COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1904.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1905 Session I, A-03

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Whare Manuhiri (Visitors' Bungalow), Rarotonga.

From a Photograph by J. B. McElwain.

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1905. NEW ZEALAND.

COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1904.]

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

INDEX.

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No. of Series. From Date I Subject. Page 1 Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in charge Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 19 May, 1904 .. Forwarding Niue Island Ordinances Nos. 12 and 13 1 2 3 30 May, „ .. 1 June, „ .. Grant for roadwork, Mangaia Report on visit to Aitutaki and Northern Islands 2 2 4 5 Minister in charge 1 June, „ .. 2 June, „ .. Complaints from traders as to operation of raui Penrhyn and Rakahanga Representation of Islands in New Zealand Parliament, &o. Proposals re education in Cook Islands 3 4 6 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Resident Commissioner, Niue Ditto 7 June, „ .. 4 7 11 June, „ .. Road-work on Niue 6 8 9 13 June, „ .. 20 June, „ .. 20 June, „ .. 23 June, „ .. Storage-tanks for water-supply, Niue Forwarding " Niue Island Magistrates and Police Ordinance, 1904" (No. 3), amended Improvement of wharf at Alofi Aitutaki Lagoon : Be proposal to lease 6 6 10 11 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 9 9 12 13 14 23 June, „ .. 24 June, „ 25 June, „ .. Road-work, Mangaia : Reply to No. 2.. Accommodation-house and other proposed works Re proposal to bring ohildreu from Islands to New Zealand for eduoation Leasing land, Niue 10 10 10 15 Resident Commissioner, Niue Ditto Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 27 June, „ .. 11 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 J. A. Burke J. Bottomley Minister in oharge 27 June, „ .. 27 June, „ .. 29 June, , .. 29 June, „ .. 3 July, , .. 6 July, „ .. 7 July, „ .. Traders' lioenses, Niue Forwarding Federal Ordinance No. 13 (Au Empowering Aot 1899 Amendment) Prevention of spread of leprosy Plan of proposed acoommodation-house Proposing establishment of sugar industry in Cook Islands Cotton cultivation in Cook Islands Ordinance No. 4 of Rarotonga Island Council (sale of liquor) assented to Resignation of Mr. George Ellis, Manihiki Prevention of spread of leprosy Acknowledging receipt of No. 3 Acknowledging receipt of No. 4 Revenue of Niue Island, June quarter, 1904 11 11 12 12 12 13 13 23 24 25 26 27 Ditto 7 July, , .. 7 July, „ .. 7 July, . .. 7 July, „ .. 7 July, „ .. 14 14 14 14 14 Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in charge 28 29 30 31 8 July, „ .. 9 July, . .. 9 July, „ .. 15 July, „ .. Manihiki Ordinance, No. 1, assented to Annual report by Resident Commissioner for 1903-4 .. Niue Island Ordinances Nos. 12 and 13 Boat-passages, Niue 16 16 16 17 32 Resident Commissioner, Niue Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto Ditto 18 July, „ .. Accommodation-house site, Rarotonga 17 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 Minister in charge 28 July, „ .. 3 Aug., „ .. 4 Aug., „ . .. 4 Aug., „ .. 4 Aug., „ .. 4 Aug 5 Aug., „ .. 5 Aug., „ .. 5 Aug., „ .. Boat-passages, Mangaia and Atiu Land Titles Court, Mangaia; land acquired for residence, &c. Prevention of spread of leprosy Acknowledging reoeipt of No. 10 Acknowledging receipt of No. 12 Acknowledging receipt of Nos. 13 and 19 Steamer servioe between New Zealand and Islands Training Niue youths as tradesmen Acknowledging receipt of Nos. 6 and 14 17 18 18 19 19 19 19 19 20 n •.

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INDEX — continued.

II

No. of Series. Prom Date. Subject. Page 42 43 Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in charge 5 Aug., 1904 .. 6 Aug., „ .. Resignation of Mr. G. Ellis, Manihiki Niue Island Marriage, Divorce, and Registration Orainanoe, No. 4 Federal Ordinanoe No. 13 (Au Empowering Act Amendment), assented to Port of Rarotonga 20 20 44 10 Aug., . .. 20 45 Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto Ditto Minister in charge 12 Aug., , .. 20 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 16 Aug., „ .. 17 Aug., „ .. 18 Aug 19 Aug 19 Aug., „ .. 19 Aug., „ .. 19 Aug., „ Steamer service between New Zealand and Islanas Prevention of spreaa of leprosy :. Leasing land, Niue ; acknowleaging No. 15 Mr. Maxwell's position as Judge of Lana Titles Court .. Acknowleaging receipt of No. 27 Niue Islana Traders' License Ordinance, 1904 Boat-passages, Mangaia and Atiu 21 21 21 21 22 22 22 53 Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Managing Director, Union Steam Ship Company Minister in oharge 20 Aug., „ .. Steamer servioe between New Zealana ana Islanas 22 54 55 56 24 Aug., „ .. 25 Aug., „ .. 25 Aug., „ .. Labour licenses no longer requirea Acknowleaging receipt of No. 53 Boat-passage, Mangaia 22 23 23 57 Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Resiaent Commissioner, Niue Minister in oharge 29 Aug., , .. Forwarding Niue Islana Orainanoe No. 15 (sale of cocoanuts) Jurisaiotion of High Court re Wills, &o. Niue Island Orainanees Nos. 3 and 13 assentea to Acoommodation-house : Plan, &c, approvea .. Acknowledging receipt of No. 33 " Licensing Acts Amendment Bill, 1904 " Admission of Cook Islands boys to Te Aute College " Cook and other Islands Government Act Amenament Bill, 1904 " Establishment of sugar inaustry in Cook Islanas Insurance " Countess of Ranfurly " : Sinking funa to be oreatea Aoknowleaging receipt of No. 63 His position as Juage of Land Titles Court 23 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 H • • 1 Sept., „ .. 2 Sept., „ .. 2 Sept., „ .. 2 Sept 3 Sept., „ .. 5 Sept., „ .. 12 Sept., „ .. 24 24 24 24 25 25 25 Minister of Eaucation .. Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in oharge 65 66 13 Sept., „ .. 22 Sept., „ .. 25 25 67 68 Resiaent Commissioner, Niue Ditto Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Secretary Schooner Department, Rarotonga Minister in charge Resiaent Commissioner, Niue Ditto Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Resiaent Commissioner, Niue Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 23 Sept 27 Sept., „ .. 25 26 69 70 30 Sept., „ .. 30 Sept., , .. Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904 Proceedings of Land Titles Court at Mauke 26 26 71 30 Sept " Countess of Ranfurly " : Accounts for six months ending 30th June, 1904 Lana at Mangaia presentea by Mission Niue Island Marriage, Divorce, ana Registration Orainanoe, 1903 Labour licenses ana emigration, Niue Draft regulations unaer Sale of Spirituous Liquor Restriction Orainanoe, 1904 Strike of Islana Counoil ana officials, Niue 28 72 73 30 Sept., „ .. 1 Oct., „ .. 29 29 74 75 1 Oot 4 Oct., , .. 29 30 76 4 Oot 30 77 8 Oot List of public works oompleted and in progress 31 78 10 Oct Reoommenaing appointment of Resiaent Agents at Mauke ana Mitiaro Revenue of Niue Islana, September quarter, 1904 31 79 Resiaent Commissioner, Niue Ditto Resident Commisi" r, Rarotonga Resiaent Commission , Niue Ditto Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in charge 11 Oot 33 80 81 13 Oct., „ .. 13 Oot., „ .. " Licensing Acts Amendment Bill, 1904 " " Countess of Ranfurly" : Creation of sinking fund 33 34 82 14 Oct., „ .. Road-work, Niue, for quarter ending 30th September, 1904 Election of Niue Island Council Federal Ordinances Nos. 14, 15, 16, and 17, and Rarotonga Oidinance No. 5 " Countess of Ranfurly " : Creation of sinking fund Mr. Maxwell's position as Judge of Land Titles Court .. Emigration of Natives from Niue Labour licenses and emigration Leasing islands to firms or companies.. Appointment of Henry Williams as Resident Agent, Tukao Division of Manihiki Encouraging progress among Natives of Cook Islands .. Niue Island Ordinances Nos. 4 and 12 (amended), and 14 for assent Constitution of Island Councils Section 50 of " The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Aot, 1901" Oraer in Council amenaing that establishing Lana Titles Court Petition from King ana chiefs of Niue 34 83 84 17 Oct., „ .. 18 Oct., , .. 35 35 85 86 87 88 89 90 19 Oot., , .. 19 Oct., „ .. 25 Oct., , .. 25 Oct., , .. 28 Oct 28 Oot., „ .. 37 38 38 38 39 39 91 92 Resiaent Commissioner, Niue Minister In oharge 28 Oct., , .. 28 Oct., „ .. 39 39 93 94 29 Oct., „ .. 29 Oot., „ .. 40b 40b 95 29 Oct., „ .. 41 96 Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in oharge INov., , .. 42 97 3 Nov., . .. Oraer in Counoil amending that establishing Land Titles Court 43

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INDEX— continued.

111

No. of ieries. From Date. Subject. Page 98 99 100 101 102 103 104 105 106 Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in oharge 14 Nov., 1904.. Notices taking land at Rarotonga and Mangaia 43 * .. 18 Nov., „ .. 18 Nov., „ .. 18 Nov., „ .. 18 Nov., „ .. 21 Nov 21 Nov., „ .. 24 Nov., „ .. 24 Nov., „ .. Difficulty with Niue Island Council " Adoption of Native Children Ordinanoe, 1904 " Acknowledging receipt of No. 79 Port of Rarotonga appointed, &c " Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 " Protection of fruit trade, Cook Islands Acknowledging receipt of No. 84 Regulations under Sale of Spirituous Liquor Restriction Ordinance Niue Island Marriage, Divorce, and Registration Ordinance, 1903 Progress of public works in Cook Islands Acknowledging reoeipt of No. 71 Carriage of fruit from Cook Islands Working Manuae as Government plantation 44 44 44 44 45 45 46 46 . •. a .. 107 24 Nov., „ .. 46 108 109 110 111 24 Nov., „ .. 25 Nov., „ .. 7 Deo 10 Dec, „ .. 46 47 47 47 112 113 Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in charge Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 10 Dec, „ .. 20 Dec, „ .. Proceedings of Land Titles Court at Aitutaki " The Licensing Aots Amendment Act, 1904 " .. 47 48 114 115 21 Dec, „ .. 21 Dec, „ .. Taking land at Rarotonga and Mangaia Emigration from Cook Islands 48 48 116 117 118 Resiaent Commissioner, Niue Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 23 Dec, „ .. 24 Dec, „ .. 27 Dec, „ .. Encouraging progress among Natives of Cook Islauas .. " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 " .. Acknowledging reoeipt of No. 86 48 49 50 119 28 Dec, „ .. Constitution of Rarotonga Island Counoil 50 120 29 Dec, , .. Regulations under "The Licensing Acts Amenament Aot, 1904 " Further regulations under section 50 of "Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901" Return of exports from Niue for quarter ending 31st December, 1904 Revenue of Niue Island, December quarter, 1904 50 121 29 Dec, „ .. 50 122 Collector of Customs, Niue Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in charge Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto Resident Commissioner, Niue Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 5 Jan., 1905 .. 50 123 5 Jan., „ 52 124 125 11 Jan., „ .. 13 Jan., „ .. " Countess of Ranfurly " : Sinking fund Prospects of fruit trade : Committee will report 53 53 126 127 13 Jan., „ .. 13 Jan., „ .. Expenditure on public works Exports ana imports for 1904, ana imports for December quarter Progress of Sanatorium buiiaing 53 54 128 14 Jan., „ .. 59 129 130 131 132 133 John Bottomley Minister in oharge 16 Jan., „ .. 17 Jan., „ .. 20 Jan., , .. 20 Jan., „ .. 21 Jan., „ .. Lana to be acquirea for Sanatorium Complaints from chiefs of Mauke Cotton cultivation in Cook Islanas Acknowleaging receipt of No. 70 Appointment Resiaent Agents at Mauke ana Mitiaro approvea Acknowleaging reoeipt of No. Ill Acknowledging receipt of No. 112 Reporting damage through hurricane.. 60 60 61 61 61 134 135 136 Resiaent Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 21 Jan., „ 21 Jan., „ 23 Jan., „ 61 61 62 137 138 139 140 141 142 31 Jan., , .. 31 Jan., „ 3 Feb., „ .. 3 Feb., „ .. 6 Feb., „ .. 8 Feb., , .. " Countess of Ranfurly " : Sinking fund Carriage of fruit from Mauke, &c Fruit trade, Cook Islands : Report by Committee Land acquired for public purposes Cotton cultivation in Cook Islands Damage by hurricane at Mangaia 62 62 63 63 64 64 Minister for Agriculture Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in charge 143 14 Feb Adjustment of Accounts between New Zealand Government and Islands Government Resident Agents appointed at Mauke ana Mitiaro Notices taking lana for public purposes Expenaiture on public works Damage by hurrioane in Cook Islanas.. Trouble between Arikis and people 64 144 145 146 147 148 a . • 15 Feb., „ .. 16 Feb., „ .. 18 Feb., „ .. 23 Feb., „ .. 24 Feb., , .. 66 66 67 67 67 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in charge 149 150 151 352 153 28 Feb., „ .. 28 Feb., . .. 28 Feb., „ .. 28 Feb., „ .. 2 Mar., » .. Fruit trade, Cook Islands " Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 " Complaints of chiefs at Mauke Acknowledging receipt of Nos. 123 and 127 Death of Panapa Wairuarangi, Resident Agent at Rakahanga Acknowledging reoeipt of No. 143 Statute of Rarotonga, 1899 .. .. " Countess of Ranfurly " : Contributions by Niue 68 68 68 68 68 154 155 156 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto Minister in oharge Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in oharge 2 Mar., „ .. 3 Mar., „ .. 24 Mar., „ .. 69 69 69 157 25 Mar., '„ .. Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinanoe, 1904, returned for amendment " Licensing Acta Amendment Act, 1904 " 69 158 Resident Commissioner, Niue 27 Mar., , .. 70

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INDEX— continued.

IV

No. of Series. From Date. Subject. Page 159 160 161 162 163 164 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 29 Mar., 1905.. 30 Mar., „ .. 30 Mar., „ .. 30 Mar., „ .. 31 Mar., „ .. 1 April, „ .. Damage by hurricane in Cook Islands Establishment of cool-chamber, Rarotonga Dispute between Arikis ana people Statute of Rarotonga, 1899 : Copy forwaraea Cotton cultivation in Cook Islands Revenue of Niue Island for March quarter, 1905 70 70 70 71 75 76 165 166 Minister in charge Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in charge Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in charge 11 April, . .. 11 April, „ .. Carriage of fruit from Mauke per " Countess of Ranfurly " Annual report for year ending 31st Maroh, 1905 77 77 167 168 169 170 171 172 12 April, „ .. 13 April, „ .. 13 April, „ .. 13 April, „ .. 13 April, „ .. 15 April, „ .. Fruit trade, Cook Islands Death of Resident Agent, Rakahanga " Licensing Acts Amenament Act, 1904 " Encouraging progress among Natives of Cook Islanas .. Dispute between Arikis ana people Duty on tobacco : Suggesting amenament in Oraer in Council " Countess of Ranfurly " : Contributions by Niue " Countess of Ranfurly" : Contributions by Niue Gale at Manihiki Dispute between Arikis ana people Rules for election of Arikis, Mataiapos, &c. 88 88 88 89 89 89 173 174 175 176 177 Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in charge Ditto 15 April, „ .. 15 April, „ .. 18 April, „ .. 19 April, „ .. 24 April, „ .. 89 90 90 90 91 f. . ■ .. Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Ditto 178 179 180 181 182 25 April, , .. 25 April, „ .. 25 April, , .. 25 April, „ .. 27 April, , .. " Countess of Ranfurly ": Sinking fund Carriage of fruit from Mauke Hurricane at Manihiki Land question, Rarotonga : Report of meeting of Arikis "Countess of Ranfurly": Report and balance sheet for 1904-5 " Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 " Education in Cook Islands 91 91 92 92 95 183 184 Inspeotor - General of Schools A.Paul Minister in oharge 28 April, „ .. 8 May, » .. 97 97 185 186 187 188 189 190 191 192 12 May, „ .. 13 May, „ .. 13 May, . .. 6 June, „ .. 9 June, „ .. 9 June, „ .. 10 June, „ .. 10 June, „ .. Visit to Niue as Acting Resident Commissioner Hurricane in Cook Islands Acknowledging receipt of No. 164 " Countess of Ranfurly " : Sinking fund, &c Establishment of cool-cbamber, Rarotonga Acknowledging receipt of No. 166 Notices taking land for Sanatorium, &o. Fruit traae, Cook Islanas : Further report by Committee 98 98 99 99 99 99 99 100 * . ■ Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga

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V

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MEMOBANDUM.

The following is a synopsis of the more important matters dealt with at length in the accompanying despatches. The erection of the Sanatorium (accommodation-house) at Rarotonga has been completed, and the building is now open for the reception of visitors. It is a substantial structure, containing six bedrooms, two dining-rooms, two sitting-rooms, &c, and it should prove an important aid to the development of the Group. In connection with the provisioning of the Sanatorium, a subsidy has been granted to a local firm by the Islands Government towards the establishment of a coolchamber. The Land Titles Court has been kept busily employed during the year, and the people are showing a growing inclination to have their lands surveyed and dealt with by the Court. It is hoped that what is being done will be a step in the direction of inducing the owners of unused lands to lease them to approved European settlers. Numerous applications have been received during recent months from persons desirous of taking up land in the Cook Islands, but under present conditions it is impossible to give them any definite information as to their prospects of securing leases. Arrangements are being made to obtain from the Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga definite information for intending settlers respecting specific areas of land that may be available for lease from time to time, and when the land is readily obtainable there will be no difficulty in finding suitable occupiers. The fruit trade of the Islands is steadily increasing, and consideration is now being given by the Government to the question of how the trade may best be fostered and developed. The question of a more frequent steamer service between the colony and the Islands is also under consideration, and the Union Steamship Company has again been approached as to the terms on which a monthly steamer could be run between Wellington and Rarotonga in addition to the present monthly service from Auckland. It is probable that a trial service will be run for a few months next season, and in the meantime the company is prepared to offer inducement to persons to visit Cook Islands for temporary residence by granting return tickets at single fare. Instructions were given to the Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga to have the Island of Takutea planted with cocoanuts, and the work is now being taken in hand. In the course of a few years this plantation will prove a valuable source of revenue to the Islands Government. Inquiries are being made as to the possibility of establishing a Government plantation at Rarotonga also, with an experimental ground and nursery attached. Under the provisions of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," land has been acquired for the following purposes : Government Buildings and Offices, Mangaia ; Courthouse, Mangaia ; Lock-up and road, Mangaia, and accommodation-house, Rarotonga. In accordance with the provisions of sections 5 and 6 of the Act named, the Arikis' Courts have been abolished in those Islands to which European Resident Agents have been appointed, and the Island Councils have been elected in the manner prescribed. A comprehensive scheme dealing with the question of education in the Cook and Northern Islands has been considered by the Government, but further information will be obtained before the matter is definitely settled. Meanwhile, the education of the Native children is still being attended to by the London Missionary Society and other bodies. The schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " has continued her running between the colony and the Cook and Northern Islands and Niue, and the accounts for the period Ist April to the end of August show a profit of £147. The revenue of the Cook and Northern Islands for the year ending the 31st March, 1905 (including balance from previous year) was £8,185 lis., and the expenditure (including £437 refunded to New Zealand Government in respect of old payments) was £5,093 Bs. Bd., leaving a credit balance of £3,092 2s. 4d., irrespective of an amount of £643 owing to the Government on account of Survey and Land Titles Court fees. The revenue and expenditure of Niue for the same period were respectively £1,586 13s. 4d. and £604 16s. 9d., and the total funds to the credit of the Niue Island Administration on the 31st March amounted to £2,361 6s. sd. The value of the exports from the Cook and Northern Islands for the year 1904 was £38,248, and of the imports, £33,399. For Niue the values were £7,016 and £6,707 respectively. Details of these returns will be found in the following pages. Many matters affecting the welfare of the Islands are at present in a transition stage, but everything is moving along steadily and satisfactorily, and the published returns prove beyond a doubt that the financial capabilities of our Island possessions are more than equal to the cost of their administration. Cook and other Islands Administration, . C. H. Mills. Wellington, Ist September, 1905.

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1905. NEW ZEALAND.

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

No. 1. Sib,— Niue, 19th May, 1904. I have the honour to forward to you herewith, for transmission to His Excellency the Governor, two Niue Island Ordinances, Nos. 12 and 13 —viz., "The Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904," and No. 13, "The Nine Island Suppression of Immorality Ordinance, 1904." Regarding "The Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904," it is desired that it should date from the Ist day of January, 1904, as the trading licenses under the Rarotonga Traders' License Ordinance expired on the 31st December, 1903. Ordinance No. 13, Niue Island Suppression of Immorality Ordinance: This Ordinance is introduced at the urgent request of the chiefs and elders of this island, who contend that since the suspension of the old laws consequent upon the establishment of administrative government by Mr. Percy Smith, immorality has greatly increased among the younger Natives, and there is no means at present of checking it. With reference to section 5, it was proved that Natives frequently return from other islands of the Pacific suffering from venereal disease, and infect others, thereby causing their deaths. In one instance recently three women died from this disease, which was communicated to them by a Native who returned from Samoa. lam reluctant to deal with a matter of this kind, as I do not think it is possible to render people virtuous by Act of Parliament j but this Ordinance is analogous to the CD. Act of New Zealand, and would enable some control to be exercised over this class of offenders. I have no doubt you will recognise that an Ordinance which would be quite inapplicable in New Zealand might be very suitable to a community of Polynesian islanders. These Ordinances should have reached you before, but Colonel Gudgeon, to whom they were sent for transmission to you, was of opinion that I should forward them direct. This view has now been confirmed by your letter, No. 26, of the 22nd March, 1904. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Ordinance No. 13. —"Niue Island Suppression of Immorality Ordinance, 1904." Niue Island Council. Whereas it is expedient that action be taken to suppress immorality on Niue Island, and prohibit Native women from proceeding to vessels at the anchorages for immoral purposes: Now therefore be it enacted by the Niue Island Council, with the approval of the Resident Commissioner, as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Niue Island Suppression of Immorality Ordinance, 1904. 2. Any Native woman going off to a vessel at night for an immoral purpose, and passing the night or part of the night on board, shall be classed as a common prostitute, and, upon conviction before the Native Magistrate or Resident Commissioner, may be fined a sum not exceeding two pounds (£2), or in default of payment thereof sentenced to twenty (20) days' labour weeding roads, or to make hats or mats-to the amount of the fine. 3. Any person assisting or inducing any Native woman to go on board a vessel for an immoral purpose may be fined not exceeding two pounds (£2), or in default thereof sentenced to twenty (20) days' hard labour on the roads. 4. Youths and young women convicted of immorality may be sentenced to weed not exceeding fifty (50) fathoms each of the public roads.

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COOK AND OTHEE ISLANDS. fin continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1904.]

2

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5. Any man or woman suffering from venereal disease, who shall wilfully have sexual intercourse with other men or women in sound health, and cause them to become infected with the disease with which they are suffering, shall be liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding three (3) months' hard labour on the roads, without the option of a fine, in the case of a male, and to weed the roads for two (2) months, or make hats or mats to the value of three pounds (£3), at the discretion of the Magistrate, in the case of a female. 6. Native women cohabiting with Europeans or others shall be liable to a task of weeding roads, to be determined by the Native Magistrate, and imposed from time to time if the offence is repeated. Such task not to exceed fifty (50) fathoms of road. Enacted and passed by the Niue Island Council, this twelfth day of March, one thousand nine hundred and four. Tagavaitoa, Approved Acting President of Council. C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. [Assented to by the Governor, 26th August, 1904.]

No. 2. Sir,-- Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th May, 1904. You will remember that during my visit to Mangaia, Tamangaro, speaking on behalf of the Council, asked for a grant of money for road-work. This matter, among others, has been submitted to Cabinet, and it was decided to*instruct you to spend up to £200 on the work required. I have not yet had your opinion, however, as to the necessity for this work, and possibly before taking any action on the Cabinet instructions you may wish to write me on the subject. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 3. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ist June, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that I returned to Rarotonga on the 28th ultimo, after a visit extending over twenty days, during which I visited the Islands of Aitutaki, Penrhyn, Rakahanga, Manihiki, and Pukapuka. , , Generally speaking, I found the islands in a very satisfactory condition, appreciating the equal administration of the law and other European innovations introduced during the last two years • but I regret to say that fresh cases of leprosy have been found among the people of Omoka "in Penrhyn, at Tukao in Manihiki, and at Rakahanga, and there can be but little doubt that the relatives of these afflicted people had concealed the fact from the Resident Agent in each instance. Fortunately there was a lady doctor on board the " John Williams," and the doubtful cases were brought under ber notice, and pronounced to be lepers. With reference to possible future cases Df this sort, I have told the people that I will not only isolate the persons known to be lepers, but also those with whom they have lived, and will further punish severely the head of any family concealing cases of leprosy. It is possible that by pointing out in vivid colours the possibility ot tfie whole village becoming outcasts by reason of the leprosy I may have frightened them into exercising some prudence in the matter, but I do not depend on this feeling having any lasting effect • nothing but the closest supervision and the most extensive powers given to the European officers will prevent the spread of the disease. I have the honour to suggest that in any future Act for the better government of these Islands a clause should be introduced giving extended powers for the suppression of leprosy-viz., power to appoint leper-stations, and to punish all persons harbouring lepers, either by fine or imprisonment. At Manihiki I found a very great improvement in the tone of the people, due for the most part to the kindness and tact of the Resident Agent, Mr. Williams. The people of this island were at one time bitterly opposed to the Council as at present constituted and also to any roadmaking that involved the destruction of the cocoa-palms; but now a good road three miles long through the centre of the Tauhonu Island has been made, and the landowners find that the fact of cutting down a few trees has brought many others into bearing They have therefore forgotten that they ever opposed the work, and are very proud of it. The only grievance that I could elicit was that the administration of the law and the decisions of the Council at Rakahanga were harsh and below the standard of Manihiki in intelligence. . At Rakahanga there is evidence of very bad feeling, and many land disputes. The first, is evidently due to the unnecessary severity with which the law is administered and on this point found U necessary to speak very strongly, pointing out that the law was made for the Protection of the weak members of the community, and not as an engine of oppression and that I would remove any Magistrate if undue severity was proved against him. The land dispute, are howevS the Zeal cause of trouble, and with the view of minimising this trouble I had directed the Counci of each island to hear all disputes and endeavour to settle them amicab y. This I did knowiit that no true Maori would ever submit to a decision given by his own, people, but knowing also that it could not fail to educate both the Council and the litigants, and that it would, moreover collect evidence that would be valuable in subsequent proceedings I have therefore settled the disputes so far by pointing out that any claimant can appeal to the Land Titles Court and hat when they did so in writing I would hear the cases. I have now many claims before me from

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3

both Rakahanga and Penrhyn, and hope to be able to find time to deal with these once and for all before next summer. When this has been done the permanent peace of each island will have been established. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington.

No. 4. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ist June, 1904. I have the honour to forward for your information two letters from the traders of Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, which will probably be of interest to you in so far as they disclose the method of business carried on here. Under the present system the people of Penrhyn have a right to impose a raui over any part of their lagoon, but there is reason in Captain Harries's letter, and I have therefore told the people that though I cannot make them dive for shell if they will not do so, yet I will not allow them to prevent others from so doing. As to the Rakahanga letter, I have made it very plain to the people that a raui must apply with equal force to all persons, whether European or Maori, and this they freely admit; but I am not for one moment deceived as to their movements, and I am quite sure that the raui will be used against the European trader whenever my back is turned to the island, and that the trader will never be able to prove anything against those who are responsible for the raui. I would point out that the Traders' License Act does not apply to either Manihiki or Rakahanga, and therefore Mr. Ward can claim no special protection ; and it seems more than doubtful to me whether I ought to interfere in such a case, other than by insisting that the raui should bind all men equally, and this I have done. Had any of the Native owners complained of unequal treatment I might have done something; but clearly the Natives stand on one side and Mr. Ward on the other. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. g IK . Penrbvn Island, 14th May, 1904. I beg most respectfully to draw your attention to the toilowing: In response to strong appeals, I supplied to the London Missionary Society's church here certain building materials, &c, amounting in all to some £300, and in doing so it was perfectly well understood that the Natives would continue diving, and so obtain shell towards the reduction of the amount advanced as named above. . On my arrival a day or two back I found that the people had paid nothing, either in shell, other produce, or cash, but had placed a raui on the shell diving, thus preventing anything being done towards lessening the amount of their debt. As the material was supplied for what I considered was a necessary, important, and a public benefit, the building of a church, I feel that some instructions could be issued that would insure instalments being paid towards the reduction of this debt. It will be readily understood that I would never have given out so large a debt to any single person or irresponsible body of Natives. Trusting to learn that before you leave here some satisfactory arrangement or order may have been made by you that will secure the early settlement of this large debt, I beg to remain, sir, Yours, &c, Thos. Harries. Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, C.M.G., New Zealand Government Agent.

« R _ Rakahanga, 18th May, 1904. I wish to take this opportunity during your visit to this island to acquaint you with the very unfair way that this Island Council carry out their laws, in regard to the law of ram in Par There is a store here on this island (named by them the Store of the Au), with which all the members of this Island Council are connected. It has been the custom here for that store to give out all their goods on debt to the Natives, and then they, or the Resident Agent, give permission to these debtors to go to the Enua raui and get their cocoanuts to make copra to pay up these debts The consequence is that, when the time arrives for the opening of the ram proper, there are very few cocoanuts left for the other traders to buy. I think this very unfair to other traders r6SI For instance! B during the last raui this island store shipped 9,0001b. of copra, and had again on hand in their store another 16,0001b: of copra before the time arrived for the opening of the ram proper. Their store-books will show that this statement is correct The Resident Agent (Panapa) gave the stores on this island notice that on and alter the 1/th December, 1903, any debts given out to the Natives would not be recoverable by law; but this island store paid no regard to the notice, and gave out debts to the amount of nearly $2,000, and

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they have still owing on the above debts $1,000 against the next raui, which debts this Island Council will endeavour to get paid up before any copra is sold to any one, unless you take some means of stopping this unfair way of trading. The European traders of Manihiki inform me that on this island this state of affairs has been carried on for years, and for that reason no European traders have remained here long to do business with them. Hoping that you will take some means to put a stop to this very unfair way of doing business, I remain, &c, Chas. J. Ward, Agent for Thos. Harries. Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, British Resident, Cook Islands Federation.

No. 5. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 2nd June, 1904. With regard to the question of representation of the Islands in the New Zealand Parliament, and representation of the white residents on the Island Council, to which reference was made in the conference with the Arikis in Rarotonga last year, I have to say that the matter has been laid before Cabinet, and it is not considered advisable to make any change at present in either direction. I have, &c. The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 6. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 7th June, 1904. I have the honour to forward herewith a letter from the Rev. J. K. Hutchin, on the subject of education within the Cook and Northern Islands. If we except the Araura and Tereora Schools, it may be freely admitted that the present system of education is not satisfactory, for the so-called teachers of the L.M.S. in the outlying islands are not themselves educated. At the same time I hesitate to make any definite recommendation in the matter, for if we are to undertake the education of the people of the Group it will mean at least £1,000 per annum, and at least twice that sum if the New Zealand Department of Education has anything to do with it. The schools that we should be required to take over are as follows: Rarotonga, 4 schools; Mangaia, 3; Aitutaki, 3; Mauke, 1; Atiu, 1; Mitiaro, 1; Penrhyn, 2; Rakahanga, 1; Mani- . hiki, 2; Pukapuka, 1. At the present time these twenty schools are taught by the Native clergymen, but if we accept the responsibility for these schools we must supply their places with Native boys, trained at Tereora, to whom weshould have to pay £20 per annum each, in all £400 per annum. In addition to the ordinary schools above mentioned, there are two superior institutions— Araura and Tereora. The first of these is, I believe, supported entirely by the Natives of Aitutaki, and the last by a Government grant of £200 per annum; but the L.M.S. pay the salary of the teacher, Mr. Hall, and also repair and maintain the building. My chief objection is to Tereora, and I cannot recommend that the Government should permanently accept the responsibility of that establishment. Tereora is conducted on the lines of an industrial and self-supporting school, and it may be said that no better system could have been initiated; but the weak point of the school is that it is constructed of perishable materials, on a piece of poor land, and in what I deem to be a very unsuitable position. It therefore results that the repairs already amount to about £60 per annum, which will shortly rise to £100, and the amount of food that can be raised on the land is so small as to be quite insufficient for the school. Contributions from the parents cannot be depended on in times of scarcity, and therefore the institution may at any time break down by reason of its own weight. Such a breakdown would hardly matter under mission rule, for the children could for the time being be returned to their own homes; but no Government could suffer such a thing to happen, for it would mean loss of prestige, and the children would require to be supported by Government funds. The twenty ordinary schools above mentioned we might take over if you can approve of my suggestion of an adult male poll-tax of not less than ss. per head. If the boarding-school is to be continued, then a suitable piece of land of not less than 20 acres should be secured, and a concrete building erected, within reasonable distance of Avarua, at a cost of perhaps not less than £2,000. Personally, lam of opinion that a boarding-school is necessary, in order to train the most intelligent boys as teachers for the outlying districts. With reference to the remark made by Mr. Hutchin in his letter, that " under certain conditions " the society are prepared to hand over the outlying schoolhouses to the Government, I submit that the moment the L.M.S. divests itself of its educational responsibilities the schoolhouses which have been built by the Natives as schools at their own cost will properly revert to the Government, under the machinery provided by the Order in Council creating the Land Titles Court, and without any conditions. _ That we shall sooner or later have to take up the question of education in these Islands is certain, but as a preliminary measure we must provide funds and a suitable site and building for our'chief institution, so that I can relieve the master of his chief anxiety—viz., the production

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of food for his scholars- -and this can only be done if the school-ground be close at hand. I can then employ the hard-labour prisoners in the planting of food, and help in many ways that will give the boys a greater time for proper school-work. My suggestions are,- That a poll-tax of not less than ss. per head shall be imposed on every adult male of eighteen years and upwards; that a suitable piece of land shall be taken under the provisions of the Order in Council establishing the Land Titles Court, and a boarding-school erected at a cost of not exceeding £2,000, which shall accommodate not less than sixty children, and that such building shall be sufficiently near the Township of Avarua to be available for European day-scholars; that the present master, Mr. Percy Hall, shall be retained as headmaster of the boarding-school and inspecting officer of outlying schools. The cost of this arrangement would be when in full operation as follows : Twenty masters at £20 per annum, £400.; headmaster, Mr. Hall, £250; assistant master or mistress, £80; school necessaries, £100: total, £830. The immediate cost would not, however, exceed £550 per annum, for there are only a few boys that we could employ as teachers. We should have to train them first. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Sir,— Rarotonga, 9th May, 1904. We thank you very heartily for the kind and ready way in which you have granted this interview to us to-day on the question of education in the Gook Islands. We also wish to acknowledge the kindness that you have frequently shown to us, and the favourable way in which you have regarded the educational work of the London Missionary Society in the past. We believe that you recognise quite as much as we do that one of the first and most important acts of any Government should be to make provision for education. However, with the exception of the existing maintenance grant to the Tereora Boarding-school, the Cook Islands Government is at the present time doing practically nothing to promote education in these Islands. The children are being taught by private societies only, which are supported by the voluntary contributions of people in other parts of the world. While these societies have generally done their best, yet no one admits that the present state of things is satisfactory; and we all think that the Government should now really make a serious attempt to grapple with the question of education in these Islands. We desire this morning to bring before you and to discuss a few suggestions that we have been considering, as to the way in which we think the Government might gradually take over and extend the educational work which we are at present endeavouring to the best of our ability to do. We shall, of course, be willing and happy to continue our schools until such time as the desired changes can be fully carried out. The following are the suggestions which we respectfully bring to your notice, and ask that you will give them your consideration, and also bring them before the New Zealand Government: — 1. We think, on principle, that the Government, and the Government alone, should be responsible for all secular education, and therefore that, as soon as may be possible, the Government should assume the maintenance, and also, of course, the entire control of all public schools in the Group. 2. This it should be possible to do without very much difficulty or initial expenditure, because the Government would not need to build and start schools, as would be the case in a wholly uncivilized community, but would only have to take over those schools which are already existing; for there are in all of the twenty villages of the Group substantial stone school buildings, which on certain conditions we should be glad to place at the disposal of the Government for educational purposes. 3. We would therefore suggest (a) that the Government should take over the Tereora School, and continue to carry it on as a higher boarding-school; and (b) that they should make the present sea-side school at Avarua a normal school for the training of Native teachers. These two schools should both be under the control of properly qualified white teachers, or it might be possible, and for some reasons it would be better, for one man to carry on the two. (c) That as soon as'suitable teachers are ready these should be appointed by the Government to the various village schools in the Group, at a'salary, say, of £15 or £20 per year; and these schools would then be entirely under the control of the Government. Of course, the training of such teachers will necessarily be a matter of time; but it ought to be possible, say in the course of eight or ten years, to have such qualified men in every school, and thus the entire educational system be in the hands of the Government. ■ . 4. The education provided by the Government will be entirely secular ; the religious instruction will be given by the missionary or Native pastor as at present, and only at such times as shall not interfere with the ordinary" lessons. These are, broadly, the lines on wdiich we should be very glad to do all in our power to help the Government. Such a scheme as we have here outlined contains all the essentials of a complete system--namely, a central normal training-school, a qualified Native teacher in every village, and a higher boarding-school to which the brightest pupils can be sent for further instruction, including manual training. We venture, too, to think that the annual cost of such a scheme would be as small as, if not less than, in any other that could possibly be suggested. . We trust that both the local Government and also the Government of New Zealand will give the matter their earnest consideration, and that before long an educational system, which need

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not be elaborate, But yet worthy of New Zealand and suitable to the requirements of these people, may be formulated. On behalf of the District Committee of the London Missionary Society, I remain, &c, J. J. K. Hutchin, Secretary of the Cook Islands District Committee. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, G.M.G., Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga.

No. 7. Sir,— Niue, 11th June, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, No. 53, of the 27th April, 1904, in which you authorise me to expend a further sum of £200 on the Niue roads. The principal works 1 intend to proceed with upon arrival of the necessary supplies are two deviations on existing roads, to avoid steep grades —one between Avatele and Alofi, and another between Tuapa and Mutalau. I shall then complete to its proper width the road between Alofi and Hakupu, which is at present only a stony track. The road that I think of most importance after the above-mentioned works are out of hand is the highway intersecting the centre of the island from Alofi to Liku, from which branch roads proceed to the smaller settlements. This road not only opens up a large extent of country, but also gives direct access to the eastern side of the island, where the best land is to be found. Twothirds of the copra produced is grown on that side. It is partly made throughout, but a good deal more requires to be done to it. A road formed many years ago extends quite round the island, and was traversed by Mr. Haszard in his survey, thereby avoiding having to cut lines. It connects all the villages, but is very stony in places, and requires a good deal of expenditure to render it fit for wheeled vehicles. A few heavy drays would soon effect a vast improvement by pulverising the metal, but until the services of a farrier can be obtained unshod horses are here useless for draught purposes. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

A.-3, 1904, No. 176,

No. 8. Sir, Niue, 13th June, 1904. Referring to your letter 1904/41 of the 29th April, regarding storage-tanks for the use of the Niue villagers, I have the honour to state that I carefully examined a similar contrivance near the summit of Mount Rangitoto, in Auckland, which furnishes an ample supply of good water for holiday-makers. I was doubtful whether sufficient water could be collected off a small roof to be of much utility. Having lately measured the rainfall at Alofi, I have concluded, however, that it would be possible to fill the tanks in the rainy season; also that it would be easier and cheaper to construct tanks than to sink wells, particularly as I have hitherto been unable to find a Native competent to undertake the work of well-sinking. A serious difficulty is the extreme reluctance of individual Natives to give sufficient land upon which to construct a tank or sink a well, even though offered a fair remuneration for the small piece required. I hope, however, to conquer their prejudices and inherent aversion to do anything which might benefit others, and shall take immediate action in furtherance of this object. I have ample funds in hand to defray the cost. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

A.-3, 1904, No. 181,

No. 9. SIR) _ Niue, 20th June, 1904. I have the honour to forward to you under separate cover " The Niue Island Magistrates and Police Ordinance, 1904." It has been amended in accordance with the suggestions of the Attorney-General, and repassed by the Niue Island Council. I hope it is now sufficiently in order to receive the assent of His Excellency the Governor. I would like to explain that this Ordinance was drafted by Mr. Percy Smith, and I refrained from altering or amending his work as much as possible. I have sent the Ordinances already assented to by the Governor to the Government Printer to be printed, so as to have some copies for distribution. I have, <fee, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

A.-3, 1904, No. 163

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Enclosure. Ordinance No. 3.—" Niue Island Native Magistrates and Police Ordinance, 1904." Niue Island Council. Whereas it is expedient to provide for the establishment of Courts of Justice within the Island of Niue, and the appointment of police and magistrates for the maintenance of law and order: Be it therefore enacted by the Niue Island Council as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is "The Niue Island Native Magistrates and Police Ordinance, 1904." 2. All cases of breaches of the law shall be dealt with under this Ordinance: Provided that in all cases where white people are concerned the Native Magistrates hereinafter mentioned shall have no jurisdiction. All such cases shall be dealt with by the Court (meaning thereby the Court held before the Resident Commissioner for Niue, and sitting in Niue). 3. There shall be five Native Magistrates for Niue Island, who shall exercise their functions within the following districts, which are hereby constituted, viz. : — Alofi and Tamakautoga ... ... ... ... ... 1 Magistrate. Avatele and Fatiau ... ... ... ■•• ■■• 1 Magistrate. Hakupu and Liku ... ... ... ■•• •■ 1 Magistrate. Tamalagau and Mutalau ... ... ... ... ... 1 Magistrate. Hikutavake, Tuapa, and Makefu ... ... ... ■ 1 Magistrate. And it is further provided that each Magistrate as above shall be appointed alternately from each of the villages as above, and hold office for a term of six months alternately. 4. Each Native Magistrate shall be appointed by the Niue Island Council (hereinafter called "the Council") with the approval of the Resident Commissioner, one to each district; and he shall hold office until removed by the Council. Such Native Magistrates shall take an oath to keep the laws of Niue and administer them impartially. Each Native Magistrate shall receive a salary of six pounds (£6) a year, to be paid half-yearly out of the revenue of Niue, through the Resident Commissioner. 5. It shall be the duty of the Native Magistrates to hear any complaints of breaches of the laws of Niue, as enacted by the Council, which are properly brought before them. They shall also have power to deal with the following offences: — offences against the person. 6 Any man committing adultery with a married woman shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding five pounds (£5), and, in default of payment on the date fixed by the Native Magistrate, may be sentenced to not more than three (3) months' hard labour, or the Native Magistrate may sentence the offender to hard labour without the option of a fine. The Resident Commissioner may, in his discretion, award to the injured wife or husband a part of the fine not exceeding four pounds (£4). _ Any woman committing adultery may, on conviction, be fined m a sum of not more than three pounds (£3), or be ordered to make mats, hats, or other articles of saleable value to a 1 ike value 7 Any person who shall carnally know a girl of or over twelve (12) and under fifteen (lo) years of age shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine of not more than two pounds (£2), or in default to one month's hard labour. , But any one carnally knowing a girl under twelve (12) years ot age shall be brought before the Court held by the Resident Commissioner of Niue, and, upon conviction, may be fined not exceeding twenty* pounds (£2O), or, in default of payment thereof, sentenced to six (6) months ar 8 a A°ny person who shall force, or attempt to force, a woman against her will shall be liable, on conviction, to not more than six (6) months' hard labour. But no one shall be convicted hereunder on the unsupported testimony of the female: Provided, however, that , in case of such assault, if the complaint is made at once by the woman to other persons, the Native Magistrate may hear the case on such evidence. ,„■■-, i- a a„ /j?k\ 9. Any person convicted of the crime of incest may be fined not exceeding five pounds (£5), in addition to six (6) months' hard labour. 10 Any person procuring for, or assisting a woman in, immoral purposes, on conviction may be fined two pounds (£2), or may be sentenced to two (2) months' hard labour, and any woman soliciting any male for immoral purposes may be punished in a similar manner. IrWperson procuring or assisting to procure abortion of any woman shall be tried before the Resident Commissioner, and if convicted may be fined ten pounds (£10), or m default thereof sentenced to three (3) months' hard labour. IS-Any person convicted of slandering another person may be fined a sum of not exceeding one pound (£ Vp d f beaH Mse witness before the Native Magistrates may be fined not exceeding two pounds (£2), or in default thereof may be sentenced to one (1) month s hard labo Y4 Any person convicted of assaulting a police officer, a member of the Council, or Native MagistratVinVe execution of his duty, may be fined not exceeding two pounds (£2), or in lieu thereof may be sentenced to one (1) month's hard labour. . _ 15 Any person convicted of assault on any other person outside those mentioned a the previous may be fined a sum of not exceeding one pound (£1), or m lieu thereof may be tisfngTanguage towards another person tending tea breach of the peace may P be fined a sum not exceeding ton shillings (10s.), or in lieu thereof may be sentenced to six (6) days' hard labour.

