COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1905.]

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1906 Session II, A-03

A--3V

Session 11. 1906. NEW ZEALAND

COOK AND OTHER ISLANDS. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1905.]

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

INDEX.

i—A. 3.

No. of Series. From Date. Subject. Page. 1 2 Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in Charge 1905. 30 May 7 June Supply of material for hat-making Sections 5 and 6 of Cook and Other Islands Act Amendment Act, 1904 Report of Messrs. Kirk and Boucher, of Agricultural Department Recommending Mr. Henry Williams for appointment as Resident Agent, Rakahanga Hurricane at Manihiki Population of islands Regulations as to assessing compensation for land taken 1 i 1 3 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 7 ,, 1 4 >» »» 8 „ 2 5 6 7 Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in Charge 8 „ 2 2 ft • ■ 10 „ 8 10 „ Successor to Mr. T. R. Herd, Postmaster, &c, Rarotonga Report of Fruit Committee on suggestions of Messrs. Kirk and Boucher Steps taken under sections 5 and 6 of Act of 1904 Compensation for land taken Return of exports from Niue for June quarter, 1905 Revenue and expenditure of Niue, June quarter 1905 Schedule of road-work, Niue, for June quarter, 1905 Regulations for assessing compensation for land taken Leasing land in Cook Islands Land question, Rarotonga : Acknowledging minutes' of meeting held Acknowledging receipt of No. 1 Return of imports into Niue for June quarter, 1905 Governor's reply to petition from King of Niue and others Further regulations under section 50 of Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901 Further as to ownership of land, Rarotonga Notice taking land for a road, Atiu Leasing land in Cook Islands Reporting on work of Land Titles Court Forwarding Mangaia Village Regulation Ordinance 1905 Appointment of Mr. Henry Williams as Resident Agent, Rakahanga Successor to Mr. Herd, Postmaster, &c., at Rarotonga Acknowledging receipt of No. 6 Lagoons at Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Aitutaki Compensation for land taken .. Acknowledging receipt of No. 10 .. I Commenting on report on Niue by Mr. A. Paul . '. I Acknowledging receipt of No. 20 ... Report on labour party from Maiden Island Steamer service to the Cook Islands a ,, 9 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 14 „ 4 10 11 12 13 Resident Commissioner, Nine 19 „ 20 „ 1 July 1 „ 4 5 5 5 I 14 15 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 3 „ 4 „ 5 7 :7 16 17 Minister in Charge 5 „ 6 „ 8 i\ 8 18 19 20 Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in Charge 7 „ 10 „ 14 „ 8 8 9 21 I 14 „ 9. 22 23 24 25 26 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 18 „ 20 „ 20 „ 21 .„ 27 „ 10 10 10 11 ! n n ,, 27 Minister in Charge 27 July ii 28 * 31 „ 12 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 Resident Commissioner, Nine 3 August .. 4 „ 4 4 9 „ 14 12 12 12 12 1* IS IS 14 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in Charge

A.—3.

INDEX— continued.

II

No. of Series. From. Date. Subject. Page, 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga r» » J> >> Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in Charge 1905. 15 August .. 15 15 „ 16 „ 16 16 „ 22 23 23 23 „ 23 „ 23 23 24 „ 25 Lagoons at Penrhyn and Manihiki Compensation for land taken Magistrates at Manihiki and Penrhyn Notice taking land for township purposes Acknowledging receipt of No. 21 Education in Cook Islands Niue boys for education in New Zealand Acknowledging receipt of No. 12 Reduction in duty on black twist tobacco Acknowledging receipt of No. 14 No. 13 Education in Niue Aitutaki Ordinance No. 3 for assent .. Reductian of duty on black twist tobacco Steamer service to Cook Islands 14 14 16 is 15 15 Hi 1C. 1C) 17 17 17 17 18 1!) Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in Charge Managing Director, Union Steamship Company Minister in Charge 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 29 29 „ 30 „ 30 „ 30 „ 31 1 September 11 11 11 11 13 15 16 18 Notices taking land at Atiu and Mangaia signed.. Steamer service to Cook Islands 19 20 20 21 21 21 •21 21 22 22 22 23 24 25 25 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 ,, ,, . . . . Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in Charge ,, 25 25 25 26 28 28 30 Acknowledging receipt of No. 25 Leasing land, Cook Islands Ownership of land, Rarotonga Notice taking land for roads, Rarotonga Acknowledging receipt of No. 52 Steamer service to Cook Islands Ownership of land, Rarotonga Leasing land in Cook Islands Report on Takutea Island Government plantation, &c, Rarotonga Acknowledging receipt of No. 39 Acknowledging receipt of Ordinances assented to by Governor Land taken under section 3 of Act of 1904 Acknowledging receipt of No. 19 No. 33 Education, Niue Aitutaki Ordinance No. 3 assented to .. Acknowledging receipt of No. 35 Notices taking land for township purposes and roads, Rarotonga, signed Return of exports from Niue for September quarter, 1905 ( Revenue and expenditure, Niue, September quarter, 1905 Road-work, Niue, for Septomber quarter, 1905 .. Acknowledging receipt of No. 73 25 25 26 26 20 20 20 ,, Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in Charge j» • • ■ * 74 Resident Commissioner, Niue 1 October 27 75 6 28 76 77 Registrar, Land Titles Court, Rarotonga Minister in Charge 10 12 „ 2!) :s<> 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in Charge ,, • • • ■ • Resident Commissioner, Niue 16 16 18 18 18 20 „ 24 24 25 26 4 November Notices taking lagoons at Penrhyn and Manihiki signed Return of imports into Niue for September quarter, 1905 Mangaia Village Regulation Ordinance returned for amendment Acknowledging receipt of No. 63 No. 61 Representation of white residents on Niue Island Council f , Notice taking land for roads, Rarotonga, signed.. I Leasing lands, Cook Islands : Ordinance to be passed Appointment of teacher for Niue j Fruit trade and passenger traffic, Cook Islands .. i Ordinances Nos. 15 and 16, Niue Island Council, for assent Report on visit to Rakahanga Government plantation, &c, Rarotonga Acknowledging receipt of No. 66 No. 71 Jurisdiction over Courts at Penrhyn Leasing land, Cook Islands, to Government Letter from Rev. Mr. Hutchin re Cook Island schools •Notices taking land for Courthouse - sites, &c, northern islands Steamer service between Wellington and Rarotonga Education, Niue Island' " Countess of Ranfurly " : Passenger trade 80 31 31 31 31 31 32 :{■_' :t:s 33 :t:t 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 7 ,, 7 ., 7 ,, ' 7 \ 10 ',', 14 34 35 35 35 :su 36 !> " 96 1 December 37 97 98 99 ,, ,, ■ Resident Commissioner, Niue Captain W. Champion ! 8 i 12 :, 15 1906. 4 January.. 4 „ .. I 4 4 37 37 38 100 101 102 103 Minister in Charge Acknowledging receipt of No. 94 Acknowledging receipt of No. 76 Acknowledging receipt of No. 89 Regulations re compensation claims signed by Governor 3!) 39 • ? • ■ X. " V • -H&*~-*->-

A.—;-].

