying a perishable cargo in the best condition and with the least possible loss. We have not touched on the native food plants, such as the different varieties of taro, sweet potato, yam, &c, because these are only suitable for export to the northern islands of the Group ; nor have we mentioned candle-nut, the export of which has somewhat revived. We venture to suggest the following for your favourable consideration : — 1. The necessity for speedily making provision to lease uncultivated lands to Europeans of approved character who have sufficient capital to work, say, 50 acres; leases to be for ninety-nine years. Although the Natives of the islands visited will not do any steady work, we are informed that labourers could easily be secured from the less fertile islands of the Group; so that the labour question would not be a serious one. 2. (a.) The necessity for some law to prevent plants or fruit being conveyed from Earotonga— the only island of those visited found to be badly infected—to the other islands of the Group without a permit from the official at Earotonga. (b.) The necessity for che proper inspection of all imported and exported fruit and vegetation, and treatment of same. 3. The necessity for the introduction of improved, and also late-maturing, varieties, so as to prolong the season. 4. The advisability of establishing in Barotonga, as the centre of administration and commerce, Government plantations of (a) cocoanut; (b) banana; (c) oranges, limes, &c.; (d) pineapples ; (c) coffee. These to be on up-to-date commercial lines, and the products marketed in the usual way. Attached to the above should be (a) an experimental ground for the testing of new varieties and various methods of cultivation ; (b) a nursery from which plants, the- freedom from pests and the nomenclature of which are guaranteed, may be sold. The demand would probably be large. No nurseries at present exist. The land for these purposes would, we are informed, be readily donated by the Arikis. The whole to be placed under a thoroughly competent man, possibly with supervision from this Department. Advantages of Experimental Stations. —The development of the trade and resources of the islands will largely depend upon the action taken by the Government. There is every reason to believe that if plantations of coffee, cocoanut, bananas, and oranges were established and maintained on model lin»fl they would serve as object-lessons to both Europeans and Natives. In connection with these plantations there should also be an experimental ground, where new varieties could be carefully tested; and a nursery where such new introductions as proved satisfactory could be extensively propagated, and distributed throughout the Group. In experimental work there is a wide field for operations. The oranges of the island are self-grown seedlings of Tahitian origin. The quality of the fruit from Mauke, Mitiaro, and Atiu is so good that in New Zealand oranges from these islands are sold as Tahitian. Contrast these trees, and the difficulty of gathering the crop and controlling the pests, with varieties of such comparatively dwarf habit as the Washington Navel, Mediterranean Sweet, and Valencia Late, and the necessity for a model plantation and an experimental station is obvious. At present no attempt is made to apply manures. The efficacy of fertilisers could be demonstrated. Properly applied they have increased the yield of copra in Ceylon and other places by from 50 to 75 per cent. The introduction of varieties of dwarf habit producing fruit of better quality than the best now shipped from any of the islands, and the systematic planting of orchards of citrus fruits, would probably revolutionise the citrus industry of the Cook Islands; but this can only be attained by the introduction, testing, and propagation for distribution of the best varieties on a Government station and under Government supervision. There is no reason why, with the introduction and extensive planting of new varieties of high quality, Cook Island oranges and other fruits should not stand prominent among all fruit imported from the Pacific islands to New Zealand. Experimental work is essentially a function of the Government, for few individuals have either the means or the time to carry out experimental work to a definite conclusion.

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5. The imposition of a duty on imported fruits, or some equivalent advantage granted, as we can now produce all classes of fruit—tropic, semi-tropic, and temperate —within the extended boundaries of New Zealand. 6. The great problem to be solved before extensive development of an export trade can be achieved is the provision of improved landings where needed. We suggest—but, not being engineers, do so with diffidence—that if several channels were cut in the reef this would prevent the terrible outward current caused by the rush of water from the lagoon, and so allow boats to approach the beach by the centre channel. We venture to advise that an engineer's opinion be sought. In our opinion, after careful consideration, and such thorough investigation into the present and prospective resources of the Cook Islands as our visits to the different islands allowed, there is, if such resources are fostered and directed into the right channels, a prosperous commercial future before these dependencies of our colony; and, as the trade of this Group is and will be conducted principally if not exclusively with New Zealand, increased wealth and prosperity in the Cook Islands must mean increased trade and profit to our merchants, and benefit directly or indirectly the community in general. T. W. Kick. _______ W. A. Bouohek.