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17. Any person convicted of assault with weapons or other instruments, with the intent to. do serious permanent injury, shall be committed to the Court held before the Resident Commissioner for Niue for trial, and, upon conviction, may be sentenced to not exceeding twelve (12) months' hard labour. 18. Any person convicted of being drunk or disorderly may be fined not more than two pounds (£2), or in default thereof sentenced to not more than one (1) month's labour. OFFENCES AGAINST PROPERTY. 19. Any person convicted of stealing the property of others shall pay the value thereof to the owner, or return the property, and shall, in addition to such value, perform hard labour for not more than three (3) months. ■ 20. Any person owning horses, pigs, or other animals shall be responsible for all damage done by them, and may be summoned before the Native Magistrate, who shall decide the amount of damage payable to the person suffering damage. Should the amount so assessed not be paid at the time fixed the defaulter may be fined in the value of the damage. 21. Any person convicted of maliciously setting fire to, or attempting to burn, any building belonging to another, may, on conviction, be fined any sum not exceeding five pounds (£5), in addition to the value of the property destroyed, which latter is to go to the injured individual; or in default of payment the offender may be sentenced to six (6) months' hard labour. 22. Any person convicted of wilfully damaging any property or animal of another may be fined not exceeding two pounds (£2), in addition to the value of the property destroyed or damaged, the latter value to be paid to the injured party, or in default thereof the offender may be sentenced to hard labour for not exceeding one (1) month. 23. Any person convicted of deserting his wife or family may be ordered by the Native Magistrate to contribute to her or their support weekly, in money or goods, to an amount to be decided on by the Native Magistrate, failing which the offender may be sentenced to hard labour for any term not exceeding two (2) months. 24. Any person found on the premises of another after dark, and refusing to leave when ordered by the owner or occupier, may be fined in a sum not greater than ten shillings (10s.). 25. Any person convicted of obtaining money under false pretences shall be remanded to the Court, which may inflict a fine not exceeding five pounds (£5), or in default of payment thereof may impose a sentence of three (3) months' hard labour. 26. Any person convicted of forging any document shall be remanded to the Court, which may inflict a fine not exceeding ten pounds (£10), or in default of payment thereof may impose a sentence of six (6) months' hard labour. POLICE. 27. There shall be a body of police, to be appointed by the Council with the approval of the Resident Commissioner for Niue, two constables for Alofi, and one each for the remaining ten v.illao-es of Niue, and they shall hold office during the pleasure of the Council. Each policeman shalfbe paid at the rate of three pounds (£3) per annum. The duties of the said police shall be to see that the laws are carried out, to report cases of breaches of the law to the Native Magistrate, to warn people to attend the Courts when so directed by the Native or other Magistrates, to get up the necessary evidence in cases coming before the Court, to oversee the persons sentenced to hard labour, and to perform such other duties as they may from time to time receive instructions for from the Resident Commissioner. , 28 Any policeman who shall behave harshly or oppressively in the execution of his duty, or shall force his way into any house without due authority and against the will of the owner, maybe summoned by 'the aggrieved party before the Native Magistrate, and, on conviction, shall be liable to a fine of not more than two pounds (£2). MISCELLANEOUS. 29 The Native Magistrates shall in all cases hear such cases in places open to the public, and they shall keep a record of all cases brought before them, and their decisions thereon, in a form to be supplied to them by the Resident Commissioner. ~"'.. x , , ~~. A 30 Before the Native Magistrates hear any case they shall satisfy themselves that the accused person 'or persons have been properly summoned to appear by notice of at least three (3) days before the case is heard, and that the charge has been explained to him or them,_ and that the accused is at liberty to call witnesses for his or their defence. The accused must in all cases be allowed to examine witnesses and make a statement in his or their own behalf. 31 There shall be paid into the hands of the Native Magistrate, before he hears any case coming'before him under the "Offences against Property" sections of this Ordinance, a sum of tw y h^ in f ) S J go S n ) a rieved by the decision of the Native Magistrates may appeal to the Court against any such decision on giving notice to the Native Magistrate within one (1) month of his decision, and on depositing with the application the sum of ten shillings (10b.). _ 33 All fees or other moneys received under this Ordinance, where not otherwise provided for, are to be paid to the Resident Commissioner at Alofi as soon as possible, and wiU be placed by him in the Revenue of Niue Account. „ . 34 Any person failing to appear' when duly summoned in cases under the "Offences against the Person" sections of this Ordinance may be apprehended by the police on the order of the Native Magistrate, and thereupon shall be brought before the Court for trial 35 i/any persons fail to appear when duly summoned in cases under the "Offences against Property " sections of this Ordinance, judgment may be recorded against them, and on failure

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to comply with such judgment the offender may be brought by the police, on due authority, before the Court, and may be fined not exceeding one pound (£1) for contempt of Court, in addition to any fine or other punishment which may be inflicted for the offence for which the summons has been issued. 36. Any person refusing to comply with the order of any Court in the Island of Niue will render himself liable to have any of his property seized by the police, on authority duly issued, which property may be sold to defray the judgment and costs thereof. 37. Any person who offers a bribe to any officer of the Government of Niue shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine not exceeding five pounds (£5), or, in the discretion of the Native Magistrate, may be sentenced to not more than three (3) months' hard labour. 38. Any officer of the Niue Government who receives a bribe in any form, on conviction before the Court, shall lose his office, and shall be ineligible for future employment. 39. In any case wherein the Resident Commissioner has reason for thinking that substantial justice has not been done by the Native Magistrate, he shall have power to order a new trial before one or more of the other Magistrates or before the Court. 40. Any person intimidating another, or offering payment of any kind to another to conceal any offence under this Ordinance, may, on conviction, be punished as if he had committed such an offence. 41. Any person proved to be the father of a child or children of a widow or unmarried woman may be ordered by the Native Magistrate to contribute monthly to the support of each such chile: a sum of money not exceeding four shillings (45.), or goods to that value, such support to be continued until the said child or children shall have attained the age of seven (7) years. Neglect to comply with the order of the Magistrate may be punished by one (1) week's hard labour for each default. The foregoing " Niue Island Native Magistrates and Police Ordinance, 1904," was passed by the Niue Island Council at Alofi, this seventeenth day of June, one thousand nine hundred and four. Togia, Approved, President of Niue Island Council. C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. [Assented to by the Governor, 26th August, 1904.]

No. 10. Sir,-- Niue, 20th June, 1904. I have the honour to submit for your consideration a scheme for improving the jetty at Alofi. The present structure is a great convenience, and quite fulfils all that was expected of it. I look upon it, however, as but a makeshift, and would like to build a permanent causeway. At present the decking has to be removed on approach of heavy weather, and replaced when vessels arrive. This operation costs from Bs. to 10s. on each occasion, and there is always a risk of losing the planking by a sudden rise of the sea. I propose to fill in between the piers with stone bedded in concrete, and plaster the surface with cement. Decking would then be unnecessary, and the jetty would become a solid mass, unlikely to be affected by the heaviest sea. As material is convenient, the only expense would be for New Zealand cement and for labour. Hydraulic lime will serve for the body of the structure, and cement outside. Eight to ten ton* of lime and cement will probably be required. It is work that can be done piecemeal. When part is completed it will be seen what quantity of lime, &c, is necessary. Trusting you will be able to sanction the expenditure, I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

No. 11. Sir, — Rarotonga, 23rd June, 1904. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 98, with reference to the Aitutaki Lagoon, and have the honour to inform you that no definite arrangement has been entered into with Messrs. Dexter and Winchester for the reason that until the lagoon becomes the property of the Crown any arrangement would be ultra vires. The proposal is, however, that in consideration of the firm above mentioned planting the lagoon with Scilly shell, they will, from the date of the first planting, be given an exclusive right to dive for ten years. I would point out that this concession is only a small one, since it would take six years of the ten to make the shell worth diving for. I have, &c., W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

A.-3, 1904, No. 183,

2-A. 3.

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No. 12. Sir,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 23rd June, 1904. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 93, of the 30th May. I would submit for your consideration that the Tamangaro whom you quote is merely an impudent policeman who simply represented the larrikins of the island, and that it is inexpedient that any notice should be taken of him, for the following reasons: — That there are already good roads in Mangaia, extending from Ivirua to Tamarua, a distance of twelve miles, and beyond these points there is no settlement, by reason of the nature of the country. Moreover, as "there are not more than four or five carts or buggies on the island, the roads already made hardly require repair, and no other roads are requirea at present. That in Rarotonga, and all other islands of the Group, the roads have been made and are kept in repair by the landholders at their own expense. This lias been the custom from the most ancient times, and is now the law under the Au Empowering Act. All that the Government find is material and skilled labour for bridges. If money is to be spent on roads in Mangaia the people of the other islands will, with justice, resent that fact, and will no longer do the work that they have from the earliest times considered to be their duty and right. That whatever money there may be to spare for Mangaia will be required when the boatpassages have been made, for we shall then have to build a stone pier into the lagoon. Further, I would submit for your consideration that Mangaia is an island from which no revenue whatever has hitherto been "derived. They deal direct with New Zealand for goods which have paid duty at that place, and the exports from the island are, as a rule, so small that the tonnage for the whole year barely exceeds that of Rarotonga for a single good month. In conclusion, I would report that applications like Tamangaro's are almost invariably the work of interested white men, who hope to benefit by an expenditure of public money. Ido hope to make a cutting through the Makatea into the centre of the island, but this cannot now be undertaken, for there are other works more urgent. 1 have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissionei The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington.

No. 2,

No. 13. Sni,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 24th June, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 114, and vegi't t that I shall be unable to obtain a plan and specification of the proposed accommodation bouse by the time of the return of this steamer, as Mr. Connal is at present away surveying lands n<Vch are to come before the Court advertised to sit on the Ist day of July (see Gazette No. 13i\ I will, however, see that all possible information is sent, to you by the next boat. I would point out that we have at present so much work on hand that we could not under any circumstances commence this building before the end of October. The really pressing work is as follows: A house for Mr. Large, at Mangaia, and at least ten days' survey of the mission lands, which will include thirteen miles of ro?d. A survey of the tribal boundaries of Mauke, in order to prevent religious difficulties on that hbuid 'ourreen days' work. Lastly, there is the doctor's house at Rarotonga, which we cannot even commence until the schooner arrives. I need hardly say that for all this work I have but the one man, Mr. Connal. to supervise, and keep our Maori workmen up to the mark. The above-men iioned are mere' \- items in the work that includes many months of survey and Land Court, both at Ai.iuaki and Rarotonga. To build an accommodation-house sufficient for present requirements a vote of £1,000 will be required, and the old hospital buildings can be used as a residence for the lessee, so as to leave all of the new rooms for the accommodation of tourists or other boarders. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, administering the Islands, Wellington.

A.-3, 1904, No. 203,

No. 14. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th June, 1904. In reply to your letter No. 119, of the 11th instant, I have the honour to inform you that I do not think that any arrangement that could be made in New Zealand wirilo, be satisfactory here. In the first place, the payment of passages and the clothing to:oh wcv.M be required for the New Zealand climate would be altogether beyond our people's mea,:< ; So a>;o_ would the payments to the schools for board and tuition be beyond the means of this ac .ir o.'.'.;::ft:orj.. I would point out, also, that Mr. Hall is a certificated teacher of very grey; e.oi'.i.y. and that, to my mind, no better education is required for a Cook Islands community than can be obtained at Tereora. I assume that the only purpose of education is to fit people to their environment, and not to unfit them for the same," and, if this be so, then more harm than good might be done by sending boys to New Zealand, for it could have no other effect than to make them dissatisfied with their present circumstances. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H, Mills. Minister for the Islands, Wellington.

A.-3, 1904, No. 210.

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No. 15. Sir,— Niue, 27th June, 1904. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd May, No. 86, touching the alienation of land on Niue. As much may be written on this subject, 1 will confine my remarks at present to saying that 1 will bring the "matter before the Niue Council, and ascertain the feelings of the Natives with reference to leasing land. Before anything could be done in this direction, it would be necessary to have surveys made and the titles investigated. 1 have been appointed a Judge of the Titles Court of the Cook Islands, and would be glad to know whether recent legislation affects this appointment. No land on Niue has ever been sold to foreigners, and the Natives are utterly averse to alienating any land by sale. They have always been taught that the whole of the land is required for their own use, hence their reluctance to part with any of it. I hope that wiser counsel will now prevail, and much of the waste land may be utilised to the advantage of both Europeans and Natives. Of course, it must be understood that growing cocoanuts is the only thing likely to pay here. " Cultivation of the land " in the sense in which it is generally used is out of the question here. 1 have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

A.-3, 1904, No. 192

No. 16. Sir,— Niue, 27th June, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 84, of the 21st May ultimo, regarding traders' licenses in Niue. On the 31st May I posted to you an Ordinance called "The Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904." Covering letter, No. 199. This Ordinance provides for a license fee of £5 per annum for every wholesale and retail trading store. No fee is imposed on branch stores' belonging to establishments which pay the £5 license. In the case of trading establishments including spirituous liquors in their stock in trade, an additional license fee of £5 per annum is required. Of course, the liquor could only be sold to Europeans, and subject to regulations relating to that article. As a matter of fact there are no wholesale trading-stores on Niue, and it is unlikely there will be any. Although the license fee is fixed below what you are prepared to sanction, I think the Ordinance will meet the requirements of this island in respect to trading licenses. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

A.-3, 1904, No. 189

NO. 17. g IE _ Eastern Pacific, Rarotonga, 27th June, 1904. I have the honour to forward herewith Ordinance No. 13 of the Federal Council of the Cook Islands, which has been passed with the view of making the Au Empowering Act of 1899 more workable. 1 have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Federal Ordinance No. 13.—An Ordinance to amend "The Au Empowering Act, 1899." Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook and other Islands as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be "The Au Empowering Act Amendment Ordinance, 1904." ~«.„. , • , j 2. The Island Council of each island shall take the place of the Au in such island or any district thereof, and the duties, powers, and obligations of the " Au " as defined and set forth in " The Au Empowering Act, 1899," shall be deemed to be vested in such Island Council. 3 Any Maori in the Island of Rarotonga liable to be called out to work on roads or bridges in pursuance of section eight of " The Au Empowering Act, 1899," such Maori being in the employ of any European may, upon payment of the annual sum of ten shillings, be exempt from such work for twelve months ending on the thirty-first day of March in each year. The said sum of ten shillings shall be paid to the Treasurer of the Cook Islands Administration, and shall be placed to the credit of the Public Works Fund.

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12

4. All work on roads or bridges shall be subject to the supervision of the Government Engineer or other officer appointed for that purpose by the Resident Commissioner. Passed this twenty-seventh day of June, one thousand nine hundred and four. S. Savage, Clerk to Council. W. E. Gudgeon, President. [Assented to by the Governor, 6th August, 1904.]

No. 18. g IR) — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 29th June, 1904. Having regard to the carelessness displayed by the people in the northern islands in the matter of leprosy, I propose, subject to your approval, to pass an Ordinance to prevent any vessel from bringing Native passengers from any island which shall have been declared an infected island to any one of the Cook Islands. By this action we shall be able to limit the disease, and bring home to the people the danger of not taking proper precautions. I have, &c, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington. W. E. Gudgeon.

No. 19. g IB Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 29th June, 1904. I have the honour to forward herewith plan of the proposed accommodation-house and of the Hospital grounds and their position relatively to the other Government buildings of the place. No better site could, be chosen than that of the Hospital, for there is a piece of land on which Mr. Banks's house stands that could be taken at any time to add to the grounds, and make the place as near perfection as could be obtained in this island. On this point, and on the policy that should be pursued with reference to all lands in the occupation of the Government, I will, however, write you at length on a future occasion. I have, &c , , , W. E. Gudgeon. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Proposed Accommodation-house for Rarotonga, Concrete Building. It is proposed to erect only part of the building at present, and the remainder, if found necessary, later on. The part of the building proposed to be built at present is shown on the plans in black, and the addition in red. The part proposed to be erected at present to contain 7 bedrooms, 1 sitting-room, I diningroom, 1 kitchen, 1 store, bath-room, and verandahs, 2,700 square feet of floor of main building, 450 square feet of floor of kitchen, &c, and 1,120 square feet of verandah-floor. The estimate of the cost is eleven hundred pounds sterling (£1,100). Addition. To contain six extra rooms and verandahs, 1,500 square feet of main-building floor, 1,650 square feet of verandah-floor. Estimate of the cost seven hundred pounds sterling (£700). H. M. Connal, Rarotonga, 30th June, 1904. Government Engineer.

No. 20. g IR Upper Albert Street, Thames, 3rd July, 1904. Having resided for eighteen years in North Queensland, and knowing that you are desirous of developing the trade and conditions of the Cook Islands, I beg to make a few suggesBelieving that all the sugar and tropical fruit consumed in New Zealand could lie grown there by the Natives and our own race, I think a bonus on produce from the Cook Islands, or extra duty on the Fijian produce, would have the desired effect. This has been done by the Commonwealth Government, and the 'trade diverted to North Queensland. Fiji has practically a monopoly of this trade.with us, and takes very little in return, and these imports are the product of servile Asiatic labour.

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13

The Central Mills, erected by the Queensland Government, have doubled the output, settled hundreds of farmers, and given employment to thousands of others, and are at present the best asset Queensland has. The Government have built sixteen of these mills, and hold a lien on land and crops for the interest and redemption. These mills cost about £30,000. After the Bill tor a mill has passed the House, and the farmers have 500 acres planted, the Government call for tenders for the mill, having ample time to complete it before cane is ready for harvesting. I am convinced that an experimental mill on the island containing the best agricultural laud would be a success, especially since it has been proved that cane-growing by white labour is both practicable and profitable. Having had a cane-farm myself I can assure you that these mills create more industry and prosperity than our butter-factories. I have, &c, The Premier. J ' A ' BuEKB '

No. 21. g IB . . Government House, Suva, Fiji, 6th July, 1904. For some considerable time past 1 have been collecting information for the British Cotton-growing Association of Manchester, as to whether cotton could be successfully grown bywhite labour in Queensland, Australia. I left England for the purpose of making these investigations, as it is the ot the association, owing to shortage of supplies of the raw material, to encourage the growth of cotton in British territory, where the soil and climate are suitable for the cultivation of the plant. The Queensland Government, recognising the importance of establishing the cotton industry, appointed a Commission to assist me in making full inquiries, and we traversed the State, and obtained a good deal of information on this subject. Our. investigations clearly demonstrated that cotton could be successfully grown by white labour if cultivated in small and easily worked areas, but that the cultivation of large plantations was impossible in the absence of cheap coloured labour. I therefore recommended to the association that some encouragement should be given to -rrowers in order that the industry might be put upon a sound business footing. By the last mail 1 received a communication, dated the 21st xlpril, from the British Cottongrowing Association to the effect that ginning plant and presses would be sent out to Queensland and that a merchant or business firm would be appointed in Queensland for a reasonable remuneration to undertake the work on behalf of the association. The association will gin the cotton and advance 3d. per pound to the grower when shipped, and sell the cotton at the very best possible advantage on the Liverpool or Manchester market, and hand the net proceeds to the planter This arrangement will be the means of bringing the Queensland cotton-grower and the Liverpool market into direct business relationship, to the great advantage of the former. Hitherto the complaint has been that there has been no market available to the producer; now he will be able to sell his product and receive the Liverpool price of the day. The Fiji Government forwarded an invitation to me to visit the Fiji Islands for the purpose of making similar investigations here, and, at the request of His Excellency Sir Henry Jackson Governor of Fiji, I consented to do so. Fiji is well adapted for growing cotton of the best quality, and, if the labour difficulties are overcome, it ought to become a good field for cottonI am at present engaged touring the islands, and it has occurred to me that the Cook Islands, which are under the legislative control of New Zealand, might be visited. It has been suggested that these Islands are also adapted for cotton-growing. If that is so, I would be prepared to visit New Zealand for the purpose of visiting the Group, with a view of ascertaining what the prospects are there for cotton-cultivation. If your Government consider the matter favourably I would be pleased to proceed to your colony for that purpose. I would not require any fee or remuneration for my services except the sum of £75 sterling to cover my expenses for a term of two months. I would pay out of these expenses my passage to New Zealand and return to Sydney. Your Government to provide boating facilities from New Zealand to the Islands. The Fiji Government has paid me £75 for a similar engagement here, and I shall only be too pleased to accept a similar engagement from your Government. If this meets with your approval, please cable to me, care of His Excellency the Governor, „ xr- •: I have, &c, buya ' John Bottomley. The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, M.P., Prime Minister of New Zealand.

No. 22. g IB _ Cook and other Islands Administration, A¥ellington, 7th July, 1904. I beg to return herewith Ordinance No. 4 of the Rarotonga Island Council (an Ordinance to regulate the Sale of Spirituous Liquor within the Island of Rarotonga), duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. ■ ' ' \_' ],■ I shall be glad to receive a report from you later on as to how this measure works, with any suggestions you may have to make as the result of your experience of it, so that when the accom-modation-house is completed and ready for opening we may be able to make a good start on definite and approved lines. Mlns The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. a. mills.

See A.-3 1904, No. 143.

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No. 23. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1904. 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist June, stating that Mr. George Ellis had resigned his position as Resident Agent for the Tukao Division of the Island of Manihiki, and returning his commission. Will you please inform Mr. Ellis that his resignation has been accepted, and at the same time convey to him the Government's appreciation of and thanks for the good service he has rendered on the island. lam sorry that the state of Mr. Ellis's eyesight has rendered it necessary for him to relinquish his office. I note that you have placed the Tukao Division under the charge of Mr. Williams tor the time being. Please let me know when you are in a position to suggest a permanent arrangement, so that the necessary appointment may be made in proper form. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

A.-3, 1904, No. 197

No. 24. S IR ._ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1904. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the Ist June, with reference to certain additional cases of leprosy which you discovered during your recent visit to the northern islands, and note that you took prompt measures to deal with the matter as far as was possible under the circumstances. I am now in communication with the Health Department on the subject, and it is probable that an Order in Council will be issued applying the New Zealand Health Act, or portions of it, to the Islands This will give you ample power to appoint leper-stations, to isolate the patients, and to deal with all offenders." I have, *?•. The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. H - Mills.

No.- 3,

No. 25. _ m Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1904. 1 have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the Ist June, reporting on your visit to the northern islands. lam glad to learn that you found such a marked improvement in thertate of affairs at Manihiki, and 1 hope that your visit to Rakahanga will result in an equally satisfactory condition of things being established there. ~',-,,, + Your remarks as to some fresh cases of leprosy discovered have been dealt with in a separate , I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. c - H - Mills.

No. 3

No. 26. Sti . _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1904. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the Ist June, enclosing letters from Thomas Harries and Charles J. Ward, complaining of the unfair operation of the system of ram in the Wands ot Penrhyn and Rakahanga. I trust the steps you have taken will prevent any further use of the ram to the detriment of the trade of European residents. 1 have &c The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. n. ivij.ll&.

No. 4

No. 27. __ Alofi, Niue, 7th July, 1904. I have the honour to forward to you herewith for your information a statement of the Niue Island Revenue Account for the quarter ended the 30th June ultimo together with papers showing the state of the Niue banking account, and a summary of the total funds to the credit nf this island as on the 30th June, 1904. The total Customs receipts for the quarter amount t0.£136 16s. 4d. as compared with £269 0s Id for the corresponding quarter of last year. This shrinkage is due to the fact that tactically the whole of the goods imported from New Zealand, with the exception of tobacco and siiHts, are duty-paid in Auckland. The reduction of duty on tobacco has also made a difference^ You will observe that there was a cash balance in hand here amounting to £748 17s sd. at .i °T,7 Ihl . npriod After providing for cheques drawn there should have been a balance to Newlealand, on the 30thJune, of J43S l* *Jd TMs sum includes the balance from Niue postage-stamp sales in Auckland after placing £500 in the p f \ffi, tvl bank and paying £61 15s. to Mr. Haszard, as mentioned in your telegram of toe 6toW ulmo I m assuming that the Niue Postage-stamp Sales Account is now closed theotn June uitimu * Account, Bank of New Zealand. It is Poiible,"of thahhis-baii than the sum named if accrued interest were add6 The total funds to the credit of this island amount to £2,181 ss. 7d., as shown by attached I have, &c, P a P er ' C F. Maxwell, Hon.C H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

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Enclosures. Niue Island Revenue Account for Quarter ended 30th June, 1904. Receipts. £ s. d. Disbursements. £ s. <l. To Balance brought forward Ist April, 1904.. 661 96 By Rent of offices .. .. .. 26 5 Customs duties received .. .. 136 16 4 Paid labour .. .. .•',,. •" '* J4 ° Fees and fines .. .. .. 118 0 Paid laying down and removing decking of Emigration fees .. .. .. 29 14 0 jetty ■ • ,;•■• ' • H? S Shipping fees .. .. .. 112 0 Food purchased for labourers .. ..0 15 0 Sale of stamps, Post Office Account .. 40 0 0 Furniture for office .. .. .. 018 10 Canoe-hire .. .. • • • • 10 0 Feeding Government horse .. .. 110 0 Salary of Councillors .. .. .. 41 0 0 Allowancejto Councillors .. .. 10 0 Stationery .. .. • ■ • • 0 3 4 Allowance to police .. .. . • 14 0 Pay of police .. .. ' • • 23 3 0 Horse-hire .. .. • • • • 0 4 0 Salary and allowance of Magistrates .. 16 17 0 Rebate of duty on tobacco .. .. 16 8 9 Erecting beacon .. . • • • 0 16 0 Compensation . . . • ■ • 0 5 0 Freight per " Countess of Ranfurly " 8 4 7 132 2 5 Cash in hand, 30th June, 1904 .. .. 748 17 5 £880~l9~io SBBOJ9 10 C. P. Maxwell, Ist July 1904. Resident Commissioner, Niue. Niue Island Current Account, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. (From Bank-book.) 1903 Dr £ s. d. 1903. Or. £ s- '1 Jane *8 Mills account, Wellington .. 045 0 0 Aug. 20 24-eheque book .. 0 2 12 Black • • • • 55 0 0 Sept. 7 Stamp duty on draft .. .. 03 0 Peas 13 CPM 50 0 0 Oct. 1 Colledge and Sons .. .. 110 0 Sept. 12 Lever's Pacific Plantations (Li- Nov. 7 Wingate and Co. .. 44 6 0 mited) B. E. less 13s. .. 128 18 10 „ 7 Heather, Roberton, and Co. .. 76 0 Oct. 15 Maxwell .. ..' .. 5 3 8 „ OA. H Nathan .. 916 8 Dec. 29 Lever's 8./E 189 11 1 „ 11 Fixed-deposit receipt .. .. 8M 1 Aq 4 „ 13 Kauri Timber Company .. 17 19 11 . ■, '/• 32 0 0 „ 16 Ross and Ansenne .. .. 6 011 P Post ' '.'. 217 6 1904. r " Feb. 20 Bailey 20 7 0 Goldie .. .. .. 6 15 4 Wingate and Co. .. .. 31 5 5 Mar. 22 Inspector of Prisons .. .. 32 12 6 Colledge .. .. .. 3 5 6 Two 24-cheque books .. .. 0 4 0 Mar. 8 Upton and Co. .. .. 12 0 „ 21 Mills .. .. .. 21 0 0 709 16 4 April 21 Balance to credit .. .. 398 14 9 S_________\ £1,108 11 I Cheques drawn since 21st April— April 21 Balance to credit .. .. 398 14 9 P. F. Colledge .. .. 33 10 P Balance transferred Ross and Ansenne .. .. 2 1 from Post-Office- A. H. Nathan .. .. 21 1 1 Savings-Bank Ac- _\ *»■ <* and.Co 4 7 0 count .. .. £128 7 9 June 29 P.jF. Colledge .. .. 114 0 Less paid Haszard 61 15 0 66 12 9 4 „ 30 balance tojcredit .. .. 432 8 2 £465 — 7~ 6 U__ _7_ 6 C F. Maxwell, Ist July 1904. Resident Commissioner, Niue. Total Funds to Credit of Niue Island Administration as on 30th June, 1904 On fixed deposit, Bank New Zealand 500 0 0 Post-office Savings-bank Account, Auckland ... ... ... 500 0 0 Balance to credit Current Account, Bank New Zealand, Auckland 432 8 2 Cash balance, Niue ... ... ••• ••• ■•• 748 17 5 £2,181 5 7 Outstanding liabilities — Wingate and Co.'s account for goods received 25th June, but no invoice to hand, probably £25 0 0 C. F. Maxwell, Ist Tulv 1904 Resident, Commissioner, Niue,

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No. 28. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Bth July, 1904. I beg to return herewith Ordinance No. 1 of the Island Council of Manihiki (an Ordinance to regulate Village Life within the Island of Manihiki), duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

See A.-3, 1904, No. 196.

No. 29. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th July, 1904. In further reference to your report for the year ending the 31st March, 1904, I must congratulate you on the very satisfactory condition of things which is disclosed by the facts and figures you have submitted. With a credit balance of ,£3,000 the Island Administration may face the future with some confidence, and, considering that more than £3,000 has been expended during the past two years on public works—items which presumably will be non-recurring the prospects of the Administration may be regarded as most satisfactory. I am glad to note that you have made provision on the current year's estimates for the erection of four very necessary bridges, as well as for the drainage of the Maraerenga Lagoon. T have no doubt that these works will, directly or indirectly, amply repay the expenditure. You are authorised to expend'£loo this year in planting the Island of Takutea, if you can see your way to go on with the scheme suggested in your letter of the 4th April, 1903. Matters connected with the "Countess of Ranfurly" have been fully dealt with in recent correspondence, and I trust you will have no further anxiety in respect to the vessel I am pleased with the character and extent of the work done by the Land litles Court, and note that considerable areas are under lease to Europeans There can be no doubt as to the desirability of having the waste lands of the island settled by industrious Europeans of good character, "and it is gratifying to know that this is to some extent being accomplished, particularly in view of your assurance that the granting of leases to Europeans involves neither injury nor hardship to the Natives. . . On the subject of education your report contains much that, is encouraging, and I appj°je of your proposal to increase the subsidy to Tereora School from £125 to £200 per annum. This I assume, means £4 per head of the present maximum of fifty scholars, instead of £2 10s. as at present. I wrote you on the subject of education last mail. . The question of pearl-shell fishing is, as you are aware, being dealt with by legislation this "Tarn sorry that the vital statistics of the Group are not more satisfactory but note that the large number "of deaths is accounted for by an epidemic of measles. Probably under normal conditions, your report under this head would have been much better. I notice that for the previous year the births and deaths were practically equal. , Careful consideration will be given to the various important suggestions contained in your report Some of them will have to be submitted to Cabinet, and in any cases where legislative action is necessary, provision will be made in. the Bill to be intr odu ced »8««j rule I think it is better that Islands legislation should emanate from the local Councils, but 1 recognise there are cases in which an Act of the New Zealand Parliament Yh^&c P TT Mtt t s The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. n - lvlllJ B -

See A.-3, 1904, No. 169.

No. 30. Ql „ _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th July, 1904. ' I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th May No 199/N forwarding Ordinances Nos 12 and 13 of the Nine Island Council. No 13 "The Suppression of Immo g rali\y Ordinance,'' has been sent on to the Attorney-General for his approval, and when this hw been given it will be forwarded for the assent of His Excellency the Governor A, to No 12 " The Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904," you had not, of course, when framin- it,'received my letter of the 21st May, in which I mentioned, for the consideration of'the cSil my views on the subject of fees for wholesale and retail licenses Irrespective of this however, I return the Ordinance herewith for reconsideration as to section 8, which prov dcs for the is ue of special licenses. This, to my mind, would tend to encourage and extend theTiouor traffic In consideration of the largely signed petition from the Natives of Niue, prayt tW the imoortation of liquor into the island should be prohibited, I should like to arrange, ing that the importation | __ n b imported by the Government, and disn Sundera 'system ofState 3? m that Europeans could only obtain liquor for tnemT to Lmited ouantUies and would not be allowed to sell it at all. I have given the matter selves m limited <P^ n ™> "£ R the difficu i tie s that surround it. In the meantime, it serious and fully the lated and T wish algo to oarefuUy h may be on the inland now. As to sectton Bof the Ordinance, it had better be omitted altogether. have, 4.0. The Resident Commissioner, JNiue.

No. 1

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No. 31. Sir,— Niue, 15th July, 1904. I have the honour to report to you that H.M.S. " Clio," Commander H. D. Wilkin, arrived here from Nukualofa, on Tuesday, the 12th instant, at 1 p.m. On Wednesday I proceeded with Captain Wilkin to Tuapa, where we decided upon the best place to commence operations. Three charges of 16J lb. each of gun-cotton were fired by the torpedo staff from the warship. These explosions had the effect of widening the boat-channel and removing previous obstructions. It was, of course, impossible to blast a passage through the reef without proper appliances for drilling the rock. Work of this latter description (if necessary) would be best undertaken by shore parties, and dynamite would be more efficacious for this purpose than gun-cotton. It would not, however, be worth the expense of doing this at Tuapa, as it would involve many weeks' labour without commensurate benefit. On Thursday the party from the warship again visited Tuapa, and fired another charge, thereby completing what was required. To-day (Friday) the Captain went to Avatele at my request, and accompanied by me, to see what could be done to remove a rock which was a serious impediment to working cargo at that place. Four charges of gun-cotton were fired, which have demolished the rock, and greatly enlarged the boat-harbour, thereby effecting a vast improvement. I shall complete the work with Native labour and dynamite. The warship leaves to-morrow for Rarotonga, thence to Mangaia and Atiu. I am doubtful, however, whether she will be able to accomplish as much at the two latter places as she has done here, owing to the absence of natural channels which might be enlarged by explosives. In order to blast a passage through the solid reef, a body of men should be employed, equipped with suitable steel drills, hammers, and crowbars, and an ample supply of dynamite or gelignite. With the aid of these accessories I would undertake to cut a passage through these coral reefs, but it is hardly work that can be successfully accomplished by a warship for obvious reasons. In conclusion, I would say that Captain Wilkin has shown the utmost courtesy and readiness to respond to my suggestions, and the fine body of men under his command have ably and skilfully carried out his orders. I am informed by Captain Wilkin that the cost of the gun-cotton charges is £1 15s. 6d. each, so the total cost of the charges expended is £14 45., without including primers, &c. I have, <fee, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

No. 32. g IE Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 18th July, 1904. I have the honour to forward herewith the plan of the Vaikapuangi Block, part of which is now the Hospital Reserve, on which the accommodation-house is to be erected. The position is that the whole block was originally leased by the firm of Donald and Edenborough from Karika Ariki for a long term (sixty years from 1888), and they released the seaward portion marked red on plan to the old Government of Rarotonga. That portion of the land which is still in the occupation of the firm of Donald and Edenborough has an old house on it, but is otherwise valuable from the fact that, unlike our portion, it, has splendid soil, and would make a valuable addition to the accommodation-house site for gardens. , . I would point out that, if we are to make this place attractive and do justice to the house we are building a tropical garden will be a necessity, and that the sooner we acquire a right to the whole block the cheaper it will be done, for I am of opinion that if left as it now is the firm may remove their premises at Avatiu to this site. I therefore propose that the Government should take the land under subsection (10a) ot section 10 Order in Council, and continue to pay the rent to Karika Ariki as at present, and also defer the question of compensation to Donald and Edenborough until we should require to oust them from possession it being, however, understood that all compensation shall be based on the value of the land at the date on which the Court takes it over. If this course be adopted we shall then have one of the most valuable accommodation-house sites that could be procured in this island. I have, (fee, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 33. _ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 28th July, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that H.M.S. "Clio," Captain Wilkin, arrived here on the 20th instant, and on the 24th I-left in her for Mangaia, and arrived there on the follow- ' is- day The weather was. however, so bad that it was impossible to commence work, and, as "+ was evident that we were going to have another of the rough spells that have been so frequent this year, Captain Wilkin left the same evening for Tahiti, and will on his return call here for me, and we will then make another attempt.

3-A. 3.

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I do not think that the methods pursued by the navy, or the material (gun-cotton) used by them, will be suitable to the work we have to do, and Captain Wilkin, I gather is of the same opinion. Where there is a crack, in the reef gun-cotton will widen it quickly; but at Mangaia and Atiu we have no such help, and the work must be done by drilling and dynamite. This we shall have to do ourselves, and it is fortunate that I had imported from New Zealand tools and material to this end, and to the value of £37. The " Clio " may be useful to us in blowing part of the sea face of the reef down, but the real work will devolve upon the shore parties under Mr. Laree l have> &c '' 6 W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 34. g _ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 3rd August, 1904. I have already reported to you my visit to Mangaia on the 25th July last, and that we were unable to do anything towards blasting passages through the reef. I have now the.honour 0 Inform you that during* the three days I remained on the island I was fully employed in he Land Titles Court and High Court. In the former Court I succeeded in defining the title of the Lorido,i Mission to their hinds at Oneroa, Tamarua, and Ivirua, though -t withotit oppositmn from the young people, who attempted to dispute the very clear grants made by their grandaTerrVlSll/and subsequent confirmation of those grants, which were really *n«Badabte. Finally I succeeded in satisfying all parties by awarding the land to the mission, subject rio-ht of the Natives to keep their canoes and build shelter-sheds on the sea.slope of this land, this being a right that the Natives had exercised for hundreds of years, and had never surrendered though it had been opposed by the Rev. Mr. Cullen, and hence the present opposition. 1 fiha that Miringitangi and his small following are still obstructive, and have lately opposed the new election of the Council, and also have tried to stop the surveys. At a large> meeting, m the Courthouse I commented strongly on this, and Pointed out that, under the provisions of The Au Empower L Act, 1899," a new Council had to be elected every two years, and therefore there was rZ nTcounci and I pointed out the absurdity of their allowing themselves to be led by a man who made such mistakes, and knew so little of the law that they themselves had made. A tor stopping a survey ordered by the Land Titles Court, I pointed out to them that it was well hat Sefhfd not persisted in this absurd action, for I could not have allowed that to pass, even holS I had come to the island resolved not to punish actions that were more the result of ignorance and excesdv?vanity than of opposition to constituted authority. Finally, I asked them why they XL of all toe Cook Group attempted to stop the march of civilisation, and indicated clearly in them that they were merely destroying the native mana of Mangaia. Tanian K nro airDanieliTangitoru, with others, admitted that they had been m the wrong, nnd told mf that there would be no trouble in the future. Miringitangi was stubborn but the result willTbe that he people will no longer listen to him, and he will gradually lose all influence { that matters will improve daily, for Mr. Large has the interests of the people very much at heart and they will shortly recognise this fact. . * By the enclS plan you will see that I have taken a landing-place under the Order in Council n„rl also a small piece of land in a suitable position as a site tor a residence. This last was vied hv arr m-ement w th the Rev. Mr. James, who objected to the landing-reserve being xtendedl U £noXon to Section 3, and suggested that we should take Section 1 in lieu thereof 1 have asked Mr. Hutchin, as head of the Mission, to fix the compensation tor Section 1, but he has refused to accept anything, as he considers that the Mission has ample lands The Government quarter! are now in course of erection under the hands of the best Native t„, ,'r tl,o Islarils and Mr Large will see that a good job is made ot it. CarP6 l hay told he peopl of Mangaia that I will nex" year recommend for your approval that a sum ofllOO shall be voted towards the erection of a coral breakwater, to be constructed on the reef on ht south side of the boat-channel that we are about to make, so as to break the rush of water out of the said passage, and that we will also, as soon as the funds permit, build a goodsTed and cut a road through, the Makatea cliff into the fertile lands of the interior. ' I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

No. 33,

No. 35. __ Cook and other Islands Administration Wellington, 4thl August, 1904 ""?','. \SZ bete tto«o?efteyou V"L a. Ordinance passed a, you s»gg«t. »d Hno and it will be better, tnereiore,s y rpar i, es me I will have ii submitted to His Excellency better arrangement has to ma ke provision for the points pTevToriy referred Sf leper-stations, isolation of patients thereon, and punishment of those who conceal the disease.

No. 18.

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19

I note your remarks with reference to the letter that appeared in the Auckland Star of the 13th May. I enclose another extract from the issue of the 11th July. It contains nothing beyond what you have already reported yourself, but I forward it in case you may care to make any comment upon it. I wish you, however, to take immediate steps to remove all lepers to one island, if that is possible pending legislative authority being obtained, as this seems to be the only means of preventing the spread of the disease. 1 recognise the difficulty of securing any means of transport, for people suffering from this awful malady, but I am confident that you will do everything that can be done under the circumstances. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 36. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th June, No. 217/N, sub- No. 10. mitting a proposal for the improvement of the wharf at Alofi, by dispensing with the present movable decking, and filling in between the piers with stone bedded in concrete. I approve of the suggestion, and shall be glad to hear in due course that the work has been successfully carried DO JO T 1 0 out. l naye > &c -> C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 37. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1904. I am in receipt of your letter of the 23rd June, No. 48, with reference to the application No. 12. made to me when at Mangaia for a grant of money in aid of road-formation. As it is apparently neither necessary nor expedient to comply with the request under the circumstances you describe, you will please take no action on my letter of the 30th May. The construction of a pier into the lagoon will certainly be a more profitable expenditure of any money that may be available for the island. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 38. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 24th and 29th June, Nos. 54 and Nrs. 13 59, together with plan and description of the proposed accommodation-house at Rarotonga. The and 19. plan appears to me to be very suitable, and the accommodation shown should meet the needs of the Islands for some time to come. lam submitting it to Cabinet, and if it is decided to adopt it I will send you authority to proceed with the work. I note that you will be unable to commence building before the end of October. I have, &c., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 39. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, sth August, 1904. Referring to my letter of the Bth June, I now beg to enclose for your information a copy See A.-3, of the reply I have received, from the m.anaging director of the Union Company, with reference 1904 Nos, to the proposal to establish a second steamer-service between New Zealand and the Islands. I 211 & 212, have since written to the company asking if, when the accommodation-house is completed, they will be prepared to run a trial service from Wellington during the best months of the fruit and tourist season, so as to practically test the possibilities of the trade. I have not yet had their reply. l have, Ac., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. rl. Mills.

No. 40. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, sth August, 1904. I am in receipt of your letter of the 11th June, No. 212/N, with reference to road-work No. 7. on the island requiring immediate attention. I note your need of the services of a farrier. In his report on the survey of Niue Mr. Haszard suggested that a few young men might be brought to New Zealand and trained in useful trades, as he had recognised your need- of some such assistance as you refer to. Please let me know whether you think arrangements might be made in this direction, so that if necessary I may make inquiries as to whether anything can be done here to meet the need. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

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20

No. 41. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, sth August, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 7th and 25th June on the subject of education in the Islands. I note that you consider nothing is to be gained by bringing children to New Zealand to be educated, the education given at Tereora School being all that is required. As regards the larger question of the Government taking over the control of all the schools in the Islands, this has been submitted to Cabinet, and 1 am unable at present to say anything further about it. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Nos. 6 and 14.

No. 42. Sir, — Rarotonga, sth August, 1904. In reply to your letter No. 139 of the 7th July, I have the honour to inform you that I have conveyed to Mr. Ellis the acceptance of his resignation as Government Agent for Tukao, as also the thanks of the Government for the manner in which that gentleman has performed the duties incidental to his office. I have the honour to recommend that Mr. Henry Williams, of Tatihonu, be made Resident Agent for all Manihiki. 1 have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 23,

No. 43. . Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, 6th August, 1904. Referring to my letter of the 22nd March last, in which I stated, in reference to the Niue Island Marriage, Divorce, and Registration Ordinance (No. 4), that it was intended to pass an Order in Council introducing into Niue such portions of the New Zealand marriage and divorce law as would give effect to the main features of the Ordinance, I have to inform you that it has been decided that the Governor in Council has no power to apply a portion only of a New Zealand Act to the Islands, as to do this would be equivalent to enacting fresh legislation. The Attorney-General suggests that the Ordinance should be repassed by the Niue Island Council, omitting all clauses relating to divorce, and the Governor will, then be able to give his assent. This will leave the law relating to divorce in the island exactly what it is now. I shall be glad if you will give effect to this suggestion. I return the Ordinance herewith. I enclose also a copy of the Solicitor-General's opinion on this matter, in which the Attorney-General concurs. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

A.-3, 1901, No. 163,

No. 44. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th August, 1904. I have the honour to return herewith " The Au Empowering Act Amendment Ordinance, 1904," duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. 1 have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Sac No. 17

No. 45. g IR _, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 12th August, 1904. I have the honour to forward attached a communication from the Collector of Customs at Rarotonga, pointing out that the Port of Rarotonga has not as yet been sufficiently defined, and that it has not as vet been proclaimed a port for the importation of tobacco. I have the honour to recommend that the suggestions contained in Mr. Herd's letter mayreceive favourable consideration. I have, <fee, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. g Customhouse, Rarotonga, 11th August, 1904. With regard to the appointment of the-Port of Rarotonga as a port of entry, I beg to call your attention to. the fact that the. limits of the port have not been defined, nor have legal landing-places been appointed. . . j . ', .i- j j t I would therefore suggest that the proper authorities be requested to nave this done, and 1 submit below a description of the limits and legal landing-place which I think will suit our requirements. . This port should also be appointed a port for the importation of tobacco. Yours, <fee, T. R. Herd, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. Collector of Customs.