INDEX— continued.

III

No. of Series. From Date. Subject. Page. 104 Minister in Charge 190(i. 4 January.. Regulations dealing with land taken for township sites Money-order office for Mangaia Representation of white residents on Nine Island Council Acknowledging receipt of No. 90 Acknowledging receipt of No. 74 Acknowledging receipt of No. 99 Government plantation and fumigation of fruit, &c, Rarotonga Acknowledging receipt of No. 75 Return of exports from Niue for December quarter, 1905 Revenue and expenditure, Niue, December quarter, 1905 Acknowledging receipt of No. 93 Acknowledging receipt of No. 92 Return of imports into Nine for December quarter, 1905 Teacher for Niue Steamer service between Wellington and Cook Islands Tracing showing survey of Niue Island for Admiralty Niue Island Ordinances Nos. 15 and 16 assented to Draft regulations under section 28 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 " Study of hurricanes in South Seas Notices taking land for Courthouse - sites, &c., northern islands, signed Trade returns for 1905, Cook Islands Unimproved Lalid-tax Ordinance for assent Coffee trade, Cook Islands Erection of gaol, Alofi, Niue Freezing-plant, Rarotonga European representation, Niue Island Council Acknowledging receipt of No. 123 103 Money Order Office for Mangaia Regulations under Licensing Act Amendment Act 1904 Recommending appointment of Mr. Percy Brown as Auditor Death of Pa, Ariki Acknowledging receipt of No. 120 Flags of Rarotonga and Cook Islands Census to be taken: Cook Islands Protection of Cook Islands Fruit Trade Regulations under Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 Ditto Fruit Inspector appointed, Cook Islands Death of Pa, Ariki .. Te Tianui appointed successor to Pa, Ariki Inspection and fumigation of fruit, Cook Islands .. Census of Cook Islands Flags of Rarotonga and Cook Islands Acknowledging receipt of No. 140 .. ;. Meteorological observations, Rarotonga Fruit trade, Cook Islands Steamer service, Wellington to Cook Islands 40 105 106 Resident Commissioner, Niue 4 4 4li + 1 107 108 109 110 Minister in Charge 9 „ .. 9 9 9 41 41 41 42 ,, 111 112 Resident Commissioner, Niue 0 9 ,, 4-2 4-2 113 ,, >» • • 9 43 114 115 116 Minister in Charge 10 10 „ 10 44 44 44 Resident Commissioner, Niue 117 118 Minister in Charge 12 13 44 45 119 13 45 120 121 ,, 16 20 45 43 122 123 20 20 47 47 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga >> >> Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 22 22 25 25 28 30 30 30 30 1 February 4! I 50 51 r>1 r>1 r>2 .52 52 f>2 53 >> >> 134 5 53 135 136 137 138 139 140 Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in O?\irge .. .. 7 12 13 15 16 16 53 53 53 54 54 54 ,, 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 ,, Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 16 17 20 24 „ 1 March .. 1 „ 2 „ 3 „ 3 „ 5 „ 6 „ 55 56 56 56 56 57 57 57 58 58 58 Managing Director, Union Steamship Company Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 6 „ Ordinances Nos. 1 and 2 of Mangaia Island Council for assent Inspection and fumigation of fruit, Rarotonga. .. Passage through the reef, Mangaia Money-order office for Mangaia 59 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 Minister in Charge 6 6 „ 7 „ 7 „ 7 " '.'. 7 ,, ,, .... Freezing-plant, Rarotonga Appointment of Auditor, Cook Islands Appointment of officers to sell liquor under Licensing Acts Acknowledging receipt of No. 124 H. M. Connal appointed Chief Surveyor Niue Island Public Roads and Landing Reserves Dedication Ordinance, 1906, for assent Niue Island Maintenance of Public Roads Ordinance, 1905, for assent Inspection and fumigation of fruit, Rarotonga .. Plans of Islands .. ..' Meteorological observations, Rarotonga [ .. Census, Cook and other Islands l>1 01 t>2 (52 (>2 l>2 62 ,, 160 161 162 Resident Commissioner, Niue 8 „ 10 „ 10 „ 63 (>:i 63 163 12 „ 64 164 165 166 167 Minister in Charge .. .. 12 „ 12 „ 16 „ 16 „ 65 65 05 65 ,,

A.—3.

INDEX— continued.