FUETHEE EePOET BY T. W. KIEK. F.L.S., ETC. Division of Biology, Horticulture, and Publications, Department of Agriculture, 27th October, 1903. Since the above was handed to the Hon. the Minister for Agriculture in February last I have had another opportunity of visiting the islands therein named; also Aitutaki, Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Niue, and though much might be said in elaboration of that report, I shall abide by my rule and make statements as concise as possible. Aitutaki. This is a remarkably fertile island of about seven square miles. The people are more industrious and many of the products are better than those of the other islands. In the report on a former trip this island was mentioned as one of those producing oranges sold in New Zealand as Tahitian —a name for many years regarded as a guarantee of excellence. The ordinary tropical products mentioned when dealing with the other islands of the Group grow here to perfection ; moreover, there is a good boat-harbour. In the above report the recommendation was made that no fruit should be allowed to go from Earotonga to the other islands of the Group. This should be enforced at once, as there is little doubt that, in addition to the importation of scale insects, Aitutaki has now imported the fruit-fly maggot from Barotonga or elsewhere. Penehyn. An atoll with large-lagoon. This island need not be considered when writing on the " commercial" horticulture of the Cook Islands. Oocoanut-palms and a few bananas grow, but the quality is not good, and the quantity available for export is small; nor is there any prospect of an appreciable increase. The island is, however, valuable for the large supplies of pearl-shell found in its ample lagoon. Manihiki. The remarks re Penrhyn apply to this island, except that the production of copra in Manihiki is greater; the quality, however, leaves much to be desired. This is largely due to the fact that no attempt is made to regulate the distances between the trees, which are much too crowded. The pearl-shell industry has also received a check through overfishing. I was informed, however, that there was no doubt the close season which had been proclaimed would result beneficially. Niue or Savage Island. This island, though three times larger than Earotonga, has, and can have, but a very limited quantity of horticultural produce for export. The island itself, though fertile, is terribly broken, the coral rock jutting above the surface in all directions. Moreover, the surface is further broken by deep chasms. There is a considerable quantity of somewhat heavy timber, but the difficulty of getting it out would be great, and the opportunities for shipping few, for the shore is steep and the landings difficult. The Native cultivations are small areas between the outcrops of coral. These areas are extremely fertile, and copra is produced in considerable quantities. Oranges, sugar-cane, and the usual island products grow well, but owing to the broken nature of the portion of the island I was able to visit—and I was informed it was a fair sample—there is no land suitable for systematic cultivation, consequently no room for European horticulture. Even if there were, the difficult landing would render it almost impossible to get perishable fruit shipped. The Natives manufacture large numbers of so-called " grass hats," fancy baskets, table-mats, &c, of very good quality. These are bought by the traders, and shipped away by the thousand. It is possible that the introduction of other varieties of plants suitable for this industry would result in enabling a greater variety and higher grade of these goods to be produced, and so benefit the Natives and increase the trade of Niue. My second visit to those islands mentioned in the report of February last, and a comparison with other Pacific islands, both British and foreign, convince me that the opinion expressed in the final paragraph of that report is more than justified—viz, " In our opinion, after careful consideration, and such thorough investigation into the present and prospective resources of the Cook Islands as our visits to the different islands allowed, there is, if such resources are fostered and directed into the right channels, a prosperous commercial future before these dependencies of our colony ; and, as the trade of this Group is and will be conducted principally if not exclusively with New Zealand, increased wealth and prosperity in the Cook Islands must mean increased trade and profit to our merchants, and benefit directly or indirectly the community in general." T. W. Kick. 6—A. 3b.

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APPENDIX B.