A.—3,

The limits of the Port of Rarotonga shall be the area enclosed by a line extending from high-water mark at a point 400 yards eastward of the Union Steamship Company's wharf, situated at the place known as the Avarua Harbour, in the Island of Rarotonga, extending thence northward 1,000 yards, thence westward 800 yards, thence southward to high-water mark, thence along high-water mark eastward to starting-point. The Union Steamship Company's wharf at the Avarua Harbour, together with the beach extending 100 yards on either side thereof, shall be the only legal place for the lading or unlading of goods within the Port of Rarotonga.

No. 46. Sir,— Rarotonga, 16th August, 1904. With reference to your letter No. 164, and the copy of Mr. James Mills's letter attached No. 39 thereto, I have the honour to state that I think the latter has placed the matter before you very fairly from the business point of view. The last three shipments of oranges and bananas from these Islands have resulted in actual loss to the shippers —that is, they have received nothing for the fruit, and, in some instances, have had to pay for the boxes. There is, under these circumstances, no inducement to increase the amount shipped. That the exports will increase is quite certain, in the natural order of things; but, under present conditions, it will be a very gradual increase. Geographically, Fiji occupies a position superior to us, and they can inundate New Zealand with bananas at a price that we cannot compete with. We should do well to plant the whole of this island with cocoanuts and cut down our orange-trees, for by so doing the Union Company would be the only losers. For my own part 1 hope to see the day when there will be no orange export from the Cook Islands. We have living in Rarotonga a gentleman who has had long experience with fruit, and who is most careful in his packing. His loss on the June shipment was £65 17s. I quote this last in order to show that without some measure of protection any great increase in production may not be looked for. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 47. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 17th August, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 174, of the 4th instant. No. 35, As it has now been decided that a portion of any Act cannot be applied to the Cook Islands, I will take action in the matter of the northern lepers shortly, and introduce an Ordinance defining the powers of the Federal Administration in dealing with these afflicted people. This is in a great measure a matter of money, for it is impossible that the administration of the Group should take on themselves to keep these people at the public expense. The island, which is relieved of their presence, must be primarily liable, with, power to recover from the relatives. The extract from the Auckland Star of the 11th July is like all of the other effusions. There is not one new case known to me. Ever since 1 have been in these Islands there has been leprosy at Manihiki and Rakahanga, and the case at Palmerston is merely a migration from Penrhyn, the chief seat of the disease in these islands. . I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. 11. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 48. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th August, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th June, No. 226, on the subject No. 15, of the alienation of land on Niue. I shall be glad to hear from you again after you have brought the matter before the Island Council and ascertained the feelings of the Natives. I recognise that the question is a delicate one, which must not be dealt with hurriedly. I have, cfec, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 49. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th August, 1904. In reply to that portion of your letter of the 27th June relative to position as jj 0 15 Judge of the Land Titles Court of the Cook and other Islands, I have to say that there is nothing in recent legislation to affect your appointment. I assume you have a copy of the Order in Council establishing the Court, section 13 of which empowers you to exercise all the powers of the Court. Some alteration may be necessary later on in the Order in Council in respect of certain matters in which the Chief Judge is required to act, unless it can be arranged that Colonel

21

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Gudgeon's authority as Chief Judge shall extend to Niue so far as these matters of detail are concerned. This latter would be the better way of dealing with the matter, but I shall be glad to have your views on the point. The Order in Council provides for the- payment of fees into the Cook Islands Treasury, but this is overridden by the provisions of the Amending Act of last session. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 50. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th August, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th July, No. 1, with a statement of Niue Island revenue for the quarter ending the 30th June. lam glad to note that the revenue of the island continues to be satisfactory, and that there is such a substantial sum to the credit of the Administration. I have, <fee, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 27,

No. 51. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th August, 1904. I am in receipt of your letter of the 27th June, No. 222, with reference to traders' licenses. I received your previous letter forwarding " The Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904," and sent you a reply with reference thereto on the 9th July. I have no objection to the fees prescribed by the Ordinance so long as the amendment mentioned in my last letter is made. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 16,

No. 52. Sib — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th August, 1904. I have the honour to report that H.M.S. "Clio," Captain Wilkin, returned, to Rarotonga from Tahiti via Atiu yesterday morning. Fortunately there was no sea at the latter island, and therefore Captain Wilkin was able to blast a boat-passage through a portion of the reef that has hitherto been a source of danger to aP boats, and by so doing has left clear the old landingplace of the island canoes. This is a matter of much importance, and Captain Wilkin deserves the thanks of the Government for the foresight he has displayed. The weather has been unusually bad, but there are now signs of improvement, and as the '" Clio " leaves on the evening of the 21st for Mangaia, I anticipate that a good job will be made of the Atuakoro and perhaps one other passage at that island. On this I will report further. I am much indebted to Captain Wilkin for his courtesy and willingness to aid the local administration. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 53. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), g IR Dunedin, 20th August, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 10th instant. I was pleased to learn from your communication of the 17th June that authority has been given to the Resident, Commissioner at Rarotonga to erect an accommodation-house for the convenience of the travelling public. You may rely upon it that when this is available we shall supplement the efforts of the Government by offering inducements in the way of accommodation and fares to the New Zealand people to visit the Group, and, if the result justifies it, we shall not be slow to fix our services so as to meet the requirements of the increased traffic. I have, <fee, James Mills, The Hon. the Minister of Customs, Wellington. Managing Director.

See A.-3 1904, No. 212.

No. 54. (Telegram.) C F. Maxwell, Esq., Niue. Post Auckland. Referring to my telegram of 9th instant and previous correspondence re labour licenses, the Solicitor-General has now decided that the Pacific Islanders Protection Acts do not apply to our Islands since annexation to British dominions; consequently we cannot require vessels to obtain licenses and the only law now governing the position in Niue is your Emigration Ordinance,

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1903. Can you suggest any amendment that would make the Ordinance more effective in restricting emigration, without unduly interfering with the liberty of the people? In the Cook Islands the Ordinance dealing with this matter limits the number of men that may be taken by any firm. I assume that you require that all labourers shall be returned to Niue on expiration of their contract term. C. H. Mills. 24/8/04.

No. 55. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th August, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, and have to thank you for your courteous reply to my inquiry as to the possibility of a trial service to the Islands when the accommodation-house has been completed. I am glad to have your assurance that the company will do what it can to promote a tourist traffic to the Cook Group when the time is opportune. I have, &c, C. H. Mills. The Managing Director, Union Steamship Co. (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 53

No. 56. Sir, — Rarotonga, 25th August, 1904. I have the honour to inform you that H.M.S. " Clio " left this island for Mangaia on the evening of the 21st instant, and worked hard on the 22nd and 23rd blasting a boat-passage through the reef at Mangaia. Unfortunately there was a heavy sea, which retarded operations and was dangerous, for the gunner, Mr. Cassidy, was washed out to sea and was saved with difficulty. Mr Connal reports that very good, work has been done, and that the channel can now be opened out by shore parties working with dynamite. This matter we have left in the hands of Mr. John Craig, a practical miner. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon, C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

No. 57. Sib,— Niue, 29th August, 1904. I have the honour to forward to you herewith Ordinance No. 15, " The Niue Island Sale' of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1904," for transmission to His Excellency the Governor for his consideration. This Ordinance was passed by the Niue Council on the 25th instant. Though apparently trivial in character, it is a matter of considerable importance to this island, as copra forms the staple article of commerce. While the traders are allowed to purchase dry nuts, stealing of cocoanuts is a serious evil, as it is difficult to detect the offenders, and impossible to identify the stolen property. Owing to the manner in which they are acquired, the nuts are sold for a trifle, and the legitimate owners suffer considerably. It was therefore deemed expedient to deal with the matter by Ordinance. I hope you will be "able to advise that the assent of His Excellency be granted to this measure. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

Enclosure. No. 15.—"The Niue Island Sale op Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1904." Niue Island Council. Whereas it is expedient that the sale of dry cocoanuts by Natives to traders should be prohibited, as the practice is detrimental to making of copra by the people of Niue, and gives rise to dishonesty by the theft of fallen cocoanuts for sale to the stores: Be it enacted by the Niue Island Council, with the approval of the Resident Commissioner, as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is "The Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1904." 2. No Native of Niue, or Natives of other islands in the Pacific residing in Niue, shall sell any cocoanuts to traders, and no trader shall purchase any cocoanuts save and except green cocoanuts for drinking purposes, or dry cocoanuts for feeding fowls or other animals. 3. Any Native of Niue, or Native of any other island in the Pacific, contravening the provisions of this Ordinance shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten shillings (10s.) for each offence, or one week's hard labour on the public roads.

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Any trader purchasing dry cocoanuts from any Native as aforesaid, in excess of the quantity required for the purposes above stated, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ten shillings (10s.) for each offence. Passed by the Niue Island Council, at Alofi, this 25th day of August, 1904. ToGIA, Approved, President of Niue Island Council. C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. [Returned for amendment.]

No. 58. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Ist September, 1904. Referring to your letter of the 30th April last, recommending legislation on the subject of the jurisdiction of the High Court in respect of wills, etc., I have now to inform, you that the Law Draughtsman, to whom the matter was referred, has replied as follows: — " Section 4 of the principal Act says that the jurisdiction, &c, of the existing Courts ' shall continue until other provision is made.' This, I take it, means until other provision is made in accordance with law, whether by the New Zealand Parliament or by the Federal Council. In my opinion, effect should be given to the Resident Commissioner's suggestion by an amendment to the High Court Act of 1898. In making such amendment care should be taken not to affect the jurisdiction of the Land Titles Court, which has power to grant probate of estates of Natives.— W. Jolliffe, 15/7/04." In view of this opinion no reference has been made to this matter in the Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Bill, and it will be for you to take such action as you deem necessary through the Federal Council in the direction indicated by Mr. Jolliffe. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

A.-3, 1904, No. 182,

No. 59. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 2nd September, 1904. 1 return herewith Ordinances Nos. 3 and 13 of the Niue Island Council—viz., " The Niue Island Native Magistrates and Police Ordinance, 1904," and " The Niue Island Suppression of Immorality Ordinance, 1904," duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. I have, <fee, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

See Nos. 1 and 9.

NO. 60. S IE — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 2nd September, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt, of your two letters of the 18th July, on the subject of the proposed accommodation-house. The plan of the building has been approved by Cabinet, and they also approve of your suggestion to acquire the Vaikapuangi Block under subsection (10a) of section 10 of the Order in Council establishing the Land Titles Court. Will you please therefore take steps accordingly, and let me know later on how the matter stands. I had tenders invited in Auckland for the supply of material for the building, and the following have been accepted: Kauri Timber Company, for timber, doors, window-sashes, <&c, £246: Briscoe and Co., for ironwork, ironmongery, paints, tools, &c, £104 3s. 3d. ; Wilson and Co. (Limited), for cement, £175 16s. Bd. Pipes to be made and charged at cost. _ All the material will be sent by the schooner, which I expect will be leaving Auckland about the end of the month. I am arranging with the Public Works Department to have the material inspected before shipment, so that the vouchers may be certified as correct and passed for payment without the delay of having to refer them to Ra-otonga. _ I note the steps you purpose taking in order to make the place as attractive as possible, and hope you will be able to successfully carry out your plans in this direction^ The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. c - H - Mills.

No. 32

No. 61. a m _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 2nd September, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th July, with reference to the visit of HM S "Clio " for the purpose of opening boat-passages through.the reefs at Mangaia and Atiu, and note that at the time of your writing the vessel had not been able to do the work owing to bad weather. I shall be glad to hear from you again when the work has been completed. The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. c - H - Mills.

No. 33

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No. 62. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd September, 1904. I enclose herewith a copy of the Licensing Acts Amendment Bill which has been introduced by the Premier. If this Bill is passed it will supersede " The Niue Island Sale of Spirituous Liquor Ordinance, 1903," as it contains special provisions dealing with the Cook and other Islands. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 63. Education Department, Wellington, sth September, 1904. Memorandum for the Hon. Mr. Mills. I have been in communication with the authorities at Te Aute College respecting the admission to the institution of five Native students from the Cook Islands who desire to become teachers in the village schools of the Islands, and I am now advised that the Trustees will be pleased to take the young men, and to do their best to further the object in view. The terms are £25 a year, this being the annual average cost per pupil in the institution. Albert Pitt.

No. 64. Sir,— Rarotonga, 12th September, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Bill, 1904," and so far as I can see the Act will be most valuable. I am sorry that it does not go a little farther, but I can quite understand that a New Zealand Parliament'never will understand that these people are mere children, and that if they are to.progress the progression must be forced upon them. I see no possibility of them to pass any Ordinance that would force them to lease or improve waste lands. Pa Ariki would do so, but, Makea would oppose anything of the sort, inasmuch as her lands are more neglected than any other of this island. I naturally wish to rush this and other islands into a better position than they now hold, and this can only be done by taxation of unimproved land and the power to call on all landholders to put their lands through the Court. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 65. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th September, 1904. Your letter of the 3rd July addressed to the Right Hon. the Premier has been referred to No. SO. me for reply, and I have to thank you for your suggestion as to establishing an experimental sugar-mill in the Cook Islands. lam advised, however, that the scheme is hardly practicable, as there are no large areas of land suitable for growing cane, and the question of labour presents some difficulty. lam glad, however, to have had your views on the subject. The question of imposing a protective duty on fruit from outside islands has already been noted for consideration when the tariff is next under revision. I have, &c, Mr. J. A. Burke, Upper Albert Street, Thames. C. H. Mills.

No. 66. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 22nd September, 1904. Referring to my letter of the Ist August, on the subject of the insurance of the " Countess of Ranfurly," I have to'say that I have been advised by the Agent-General that the insurance has been extended for three months at a pro rata premium of £3 3s, per cent. It is stipulated, however that in the event of the vessel being lost during this period the underwriters are to receive the full twelve months' premium of £12 12s. per cent. I will send you a claim for your Administration's share of the premium when I have received particulars of the precise amount from the Agent-General. . . Cabinet has decided that on the expiry of the present three-months policy the insurance is to be discontinued, and that a sinking fund is to be created with the amounts payable annually as premiums on an insurance of £2,500. Before instructing you definitely on this point, however, I would like to have your views on the subject. I have <fec^, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. G. H. Mills.

No. 67. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd September, 1904. Memorandum for the Hon. A. Pitt. - ... . * I have to thank you for your memo, of the sth instant, stating the results of your inquiries as to No. 69, the cost of educating some Native students from the Cook Islands at Te Aute College. lam glad

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to have this information, but in view of Colonel Gudgeon's statement that the education given at Tereora School is sufficient, and considering the expenditure that would be entailed, 1 do not think anything will be done at present in the direction of bringing children here for education.

No. 68. gIR _. Niue, 27th September, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th August, 1904, relative to my position as a Judge of the Land Titles Court, and note that my appointment is not affected by recent legislation. ~.,. ,-, n t rui^^i I regret to say that I have no copy of the Order in Council establishing the Court. In Colonel Gudgeon's letter of the 14th September, 1902, covering my Warrant of appointment as a Judge ot the Land Titles Court, he mentions that a copy of the Order in Council and of the rules would be forwarded to me when printed. I duly received the copies of the rules, but not of the Order in Council, and would be glad if you will cause a copy of the latter to be sent to me. With reference to a possible arrangement that Colonel Gudgeon's authority as a Chief Judge should extend to Niue, I wish to say that, although I should personally be very pleased to welcome Colonel Gudgeon to Niue in his capacity of Chief Judge of the Titles Court, I am of opinion that the suspicion and jealousy evinced by the Niue Natives toward outside interference (more particularly from Rarotonga) would neutralise any benefit which might otherwise result, and that, if possible, it would be better to make an alteration in the Order in Council to meet the case. There is, however, no necessity for immediate action. The Niue Natives do not appear to be desirous of having their titles investigated at present. Even in the matter of leasing land, 1 have not elicited any reply to my request that they should discuss the matter and furnish an expression of opinion to me. , ~„.., , I hope to enter more fully into this matter with you when I visit Wellington. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

No. 49,

No. 69. „ _ Niue, 30th September, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters Nos. 145 of 9th July, 1904, and 191, of the 19th August. They both came to hand on the 12th instant, but I was unable to reply to them by return mail owing to press of work during the short time the vessel stayed at thlS I bucket them together, as the subject-matter is the same. I note that Ordinance No 13, the Suppression of Immorality Ordinance, has been sent on to the Attorney-General for his apPr ° V Ordinance No. 12, "The Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904," is to hand and your observations thereon will receive careful attention During the time I have resided m^ Niue traders have imported liquor in varying quantities. This liquor has been taken charge of by the Customsand issued in limited quantities to the persons to whom it had heen ,old by the importer. It appeared to me that if this system was to continue it was only right that **f™?J ™™__f should be paid for the privilege of selling liquor, to remunerate the Administration for the addiionaf labour involved. P Ther! has not been free trade in liquor in Niue since my «™*£_* and no Natives have been allowed to obtain alcohol on any pretence whatever. It would be an easy matter to enact that the Niue Government should be sole importer of all liquor required and hTwhite residents could obtain it in fixed quantities, which might agejte less than the quantity hitherto allowed-viz., three bottles per man per week. My idea is that the white residents should state what they require, and Government would import it in bond. It would be cleared and paid for by the person ordering it, who would receive it according to regulation. A charge of say, 25 percent, on invoice value to be made for the services rendered. This is, hOW Tam norquTtelletr whether you intend to legislate on this subject in New Zealand, or whether it is a matter so ely for the Nine Council to deal with, which I think it is. In any case, there would b!Tncdifficulty in dealing with the matter here. I have mentioned the subject to the traders, and State control is fully approved of by them. _ rWmr,s honded store There is very little liquor on this island at present, and that is in the Customs bonded store. I wTI recas"ordinan q ce No. 12, omitting section 8, and have it passed hj the Niue Council. If I let it stand over until I hear again from you, it may not be possible to take action until my return from leave. I Resident Commissioner, Niue. Hon. C. H. MilU, Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Nos. 30 and 51.

No. 70. a Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th September, 1904. I have the honour to report that 1 left Rarotonga on the 13th instant with Mr Connal, and landed to Ma h ukeonthe following morning. Having finished the work on hand, I left again

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on the 23rd instant by the schooner "Vaiti," and called en route at Aitutaki, where I held a sitting of the High Court, and finally reached Rarotonga on the 27th. I may say that my visit to Mauke was most successful, inasmuch as I succeeded in settling the land claimed by the Catholics without bringing it before the Court. This was done by suggesting to Tararo that he would do well to avoid all religious disputes by making a present of the land in dispute to Tamuera. This advice Tararo gave effect to in open Court, and I hope that, those who had opposed him and had spread lying reports concerning him and the London Mission are now ashamed of their conduct. After this small piece of land had been transferred to the Catholic Mission, I proceeded to hear the claim to the large block known as Makatea, in which there were many important questions that required to be settled, and I enclose a copy of the judgment awarding it to Tararo, in order that you may understand the position of these lands. In all, seven blocks of land having an area of not less than 700 acres have been surveyed, and the titles thereto ascertained, during our short visit; and, in addition to this, Mr. Connal has surveyed the coast-line of the island, and has found it to be ten miles and a half in circumference. In all of this work I was very ably assisted by Pa Ariki, the Native Judge of the Court, who explained the method and purposes of the Court to the people of Mauke with such ability that most of the landowners have already applied in writing to have their lands surveyed and the titles thereto ascertained. After I had finished with the lands I held a sitting of the High Court, in order to hear the complaint of one Tuakana, who represented that a French subject (a Paumotu man) attached to the Catholic Mission had forcibly and against the will of the family baptised a Protestant child. Tuakana asked me to fine the offender severely. This, however, I refused to do, for I preferred rather to assume that the action complained of was the result of ignorance. On this assumption I spoke very strongly to the offender, and pointed out that, although such behaviour might be tolerated in France or its colonies, it would not be permitted in Mauke, where the people were British subjects, and would have been justified in violently ejecting him from their house. I also warned these over-zealous converts to the Papacy that they would not be intrusted with either civil or judicial power if they behaved in this manner. I do not anticipate that there will be much trouble at Mauke in the future, unless indeed these French priests, who are both intolerant and arrogant, provoke it. I have, &C., W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Te Makatea Judgment. Before giving our decision in this case there are certain matters that the Court will explain to the people of Mauke, in order that there may be no misconception in the minds of those who have acquired residential rights on this block under the old mission arrangements, whereby the people were encouraged to build in the vicinity of the church and mission-house in order that they might more conveniently obtain religious instruction. In this instance the Court will follow the rule laid down at Aitutaki and at Rarotonga. It will cause the rights of those who have built on this land to be respected, so long as they shall continue to occupy either land or houses, and the Court will not allow any man who has built under this so-called akonoanga oire to be put off the land so occupied without the consent of this Court. The Court will on the application of any applicant cause his house and ltoro to be surveyed, and will award to him the occupation rights recognised in other cases of a similar nature. . There is one other matter that the Court must mention. Reference has been made during this hearino- to the so-called mana of Atiu over the people or land of Mauke, and the Court has official knowledge that some of you have written to Atiu, and have asked the people of that island to come here and assert their mana over a section of the Mauke people. The men who have done this are both mischevious and foolish, and did not know what they were doing. If it be true, as some of you assert, that Atiu had mana over Mauke, I ask you was that mana over the people or over the land? If it was mana tangata, then we tell you that the mana was absolutely destroyed by the greater mana of Great Britain on the day that these Islands were annexed to the British Emtore If on the other hand, it is over your lands that Atiu has mana, then that mana is still in existence ' and the people of Atiu may come here and claim a share in all the lands conquered Dv them Whether the Court would give them the land so claimed is another matter. It is true that about the year 1820 Atiu, at the request of Tararo, sent a war-party to Mauke, and almost destroyed that people; a section only escaped, and they were spared for reasons well known to thCoSt and which may be found in the writings of the early missionaries. This war-party was fte wa-parS of Tararo; they came at his request, and were paid for as an Ariki would pay for such aid-that is, Tararo gave his daughter Akeina as a wife to Rongomatane. Therefore pay ior sucn aiu ' ( over him hls i an d s , or his people, and t rl Ur rartv there was no chief on this island but Tararo. In a book written by the I tt Wmams the it will be seen that he came here in 1827 from At v rng?maSnl, m aTthat y :the latter used his influence with the then Tararc.in favour o fte Gospel. Tararo accepted the new religion, and it was that religion that reinstated lavour ot me uospe position. So far as I can ascertain, Atiu has never asserted a toe Mauke lands and they can have none over those of Tararo. If there be any quesSSfin the'lands of' Te Au or Tamuera, the Court will deal with that aspect of

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the affair whenever it arises. As to the Atiu people coming here to interfere, the Resident Commissioner will know how to deal with them should the occasion arise; it is not a matter that this Court can entertain or consider. We will now consider the claim of Te Au. This is a very unsatisfactory case, lararo has laid down a definite boundary that the Court can understand, but that of Te Au is absurd. It includes the Taotu land already awarded to Tararo; it includes the mission-house which was given by Tararo, and his right to do so never disputed. It also includes the church and school sites of'the London Missionary Society. It is, however, on record in the Taotu case that the northern boundary was there fixed as between Papa Marangai and Tararo, and as the former has now joined his case to that of Te Au, the Court fixes the following boundary for present purposes, and leaves the piece of land cut out to be dealt with on a future occasion. The nortoern boundary now laid down for the Makatea is as follows: From the iron peg at the junction of the Taunganm Road with the Church Road near the house of Te Au, thence westerly by the Taunganm Road to the south-east corner of the mission-house grant, thence north and west by the boundary ot that grant to its junction with the Taotu Block, and following that boundary to its north-west corner, and thence by a straight line to Tararo's peg on the reef near Taunganui-viz., Te Opua o As to this case, the Court is of opinion that there need have been no dispute as to this hue had Papa arranged beforehand with Tararo. There is evidently much personal feeling that ought not to have been imported into the case. Papa has been used as a tool by Te Au The claim ot Mana is altogether untenable. He bases this claim on the fact that he is one of three survivors of the Ngati-Arua, and that he owned this land before his tribe was destroyed. This contention may be perfectly true, but during the last two hundred years the lands of Ngati-Arua have been held by different sections of the Areora conquerors, and the evidence of Tararo shows that Takere Marama protected Mana's ancestor and gave him land whereon to live. Any claim that Mana may have is under Tararo, whose Mataiapo he is. He is not the chief owner of Te Makatea. The claim of Tarei and Tamuera are really one and the same, since they both contend that the upper portion of this block is not Te Makatea, but Araki. There are many inconsistencies in these two claims and we think that these cases would not have come before the Court were it not that the people' are afraid that any award made by the Court would dispossess those living thereon under the old mission arrangement. And now as to the evidence. Tamuera s witnesses are all people who have a personal interest in the award to Tamuera, whereas three of Tararo s witnesses are leading men of Tamuera's own tribe who have no interest, but who have intervened m order to prevent what they believe to be an attempt at robbery. The Court has no doubt m its mind that Te Makatea belongs to Tararo and his people. The award of the Court will therefore be in favour of Tararo and such other people as the Court may find to have an interest m the block, but subject to the old residential rights acquired under the akonoanga oire before referred to The Court congratulates Tararo on his attitude with respect to the land called Taputurangi. It was a wise and kindly action to present it to Tamuera, and it has removed the religious question from the Ur it has been reported to the Court that threats have been made, that certain persons who have brought their lands before the Court will, when the Court leaves, be turned off the lands. We hope that no one will be so foolish as to interfere with owners of land who have placed themselves in the hands of the Court. There must be no interference with such people, or the offender will be heavily fined The Court will, moreover, report any offence of this nature to the Government of New Zealand, and recommend that the offender, whether Ariki or Mataiapo, be removed from ~ ~ W. E. Gudgeon, hls offioe - Chief Judge.

NO. 71. m _ Government Schooner Department, Rarotonga, 30th September, 1904. I have the honour, by direction and in the absence of the Resident Commissioner, to forward you herewith an approximate statement of the accounts of the schooner Countess of Ranturlv " to date, which are virtually the accounts for the six months ending the 30th instant. The loss for the six months is shown to be £I*6 10s. 6d. approximately which compares more than favourably with former losses. It must, however, be borne in mind that the next Half-year will how a large expenditure for repairs, as Captain Champion has reported that the schooner requires a thorough overhaul and a new suit of sails on her arrival m^ Auckland. E. Blame, Secretary. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. approximate Account of schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " for Six Months ending 30th September, 1904. Receipts. £ s. d. „ - . ..... 102 12 0 Passenger-fares ... ••• ••■• •■ 319 0 0 Special charters ... ■ • • • • ■ • • • . Q g Freights ... ■...*••• ••■ 3169 Commission Account •■• •■■ - ■_ £829 9 5

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Expenditure. £ s. d. Benzine ... ... ... ... ... ... ••■ 55 16 8 Wages (including about £140 from previous year) ... ... 482 0 9 Outfit and repairs ... ... ... ... ... ... 106 13 5 Provisions ... ... ... ... .. 133 6 10 Agency and office expenses, Auckland and Rarotonga ... ... 37 1 9 Miscellaneous, expenditure ... ... ... ... ... 66 0 6 Contingencies, £10; insurance, say, £75 ... ... ... 85 0 0 £965 19 11 Approximate loss for six months ... ... ... ...£136 10 6 E. Blame, Secretary, Government Schooner Department Rarotonga, 20th September, 1904

No. 72. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th September, 1904. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the 3rd August, No. 66/04, forwarding a plan show- 34, ing the land at Mangaia that you have taken for a landing-place, and for a site for a residence and Courthouse. I have also received the letter of the 3rd August, addressed to you by the Rev. J. J. K. Hutchin, in which he declines to claim any compensation for the land, and asks you to accept it as a free gift to the Cook Islands Government. I shall be glad if you will convey to the Rev. Mr. Hutchin the Government's hearty appreciation of his courtesy in this matter, and its thanks for the magnificent gift of the London Missionary Society Corporation. I return Mr. Hutchin's letter herewith as requested. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 73. Sir, — Niue, Ist October, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 175, of 6th August, 1904, n O . 48, covering the opinion of the Solicitor-General with reference to introducing part of the New Zealand Divorce Acts into Niue; also the Niue Island Marriage, Divorce, and Registration Ordinance, No. 4, which is returned for alteration. I am rather disappointed that it has been found impracticable to confer the necessary power to enable divorces between Natives to be effected in the island. A considerable number of divorces are sought by Natives here on various grounds — e.g., incompatibility of temper, adultery, and —by far the greater number —complete desertion of wives by their husbands for several years. These latter are extremely pitiable cases, as the woman has to maintain herself and often a family, and cannot marry again because the resident missionary has set his face against remarriages of this kind since annexation, although previously they were allowed. I regret to say I have raised false hopes in the minds of these people, as I was under the impression that power to grant divorce would be conferred as contemplated. The Cook Islands are in a better position in this respect than Niue, as the High Court is able to grant divorces. Something should be done to place Niue on the same footing, and afford relief in deserving cases. I will delete all the clauses relating to divorces in the Niue Ordinance, and have it repassed by the Niue Island Council. I have, &c., C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 74. Sir,— Niue, Ist October, 1904. Your telegram of 24th August, 1904, concerning labour licenses, came to hand on the No. 54 12th September. lam rather surprised at the position. 1 note that " The Niue Island Emigration Ordinance, 1903," is the only law now governing the labour traffic here. I must confess that I am doubtful as to the best means of restricting emigration without unduly interfering with the liberty of the people. It is quite clear to me that merely increasing the emigration fee would not have the desired effect, for when the fee was 10s. per head it did not restrain emigration to an appreciable extent. I am not in favour of increasing the fee. The matter requires careful consideration ; the most feasible course seems to be to fix the rate of wages by Ordinance at not less than £2 ss. per month to Maiden Island, and £2 10s. to Samoa or elsewhere. The reason for fixing the rate of wages for Maiden Island lower than for Samoa is, that the gangs are returned to their homes from the former place, whereas in Samoa they have the option of accepting a sum sufficient to defray their passage by other vessels than those which

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took them away. The consequence is that a large proportion remain permanently in Samoa and Tonga, where they are at home. This is prejudicial to the welfare of Niue. If this suggestion is carried into effect it would be very much to the liking of the Natives, and should effectually prevent too many labourers from being taken. The present rate of pay at Maiden and in Samoa is £2 per month. , . Messrs. Lever's Pacific Plantation Company endeavoured to recruit men here for their islands at £1 10s. per month, but the steamer left on the 28th ultimo with only half a dozen men, and the fact of these men engaging at the lower rate of pay was nearly the cause of a serious disturbance, the police having to escort them to the boats. Blows were struck, and some difficulty was experienced in averting trouble. Trade-unionism, with its concomitants, is becoming known in Niue. We could also limit the number of men that may be taken by any farm, it is always stipulated in labour agreements signed before me that the men shall be returned to their island at the expiration of their contract term, which is not to exceed twelve months. Labour licenses: Messrs. Lever's steamer, the s.s. " Upolu," carried a license to recruit labour, signed by the Governor of New South Wales, but apparently licenses are no longer required. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 75. g IR __. Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 4th October, 1904. Referring to your letter No. 214, I have now the honour to forward draft regulations for your approval, in order that the provisions of " The Sale of Spirituous Liquor Restriction Ordinance, 1904," may be facilitated. As, however, the New Zealand Act forwarded cancels section 4of our Ordinance, very few regulations are required. A visitor staying at the accommo-dation-house will now have to get his liquor from the bond, and can use it very much as he pleases. He will be under less supervision than would have been the case had he obtained it from the hotel, for in such case the regulation would have been that all spirits would have been sold by the glass, and only light wines by the bottle. You will notice that I have, in the regulations forwarded, left the amount to be issued to the discretion of the Collector of Customs, and I have done this for the reason that we have many people here whose characters justify their belief that no absurd restrictions will be inflicted on them; but, on the other hand, there are people who must be kept in check, and therefore it is that I wish the Collector to use his discretion. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 76. g IE _ Niue, 4th October, 1904. I have the honour to report to you that a little difficulty has arisen concerning the Niue Island Council. ~ .- . T , , On the 25th of August ultimo the term of office of the old Council expired, and 1 requested the villagers to elect members to constitute a new Council for the ensuing term of three years. The names of nine (9) members were handed in, comprising representatives of all the villages but Alofi which latter was dilatory in furnishing the names of two members required. Finally a letter was handed to me, purporting to be from all the chiefs of Niue, stating that it had been decided that there should be no Council—in fact, that all Government officials should strike work, but offering no reason for this action. In an interview with Togia, the Patuiki and President of the Council he informed me that the object of the strike was : (1) that the pay of all Government officials, including himself, should be increased; (2) that piecework on the roads should be discontinued, and all labour paid by the day. He also alleged that Mr. S. P Smith had promised that when the finances of the island were in a better position the pay of the officials should be raised (This I very much doubt.) I informed him that the remuneration of Government officials was fixed by Ordinance, and I considered it fully adequate to the services rendered; and furthermore I had no power to increase it. I also pointed out that the members of Council received £3 per annum, and 2s. per day allowance while attending meetings ot the Council, and that as the meetings averaged twice yearly, members received £1 12s. for about three hours work. I have ascertained that the trouble originated in this way: Some Niue men recently returned from Sydney and elsewhere, who have become imbued with the glorious principles of labour unions and strikes, as enunciated by their white friends, the seamen and firemen on the steamers They communicated their views to the elders of this island, who are ignorant and pig-headed, and actuated by avarice as the controlling idea of their minds; hence the result The lack of a Council will not matter much for the present, as, with a few exceptions, the members are of no assistance to the Government-in fact, rather the reverse. There are sufficient Ordinances passed to carry on with. The cessation of work by Magistrates and police may be more serious These officials do not, however, desire to cease work, and it is only the pressure

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of public opinion and intimidation that may influence them. Clannishness, or magafaoa, is very strong in Niue. I have informed them that the New Zealand Government has undertaken to maintain law and order in Niue, and this object will be accomplished even if it is necessary to obtain magistrates arid constables from elsewhere. I cannot recommend that any concession in the matter of pay should be made to them under coercion, as similar trouble would again arise. I see no reason for discontinuing piecework on the roads. It is impossible to supervise several gangs working in different localities, who would seize every opportunity to shirk work if on daily pay. Also, only a limited number of the strongest men would be employed on day-pay, whereas on piecework large numbers assist and earn a little money, of course reducing the average amount earned per head in consequence. It seems as though a wave of insubordination is passing over these Islands, as Mangaia appears to be experiencing similar trouble. I informed the people that when the roads are made, and other urgent public works completed, I would recommend that an increase of pay be granted to the officials. Also, that as nine members had been formally elected, I would call a meeting of the Council as soon as I was readyto proceed with business; and if in the meantime Alofi does not furnish the names of two members required, I shall take it for granted that the two former members are to remain in office for the current term of three years. The most difficult matter to deal with is intimidation. I have a gang of surfacemen at work on daily pay, and they have been threatened with violence if they do not join in the strike. They will not divulge the names of their intimidators so that I could prosecute them. This is another instance of clannishness. The police and Magistrates are not to be depended upon, as they secretly favour the movement, though professing otherwise. I think the best course is to exercise a waiting policy, and the matter will probably fizzle out. 1 have, &c., . C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 77. Sir,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth October, 1904. I have the honour to report, for the information of the Government of New Zealand, that the following have been completed to date, viz: A house for the Resident Agent at Mangaia, with public offices attached in accordance with the plans already forwarded to you: The vote for this service was £450, but the actual amount expended will hardly exceed £350. A residence for the Medical Officer at Rarotonga: This house is not so large as that of the Collector of Customs, but is one of the best-built and most convenient on the island—large rooms and of the best quality of concrete. A concrete bridge over the Vaikapuangi Creek: This is a most substantial piece of work, and will practically last for ever; the cost has been about £100, and this is by no means out of the way, for a wooden structure would cost at least £50, and the planking would require renewal every six years, and the remaining timbers every twelve years. I am also embanking the creek with a rough stone wall, and there will be much filling in behind the wall, which will greatly improve the appearance of the village, and would be expensive were it not that I have arranged with Makea to call out all her people for two days to finish this part of the work. I have further to report that about 100 tons of coral stone has been collected and stacked in the village in anticipation of the building of the accommodation-house. As to the passages through the reefs at Mangaia and Atiu, I question whether any permanent good will result from the work done by the " Clio," and in making this statement I am in no way reflecting on the work in question, but I am of opinion that no satisfactory passage can be made through a reef where there are no fissures, except by the slow and laborious process of boring holes in the coral and systematically blowing the passage out with dynamite. The gun-cotton used by warships has very little effect on a solid, flat reef. It will therefore be found that the money spent in bringing (he " Clio " here has been wasted, and that we could have done better work for half the money. I have now employed a practical miner from New Zealand to take in hand the Mauke reef and mine a passage through it, and have supplied him with the necessary material. If the operations at that place are successful I will then take in hand both Mangaia and Atiu. I haye > & c -' „ W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 78. g IR _ Eastern Pacific, Rarotonga, 10th October, 1904. I have the honour to suggest that the following Resident Agents should be appointed at a merely nominal salary of £10 per annum: Tararo Ariki, for the Island of Mauke;_ Tou Ariki for the Island of Mitiaro. These two chiefs have been acting for the last two years in the above'capacity, and, as they have proved themselves to be fair-minded and moderate men, I am of opinion that they are now entitled to receive definite appointments. I would also point out that the only alternative to this measure is the appointment of European officers, and this we cannot afford in the small islands.

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There are now a few Europeans on each of the islands, and, in the event of disputes, they require some properly constituted authority to whom they may apply in the event ot trouble. The Natives have, moreover, reached that stage of enlightenment that they will no longer put up with the eccentricities of their chiefs. Under these circumstances it is not advisable that we should allow the jealously of a few useless and obstructive chiefs to exclude the more enlightened of the Maori people from all part in the government of their own islands. It is time that such men were taught that their old system, whereby each tribe held aloof from all others, must give way before the exigencies of our civilisation. If this be done the system to which reference is made in Tararo's letter (copy attached), and in my reply thereto, will soon die out. I would also suggest for your consideration that you should authorise me to deprive any chief—whether Ariki or Mataiapo—of his rank or authority in the event of his opposing any Government measure. 1 have, &c-> W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. To Colonel Gudgeon. 25th September 1904. I write to inform you what has happened since you left us. The land of Torea which is out of the settlement, and which he has placed in the hands of the Court for survey-Tamuera has placed a raui over it. This was done on the 24th September in defiance of your instructions. Tamuera haS SrJiTanufter matter. Tamuera and Te Au intend to leave this settlement and form a settlement of their own. When I heard this I caused Te Au and Tamuera to meet me with all their people, on the 26th, and I asked them the truth of what I had heard They said they were going to find a settlement for themselves on their own land. I then said Did you not hear what Colonel Gudgeon said, that we were all to live together in the settlement, and work in peace?" They replied, "We will not stay here," and are now seeking some way in which to blame you, as they say you were wrong in your investigation. That is their overbearing and conceited manner. They"are clearing a settlement now at Taunganui near fte sea and have disregarded my advice to tie up the pigs, make the roads, and plant the lands. I am told that they have threatened the people that if they do not do as they des,re they will take away their land Mana and Hoeina are going with Te Au and Tamuera. They have left, the place where they were living, and have got land from Te Au and Tamuera. My idea is to let them from those people if they so desire.

To Te Au and Tamuera. Rarotonga 10th October 1904. My friends: I warned you just before I left Mauke that I would not allow any interference with hose who had given evidence in the Makatea case, and I hear that the warning had so little effect on Tamuera that directly I left he set up a raui on the land of Torea who had given evidence against him. Listen to me, both of you: that raui is without mana, it has been set up against the Court, and it can have no effect. . , I hear also that you have both resolved to leave the village in which you live and build a new one anart from Tararo. Ido not dispute your right to do this, though I know that you have no good reason for doing it; but, remember that the authority in the hands of Tararo is from those who represent our King and Parliament, and, go where you may Tararo remains the Magistrate of the island, and I hold him responsible for the peace and good order of that island, and tell you that you cannot escape from the mana of the law. All that you are likely to do by your foolish behaviour is to show the Government of New Zealand that the sooner the Arikis ° f M tS the Sect of "you is to try and escape the jurisdiction of Tararo is quite clear to me It is proved by Te Au joining you in this new village scheme. His and has not been touched • no one has interfered with either his house or the houses of his people and, therefore, Se leaves the village he does so from an insane jealousy of Tararo, an absurd attempt to escape Briti Now Ul l'wish you both to understand that I have reported these matters to the Minister in Charge of these Islands, who will inform the Governor, and I have asked for power to deprive vobothi of'your rank hould you continue this opposition to the good government of the island. It will be or L Minister to say whether he will appoint Tararo as our Government Agent, or will authorTse me to send a European to Mauke, but if a European is sent it will be for you, Tamuera and Te Au, to pay his salary of £100 per annum. ~ . Remember this, it is you two who are trying to deprive the Maoris of all. mana in their own • i.riH ifvoii have to pay for that action you have no right to complain. Regard this letter as 1 /emember that the Government of New Zealand will carry out their policy and not yours. From friend) That is all. W. E. Gudgeon.

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No. 79. SIE; __ Niue, 11th October, 1904. I have the honour to forward to you herewith a statement of the Niue Island Revenue Account for the quarter ended 30th September ultimo. The total receipts from all sources, and including the balance from the previous quarter, amount to £971 Bs. 5d., and the disbursements to £213 10s. There was a cash balance here at the end of the period of £656 13s. 5d., and £101 ss. was remitted to Niue Island Account, Bank of New Zealand. . _ I enclose a paper showing the state of the Niue Island Current Account at the Bank ot Mew Zealand This, of course, is approximate, as Ido not know what cheques (if any) have been drawn on this account by the Collector of His Majesty's Customs, Auckland, but, excluding this, it should be very nearly correct. ... . Pl , lr <i You will notice that the total funds to the credit of this Administration amount to £2,159 ' The amount authorised for expenditure on roads was not exhausted, as the supply of explosives failed owing to so much being expended for reservoirs, boat-harbours, &c. I have, <fee, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosures. Niue Island Revenue Account for Quarter ended 30th September, 1904. 1904 Receipts. j 1904. Disbursements. £ s. d July ITo Balance brought forward .. 748 17 5 By Labour 19> 0 Customs duties received .. 192 15 6 Interpreter .. .. 111 0 Fines and fees .. .. 25 10 0 Refund ot duty .. .. 6 4 0 Shipping fees .. .. 2 0 6 Horse-feed .. .. 2 3 0 Emigration fees .. .. 2JO 0 Allowance to Native constables 10 0 Miscellaneous receipts .. 0 5 0 Sundry expenses .. .. 8 5 6 Rent of offices .. .. 2 4 0 Road-work .. .. 146 14 4 Compensation for cocoanuttrees .. .. .. 8 6 0 Provisions for Native labourers 3 11 0 Labour constructing reservoir 12 2 0 Allowance to Council .. 10 0 Boat's crew .. .. 0 110 Stationery .. .. 0 13 2 £213 10 0 Sept. 15 Remitted to Bank of New Zealand 101 5 0 „ 30 Cash in hand .. .. 656 13 5 £971 8 5 . £ 971 8 5 Nile Island Current Account, Bank op New Zealand, Auckland. 1904 Br £ s- d. 1904. Or. £ s. d. June 30 To Balance to credit .. .. 432 8 2 Sept. 13 By Wingate and Co. .. .. 23 10 6 Niue stamp sales in New Zea- „ 14 P. P. Colledge .••„..•• ,? ° " land to 30th April .. 10 3 1 „ 24 Cook Islands Administration 15 0 0 Sept. 15 Remitted from Niue .. 101 5 0 „ 30 Balance to credit in bank .. 503 5 9 £543~1T~3 g43 16 3 C. F. Maxwell, 10th October, 1904. Resident Commissioner, Niue. Total Funds to credit of Niue Island Administration as on 30th September, 1904. £ s. d. Fixed deposit bank of New Zealand, Auckland .. ... ... 500 0 0 In Post-office Savings-bank, Auckland ... ... ... ... 500 0 0 Balance to credit Current Account, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland 503 5 9 Cash balance in Niue ... ••• ■•• •• ••• 656 13 5 £2,159 19 2 C. F. Maxwell, 10th October 1904. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

No. 80. SlR _ Niue, 13th October, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the Licensing Acts Amendment Bill as No. 68. introduced by the Premier. . ' . I see nothino- in the section of the Bill which relates to the Cook and other Islands to which exception might reasonably be taken, or which will materially alter the existing state of affairs as regards liquor on Niue. ■ . , „ ■ . . -, . I assume that if the Act becomes law regulations will be provided fixing details, such as price of liquor, quantity which may be sold to any person at one time, and interval between such sales.