IV

So. of Series. From Date. Subject. 'age. 108 169 .170 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 1906. 19 March .. 19 „ 22 „ Rakahanga Ordinance No. 1 for assent Gales among northern islands Appointment of officer at Niue to sell liquor under Licensing Act Acknowledging receipt of No. 112 No. 116 Flags of Rarotonga and Cook Islands Education, Niue : Proposals of Secretary of Education Census to be taken, Niue Acknowledging receipt of No. 117 No. 113 Money-order office for Mangaia Acknowledging receipt of No. 151 Inspection and fumigation of fruit, Earotonga .. Maps of Islands will be supplied Acknowledging receipt of No. 144 Return of exports from Niue, March quarter, 1906 Return of imports into Niue, „ „ Reporting on roads, reservoirs, &c, Niue Money-order Office for Mangaia: Mr. Large to be Postmaster MeteorologicaFobservations, Rarotonga P ' • • Warrants of Appointment: Postmaster and others Lease of Suwarrow Island: No extension can be granted Carriageof fruit by " Countess of Ranfurly " Acknowledging receipt of No. 152 Revenue and expenditure, Niue, for March quarter, 1906 Acknowledging receipt of No. 170 No. 175 Regulations under " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 " Annual report for 1905-6, with trade and financial returns, &c. Proposals of New Zealand Education Department Fumigation-shed, Rarotonga Meteorological observations, Rarotonga Acknowledging receipt of No. 188 No. 195 Warrant appointing W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.. Coffee trade, Cook Islands Stamps on postal notes to complete amounts Acknowledging receipt of No. 181 New Zealand Education Act to be applied to Cook Islands Acknowledging receipt of No. 183 ... No. 185 No. 184 Gales among northern islands Proposed steamer service to Rarotcnga, via Norfolk, Noumea, &c. Acknowledging receipt of No. 192 Proceedings of Compensation Court Proposals of New Zealand Education Department Fruit inspection and fumigation Acknowledging receipt of No. 211 Boat-passages through reefs Regulations as to dealing with land taken for townships Defects of present steamer service Order in Council denning powers and duties of Resident Commissioner, Cook Islands Acknowledging receipt of No, 196 • 65 66 66 Minister in Charge 171 172 173 174 ,, .. 23 „ 23 „ 23 „ 23 „ 66 67 67 67 ,, 1.75 176 177 178 179 180 181 182 183 184 18(5 Acting Postmaster-General Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 23 „ 23 „ 23 „ 24 „ 26 „ 31 „ 31 „ 2 April 2 „ 3 „ 4 „ 7 „ 69 69 69 69 69 69 70 70 70 72 74 74 Minister in Charge .. ... Resident Commissioner, Niue Minister in Charge 187 188 189 7 „ 11 „ 11 „ 74 75 75 L90 191 L92 ,, .. Resident Commissioner, Niue 11 „ 12 „ 13 „ 75 75 75 193 194 195 14 „ 16 „ 16 „ 76 76 77 i> ,, . • 196 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 19 „ 77 197 1.98 199 200 201 202 203 204 205 - 206 Resident Commissioner, Niue Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in Charge 19 „ 24 „ 25 „ 25 „ 8 May 8 „ 8 „ 8 „ 10 „ 10 „ 98 99 99 99 99 99 99 100 100 100 Postmaster-General .Minister in Charge ■207 208 209 210 211 10 „ 10 „ 10 „ 10 „ 12 „ 100 100 100 101 101 212 213 214 215 216 217 218 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga 12 22 23 ,',' 24 „ 24 „ 27 „ 29 „ 101 101 102 102 103 103 103 » >i Minister in Charge 219 220 Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga Minister in Charge 1 June 9 „ 104 104 221 9 105

A.—3.

MEMORANDUM.

Dueing the past year the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court has continued the investigation of titles throughout the Group, and general satisfaction has been expressed with the work done. Complete surveys have now been made of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mauke, Manuae, Takutea, Rakahanga, and Niue, and maps of six of these will be found at the end of this paper, showing the lands awarded to the Native owners, acquired by Government, and leased to Europeans. It has not been found possible yet to offer any further facilities to intending settlers to obtain leases from the Natives. An Ordinance was submitted to the Federal Council providing for the leasing of spare lands to the Islands Government, with power to sublease to approved settlers; but the measure was withdrawn when it was seen that there was an element of opposition to it. A Federal Ordinance was passed, however, providing for the imposition of a tax on unimproved or unplanted lands in cases where the Council may make a recommendation in that direction. It is hoped that this may have the effect of either inducing the Natives to make their lands productive or lease them to those who will. Land has been acquired for public purposes in a number of the islands under the provisions of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," and a copy of the notice issued in each case will be found in the following pages. All Ordinances assented to since the publication of A.-3, 1905, are also printed herein. The Government has decided not to do anything in the direction of imposing a duty on fruit imported into New Zealand from "foreign" islands; but it recognises the desirability of offering some encouragement to the Cook Islands fruit trade, and consideration is now being given to the question of what form the assistance shall take. A fruit inspector has been appointed at Rarotonga. No alteration has yet been effected in the steamer service between New Zealand and the Islands. Tenders were called for a service from Wellington to Niue and Rarotonga via Norfolk Island, Noumea, New Hebrides, Fiji, and Tonga; but no tender was accepted, and the project has been abandoned for the present. Other proposals for securing improved communication with the Cook Group are now being considered. In connection with education in the Islands, proposals have, been submitted by the InspectorGeneral of Schools for introducing something of the New Zealand system; and these, together with reports thereon from the Resident Commissioners at Rarotonga and Niue, are now under consideration. " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 " (sections 19 to 28), is working satisfactorily, and regulations have been issued under section 28 thereof and in accordance with the provisions 'of the Islands Ordinances dealing with the question of liquor. A considerable amount of work of a public character is undertaken each year by the Islands Administrations, and among the items proposed by the Cook Islands Government for the coming year are a water-supply for Avarua, Rarotonga, two more concrete bridges in the same island, and the completion of the planting of Tukutea Island with cocoanut-palms. In Niue a number of concrete reservoirs have been constructed, one at Alofi having a capacity of 13,000 gallons. These have proved a great boon to the people. The whare manuhiri (accommodation-house) at Rarotonga continues to be well patronised. Under section 5 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901," an Order in Council has been issued defining the powers and duties of the Resident Commissioner for the Cook Islands. The schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " has continued to run. between New Zealand and the Islands, and her trips during the year 1905-6 aggregated 16,000 miles. The expenses of running the vessel have materially decreased since Captain Champion took command, and her returns for the past year show a very satisfactory improvement. Two years ago arrangements were made for the Islands Administrations to repay in instalments the cost of the schooner to New Zealand, and £1,000 has already been paid. The revenue of the Cook and Northern Islands for the year 1905-6 (including the balance from the previous 3'ear) was £10,249 3s. 4d., and the expenditure £5,455 10s. lid., leaving a credit balance of £4,793 12s. 5d., in addition to which there is an amount of £979 12s. 6d. owing to the Government in respect of Land Titles Court fees outstanding; making the real credit balance for the year £5,773 4s. lid. The revenue and expenditure for Niue for the same period were respectively £1,640 13s. 6d. and £998 Bs., and .the total funds to the credit of the Niue Island Administration on the 31st March, 1906, amounted to £2,246 12s. 6d. The value of the exports from the Cook and Northern Islands for 1905 was £36,993, while the imports amounted to £34,890. For Niue the values were £9,652 and £5,674 respectively. C. H. Mills. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Ist July, 1906.

ii—A. 3.

V

A.—3.