SOCIAL DISTINCTIONS, EAEOTONGA. The question of the distinctions in social rank exis.ting in Earotonga, which is referred to by Pa Ariki on pages 9 and 10 hereof, is an interesting one, and it may be worth while to summarise, and perhaps amplify, the information given therein. The following, which has been compiled from a variety of sources (notably, an article written by the late British Eesident, Mr. F. J. Moss, and information obtained from the Eev. Mr. Lawrence when on the island), may be taken as being substantially correct, while omitting no essential particular. Since the discovery of the island by the Eev. John Williams in 1823, and doubtless since long before that, Earotonga has been divided among three tribes governed by three independent Arikis, and the names by which these are known to-day—Makea, Tinomana, and Pa, which are titular rather than personal—are names of which one may read in the records of eighty years ago. The Ariki is to all intents and purposes king, and as such is supreme ; but a considerable degree of control is exercised over him by his Mataiapos. On the death of an Ariki the succession is decided by the other Arikis and the priests and Mataiapos of the island, and it must be shown to their satisfaction that the person chosen is a direct descendant of the Ariki family of the deceased's tribe. It is not in accordance with the ancient law and custom of the island for an Ariki to name his successor. Only on the death of the Ariki is it decided who is to succeed him. The Ariki, as such, holds land which belongs to the position and passes with the title to his successor. This land may be leased, but cannot be otherwise disposed of. The Ariki may hold land also as a Mataiapo, either in his own district or that of another Ariki. The Mataiapos, who constitute a kind of feudal nobility, are the most influential class. They hold land in their own right, on certain well-defined conditions of public service, and the title and tenure are perpetual. The land may be disposed of amongst members of the family, and what is not allocated in this way may be leased, and passes on the death of the Mataiapo to his eldest son,. unless he has named another heir. The Bangatiras are the younger members of the Ariki or kingly family, and hold land under the Arikis, or possibly the Mataiapos. They are liable to be called upon for service by the owners of the land they occupy, but their services are of a public and honourable character. They are, in fact, a class of tenant-nobles. The Kiatos are the younger members of the Mataiapo families, and hold land in their own right, which they can pass on to their children. In this respect their position seems to be superior to that of the Eangatiras, although the latter appear to take rank next to the Mataiapos. It was noticed that the presentations received from the Natives of Earotonga were made as from the Ariki, " her Mataiapos, Eangatiras, and all the people under her." Komonos are described as " the second sons of Eangatiras by a second wife, half brothers of the eldest son, who is the rightful successor." The Komono also owns land, which may be placed in the occupation of his people. "Ec joins himself to a Mataiapo or chief, and although he may transfer his allegiance to another, his ownership is not affected. But, to quote Pa Ariki, " the word, about the people on his land is with the chief to whom he adheres." Lowest in rank come the ungas, the "common people." "They hold the land by sufferance, and their services are personal and menial." They are practically tenants at will, occupying the personal land of the Arikis in consideration of service rendered or rent paid. They are probably the descendants of the people found on the island by the first colonists, who conquered and enslaved them. The name is of doubtful origin. Such are the different grades of Maori "society" in Earotonga. They are well defined and strictly upheld, although there is perfect freedom of intercourse between the members of all classes of the community. The family is still, as in olden times, the unit of the state. A number of kindred families, descended from a common ancestor, unite under the chief on whose lands they have settled. This aggregation, or ngati, as it is called, takes its name from the chief, and is known as the Ngati-Karika, Ngati-Pa, &c, as the case may be. These ngatis, in turn, are united under the Ariki, the whole tribe being designated the vaka (canoe). This system of family communism has much to commend it, but it is by no means an unmixed blessing. "It gives refuge to all," says Mr. Moss, " and under it there cannot be pauperism, which is an inestimable gain. But it kills energy and enterprise in a people naturally clever and adventurous, and while it lasts no adequate material progress can be expected."

Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9o3.

The Cocoanut in all Stages.

A.-3B.J

[Photograph by J. Martin. [To face page 42.

THE COOK ISLANDS AND NIUE.