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What appears to me to be an anomaly in the Bill is that the Niue Island Council is empowered to issue prohibition orders against any person (European, of course). It seems to me that this power should vest in the Resident Commissioner in his capacity as a Justice of the Peace, to be exercised after due inquiry. . The Niue Council, composed wholly of Natives who are debarred from obtaining liquor, should not, I think, be able to deal with a matter of this kind, which would affect Europeans only. Of course, it comes to the same thing; but, as the clause stands, a meeting of the Council would have to be summoned before a prohibition order could issue, although there are two Justices of the Peace on Niue. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 81. Sir,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 13th October, 1904. In reply to your letter No. 225, of the 22nd September, 1 have the honour to inform you that, as I have "always urged that the boat should not be insured, I very much approve of the discontinuance of the insurance, but I can see no reason why a sinking fund should be established, since you have at all times a lien on the revenue of both Niue and the Cook Islands. I notice'by the papers that the words '■'household purposes" have been struck out of the Licensing Act, and therefore total prohibition would seem to be the law in these Islands. If this is so the sooner the schooner is sold the better. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

No. 66,

No. 82. Si Rj _ Niue, 14th October, 1904. I have the honour to submit to you herewith a return of road-work in Niue for the quarter ended the 30th September, 1904. The total length of roads constructed at a fixed price per chain is 172 chains, comprising 101 chains of new road and 71 chains of widening to 16 ft., and remaking former roads. The total expenditure on this class of work amounts to £146 14s. 4d., averaging £1 os. 9d. per chain for new roads, and 12s. per chain for remaking old roads. A heavy rock cutting and 15 chains of excellent road was made Try the people under a previous arrangement, at a cost of £15— i.e., provisions and tobacco, £10, and paid labour £5, as I sent my gang of trained men to do the blasting. This cutting and two reservoirs caused the expenditure of a large quantity of dynamite, and obliged me to relinquish road-work, as very little can be done here without explosives. I am employing a gang of four men as surface-men, and the roads are gradually becoming very good. 1 h av e> <*°-> J & C F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosure. Return of Road-work in Niue from 1st July to 30th September, 1904.

Dynamite and fuse supplied by Administration; value, £9. 101 chains of new road <ml £104 14s. 4d.; average cost per chain, £1 os. 9d. 71 chains widening, &c, old road cost £12; average cost per chain, 12s. Rock-cutting and 15 chains of new road made by the island cost tobacco, £2; provisions, £8; paid labour, £5: total, £15. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, 13th October 1904. Resident Commissioner, Niu»j

Locality. CKss of Work. Number of Chains. Price per Chain. Total. Alofi-Avatele New roaa, 16 ft. " 5ft 20 31 11 33} 5ft 39 26| 172 £ s. d. 1 13 0 1 5 4 0 12 0 1 13 0 0 16 6 1 13 0 0 12 0 0 11 0 £ s. d. 8 14 0 25 6 0 18 12 0 19 13 0 27 16 10 8 13 0 23 8 0 14 11 6 Alofi-Tuapa Tuapa-Mutalau Alofi-Avatele Tuapa-Mutalau Alofi-Tuapa Alofi-Liku Widening and forming New road, 16 ft. Widening and forming New road, 12 ft. Total 146 14 4

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No. 83. Sir,— Niue, 17th October, 1904. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith a list of names of members of the Niue Island Council, who were elected on the 25th August last for the term of three years from that date. I have been unable to forward the list to you earlier, as the people of Alofi would not hand in the names of the members to represent their village, as they were endeavouring to obtain increased remuneration for the members of the Council amongst others. I pointed out to them that the proper course was to elect the members; then, if they had a grievance, to put it in writing, and send it through me to the Minister in Charge, who would consider it. This they finally agreed to, and the two former members were re-elected. With the exception of the members for Tuapa and Hikutavake, all of the former members of the Council were re-elected. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosure. List of Members of Niue Island Council, elected on the 25th August, 1904, for the Term of Three Years from that Date. Togia, President, from Village of Tuapa. Members —Pila, from Tuapa; Fitihega, from Hikutavake; Togaiki, from Mutalau ; Talaheiki, from Lakepa; Talagi, from Liku; Puletagaloa, Hakupu; Hegotule, from Avatele and Fatiau; Lahega,' froot Tamakautoga; Tatagata, from Alofi South; Tagavaitoa, from Alofi North; Logo, from Makefu. C. F. Maxwell, 17th October, 1904. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

No. 84. Sir, — Rarotonga, 18th October, 1904. I have the honour to forward for approval the following Federal Ordinances : No. 14, Immigration and Vagrancy; No. 15, Public Health; No. 16, High Court; No. 17, Adoption of Native Children; also an Ordinance, No. 5, of the Island Council of Rarotonga, regulating village life and traffic. The necessity for No. 14 is immediate and urgent, in order to prevent the introduction of vagrants and criminals from Tahiti and New Zealand. Within the last two months we have had three bad cases of this nature dumped upon us, and, our police forcebeing purely Native, we are quite unable to deal with such men, and for this reason our Vagrant Act requires to be drastic. No. 17 is intended to give adoption the force of law, and prevent fraud; and I have the honour to request that a copy of the Gazette containing regulations under section 50 of " The Native Land Claims Adjustment Act, 1901," may be forwarded to me. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. Federal Ordinance No. 14.—An Ordinance to prevent the Landing and Remaining in the Cook and Northern Islands of Persons of Bad Character, or of Unsound Mind, or Drunken Habits. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook and Northern Islands as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be "The Immigrants and Vagrancy Ordinance, 1904." 2. No person who shall have been convicted at any place outside the Cook and Northern Islands of any indictable offence, and no person of notoriously bad character, or of drunken habits, or of unsound mind, shall be brought to, or land, or remain in the said islands. 3. The master of any vessel arriving at the said islands from places beyond the said islands shall forthwith report in writing to the Collector of Customs, or to the European Resident Agent at the island at which such vessel arrives, the names, and, as far as is known, the occupations of all passengers on board such vessel. 4. The master of such vessel shall, if required in writing by such Collector of Customs or European Resident Agent, give a substantial guarantee to an amount not exceeding fifty pounds for each passenger left at any one of the said islands that such passenger will not within six months from the date of his landing within the said islands become a burden to the Government or people of the said islands. 5. If the master of such vessel shall neglect or refuse to make such report as aforesaid, or to give such guarantee when called upon so to do, he may be forthwith summoned before a European Judge of the High Court of the Cook Islands, or before a Resident Magistrate, and shall be liable to a penalty for each offence not exceeding the sum of fifty pounds. Such penalty shall be recoverable from such master, and failing him, from the owners of such vessel. The Collector of Customs or other officer shall not be bound to give any vessel a clearance until the master thereof shall have paid such penalty, or shall have complied with the provisions of the two preceding sections.

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6. If any person shall be brought to, or shall land and remain in the said islands in contravention of section two hereof, or if any person, a passenger by any vessel as aforesaid, shall, within six months after his arrival in the said islands, be convicted of the charge of vagrancy as hereinafter mentioned, or if such person shall within such period become a burden to the Government or people of the said islands (of which latter fact the declaration in writing of the Resident Commissioner shall be conclusive evidence), such person may be ordered by the Resident Commissioner to leave the said islands, and the master or owners of the vessel which brought such person to the said islands shall be bound to take such person away from such islands, or, in default, the Resident Commissioner may deport such person to the place from which he came by any other vessel at the expense of the master or owners of the vessel by which he had been brought to the said islands. The Resident Commissioner may take all steps necessary to secure the deportation of such person, and for that purpose may authorise any constable of police to take such person into custody and to place him on board ship. 7. Any person, other than a Polynesian Native, living in the said islands, and having no visible lawful means of subsistence or support, may be charged as a vagrant, and, on conviction thereof, may be sentenced to hard labour for a period not exceeding three months. 8. All complaints for offences under this Ordinance may be heard before a European Judge of the High Court of the Cook Islands or a Resident Magistrate. 9. " The Immigrants Act, 1896," and section 6 of " The Offenders Punishment Act, 1899," are hereby repealed. Passed by the Federal Council, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. S. Savage, Clerk to Council. W. E. Gudoeon, President. [Assented to by the Governor on the sth September, 1905.]

Federal Ordinance No. 15.—An Ordinance to deal with Public Health. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook and Northern Islands as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Public Health Ordinance, 1904." 2. The Resident Commissioner may in case of leprosy or any infectious or contagious disease being or appearing in any part of the Cook or Northern Islands make such orders or give such directions as he thinks expedient for the isolation of the persons affected with leprosy or such disease, or for preventing communication between them and other persons as he may think fit, and all such orders and directions shall have the force of law. 3. The Resident Commissioner may appoint any place in which to isolate persons affected with leprosy or infectious or contagious disease, and any place- so appointed shall be deemed to be a quarantine-ground, and the provisions of " The Public Health Act, 1900," of New Zealand (including penalties) relating to quarantine-grounds and to persons liable to remain there, and with respect to communicating with or quitting a quarantine-ground or the return to a quarantineground of persons quitting the same shall be applicable to such places and persons respectively. 4. Whenever in any house or kainga any person is found to be sick of leprosy or any infectious or contagious disease, or of any sickness the symptoms of which raise a reasonable suspicion that it may be leprosy or infectious or contagious disease, the occupier or head of such house or kainga shall give notice thereof in writing to the Government Medical Officer or to the Resident Agent at the island at which such house or kainga is situate. Any occupier or head of such house or kainga who fails or neglects to give such notice shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten pounds or, in default, six months' hard labour. 5. Where the Government Medical Officer or the Resident Agent at any island has reason to suspect that leprosy or any infectious or contagious disease exists in any house or kainga, and no notice thereof has been given in accordance with section four hereof, such Government Medical Officer or Resident Agent may visit and inspect the suspected premises and all persons therein. Any person obstructing the Government Medical Officer or the Resident Agent during such visit and inspection shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds or, in default, three months' hard labour. 6. Any complaint for an offence under this Ordinance may be heard before a Judge of the High Court of the Cook Islands or before the European Resident Agent at the island where such offence was committed. Passed by the Federal Council, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. S. Savage, Clerk to Council. W. E. Gudgeon, President, Federal Council. [Assented to by the Governor on the sth September, 1905.]

Federal Ordinance No. 16.—An Ordinance to Extend the Jurisdiction of the High Court of the Cook Islands. Be it enacted by the'E'ederal Council of the Cook and Northern Islands as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The High Court Ordinance, 1904." 2. The Higli Court of the Cook. Islands shall have jurisdiction in bankruptcy within the Cook and Northern Islands, and the said High Court and the European Judges and Registrar thereof shall as far as practicable have such powers and authorities as are conferred on a Court having jurisdiction in bankruptcy, or the Judge or Registrar thereof, by ''The Bankruptcy Act, 1892,"' of New Zealand. 3. The High Court of the Cook Islands shall be a Court of Probate, and as such shall, as far as circumstances admit, have for and within its jurisdiction, with respect to the property, real or personal, of deceased persons, other than Natives of the said islands, subject to the jurisdiction of the Court, all such jurisdiction as for the time being belongs to any Court exercising probate jurisdiction in New Zealand.

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4. The jurisdiction conferred by sections two and three hereof shall be deemed to have been vested in the said High Court as from the eleventh day of June, one thousand nine hundred and two. 5. The High Court of the Cook Islands shall have jurisdiction in all matters in which jurisdiction was conferred on the Supreme Court or the Federal Court by any Act of the Federal Parliament of the Cook Islands now in force. Passed by the Federal Council, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. S. Savage, Clerk to Council. W. E. Gudgeon, President, Federal Council. [Assented to by the Governor on the sth September, 1905.]

Rarotonga Local Ordinance No. 5. —An Ordinance to Regulate Matters in the Island of Rarotonga. Be it enacted by the Island Council of Rarotonga as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Rarotonga Regulations Ordinance, 1904." REGULATION OF TRAFFIC. 2. Every person driving a vehicle or riding a horse or bicycle shall keep to the left side of the road when passing a vehicle, horse, or bicycle coming in the opposite direction. 3. Every person driving a vehicle or riding a bicycle shall exhibit a light between the times of half an hour after sunset and half an hour before sunrise. Every person riding a bicycle in the daytime shall ring fe bell when approaching and passing any other person, bicycle, or vehicle. 4. No person shall drive a vehicle or ride a horse or bicycle within the boundary of any settlement at a greater speed than seven miles an hour. REGULATION OF TEA-SHOPS, DANCING, ETC. 5. All tea-shops shall be closed between the hours of nine at night and six in the morning, and no business shall be done by the licensee or his servants in such tea-shop between such hours. 6. No person other than the licensee or his servants shall remain in any tea-shop between the said hours of nine at night and six in the morning. No child under the age of thirteen years shall remain in any tea-shop except for the purpose of obtaining refreshment, and any child remaining in any tea-shop except for such purpose may be removed therefrom by any member of the police. 7. No Native singing, dancing, drum-playing, or other form of rekareka or tangi, shall take place or be held without the written permission of the Ariki of the district after the hour of nine at night. SANITARY REGULATION. 8. Every householder shall keep clean his yard and ground around the house, and all accumulations of refuse and rubbish shall be destroyed by fire. Any refuse or rubbish which cannot be destroyed by fire shall be buried in the ground. Any member of the police may at any hour during the daytime enter any yard or ground for the purpose of seeing that the provisions of this regulation are carried out. PENALTY FOR OFFENCES. 9. Any person contravening any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding two pounds or, in default of payment, twenty-eight days' hard labour. 10. Any complaint under this Ordinance may be heard before the High Court of the Cook Islands or before the Ariki's Court in the district where the offence was committed. Passed by the Rarotonga Island Council, this seventeenth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. S. Savage, Clerk to Council. W. E. Gudgeon, President, Federal Council. [Assented to by the Governor on the sth September, 1905.]

No. 85. gj Rj — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th October, 1904. I am in receipt of your letter of the 13th September, 13/N, on the question of the insurance of the schooner " Countess of Ranfurly." Since I last wrote you on this matter Cabinet has decided to discontinue the insurance, and it will accordingly lapse on the expiry of the present three-months policy in November. Cabinet also directed that a sinking fund be created by setting aside annually the amount payable as premium on an insurance of £2,500. As this is exactly what you propose in your letter, I assume you will approve of the scheme; but before giving definite instructions on the subject I wish to hear what Colonel Gudgeon thinks of it. I have already communicated with him, but have not vet received his reply. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H, Mills. i

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No. 86. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th October, 1904. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the 27th September, with reference to your position as a Judge of the Cook Islands Land Titles Court. I forward herewith a copy of A.-3, 1903, which contains the Order in Council establishing the Court. A new Order in Council is being prepared, however, omitting subsection (10a) of section 10, the provisions of which will be embodied in the Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Bill. You will see that the matters in which the Chief Judge would be required to act under the present Order are not such as would necessitate his visiting Niue, so that the difficulty you have anticipated (which I had not overlooked) is not likely to arise. As, however, the Order in Council is being amended, I will have provision made so that you may act independently of the Chief Judge in all matters affecting the Land Titles Court. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 68,

No. 87. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th October, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist instant, No. 24/N, on the subject of emigration from the Island of Niue. I note your suggestion as to fixing the rate of wages payable to men taken from the islands as labourers at ss. or 10s. per month higher than is paid at present. This no doubt would act as a deterrent to the engagement of labour by outside firms, but it would offer a greater inducement to the Natives to go, and so might tend to defeat its own ends. To limit by Ordinance the number of men that might be taken by any firm during the year would, I think, be a wise step; but I hope to have an opportunity of discussing the whole question with you shortly. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 74.

NO. 88. g IR) — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th October, 1904. 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th August, with reference to my telegram of the 9th August, on the subject of obtaining a labour license for the "Countess of Ranfurly " while under charter to Messrs. Grice, Sumner, and Co. You will now have received my letter of the Ist September, in which I set forth the altered position of this matter, and you will also have seen in the New Zealand Gazette the Order in Council repealing the Imperial Pacific Islanders Protection Acts as respects the Cook and other Islands. I forward a copy of the Gazette herewith. As to emigration to foreign islands, 1 should like to discourage this as much as possible; but as the Natives under your Administration are now entitled to the same privileges as the Natives of New Zealand, I do not see what restrictive measures can be taken or penalties imposed without unduly interfering with the liberty of the people. I have, &cl, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. U. Mills.

Repealing Pacific Islanders Protection Acts (Imperial) as affecting Cook and other Islands. Plunket, Governor. Order in Council. At the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-first day of September, 1904. Present: his excellency the governor in council. Whfrfas by section two of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901 " (hereinafter termed" "the said Act"), it is provided that the Governor by Order in Council, may from time to time direct that any of the laws in force in the said Islands at the commencement of the said Act may be modified or repealed: And whereas "The Labourers Emigration Restriction Act, T9OO " of the Cook Islands Parliament contains a recital to the effect that it has been the custom for masters of vessels to enlist Natives of the Cook Islands for the purpose of labour on islands nnt.toe the Group and that it is advisable that this custom should continue: And whereas a doubfhas been raised That the effect of this recital is to continue the Pacific Islanders Protection lets, 1872Tnd 1875 (Imperial), in force in the said Islands: And whereas it is expedient to His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred by the said Act and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth hereby direct that the said Pacific Islanders Protection Acts, 1872 and 1875, be repealed m so far as respects the said Islands, and the same are hereby repealed accordingly. Council;

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No. 89. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 28th October, 1904. Referring to the question of leasing islands to private firms or companies, of which mention was made in your annual report for last year (with special reference to Manuae), I shall be glad to hear further from you as to the proposal to take over Manuae and work it as a Government plantation. Do you recommend negotiating with the Cook Island Trading Company for the purchase of their lease, and, if so, can you say on what terms they would be willing to sell? Please let me have a report on the matter generally. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

See A.-8, 1904, No. 169.

No. 90. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 28th October, 1904. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the sth August, No. 69/04, and enclose herewith a Warrant signed by His Excellency the Governor, appointing Mr. Henry Williams Resident Agent for the Tukao Division of Manihiki. He already holds an appointment for the Tauhonu Division. The appointment will be published in next week's Gazette. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 42

No. 91. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 28th October, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th September, with reference to the Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Bill. I note what you say as to the necessity for forcing progress upon the people of the Islands; but, while I sympathize with your desire to advance the interests of the Islands as rapidly as possible, I think we must act with considerable care in introducing what may appear to the Natives as drastic innovations. There has been a good deal of discussion in both Houses in connection with the Bill, and there was a strong feeling that the Natives should be interfered with as little as possible, especially in matters affecting their land rights. I can quite understand that you will find it difficult to induce the Council to pass an Ordinance enforcing the leasing and improvement of waste lands, but this fact only seems to emphasize the need of caution in introducing changes for which they are not prepared, and which they may possibly regard as an infringement of the terms and conditions of annexation. 1 think therefore the questions of imposing a tax on unimproved land, and reserving for Government purposes a strip of land round the coast, had better stand over for the present. If you consider it advisable you may discuss the proposals with the owners of the land and let me know what their feelings are. I judge from your letter, however, that so far as Makea is concerned, you know her attitude is antagonistic. 1 have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 64,

No. 92. Sir,— Niue, 28th October, 1904. I have the honour to forward you herewith, for transmission to His Excellency the Governor, three Niue Island Ordinances, which were duly passed this day by the Niue Island Council. They are as follows: Ordinance No. 4, "The Niue Island Marriage and Registration Ordinance, 1904." Ordinance No. 12, " The Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904." Ordinance No. 14, "The Niue Island Emigration Ordinance 1903 Amendment Ordinance, 1904." I have deleted the clauses relating to divorce from Ordinance No. 4, in accordance with the suggestion of the Solicitor-General. No other alteration has been made. The clause relating to liquor licenses has been expunged from Ordinance No. 12, and the traders' license fees fixed in accordance with your views by imposing a fee of £2 10s. for every branch store. Ordinance No. 14 is a new Ordinance, and will, I think, meet all the requirements of the labour traffic. The Natives are very pleased with it, as it provides for the production of accounts and payment of balance of wages in Niue. Complaints have often been made to me by returned labourers from Maiden that they had been unfairly treated in the matter of accounts and deductions from their wages, but I could do nothing. If this Ordinance is assented to by His Excellency the Governor, I will have copies printed and sent to the firms in the habit of recruiting labour here. Even though it should deter them from recruiting labour here, no harm will result, for a cessation of recruiting for two or three years would be beneficial to this island. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C: H. Mills, Wellington. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

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Enclosures. Ordinance No. 4.—Niue Island Marriage and Registration Oedinanoe, 1904. niue island council. Be it enacted by the Niue Island Council as follows : — -,♦,.... 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is "The Niue Island Marriage and Registration Ordin£iiiC6 1904:. 2 The word " Court " when used herein shall mean any Court of competent jurisdiction constituted under the powers conferred by subsection three of section eight of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901," and presided over by the Resident Commissioner for Niue sitting within the Island of Niue. 3 No marriage of a Native inhabitant of Niue or other Pacific Islander performed within the Island of Niue shall be legal unless made in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance. 4 All local marriages shall be legal when made by a resident missionary of the London Missionary or other society established within the Island of Niue, or by such Native pastors as shall have been registered in the office of the Resident Commissioner for Niue on the recommendation of the aforesaid resident missionary of the London Missionary Society. 5. The Resident Commissioner shall issue to such Native pastors as above a notification informing them that they are empowered to act in the above behalf. _ 6 Notice shall be given by the parties interested to the resident minister, or to the Native pastor, of their intention to marry, and not less than three clear days shall intervene between such notice and the performance of the ceremony. 7 Except with the consent of the parents or guardians no man or woman shall be capable ot entering into the bonds of matrimony unless he or she shall be of the full age of twenty-one years, and no woman may be married under the age of fifteen years. But, with the consent of the parents or guardians, a man may be married at the age of eighteen years. 8. Persons desirous of being married by a license under this Ordinance shall appear before the resident minister, or a Native pastor, and make a declaration to the following effect :— (a.) That they are of legal age. (o.) That they know of no legal objection to their marriage. (c.) That they are entering into marriage of their own free will. (d.) If under age, that they have obtained the consent of their parents or guardians. 9. No objection to a marriage shall be valid except that of parents, if alive, or that of the nearest of kin or guardians if the parents are dead. And in the case of an adopted child the foster parents may act in the place ot the parents. 10 Persons of the Native race from other islands outside Niue may have their marriages recognised in Niue on making a declaration before the resident minister, stating the name of place and date of marriage, by whom solemnised, add that they know of no reason why such marriage should not be legal in Niue. But no Native of any other island may be married m Niue until he or she produces a statement under the hand of the resident minister of his or her home to the effect that such individual is single and of the age of twenty-one years, and that there is no known objection to his or her marriage. 11 Any person making a false statement under this Ordinance shall be liable, on conviction before the Court to a fine of not more than three pounds (£3), or, in default, to hard labour for not more than two months; and, in the case of a woman, may be ordered to make hats or mats or other produce to the value of the fine. registration. 12 The resident minister is hereby constituted Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages within the Island of Niue, and it shall be his duty to keep a register of all births, deaths, and marriages occurring It shall be the duty of all Native pastors to furnish to the Registrar on the thirtyfirst of March of each year a return showing all births, deaths, and marriages occurring in thendistricts during the previous twelve months. ~-,„, , , ~ , ~ 13 All births and deaths occurring in the island shall be registered by the parents, guardians, or nearest of kin with the Registrar, or with the Native pastors, within one month of the birth or d«ath as the case may be. Any one, whether white or Native as above, failing to register a birth or death as above, shall be liable to a fine of five shillings (55.), recoverable before any Court constituted within the Island of Niue. 14 Marriages between white people, or between white people and Natives, shall be performed by the 'resident°minister, or the Registrar, in the same manner as marriages between Natives: Provided that in the case of objections on behalf of either of the parties to the religious part of the ceremony, they may be married by the Resident Commissiner as Acting-Registrar in accordance with the law of New Zealand. 15 Any man or woman who is guilty of bigamy may be proceeded against m the Court on the application of the injured party, and on conviction may be sentenced to six months' hard labour. The foregoing " Marriage and Registration Ordinance, 1904," was passed by the Niue Island Council on the twenty-eighth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four, at Alofi, Niue. Togia, President of Council. Approved, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. [Assented to by the Governor, 28th June, 1905.]

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Ordinance No. 12.—Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904. niue island council. Whereas it is deemed necessary for the protection of bond fide traders in Niue Island that a Traders' License Ordinance shall be passed : Be it therefore enacted by the Niue Island Council, with the approval of the Resident Commissioner for Niue, as follows :— 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Niue Island Traders License Ordinance, 1904." 2. This Ordinance shall be deemed to date from the first day of January, one thousand nine hundred and four, and shall not come into operation until assented to by His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. 3. All persons trading in Niue, whether Europeans or others, shall pay the following annual license fees in advance — & *>• <•• 4. For every wholesale or retail trading store ... ... .••• • • o 0 0 5. For every branch store belonging to the same establishment ... ... 210 0 6. Hawkers or pedlars ... ... ••• ••• ••• ••■ 20 0 0 7. Bakers, other than those employed by licensed stores ... ... ... 2 0 0 8. Tea shops or restaurants ... ... ... •■■ ••• ••• 11° 0 9. The Resident Commissioner for Niue may make such regulations and appointments as shall from time to time be found necessary for the proper administration of this Ordinance, and these regulations shall have the force of law, and form part of this Ordinance. 10. Any infraction of this Ordinance may be punished by a fine not exceeding £5. The foregoing " Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904," was enacted and passed by the Niue Island Council, at Alofi, this twenty-eighth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. ToGIA, Approved, President Niue Island Council. C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. [Assented to by the Governor, 28th June, 1905.] Regulations under the Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904. 1. Upon the coming into operation of this Ordinance each person carrying on business within Niue Island shall apply to the Collector of Customs, at Alofi, Niue, for a License to Trade. Such license shall state the class of business the applicant intends to carry on, also the place, or places, at which the business is situated. 2. A license may be taken out and paid for yearly, half-yearly, or quarterly, at the option ot the applicant, but the license shall be for the year ending thirty-first December, and signed by the Collector of Customs. . _' , 3. It shall be unlawful to sell or barter anything for profit without first obtaining a Trader s License. 4. Articles of Native produce or manufacture sold by Natives of Niue are exempt from the provisions of this Ordinance. 5. All cases under this Ordinance shall be heard and decided by the Resident Commissioner s Court. „ _, „, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue.

Ordinance No. 14.—Niue Island Emigration Oedinance 1903 Amendment Ordinance, 1904. niue island council. Wheeeas it is expedient to regulate the enlistment of Natives of Niue as labourers for other islands of the Pacific, and to provide regulations defining the conditions under vvhich such labourers may be recruited, together with the rate of pay and other matters affecting their welfare: " Be it enacted by the Niue Island Council as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is "The Niue Island Emigration Ordinance 1903 Amendment Ordinance, 1904." 2. In order to prevent disputes and possible breaches of the peace it is hereby enacted that, in addition to any regulations contained in the " Emigration Ordinance, 1903," no Natives of Niue shall enter into any agreement with any person to labour in any place outside of Niue for a lower rate of payment than the following, namely : — In Maiden Island, two pounds (£2) per month, with adequate rations; In all islands belonging to Lever's Pacific Plantations (Limited), two pounds (£2) per month, with adequate rations ; In all other places beyond the boundaries of New Zealand, two pounds ten shillings (£2 10s.) per month, with adequate rations. Wages to commence upon arrival at their destination and cease on date of departure. 3. Wages shall be paid in cash, labourers to be permitted to purchase goods at the store of their employer ; but such purchases shall be entered in a pass-book, which shall be produced to the Resident Commissioner for Niue by the master of the vessel which returns the labourers to their homes, and any balance of wages due shall be paid to them after their arrival, and in the presence of the Resident Commissioner aforesaid, or some officer appointed by him. 4. The master of a vessel recruiting labour shall contract to return the labourers to their island at the expiration of their term of service. If from any cause they are detained after their term of

s*—A. 3.

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service has expired they shall be paid ten shillings (10s.) per month in addition to their wages for the time they are so detained. 5. Masters of vessels will not be permitted to take large numbers of Natives as passengers to other islands for the purpose of entering into a contract with them, thereby evading the provisions of this Ordinance, and when there is reasonable ground for suspecting such intention passes shall not be issued to such Natives by the Resident Commissioner. 6. No gang of labourers shall exceed sixty (60) men. 7. The Resident Commissioner for Niue shall decide whether any vessel is suitable for the purpose of carrying labour, also whether sufficient provision has been made for their accommodation. 8. Any master of a vessel who shall infringe any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be guilty of an offence, and, upon conviction before the Court held by the Resident Commissioner, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty pounds (£2O). The foregoing " Niue Island Emigration Ordinance 1903 Amendment Ordinance, 1904," was enacted and passed by the Niue Island Council, at Alofi, Niue, this twentyeighth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. Togia. Approved, President of Council. C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. [Assented to by the Governor, 28th June, 1905.]

No. 93. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 29th October, 1904. In connection with the discussion on the Cook Islands Bill the question of the constitution of the Island Councils came up. I shall be glad if you will let me know whether the Constitution provided by a law passed on the 22nd September, 1893 (A.-3, 1594, page 10), is still followed, and whether it applies in any other island besides Rarotonga. Please also say who constitute the Federal Council at present. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 94. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 29th October, 1904. I enclose three copies of an Order in Council, passed yesterday, providing that section 50 of "The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," and the regulations in force thereunder, shall have operation and be observed in the Cook and other Islands. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. Section 50 of " The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," to have Operation in the Cook and other Islands. Plunket, Governor. Order in Council. At the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-eighth day of October, 1904. Present: his excellency the governor in council. Whereas by the third section of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1902," it is enacted that the Governor may from time to time, by Order in Council, direct that any of the laws in force in New Zealand proper (other than the laws relating to the sale of alcoholic liquors) shall have operation and be observed in the said Islands, either in whole or with such modifications as may be necessary to adapt them to the conditions and circumstances of the said Islands and the inhabitants thereof : Now, therefore, His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred by the said Act, and by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth hereby order that section fifty of " The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," and the regulations now in force thereunder (to wit, the regulations made on the fourth and gazetted on the twelfth day of December, one thousand nine hundred and one), shall have operation and be observed in the said Islands, with the modifications shown in the Appendix hereto. appendix. The Section and Regulations as modified to adapt them to the Conditions and Circumstances of the said Islands and the Inhabitants thereof. Section 50 as modified. No claim by adoption to the estate of any Native inhabitant of the islands subject to " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901," dying after the thirty-first day of March, one thousand nine hundred and five, shall be recognised or given effect to unless such adoption shall have been registered in the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court in accordance with regulations to be made by the Governor in Council. Every revocation of an adoption registered as aforesaid shall be registered in a like manner, and proof of such registration shall be sufficient evidence of the fact of such adoption or revocation, as the case may be.

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The Governor in Council is hereby empowered to make such regulations as to the form and manner of such registration, and the fees to be payable in respect thereof, as he may deem necessary or expedient. Regulations as modified. 1. Auy person desiring to register an adoption under the provisions of the said section shall lodge with the Registrar of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court, or with the Resident, European Magistrate or Agent at any island, on behalf of and for transmission to the Registrar, a notice in the Form Am the Schedule hereto. Such notice shall be signed by the adopting party in the presence of, and be attested by, two witnesses, one of whom shall be a European Judge of the High Court of the Cook Islands, or of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court, Registrar of either of the said Courts, Resident Magistrate, authorised interpreter, or European Postmaster. 2. Any person desiring to register the revocation of an adoption shall lodge with the said Registrar of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court, or with the Resident European Magistrate or Agent at any island, on behalf of, and for transmission to, the Registrar, a notice in the Form Bin the Schedule hereto. Such notice shall be signed and attested in the same manner as is hereinbefore provided with regard to a notice in Form A. 3. On the receipt of any notice as aforesaid, and on payment of the fee hereinafter prescribed, the Registrar or the Resident European Magistrate or Agent shall indorse thereon the date of reception thereof, and such notice when so indorsed and verified by the signature of the Registrar and the seal of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court shall be deemed to be duly filed and registered: Provided that, except by leave of the Chief Judge of the aforesaid High Court, or, in the case of Niue, the Niue Island "Judge of the Land Titles Court, no notice of adoption or revocation of adoption shall be registered unless lodged within two months from the date thereof. 4. Every such notice, unless in the Native language, shall have indorsed thereon a certificate by an authorised interpreter that the contents thereof have been explained by him to the party signing the same, and that he appeared to fully understand the meaning thereof. 5. It shall be the duty of the Registrar to notify in the Cook Islands Gazette, as soon as may be after the registration thereof, particulars of every adoption or revocation registered under the said section, and to post notice thereof by letter to the person by whom the notice of adoption or revocation purports to have been given. 6. The fee payable for registering any adoption or revocation of any adoption shall be five shillings, and shall be paid before registration is effected. All fees shall be paid by the Registrar into the Cook Islands Treasury, except in Niue Island, in which island the fees shall be paid into the Niue Island Revenue Account. Schedule to Regulations. Form A. — Form of Notice of Adoption. To the Registrar of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court. I, , of , hereby give notice that I have taken , a child of , to be my adopted child according to Native custom, and I request that such adoption be registered under the provisions of section 50 of " The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," of New Zealand, as modified. As witness my hand, this day of, 190 Signed by the said , in the presence of — Form, B. — Form of Notice of Revocation of Adoption. To the Registrar of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court. Whereas is registered as my adopted child under the provisions of section 50 of " The Native Land Claims Adjustment and"Laws Amendment Act, 1901," of New Zealand, as modified; and whereas I am desirous of putting an end to the said adoption : Now, therefore, I hereby revoke the authority heretofore given for registration thereof, and request that this notice may be registered under the provisions of the said section. As witness my hand, this day of, 190 . Signed by the said , in the presence of— J. F. Andrews, Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 95. g IR ,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 29th October, 1904. The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Bill has now passed, and I enclose three copies of the Act herewith. I have also sent a copy each to Messrs. Large, Cameron, and Nagle. You will notice that clauses 3 and 4 of the Bill as sent you have been struck out, and a new clause inserted which embodies the provisions of subsection (10a) of section 10 of the Order in Council establishing the Land Titles Court. This clause gives power to take land for specified public purposes and pay compensation therefor. The land so acquired, being Crown land, can then be dealt with under section 15 of the principal Act. The Order in Council has been amended by the deletion of subsection (10a) of section 10, and three copies of the amending Order are enclosed herewith. l haye > & c., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

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Enclosure. Amending and confirming Order in Council establishing Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court. Plunket, Governor. Order in Council. At the Government House, at Wellington, this twenty-eighth day of October, 1904. Present: his excellency the governor in council. Whereas by Order in Council made on the seventh day of July, one thousand nine hundred and two, under the powers in that behalf conferred upon the Governor in Council by " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901," and its amendments (hereinafter called "the said Acts"), the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court (hereinafter called "the said Court") was established, with the power and functions in the said Order in Council mentioned: And whereas it is expedient to amend and confirm the said Order in Council in manner hereinafter appearing: Now, therefore, in exercise of the power conferred upon him by the said Acts, and of all other powers and authorities enabling him in this behalf, His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth hereby order and declare as follows: —• 1. The powers and functions which are conferred upon the Chief Judge by clauses 5, 6, 11, 13, 26, and 30 of the said Order in Council shall hereafter be exercised in Niue Island by the Judge having jurisdiction in that island (hereinafter called "the Niue Island Judge"), and not by the Chief Judge. 2. For Niue Island there shall be a separate seal of the Court. Such seal shall be of the same form as the seal referred to in clause 9 of the said Order in Council, with the addition of the words " Niue Island." It shall be in the custody of the Niue Island Judge, and shall be used for sealing documents which in that island require to be sealed: Provided that the validity or regularity of any document shall not be questioned or affected by reason merely that it is sealed with the one seal instead of the other. 3. So long as there is in Niue Island a Registrar of the said Court or a Resident Commissioner, all references to the Registrar or the Resident Commissioner in the said Order in Council shall in Niue Island be construed as references to the Registrar or Resident Commissioner in that island. 4. The fees payable in Niue Island under the said Order in Council shall be paid into the Niue Island Revenue Account. 5. Subclause (10a) of clause 10 of the said Order in Council is hereby revoked. 6. Subject to the foregoing amendments, the said Order in Council is hereby confirmed, and shall be deemed to be the application to the said islands of the corresponding provisions of " The Native Land Court Act, 1894," and the regulations thereunder, with such modifications as are necessary to adapt them to the conditions and circumstances of the said islands and the inhabitants thereof. J. F. Andrews, Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 96. Sib, — Niue, Ist November, 1904. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith, for transmission to His Excellency the Governor, a letter which has been handed to me by the King and chiefs of Niue, together with a certified translation thereof. It will save time if I make a brief commentary on the subject-matter of this letter. I have already touched on the matters alluded to in it in a previous letter, No. 31/N of 4th October, which has no doubt reached you. I would suggest that reply to this letter from the Natives be deferred until I have had an opportunity of seeing you personally, as there are a good many things involved which are beyond the compass of an ordinary letter. With reference to shortening the term of office of the Niue Councillors, the Native idea is to obtain higher salary, and then put in a different man each year to participate in it —unfortunately without regard to fitness or possible inferiority to the member who is displaced. Great firmness is occasionally required to prevent them appointing utterly unsuitable men as Magistrates or constables The remarks in the letter concerning road-works do not fairly state the position. The rate of payment varies according to the class of work in hand. Three shillings per fathom is given for difficult work, down to Is. 6d. for the easiest class of new work, the Government finding tools and explosives. It would be quite beyond the resources of the Administration to pay thirty or forty labourers 4s. a day for any length of time. Unless they were under a white foreman, the money would be practically wasted. I constantly employ small gangs on daily pay—3s. for foremen, and 2s. for labourers—on work where it is impracticable or inconvenient to employ piecework; but unless under my own frequent supervision the result is unsatisfactory, as the following instance will show: I had six men building a stone wall at a dangerous point on the road to Tuapa. I rode out to inspect the work, and found two men only at work. The foreman (a member of the Niue Council) was away shooting in the bush; the other three men were absent on various errands unconnected with the work. A pack of cards lay convenient under a shady tree where-

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with to beguile the time when work became irksome. In piecework it is no work no pay, which is annoying to them. I would urge that, while urgent public works should be carried out as expeditiously as possible, it is desirable that strict economy should be practised with the view of building up a reserve fund which would be available if from any cause the people should become suddenly distressed (as has occurred in the past on more than one occasion). The Administration could then employ large numbers of Natives at rates of pay which would enable them to earn a subsistence without appealing to New Zealand for assistance. It must also be remembered that the roads, &c, are for the benefit of the Natives, and they pay no direct taxes whatever, as is done elsewhere. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosure. Ohomotu, Niue, 19th October, 1904. To His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand and other islands, including Niue. We humbly desire to present the following resolutions for your consideration. These resolutions were arrived at by the King and chiefs of Niue on Che 19th day of October, 1904. When the Government was established here in Niue by Mr. S. Percy Smith, he introduced the laws, and prescribed the manner in which the work of this island should be carried out. A covenant was made between Great Britain and Niue that she should give us her protection and assistance. It is desired to say a few words relating to the Administration of this island. We desire that the remuneration of the Patuiki (King) and of all the officials who carry on the work of the Government should be increased. Three years have elapsed since the Government was established, but the remuneration remains the same. Therefore we request an increase of pay, the same as is done with other work in the British dominions. The Island also desires that food should be given, sufficient for the work. It has also been resolved that we wish the members of the Niue Council who are elected this year, 1904, should hold office for one year only. Another matter is the method in which the road-work of this island is now carried out—that is to say, piecework, so-much per fathom. We have considered it, and do not approve of this system, because thirty or forty persons work for Is. 6d. per fathom of road. The people of this island prefer day labour, at the rate of four shillings per day for each man. We dislike piecework at so-much per fathom. All work, great or small (light or heavy), should be paid for by the Government. We humbly salute you. Togia, King of Niue Fekai, and His Chiefs. I hereby certify that the foregoing and within written is a true and correct translation of the letter in Niue marked A attached hereto. Robt. D. Head, Resident in Niue.

No. 97. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd November, 1904. Referring to my letter of the 19th October, I now beg to enclose three copies of an Order in Council, dated the 28th October, amending and confirming the Order in Council of the 7th July, 1902, under which the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court was established. Besides revoking subsection (10a) of section 10 of the original Order, the amendment empowers you to act independently of the Chief Judge of the Land Titles Court. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 86.

Enclosure. (See No. 95.)

No. 98. g IR — Rarotonga, 14th November, 1904. I have the honour to forward you herewith drafts of proclamations or notices under section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," in respect of lands to be taken for public purposes, as follows: (1.) Sections 2 and 3, Vaikapuangi, Avarua, Rarotonga, being the land required for the sanatorium or accommodation-house and other buildings at Rarotonga. (2.) Site of Government buildings and offices (residence of Agent), Allotment lat Oneroa, Mangaia. (3.) Site of Courthouse, Allotment Bat Oneroa, Mangaia. (4.) Site for lock-up and road, Allotment 8a at Oneroa, Mangaia.

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. . On your forwarding me the notices duly signed by His Excellency the Governor, I will have same inserted in the Cook Islands Gazette, and will file copies in the office of the Registrar of the Land Titles Court, as required by the Act. I will also arrange to have sittings of the Court held to determine owners and compensation. As to this latter, I will write you further by a later mail. For your present information I may mention that, as to No. 1, Karika Ariki has already been determined by the Court as Native owner; Messrs. Donald and Edenborough are the lessees of Section 2, and the Government are the virtual lessees of Section 3. Vide also my letter to you, No. 63/04, and your reply to same. . As to No. 2, that is part of the land given to the Government by the London Missionary Society. Vide my letter to you, No. 66/04, and your reply to same. As to Nos. 3 and 4, the Native owners have not yet been determined. I have, &c, T. R. Herd, For Resident Commissioner. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington.

No. 99. SIR _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th November, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th October, No. 31/N, with reference to a difficulty you were experiencing with the Niue Island Council lam glad to see from your letter of the 17th ultimo, however, that the new Council has been elected, and that the difficulty is practically over. I agree with you that there is no need for any increase of pay to the officials on the island, nor do I think it would be advisable to discontinue the system of piecework on the roads. I think the attitude you have adopted in this matter has been a wise one, and 1 have no doubt that the trouble will die out before long. It is not easy to advise you on matters of this kind from here, but I feel satisfied that when any such difficulties arise you will deal with them in a firm yet conciliatory manner, and, while duly regarding the customs and prejudices of the Natives, will always uphold the authority of the Administration. 1 have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 7G.

No. 100. a T „ _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th November, 1904. I am in receipt of your letter of the 18th October, with " The Adoption of Native Children Ordinance, 1904," passed by the Federal Council. . As an Order in Council applying to the Islands section 50 of " The Native Land Claims ■ Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," has already been passed the Ordinance is unnecessary anXnothing further need be done with it here. The copy of the Order m Council sent you on the 3rd instant will have reached you by this time. Since the Order in Council was passed it has been pointed out that some further regulations, nassed on the 11th May, 1904, have not been embodied. The Solicitor-Genera suggests that you bTasked to report as J the advisability of having them also brought into force in the Islands, and to suggest an/modifications you think necessary. I enclose a copy of these regulations herewith, and all a copy of the Gazette containing the original regulations of the 4th Dumber, 1901. P "tT Mtt t a The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. n - »"^ B -

No. 84. See No. 94.

No. 101. « TR - Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th November 1904. ' I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th October No. 37/N forwarding a statement of the Niue Island revenue for the quarter ending 30th September, 1904, and am pleased to note that the financial position of the island continues &^ C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 79.

No. 102. * TP _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th November 1904. - Referring to mv letter of the 30th September, I now beg to forward extracts from the f N tl 3 6T d , to be a port for the importation of to^ CC p °- 16g appointin g legal landing-places at Rarotonga. Governor's Order No. 169,' appointing the limits of the Port of (~i XT ]Vf TT T S The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga.

See No. 45.

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Enclosures. Appointing the Port of Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, to be a Port for the Importation of Tobacco. Plunket, Governor. In exercise of the power in me for this purpose vested by " The Customs Laws Consolidation Act, 1882," I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, do approve of the Port of Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, as a port for the importation of tobacco. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. Governor's Order No. 167.] C. H. "Mills. Appointing Legal Landing-places at Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Plunket, Governor. In exercise of the power in me for this purpose vested by " The Customs Laws Consolidation Act, 1882," I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, do hereby appoint that on and after the first day of November, one thousand nine hundred and four, the wharf known as the Union Steamship Company's Wharf at Avarua Harbour, together with the beach extending one hundred yards on either side thereof, shall be deemed and taken to be the legal landing-place at the Port of Rarotonga for the lading and unlading of goods under "The Customs Laws Consolidation Act, 1882," and "The Cook arfd other Islands Government Act, 1901," and its amendments. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. Governor's Order No. 168.] C. H. Mills.

Appointing the Limits of the Port op Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands. Plunket, Governor. In exercise of the power in me for this purpose vested by " The Customs Laws Consolidation Act, 1882," I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand and its dependencies, do hereby declare that on and after the first day of November, one thousand nine hundred and four, the limits of the Port of Rarotonga, in the Cook Islands, shall be as follows: — The area enclosed by a line extending from high-water mark at a point four hundred yards eastward of the Union Steamship Company's Wharf, situated at Avarua Harbour, in the Island of Rarotonga, extending thence northward one thousand yards, thence westward eight hundred yards, thence southward to high-water mark, thence along high-water mark eastward to the start-ing-point. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this twenty-seventh day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four. Governor's Order No. 169.] C. H. Mills.