No. 1. Sir,-— Niue, 30th May, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 103, dated the 13th May, 1905. I have made inquiries regarding the material fa, or pandanus, out of which the Niue hats are made. There is apparently no reason to apprehend a shortage of the raw material. Well-informed traders assure me that the fa is as abundant now as ever it was, if not more so. Like Phormium ten-ax the crop is improved by cutting. Considerable quantities of fa have been planted at Hakupu, Mutalau, and Likn, where the best quality is grown. The trouble is that unless outlets can be found for the hats in the Australasian Colonies, there seems to be a danger of glutting the New Zealand market. When present orders in hand are executed, it is anticipated that stocks will be so large that comparatively few hats will be required next season. Under these circumstances there does not seem to be any immediate necessity for the Niue Administration to take action with the view of stimulating the industry. An enhanced demand would lead to a much greater production of hats on the part of the Natives. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge of the Islands, Wellington.

No. 2. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th June, 1905. I shall be glad to receive by first mail a report on the bringing into operation of sections 5 and 6of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904." I see by the Cook Islands Gazette that you have taken steps to have the Island Councils reconstituted in accordance with section 6, and I should like to know whether you have completed arrangements for the abolition of the Arikis' Courts in those islands to which European Resident Agents have been appointed, as required by section 5. Please report generally on these two changes. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 3. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 7th June, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 99, of the 12th ultimo, requesting me to report on the report of Messrs. Kirk and Boucher, paragraphs 1 to 4, I have the honour to inform you that I have received numerous applications from young men of small means, now resident in Europe, South Africa, and other places, inquiring as to their chances of success as planters in the Cook Islands. To these men I have sent very careful replies, not that I doubted the ultimate success of any industrious man, but because I feared that men from the Old Country might probably have taken their ideas of these islands from books, and would probably be disappointed when they realised that for eight years they must practise the virtues of industry, self-denial, and perseverance, in order to attain a competence. The only island produce that can be regarded as actual money is the cocoanut, and for this tree the planter must wait from eight to ten years, and during that period must depend on the sale of bananas, or on such outside employment as he may be able to obtain. I am, however, convinced that the man who can lease 50 or even 30 acres for a long term will, when his cocoapalms are bearing, make something more than a living, for in these islands the circumstances of life are easy, and a man can keep both pigs and cattle under his palm-trees, and thus save himself the trouble of keeping down the undergrowth. The real difficulty of the settlement of the country will be in obtaining land for settlement. In Rarotonga the banana-planting mania is so general that people have an exaggerated view of the value of their lands, and, even though they might consent to lease, would probably ask prohibitive prices. At Mangaia and Ai'tutaki there can be very little settlement, for the land in those islands is minutely subdivided, and the Mangaians do not love Europeans. It is at Atiu and Mauke that the real opening for settlement exists. The latter island contains 3,000 acres, and of this not more than 500 is of beneficial use to the 370 inhabitants. Atiu has not yet been surveyed, but the island cannot contain less than 9,000 acres, of which not more than 1,000 acres is beneficially occupied by the 912 inhabitants. It is from every point of view desirable that these two islands should be occupied as soon as possible by an industrious population of Europeans, and to this end I shall shortly proceed to Mauke and survey the remaining I-α, 3,

1

A.—3.

blocks of land on that island so that intending settlers may obtain a good title for their leases. More than this the Government of these islands cannot do at present. We have recognised the family rights to land throughout the Group, and cannot make men lease against their will. Eventually it will be necessary to tax unimproved lands, but that cannot be done until our surveys are completed. With regard to paragraph 2, (a), I do not think that any regulation other than those already in force will be required. Paragraph 2, (&), requires consideration, and I have submitted this to the standing Fruit Committee of the island, who will report separately for your information. If lam right in supposing that this paragraph refers to the local inspection and fumigation of fruit in order to prevent the present delay in the delivery of the same in Auckland, ancl the consequent loss to shippers, it would seem to me that local inspection would benefit the islands; but in such case the certificate of the local Inspector must be sufficient to clear the fruit in any port in New Zealand, since it is not likely that shippers will consent to a second fumigation and handling. There is a second point to be considered in this paragraph. We are ready and willing to bear the expense of fumigation-chambers, but I do not think that the finances of the local Administration could bear the salary of the Inspector. Paragraphs 3 and 4 may be taken together. As to the first, I may remark that it might be of great value to the European planters of this Group to be able to order fruit-trees through the Government of New Zealand if they could thereby insure that they would obtain the varieties ordered, such as the Washington Navel and the Valentia Late (oranges). We have already imported oranges of these sorts, but it is extremely doubtful whether we have one genuine tree of the species ordered. Assistance in the direction of a supply of new fruits or species of fruits would be a direct benefit to the island; but I think the time has hardly come for the establishment of experimental nurseries. Whatever improvement may take place in these islands must come from the European settlers, and they are now too few in number' to warrant the cost of an establishment such as is suggested in paragraph 4. I will submit paragraphs 2 to 4 to the Fruit Committee at once, and forward their report by this mail. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 4. S IR) — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth June, 1905. I have the honour to recommend that Mr. Henry Williams, of Manihiki, should be appointed Resident Agent for the Island of Rakahanga. He has a splendid boat, and can visit the latter island as often as may be necessary. Much credit is due to Mr. Williams for the present condition of affairs at Manihiki. On this occasion I had not one complaint, and the people ascribed their peaceful condition to the kindly manner in which the Resident Agent carried out the laws of the island, and kept the Native Magistrate in check. Should you approve this recommendation, I propose to vote £20 per annum as travellingexpenses for the Resident Agent, Rakahanga. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 5. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Bth June, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th April, with reference to a severe hurricane reported to have been experienced at Manihiki in March last. I shall be glad to receive your report after your return from the northern islands, and trust it will be found that the effects of the storm have not been so widely felt as is feared from the information at present to hand. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

A.-3, 1905, No. 180.

No. 6. g IK Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Bth June, 1905. In pursuance of instructions contained in your telegram of the 16th May, I have the honour to forward herewith a return of the population, both European and Native, for the present year, i regret that I am unable to furnish you with a return for last year, which, however, would be practically the. same as at present. I would point out for your information that I have to depend entirely on information derived from the Natives, in compiling any return of this nature, and that such information is more or less

2

A.—B.

unreliable by reason of the habits of the people. T"or instance, these islands find the labour for Maiden,.Christmas, Flint, Mopia, and Suwarrow, not to mention the eastern French islands, where there are at least five hundred Cook-Islanders, and therefore in any census taken it is impossible to say how many of those absent have been entered as present on the island by the relatives. For this reason the Islands of Aitutaki and Manihiki might be 900 and 550 one week, and the next week's census might show them to be 1,000 and 600 respectively. This week no less than 130 Aitutaki men and women arrived at Rarotonga, and will probably remain here some months. For this reason there willalways be discrepancies in returns of population. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Population Return for the Cook and Northern Islands, 1905.