No. 103. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 21st November, 1904. I am in receipt of }'our letter of the 13th October, No. 41/N, with reference to "The No. 80. Licensing Acts Amendment Bill, 1904," a copy of which was sent you. I now forward a copy of the Act, the provisions of which, you will observe, differ slightly from those in the Bill sent you, notably in the deletion of the words "household purposes" in the section authorising the sale of liquor by the Customs officer. Except in the case of colonial wines and claret, the right of sale by the Customs officer is limited to the purposes mentioned in section 22 of the Act. You will notice that the Act comes into operation forthwith. I shall be glad to have your suggestions as to regulations to be issued under section 28. The question of the power of the Island Councils to issue prohibition orders was raised by Colonel Gudgeon also, and the matter was. submitted to the Premier before the Bill was finally passed. It was deemed inadvisable, however, to make any change in this direction. I have, &c, Mr. C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 104. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 21st November, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th August, No. 75/04, relative No. 46. to the prospects of the fruit trade in the Cook and other Islands. The Customs tariff did not come up for revision during the late session ; consequently I have not been able to do anything in the direction of protecting fruit from the Cock Islands as against that from the Society Islands, Fiji, &c. In any case, however, as I have already pointed out, the Government would require some assurance of a very much larger output than our Islands are producing at present. I recognise, of course, that the production is retarded by the absence of any protection; but, supposing a protective duty were imposed on outside fruit, could you

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guarantee that the Cook Islands would, within a reasonable time, produce sufficient fruit to meet the demands of the colony, or, at least, to so far supply its need that the protective duty would not prove a hardship to the purchaser? I propose bringing the matter before Cabinet again, but before doing so I should like you to submit some definite proposal which would enable us to deal with the question on a satisfactory basis. Please let me know to what classes of fruit you think protection should apply. Should it be to bananas only, or to oranges and pines as well ? Kindly say also how long it would be after a definite promise of protection was made before the production of fruit would have increased sufficiently to warrant the duty being imposed, and what the extent of the increase would probably be in that time. lam not quite clear why you regard the growing of oranges so unfavourably. " Is not the difficulty with them, as with bananas, principally one of protection being needed against the productions of outside islands'? I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 105. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th November, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 18th October, No. 98/04, forwarding for assent the following Ordinances: — No. 14 (Federal Council), Immigration and Vagrancy. No. 15 (Federal Council), Public Health. No. 16 (Federal Council), High Court. No. 17 (Federal Council), Adoption of Native Children. No. 5 (Rarotonga Island Council), Rarotonga Regulations. With the exception of No. 17, about which I have written you in another letter, these Ordinances have been sent on to the Attorney-General for his certificate. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 84.

No. 106. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th November, 1904. I have your letter of the 4th October, No. 93, N.Z., forwarding draft regulations under section 5 of "The Sale of Spirituous Liquor Restriction Ordinance, 1904." These regulations are not now necessary, however, as the Ordinance is superseded entirely by " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," of the New Zealand Legislature, three copies of which I forward herewith. The provisions of the Act differ slightly from those in the Bill sent you, notably in the deletion of the words "household purposes" in the section authorising the sale of liquor by the Customs officer. You will notice that the Act comes into operation forthwith. I shall be glad to have your suggestions as to regulations to be made under section 28. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 75.

No. 107. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th November, 1904. I am in receipt of your letter of the Ist October, with reference to the disallowance of "The Niue Island Marriage, Divorce, and Registration Ordinance, 1903," as submitted by you, and the decision that the provisions of the New Zealand Marriage and Divorce Acts necessary to give effect to the main features of the Ordinance cannot be applied to the Islands by Order in Council. I note that you are having the Ordinance repassed by the Niue Island Council with the divorce provisions eliminated. I shall be glad to discuss this matter with you when you visit Wellington. , My letter of the 6th August last was hardly correct in stating that a portion of a New Zealand Act could not be applied to the Islands by Order in Council. In the case of the Marriage and Divorce Acts it was not possible to apply them without such substantial alterations as were beyond the power of the Governor in Council to make, and it was the making of such alterations in the Acts, not the selection of certain portions of them, that the Solicitor-General referred to when limiting the meaning of " modifications " as used in section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1902." I have, &£, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 73

No. 108. Sir — Cook and other'lslands Administration, Wellington, 24th November, 1904. I am in receipt of your letter of the Bth October, No. 94, N.Z., reporting on the progress of certain public works in the Islands, and am glad to know that you have secured such satisfactory results for the expenditure incurred.

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I note your remarks as to the work done at the reefs at Mangaia and Atiu by H.M.S. " Clio." I wrote you on this matter on the 18th October, forwarding the warship's account for £104 ss. 5d., which merely covers the cost of material used. I hope you will be successful in forming a passage through the reef at Mauke, and that you will be able to successfully supplement the " Clio's " operations at Atiu and Mangaia. In your annual report for last year you state that over £3,000 had been expended on public works during fte past two years. I shall be glad if you will let me have details of this expenditure, as I have been unable to trace more than about £2,500. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 109. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th November, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th September, with an approximate statement of the accounts of the schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " to the 30th September. It is very gratifying to note such a marked improvement in the financial results of the vessel's work, and I am hopeful that by the end of the year we shall find the balance on the right side, notwithstanding the cost of the overhaul which she has just been given. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 71,

No. 110. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th December, 1904. I enclose for your information a copy of a letter I have received from Mr. William Brown, managing director of Laery and Co. (Limited), with reference to the substitution of the " Rotokino " for the " Taviuni " in the Cook Islands trade, and to a proposal to utilise the " Countess of Ranfurly" in carrying fruit from the Islands. I learn from the Union Company that the " Rotokino" was only utilised for one trip while the " Taviuni " was being docked and surveyed, and that the latter vessel has now resumed her running to the Cook. Islands and Tahiti. As to the extract in Mr. Brown's letter from a communication received by him from Mr. Charles Buchanan, at Mauke, I have not heard from you_ regarding any proposal to run the " Countess of Ranfurly " direct from Mauke to New Zealand with fruit next season, but I should like to see some such arrangement made, if practicable, with Wellington as the port of discharge. I am afraid, however, that the present difficulty as to speed would apply in an even greater degree in the case of the schooner, and I am not sure whether you would find it possible to arrange for regular trips in view of the vessel's occasional work among the northern islands, &c. I shall be glad to have a report from you on the question generally, with details of the proposal to which Mr. Buchanan refers. If the'schooner could be run direct from Mauke (and other islands if necessary) to Wellington with fruit, it would provide an outlet for the trade of the Islands, besides affording a readier means of distributing fruit in the southern parts of the colony, the need of which has frequently been commented upon. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 111. S IB Aitutaki, 10th December, 1904. In reply to your letter asking me whether I intended to recommend that the local administration should take-over the Island of Manuae as a Government affair, I have the honour to inform you that I have no such intention so long as the island remains in the hands of any English or colonial firm ; but should there be any chance of these copra islands falling into the hands of a foreign firm I shall at once report the matter to you, since the islands might well become a depot for smuggling and a source of expense to the local Administration. I may say that if we could afford to take over and work these islands I should at once recommend that that course should be taken. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. - The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

No. 89,

No. 112. g IE Aitutaki, Cook Islands, 10th December, 1904. I have the honour to report for your information that I landed in this island on the 14th November, and opened the Land Titles Court on the 17th, since which date I have held twenty sittings'of the Court, and have heard and decided the titles to sixty-six blocks of land, and have made two subdivisions of blocks previously heard and decided. All of the land so dealt with has been surveyed, and in addition to the above Mr. Connal has surveyed the coast-line of Aitutaki. some sixteen miles in length, and also the following islands on the reef : Motukitiu, Te Kopua, and Akaiami.

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The fees charged during the period since the 16th November are as follows: Court fees, J79 25.; surveys, £76. I return to Rarotonga per " Taviuni " on the 12th instant. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

No. 113. Sir,— Niue, 20th December, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 279, of the 21st November ultimo, covering a copy of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904." I note that, with the exception of lolonial wines or claret, the effect of the Act is practically to prohibit the use of spirituous liquor in these Islands. I would like to have an opportunity of conferring personally with you before offering any suggestions as to regulations to be issued under section 28. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 103.

No. 114. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 21st December, 1904._ 1 have to acknowledge receipt of letter of the 14th November, 101/04, signed by Mr. Herd, forwarding draft proclamations or notices under section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Covernment Act Amendment Act, 1904." I enclose for your information a copy of Dr. Fitchett's memo, on this matter, with two of the notices, which "in his opinion should contain some further particulars. The other two (site for Government buildings and offices, JVtangaia, and site for Courthouse, Mangaia) will be amended here as suggested by the Solicitor-General, and sent on to the Governor for completion. You have not forwarded a notice in respect of the Allotment No. 6, taken for a landingplace at Mangaia. Should it not be taken under the provisions of the Act of 1904, as well as the site for Government buildings, &c, both of which I understand are included in the gift of the London Missionary Society to the Government. When returning the notices, you might forward a plan showing the position of the land you are taking for a site for lock-up and road. lam aware, of course, of its position generally, but a tracing showing its exact relation to the Courthouse and the Makatea Road, &c, will be useful. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 98.

No. 115. Si R Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 21st December, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt, of your letter No. 244, of the 25th October. I am glad to find that the Pacific Islanders Protection Acts (Imperial) have been repealed by Order in Council, for I have always held that those Acts did not apply to ;he Cook-Islanders after the British protectorate had been proclaimed and a stable Government formed. I quite agree with you that it is not advisable that there should be foreign emigration from these Islands, and it is for this reason that I have always encouraged the Maiden Island labour. It is, however, impossible to stop the emigration to Tahiti, where there are already four hundred Cook-Islanders, who do all the work of that island. The only method of keeping these people at home is to make their lives more attractive, and that will be done only gradually. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 88.

No. 116. a Rarotonga, 23rd December, 1904. T n reply to your letter No-. 247, of the 28th October, I have the honour to state that the ' recommendations that I have from time to time made have been dictated by the feeling that some action should be taken in the interests of a very slothful but interesting people, and that they were made in order to give you a vivid impression of a situation that is clearly not understood in New Zealand.

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I have at all times been actuated by a very reasonable desire to urge the Native inhabitants to some sort of progress whereby they might receive immediate benefit, and, above all, improve the position of succeeding generations. The Natives themselves may be unwilling to exert themselves, but they none the less will expect the Resident Commissioner to urge them on to the full extent of his power and authority, and they will revile his administration if he does not do so. They are quite alive to their own shortcomings, and many of them anxiously await the day when death will relieve them of the incubus of their hereditary chiefs. So far the only thing that I have attempted to force upon the people is sobriety, and in that matter my action has been indorsed in a measure by the Parliament of New Zealand in the last Licensing Act. Any odium that I may incur will be the result of my prohibition laws, and not of any action I might take as to the land. I may fairly say that I know the Natives of these Islands so well that I could administer an unpopular Act without offending their susceptibilities, but I am by no means anxious that an Act taxing unimproved land should be passed, even though I know that a measure of this sort would benefit the island by causing the land to be planted or leased to Europeans, for any such Act would increase my responsibilities very largely. Makea is not really antagonistic to anything, but she does not desire to see the present condition of affairs altered in her time. So long as she lives she will do her best to prevent any of her people obtaining a title to the land they have occupied and planted for the last twenty-five generations. The result of this is that there will be no Ariki to replace Makea when shedies, and the question will naturally arise as to how far Makea's interests should be allowed to interfere with those of the people generally. From the tone of the discussion in Parliament it might be supposed that I was not on friendly terms with the people of these Islands; such, however, is not the case. I am on friendly terms with every one on the island, whether Maori or European, and I am not aware that any one has a grievance against me. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 117. g IH) _ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 24th December, 1904. I have the honour to forward herewith, for your consideration, certain comments by the Collector of Customs and the Registrar of the High Court on " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904." The Collector of Customs regards the Act from a highly critical and legal standpoint, and he is probably right in many of his deductions; but, even admitting this to be so, there'is nothing to prevent the Act being administered in accordance with its expressed intentions, which appear to me to be as follows: — - That any person, other than a Polynesian, may import liquor in any quantity, and may give, but not sell, as much as he pleases to any Polynesian. That, except as provided in section 22, the Collector of Customs may not sell even one bottle of spirits', but the would-be purchaser may import a dozen cases from New Zealand. It is, I think, to be regretted that the words " household purposes " were struck out of the Act, for there are many people who would like to keep a bottle in the house, but who would have no use for a case. The cause of temperance would have benefited by the retention of the words "household That the Act practically, but not expressly, repeals all liquor laws hitherto in force within the Island of Rarotonga. _ _ .... That any visitor to the Islands must bring his wine or spirits with him, or go without. That the Act shows no consideration for those who had stocks of wine or spirits on hand when the statute came into force. The restrictions of section 22 will prevent the Collector of Customs taking over the liquor, and, therefore, there is no course open to the merchant but re-exportation. The anomaly is that a merchant in New Zealand may sell as much as he likes to residents of the Cook Islands, but a merchant in Rarotonga may not do so. The weak points of the Act appear to me to be that Chinamen and other Asiatics are now placed on the same footing as the most educated and reliable of British colonists They may import as much liquor as they please, and will, beyond all doubt, sell largely to the Natives who will never inform against them. I would also point out that there is nothing in the Act to prevent Polynesians importing from Tahiti or from Tonga, and it will, I think, render this Act absolutely useless so far as Niue is concerned. Here, I shall deal with any such importations by issuing a prohibition order against the importer, but in Niue the difficulty will not be so easily eat TJntil I returned from Aitutaki on the 14th instant, I had no means of ascertaining the actual meanino- of this Act, and for that reason accepted the general impression that it amounted to prohibition 0 As it is there will be no difficulty in working the Act. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

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No. 118. g IB Niue, 27th December, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letters Nos. 238, of the 19th October, and 266, of the 3rd November, 1904, together with a copy of A.-3, 1903, containing the Order in Council establishing the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court. Also of three copies of the new Order in Council amending and confirming the original Order of the 7th July, 1902, referred to above. I note that the amendment empowers me to act independently of the Chiet Judge of the Land Titles Court. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

Nos. 86 and 97.

No. 119. g IB; _ Eastern Pacific, Rarotonga, 28th December, 1904. In reply to your letter No. 259, of the 29th October, 1 have the honour to inform you that the Constitution provided for the Island of Rarotonga, as printed on page 10 of A.-3, 1894, was repealed by section 38 of "The Statute of Rarotonga, 1899." The Arikis were urged to pass that law by the late Resident, but it was always felt to be unpopular and cumbrous, creating no less than three legislative bodies in an island of two thousand inhabitants. The earliest opportunity was taken to repeal this measure, which was obnoxious if only for the reason that the Council moneys were consistently embezzled by the servants of the Council, and Samuela Terei, the Chairman thereof, went so far as to accuse the late Resident of being a party to the fraud, and published the letter in the public Press. " The Au Empowering Act, 1899," relegated to the district Aus all the powers that would otherwise have been assigned to the Island Council, but Ordinance No. 13, section 2, confers on the Island Council constituted by the Cook and other Islands Government Acts all the powers of the Au. The Act in question did not at any time apply to the other islands of the federation. I forward herewith a copy of the minutes establishing the Federal Council. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington.

No. 93,

No. 120. glß _ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 29th December, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 293, of the 24th November, and forward herewith draft regulations which may, I hope, give us some discretion in the administration or a very loose Act. I think myself, that all liquor should come here under bond, and that the Collector ot Customs should not issue more than one case or two gallons of ardent spirits at anyone Under this Act Maoris will get liquor in spite of anything we may do, but the regulations I submit for your approval will, at any rate, minimise the evil. Regulation No 1 will enable us to defeat any importations from lahiti by people of the Native race. l haye > *»., _ W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

No. 106,

No. 121. _ Rarotonga, 29th December, 1904. In reply to your letter No. 273, of the 18th November last, I have the honour to inform you that I consider that the regulations of the 11th May, 1904, are of the utmost importance, since no adoption would be of real value according to the custom of these Islands unless done in public in the presence of the kopu tangata (relatives) of the person adopting the child _ I have the honour to forward a draft in which I have modified the rules to suit this Group. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 100.

No. 122. Niue, sth January, 1905. I have the honour to forward to you herewith a return of the exports from Niue for the quarter ended the 31st December, 1904. Compared with the corresponding quarter of 1903, you will observe that the value of copra exported has decreased by £386, but, on the other hand,

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hats show an increase of £488 and fungus of £100, while the total value of exports of Niue pro duce has increased by £254. I have, &c, A. Paul, Acting Collector of Customs. The Hon. the Minister for Trade and Customs, Wellington.

Enclosure. Return of Exports from Niue for Quarter ending 31st December, 1904.

Summary of Total Values of Exports from Niue during Quarter ending 31st December, 1904.

A. Paul, Niue, 5th January, 1905. Acting Collector.

lues. Articles. Country exported to. Quantities. Niue Foreign Produce. Produce. Totals. £ £ £ Apparel n.o.e. New South Wales 4 4 Arrowroot New Guinea 1 1 Boots and shoes n.o.e. New South Wales 1 1 Copra 99 ' ' * " Cook Islands New South Wales Samoa Tons cwt. qr. 0 8 2 67 15 0 44 5 0 112 8 2 4 659 443 » Cotton piece-goods n.o.e. New South Wales 1,106 35 35 Curios New Zealand 9 9 Drapery n.o.e. New South Wales 5 5 Fish, preserved 288 lb. 6 6 Fruits, fresh—bananas » 480 lb. 1 1 Fungus » New Zealand Cook Islands New South Wales Samoa 2,080 lb. 733 lb. 8,405 „ 1,902 „ 30 8 105 28 13,1201b. 171 Hats m «. » • • • * New Zealand Cook Islands New South Wales 1,454 doz. 288 „ 4 „ 1,074 189 5 »» .. 1,746 doz. New South Wales 1,268 Plants 1 1 Rice New South Wales 1£ cwt. 1 1 Specie—gold wNew Guinea 240 240 Tobacco New South Wales 423 lb. 22 22 Vegetables New South Wales New Guinea 4 61 65 is * 2,617 319 2,936

Country. Niue Produce. Foreign Produce. Totals. £ 1,113 201 770 471 62 £ £ 1,113 201 849 471 302 tfew Zealand k>ok Islands Jew South Wales lamoa Guinea "79 240 Grand totals 2,617 319 2,936

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No. 123. Sir, — Niue, sth January, 1905. I have the honour to submit to you herewith a statement of the Niue Island revenue for the quarter ended the 31st December, 1904. You will gather from it that the total receipts from all sources for the period amounted to £316 os. 8d (the Customs revenue accounting for the bulk of this), and the disbursements to £205 16s. 6d., the principal items of expenditure being for road-work and reservoir-construction, and the salaries of the Native Councillors and Magistrates. The cash balance in hand is £647 14s. Bd., and £119 2s. lid. has been remitted to the Bank of New Zealand to the credit of the Niue Island Account. The approximate credit balance in the bank on the 31st ultimo was £587 35., and the total funds to the credit of this island amounted to £2,234 17s. Bd., to which interest due has to be added. I have, &c, A. Paul, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Acting for Resident Commissioner. Cook and other Islands Department, Wellington.

Enclosures. Niue Island Revenue Account for Quarter ending 31st December, 1904. 1904. Receipts. £ s. d. 1904. Expenditure. £ s. d. Oct. 1 To Balance forward .. 656 13 5 By Labour .. .. .. 22 12 6 Customs duties received .. 288 2 5 Roadwork .. .. 22 18 0 Fines and fees .. .. 24 3 0 Labour constructing reservoir 35 0 0 Shipping fees .. .. 016 0 Purchase of materials for reserEmigration fees .. .. 18 0 voir .. .. .. 5 7 6 Bonded warehouse fees .. 018 0 Rent of offices .. .. 3 5 0 Miscellaneous receipts .. 013 3 Salaries of councillors .. 42 18 0 Salaries of Magistrates .. 16 18 0 f Pay of police .. .. 22 19 0 Allowance to councillors .. 12 0 Allowance to Native constables 1 16 0 Horse-feed .. .. 5 8 7 Boats' crew .. .. 1 10 0 Refunds of duty .. .. 0 8 1 Drawback of duty .. .. 9 10 4 Interpreter .. .. 15 0 Compensation for cocoanut trees, &c. .. .. 018 0 Freight, " Countess of Ranfurly " .. .. 4 16 9 Vaccination fee, Dr. Davies .. 5 5 0 Sundry expenses .. .. 1 18 9 £205 16 6 Remitted to Bank of New Zealand .. .. .. 119 2 11 % " W Dec.| 31 Cash in hand .. .. 647 14 8 .:. ■ , £972 14 1 £972 14 1 A. Paul, Niue, sth January, 1905. Acting for Resident Commissioner.

Niue Island Current Account, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. 1904. Dr. £ s. d. 1904. Or. £ s . d. Sept. 30 To Balance to credit .. .. 503 5 9 Oct. 5 By David Goldie .. .. 3 3 4 Niue stamp sales in New Zea- Dec. 20 H.M.S. " Clio" .. .. 24 11 10 land to 31st July .. 419 6 „ 22 Government Printer .. 12 10 0 Oct. 21 Remitted from Niue .. .. 119 2 11 £40 5 2 Dec. 31 Balance to credit in bank .. 587 3 0 f £627 8 2 £627 8 2 A. Paul, Niue, sth January, 1905. Acting for Resident Commissioner.

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Total Funds to credit of Niue Island Administration as on 31 st December, 1904. £ s. d. On fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland ... ... 500 0 0 In Post-Office Savings-Bank ... ... ... ... ... 500 0 0 Balance to credit Current Account, Bank of New Zealand ... 587 3 0 Cash balance in Niue ... ... ... ... ... 647 14 8 £2,234 17 8 A. Paul, Niue, sth January, 1905. Acting for Resident Commissioner.

No. 124. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 11th January, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th October, No. 97/04, with reference to the discontinuance of the insurance on the " Countess of Ranfurly." As the establishment of a sinking fund, as mentioned in my letter of the 22nd September, has been decided upon by Cabinet, I shall be glad if you will give effect to the proposal. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 125. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 13th January, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 286, of the 21st November, I have the honour to inform you No. 104 that I have had a meeting of the people of this island, both Europeans and Maoris, and have placed before them the full meaning of your letter. At Mangaia I also held a meeting of the workers, headed by Daniela, and they have expressed an opinion that they can within twelve months double the output of both bananas and oranges from that island. The position of Rarotonga differs from that of any other island of the Group. Here we are not limited in the class of land suitable for bananas, and whether a tax be imposed on outside fruit or not our output of bananas will have doubled within the next twelve months. Hundreds of acres of that fruit have been planted within the last two months, and if only moderate returns are the result we can easily supply all New Zealand. The Natives of Rarotonga are thoroughly alive to the value of the banana-crop, and the line they take will be adopted by all other islands. As for the orange-crop, I would point out for your information that not two-thirds of the oranges have ever been exported, by reason of the fact that to place more fruit in the New Zealand market than the people could consume was simply to depreciate prices. We do not ask that our oranges shall be protected for every month of the year, but only for those months during which we shall be able to supply in large quantities. On this point, however, I will leave the committee of the fruit producers and shippers of Rarotonga to speak, for they will report very fully for your information. The conclusions at which I have arrived are that the Cook Islands can supply all the bananas required by New Zealand, provided that a sufficient protection be afforded to provide against actual loss to the shippers, and here there must be protection against the Union Company, who will probably reduce fares from Fiji in order to support that place as against the Cook Islands. That in the matter of oranges we can for six months of the year, or perhaps more, supply the requirements of New Zealand; and on this point I wish to say that if this fruit is not protected the trade will die out altogether, for no young trees will be planted. As to the pine-apple, I do not think that we grow sufficient to justify us in asking for protection. I would further point out that if protection be granted there must'be a fortnightly service. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 126. Sir, — Rarotonga, 13th January, 1905 In reply to your letter No. 294, of the 24th November last, I have the honour to for- No. 108, ward a return of moneys expended Huring the last three years on public works.

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The amount of £2,874 does not by any means show all that has been expended since the upkeep of the buildings, and expenses incidental to the building have not been shown. Properly speaking, a portion of Mr. Connal's salary should be placed as against these works. I was, therefore, well within the mark when 1 said that £3,000 had been expended in the three years. The local administration may fairly claim that the expenditure on public works has been on works that for the most part will last for hundreds of years. The cost has been approximately small, and the work done is of the best quality. The Resident Agent's house at Mangaia is now finished, and has cost £385. This house has a concrete bath-room and concrete-floored verandahs, and it seems to me that no cheaper building could have been erected. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

Cook and other Islands Administration.—Return showing Expenditure on Account of Public Works. £ s. d. 1901-2. Final payment on account of purchase of lease of site of Government Offices, Rarotonga ... ... ... ■•• 200 0 0 1902-3. Erection of Government Offices, Rarotonga (including wages of foreman of works) ... ... ... ••• ••• 1,623 12 8 1903-4. Government offices, Rarotonga—Fittings, &c. ... £34 5 4 Purchase of site, Aitutaki ... ... ... £41 10 0 Residence for Collector of Customs, Rarotonga ... £786 0 3 Fencing Government Buildings, and retaining-wall £101 14 3 S 963 9 10 Total expenditure from general revenue ... ... ••• £2,787 2 6 Expenditure from Rarotonga Public Works Account — 1903. Erection of flagstaff ... ... ... •■• £26 11 4 Erection of bridges ... ... ... ••• 60 9 8 87 1 0 £2,874 3 6 Memo.—The above figures do not include money expended on repairs and maintenance of offices, bridges, &c. TT Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 12th January, 1905. T. R. Herd, Treasurer.

No. 127. g IR Niue, 13th January, 1905. I have the honour to forward to you herewith the following returns: (1.) Export Return for the year 1904. (2.) Import Return for December quarter, 1904. (3.) Summary of Import values for year 1904. With regard to the export return, I notice that there has been a large decrease in the quantity of copra exported as compared with 1903, but, on the other hand, the export of hats has increased to a considerable extent, though not sufficient to compensate for the decrease in copra. From information I have received I do not anticipate that the export of copra for 1905 will exceed 250 tons and there is not likely to be any increase in the quantity of hats exported. 'Compared with the corresponding quarter of 1903, the import return for December shows a decrease of £800, and the return for the whole year shows a decrease of £1,300, the imports from New Zealand falling off to the extent of £700, and from New South Wales £500. This decrease is principally in food stuffs, and it is evident that the Natives have been living largely on their own products during the past year. Possibly also the traders had overstocked during 1903. The Customs revenue has decreased by over £600, though this can be accounted for to a large extent by the reduction of duty on tobacco. # Mr. Maxwell left for Auckland via Tonga by the schooner Ysabel on the 9th instant, and will probably arrive there about the beginning of February. I am forwarding this per s.s. "Maori," which has called here this morning on her way to Auckland. I have already forwarded the Niue Island revenue returns and the December quarter export return by the " Ysabel." I have, &c, A. Paul, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Acting for Resident Commissioner. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

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Enclosures. Return of Exports from Niue for Year ending 31st December, 1904.

Summary of Total Values.

A. Paul, Niue, 12th January, 1905. Acting Collector.

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Values. Articles. Country exported to. Quantities. Niue. Foreign. Totals. Apparel n.o.e. £ £ £ New South Wales 4 4 Arrowroot New Guinea 1 1 Boots and shoes n.o.e. New South Wales 1 1 Copra ,, . . . . New Zealand Cook Islands New South Wales Friendly Islands Samoa Tons cwt. qr. 6 4 2 0 8 2 77 15 0 41 15 0 44 5 0 58 4 744 419 443 ,, * • . • ,, . . . . 1,668 170 8 0 Cotton piece-goods n.o.e. New South Wales 35 35 Curios New Zealand Cook Islands Friendly Islands 52 3 47 ,, • . • . »» • • • • 102 Drapery n.o.e. New South Wales Cook Islands 5 50 »» • • 55 Fish, preserved New South Wales 288 lb. 6 6 Fruits, fresh—bananas >» 480 lb. 1 1 Fungus New Zealand Cook Islands New South Wales Friendly Islands Samoa 6,201 lb. 733 „ 13,389 „ 7,524 „ 2,243 „ 82 8 167 94 33 ,, . • . • ,, . . . . ,, • • . . 384 30,090 lb. Hats ,, * . . . New Zealand Cook Islands Samoa New South Wales 5,401 doz. 462 „ 186 „ 4 „ 3,955 305 142 ,, .. ,, . . . . 6,053 doz. 5 4,407 1 Plants New South Wales 1 Rice », 1J owt. 1 1 Specie—gold New Guinea 240 240 Tobacco New South Wales Friendly Islands Maiden Island .. 423 lb. 91 „ 88 „ 22 9 9 602 lb. 40 Vegetables New South Wales New Guinea 9 61 99 • ' Totals 6,629 387 70 7,016

Niue. Foreign. Totals. New Zealand Cook Islands New South Wales Friendly Islands Maiden Island New Guinea Samoa £ 4,147 320 922 560 £ 50 79 9 9 240 £ 4,147 370 1,001 569 9 302 618 "62 618 Grand totals £6,629 £387 £7,016

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Return of Imports into Niue during Quarter ending 31st December, 1904.

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Articles. Whence imported. Quantities. Value. Totals. £ 25 57 16 42 £ Apparel n.o.e. New Zealana Cook Islanas Maiden Island United States America, west coast >' *» *' >» * * 90 '■ ■' ■ i i <i Arms, &c—Caps, percussion New Zealand 3 3 ,» * ■ 5,000 No. 4 4 „ Cartriages n.o.e. » * * 1 1 Detonators 8 8 „ Firearms United Kingdom 5 No. 12 „ ,> » 17 No. 16 „ Fuse New Zealand 20 coils 1 1 Powder, blasting it ' * 501b. 5 5 21 aoz. 7 7 Bags and sacks—cornsacks tt ' * Beef, salted »> 3 cwt. Beer it »» ■ * Cook Islands Maiden Island New South Wales .. Samoa 71 gal. 28 „ 1 „ 8 „ 8 „ 19 9 1 2 3 ,, • * »» • • »» * ■ 116 gal. Bicycles Samoa 2 No. 11 11 New Zealand 82 cwt. 93 93 Biscuits—ships, plain „ Fancy and o.k. ,, »» »» ■ ■ Cook Islands New South Wales .. 2,595 lb. 48 „ 96 „ 2,739 lb. 33 1 2 36 ■> " Blacking New Zealand 2 2 New South Wales .. 192 192 Books, printed n.o.e. Boots and shoes n.o.e. New Zealand New South Wales .. 193 pairs 3 „ 38 2 ») 196 pairs 10 doz. 40 Buckets and tubs, Iron New Zealand 11 11 ,» • • 190 lb. 12 12 Butter 3 ,» ■ • 3 Cement Coffee, roasted »> • • 201b. 1 1 Confectionery n.o.e. Cordage, n.o.e. »» • • 882 lb. 2 cwt. 14 5 14 5 99 16 1 6 Cotton piece-gooas—Calico Cook islands New South Wales .. >f 23 Printea Cottons, Zephyrs, Ac. New Zealand Cook Islands United Kingdom New South Wales .. 2 21 14 4 n tt tt New Zealand Cook Islands United Kingdom United States America, west coast 108 10 119 21 41 Cotton piece-goods n.o.e. tt tt tt 258

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Return of Imports into Niue during Quarter ending 31st December, 1904— continued.

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Articles. Whence imported. Quantities. Value. Totals. £ 7 2 £ Cutlery ,, . . . . New Zealand New South Wales .. 9 Drapery—Ribbons Cook Islands 5 5 „ n.o.e. New Zealand 12 12 Drugs, &c, n.o.e. New South Wales .. 29 1 » 30 Fancy goods New Zealand Friendly Islands 10 11 ,, . • • • 21 Fish, preserved New Zealand United States America, west coast 2,786 lb. 672 „ 122 13 „ .. 3,458 lb. 135 Fishing-tackle 1 3 ,, . . . • Cook Islands New South Wales .. ■■ 4 Fish-hooka New Zealand 3 3 Flour New South Wales Samoa 2,700 lb. 300 „ 200 „ 3,200 lb. 14 2 2 ,, . . . • 18 ,, . . • ■ Food for Animals New Zealand 3 3 Fruits—Bottled and preserved »> ■ * New South Wales .. 2 2 4 „ Dried n.o.e. New Zealana 851b. 3 3 99 ' ' 4 4 Furniture n.o.e. Glassware », ' * 3 3 Haberdashery—Sewing Cottons, &c. »» ' ' 9 9 #> * ' 27 27 Hardware 13 doz. 17 17 Hats Hosiery ,» * ' 12 12 Iron—Galvanized manufactured ,» * * 8 8 „ Sheet, galvanized, corrugated »> * * 14 cwt. 23 23 Tanks, 200 gal. United States America west coast INo. 3 3 „ 400 gal. New Zealand Samoa INo. 1 ., 4 4 »» >» » 2 No. 8 Jams New South Wales .. 241b. 1 1 New Zealand 3 3 Lamps Matches, wooden »» • • 175 gross 26 26 Milk, preserved »» * • New South Wales 5 3 99 8 Meats, preserved New Zealand 6,832 lb. 156 156 >» • • 3 cwt. 8 8 Nails, iron

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Return of Imports into Niue during Quarter ending 31st December, 1904— continued.

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Whence imported. Quantities. Value. Totals. Articles. £ 13 £ 13 Oils—Kerosene New Zealand 298 gal. „ Linseed 99 New South Wales 15 gal. 3 „ 3 1 99 9) • ' 18 gal. 4 Oil iii bottle New Zealana 3 3 2 2 Oilmen's stores », Paints in oil 1 cwt. Paper, wrapping .» 3 cwt. 4 4 1 4 ■ 4 Potatoes 99 14 cwt. Provisions n.o.e. »» New South Wales Samoa 32 15 6 99 53 Rice New Zealand 36 cwt. 24 24 Saddlery >> 21 21 Salt ,» 2 2 Soap, common New South Wales 12 cwt. J cwt. 12J cwt. 18 1 t» », ■ • 19 „ n.o.e. New Zealand 1 1 Spirits—Bitters, Ac. j, 2 2 „ Brandy Cook Islands 12 gal. 28 gal. 6 gal. 12 „ 4 „ 8 8 „ Geneva 9 9 „ Whisky New Zealand Cook Islands Samoa 4 8 2 » » 22 gal. 14 Stationery, manufactured >, >» New Zealand Cook Islands United Kingdom 3 1 2 if »» 6 „ n.o.e. New Zealand Cook Islands 3 1 )> 99 14 Sugar New Zealand New South Wales Samoa 1,512 lb. 132 „ 168 „ 15 1 2 »» • * »> • • 1,812 lb. 18 Tea New Zealand 731b. 5 5 Textiles, Articles maae from >» 37 37 Timber, rough, sawn Cook Islands 8,632 ft. 500,, 56 6 j, New Zealand New South Wales 9,132 ft. 62 Tobacco 1,227 lb. 47 „ 1,274 lb. 80 2 » • * 82 Toilet preparations n.o.e. New Zealand Samoa 32 1 !> 33 Tools, Artificers' ... New Zealand 7 7

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Return of Imports into Niue during Quarter ending 31st December, 1904— continued.

Summary of Total Values of Imports during Quarter ended the 31st December, 190£. Value. Country. £ New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,336 Cook Islands ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 88 United Kingdom ... ... ... . ... ... ... 143 New South Wales ... ... ... ... ... ... 242 Friendly Islands ... ... ... ... ... ... 11 Maiden Island ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 Samoa ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 31 United States of America, west coast ... ... ... ... 79 Grand total ... ... ... ... ... ... £1,948 A. Paul, Niue, 10th January, 1905. Acting Collector.

Total Values op Imports into Niue for the Year ending the 31st December, 1904. £ New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 4,902 Cook Islands ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 88 United Kingdom ... ... ... ... ... ... 143 New South Wales ... ... ... ... ... ... 983 Friendly Islands ... ... ... ... ... ... 87 Maiden Island ... ... ... ... ... ... ■■• 244 Samoa ... ■•• ••• ••• ••• •■■ ■•• 125 Germany ■■■ ••• ••• ....... ... ... 56 United States of America, west coast ... ... ... ... 79 £6,707 Total Customs duties collected ... ... ... 951 13 10 Less refunds and drawbacks... ... ... ... 38 18 1 £912 15 4 A. Paul, Niue, 11th January 1905. , Acting Collector.

No. 128. g IE Rarotonga, 14th January, 1905. I have the honour to report that the "Countess" came into port on the 29th December after one of the strongest gales we have experienced, during which the sea broke into the taro grounds at Arorangi. The Avarua Harbour was held to be unsafe, and therefore the schooner anchored at Avatiu, and in landing the cement the outer staging of the wharf broke down, and twenty-three bags (2 tons) were precipitated into the sea and destroyed for building purposes. I cannot say that it is possible to affix blame to any one for this loss, for we have to work with the appliances at hand, and I would suggest that you will give orders to replace the cement by return trip of the schooner. .',-«'.', , , . In givin" 1 you the estimated cost of the Sanatorium the usual amount of prison labour was anticipated, but so far we have had none. The fact is that the Native inhabitants of these Islands are so much interested in the banana-planting and general improvement of their lands that they

Articles. Whence imported. Quantities. Value. Totals. Tobacco-pipes New Zealand £ 10 £ 10 Umbrellas M 7 7 Watches »» 7 No. 3 3 Wine—Sparkling „ o.k. om> Maiden Island New Zealand J gal. 2 gal. 1 2 1 2 Wooden ware n.o.e. », 12 12 Goods, Miscellaneous 9. 3 3 Total 1,948

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have not been able to find time to break the law, and therefore we cannot depend on the usual gang of from six to ten prisoners. It is a matter for congratulation that this is so, but the cost of the building as per estimate will probably be exceeded by £200. I shall be glad to hear that you have been able to arrange an advance by way ot imprest to enable us to meet the weekly labour-payments, which will be not less than £120 a month, lne foundations of ths building are nearly finished. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

No. 129. Sm _ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 16th January, 1905. As you have approved the suggestion that the leasehold of Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, in rear of the Hospital Reserve, shall be taken over by the local Administration under section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1904," I have the honour to forward herewith a plan of the lands that will eventually be taken under the above-quoted section. The only section of land that will demand immediate attention is the lease ot Donald and Edenborough, and in this instance we may expect a demand of £400 as compensation for the loss of what they will contend is a business site. This demand may be met either by the payment ot reasonable compensation or by offering to the firm one or other of the two sites marked red on the plan for a term of years not exceeding the duration of their present leese. The only drawback to the last-named alternative is the fact that any store built on the two sites will undoubtedly spoil the prospect, which is at present very good indeed, and the only benefit we are likely to gain is the saving of £300, or perhaps £400. As any arrangement I may have to make, whether by arbitration or in Court, will be a dealing with the public estate, 1 should be glad to hear your views on this point. ■ i t» Vo The house on this land is a very old one, and is in the occupation of Mr. Charles Vv. Banks who is an old man, and would find it difficult to get another place. I would, therefore, suggest that in any case he should be allowed to continue in occupation, payn g the same small rent as heretofore * haye ' &L- ' W. E. Gudgeon, Re-ident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 130. o _ Rarotonga, 17th January, 1905. I have the honour to forward, for your information, a copy of a letter sent by me to Te Au and Tamuera. of Mauke, in reply to a lot of childish complaints made by those chiefs against Tara it° would be an easy matter to put a stop to all this nonsense by appointing a European Magistrate, but it seems to me that the island is not worth the expense and trouble. The people will gradually find their own level, and that they should quarrel among themselves is not an unmixed evil, fcr it has already brought about the survey of most of the disputed lands and will eventually bring about the survey of the whole island, and the settlement of the central plain of some 700 acres by Europeans. I haTO Gv _ Qm _ t Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. To Te Au and Tamuera. t , ? a rotonga, 17th December, 1904. Mv friends — I have received your letter of the 14th November, in which you make numerous complaints as to the administration of the law by Tararo. As to this I have nothing toTay at present, because charges of this nature must be inquired into at Mauke, m the presence of Tararo, in order that he may have an opportunity of defending himself. Remember that Ido not blame you for building a new village by the seaside I think, perhaps that you have done wisely to build on the coral for it is more healthy than the centre of the ?<S It is for you to say where you will live, and on that point no one should dictate to you. I am however, glad to hear that your move was not dictated by jealousy of Tararo for that would be a very unworthy feeling on the part.of men who are chiefs of their tribes, and old enough to know the line of conduct that a chief should pursue. Cur chieftainship will at all times be recognised and respected by me, for such is the policy of the New "Zealand Government, whose servant I am; but you must remember that the mana and the government of these Islands is in the hands of our King, and that we, who are but the ants who inhabit these Islands, must obey his laws if we would retain our chieftainship. As for your idea that the Makatea Village should, have been divided into three portions, that is a matter that 1 cannot entertain. When a man is appointed a Judge of a Land Court he must

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do that which he believes to be right, and, therefore, my decision in the Makatea case will not be altered. Let me point out to you that you are a mere handful of men, whose numbers decrease every year, and that you might occupy your time in many ways better than by fighting against one another. Your friend, W. E. Gudgeon.

No. 131. Sir,— Melbourne, 20th January, 1905. I have just returned from the Northern Territory of South Australia, having been com- See missioned by the Government to report on the present prospects of cotton-cultivation. No. 21. I am at present engaged in making a report to the Federal Government of my work in Australia, I have received a communication from the British Cotton-growing Association that they are at present co-operating with the Government of Fiji; in other words, are disposed to share financial responsibilities with the Government with a view of placing the cotton industry upon a successful footing. You will remember that whilst in Fiji I offered to proceed to the Cook Islands and look into the question there, if the.sum of £75 were allowed by your Government for expenses. This is what the Fiji Government allowed. I would pay my expenses to New Zealand, your Government to arrange my passage to the Islands. I would give my services without fee, except out-of-pocket expenses. Your cable I received, but no other communication. Before I leave for England I would like to undertake the work, and" my visit may be of use, as in the case of Fiji. Please cable to me, care of Hon. A. McLean, Federal Minister of Customs, Melbourne. Yours, &c, Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand. Jno. Bottomlet.

No. 132. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 20th January, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th September, 91/04, report- No. 70. ing on the proceedings of the Land Titles Court at Mauke, and forwarding a copy of your judgment in respect of the Makatea Block, which I have read with much interest. It is very gratifying to know that you have succeeded in amicably settling the claims of the different factions on the island, and I trust you will have no further trouble here. lam writing you a separate letter with reference to the appointment of a Resident Agent at Mauke. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 133. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 21st January, 1905. I am in receipt of your letter of the 10th October, recommending that Tararo Ariki and No. 78. Tou Ariki be appointed Resident Agents for the Islands of Mauke and Mitiaro respectively. I agree with you that this step is advisable, and I have forwarded (he appointments for His Excellency's signature. If you deem it necessary you may inform Tamuera and Te Au that any opposition to the authority of the Resident Agent will deprive them, in the eyes of the New Zealand Government, of their authority as Arikis. They will then probably accept the position without any further trouble. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 134. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 21st January, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th December, 103/04, and note No. ill that you do not at present contemplate taking over the Island of Manuae to be worked as a Government plantation. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 135. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 21st January, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th December, reporting on No. 112, the proceedings of the Land Titles Court at Aitutaki, and stating that all the land dealt with had been surveyed by Mr. Connal. lam glad to hear that Mr. Connal has been able also to make a survey of the coast-line of Aitutaki, and of some of the islands on the reef. This should prove very useful. The financial results of the Court and survey work on the island are very satisfactory. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

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No. 136. Sir,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 23rd January, 1905. I have the honour to report that the schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " returned to this port yesterday evening after a visit to the northern islands of the Cook Group. I regret to say that the schooner met with a rather serious hurricane between Mauke and Atiu, during which the mate, H. Molvig, a native of Norway, fell overboard and was lost. I need hardly say that a great deal of damage has been done by this gale. At Aitutaki the cocoanuttrees have been stripped of their nuts, and there will be but little copra next year. Worse still, the bananas and breadfruit trees of the island have been levelled with the ground, so that there will be great scarcity of food for the next six months. Atiu would seem to have escaped the full force of the hurricane, but Mauke, Mitiaro, and Manuae have all of them suffered. lam of opinion that there has been more than one hurricane, for on the 30th December we experienced the heaviest sea, both at Rarotonga and Aitutaki, that has been seen for the last fifteen years. At the last-named place the stone jetty was completely covered for hours, and all of the cement floor washed away. At Aitutaki many houses have been unroofed, but this is but a small matter compared with the loss of food. That the Natives will be hard-up for a short time is certain, but Mr. Cameron reports that they will not require outside assistance. I have, &c., W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 137. g IR — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 31st January, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 2, of the 11th instant, instructing me that a sum equal to the annual insurance premium on £2,500—viz., £315—should be set aside as a sinking fund, as against the schooner " Countess," I have the honour to point out that this arrangement would have the effect of raising the annual charges against the schooner to £818 —viz., principal, £323; interest, £180; sinking fund, £315. This being the case I would suggest that it would be better to add the £315 to the principal at once, and get rid of the incubus as soon as possible. If you should take this view, 1 would ask you to notify Mr. Maxwell that he must pay onethird of the amount—viz., £272 13s. 4d., at the end of the present financial year. In the face of the persistent opposition shown by the Union Company, I have no belief that the schooner can be kept on, and I think that another year will prove this. I have, Arc., W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

No. 124,

No. 138. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 31st January, 1905. With reference to your letter No. 3TJ3, of the 7th December, I have the honour to report that, during my visit to Mauke in September of last year, Messrs. C. Smith and Buchanan, and the Natives of the island complained of the treatment they were receiving from the Union Companytreatment that was practically killing all of the small traders and Native shippers. The modus operandi was as follows: The steamer would call at Atiu, some forty-five miles west of Mauke, and would load there, but would decline to come on to Mauke, for the reason that Captain Harries, of the " Vaite," would meet the steamer with all the oranges he could get at Mauke, and transfer them to the steamer at Atiu. By this means Captain Harries virtually had a monopoly of the fruit of the former island, and defeated all competition. This was reported to me as a grievance, and I asked the people at once what they had done to meet the matter. Had they ever employed the " Countess " 1 They admitted they had not done so, and that they were sorry they had not. On this I pointed out that even if the steamer came to' the island she would never be a success, since they had to gather the fruit several days before she arrived, and were always in danger of the steamer leaving without cargo, for if very rough she would not wait for calm weather. I stated also that if they would guarantee me a full cargo for the " Countess " I would make it our business to wait at the island till all of the cargo was properly on board, and would, if required, find boxes for those Natives who wished to ship direct. Both Mr. Smith and the Natives are very much taken with this view, and will, I believe, employ the " Countess " if she is in the Group. I would point out that the whole of the fruit trade of a few years back was carried out byschooner, and with success, and there is no reason why the "Countess" should not carry the oranges to New Zealand as well as the " Taviuni " can do it. The steamer will probably return from Maiden Island about the Ist September. We could then take a cargo of fruit from Mauke. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. II Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 110,

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No. 139. Sir,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 3rd February, 1905. I have the honour to forward attached letter from the committee appointed by the residents of Rarotonga to investigate and report upon the capabilities of the Cook Islands to produce fruit for the New Zealand market. I have on several occasions commented severely on the inertness of the Native inhabitants in the matter of planting cocoanuts, and their inability to look a few years ahead, but any remarks I may have made as to their want of energy will not apply to the growing of bananas. Hitherto this industry has not been undertaken in a systematic manner, but now the people are planting thousands of* the best varieties of banana, and the committee in their report do not overestimate the capacity of the island to produce all that New Zealand may require. Let me point out that the prices now obtained are satisfactory, but we feel that any increase in production unless protected would lead to such a fall that we should probably have to stop the export. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

See No. 125.