W. E. Gudgeon, Rarotonga, Bth June, 1905. Resident Commissioner.

No. 7. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th June, 1905. As steps have now been taken to acquire several pieces of land in the Cook Islands, under the provisions of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," I shall be glad to hear whether you have any suggestions to make as to the issuing of regulations under subsection (8) of that section, prescribing the method of assessing compensation, &c. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C, H. Mills

, No. 8. Sib, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th June, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 48, of the 25th April, with reference to Mr. Herd's intention to relinquish his position as Postmaster and Collector of Customs at Rarotonga, I have also received a letter from Mr. Herd, advising me of his desire to return to New Zealand. I intend to have the question of a successor dealt with immediately, so as to allow of Mr. Herd returning to the colony in October next. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

3

Name of Island. Maori Population. European Population. Male. Female. Eemarks. Rarotonga Mangaia Aitutaki Atiu Mauke Mitiaro] Takutea Manuae Penrlrjra. Manihiki .. Rakahanga Pukapuka Palmerston 2,100 1,507 907 912 370 165 64 6 4 1 3 42 2 3 And six Chinese. And one Chinaman. And one Chinaman. And one Chinaman. 433 552 340 492 118 6 1 8 Mostly half-castes of the Marsters family. . Total .. 7,896 85 47

A,—3.

No. 9. Sib, — Rarotonga, 14th June, 19G5. The Committee have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth instant, and in reply beg to state that they fully realise the necessity for the introduction of some such measures as those projected in Messrs. Kirk and Boucher's report, as under: —- 2. (a.) The committee thinks that this suggestion should be carried out, and also that the present law re the importation of plants, fruit, &c, from outside should be stringently enforced, (6.) The committee quite concurs, provided (1) that the certificate issued by the Inspector here should be taken in New Zealand as a proof that the fruit is clean; (2) that the responsible advisers of the Government have satisfied themselves that fruit after fumigation does not suffer in transit more than fruit not fumigated. 3. There is no doubt in the committee's mind as to the benefits that would accrue from prolonging the orange season in the way suggested. 4. Leaving out the financial aspect (upon which your committee does not feel itself competent to express an opinion), there can be no doubt as.to the advisability of Government plantations, particularly as the Native grower is an imitative man; and whilst it is difficult to instil improved methods of culture in the ordinary way, after ocular demonstration there is no doubt that he will readily grasp the methods and the benefits likely to accrue therefrom. This opinion presupposes a satisfactory market for produce (vide the committee's last report), otherwise the committee is afraid that the outlook for fruit is so bad that legislation in the direction indicated would be only wasting money, for the fruit industry, with the present unsatisfactory market, must come to an end soon. We have, &c, Peecy Brown, Thos. Shearman, Makea Danibla, J. W. Sharpe, Chairman. Lieut,-Colonel Gudgeon, C.M.G., Resident Commissioner. Forwarded for the information of the Hon. C. H. Mills. —W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

No. 10. Sir,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th June, 1905, In reply to your letter No. 111, of the 7th instant, I have the honour to inform you that the following arrangements have been made under sections 5 and 6 of "The Cook and other Islands Government Act. Amendment Act, 1904 " : — AITUTAKI. Under section 38 of the statute of this island the Resident Agent has always been the Chief Magistrate, and therefore no change was required here. The Island Council has been elected in accordance with the terms of section 6, and gazetted on page 253 of the Cook Islands Gazette of the 16th May. Mangaia. At Mangaia Mr. Large was appointed Chief Judge of the Arikis' Courts, and acted under the statute of Mangaia and such Federal Ordinances as applied to his island. He is now Chief Magistrate of Mangaia, but I have not removed the Native Judges in any island; they sit as Assessors, and this arrangement pleases the Natives and does not in any way impair the efficiency of the European Court. I have already reported to you the circumstances attending the election at Mangaia, and the Gazette notice of election is in No. 167 of the 16th May. Rarotonga. ;_-:. In the above-quoted Gazette will be found the result of the late election, but I am of opinion that section 5 of the Act does not apply here, and therefore the Judges are at present Makea and Pa. If at any time it should be advisable to do away with the Native Courts, it can be done on the death of the Arikis by refusing to gazette new Judges. Atiu. On page 249 of Gazette No. 166 will be found the result of the Atiu elections, and I have to report that I have instructed Mr...Yon Nagel to carry on the duties of Magistrate vice Utakea, dis-_ missed on account of misappropriation of Court funds. ..'.''"■"..:."...- • ;:.■;;;::■; •■; /; ;:-. ... : ■■.'.. Maukb. -'•-■'■ '-'—'" ; "'"■'"■ cv-:.: :.'.■.:..: .. -• :r :,-■; At this island we have no European Resident, but Tararo was the Native Judge before he became Resident, and still holds that position. I have not yet had the new form of Council elected for the reason that I must superintend personally anything that has to be done in this island, and I intend to hold the election when I hold the Land Court there about the end of July.

BTo. 2,

4

■

■•" - ■ ■ . : Mitiaro. ■■■■■■■ ■•;. ■ \ ,: ;-,':-;. .= :{ The Resident Agent Tou is also the local Magistrate, and does his work in a most satisfactory manner. I have not, however, caused a new election to be held under Native management, as I wish Mr. Savage to conduct the election in a proper manner, in order to teach these people how such things should be done. .. • Penrhyn and Northern Islands. In my report No. 70 1 have reported the steps taken as to elections, but I have not yet given effect to clause sof the Act of 1904. In the case of Captain Nagle I had intended to do so, but when he warned me that he would leave at the end of the year I decided to make no change for the present. With reference to Mr. Williams, I think he is entitled to be considered a European, and should be Magistrate for'both his islands. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 11. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 20th June, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 134, of the 10th June, I have the honour to report that a few regulations will be necessary to define the procedure when assessing the compensation due to any person having an interest in land taken under subsection (8) of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1904." A draft of such regulations will shortly be forwarded to you. At present there is nothing before the Compensation Court that will be likely to demand any compensation except the site of the Visitors' Bungalow, and that will be settled before we take the matter in hand in the Court. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 7.