Enclosure. g IR Avarua, Rarotonga, Ist February, 1905. The committee appointed to consider the letter of the Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands Administration has the honour to report as follows: That in the absence of statistics showing the quantity of tropical fruit consumed annually in New Zealand, with details showing the relative amounts of oranges, pines, and bananas, the committee is somewhat at a disadvantage, and would be glad, if you could procure such details for it, to go further into the matter. Meanwhile, the committee has no hesitation in saying that in a reasonable time the whole of the fruit needed in New Zealand can be supplied by these islands. Oranges.— At the present time a very large proportion of the oranges grown are not shipped, but left here to rot, in consequence of the unremunerative prices obtainable for them, and there is no doubt that this Group can now supply the whole of the oranges needed. Bananas.—ln reply to the Hon. the Minister's question, "How long it would be, after a definite promise of protection has been made?" &c, the committee would point out that since the visit of the Hon. C. H. Mills to these islands (upon which occasion he held out some hope that the fruit industry might be protected, but made no definite promise to that effect), the output of bananas has increased from 62,000 bunches in 1903 to 90,000 bunches in 1904, and we estimate an output this year of 140,000 bunches. TEis increase is largely due to the Hon. the Minister's promise that he would see if something could be done in the matter, and an increase of 50 per cent, per annum could, there is no doubt, be maintained so long as there was a remunerative XW fl V X' Pi nes .—With an assured market these can be grown in unlimited quantities. Your committee would suggest, as a remedy for the present unsatisfactory state of affairs, the imposition of a duty upon foreign fruits as follows: Upon oranges and bananas, Jd. per pound; upon pine-apples, Id. per pound; upon coffee, a return to the old duty of 2d. per pound; a duty on cocoanuts and limejuice. That these duties should be further increased by a sum equal to any reduction in freight or rebate upon freight made by the carrying companies in favour of foreign fruit, should such reduction "be made, as was the case, when the Australian Commonwealth imposed a duty upon Fijian bananas. Your committee cannot conceive that these duties would enhance the price of fruits to the consumer, and would point out that, in spite of an identical duty of Jd. per pound upon apples, the price of that fruit is as cheap in New Zealand as before; also, that the abolition of the duty on coffee has not made that article any cheaper to the public, while the reimposition of it would give the grower here sufficient protection to enable him to compete with the cheap American article, and revive an industry which at presenl is likely to be abandoned altogether in the near future. . • In conclusion, the committee cannot refrain from again impressing upon the Minister that the geographical position of the Cook Group is a natural disadvantage, as compared with Fiji, and that to that extent Fiji is protected, and New-Zealand-grown fruit penalised, and they cannot urge too strongly the necessity for dealing with the subject promptly, lest with the increasing output an unremunerative market disheartens the Native growers, and retards the development of the Group very materially, by checking the increased production which has taken place on the strength of the hopes held out to growers by the Hon. the Minister. The Committee has, &c, J. W. Sharpe. Thos. Shearman. Percy Brown. Makea Daniela. The Resident Commissioner.

No. 140. g IR Rarotonga, 3rd February, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 250 of the 21st December last, I have now the honour to return herewith amended notices under section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1904," which will supply the information you require.

No. 114,

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The attached letter from Mr. Blame will show the reason for excluding the landing-place at Mangaia from the notices. If, however, you should deem it necessary to treat the landing-place under section 3 above mentioned a notice will be prepared. I have also the honour to attach a plan of the land affected by the notices. The Government land marked section 5 is the land on the cliff known as Ariari, and presented to His Majesty by Daniela Tangitoru. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. The Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court, Sir, — Registrar's Office, Rarotonga, 2nd February, 1905. With reference to the letter of the Minister for the Islands No. 1904/3620, in regard to the proclamations or notices under section 3 of "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," I return herewith the notices as to the Sanatorium and other buildings at Rarotonga, and as to the lock-up and road at Mangaia, amended in accordance with the memorandum of the Solicitor-General. I also forward herewith, in accordance with Mr. Mills's request, a tracing of plan showing the position of allotments and roads at Mangaia. The reason why I did not prepare and have sent on to the Minister in your absence a notice in reference to the landing-place and road at Mangaia (Allotment No. 6) was that the reservation and vesting order as to same was made by the Land Titles Court under subsection (10a), of section 10 of the Order in Council on 25th July, 1904, before the passing of the Amendment Act of 1904, and the repeal of subsection (10a) aforesaid. Vide notice in the Cook Islands Gazette of the Ist December, 1904.) The other orders which have been made by the Land Titles Court under subsection (10a) of section 10 of the Order in Council and completed prior to the passing of the Amendment Act of 1904 are—(l.) Court offices, Aitutaki (vide Cook Islands Gazette, 18th July, 1904). (2.) Wharfsites, Aitutaki (vide Cook Islands Gazette, 18th July, 1904). (3.) Beach reserve, Avarua, Rarotonga (vide Cook Islands Gazette, Ist December, 1904). (4.) Aratapu or Beach Road, Rarotonga (vide Cook Islands Gazette, 3rd January, 1905). I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. E. Blame, Registrar.

No. 141. Department of Agriculture, Head Office, Wellington, 6th February, 1905. The Hon. the Minister administering the Cook Islands. L.' I return herewith the papers in regard to the suggestion of Mr. Bottomley, representing the British Cotton-growers' Association, that he should visit the Cook Islands and report on their suitableness for producing cotton. You will see from the opinion indorsed on Mr. Bottomley's letter of the 6th July that this Department's Biologist, who visited the Islands officially in December, 1902, is not in favour of growing that staple there. I have, &c, Jas. McGowan, pro Minister of Agriculture.

No. 181.

No. 142. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth February, 1905. I have the honour to report that the hurricane of the 14th January would seem to have expended its full force on the Island of Mangaia, and the sea was driven inland with such force as to break down the solid walls of the old market-house on the flat above the landing-place. Numerous houses have been unroofed, and, in some cases, totally destroyed, and about six hundred cocoanuts uprooted. The church at Oneroa has been greatly damaged, but the Government quarters have not been injured in any way. That this hurricane will prevent all export from Mangaia for the next six months may, 1 think, be taken as a certainty, but the people will not be short of food, as the taro and kumara are largely planted and are uninjured. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands, Wellington.

See No. 136.

No. 143. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 14th February, 1905. I enclosa herewith a schedule showing the adjustment of accounts made as between the New Zealand Government* and the Government of the Cook and other Islands, with a copy of a voucher for £1,212 18s. 9d., passed in favour of the Cook Island Treasury Account. The various items are, I think, self-explanatory. You will notice that while you have been charged with the cost of the 113 tons of coal sent by the schooner to Rarotonga in 1901, you are

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oredited with the freight claimed thereon by the Schooner Department, the effect of which is that the coal becomes the property of the Islands as a cost of less than £10. This arrangement seems fair enough under present circumstances, but in the event of your effecting a satisfactory sale ot the coal it will be necessary to decide as to the disposal of the proceeds. The coal was sent principally to make up the necessary quantity of ballast, and the question of freight may therefore be said to be in a different position from that of an ordinary cargo. This adjustment gives credit for all the amounts claimed by the Schooner Department, excepting the amount of Mr. Haszard's passage to the Cook Islands and Niue, £15, which has already been paid by the Resident Commissioner of Niue. All amounts advanced by the New Zealand Government "up to the end of July, 1904, are recovered. There is still outstanding the amount paid as wages to the master and mate of the schooner since the July payments, for which 1 am sending you an account. You will observe that the Customs duties refunded are only those collected up to the dlst March 1904. A refund of the amount collected during the year ending the 31st March proximo will be made in due course, when the authority of Parliament has been obtained. The adjustment effects a very much-needed settlement of accounts—many ot them ot long standing--between this Government and the Islands, and I shall be glad to hear that it is satisfactory from the standpoint of your Administration. Now that the Treasury books have been cleared of the older advances, I do not anticipate any difficulty in working on their Advances Account again for the payment of such claims as it may be necessary to satisfy here on behalt of the Islands, and I propose to render accounts to you quarterly for the recovery of a 1 advances. I have, &C, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. The New Zealand Government in account with the Government op Cook and other Islands. . -„ „r-,i njww „f Customs— £ s. d. I Customs duties collected at Auckland from £ s. d A. R. Miller, Collector ot <~^ s c october> ml to March 1904*A Passage paid to Union Steamship wm g v & pany .. " t '™ th Feb- On account of Niue Island .. .. 243 510 Salary M2W January to j ____,__. „ rf R(mfm . ly „__ ruary, • ■ • • Freight on coal to Rarotonga .. .. 125 0 0 ' • " 4 Beaded Islands Government on Schooner "Countess of Ranfurly"- Recount of wages paid .. "-WOO First instalment of cost, 1904 5 I p p c Messrs . Kirk and Boucher, Cook Islands .. ' 201 0 9 ' Auckland to Cook Islandst .. .. 21 0 0 Niue Island .... Refunded on account of insurance, 1903-4 315 0 0 FA Worsley, master, Ist July, 1901 to Claim for services of vessel in connection o»ji LiqiS • 36 10 5 ! with wreck of " Elmgamite "t •• 92 0 0 ' F and others (crew)! 23rd July, Refund amount paid on account of Bailey ' Tamount overpaid to Captain F WAf A'&JS, 1903; 7» 6 ' by New Zealand Go- 15 i. A. worsiey, m* , 20 0 0 vernment on account of expenses connected F A Workev mas J, November, 1903, with supply of postage stamps post-cards a A. wor..iey, m ' 93 g 8 & and prm tmg, &c. Vote 14, Item 36, to June, 1904, balance .. •• JO , m ', ~ i c 52 0 0 William Champion, master, 4th May to ! 893-4) * 3rd July, 1904 •• ■• 34 0 0 JP. Coulson, mate, June, 1904 .. »10 o JP. Coulson, mate, July, 1904 .. 810 0 William Champion, master, 4th July to 3rd August, 1904 .. •• «0 0 Passage-money, Captain Worsley Auckland to Wellington, Bth June, 1904 . 115 0 Passage-money, Captain Beid, from Islands to Auckland, July, 1901 .. • • HI o Claim for chain (Lane and Brown), July, 1904, allowed at .. ■• •• » » ° Paid on account, Bailey and Lowe .. 919 b Insurance on £2,500, 1902-3 .. .. _%\_\\ Insurance on £2,500, 1903-4 .. 282 12 6 Coal supplied by Westport Coal Company and sent to Rarotonga, July, 1901 .... I<S4 17 U Cost of collecting Customs duties, October 1901, to March, 1904, £2,312 os. 3d. at 1J Prfnting n press supplied to Rarotonga 45 0 0 Expenses connected with supply of postage stamps, post-cards, and stationery and printing &0., September, 1891, to Feb Expenses connected with investigation of accounts of Cook Islands by Audit officer .. 1,902 11 9 Balance payable to Cook and other Islands Governments ■ • • • • • l a " Total 3,154 14 9 Total -£3,154 14 9 »Cabinet direction attached, t Claim attached.

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No. 144. Sir — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 15th February, 1905. I forward herewith Warrants, signed by His Excellency the Governor, appointing lararo Ariki and Tou Ariki to be Resident Agents on the islands of Mauke and Mitiaro respectively. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C - H - MILLS -

No. 145. SIR — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th February, 1905 Referrino- to my letter of the 21st December, I now beg to forward notices taking land for Government Buildings and Offices at Oneroa, Mangaia, and for Courthouse at Oneroa, Mangaia duly signed by His Excellency the Governor. Please have these notices published in the Cook Islands Gazette, as required by "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amend4. a * torn » 1 have, &c, ment Act, 1904. ' „ M The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. a - J*"»"-»-

No. 114,

Enclosures.. Land taken for Government Buildings and Offices at Oneroa, Mangaia, Cook Islands. Plunket, Governor. Whereas the land mentioned in the schedule hereto is required to be taken under "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," for a certain public work, to wit, for Government Buildings and Offices at Oneroa, Mangaia, Cook Islands. Now therefore, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand in exercise and pursuance of the powers and authorities in me vested by the said Act and ot every other power and authority in anywise enabling me in this behalf, do hereby notify hat from and after the date of the publication hereof in the Cook Islands Gazette the land mentioned in the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purpose of Government Buildings and Offices: schedule. All that piece of land, being Allotment 1, Settlement of Oneroa, Island of Mangaia, containing 12 acres, more or less, starting at the south-east corner of the junction of the Makatea Road with the Man Beach Road; thence along the southern side of the Makatea Road 131 deg. 35mm., ■40 9 metres- thence, 211 deg. 00 mm , 28.1 metres; thence, 300 deg. 13 mm., 34.8 metres; thence along the Main Beach Road, 22 deg. 26 mm., 36.5 metres, to the starting-point: as the same is nore%articuTarly delineated'in the plan deposited in the office of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court at Avarua, Rarotonga. A copy of the said plan is also deposited in the office of the Resident Agent at Oneroa, Mangaia. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this fourth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and five. Mills

Land taken for Courthouse at Oneroa, Mangaia, Cook Islands. Pltjnket, Governor. Whereas the land mentioned in the schedule hereto is required to be taken under "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," for a certain public work, to wit, for „ Courthouse at Oneroa, Mangaia, Cook Islands: Now therefore, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, •L\,r,rl n„rsuance of the powers and authorities in me vested by the said Act, and by " Sweranrauthority n'anvwise enabling me in this behalf, do hereby notify that from rd 3 ater the da tt of the publication"hereof in the Cook Islands Gazette the land mentioned in the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purpose of a Courthouse. SCHEDULEAll that niece of land, being Allotment 8, Settlement of Oneroa, Island of Mangaia containing - note or less starting from the south-east corner of Allotment 2 ; thence, 138 cleg. 35 mm., IsTmeres * VX&ffiX. 19.3 metres; 295 deg. 15min., metres; 34 deg. 30 mm j metres' 159 deg 13 mm., \ metres to the starting-point: as the same is more particularly 29.5 met *es ids aeg ffice f the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court at SSS! Rarotoug? A copy oT the said plan is also deposited in the office of the Resident Agent at Oneroa, Mangaia. EMeUenoy the Governor; this fourth day of February, one ....:,...' thousand nine hundred and five.

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No. 146. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th February, 1905. 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the "13th January, No. 3/05, with a statement of the expenditure on public works in the Cook Islands during the years 1901-2, 1902-3, and 1903-4. I am satisfied that your Government has secured good value for the expenditure incurred. Such serviceable and permanent structures as you have erected must be regarded as valuable assets of the Administration. I am glad to hear that the Resident Agent's house at Mangaia is completed, and that you are well satisfied with the work. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No.. 126,

No. 147. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd February, 1905 I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 23rd January and the Bth February, reporting on the effects of the hurricane that visited the Cook Group on the 14th January. I regret very much to hear of the loss of the mate of the " Countess of Ranfurly," H. Molvig, and also of the damage done by the gale throughout the Islands. Under the circumstances we must expect a very much smaller export of copra than usual next year. 1 am glad, to know that, notwithstanding the severity of the hurricane at Mangaia, you do not anticipate any shortage of food on that island, as the taro and kumara plantations have been left uninjured. I note that, although there has been great destruction of bananas and breadfruit trees at Aitutaki, Mr. Cameron does not expect that any outside assistance will be required, and I trust that it may be found that the position in respect of food-supply there is not so serious as it appears from information to hand at present. I presume that in Mauke and Mitiaro also the Natives will be in somewhat straitened circumsta.nces for some time, but I hope to have further advice from you as to the position in each of the islands affected. Beyond the loss of some of her sails the schooner does not appear to have suffered much, and I am still hoping that her accounts at the end of the year will show a balance on the right side ; I am pleased to hear that the Resident Agent's quarters at Mangaia have not suffered in any way. l liave &c The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. L. H. Mills.

Nos. 136 and 142.

No. 148. g IR _ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 24th February, 1905. I have the honour to report, for your information, that there has of late been some trouble between the people of Makea and Karika' and those two Arikis. The feeling that has led to this state of affairs is of old growth, and has long been slumbering, but has only now shown itself openly, and it would not have been necessary to report the matter to you, were it not that the effects ot the dispute may be far-reaching, and will almost certainly affect the future position of the Arikis. The position is that Makea claims to be the actual owner of all her section of the island, from Black Rock to Matavera, and therefore holds that she has the right to put any man off the land that he has held for generations, if that man should refuse to obey her behests, legal or otherwise. This assumption of authority, which is not of ancient origin, but has simply been claimed since the arrival of the missionaries, has always been resisted by the people, and especially by the Ngati-Karika, who refuse to recognise Makea as their Ariki, or to admit her right to interfere m the election of the Karika, as was done lately when Makea set up the daughter of the late Ariki as against the son, notwithstanding that the people objected to the daughter, and pointed out that there has never been a woman Karika. 1 have known that there was very strong feeling on this point ever since the election of the last Karika, but as those concerned did not see fit to bring the matter officially before me I could not intervene. . . The present cause of the trouble is, however, the removal of the rahui over the plantains in the mountain valleys. These valleys I have always regarded as being under the mana ot the Arikis, who were trustees for the tribe; but it would seem that two of them Marei and Anga-kopua are claimed by Kao and Tumu by right of gift from a former Ariki, and for this reason they did not take tribute to Karika for those valleys. When Makea heard that no tribute had reached Karika. from those two valleys she advised that woman to rahui the ancestral lands of Kao and lumu—in other words, serve them with a notice to quit. Te Kao replied by tearing down he r«to, and he, Tumu, Anautoa, and Tutara immediately lodged about forty applications with the Land Titles Court' craving that their claims might be investigated. ~.„,, j • l\ taldng this action the people are absolutely within their rights, but if they succeed m proving their right to the land, their example will be followed by half the island and the Arikis mana will be a thing of the past. This lam not altogether anxious to see, but I have repeatedly wWned Makea that ff she strained her authority she would lose everything. 1 have been informed Tain a«d again that the people objected to Makea exercising judicial authority, and that they wanted British law and British rule, and freedom from Makea _ The cla ms made will be test cases, and if the people succeed it will advance the Islands greatly for the people will then take an interest in their lands that is now wanting, and it would be absurd to suppose that people who have been eighty years in undisturbed possession of their lands have no . , / f ~ I have, &C.j right to them. w E GudgeoKj Resident Commissioner. • The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

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No. 149. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington; 28th February, 1905: 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th January, with reference to the possibilities of the fruit trade in the Cook Islands, and also your further letter of the 3rd February, forwarding the report of the committee appointed to investigate the matter. I am glad to receive such definite statements on this important question, and I can assure you that the matter will receive the most careful consideration of Cabinet, before which it will be placed at the earliest opportunity. I have instructed the Secretary of Customs to let me have full particulars as to the quantity of each class of fruit imported into New Zealand, and where it comes from, and as soon as these have been obtained I will send them on for the information of yourself and the committee. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Nos. 125 and 139.

No. 150. Sir, - Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 28th February, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th December, commenting upon the provisions of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," which deal with the Cook and other Islands, and submitting certain points for decision by the Law Officers. 1 have also received your letter of the 29th December, with draft regulations under the sections of the Act affecting the Islands. These are both being referred to the Solicitor-General for his consideration. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 117,

No. 151. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 28th February, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th January, enclosing a copy of a letter you have sent to Te Au and Tamuera, of Mauke, in reply to certain complaints made to you by them. You will by this time have received my letters of the 21st January with reference to these two chiefs, and also my letter of the loth instant, forwarding a Governor's Warrant appointing Tararo Resident Agent on the island. The appointment will appear in this week's Gazette, and probably when Te Au and Tamuera are made aware of the steps that have been taken they will settle down quietly. I agree with you that the question of appointing a European Resident Agent for Mauke can hardly be considered at present. I iiave, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 130,

No. 152. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 28th February, .1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the sth and 13th January, with returns of exports and imports for the quarter and year ending the 31st December, 1904, and a statement of Niue Island revenue for the December quarter. Notwithstanding that the trade returns have fallen off somewhat I consider the position as disclosed in your statements is fairly satisfactory, and I am glad to see that the total funds to the credit of the Niue Island Administration have increased. I have received a number of letters from Mr. Maxwell also, which I will consider with him when he comes to Wellington in a day or two. I have, <fee, Mr. A. Paul, Acting Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

Nos. 123 and 127.

No. 153. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2nd March, 1905. I have the honour to report that the Resident Agent at Rakahanga, Panapa Wairuarangi, died on the 7th February. The deceased was a teacher of the London Missionary Society, and a man of'very great ability and discretion. It will be necessary to replace him as soon as possible, for the people of Rakahanga are a very turbulent lot. I cannot say that I think there is a man on the island who is capable of taking the position, and it may be possible that I shall have to give Mr. H. Williams, of Manihiki, £50 per annum, and ask him to take charge .of both islands. As to this, however, I will report when I visit Rakahanga. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon. The Hon. C. H, Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

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No. 154. g IR) Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2nd March, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 25, of the 14th ultimo, and to assure you that the adjustment of accounts appears to be most satisfactory. With reference to the coal, it is now under offer to the mission steamer at £1 12s. per ton, and, as I anticipate both deterioration in quality and loss of weight, I do not expect that it will realise much more than was originally paid for it. I will, however, report to you when I have effected a sale. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 143.

No. 155. Sir, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd March, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th December, with reference to £ the constitution of the Rarotonga Island Council. The Statute of Rarotonga, to which you refer, does not appear to have been printed, and 1 am not aware that I have ever seen a copy of it. I shall be glad if you will send me one, or, if you have any number, six copies. My inquiry as to who now constituted the Federal Council was made because I knew that one at least of the Arikis originally appointed (Ngamaru) had died, and I had not heard how the vacancy had been filled. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 119.

No. .156. Sir,— Wellington, 24th March, 1905. Referring to our conference regarding the purchase and maintenance of the Government schooner " Countess of Ranfurly," I have the honour to state that, after perusal of the papers and careful consideration of thewhole matter, I have arrived at the following conclusions: — (1.) The contribution by Niue towards the purchase of the schooner on the instalment system already approved having been fixed and the first instalment paid, there only remains to be considered what proportion of the loss incurred in running the vessel for the past two years shall be borne by Niue. (2.) Taking the volume of trade as a basis, the proportion is approximately six-sevenths Cook Islands to one-seventh Niue. As this seems a fair basis to work upon, I propose that Niue shall pay the sum of £150 per annum for two years, 1903-4, or £300 in all. The contribution (if any) to be paid by the Niue Administration towards the cost of running the vessel for the current year (1905) to be decided upon when the accounts are made up at the end of the year. (3.) I propose, further, that if at the end of the current year it is found to be impossible to run the vessel without incurring further serious loss, she shall then be sold, and all liabilities connected with her finally discharged. lam reluctant to make this suggestion, as lam in hopes that under present management she should be almost able to pay her way. If proposal No. 2 meets with your approval, I ask for authority to pay over £300 to the credit of the Cook Islands Administration at once. I beg to advance the following reasons in support of my contention that the sum I have named is as much as may justly be claimed from Niue Island: — (1.) The vessel has been wholly stationed in the Cook Group, and constantly used for the purposes of the administration of those Islands. (2.) With the exception of some material for a jetty, all freight, &c, carried for the Niue Government has been paid for at current rates. (3.) When calling at Niue en route to Auckland we have filled her with paying cargo, and on the return trip the freight to Niue has been limited only by the inability of the schooner to make room for it. In the opinion of the master, the Niue trade was the most remunerative the vessel had. l haye > &c -> C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 157. g IR _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th March, 1905. Referring to our conversation on the subject of " The Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts s ee Prohibition Ordinance, 1904," I now beg to return the Ordinance herewith for amendment, so No. 57. that it will not prevent the legitimate sale of nuts to vessels calling at the island. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills

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No. 158. s _ Wellington, 27th March, 1905. I have the honour to submit you a draft of regulations under "The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," applicable to Niue, which, without being unnecessarily drastic will 1 think enable the Niue Administration to preserve complete control over liquor imported into that island. You will observe that I have limited the quantity ot spirits that may be obtained by any one individual to two bottles in one week. .„..,, -,- • +„ ■ My previous experience convinces me that this quantity is sufficient tor ordinary requirements. I assume that it will be necessary to collate these regulations with those to be framed by the Resident Commissioner for the Cook Islands. Any alteration in them should, however, be avoided if possible. l have &c * C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 159. Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 29th March, 1905. I hay,- the honour to inform you that the actual damage done by the hurricane of the 14th January last is confined to the three islands of Aitutaki, Manuae, and Mangaia. A lie former island the damage done is extensive, as the chief food-supply is derived from the breadfruit hees, and many of these have been uprooted. Perhaps one-third of the oranges have been Wown off the trees, and the cocoanuts have suffered to this extent that we must expect all of 150 tons of copra for the season. The people will not, however, be very short of food, L they w 11 take advantage of the Maiden Island labour to send away about fifty of their young a 7 llfarmle the soil being a light coral sand, at least a thousand full-grown cocoa-palms hive betn LeUed'wlth he ground? ifd the young plantations damaged. In ordinary years this LlaJEduces iielrly 80 tons of copra, but 20 tons will be the utmost that can be expected for the it received the full force of the hurricane, has not been seriously damaged except "n g tlie matte/of banana-trees, and that many of the cocoa-palms have been stripped of their nuts As I have before reported, the food-supply of the people will not suffer greatly,^ as Ihev live chiefly on taro. Probably the copra-crop for the season will not be more than 50 tons. ln °tr^ ca clnSoS^p^sr of Aitutaki I gather that arrangements have i 11 with a focal firm to supply rice and biscuit to the Araura School until the Native foodbeen made local firm to ™PP 3 themselves during this time of scarcity. I r/LtdirS^peop 1 ;: oHaLvera have asked me to take a supply of food free to Aitutaki, and I have promised to do so. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

See No. 147.

No. 160. Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th March, 1905. ■*- i , rf *. rz _,_+_* -" K£3ft £J£=S£ ■»-" *-— to r, " J i "* ie " ce: m " r h "° to """ „„vLTw£™ ?~d »d «h,t we need not expect th.t ri.i.ore from A„*,l„, No. Ze.l.nd, „ Americ. .ill be «o„te,vt to U v .___* dma.U. lalio „ will „„, fk. more than At present « e.nnot k. » "'» inbX hours. Hence it .ppe.r, to me th.t the .ucoe. W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 161. Rarotonga, 30th March, 1905. Sir,— . • , i Q++ov \r n 99 N Z I have the honour to report that some of the In continuation of my letter No. 22 J l come before No - 148 ' lands in dispute between Karika and ored the j r right, subject only to the Land Titles Court, and the occupants ot lan ___(___ and repair 0 f the Ariki's house, ancient obligation f n ZmZ intense satisfaction \o the whole island, and the resihas'rXr bti tlSte \tave to hear more than a hundred cases within the next two

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months, and Makea tells me that she will now put all of her lands through the Court in self-defence. The very large increase in the work will compel me to take on another boy in the Survey Office as a draughtsman at £25 per annum; and I may report that the boy, Henry Williams, our first cadet, has been a pronounced success. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 162. Sir,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th March, 1905.. . In reply to your letter No. 49 of the 3rd instant, I have the honour to forward attached a copy of the Statute of Rarotonga. I do not know why this statute or that of Atiu was not printed in the Appendices to the Journals of the House, but such, I find, is the case. I regret that I can only find one copy at present. It was intended that there should be only one statute for the Cook Group embodying all of the least objectionable of the old mission laws, but the local jealousies broke the measure up into four statutes —Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, and Atiu and dependent islands. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. - The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 155,

Enclosure. No. 14.—Statute of Rarotonga, 1899. Whereas by Order in Council dated the 22nd day of April, 1899, Lieut-Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, British Resident, was authorised to revise the laws of Mangaia and other islands for the approval of the Federal Parliament. Be it enacted by the Federal Parliament of the Cook Islands, with the consent of the British Resident. 1. The Short Title of this Act shall be " The Statute of Rarotonga, 1899." 2. From and after the passing of this Act it shall not be lawful to prosecute any person for any one of the following acts: — (a.) Consulting a sorcerer; (b.) Being pregnant as an unmarried woman; (c.) Card-playing; (d.) Placing one's arm round a woman, even though the offender have no torch in the other hand; (c.) Trading with an European without permission; (/.) Tattooing or being tattooed; (g.) Going from one village to another on the Sabbath; (h.j Taking an unmarried woman inland; (i.). Crying over a dead woman, even though not related to her. offences against the person.3. Any man committing adultery with a married woman may, on conviction, be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, and, in default of payment, may be sentenced to not more than two months' hard labour on the public roads: Provided always that the Judge, in his discretion, may sentence the offender to sixty days' hard labour without the option of a fine. That the Judges may order that a portion of the fine be paid to the injured husband or wife. 4. No person shall be punished for an act of fornication with an unmarried woman above the age of fifteen years; but any man carnally knowing any girl under the age of fifteen years and above the age of twelve years shall be liable to a fine of not more than ten dollars. Any man carnally knowing or attempting to know any girl under the age of twelve years shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and shall be committed for trial before the High Court. 5. Any person who shall have carnal connection with a female by force or against her will, and any one who shall attempt to have such connection by force, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and shall be committed for trial before the High Court. No female under the age of twelve years shall be capable of giving her consent to such carnal connection, and no man shall plead such consent: Provided always that no one shall be convicted of the crime of rape on the unsupported testimony of the girl. 6 Any person convicted of the crime of incest may be fined not exceeding twenty dollars, and in addition to such fine may be sentenced to not exceeding two months' hard labour on the public roads. . 7. Any person convicted of slandering his neighbour may be fined not exceeding ten dollars. 8 Any person bearing false witness'in the District Courts of Rarotonga with intent to injure any man or woman may be fined not exceeding twenty dollars, and in addition to such fine may be'sentenced to not exceeding thirty days' hard labour on the public roads. 9 Whosoever shall assault any police officer or member of the Government with his fists shall he liable to a fine of not exceeding ten dollars, and whosoever shall use a stick in an assault under this section shall be liable to be fined not exceeding twenty dollars.

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10. Whosoever shall assault any man, woman, or child other than those mentioned in section nine may, if the assault be committed with the fists, be fined not exceeding five dollars, and if with a stick not exceeding twelve dollars. 11. Any person committing a violent assault with an axe or other weapon dangerous to life shall be committed for trial before the High Court. 12. Whosoever shall use' insulting language to another, calculated to cause a breach of the peace, shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not exceeding five dollars. 13. And whereas the manufacture of bush beer has been productive of much crime: Any man who shall beat his wife while under the influence of liquor may be fined not exceeding fifty dollars, and, in default, sixty days' hard labour. 14. Any policeman who shall seize the clothing of any woman or man in payment of a fine shall be guilty of an offence, and, on conviction, may be fined not exceeding six dollars. 15. Any person found drunk or disorderly in a settlement or public place may, on conviction, be fined not exceeding ten dollars, or, in default, ten days' hard labour. offences against property. 16. Any persons stealing pigs, food, or other small articles of property may be ordered to pay the value thereof to the owner, and, in addition, may be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than ten dollars: Provided always that where the property can be returned intact to the owner no money shall be paid to him as compensation. 17. Every person owning pig, horse, horned cattle, or goat is liable for all damage done by those animals, and may be summoned before the District Judge to answer for damage done. The Judge may, in his discretion, authorise the injured person to destroy the trespassing animal upon any repetition of the offence. 18. Any person maliciously burning down the house or outbuildings of another, or attempting to do so, may be fined not exceeding fifty dollars, or, in lieu thereof, may be sentenced to a term of two months' imprisonment. 19. Any one setting fire to the bush or scrub of the island may be fined not exceeding fifty dollars, or, at the discretion of the Judge, may be sentenced to two months' hard labour. 20. Any person taking the horse of another without leave and using the said horse for his own work shall be liable to a fine of not exceeding ten dollars. 21. Any one wounding any bird or animal the property of another shall be liable to a fine of not more than ten dollars. 22. Any one illegally in possession of lost property may be deemed to have stolen it, and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven dollars, and shall be ordered to deliver up the lost goods forthwith. A person shall be held to be illegally in possession of lost property who cannot prove that he has taken steps to ascertain the owner thereof. miscellaneous. 23. Any man deserting his wife and children for another woman shall be amenable to the law, and at the discretion of the Judge may be ordered to contribute weekly in money or produce towards their support: Provided always that in every case where a wife is deserted by her husband for another woman, or a wife deserts'her husband for another man, the injured person may claim to be divorced by the High Court. 24. In all cases where the ownership of land is the matter of dispute, or a question of boundary has arisen, the Judge shall visit the land and there take the evidence of the old people of the district in order that the dispute may be decided with justice to all parties: Provided always that either party may claim to have the case reheard before the Chief Judge of the High Court and two Assessors, one of whom shall be chosen by each of the parties to the suit. 25. Any person who shall sell or give intoxicating liquor to any person residing within the Island of Rarotonga shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not exceeding forty dollars: Provided always that no man shall be punished by reason of his having purchased or consumed intoxicating drink on board of any vessel in the offing. 26. Any one aiding or assisting in the manufacture of orange-beer or other liquor of an intoxicating nature shall be liable to a fine of not exceeding ten dollars: Provided always that this section shall not apply to illicit distillation. 27 It shall not be lawful to import dynamite into the Island of Rarotonga except on a permit recommended by a District Judge and approved by the Chief of the Federal Government. Any offender against this section shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not exceeding one hundred dollars. , „ , .. ~ 28. Any one using dynamite to kill fish in the waters of Rarotonga shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine of not exceeding fifty dollars. ~,,.-, ..,.., ~ .. * v.--29 It shall be the duty of the district Au to protect the wild oirds within the limits ot his jurisdiction, and the Au may fine any one found destroying them a sum not exceeding five dollars, and may recover the fine before the District Court. 30 Any one who shall offer a bribe to a public officer shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not exceeding fifty dollars, or, at the discretion of the Judge, may be awarded one month's hard labour on the public roads. . , 31 Any public officer failing to report the offer of a bribe to him in his official capacity shall be deemed to have received the same, and shall thenceforth be held to be ineligible to occupy any public position. Any public officer receiving a bribe may be tried before the High Court and receive such punishment as shall meet the offence,

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32. Any Judge who shall in any way abuse his office, or exceed the jurisdiction given to him by this or any other Act, shall be reported to the Chief Judge of the High Court, who shall inquire into and punish the offence. 33. Any policeman or officer of any Court who shall behave harshly or oppressively in the performance of his duties, or who shall force his way into any house without authority and against the will of the owner or owners, may be summoned as an ordinary offender before the District Court, and on conviction shall be liable to a penalty of not more than ten dollars. 34. Any one who shall attempt to terrify or torture any person into confessing an offence that may or may not have been committed, or into giving evidence against others, shall be guilty of an offence against the Federation, and shall be committed to trial before the High Court. Any such offence shall be punishable by a fine of not exceeding sixty dollars, or, at the discretion of the Judge, by two months' hard labour on the public roads. 35. In default of the payment of any fine mentioned in this Act, the offender may be ordered to do one day's hard labour on the public roads for each dollar of his fine remaining unpaid. administration of the law. 36. The Judge shall hear all oases in open Court, and shall keep a record of each case and of their decisions. 37. Before any Judge shall hear a charge he shall satisfy himself that the accused has been properly summoned to appear, that the charge has been explained to him, and that the accused has had the necessary opportunity to call witnesses for his defence. The accused must in every instance be allowed to cross-examine the witnesses who have given evidence against him. 38. All the laws of Rarotonga, whether of ancient date or made by the so-called Council, are hereby repealed, except such as are embodied in this statute. 39. Either of the parties to a suit heard and determined in the local Courts in Rarotonga may appeal to the High Court against the decision of the Judge. 40. Notice of appeal shall be served on the Judge who heard the case within one month of the date of the decision appealed against, and a fee of ten shillings shall be payable to the High Court for the hearing of each appeal. p agge( j Te Ariki Tapu Rangi, Chairman to Cook Islands Parliament. Approved. Makea, Ariki, Chief of the Federal Government. Approved. To come into operation on the 22nd day of August, 1899. The Residency, 22nd August, 1899. W. E Gudgeon, British Resident.

No. 15. —Statute of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke, 1899. Whereas by Order in Council dated the 22nd day of April, 1899, Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, British Resident, was authorised to revise the laws of Mangaia and other islands for the approval of the Federal Parliament : • Be it enacted by the Federal Parliament of the Cook Islands, with the consent of the British Resident: — ..,,.,. , „ , -.onr. >> 1 The Short Title of this Act shall be " The Statute of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke, 1899. 2! From and after the passing of this Act it shall not be lawful to prosecute any person for any one of the following acts: — (a.) Consulting a sorcerer ; (6.) Being pregnant as an unmarried woman; (c.) Card-playing; •. ■ t (d.) Placing one's arm round a woman, even though the offender have no torch in the other hand; (c.) Trading with an European without permission; (/.) Tattooing or being tattooed ; (g.) Going from one village to another on a Sabbath; (h.) Taking an unmarried woman inland; (i.) Crying over a dead woman, even though not related to her. offences against the person. 3 Any man committing adultery with a married woman may, on conviction, be fined not exceeding one hundred dollars, and, in default of payment, may be sentenced te not more than two months' hard labour on the public roads: Provided always that the Judge, m his discretion, may sentence the offender to sixty days' hard labour without the option of a fine. That the Judges may order that a portion of the fine be paid to the injured husband or wife 4 No person shall be punished for an act of fornication with an unmarried woman above the age of fifteen years. But any man carnally knowing any girl under the age of fifteen years, and above the age of twelve years, shall be liable to a fine of not more than ten dollars. Any man carnally knowing or attempting to know any girl under the age of twelve years shall be guilty of a misdemeanour, and shall be committed for trial before the High Court. That any person who lives immorally in a house with any woman to whom he is not married shall be deemed to have committed an offence against the public, and, on conviction, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ten dollars, or, in default, may be sentenced to not exceeding fourteen days with hard labour on the public roads. . . 5 Any person who shall have carnal connection with a female by force or against her will, and any one who shall attempt to have such connection by force, shall be guilty of a misdemeanour,

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and shall be committed for trial before the High Court. No female under the age of twelve years shall be capable of giving her consent to such carnal connection, and no man shall plead such consent : Provided always that no one shall be convicted of the crime of rape on the unsupported testimony of the girl. 6. Any person convicted of the crime of incest may be fined not exceeding twenty dollars, and, in addition to such fine, may be sentenced to not exceeding two months' hard labour on the public roads. 7. Any person convicted of slandering his neighbour may be fined not exceeding ten dollars. 8. Any person bearing false witness in the District Courts of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke, with intent to injure any man or woman, may be fined not exceeding twenty dollars, and, in addition to such fine, may be sentenced to not exceeding thirty days' hard labour on the public roads. 9. Whosoever shall assault any police officer or member of the Government with his fists shall be liable to a fine of not exceeding ten dollars, and whosoever shall use a stick in an assault under this section shall be liable to be fined not exceeding twenty dollars. 10. Whosoever shall assault any man, woman, or child, other than those mentioned in section nine, may, if the assault be committed with the fists, be fined not exceeding five dollars, and if with a stick, not exceeding twelve dollars. 11. Any person committing a violent assault with an axe or other weapon dangerous to life shall be committed for trial before the High Court. 12. Whosoever shall use insulting language to another, calculated to cause a breach of the peace, shall on conviction be liable to a fine of not exceeding five dollars. 13. And whereas the manufacture of bush beer has been productive of much crime: Any man who shall beat his wife while under the influence of liquor may be fined not exceeding fifty dollars, and, in default, sixty days' hard labour. 14. Any policeman who shall seize the clothing of any woman or man in payment of a fine shall be guilty of an offence, and, on conviction, may be fined not exceeding six dollars. 15. Any person found drunk or disorderly in the settlement may, on conviction, be fined not exceeding ten dollars, or, in default, ten days' hard labour. offences against property. 16. Any persons stealing pigs, food, or other small articles of property, may be ordered to pay the value thereof to the owner, and, in addition, may be sentenced to pay a fine of not more than ten dollars: Provided always that where the property can be returned intact to the owner no money shall be paid to him as compensation. 17. Every person owning pig, horse, horned cattle, or goat is liable for all damages done by those animals, and may be summoned before the District Judge to answer for damage done. The Judge may, in his discretion, authorise the injured person to destroy the trespassing animal upon any repetition of the offence. 18. Any person malicioulsy burning down the house or outbuildings of another, or attempting to do so, may be fined not exceeding fifty dollars, or, in lieu thereof, may be sentenced to a term of two months' imprisonment. 19. Any one setting fire to the bush or scrub of the island may be fined not exceeding fifty dollars, or, at the discretion of the Judge, may be sentenced to two months' hard labour. 20. Any person taking the horse of another without leave, and using the said horse for his own work, shall be liable to a fine of not exceeding ten dollars. 21. Any one wounding any bird or animal, the property of another, shall be liable to a fine of not more than ten dollars. 22. Any one illegally in possession of lost property may be deemed to have stolen it, and shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine not exceeding seven dollars, and shall be ordered to deliver up the lost goods forthwith. A person shall be held to be illegally in possession of lost property who cannot prove that he has taken steps to ascertain the owner thereof. miscellaneous. 23. Any man deserting his wife and children for another woman shall be amenable to the law, and, at the discretion of the Judge, may be ordered to contribute weekly in money or produce towards their support: Provided always that in every case where a wife is deserted by her husband for another woman, or a wife deserts her husband for another man, the injured person may claim to be divorced by the High Court. 24. In all cases where the ownership of land is the matter of dispute or a question of boundary has arisen, the Judge shall visit the land and there take the evidence of the old people of the district, in order that the dispute may be decided with justice to all parties : Provided always that either party may claim to have the case reheard before the Chief Judge of the High Court and two Assessors, one of whom shall be chosen by each of the parties to the suit. 25. Whereas the introduction of spirituous or intoxicating liquor has always been contrary to the laws of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke. Any person who shall import wine, spirits, or beer into the Islands of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke, except for medicinal purposes on the order of the Resident Surgeon of the Cook Islands Hospital, shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine of not exceeding fifty dollars. 26. Any person who shall sell or give intoxicating liquor to any person residing within the Islands of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine of not exceeding forty dollars: Provided always that no'man shall be punished by reason of his having purchased or consumed intoxicating drink on board of any vessel in the offing. 27. Any person landing on the Islands of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke under the influence of liquor may be fined not exceeding ten dollars.