No. 12. Sic, — Customs, Alofi, Niue, Ist July, 1905. I have the honour to present to you a Return of Exports from Niue for the quarter ending the 30th June, 1905. The total value of Niue produce exported amounts to £2,876, of which £1,893 went to New Zealand proper. Comparing the results with those for the corresponding quarter of last year, I find an increase in the value of produce exported amounting to £429. This is chiefly due to larger quantities of copra and hats, 300 dozen more of the latter being exported this quarter. On the whole I consider the results satisfactory, as showing a steady increase in the exports. My forecast for the next quarter is that there will be much more copra and fungus, but fewer hats for export. I have, &c, '■■""■.' "':'.'■ C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 13. Sir, — Niue, Ist July, 1905. I have the honour to submit to you a statement of Niue Revenue Account for the quarter ended the 30th June ultimo, together with the Niue Island Current Account with the Bank of New Zealand, and a summary of the total funds to the credit of this Administration as on the 30th June, 1905. Comparing the results with those for the corresponding quarter of last year, I find that the gross receipts are nearly the same! — i.e., £219 10s.: 4d. in 1904, and £236 7s. 6d. in 1905. The disbursements, however, are considerably larger this quarter, chiefly due to an expenditure of £102 3s. Bd. on road-work during the period, and refunds of expenses, travelling-allowances, &c. Over £40 has also been expended on reservoir-construction. The item "Labour" includes wages of surfacemen on the roads. Such work cannot conveniently be measured, and the cost per chain computed, as will be done with the item, Roadwork £102 3s. Bd. I have remitted a cheque for £89-odd to the credit of Niue Island Account, Bank of New Zealand. This cheque was sent here to pay wages of returned Niue labourers from Maiden Island.

5

Ai—Sr

In a previous letter I requested your sanction to transfer £300 from the Post-office Savingsbank to Niue Current Account, Bank of New Zealand, but pending information regarding it I have taken the accounts as they stood previously. As there will be only £210, approximately, to the credit of the current account, it seems to me expedient that the transfer should be made. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Hesident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.

Enclosures. Niue Island Revenue Account for Quarter ended the 30th June, 1905. Receipts. Expenditure. 1905, Ist April— £ s. d. 1905— £ s. d. To Balance brought forward ... ... 761 8 8 By Labour ... ... ... ... 18 11 0 Customs duty ... ... ... 165 19 2 Salaries of Niue Council ... ... 41 5 0 Fines and fees ... ... ... 22 11 0 Pay of police ... 23 9 0 Sale of Niue postage-stamps ... 20 0 0 Salaries of Magistrates ... ... 17 6 0 Sale of liquor under Licensing Act... 19 2 0 Roadwork ... ... ... 102 3 8 Emigration fees ... ... ... 412 0 Travelling-allowance, Mr. Paul ... 33 10 0 Shipping fees ... ... 10 0 Passage-money, Mr. Paul ... ... 13 10 0 Miscellaneous ... ... ... 334 Refund of expenses, Resident Commissioner ... ... ... 36 6 10 Drawback of duty... ... ... 3 5 10 Horse-feed 2 18 11 Boat's crew ... ... ... 1 10 0 Labour, building jetty ... ... 11 14 0 Lakepa Reservoir ... ... ... 37 19 0 Site for reservoir, Alofi ... ... 3 0 0 Compensation for cocoanut-trees ... 417 0 Road to landing, Alofi ... ... 8 0 0 Allowance to constables ... ... 10 0 . Purchase of liquor under Licensing Act ... ... ... ... 7 9 0 Freight, " Ysabel " ... ... 0 7 0 Stationery ... ... ... 1 11 0 Provisions for labourers ... ... 019 0 Sundry expenses ... ... ... 344 Interpreter ... ... ... 0 4 0 .-• : ■ ■ " -.■:■■ 374 0 7 June 22—By remitted to Niue Island Account, Bank of New Zealand ... 89 1 6 June 30—By Balance, cash in hand ... 534 14 1 £997 16 2 f>997 16 2 C. F. Maxwell, Ist July, 1905. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

Niue Island Current Account, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. Dr. Or. 1905, Ist January— £ s. d. 1905, 13th February— £ s. d To Balance to credit ... ... ... 587 3 0 By Aces, stamp duty Lever's draft ... 02 6 Niue-stamp sales in New Zealand ... 12 14 9 E. Porter and Co 6 0 0 Cheque, H.M.S. "Clio" (returned)... 24 11 10 2nd March— Niue-stamp sales in New Zealand to By A. H. Nathan ... ... 4 16 6 31st January, 1905 ... ... 111 3 Wingate and Co. . 40 0 0 13th May— 3rd MarchTo Interest on £500, fixed deposit, Bank By Bycroft and Co. 3 7 8 of New Zealand 15 0 0 Hellaby and Co "] 310 3 Refund of duties collected in New 4th March—By H. M. Smeeton ':..' 17 6 . . Zealand ... ... ... ... 39 4 3 Bth March—By J. Burns and C 0.... ... 3 4 3 22nd June—To Cook Islands Administra- 11th March—By D. Goldie 13 6 6 tion, cheque ... ... ... 89 1 6 14th March—By E. Porter and Co. 21 0 0 20th March—By J. Wilson and Co. ... 815 8 ■''::■ 29th March—By Hon. C. H. Mills .. 9 10 Bth May—By J. Wilson and Co. ... ... 2 8 7 10th June— By P. F. Colledge ... ... ... 516 3 ' Cook Islands Administration - ... 436 1 1 ..30th June—By Balance to credit in bank ■;::-. ::■; ■. - :/:,. •- .' : . /'. : . , : .': :: :.. .. (approximate) ... ... ... 210 14 10 '"■■'. £769 6 7 £769 6 7 C. F. Maxwell, Ist July, 1905. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

6

A.—3.

Total Funds to Credit of Niue Island Administration on 30th June, 1905. £ s. d. On fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland ... ... 500 0 0 In Post-Office Savings-Bank ... ... ... ... 500 0 0 Approximate balance to credit of current account, Bank of New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... 210 14 10 Cash balance in Niue ... ... ... ... ... 534 14 1 £1,745 8 11 C. F. Maxwell, 30th June, 1905. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

No. 14. Sir,— Alofi, Niue, 3rd July, 1905. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith a schedule showing the number of chains of roadwork completed during the quarter ended the 30th June ultimo. The work consists of widening and forming existing tracks, and removing rocks. This work is often very heavy, and entails much blasting. The average cost for 111 chains is 17s. 4d. per chain. About half the work was done by day-labour, and the rest by piecework. In addition to this work, I have had a road cut through the cliff near the jetty at Alofi, to the reef-level, at an easy grade, to facilitate landing horses or heavy goods. Two gangs of Natives are now at work on the Avatele Road, and I expect to have it in good order throughout shortly. To the northward the road is now very good from Alofi to a mile past Tuapa. As soon as fresh supplies of explosives arrive I will take in hand the Alofi—Hakupu Road, which is very rough at present. . I have begun excavating a reservoir below the Government Building here, and expect to save a large quantity of water for the use of shipping, and for general purposes. The two reservoirs now in use at Alofi South and Lakepa are most satisfactory, and a great boon to the people. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Schedule of Roads constructed in Niue during Quarter ended 30th June, 1905.