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28. Any one assisting to manufacture orange-beer or other liquor of an. intoxicating nature shall be liable to a fine of not exceeding ten dollars. Any one found with orange-beer or other locally-made intoxicating liquor in his possession shall be liable to a fine of not exceeding seven dollars. 29. It shall not be lawful to import dynamite into the Islands of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke except on a permit recommended by a District Judge, and approved by the Chief of the Federal Government. Any offender against this section shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not exceeding one hundred dollars. 30. Any one using dynamite to kill fish in the waters of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke shall be liable, on conviction, to a fine of not exceeding fifty dollars. 31. It shall be the duty of the district Au to protect the wild birds within the limits of his jurisdiction, and the Au may fine any one found destroying them a sum not exceeding five dollars, and may recover the fine before the District Court. 32. Any one who shall offer a bribe to a public officer shall, on conviction, be liable to a fine of not exceeding fifty dollars, or, at the discretion of the Judge, may be awarded one month's hard labour on the public roads. 33. Any public officer failing to report the offer of a bribe to him in his official capacity shall be deemed to have received the same, and shall thenceforth be held to be ineligible to occupy any public position. Any public officer receiving a bribe may be tried before the High Court and receive such punishment as shall meet the offence. 34. Any Judge who shall in any way abuse his office, or exceed the jurisdiction given to him by this or any other Act, shall be reported to the Chief Judge of the High Court, who shall inquire into and punish the offence. 35. Any policeman or officer of any Court who shall behave harshly or oppressively in the performance of his duties, or who shall force his way into any house without authority and against the will of the owner or owners, may be summoned as an ordinary offender before the District Court, and on conviction shall be liableto a penalty of not more than ten dollars. 36. Any one who shall attempt to terrify or torture any person into confessing an offence that may or may not have been committed, or into giving evidence against others, shall be guilty of an offence against the Federation, and shall be committed to trial before the High Court. Any such offence shall be punishable by a fine of not exceeding sixty dollars, or, at the discretion of the Judge, by two months' hard labour on the public roads. 37. In default of the payment of any fine mentioned in this Act, the offender may be ordered to do one day's hard labour on the public roads for each dollar of his fine remaining unpaid. administration of the law. 38. The Judge shall hear all cases in open Court, and shall keep a record of each case and of their decisions. 39. Before any Judge shall hear a charge he shall satisfy himself that the accused has been properly summoned to appear, and that the charge has been explained to him, and that the accused has had the necessary opportunity to call witnesses for his defence. The accused must in every instance be allowed to cross-examine the witnesses who have given evidence against him. 40. All the laws of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke, whether of ancient date or made by the so-called Council, are hereby repealed, except such as are embodied in this statute. 41. Either of the parties to a suit heard and determined in the local Courts in Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke may appeal to the High Court against the decision of the Judge. 42 Notice of appeal shall be served on the Judge who heard the case within one month of the date of'the decision appealed against, and a fee of ten shillings shall be payable to the High Court for the hearing of each appeal. , Passed. Te Ankl Tapu Rangi > Chairman to the Cook Islands Parliament. Approved - Makea, Ariki, FF Chief of the Federal Government. Approved. To come into operation on the 22nd day of August, 1899. The Residency, 22nd August, 1899. W. E. Gudgeon, British Resident.

No. 163. Sm _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 31st March, 1905. Referring to your letter of the 20th January, addressed to the Right Hon. the Premier, and to previous correspondence on the subject of the cultivation of cotton in the Cook Islands, I have now the honour to inform you that the matter has been carefully considered by the Department of Agriculture, and the Chief of the Division of Biology and Horticulture has reported against the orooosal on the grounds that suitable labour cannot be obtained, and that cotton-growing there has been found to exhaust lands that would give much more profitable returns under other croos Cotton was formerly grown in the Cock Group over considerable areas, but itis considered that the product could not be made to pay in competition with the article grown in other places where more favourable conditions prevail. I have to thank you, however, for bringing the matter under the notice of the Government. 1 have £ UUsj __ s John Bottomley, Esq., care of Hon. A. McLean, Federal Minister of Customs, Melbourne.

No. 131,

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No. 164. Sir,— Niue, Ist April, 1905. I have the honour to forward to you herewith a statement of the Niue Island revenue for the quarter ended the 31st ultimo; also returns showing the state of the banking account and the total funds to the credit of. the island on the 31st March. The Customs revenue amounted to £144 2s. Bd., a's against £333 19s. 7d. for March quarter, 1904. Lever's Pacific Plantations (Limited), who pay the bulk of the Customs duties, this time imported only about half their usual quantity of goods. Not only that, but they have shipped away part of their surplus stock, obtaining drawback of duties on some of it. This bears out the suggestion contained in my letter to you of the 13th January, that the traders here have been overstocking. The loss of the revenue formerly obtained from liquor will also account for part of the shrinkage. The expenditure has been small this quarter, and the cash on hand here is £761 Bs. Bd. The balance shown in the banking account is only approximate, as I have no knowledge of the amount of the cheques drawn by Mr. Maxwell in Auckland. You will notice that the total funds to the credit of the Administration amount to £2,361 6s. 5d., an increase since last year of over £200. Interest due will have to be added to this, also stamp-sales since the 31st October, 1904, and the cheques drawn by Mr. Maxwell deducted. I have, &c, A. Paul, The Hon. Ci H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Acting Resident Commissioner. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosure. Niue Island Revenue Account for Quarter ended 31st March, 1905. 1905. Receipts. £ s. d. 1905. Expenditure. £ s. d. Jan. 1 To Balance brought forward .. 647 14 8 By Labour .. .. .. 11 4 6 Customs duties received .. 144 2 8 Road work . . .. 6 3 0 Shipping fees .. . . 212 6 Freight " Countess of Ranfurly" 12 2 7 Emigration fees .. . . 9 2 0 Stamps for office use .. 0 5 0 Court fees .. .. 010 0 Interpreter .. .. 0 5 0 Wine (colonial), sold under Stout, purchased under LicensLicensing Act .. .. 710 0 ing Act .. .. 3 0 0 Stout .. .. .. 3 0 0 Whisky .. .. .. 0 17 3 Whisky .. .. .. 0 3 0 wine (colonial) .. .. 10 0 Miscellaneous .. .. 0 1s Horse-feed . . . . 016 0 Stores for Niue Government.. 0 12 6 Boat's crew .. .. 10 0 Refunds and drawback of duty 14 12 0 Allowances to constables .. 1 10 0 53 7 10 Mar. 31 Balance—cash in hand .. 761 8 8 £814 16 6 £814 16 6 A. Paul, Niue, Ist April, 1905. Acting Resident Commissioner. Niue Island Account Current, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. 1904. Dr. £ s. d. 1905. Or. £ s. d Dec. 31 To Balance to credit .. .. 587 3 0 Niue stamp-sales in New Zealand to 31st October .. 12 14 9 Mar. 31 By Balance (approximate) to £599 17 9 credit in bank .. .. 599 17 9 A. Paul, Niue, Ist April, 1905. Acting Resident Commissioner.

Total Funds to Credit of Niue Island Administration on the 31st March, 1905. On fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland ... ... 500 0 0 In Post-office Savings-bank ... ... ... ... 500 0 0 Balance (approximate) to Credit Account Current, Bank of New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... 599 17 9 Cash balance in Niue ... ... ... .. ... 761 8 8 £2,361 6 5 A. Paul, Niue, Ist April, 1905. Acting Resident Commissioner.

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No. 165. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Uth April, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st January, and am glad to hear that you have arranged for the schooner "Countess of Ranfurly" to carry a cargo of fruit from Mauke to New Zealand. I have no doubt the fruit-growers on the island will greatly appreciate the advantage of a more direct means of shipping their produce to the colony, and I note that in your opinion the fruit can be- carried as successfully in the schooner as in the steamer. You have not referred to the suggestion to make Wellington the port of delivery. Please let me know w r hat you think of it. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 138

No. 166. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 11th April, 1905. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual report on the Cook and Northern Islands for the year ending the 31st March, 1905. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Report on the Cook and Northern Islands for the Year ending the 31st March, 1905. Enclosures A and B explain the exports and imports for the year. In the matter of coffee and candlenuts, there has been more or less decrease, due to the fact that the crop of the first-named failed utterly last year, and the candlenut industry depends entirely on the failure of other and more remunerative employment. The exports from the Cook Islands are £4,738 in excess of last year's figures, and the improvement is due to a better market for copra and the rapidly increasing production of bananas. The exports for the year from the Cook Islands amount to £31,578, and from the Northern Islands £6,670: total, £38,348, as against £34,740 for the previous year. The imports for the year show a slight falling-off, the value for the present year being £33,399, against £34,886 for the year 1904. It is a matter for congratulation that the people of this island have devoted themselves to the production of the banana. The increase for the year in this item of export has been 14,000 cases, and this represents a merely ordinary increase, for the real planting has been done within the last six months, and therefore the trees have not borne fruit. That the Natives of the Islands are prosperous may be inferred from the fact that many new wagons have been imported and paid for. One firm has sold nearly a hundred within the last two years. The damage done by the hurricane of the 14th January last will undoubtedly affect the copracrop for 1905-6 probably to the extent of 300 tons, but the damage done will not in any way affect the well-being of the inhabitants. It will simply reduce their spending-power, and within two years all memory of this hurricane will have passed away. REVENUE AND EXPENDITURE. From Enclosure C it will be seen that the revenue of the Group during the past year amounted to £8,185 lis.,'less a sum of £2,610 175., which is the surplus of the 31st March, '1904. Of the balance, a sum of £2,068 has been received from New Zealand, the money being Customs duties on goods imported into the Islands on which duty has been paid in New Zealand, and has now been paid into the Islands Treasury after adjustment of accounts. The ordinary expenditure of the local Administration has been £4,656 ss. 4d., which includes an item of £301 lis. 3d., the first payment in liquidation of the amount due on the schooner " Countess," and also expenditure on public works to the amount of £607 15s. 7d. The payments made to the New Zealand Government on adjustment of accounts —viz., £437 3s. 4d. —are the liabilities of previous years, and cannot properly be charged as expenditure of the past year. The Treasury balance for the 31st March, 1905, is £3,092 2s. 4d., and to this must be added as an asset the fees due and outstanding of the Survey and Land Court Department, in all £642 195., which will make the surplus for the past year £3,735 Is. 4d.

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the estimates for 1905-6. The estimates (Enclosures D) which I submit for your consideration provide for certain necessary but small increases of salary, but the total sum required is rather less than was voted in last year's estimates, The subsidy in aid of the extermination of the flying-fox will be money well invested, inasmuch as these bats destroy a large quantity of fruit and cocoanuts. So also the subsidy in aid of a cool-chamber for meat is a work of importance, for it cannot be expected that visitors to these Islands will consent to live on tinned meats. I would also point out that until we have a cool-chaniber it is not possible to kill beef, for not one-third of the carcase could be used under present conditions. In the estimate of the public works required I have provided for necessary works only. Hitherto Mangaia has received but little benefit from the funds of the Group. I therefore propose to spend £300 on the reef, wdiarf, and Makatea Road. At Mauke I have for some time past employed an experienced miner to blast out a boat-channel, and this man has already done good work, and it seems probable that he will provide a workable passage for small and handy boats. The £400 for resumption of lands I suggest should be used to extinguish all claims over the Hospital and Sanatorium grounds. Enclosure E (attached) discloses an estimated revenue of £4,180, and will probably be exceeded by the actual receipts. DEFINITION OF TITLES TO LANDS, AND SURVEYS. The attached report (F) from the Registrar of the Land Titles Court reduces the work of that Court into schedule form, and shows that the Native inhabitants of these Islands appreciate the security of tenure obtainable through the Court. During the last three months there have been disputes between the Arikis Makea and Karika and some of their people who are members of the Ariki families. These disputes have been settled by the Court not perhaps to the complete satisfaction of the Arikis, though they have no reason to complain; but the latter are aware that every dispute in which they are concerned that is settled by a Court must of necessity lessen the mana ariki. Now that same mana ariki has been carried beyond all ancient bounds of late years, and therefore the people are delighted to find that a Court can restrict it within recognised limits. Enclosure G is a report by Mr. Connal on the surveys carried out in these Islands, and I submit the same for your consideration. This report is for the most part professional, and does not deal with the economic side of the surveys. VITAL STATISTICS. The health of the public during the past year has improved, even on the larger islands, where the frequent communication with the outside world brings many epidemics unknown to the small outlying islands. I have as yet received returns from three islands only, namely,— Births. Deaths. Marriages. Rarotonga ... ■•• ... 84 52 38 Mangaia ... ••■ ■•.• ■•'■ 5* 58 6 Aitutaki ... ■■■ •■■• ■•■• 46 38 43 Totals ... 184 148 87 I have refrained from entering into unnecessary details in this report, inasmuch as I have nothing to add to that of the last year, but I may summarise the position of each island in a few words. In Rarotonga the people are both prosperous and contented, and their only anxiety is in the direction of obtaining a sound and legal title to their lands. Aitutaki is a wealthy and law-abiding island, and Atiu and Mitiaro, though less progressive, are well disposed and peaceful. At Mauke, Tararo is the only chief of good character and intelligence, but be, unfortunately, is the head of'the Atiu people who some eighty-five years ago conquered and enslaved the Mauke people, and as a natural result the followers of Tamuera, who were conquered, regard him as an enemy' and to show their independence have joined the Roman Catholic Church, thus adding sectarian bitterness to the old quarrel. The Land Court will, however, settle most of the difficulty. A.t Mangaia, the small section of Natives who ran the island in their own interest for so many years are naturally dissatisfied at the fact that they have lost their power for evil. It is, however, certain that the large majority of the inhabitants do not sympathize with them, and that there will be little opposition to the Agent of the Government in the near future. The northern islands, Manihiki, Rakahanga, and Penrhyn, give little if any trouble, but in all three cases there will be friction among the people until the Land Court has settled the existing disputes This I propose to do during the month of June; but I have lately received a report through Niue that Manihiki and Rakahanga have been devastated by a hurricane, and if such is the case the' Court must be adjourned until the supply of food is assured. I will however proceed thither in the mission-boat "John Williams" and ascertain the position of the islands before opening the Court. l haTe > *»•• F ° W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

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Sub-enclosures. A. Cook and other Islands.—Port of Rarotonga.—Return of Exports for Year 1904. From Cook Group.

T. R. Herd, Rarotonga, 26th January, 1905. Collector of Customs.

From Northern Islands.

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Article. Country to which exported. Quantity. Value. Total. New Zealand 39,588 cases 9,324 bunches 79,330 cases £ £ 7,400 Bananas Oranges 9,600 Pineapples 5,275 cases 680 Fresh fruit, unenumerated 82 cases 10 Dried bananas 8 cwt. 51,000 nuts 46,000 „ 95 92 20 Cocoanuts United States of America 97,000 nuts 187 Candlenuts New South Wales 25 cwt. 7 Coffee New Zealand Tahiti ' 20,2001b. 37,850 „ 338 635 Copra 58,050 lb. 973 New Zealand New South Wales United States of America 397 tons 183 „ 392 „ 4,350 2,000 4,600 10,950 Cotton 972 tons Tahiti 4 cwt. 8 Curios New Zealand 15 Fungus j» • ■ 6 cwt. 9 Kumaras, yams, and taro >, • • 96 tons 1,050 56 330 Limejuice New South Wales 21,224 gals 1,120 „ »» 22,344 gals. 1,106 Oil, whale New Zealand 256 gals. 301b. 16 Vanilla »> • • 3 Miscellaneous Imported goods, reshipped.. >> • • 16 99 ' ' 58 190 „ >» Niue .. 248 Total from Cook Group £31,578

Article. Country to which exported. Quantity. | i Value. Total. Copra !opra New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 240 tons 80 „ 180 „ £ 2,400 800 1,800 £ 5,000 500 tons Hats Tahiti 20 Pearlshell New Zealand Tahiti 20 tons 10 „ 1,100 550 »> 1,650 30 tons Total from Northern Islands £6,670 T. R. Ierd, lollector of Rarotonga, 7th April, 1905. lustoms.

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B. Cook and other Islands. —Port of Rarotonga.—Return of Imports for Year 1904.

82

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. £ 117 1 £ Agricultural produce (unenumerated) New Zealand New South Wales Animals—Fowls „ Horses Pigs „ Sheep Apparel New Zealand 118 2 15 5 121 ,, 773 54 32 4 5 18 3 20 121 ,, . . . . • • • • ,, . . . . . • • • United Kingdom New South Wales Victoria Germany United States America.. France Samoa Tahiti ,, . . . . . . . • Arrowroot Bacon and Hams Bags and Sacks Bamboo (for hat-making) Beer Bicycles and parts .. New Zealand 1,030 15 07 283 79 89 Tahiti" New Zealand ,, .. United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 12 7 7 78 13 ,, ,, ,, . . . . . . Biscuits, plain New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 1,350 8 104 117 ,, ,, . . . . . . 1,462 73 ,, ,, . . . . „ fancy Blue New Zealand "20 1 Tahiti" 21 Boots and shoes ,, ,, . . . . . . New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. France Tahiti 255 2 4 27 2 11 ,, . . . . . • ,, . . . . . . ,, . . . . 301 Building-material (unenumerated) New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 163 10 8 41 ,, »r • • », »» • • tf »» Butter Carriages, carts, and materials New Zealand .. 255 329 5 222 271 ,, . . . • United States America.. Tahiti 589 343 »» »» » • • Casks Cement New Zealand 329 20 1 New South Wales Tahiti 350 29 50 ,, . • . . • . • . Cheese Confectionery Cotton piece-goods New Zealand 1,463 982 60 370 920 ,, . . . . ,, United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti ,, New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 149 13 1 75 11 3,795 Cordage and twine ,, 2,179 132 37 17 25 5 3 3 209 249 Drapery New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales Victoria Germany France United States America.. Samoa Tahiti 2,610

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Cook and other Islands. —Port of Rarotonga.—Return of Imports for Year 1904— contd.

3,

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Drugs and chemicals New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti £ 52 12 3 3 99 70 Explosives and ammunition New Zealana .. Unitea States America.. 86 1 87 Fancy goods ,, . . . . New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales Victoria United States America.. Germany France Samoa Tahiti 137 42 45 3 12 7 23 6 115 '? ( 99 ' " 99 ' ' ,, . . . • 390 Fish, preserved .) 99 " * New Zealand New South Wales Canada United States America.. Tahiti 267 1 50 66 34 1,351 11 253 512 418 Flour New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 2,127 »> • • ,, . . . ■ Furniture .. New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 453 3 31 3 34 524 ,, .. ,, . . • • Glassware and earthenware .. New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 100 10 13 11 >> * * »> • • Hardware New Zealand Unitea Kingaom New South Wales Victoria Germany United States America.. Tahiti 1,082 72 76 14 6 60 83 134 j, • ■ 9. »* * ' »» * * 99 * * 1,393 Hosiery 99 ' * New Zealand Unitea Kingdom New South Wales Germany Tahiti 290 10 ! 6 I 15 148 „ . . • . 469 36 Iron, bar .. „ galvanized sheets New Zealand 643 27 New South Wales 670 ,, fencing-wire .. New Zealand New South Wales 30 2 »» » Jams Machines, sewing New Zealand 41 8 109 102 32 61 New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti Matches .. New Zealand New South Wales Germany Tahiti 248 1 19 37 260 »> • • New Zealand 305 43 Meats fresh ., preserved New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 2,074 1 1 4 566 2 2,080 salted New Zealand Tahiti 568

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Cook and other Islands.—Port of Rarotonga.—Return of Imports for Year 1904 — contd.

84

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. Milk, preserved New Zealand Tahiti £ 126 1 £ ,, ,, • . . . • • . • 127 Nails New Zealand Tahiti 364 8 372 ,, • . . . • • . . . • Oil, kerosene, and benzine .. New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti United States America.. 353 36 14 52 455 ,, ,, „ . • . . . . „ linseed New Zealana New South Wales Tahiti Jl 12 8 81 50 Onions Paper New Zealand "84 11 New South Wales 95 99 ' - • ' ' • Paints and Varnish New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti United States America.. 80 62 20 18 180 21 92 ,, . . * . . . .9 • • . * » . • ■ Photographic goods Potatoes Provisions and oilmen's stores (unenumerated) New Zealand 912 13 21 16 4 69 >> . »> »* 9. New South Wales Victoria Unitea States America.. France Tahiti 1,035 9. >» Rice ,, . . . . . . New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti Unitea States America.. 285 29 144 33 „ .. .. .. ,, • . • . . . . • 491 Saddlery and harness .. .. New Zealand United States America.. 55 40 j Silks New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales France Tahiti j 147 12 4 14 63 95 240 Soap New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 494 18 9 521 Spirits—Brandy New Zealand Tahiti 4 4 „ Geneva ,, Rum .. .. New Zealand 8 48 Tahiti" 13 2 ,, ,, .. .. . • .. New Zealand New South Wales Canada 172 1 4 15 ,, Whisky 177 „ perfumed New Zealand Tahiti 34 13 Stationery and books New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 87 27 72 9 17 47 ,, .. 212 Sugar .. .. New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 877 9 39 925 Tanks, iron New Zealand New South Wales 30 11 Tar .. .. .. .... New Zealand \ j "77 2 7 41 15 Tea New South Wales Tahiti 86 ft ... . . . f t t r •

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Cook and other Islands. —Port of Rarotonga.—Return of Imports for Year 1904— contd.

' Total Values. £ From New Zealand .. .. .. .. .. .. 25,222 „ United Kingdom .. .. .. .. .. .. 1,373 „ New South Wales .. .. .. .. .. .. 789 „ Victoria .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 59 ~ Canada .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 54 „ Hongkong .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 72 „ United States .. .. .. .. .. .. 2,303 „ Germany .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 77 „ France .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 51 „ Samoa .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 29 „ Tahiti 3,370 £33,399 T. R. Herd, Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th January, 1905 Collector of Customs.

Article. Whence imported. Value. Total. "imber —-Fruit-boxes „ sawn, dressed New Zealand £ 380 5 350 21 £ 3,150 New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 756 „ sawn, rough New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 792 2 263 34 99 »* >> 1,091 'obacco, manufactured New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 187 48 20 99 99 • » „ cigars New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 11 4 4 255 ,j ,» • ■ • • 1 », ,» * ■ 'ranks New South Wales Hongkong Tahiti 2 72 48 ,, . . . . . . 122 tools ,, . . . . . . New Zealand. United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 77 17 16 56 5 ,, . . . . ,, . . . • • • Vine New Zealand Tahiti United States America.. 15 84 24 171 ,, . . . . Voodenware New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 103 16 13 39 [123 ,, . . . . ,, . * . . 53 5 81 171 Joods, miscellaneous New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 99 », „ », 139 £33,399

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c. Cook and other Islands Administration. —Accounts for Year ended 31 st March, 1905. Receipts. £ s. d. Expenditure. £ s. d. Balance in hand, Ist April, 1904 .. .. 2,610 17 0 Item. Revenue for year ended 31st March, 1905— 1. Salary Medical and Health Officer .. 350 0 0 Customs duties .. .. .. 2,075 16 10 2. Hospital supplies, attendance, &c. .. 25 4 5 Traders' licenses .. .. .. 351 0 0- 3. Island allowance, Collector of Customs 50 0 0 Sale of stamps 4. Salary, Registrar Land Titles and High Cook Islands 166 3 11 Courts 300 0 0 Penrhyn .. .. .. 37 11 11 5. Contingent expenditure, High Court .. 22 2 4 Aitutaki .. .. .. .. 10 14 2 6. Travelling and other expenses, Land Fees and fines— Titles Court .. .. .. 276 2 8 High Court .. .. .. 124 15 4 7. Salary, Civil Engineer and Surveyor .. 250 0 0 R.M. Court, Aitutaki .. .. 88 7 3 8. Salary, cadet in Survey Office .. 26 0 0 R.M. Court, Mangaia .. .. 42 4 3 9. Salary, Secretary, Interpreter, Printer.. 130 0 0 Fees, Land Titles Court (including survey 10. Salary, Chief Federal Council and Judge fees) .. .. .. 307 2 6 of Ariki Court .. .. .. 100 0 0 Rents _ .. .. .. 112 0 0 11. Salary, Vice-President Federal Council 15 0 0 Interest on fixed deposit .. .. 30 0 0 12. Salary, two Native Judges, High Court 20 0 0 Sale of coal .. .. -. 13 15 0 13. Subsidy to Tereora School .. .. 200 0 0 Shipping fees and sale of forms .. 2 0 6 14. Three pupil-teachers, Tereora School Profit from sale of liquor .. .. 60 5 5 15. Salary, Native Magistrate, Takitumu .. 20 0 0 Ariki Courts' fees and fines .. .. 83 12 6 16. Police, Rarotonga .. .. .. 27 0 0 Amount received from New Zealand Govern- 17. Clerks, Ariki Courts, Rarotonga (2) .. 15 0 0 ment on account of Customs duty 18. Rent of sites, wharf, hospital, post-office 21 5 0 collected in New Zealand on goods re- 19. Contingent expenditure .. .. 277 4 1 shipped to Cook Islands .. .. 2,068 14 5 20. Salary, Resident Agent, Penrhyn ... 175 0 0 21. Salary, Resident Agent, Aitutuki .. 150 0 0 22. Salary, Resident Agent, Mangaia .. 150 0 0 23. Subsidy pilot-boat, Aitutaki .. 10 0 0 24. Subsidy mail-canoe, Mangaia .. 5 0 0 25. Three Native Assessors, Aitutaki .. 15 0 0 26. Police, Aitutaki .. .. .. 25 0 0 27. Native Assessors, Mangaia ;. .. 10 0 0 28. Police, Mangaia .. .. .. 25 0 0 29. Clerks of Court, Mangaia 30. Postmaster, Mangaia .. .. 10 0 0 31. Postmasters (3)—Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro 12 0 0 32. Clerks of Court (3)—Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro 9 0 0 33. Assessors (3) —Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro .. 16 0 0 34. Police—Atiu, Mauke Mitiaro .. 10 0 0 | 35. Subsidy in aid of Government schooner] 1,000 0 0 36. Government Offices and House, Mangaia 384 1 3 37. Bridges (4), Rarotonga .. .. 200 0 0 38. Drainage Maraerenga Lagoon, Rarotonga 39. Lock-up, Rarotonga .. .. 23 14 4 Cost of Government schooner, first annual payment .. .. .. .. 301 11 3 Payments to New Zealand Government on adjustment of accounts— Cost of collection Customs duty at 1-J- per cent. .. .. .. .. 25 17 2 Salary and expenses, Collector of Customs to 30th June, 1902 .. .. 103 15 11 Coal transferred to Cook Island Government .. .. .. .. 134 17 0 Printing-press supplied (1902) .. .. 45 0 0 Expenses supplying stamps, 1891-2, £104 13s. 3d., less £52 voted by N.Z. Parliament .. .. .. .. 52 13 3 Expenses of Audit (1899-1900) .. 75 0 0 ;■:;. i £5,093 8 8 Balance on hand, 31st March, 1905 .. 3,092 2 4 £8485ir"(i £8.185 " 0 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 4th April, 1905. T. R. Herd, Treasurer.

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D. Cook and Northern Islands.—Estimate of Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1906.

Public Works. £ s. d. 38. Avarua Bridge (concrete) ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 39. Blasting reef-Dassage, Mauke ... ... ... ... 50 0 0 40. ~ Mangaia ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 41. Wharf, Mangaia (concrete and coral) ... ... ... 100 0 0 42. Road through Miakatea, Mangaia ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 43. Planting Takutea Island... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 14. Resumption of land for public purposes ... ... ... 100 0 0 £1,050 0 0 W. E. Gudgeon, Rarotonga, 7th April, 1905. Resident Commissioner. E. Cook and Northern Islands. —Estimate of Revenue for Year ending 31st March, 1906. T , _ Amount. Item - £ s. a. Customs duties collected in Cook Islands ... ... ... 2,000 0 0 New Zealand ... ... ... 800 0 0 Traders' licenses ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 Sale of stamps ... ... ... ... .. ... 300 0 0 Fees and fines, High Court ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Land Titles Court ... ... ... ..: 300 0 0 R.M. Court, Aitutaki ... ... ... 80 0 0 ~ ~ Mangaia ... ... ... 60 0 0 Arikis' Courts ... ... ... ... 80 0 0 Rents, Suwarrow, Palmerston, &c. ... ... ~. ... 100 0 0 Interest on fixed deposits ...• ... ... ... 60 0 0 £1,180 0 0 W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

Service. 1904-5. 1905-6. 1. Medical and Health Officer 2. Hospital supplies and attendance 3. Allowance present Collector of Customs 4. Registrar Land Titles and High Court 5. Contingent expenditure, High Court 6. Travelling-expenses, Land Titles Court 7. Civil Engineer and Surveyor 8. Cadets (2), Survey Office, £40 and £26 .. 9. Secretary, Interpreter, and Government Printer 10. Chief of Federal Council and Judge of Arikis' Court, Rarotonga 11. Vice-President of Federal Council 12. Native Judges (2), High Court, £10 13. Subsiay Tereora School 14. Native Magistrate, Takitumu 15. Police, Rarotonga 16. Clerks of Arikis' Courts, Rarotonga, £10 and £5 .. 17. Rents—Wharf £5, Hospital £7 10s., Post-office £8 15s. 18. Contingent expenditure . . .. .. 19. Resident Agent, Penrhyn 20. „ Aitutaki .. .. .. .... 21. ,, Mangaia 22. „ Manihiki 23. „ Rakahanga 24. Subsidy pilot-boat, Aitutaki 25. ,, mail-canoe, Mangaia 26. Native Assessors (3), Aitutaki, £5 27. Police, Aitutaki 28. Native Assessors, Mangaia 29. Police, Mangaia 30. Postmaster, Mangaia 31. Postmasters —Atiu, £6 ; Mauke, £3 ; Mitiaro, £3 32. Clerks of Court—Atiu, £4 ; Mauke, £3 ; Mitiaro, £3 33. Assessors (3) —Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro 34. Police—Atiu, £6 ; Mauke, £4 ; Mitiaro, £4 35. Subsidy to Government schooner 36. ,, towards destruction of flying-fox 37. „ „ cool-chamber for meat, &c. £ s. d. 350 0 0 150 0 0 50 0 0 300 0 0 50 0 0 200 0 0 250 0 0 26 0 0 130 0 0 100 0 0 15 0 0 20 0 0 200 0 0 20 0 0 30 0 0 15 0 0 21 5 0 200 0 0 175 0 0 150 0 0 150 0 0 £ s. d. 350 0 0 150 0 0 50 0 0 300 0 0 50 0 0 200 0 0 250 0 0 66 0 0 140 0 0 100 0 0 15 0 0 20 0 0 200 0 0 20 0 0 30 0 0 15 0 0 21 5 0 200 0 0 175 0 0 160 0 0 160 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 15 0 0 29 0 0 16 0 0 25 0 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 10 0 0 16 0 0 14 0 0 700 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 10 0 0 5 0 0 15 0 0 25 0 0 16 0 0 25 0 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 10 0 0 16 0 0 11 0 0 700 0 0 Totals .. 3,457 5 0 3,654 5 0

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F. The Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court. Sir, — Registrar's Office, Rarotonga, Ist April, 1905. I have the honour to report on the work of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court for the year ending the 31st March, 1905, as follows: — The number of new applications lodged during the year has been as follows: Rarotonga, 67 ; Aitutaki, 34; Mauke, 21; Mangaia, 3; Atiu, 1; Rakahanga, 19; Manihiki, 1: total, 119. During the year sittings of the Court have been held as follows : Rarotonga, 20 days; Aitutaki, 22 days; Mitiaro, 1 day; Mauke, 6 days; Atiu, 1 day; Mangaia, 1 day: total, 51 days. The number of orders made by the Court at these sittings were as follows: Orders on investigation of title—Rarotonga 99, Aitutaki 60, Mitiaro 1, Mauke 9, Atiu none, Mangaia 1 : total 170; other orders—Rarotonga 5, Aitutaki 12, Mitiaro 3, Mauke 6, Atiu 3, and Mangaia 6: total 35. Total orders, 205. In all these cases surveys of the land have been completed by the Government Surveyor, Mr. Connal, and the Court orders are in most cases now available for issue to the owners on the payment of the fees imposed by the Court. The fees imposed by the Court during the year have been as follows: — Court Fees. Survey Fees. Total. £ a. d. £ a. d. £ a. d. Rarotonga , .. 119 5 0 158 15 0 278 0 0 Aitutaki 80 15 0 80 10 0 161 5 0 Mitiaro 3 0 0 3 10 0 6 10 0 Mauke ... 15 15 0 30 10 0 16 5 0 Atiu ... ... 250 300 550 Mangaia 6 5 0 18 0 0 21 5 0 Totals £227 5 0 £291 5 0 £52110 0 Registration of adopted Native children is now effected through the Land Titles Court, and adoptions have been registered as follows: .Rarotonga 38, fees £9 10s.; Aitutaki 3, fees 155.: total 11, total fees, £10 ss. The amount of fees actually received during the year has been £307 2s. 6d., which has been duly paid into the Treasury. The amount of fees outstanding on the 31st March, 1905, is as follows: — Court Fees. Survey Fees. Total. £ B. a. £ s. a. £ a. d. Rarotonga 196 16 0 206 18 0 103 14 0 Aitutaki ... .. -. 77 0 0 87 0 0 161 0 0 Mauke 16 0 0 24 0 0 10 0 0 Mangaia ... 515 0 17 0 0 22 15 0 Mitiaro ... 3 0 0 3 10 0 6 10 0 Atiu 2 5 0 3 0 0 5 5 0 Manihiki 0 15 0 - ° 15 ° Totals £30111 0 £341 8 0 £612 19 0 With reference to the large amount of fees outstanding in Rarotonga, I would point out that some of these fees have now been in the books for close on two years. I would, therefore, suggest that the parties should be asked to make payment of at least a portion of the fees so long out'"shfe'e the establishment of the Court forty-four certificates of title under Regulation No. 11l have been issued to Europeans in respect of lands held by them. I have, &c, E. Blame, Registrar.

g IR _. Survey Department, Rarotonga, Bth April, 1905. I have the honour to submit to you my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1905, on the general survey of the Cook Islands. Islands Visited. During the year, besides Rarotonga, I visited, for surveying purposes, the islands of Aitutaki, Mangaia, Mauke, and Mitiaro. Land Titles Court Work. The amount of work done by this Department for the Land Titles Court will, I have no doubt, be shown in the Registrar's report. It is, therefore, unnecessary for me to report. Many of the nieces measured for the Land Court have many lines to enclose a small area, and, as a rule, a tree marks the corner. It is, therefore, nearly always a case of traversing and computing the direct bearing and distance from corner to corner, which means, as a rule, a good deal of labour Up to the present this has been done for all the orders issued. But as we find we cannot keep pace and do this with the work required of us, with your permission it has been decided, for the orders only, that each piece shall be drawn to a fairly large scale, and the dimensions measured on paper and marked on the order as approximately correct only, and when a title is required the exact dimensions will be computed and given.

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Standard Surveys. The system I have adopted as far as possible is to have a standard survey made first in a district or island before any other surveying is done, having permanent stations at every 20 chains or so, in easily got-at places such as main roads, or on the coast where there are no coast-roads. Permanent Station.— An iron bolt about 18 in. long and fin. in diameter is driven into the ground (on rock a shorter bolt is used) before or when the survey is being made, and afterwards a concrete block 12 in. by 12 in. and about 12 in. deep is made round the bolt. A broad arrow and the station-number is marked on the top of the block while the plaster is still wet. The top of the concrete is on the ground-level. Bearings.—Ml bearings shown on plans of the Cook and other Islands are true unless otherwise stated, generally obtained from solar observations. As a rule, when the sun is visible at every survey made, the true bearing is observed for at least once a day. In starting a survey in an island where the standard survey has been made, I start from a C.B. (concreted bolt) or connect to the C.8., or both if possible, and if I do not know the true bearing to a distant station, I assume a bearing generally by compass and allowing for variation (so as to be somewhere near the true bearing) survey on on that datum and observe to the sun at first chance. After computing the true bearing I mark in field-book the correction to be applied to all bearings for true bearings. When permanent trig, stations have been fixed on the hills direct true bearings will, in many cases, be obtained right away from the C.B.'s. This applies only to Rarotonga, and perhaps in some plans to Aitutaki only, as all the other islands are almost flat. Scales of Plans. —The scales of the plans are —Settlement, 2 chains to the inch; district, 5 chains to the inch; island, 10 chains to the inch; and island, 20 chains to the inch. None of the plans are sufficiently far advanced to forward with this report, but I hope next year to be able to forward plans of several of the islands. Latitudes and Longitudes. When an island is visited for Land Court work very little time is at my disposal for anything but the actual Land Court work, as we have to keep the Land Court going. But this year I hope to fix the latitude and longitude of each island visited. For the purpose of longitude lam trying to get a chronometer which will be also useful for the time at Rarotonga. At present I observe for time, if possible, every Saturday morning. Metric System. On all plans now issued the lengths are given in metres and the areas in ares and hectares. Island Surveys. The coast-line of some of the islands is very rocky and rough—for instance, Mauke, Mitiaro, and Mangaia. On the dry land it would be rather rough to traverse, but between the reef and the rocks traversing is simple, and, as a rule, long shots are obtained. In places the work cannot be done at high tide or when there is a heavy sea. Rarotonga.— During the year the coast-line survey—about twenty miles—of Rarotonga has been completed, and half of the main road round the island. The error or close was in latitude 13 links and in longitude 12 links. The 13 links I know is not good, but the weather was so cloudy and I ran for several days on short lines without a sight to the sun. We are now working a mainroad traverse round the island independent of the coast traverse, and connecting to the coast traverse at every two miles or so, leaving permanent stations on the main road as before described at every 20 chains. The two values of each station are shown in the book of co-ordinates. When the work is completed one value will be adopted for each station (C.8.). The total area of Rarotonga I make 16,500 acres, and the height of the highest point observed, Te Atu Kura, 2,100 ft. above sea-level (to the nearest 10 ft.). During the next year I hope to be able to spare the time from Land Court work to have flags on the principal hills, and get their positions and heights determined. Aitutaki.— Besides the Land Court work done a survey round the coast was made, leaving permanent concreted bolts at every 20 chains or so, and marked the same as in Rarotonga. The error in latitude was 1 links, and in longitude 10 links. The distance round the island is fourteen miles and a half. The total area of Aitutaki I make 3,900 acres. For the Land Court we had also to survey three of the motus or reef islands. Mauke. —Besides the Land Court work we made a coast survey of the island, and left permanent marks as before described. The error in the traverse round Mauke was in latitude 23 links, and in longitude 13 links. The distance round the island by the coast is ten miles. The total area of Mauke I make 3,600 acres. Mangaia.— Besides the Court work, the main road and coast-line were surveyed as far as Tamarua, a distance of four miles and a half, leaving permanent marks. Mitiaro. —Besides the Court work, we surveyed a road partly across the island, a distance of about one mile and a half. Assistance. During the year as assistant I have had Mr. Henry Williams at £26 per annum, and one chainman, and employed labour as required. Mr. Williams has prepared all the plans for the Land Court, and has been of great assistance to me. I am pleased to hear that his salary has been raised to £40 per annum, and an extra assistant appointed to do the work that he has been doing, so as to allow him to undertake some of the easier computations. Perhaps in some instances the work has not been carried out to the high standard required by the New Zealand Survey Department, but it must always be remembered that we have to get through a lot of work as fees are small. I have, &c, H, M. Connal, Government Surveyor.

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No. 167. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 12th April, 1905. Referring to my letter of the 28th February, I now beg to enclose copies of a return supplied by the Secretary of Customs, showing the quantities of bananas, oranges, and pines imported into this colony from the Cook Islands, the outside islands, and the Australian Commonwealth during the year 1904. I shall be glad if you will hand some of these to the committee of fruit-growers who have reported on the question of the development of the fruit trade fn the Cook Group. They wished to have this information to assist them when further considering the matter. You will observe that of the total quantity of bananas imported into this colony last year — about 11,000,000 lb.—only about one-fifth came from our own Islands. Of the oranges imported our Islands sent about one-half, and of the pines between a fourth and a third. I would like you to call the attention of the committee to these facts, and to see whether, in view of them, they can still promise that within a reasonable time the whole of the fruit required by New Zealand can be supplied by the Cook Islands. In the case of bananas particularly a greatly increased production will be necessary, and, notwithstanding the satisfactory expansion of the trade in this fruit which the committee's letter discloses, it seems doubtful if we shall find ourselves independent of outside sources of supply for some years to come. I feel sure, however, that the committee will spare no effort to bring the fruit-production of our Islands as speedily as possible up to the point of supplying the whole need of the colony, and I, as Minister in Charge of the Islands, will certainly do all in my power to encourage the highest possible development of the resources of our island possessions, and to obtain the faster and more frequent steamer service which I am convinced the growth of the island trade will ere long demand. It will be understood, of course, that, so far as protective duties are concerned, nothing can be done until Parliament meets. I shall be glad to hear further from yourself and the committee after consideration has been given to the figures now forwarded. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 149.

Enclosure. Return showing the Quantities of each Class of Fruit imported from Cook and other Islands annexed Colony, during the Year 1904, and Similar Particulars regarding the Fruit received from the Outside Islands and Australia.

W. T. Glasgow, Secretary and Inspector. Department of Trade and Customs, Wellington, 31st March, 1905.

No. 168. S IX __ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th April, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd March, reporting the death of Panapa Wairuarangi, Resident Agent at Rakahanga. I am sorry you have lost such an able representative, and in the absence of any one on the island competent to fill Panapa's place I think you had better ask Mr. H. Williams, as you suggest, to take charge of Rakahanga as well as Manihiki, at a small annual salary. I will hear further from you after your visit to the island, however, when whoever you select will be formally appointed. ■> ■> I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 153

No. 169. SIR __ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th April, 1905. Referring to your letter of the 21th December, submitting certain questions in connection with " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1901," for decision by the Law Officers, 1 have to say that I have received the Solicitor-General's opinion on the several points raised, and enclose two copies herewith for your information. . .... . You will observe that Dr. Fitchett holds that the Act repeals the local Ordinance of 1901 only in so far as there is conflict or inconsistency between them. The law as to making gifts of liquor to Natives and as to treating Chinamen as Natives, will therefore remain m force and if regulations are issued, limiting the quantity of liquor that may be imported by or delivered to any person most of the provisions of the Ordinance will be retained. Dr. Fitchett also points out that

No. 117

Kind of Fruit. Cook and other Annexed Islands. Outside Islands. Australia. iananas •ranges 'ines Lb. 2,894,923 4,311,942 334,140 Lb. 11,024,030 1,547,946 357,711 Lb. 303,483 3,098,289 534,750

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the importation of liquor from foreign islands which you feared would take place is not permissible under the provisions of the Act. You will have probably noticed that the sale of claret, which the Ordinance allowed for general purposes, is allowed under the Act only for the purposes specified in subsection (1) of section 22. I am forwarding you two cojdes of " The Licensing Act, 1881," as desired by Mr. Blame. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 170. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th April, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd December, with reference to the policy adopted by you to encourage progress among the Natives of the Cook Islands. I am satisfied that your recommendations have in all cases been prompted by a desire to further the best interests of the Islands, and I have no wish to restrict you in carrying out the policy which you, from a close acquaintance with all the conditions, deem to be necessary. It may help you, however, to know how these matters are viewed from the standpoint of people in New Zealand who have not the knowledge of the facts that you have. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. ne.

No. 171. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th April, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of'the 24th February, No. 22, reporting that there had been some conflict between the Arikis, Makea and Karika, and their people, the occasion of the trouble being an attempt on the part of Karika to place a rahui over certain lands claimed by the occupants by right of gift from a former Ariki. You have already warned Makea that she is acting unwisely in pressing her authority too far, and Ido not see that you can do anything further at the present juncture. When the claims of the people come before the Land Titles Court for settlement, however, the matter will probably develop further, and you may-have an indication, as you suggest, as to how far the influence of the Arikis over the people is waning. The position then, I imagine, will need to be very carefullydealt with, as whatever advantages may accrue to the people from the removal of the Arikis' rule, it will be as well that the change should not be made hurriedly. I have, &c, Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No 148

No. 172. Sir,- Niue, 15th April, 1905. 1 have the honour to suggest that, if possible, the Order in Council of the 10th of December, 1903, might be modified by specifying that only " black twist tobaccos " shall be admitted into Niue at Is. per pound duty in Hue of 3s. 6d. per pound. Several attempts have been made to introduce superior qualities of tobacco into Niue at the lower rate of duty, and invoices have been produced showing that the goods were purchased at Is. per pound, or under, although the quality of the article would indicate a much higher value. I am doubtful whether these tobaccos can legally be assessed at the higher rate of duty, as the Order in Council states " genuine invoice value," not " genuine market value." I would be glad if you will kindly hear what Mr. Paul has to say on this subject, as his experience here will enable him to give an opinion. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 173. Sir,-— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 15th April, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 24th March (written in Wellington), with reference to the proportion of the loss incurred in running the " Countess of Ranfurly " which should be borne by the Niue Island Administration, and am of opinion that a payment of £300, as proposed by you, will fairly cover Niue's liability for the two years 1903 and 1904, being at the rate of £150 a year. Of the amount of £300 which it is intended to set aside annually to create a sinking fund, I propose that Niue shall pay one-sixth, £50, and I am claiming a similar proportion of the amount that has been paid during the past three years as premiums on the insurance of the vessel. I enclose an account showing the sum which appears to be payable by your Administration to the Cook Islands Treasury, in order to effect an adjustment of accounts on the lines indicated above, and I shall be glad if you will forward a cheque for the amount, £436 Is. Id., to Colonel Gudgeon. I enclose also a copy of a letter I have sent him in reference to this matter. The arrangement already made as to the payment of the cost of the schooner by the two Administrations will stand. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 156,

See No. 174.

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Enclosure. Niue Island Administration dr. to Government of Cook and other Islands. £ s. d. Contribution from Niue towards recouping loss on running " Countess of Ranfurly " for years 1903 and 1904 ... ... ... ..." ... ... ... 300 0 0 Proportion of insurance premiums on schooner paid for years 1902-3, 1903-4, and 1904-5— £ s. d. 282 11 6 282 12 6 70 16 9 One-sixth of £636 0 9 ... ... ... ... ... ... 106 0 1 Proportion of payment on acount of sinking fund for year 1905 —one-sixth of £300 ... 50 0 0 £156 0 i Less amount received in Rarotonga as Customs duty on goods afterwards shipped to Niue (as per Colonel Gudgeon's letter to Minister of the sth August, 1901) ... 19 19 0 £436 1 1

No. 174. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 15th April, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st January, with reference to setting aside an annual amount for the purpose of creating a sinking fund to provide against the loss of the schooner "Countess of Ranfurly." There is no need to pay over the amount annually to this Government in the way you suggest. What I propose is that a special account be opened with the Bank of New Zealand at Auckland, and the sum of £300 lodged by you on fixed deposit each year. After discussing with Mr. Maxwell the question of the proportion which should be paid by his Administration on account of the schooner, I am of opinion that as regards the sinking fund a payment of £50 will be a fair annual contribution from Niue, being one-sixth of the total, and I propose to ask him to pay this amount over to you each year. As to the loss on the running of the vessel, I have arranged with him that he shall pay you a sum of £300 to cover Niue's liability for the years 1903 and 1904, being at the rate of £150 a year. Any loss incurred during this year or subsequently can be apportioned when the amount has been ascertained. I enclose a copy of an account I am sending to Mr. Maxwell, claiming on your behalf the abovementioned sum of £300 on account of loss on running, the first payment of £50 towards the sinking fund, and also one-sixth of the amount paid for insurance during the years 1902-3, 1903-4, and 1904.-5. The amount paid for 1904-5, £70 I6s. 9d. (three months only), has just recently been advised by the Agent-General, and I shall be glad to receive your cheque for it at your convenience. The payment of the enclosed claim will, I think, settle all outstanding accounts as between your Government and the Niue Island Administration. Any amount payable to Niue in respect of duty received in Rarotonga on goods afterwards shipped to Niue which may have accrued in addition to the sum of £19 195., mentioned in your letter of the sth August last, can be handed over to Mr. Maxwell later on, when the amount has been ascertained. I shall be glad to hear that this adjustment meets with your aproval. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

See No. 173,

No. 175. Colonel Gudgeon, Rarotonga. Post, Auckland. 18th April, 1905. Governor has received despatch from High Commissioner forwarding extract from a report from master of steamer " Upolu "re severe gale at Manihiki last month. Tukao Village said to be half washed away and Tauhonu also severely damaged. Grave fears entertained at Manihiki concerning Penrhyn and Rakahanga, both being lower. Westerly gale blowing eighteen days, and seas enormous. Copy of despatch next mail. C. H. Mills.

No. 176. gm _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th April, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th March, and am pleased to hear that the dispute between the Arikis, Makea and Karika, and their people has been dealt with by the Land Titles Court, and that the decision has given satisfaction to the residents of the island lam glad also that Makea has decided to have her land put through the Court, as it shows that the advantage of having the titles clearly defined is recognised. I note that the lad, Henry Williams, employed in the Survey Office as a draughtsman, has proved a success This is gratifying, and you are authorised to take on another cadet to assist in the work of the office. l have. &0., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. t,. 11. mills.

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No. 177. Sir, — Rarotonga, 21th April, 1905. I have the honour to bring under your notice a complaint recently made before the High Court at Mangaia, and to suggest that certain rules should be made to guide the Native inhabitants of these Islands in the election of Arikis, Mataiapos, or Kavanas. The complaint made is as follows: The Chief Puroku was elected by the Manahune Tribe of Ivirua as their Kavana, and this was done with the approval of the old Kavana Taipo, who put on one side his own son Tangi, and caused Puroku, of the elder branch, to be elected. No complaint against Puroku has been made or received, but a few months since John Ariki and Miringitangi went to Ivirua and deposed Puroku, setting up his cousin Tangi —a mere creature of theirs —in his place, and this they did against the wishes of the Manahune people. The only excuse that John can offer for his unauthorised interference is that they did it to save trouble. This is, of course, absurd, for the Manahune support Puroku as against Tangi. I have pointed out to John and Miringitangi that their action was illegal; that the Manahune alone had the right to select their Kavana, and no one could properly interfere with them, excepting always the Governor of New Zealand, who could and would intervene to prevent the election of any man not legally entitled to the position. I would suggest that a few simple rules should be laid down for the guidance of the people in such cases. At present improper elections are the rule, and the small people are bounced into consent by being told that the new form of government is responsible. I would suggest that I be instructed to inform the Manahune people that, Puroku having been duly elected and recognised by the Government, he will continue in the position of Kavana. I have the honour to forward herewith a few rules which, if approved by you, will save much trouble and future heartburning. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Rules to govern the election of all Arikis, Kavanas, and Mataiapos within the Cook Islands. All Arikis, Kavanas, and Mataiapos shall be elected by a majority- of the tribe or family whom it is intended they shall represent, and no person outside of such tribe or family shall take part in such election. Such election shall take place in the presence of some person to be appointed for that purpose by the Resident Commissioner, and such person shall certify to the Resident Commissioner that such election has been conducted in accordance with the provisions of this regulation. . The candidate for election shall be cliosen from the children (or near relatives in default of children) of the deceased Ariki, Kavana, or Mataiapo, unless it be shown that the deceased had no right to the office to which he had been chosen, or that the children of the deceased were mentally or morally unfit for the position, of which condition the Resident Commissioner shall be the sole judge. Notice of every person properly elected to any of the positions above mentioned shall be given in the Cook Islands Gazette, and signed by the Resident Commissioner, and no election shall be deemed valid until such Gazette notice has been given. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, 28th April, 1905. Resident Commissioner.

No. 178. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1905. In reply to your leter No. 87, of the 15th instant, I have the honour to inform you that No. 17-1 if, in your opinion, "it is advisable that a sinking fund should be established on acount of the schooner "' Countess of Ranfurly," the arrangements suggested by you will be entirely satisfactory, since we have simply to transfer a small part of our surplus from the bank to another fund, for which we shall receive fair interest. The contribution by Niue towards the loss experienced in running the schooner is also satisfactory, and I have instructed Mr. Blame to forward a cheque for £70 16s. 9d. for the three months' insurance already effected. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 179. g IE Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 67, of the 11th instant, I have the honour to inform you that No. 165, the Union Company "have realised that they ?uade a fatal mistake in refusing to call at Mauke during the past year, and are not likely to repeat the blunder. We must, therefore, expect them

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to compete with us in obtaining cargo from each and every island of the Group, and that they will do so must be regarded as certain. Under these circumstances the Islands traders must be expected to take the course that will best serve their interests, and that may well be to throw us over in favour of the company's steamers. If, however, we can arrange to take a direct shipment, we should be in a position to do so about the middle of September, but not earlier, unless Grice, Sunnier, and Co. decide not to charter the schooner for Maiden in August next. Then it will depend on the shippers whether we go direct to Wellington or not. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 180. g lß> — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1905. I have the honour to acknowdedge the receipt of your telegram of the 18th April, with reference to the hurricane at Manihiki. I have already heard rumours of this from Niue, and shall proceed to the northern islands by the mission steamer when she arrives here in a few days. It is possible that Penrhyn, being two hundred miles away, may have escaped the full force of the hurricane, but I do fear that Rakahanga may have suffered badly as also Pukapuka. This has undoubtedly been the most stormy year within the memory of those now living in the Pacific. Captain AVinchester reports that there have been three gales of hurricane force at the Paumotus within the month of March, and from what I hear it is only Rarotonga that has really escaped damage. I will report immediately on my return and expect to leave here about the 12th May. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 175,

No. 181. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1905. I have the honour to forward attached minutes of a meeting held at Makea's house in order to ascertain, as nearly as possible, the views of the Arikis on the land question. The remarks made by the Arikis who spoke on that day do not in any way represent their opinions, for they will not be satisfied with anything less than an order forbidding the small people from bringing their land claims before the Court. _ _ The position of Avarua is as follows: Ever since the introduction of the Christian religion the several Makeas have devoted themselves to establishing their own power at the expense of their own people, whom they no longer required since the presence of the mission was sufficient to guarantee them against the attack of the Ngatangiia people. They have, therefore, seized all that there was of power or land to be seized, and whenever 'that power had to be placed m the hands of another they have appointed their own creatures, to the exclusion of the rightful men, and they have gradually established the theory that all of the land belonged to the Arikis, and that the people had become mere tenants at will. In upholding this view they now claim that they are upholding the rights of the Arikis. This view, I submit, is simply nonsense, and cannot be supported. In Arorangi and at Takitumu every man has his own land, and it is only at Avarua that we are told that even the Ariki family are mere tenants at will. It is this claim that the claimants are opposing in the Land Titles Court, and the evidence given often shows the Arikis in a very unfavourable light. The rights of- those who have held and worked the land for hundreds of years must be respected, but, as I have pointed out to the Arikis they have taken up a very untenable position, and every judgment against them weakens their niana It is this that I have tried to prevent, and hence my speech to the Arikis. Personally I believe that the old Maori authority- ought to be preserved, but the Maoris themselves make it very difficult to do so. l n J W. E. Gudgeon. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. 4 meeting was held at Makea's palace, Rarotonga, on the 22nd day of April, 1905 Present: Colonel W E Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner and Chief Judge of the Land Titles Court; Makea Ariki Tinoniana Ariki, Karika Ariki, Pa Ariki, Kainuku Ariki, Makea Daniela Vakatini- E Blame, Registrar of Land Titles Court; and S. Savage, Interpreter. 'The Resident Commissioner: This is a meeting called to discuss the position of the Arikis at the nresent day Nothing should be hidden. Ido not like certain things, and lam going to mention them and it will be for the Arikis to say what they think concerning these matters. The Government recognises three Arikis in this island, each of whom is independent of the others, but subject to the Governor and Government of New Zealand. Now, I tell you officially that it

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is the desire of the Government of New Zealand to support these three Arikis in all matters wherein they shall act legally and within their rights, but you must not construe this to mean that you will be allowed to behave oppressively and turn people off the land. The law, and the law alone, can deprive a man of his property. You are not the law, but from your position as Arikis you are expected to uphold the law, and if you do not, then Arikis will not be required. So far as 1 can see there will not be the least difficulty in arranging that the Land Titles Court shall not interfere with the true rights of the Arikis, but the Arikis must behave with wisdom, and not like children who expect to have their own way in everything. The Arikis must assist me to apply the law of Great Britain in such a way as not to interfere with the legal powers of the Arikis under the old akonoanga Maori. This can be done, and Pa Ariki, who has assisted in every way to obtain a good Court title for the lands of his people, knows that his authority has not suffered by that fact. I may point out, however, that my intentions can hardly be carried out if Makea continues the line of action she has lately adopted, for that line of action will embitter the whole of the people against her. I will" now tell Makea what I mean by this. She had no right whatever to interfere in the election of Karika. Her mana is over the Ngati Makea She has no mana over the Ngati Karika. She had no right to interfere with the Ui Rangatira of Karika, and, moreover, Karika had no right to appoint his successor. These Rangatiras are of the Makea family, and, as far as blood goes, are the same as Makea, though of the younger branch, but they belong to the Karika family, and it was their right to elect the Ariki. By Makea's subsequent action she drove these people into bringing their lands before the Court, and then appeared with others to oppose them. The lands were theirs, and every one knew it, and it was a matter of no moment to the Court whether these lands were obtained by conquest or by a gift direct from Makea's ancestors to the forefathers of the claimants. In either case the lands belonged to the Ui Rangatira of Karika, and had Makea left Karika to deal with them, there would have been no trouble. Atinga is not given for lands that belong to a man who occupies his own lands. That tribute is given by a man who occupies the land of others. Ido not think that Makea realised how her people regarded her action in that case. To them she appeared in the Court as supporting the Uriarau family in their claim to the Nauparatoa land, to which they had no other right than by occupation. She cannot expect that the Rangatiras of Karika will kauraro to her after this. I have mentioned the election of Karika, because it is at the bottom of all this evil, but 1 consider that it would be unwise to upset that election. Karika will make a good Ariki, but she must avoid heing led by others. It must not be said that Moeua is the Ariki. I now come to the case of Pora, a descendant of Makea te Patua Kino, through Te Vakatini. This man claimed two small pieces of land, and a dead set was made at him in Court to show that he had no land. The Court has both eyes and ears, and could see and hear what was going on. Ido not know that Pora has broken any of the old rules of the akonoanga Maori, and if he°has not done so, why should he kauraro to a man who is only his chief by reason of a fraud practised on the whole of the Vakatini Tribe, an injury inflicted by the strong against the weak, in defiance of every principle of right and justice. It seems to me that this injury requires redress, and ought to be inquired into by the Government of New Zealand. If this opposition is continued to the detriment of the Vakatini Tribe, it will be my duty to represent the whole position to the authorities in New Zealand, with a view to obtaining an inquiry. The fact is that these cases of injustice are so numerous that it is time that there was an inquiry. I refer to the Tamaiva case, and to that of the old woman Ruariki, who complains that she has twice been turned off her lands by Moeua. This woman is certainly not fit to be the head of her tribe, for she has decided to leave the punishment of her enemies in the hands of God, who will punish evil-doers. This may be so, but she forgets that meanwhile her people have lost their rights, and the punishment to be inflicted hereafter on evil-doers will not bring the land back. lam told in the Court that Pora, a descendant of Makea, has no land. This is such a palpable absurdity that I say the sooner Vakatini finds him land the better, or I shall put him into the Tutakimoa Block as an owner, for it is admitted that the site of Apai's house is on that land, and he has certainly a greater right there than Makea Daniela. I will now return to the rights of the Arikis, which some of you suppose to be lost, and. I ask you how can they be lost? If there are any just obligations resting on any land those obligations will be respected, and any award that the Court may make will be subject' to such obligations, which the Court may reduce into an annual moneypavment. But you must not expect that the Court will recognise the right of any Ariki to trample on or make indefinite claims upon their people. Makea objects to the people telling her that they are British subjects, and that they will only acknowledge the King and his Government. If by this they mean that they will only obey the laws they are not far wrong; but they must also obey old customs affecting the land whenever the Court shall have found that such customs exist, and are neither unjust nor oppressive. Again, I repeat that every man of the people of Makea, Karika, and of Vakatini has land somewhere in this island; the land belongs to the tribe, and the Arikis are merely custodians for the tribe, and they must find the people land. If the Arikis will refrain from opposing the just claims of their people, and will simply show to the Court what the liabilities of the particular land are, those liabilities will be enforced and respected. It may be that we shall find it necessary to pass some law to give proper effect to the decisions of the Court on the side of the overlord/ but that can easily be done. Let me impress upon you all this fact. I have found in this island a lot of people who have been so ground down, and are so ignorant, that they are unable or afraid to protect themselves; • these people I am bound to protect, if only for their very helplessness, and I do not expect to have the Arikis against me in such a work. I expect them to assist me, and I suggest for their consideration that if they want the office of Ariki continued beyond their own time, they will do well to make the cause of the people their own. When I first came to Rarotonga Mr. Moss said that the people were oppressed, and their rights ought to be regarded, but that it would be difficult to do so. I have not found it

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so bad as Mr. Moss led me to believe, but still there is a great deal which should not be done. There are a large number of people who are unable to help themselves, and these we are bound to protect, and in this I do not expect the Arikis to be against me. What I have said to-day is in my heart, and I know it is for the good of the people and the Arikis. In New Zealand the people are being put on the land so that no one should be poverty-stricken. Therefore the people of New Zealand would think badly of us here if the small people were not protected; but, at the same time, the small people should not unduly assert themselves over the bigger people. I shall be glad to hear anything that the Arikis may say, but before concluding I will quote from a memorandum left by Mr. Moss, in which he says as follows: "In Rarotonga the law ought to give a good title also to the people in the settlement lands set aside by the chiefs and given in trust to the mission. Sites leased to Europeans to the present time, let them remain undisturbed, and the rents be paid to the owner as they are now, but with the rest of the land something definite ought to be done. Those who are living on it ought certainly not to be disturbed unless by the decision of a proper Court on grounds that the law should state." Makea Daniela Vakatini: Concerning the interference of Makea in the election of Karika, I would point out that the old tapuna custom is that all should meet and decide what was to be done, and the Mataiapos would finish the work. That is why Makea took part. Concerning the house-sites we are not causing any trouble. The Resident Commissioner: I did not say you were. I only read Mr. Moss's memorandum. Makea Daniela Vakatini: Concerning my trouble with Pora, it is asserted that I have no right in Vakatini, and that Pora has more right than I. The Resident Commissioner: Yes, on one piece, but not in reference to all the Vakatini lands. Makea Daniela Vakatini: I might have misunderstood the matter. There is really no trouble between Pora and me. If he had asked me for anything I would have given it in peace, but he wants now to be separated from me and to obtain the title. When the decision of the Court was given I was told that I had no claim to the title of Vakatini. The Resident Commissioner: You have no descent from the first Vakatini which would give you a right to the title. Makea Daniela Vakatini: I did not think it would have been put in that light. I will explain my descent. Tapaeru Ariki married Vakatini. One of their daughters was Ngatariau, who married Makea Takoa. Their child was Takau, who married Makea Puri, and their children are the ancestors of the Makeas, Tinomanas, and myself. They were all read Vakatinis, and that is why I am a Ngati Vakatini. The Resident Commissioner: The most important thing to consider is what is to be done to preserve the rights of the Arikis over land in which the people have rights. Makea Daniela Vakatini: We want no trouble over the matter. If we have children the eldest gets the title, and the other children get their portion. The Resident Commissioner: Why was there interference in the election of Karika 1 Makea Daniela Vakatini: Because each Ariki should assist the other. The Resident Commissioner: What I. want is to give the small people what they are entitled to, but Ido not want to take away any of the rights of the overlords. How are we to arrange it? Makea Daniela Vakatini: If the Ui Rangatira had approached us no trouble would have come. The people have been listening to outsiders, and that is why the Ui Ariki have felt annoyed. The Resident Commissioner: This has been going on ever since I came here, and why? Because they wished to put down Makea. Makea Daniela Vakatini: If the Rangatiras had come to Makea and made known their requests there would have been no trouble. One is angry with the other. I have told the Vakatini people to have their land surveyed and brought before the Court. The Resident Commissioner: When a man puts in an application he should inform the Ariki, and it should then be arranged as to the obligations of the land. If the parties came to an agreement the Court would give effect to it. If not, then the Court would decide the matter. Makea Ariki: I and my Rangatiras have had no trouble. We will have our land surveyed. I told them if any one had only a small section it would have to remain so, and that they must not take any land from the big pieces of Karika or Vakatini. Our trouble is in payment of the fees. The Resident Commissioner: You can have three years to pay the fees. Where there is atinga it should be in money, and not in pigs or other indefinite payment. The Government would collect the atinga money and pay it over to the overlord. Makea Ariki: In the old times we did not know the use of money. If I wanted work done my people did it. Makea Daniela Vakatini: We could discuss these things in the Council. Pa Ariki: We have assembled with the Resident Commissioner concerning the trouble between the Arikis and the people. This trouble has come because the people have got conceited. They think that when they get the land they become Rangatiras, and will not return to the Arikis. They do not remember the customs of their ancestors—that is, in going to their elders to ask advice. If they still did that there would be no trouble. In my settlement the first to have the leased land surveyed was Karika. She came and told me, and there was no trouble. I afterwards arranged with my Mataiapos to have the Vaimaanga lands put through the Court. We met and fixed the boundaries of the blocks and defined the obligations of the lands. The Court indorsed what we had fixed If the same thing were done in Avarua there would bo no trouble there. Tinomana Ariki: We have the same trouble in Arorangi. The people quote the cases of the Ngati Karika and Vakatini. ' Makea Ariki: The people think that the Arikis have no more say m matters. The Resident Commissioner: How are they going to put the Arikis down? The Arikis are the governing members of the Island Council as fixed by the law of New Zealand. I will carry

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out what I have said. All applicants to the Court for land must go to the Arikis and arrange as to the obligations of the land before coming to Court. If they cannot settle matters the Court will. The obligations will be recorded, and if lawful will be put at a money value. Makea Daniela Vakatini: Tuatua meitaki —the talk is good. All is now clearer to us. The meeting closed.

No. 182. Sir,— Rarotonga, 27th April, 1905. I have the honour to forward herewith the annual report and balance-sheet of the Schooner Department of the local Government of the Cook Islands. You will observe that the receipts and expenditure for the past two years reach almost the same figures, and I cannot say that the receipts for the current year will exceed that of the past two years. The steamer competition is such that the deficit is likely to increase year by year, and the question must naturally arise as to whether it is advisable to continue the expense. I would point out for your consideration that from the beginning this Government vessel was simply intended to develop the trade of the outside islands, and protect the smaller traders against the eccentricities of the Union Company's servants of that date. This role has been successfully carried out; the management of the company at the present time, so far as these Islands are concerned, leaves little to be desired, and is not likely to lapse into the eccentricities of former days. The trade of these Islands has increased, and will, under certain circumstances, further increase, so that two steamers may probably be required in each month. Such a trade will command respect, and will receive it, and no longer requires the stimulus of a Government schooner to aid the smaller traders. Mr. Blame's report speaks for itself. It may be that a £700 subsidy will enable us to run the schooner next year, but it will probably cost £1,000. Financially, these Islands can find the money, but 1 submit that there are many ways in which it can be more profitably used. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. Cook Islands Administration, Government Schooner Department, Sir, — Rarotonga, 25th April, 1905. I have the honour to forward you herewith the balance-sheet of this Department in con.nection with the running of the schooner "Countess of Ranfurly'' for the year ending the 31st March, 1905. The expenses and earnings of the schooner for the year have been as follows, and the same are contrasted with those for the previous year: — Expenses. 1904-5. 1903-4. £ s. a. £ s. a. Benzine ... ... ... ... 193 13 4 138 1 8 Wages ... ... ... ... 876 1 10 630 3 6 Office expenses ... ... ... ... 106 6 8 112 6 11 Provisions ... ... ... ... 425 2 4 474 4 8 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... 140 18 1 157 7 11 Insurance ... ... ... ... ... 315 0 0 Claims ... ... ... .... 9 2 6 Outfit and repairs ... ... ... 609 10 6 629 14 9 Totals ... ... .. : ... 2,360 15 3 2,486 19 5 Earnings. Passenger-fares ... ... ... 189 3 0 254 7 9 Special charters ... ... ... ... 319 0 0 250 0 0 Freights ... ... ... ... 925 3 11 986 17 9 Commission ... ... ... ■■■ 3 16 9 Totals ... ... ... ... 1,437 3 8 1,491 5 6 Loss ... . . ... ... £923 11 7 £995 13 11 Since closing the books of account for the financial year I have been advised of a claim for £70 16s. 9d., for three months' insurance on the schooner. This added to the amount of expenses for this year will show a total loss of £994 Bs. 4d. But to the amount of loss for the previous year have to be added the following sums which have only been paid this year, viz.: Wages £150, and claims £28 2s. 5d., which will therefore bring the loss for the year 1903-4 to the sum of £1,173 16s. 4d., or £179 Bs. more than the loss for 1904-5.

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All accounts between this Department and the Government of New Zealand have been adjusted to date, including a sum of £250 4s. paid by this Department to the Government of New Zealand for insurance for the year 1902-3. , With reference to the repayment to the Government of New Zealand of the capitalised cost of the schooner (£6,000), together with interest thereon at 4 per cent., the sum of £502 12s. has been paid by the Cook Islands Administration to the Government of New Zealand as follows: Cook Islands Administration £301 lis. 3d., and Niue Island Administration £201 os. 9d. A similar payment is to be made each year. . , There is now no insurance on the schooner, but by arrangement with the Minister tor the Islands, sanctioned by the Resident Commissioners of the Cook Islands and Niue, an annual sum of £300 is to be set aside and invested on fixed deposit in the Bank of New Zealand as an insurance fund, of which the Cook Islands Administration is to pay £250, and the Niue Island Administration £50 It has also been arranged that the Niue Island Administration shall refund the Cook Islands Administration the sum of £406 os. Id., representing £300 as two years' (1902-3-4) contribution towards the loss on the -unning of the schooner, and £106 os. Id. one-sixth of insurance premiums. The contribution of Niue towards the loss for the year 1904-5 has yet to be arranged. In reporting to the Minister last September it was stated that the vessel had nearly paid her way for the first six months of the year, but that a larger expenditure might be expected for the last six months, as Captain Champion had reported that the vessel required large expenditure tor outfit and repairs. The expenditure under this head has been for the last six months over £500 as compared with about £100 for the first six months, and this, coupled with the fact that £319 for special charters was received in the first six months of the year, accounts for the greater part of the loss in the running of the vessel for the last six months. Captain Champion reports that the vessel is now well found in sails and gear, and consequently will require but little expenditure in that direction for some time to come. . During the year the schooner has made the following trips, aggregating about seventeen thousand miles : Rarotonga to Niue and Auckland, 3; Auckland to Niue and Rarotonga, 2; Niue to Rarotonga, 1; Rarotonga to Auckland, 1; Niue to Samoa, 1; Samoa to Rarotonga 1; Rarotonga to Penrhyn and Maiden Islands, 1 ; Maiden Island, Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Rakahanga to Rarotonga, 1; round Cook Group, 4. Dealing with the question of the expenses of the vessel, it is difficult to say where more economy can be practised in running the vessel/except in the matter of outfit and repairs. The wages per month of the captain, officers, and crew amount to £73 10s. The oil-engine is also a large expense, benzine costing nearly £200 per annum and repairs over £50, the engineer also drawing £14 per month (this is included in the amount of wages above mentioned). . , . , The earnings for the year have been approximately the same as in the previous year and more cannot be expected for the coming year, as, with the exception of one or two of the outlying islands at which the steamer seldom or never calls, the traders in the Cook Group prefer to use the steamer, with its certainty of reaching New Zealand in a week to availing themselves of the schooner in spite of the lowness of the freights. These remarks do not apply to the traders at Niue wno have given the schooner a fair amount of support, but then there is no steamer to compete with the schooner in the Niue trade. I have"? &,* o p „,. ptßrv The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. B. Blame, Secretary.

Government Schooner Department Balance-sheet to 31st March, 1905. n £ s a Or. £ s. a. To r - •• :: afao'o :: :: :: S3 1 ! i Special charters .. 925 311 Wages, 1903-4 150 0 0 1,000 0 0 Wages 1904-5 876 1 10 S ubsld 7 316 9 Office expenses, Aucklana .. .. 74 17 8 Commission 391 811 Office expenses, Rarotonga .. .. 31 9 0 ling-expenses, &c... .. .. 140 18 Claims, 1903-4 .. .. . ■ 28 2 5 Claims, 1904-5 J .. .. • • 9 2 6 Outfit, supplies, ana repairs— Sails , 139 18 9 Rope • 51 17 1 Machinery .. . • • • 55 18 6 Docking ' ... .-. • • 43 10 1 Life-boat ... .. •• 47 4 0 Chronometer .. .. • • 30 0 0 General supplies ana repairs .. 241 2 1 Sunary aebtors .. .. •• 104 411 Bank of New Zealana current account .. 104 0 2 Cash balance .. • • • • 44 13 0 £Sm_W_2 Rarotonga, 24th April, 1905. »• Blame, Secretary.

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Government Schooner Department, Profit and Loss Account, 1901/.-5. Dr. £ s. a. Or. £ s. dTo Benzine .. .. .. 193 13 4 By Balance, 1903-4 .. .. .. 213 7 2 Insurance .. .. .. .. 250 4 0 Subsiay .. .. .. .. 1,000 0 0 Wages .. .. .. .. 1,026 110 Passenger-fares .. .. .. 189 3 0 Office expenses .. .. .. 106 6 8 Special charters .. .. . . 319 0 0 Provisions .. .. .. .. 425 2 4 Commission .. .. .. 3 16 9 Miscellaneous expenaiture .. .. 140 18 1 Freights .. .. .. .. 925 311 Claims .. .. .. .. 37 4 11 Balance .. .. .. ..138 10 10 Outfit, supplies, ana repairs .. .. 609 10 6 £2,789 1 8 £2,789 1 8 Balance carriea forward .. .. £138 10 10 Rarotonga, 24th April, 1905. E. Blame, Secretary.

No. 183. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 28th April, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge, the receipt of your letter No. 72 of the 13th instant, in which you inform me that " The Licensing Act Amendment Act, 1904," so far as it relates to the Cook Islands, may be read with the local Ordinance on the same subject. lam glad that this is so, as it makes the first-named Act workable. The regulations under the Act forwarded to you early in January last will, I think, be suitable. I have therefore the honour to request that you will approve the same, as it leaves each question in the hands of the Collector of Customs to decide, and he is a most suitable man for the post. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands.

No. 169.

No. 184. Hon. C. H. Mills. Education Department, Wellington, Bth May, 1905. I have carefully considered the questions raised in Colonel Gudgeon's letter, and, basing my opinion on the facts contained in that letter, and in the letter from the Rev. J. K. Hutchin, as well as on what I have gathered from the conversations I have had with you more recently, I have come to the following conclusions: — 1. That there should be one higher institution with two branches, viz.,— (a.) A high school for the best pupils from the primary schools (and perhaps, as Colonel Gudgeon seems to suggest, for the children of European residents in Avarua). The greatest stress should be laid, as in our Maori schools, on English and on industrial occupations; for this reason the land should be good and sufficient. (b.) A training-school for teachers. The head of the training-school and of the high school could be the same person, and, if his assistant were a well-qualified European, the headmaster could superintend and inspect the village schools. To secure a good head and a good assistant (both European and trained) the salaries proposed appear to me to be inadequate. I should put the minimum at £300, and £150 to £180 respectively. Mr. Hall, being already interested in the work, may be willing to undertake it for less. 2. If the teaching, as in our Maori schools, is to be (if not now, at all events in a few years) in English, the training of the Native youths for the work would take at least five years, even if intelligent candidates were selected for the work I would strongly advise the adoption of English in the village schools as well as in the high school, especially if the Natives of the Cook Islands are equal in natural intelligence to other 3. I do not advise at present that any of the Islanders should be brought to New Zealand to be trained. Moreover, neither Te Aute nor the Queen Victoria School has any special facilities for the training of teachers. . 4. The best plan, I think, therefore would be to establish as soon as possible the combined high school and training-school; to arrange for the village schools to be carried on as at present, but to be handed over as soon as trained teachers were ready for them. Inspection and superintendence of them should begin at once. :_ _ . 5. I think it would probably be of benefit if the Inspector of Native Schools were once in, say, three years to visit the Islands, or,- failing that, if the principal superintendent were to visit 6 For the reason given in (1), (b), I would increase Colonel Gudgeon's estimate of the annual cost by £120 to £150. , G. Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools.

See No. 6.

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No. 185. Si Rj — Wellington, 12th May, 1905. I have the honour to report that Mr. Maxwell returned to Niue on the 13th ultimo. I immediately handed over all the books and cash to him and returned to the colony via Tonga. During my term on the island I was struck with the entire absence of serious crime amongst the Native race. They are undoubtedly a law-abiding people, and any offences committedare for the most part trivial ones. They seem, however, to be a very conservative race, and are not inclined to take good advice from any white man. With regard to the condition of affairs on the island, in the first place, the continued emigration of the able-bodied men is becoming a serious matter. The fact of them going away as hired labourers for a time does not matter so much, as they have to return to the island when their term has expired, but many of them are now going away to settle down on other islands. The Niueans are naturally of a roving disposition, and no doubt they like to go away to other places where they may be able to obtain liquor. Again, there is almost certain to be trouble with the Natives regarding the rate of wages. They have very strong feelings on this matter, and consider that the rate of pay for day-labour— viz., 2s. per day—is not sufficient. There is no doubt in my mind that they are not worth any more, unless there is a white man in charge of them. The men are sturdily built, and are strong enough to do any work that is needed on the island, but they are by no means an industrious race (at least as far as working on their own island is concerned). Some very fair land, which would not be difficult to cultivate, is lying waste. If properly planted with cocoanut-trees the island should be capable of producing 2,000 tons of copra per annum, instead of about 200 as atpresent. There is some very good timber (ebony) growing at the eastern side of the island, but the difficulties of getting it to the shipping-places would be so great and the expense so heavy that it would not be worth while cutting it down. The villages on the eastern side, especially Liku and Lakepa, have scarcely any water at all, and the Natives in those places have to use cocoanuts to wash their hands and faces and to cook in. Mr. Maxwell proposes to immediately remedy this by constructing reservoirs at those places. Reservoirs are much more important at "the present time than roads. The road which runs round the island is in very fair condition now. It is only in one or two places that it wants improving. It is possible to drive a vehicle right round Niue. The roads, however, get into a bad state on account of the weeds, which are very prolific, and have to be constantly kept down. The more traffic on the roads the better they would get. The sanitary conditions of the villages—l am speaking from experience of Alofi—are not good; in fact, at certain periods of the year the conditions are so bad as to be a positive menace to the health of the community. No amount of talking to the Natives will doany good. The benefits of good sanitary arrangements cannot be explained, clearly to them in their own language, and I do not think that any great improvement will take place until the Natives are educated_ in the English language. The London Missionary Society's teachers teach the children a little reading and writing (in the Native language), but the teaching of English is practically nil. With regard to the island's trade, the hat trade is at present in a flourishing condition, as I have stated before. One firm has proposed to finish the hats at Niue, and export them ready for sale. If this is done it will provide work for a considerable number of the women, and perhaps cause them to take even a greater interest in the manufacture of hats than they have at present. The women are much more industrious than the men; in fact, they are keeping the trade of the island going at present, as will be seen from the quantity of hats exported. They are also intelligent, and make good servants. It is possible that a solution of the servant-girl problem in this country may be found if some of the Niue women are brought to New Zealand as servants. One of the drawbacks to this at present is that they cannot speak English. Another drawback is that in some parts of the colony the climate would be too severe for them. The Customs revenue is likely to show a decrease this year, owing to the large stocks of goods that the traders have in hand, but it should soon reach a normal state. The white residents are desirous of being represented on the Niue Council, or else being attached to some New Zealand electorate. In conclusion, I can only say that given one condition —an industrious people—the Island of Niue should become one of the richest in the whole of the South Pacific. I have, &c, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington. A. Paul.

No. 186. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th May, 1905. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 29th March, reporting further on the effects of the hurricane of the 14th January last on the islands of Aitutaki, Manuae, and Mangaia. I am glad to know that with the supply of taro, &c, which is still available at Mangaia, and with the provision that is being made for Aitutaki, neither of these islands will suffer seriously in point of food-supply. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 159.

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No. 187. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th May, 1905. I have to acknowledge receipt of a letter dated the Ist April, and signed by Mr. A. Paul as Acting Resident Commissioner, forwarding a statement of the revenue and expenditure of Niue Island for the quarter ending the 31st March, 1905. I note Mr. Paul's explanation as to the decrease of Customs receipts as compared with the corresponding quarter of last year. It is gratifying to observe, however, that, notwithstanding this decrease, the total amount to the credit of the Administration has advanced. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 164,

No. 188. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 6th June, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 49 of the 25th April, and am glad to hear that you see no difficulty in establishing a sinking fund for the schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " on the lines laid down in my letter of the 15th April. I note also that you are satisfied with the contribution to be made by Niue towards recouping the Schooner Department for the loss incurred on the running of the vessel for the past two years. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 178,

No. 189. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th June, 1905. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 30th March, No. 37, recommending that a subsidy of £50 per annum be paid by the Islands Government to assist the establishment of a cool-chamber at Rarotonga. I agree with you that such an institution is greatly needed on the island, alike in the interests of residents and visitors; and in view of the approaching completion of the Sanatorium it is as well that the matter be taken in hand at once. I approve of a grant of £50 being made as suggested. I have, <&c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 160.

No. 190. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th June, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th April, forwarding your annual report on the Cook and northern Islands for the year ending the 31st March, 1905, together with the financial and trade returns for the year, and estimates of revenue and expenditure for 1905-6. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 166.

No. 191. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th June, 1905. Referring to my letter of the 6th instant, I now beg to forward the notices taking land for the Sanatorium at Rarotonga, and for a lock-up and road at Oneroa, Mangaia, duly signed by His Excellency. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosures. Lands taken for Sanatorium (Accommodation-house) at Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands. Plunket, Governor. Whereas the lands mentioned in the schedule hereto are required to be taken Under "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," for a certain public work, to wit, for a Sanatorium (accommodation-house) at.Avarua, Rarotonga, Cook Islands: Now, therefore, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in exercise and pursuance of the powers and authorities in me vested by the said Act, and of every other power and authority in anywise enabling me in this behalf, do hereby notify that on the date of the publication hereof in the Cook Islands Gazette the lands mentioned in the schedule hereto are hereby taken for the purposes of a Sanatorium (accommodation-house).

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SCHEDULE. All that piece of land being Section 2, Vaikapuangi, Settlement and District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, containing 2 acres 1 rood 14 perches, more or less, starting from station 36 on the eastern boundary-line, the co-ordinates of station 36 being south 538.8, west 423.1 links; thence along a fence 170 deg. 11 mm., 124 links; 167 deg. 20 mm., 180 links; 200 deg 25 mm., 188.5 links; 262 deg. 46 mm., 64 links; 329 deg. 04 mm., 77 links; 338 deg. 39 mm., 170 links; 6 deg 54 mm., 105.5 links; 291 deg. 07 mm., 85.7 links, to a point shown as A on plan; thence 291 de°- 07 mm., 10 links, to the eastern side of the Vaikapuangi Creek; thence along the eastern side of the Vaikapuangi Creek, the traverse-lines of which, starting from A, are 358 deg. 05 mm., 87 2 links; 343 deg. 58 mm, 125.3 links; 9 deg. 39 mm., 232.7 links; 354 deg. 24mm., 93.8 links; 85 deg. 49 mm., 138 links; 57 deg. 17 mm., 132 links; 36 deg. 08 mm., 46.3 links; thence 81 deg. 30 mm., 84.5 links; 196 deg. 50 mm., 62.5 links; 196 deg. 50 mm., 180 links; 189 deg 23 mm 90 8 links; 189 deg. 51 mm., 128.3 links; 184 deg, 54 mm., 91.2 links, to the point of commencement: as the same is more particularly delineated in the plan deposited in the office of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court at Avarua, Rarotonga. Also all that piece of land being Section 3, Vaikapuangi, Settlement and District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, containing 3 roods 38 perches, more or less, starting from station 8 at the intersection of the building-line on the southern side of the main road. Station Bis marked on the ground by an iron bolt, its co-ordinates being north 312.2, west 548.4 links; thence 135 deg. 45 mm , 346.7 links, to a peg marked C on plan; thence 135 deg. 45 mm., 10 links, to the western side of the Vaikapuangi Creek; thence along the western side of the Vaikapuangi Creek, the traverse-lines of which, starting from C, are 247 deg. 25 mm., 110.9 links; 225 deg. 44 mm 145 2 links; 276 deg. 51 mm., 146.5 links; 211 deg. 56 mm., 67.4 links; 186 deg. 08 mm 337 links to the centre of a stone wall; thence along the centre of a stone wall 270 deg., 30 links; 6 deg' 24 mm., 355.4 links; 204 deg. 34 mm., 21 links, to a fence; thence along the said fence 23 deg 07 mm 214 8 links; 26 deg. 34 mm., 229.9 links, to the main road southern buildmgline; thence along the said building-line 118 deg. 30 mm., 2.5 links, to the starting-point, as the same is more particularly delineated on the plan deposited in the office of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court at Avarua, Rarotonga. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this seventh day of June, one thousand nine hundred and five. C. H. Mills.

Lands taken for Lock-up and Road at Oneroa, Mangaia, Cook Islands. Plunket, Governor. Whereas the lands respectively mentioned in the schedule hereto are required to_ be taken under " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," for certain public works, to wit, for a lock-up and road at Oneroa, Mangaia, Cook Islands ■ Now therefore I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in exercise and pursuance of the powers and authorities in me vested by the said Act, and of every other power and authority in anywise enabling me in this behalf, do hereby notify that on the date of the publication hereof in the Cook Islands Gazette the lands respectively mentioned m the schedule hereto are hereby taken for the purposes of a lock-up and a road respectively as mentioned in the said schedule. SCHEDULE. Land for lock-up : All that piece of land being Allotment Ba, Settlement of Oneroa, Island of Mangaia, containing 3 ares, more or less, starting from a point which bears 86 deg. 35 mm., and is distant 12.7 metres from the south-east corner of Allotment 2; thence 34 deg 35 mm, 21.7 metres; 135 deg. 30 mm., 9.4 metres; 201 deg. 30 mm., 24.2 metres; 318 deg. 35 mm., 15.2 metr Land tor rold piece of land in the Settlement of Oneroa, Island of Mangaia, containing 6 ares, more or less, starting from the south-east corner of Allotment 2; thence 34 deg. 35 mm 314 metres; 135 deg. 30min., 10.2 metres; 214deg. 35min., 217 metres; 138 deg. 35 mm" 152 metres; 21 deg 30 mm., 24.2 metres; 135 deg. 30 mm., 5.5 metres; 201 deg. 30 mm!,' 35.8 metres; 318 deg. 35 mm., 33.8 metres, to the starting-point. ,«.«,* The said lands are more particularly delineated on the plan deposited in che office of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court, at Avarua, Rarotonga. A copy of the said plan is also deposited in the office of the Resident Agent at Mangaia. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this seventh day of June, one thousand nine hundred and five. C. H. Mills.

No. 192. Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 10th June, 1905. I have the honour to forward attached a letter from the Fruit Committee of these Islands, in which they place certain facts before you as to the capacity of these Islands for almost unlimited production", all of which I indorse. . ;; - I may also say that the opinions expressed in the letter represent very thoroughly the views of the inhabitants, both European and Native, of these Islands I have, &c, /. W, E; Gudgeon,; . Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

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Enclosure. Sir,— . Rarotonga, 15th May, 1905. Re Fruit from Cook Group. Your committee has the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of sth April, containing an extract from a letter from the Hon. the Minister for the Islands, and covering a return showing the importations of tropical fruit into New Zealand for 1904, and to thank you for the same. . . The Hon. the Minister is apparently in doubt as to whether —in view of the data comprising the return for 1904—this Group can supply the whole of the fruit needed for New Zealand. Your committee would point out that of the fruit at present imported, from 15 to 20 per cent, probably never reaches the consumer, the periodical glutting of the market by steamers from other islands making a large quantity of it unsaleable, and from the fact that, in the case of bananas, a monthly service is not frequent enough. This fruit matures so rapidly that fruit too immature to ship by one steamer, very often, when shipped, by the next boat, arrives too ripe. The imposition of a duty would probably obviate this waste, inasmuch as such a spur to production would so largely increase the output from here as to induce the shipping company to put o« a fortnightly service. . We have no hesitation in reiterating our former statement that, given a limited amount ot protection, this Group can, within a very reasonable time, supply the whole of the fruit needed; indeed, in our opinion, Rarotonga alone could soon do this ■ In confirmation of our statement we would call the Minister's attention to the marked increase ■ shown in our fruit-exports for the first four months of this year, as compared with the same period of 1904, and this in spite of the fact that the whole of the Islands, other than Rarotonga, have been seriously damaged by the exceptionally heavy gales. Comparative Statement—Export of Fruit for First Four Months of Tears 190b and 1905. 1904. 1905. Bananas, cases ... ... ••• ••• •• 10,969 1(,690 ~ bunches ... ... ■■■ ■•• 3,376 5,549 Oranges, cases ... ... •■■ ■•• ••• 17,530 If we leave out the other islands, and give only the returns for Rarotonga, which did not suffer from the gales, the result is even more encouraging, as under :— 1904. 1905. Bananas, cases . . ... ••• •■• ■•• 7,979 16,106 bunches ... ... •■• •■■ 3,345 5,549 Oranges, cases ... ... ••■ ■■• ••• 9,972 23,326 This, moreover, is largely in excess of the increase foreshadowed in the last report of the committee, and the returns for the later months should show a larger proportionate increase as, up to the present, the results of the recent planting do not show, and we cannot refrain from reiterating that it is largely due to the fact that, after the visit of the Hon. the Minister m Charge, the Native growers were satisfied that the Government would take some steps to give them an assured profitable market. We regret to say that up to now the result has been far from satisfactory. Large shipments from Tahiti and elsewhere have so disorganized the market that oranges have been shipped at a loss to growers, and at the present time there are tons of fruit rotting on the ground, or being made into bush beer, for want of a market. If the grower can ship his fruit at a profit' he will do so, but if not then he will make bush beer largely. In conclusion, sir, the sine qua non of the success of the fruit industry is an assured market, and, failing some' definite assurance from the Government, your committee is not by any means sanguine of a further increase. On the contrary, Native growers are much disheartened up to the present time, and we have before us the results in both cotton and coffee, the former of which has gone out of production, and the latter is rapidly doing so. There has not been 1 ton of coffee cured in Rarotonga this year in consequence of the unremunerative market. Should the fruit industry follow the result must be most disastrous, not only in the loss of what might be the most prosperous and is one of the most suitable industries for a Native race of landowners, but also in the loss of confidence in a Government which, whilst protecting the fruit-growers in New Zealand proper refuses its Native subjects a similar measure of protection. One more matter the committee wishes to bring under the notice of the Hon. the Minister. At present we have to go outside of New Zealand to find a market for the bulk of our copra and lime-juice In the case of the former article Tonga enters largely into competition with us, and in the latter instance lime-juice is unsaleable largely through the importations into New Zealand of acids for the manufacture of so-called lime-juice cordials. We have, <fee, Percy Brown. Thos. Shearman. Makea Daniela. J. W. Sharpe (Chairman). Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, C.M.G., Rarotonga.

By Authority: John Mackay, Government Printer, Wellington.—l9os. Price 2s.

14—A. 8.

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