C. F. Maxwell, Ist July, 1905. Resident Commissioner.

No. Iβ. Sir, — Eastern Pacific, Rarotonga, 4th July, 1905. I have the honour to forward enclosed a draft of regulations which may be found necessary to regulate the assessing of compensation for land taken under subsection (8) of section 3 of the Act of 1904, and have the honour to request your approval. T have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon, C, H, Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

7

: Locality. Number of Average Cost Chains. per Chain. Total Cost. Remarks. Alofi-Hakupu Tuapa-Mutalau ... 58 27* £ 8. 0 4 1 13 d. 3 0 £ s. d. 12 7 0 45 3 0 Removing rocks and filling. Widening old road to 16 ft. and blasting rocks. Ditto. Much rock. Alofi-Avatele 9* 6 10* 1 3 1 16 1 12 7 8 6 11 4 6 10 16 8 17 2 0 u if a ' *' n Alofi 1119 U1 TO 0 17 2 15 4 3 96 13 5 10 2 6 Rock-cutting. £102 3 8

A.— 3.

No. 16. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, sth July, 1905. Referring to your letter of the 3rd March on the subject of leasing land in the Cook Islands, I should like you to consider whether something cannot be done to facilitate the granting of leases to suitable applicants in this colony. You point out that the leases can only be obtained by the applicants negotiating with the Native owners, and it seems to me that so long as this is so European settlement in the islands will advance very slowly, since it is impossible here to give an applicant sufficient information to justify him taking definite action. It is only natural that an intending settler should expect some guarantee that he will secure a lease if he decides to visit the islands with that object, and it has occurred to me that arrangements might be made whereby an applicant could receive from this office sufficient information to enable him to form a reasonable idea of his prospects of success. Now that there seems to be a growing disposition on the part of the Natives to have their lands surveyed and their titles defined, may it not be possible to furnish this office with full information regarding specific areas that may be available for lease from time to time? There is no doubt that the future progress of the islands is largely dependent on the growth of European settlement, and although up to the present the applicants have not been numerous, I feel sure that there are numbers of desirable settlers who would gladly take up land in the islands if it was known that reasonable facilities were being offered. I have, &0., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 17. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 6th July, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th April, forwarding the minutes of a meeting held at Rarotonga for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the Arikis on the land question. I have read these very carefully, and approve of the position you have taken up. We can only hope that as a result of your conference it will be found that the interests of the " small people " will now be better safeguarded, without any loss of mana or dignity to the Ariki party. Do I understand you to say that every man owns land, including the unga section of the community; or am I right in my assumption that these people hold land merely on sufferance from, and as tenants of, the higher orders?. ; ■ I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

A.-3, 1905, No. 181.

No. 18. Si R) _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th May, and am glad to know that there is no reason to fear a shortage of the material used in the manufacture of hats in Niue. I note what you say as to the present condition of the industry, and the need of securing a more extended market. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 1.

No. 19. Sir,— Niue, 10th July, 1905. I have the honour to enclose to you a Return of Imports into Niue for the quarter ended the 30th June ultimo. The total value of imports is £1,529, which is £1,160 less than the value of imports for corresponding period last year —viz., £2,689. The duties collected, £165 19s. 2d., are £29 2s. 10d. more than were received for the same time last year. The goods imported from New Zealand proper amount to £1,242, as contrasted with £2,593 for June quarter, 1904, a falling-ofi of £1,351. With the exception of tobacco, practically the whole of these goods are free, or duty-paid in New Zealand, which explains the small amount of Customs duty collected here. It is not easy to account for this falling-off in the imports except that traders overstocked last year, and owing to the abundance of Native food this year the Natives have not purchased foodstuffs, &c, to the same extent that was expected. Now that Messrs. Lever have relinquished business in Niue, future imports will be almost entirely from New Zealand, and most of the duties will be paid there. A large number of labourers have returned during the quarter from Maiden Island and Samoa, and brought in considerable quantities of goods, of which such articles as biscuits, meats, and soap are of New Zealand manufacture. . I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Collector of Customs, &c, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington,

8

A.— 3.

Hat-making in Niue.

Fa (Screw-pine), from which Niue Hats are made.

[Facepage 8.

A.—3.

■No. 20. Sir, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 14th July, 1905. Referring to your letter of the Ist November last, forwarding a petition from the King and chiefs of Nine, oraying His Excellency the Governor that the remuneration of the King and officials of the island be increased; that the members of the Niue Island Council be elected annually; and that day-labour be substituted for piecework, I have to state that His Excellency has directed that the petitioners be informed that nothing can be done at present in the direction of increasing the salaries paid to the King and the Government officials; that it is deemed advisable that the members of the Niue Island Council should continue to hold office for a term of three years, as provided by Ordinance; and that it is not desired to make any change in the system of paying for roadwork on Niue, as it is believed that the plan followed by the Resident Commissioner is fair and reasonable, alike from the standpoint of the Natives and the Government. I shall be glad if you will convey His Excellency's decision to the King and other petitioners. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H Mills.

A.-3, 1905, No. 96.

No. 21. g IRj Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Uth July, 1905. I beg to forward herewith a copy of an Order in Council which has been passed directing that the additional Regulations, Nos. 7, 8, and 9, made under section 50 of " The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," shall have operation in the Cook and other Islands, arid amending the proviso to Regulation 3, as contained in the Order in Council of the 28th October, 1904. The new Order in Council appears in this week's Gazette. I have, (fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H, Mills.

Enclosure. Additional Regulations under Section 50 of !I 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 eighth day of July, 1905. Present: : ~; His Excellency the Governor in Council. Whereas by section three 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 intoxicating 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: And whereas by Order in Council thereunder dated the twenty-eighth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and four, and gazetted on the third day of November, one thousand nine hundred and four His Excellency the Governor did order that section fitly of "The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," and the regulations in force under such section made on the fourth day of December, one thousand nine hundred and one should have operation and be observed in the said islands with the modifications shown in the Appendix thereto: And whereas it is expedient to amend regulation three of the said regulations as modified, and also to direct that certain additional regulations made under the said section fifty shall have operation and be observed in the said islands with such modifications as hereinafter appear : Now therefore, His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand in pursuance and exercise of the powers and authorities conferred by " The Cook and other Islands Government Ac Amendment Act, 1902," and acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of theTaid colony, doth hereby amend the proviso to regulation three of the said regu ations as modified and set out in the Appendix to the said Order in Council of the twenty-eighth day of October one thousand nine hundred and four, by substituting the words Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court " for the words " High Court " ; and doth also hereby order that the additional leAlationTmade under the said section fifty on the eleventh and gazetted on the twenty-sixth day of May one thousand nine hundred and four, shall have operation and be observed in the said islands with the modifications shown in the Appendix hereto.

2—A. 3.

11

A.—3.

APPENDIX. Additional Regulations under Section 50 of ''The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," as modified to adapt them to the Conditions and Circumstances of the said Islands and the Inhabitants thereof. 7. Before registering, any adoption the Registrar shall require in respect thereof a certificate by the Chief or a European Judge of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court, or by the Resident European Magistrate or Agent at the island where such adoption takes place, that he has inquired into the circumstances of the said adoption, and that he is satisfied that the same is a bona fide adoption according to Native custom and ought to be given effect to. 8. Such inquiry shall be made in open Court after receipt of the application by the Registrar or by the Resident European Magistrate or Agent. Every application shall, at least three days before the hearing thereof, be duly notified by notice in writing posted at the Courthouse. Registration of every adoption shall be duly notified by the Registrar in the Cook Islands Gazette. 9. The fee payable in respect of every application under Regulation 6 shall include the certificate and registration fee, but shall not include fees incidental to hearing unless so ordered. J. F Andrews, Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 22. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 18th July, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 150, of the 6th instant, I have the honour to report that I have from the first enforced the view that men who have for at least twenty generations occupied and cultivated the land have an inalienable right to a certain portion of the land, subject to the rights of the overlord. The result has been that all the people living on the land are now owners under Makea, and the Court has wisely retained the right to reduce the Arikis , rights to a money value, whenever it shall appear to the Court that it is expedient to do so. The reason for this arrangement is that it has been made clear to the Court that the so-called owners had only a limited ownership in the land, and that the governing power had equal rights with the cultivators. Now, I regard the Government of New Zealand as the natural successor to the present Arikis, and therefore I have conserved the right of the Arikis whenever their rights were clearly shown. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 17.

No. 23. Sir, —. Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 20th July, 1905. In reply to the last paragraph in your letter No. 110, of the 6th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that I took the road from Taunganui to the village at Atiu with the approval of all the people interested. But the formalities necessary were not observed at that time owing to doubts in my mind as to my powers. I have now the honour to forward draft notice for your approval and the signature of the Governor. You will notice that nothing more has been taken than is absolutely required by the people; the road has simply been taken as a wise precaution to rjrevent one section of the people annoying another by putting gates across the road and fastening them with chain and padlock. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 24. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 20th July, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 147, of the sth instant, I have the honour to report that the only bar to profitable settlement in this Group is the want of land. lam in the receipt of numerous letters from would-be settlers, who would be glad to come here if they could only be certain of getting the land. The very bad prices obtained for produce since the month of January may possibly dispose those who are large land-owners to lease; but, as I reported in my confidential letter to you on the lands of this district, there is no other way of dealing with the latter than this: that the Government shall lease all lands now. in possession of the Native owners which may be open to lease, for terms of not less than fifty years, and shall re-lease the same to European settlers at the same rent, charging only the usual transfer and survey fees. In the event of my receiving authority to do this, I should be in a position to send you maps of areas so acquired.

No. Iβ.

12

A.—3.

The only district in which we can expect to find an opening for Europeans in this island it at Titikaveka (south side). There I may possibly manage to lease an area of from 200 to 500 acres at ss. per acre. At Mauke there should be no difficulty in leasing 500 acres, and at Atiu we may get 1,000 acres —in these two islands at 2s. or 2s. 6d. an acre, for some of the best oocoanut land in the world. In my confidential memo, on this subject I suggested that the Government should plant the islands where they obtained leases, but ijie demand created by Miss Grimshaw's articles will render that unnecessary. We have only to acquire the land from the Native owners and there will be no difficulty in obtaining tenants. There are certain things to be borne in mind by all men that come here—viz., that each acre taken up is equal to five in New Zealand, .and that each settler should have a capital of £10 for every acre he takes up. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Kesident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 25. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 21st July, 1905. I have the honour to report for your information on the subject of work done by the Native Land Titles Court and Survey Department during the quarter ending the 30th June. Seventy-two blocks of land have passed through the Court during the quarter, at an expense to the owners of £97 15s. for Court fees and £132 for surveys. Most of this land has been awarded to members of the Makea family, who form the bulk of the Avarua population; but I am glad to inform you that two independent tribes—Ngatiuritana and Ngatitearera—have also had their lands awarded to them and without contention. In every instance the ancient rights of the Arikis have been conserved, but the small people have also been admitted to have a right, and are now registered owners of the lands they have occupied and cultivated for the last five hundred years. During the next two months I shall be hard at work at Mauke, Takutea, and Rakahanga, but I shall during the summer months resume the work on Makea's lands in Tupapa. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 26. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 27th July, 1905. I have the honour to forward herewith a Village Regulation Ordinance passed at Mangaia, and which I submit for your consideration. There are one or two matters in connection with this Ordinance that require amendment—viz., the latter portion of section 6. Ido net think it advisable that the Resident Agent should be the Inspector. If the place is dirty a policeman could inspect and report, and the owner would not resent inspection by police, but he might by Mr. Large. An addition is required to the effect that all cases shall be heard in the Island Court, but that there shall be a right of appeal to the High Court if notice of such appeal be given within seven days. The relations at present existing between Mr. Large and the leading people of Mangaia make me doubt the wisdom of passing any Ordinance at the present time, and I would suggest that your approval be withheld for at least six months. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 27. g IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 27th July, 1905. I am in receipt of your letter of the Bth June, No. 66, recommending that Mr. Henry Williams, of Manihiki, be appointed Resident Agent for Rakahanga. This recommendation has been given effect to, and a Warrant of appointment, signed by His Excellency the Governor, is forwarded herewith. I approve of your proposal to pay Mr. Williams £20 per annum as travelling-expenses. Mr. Williams has proved himself a valuable officer, and now that he has been given the control of Rakahanga as well as Manihiki, it seems only fair that he should receive some small remuneration for his services. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. ' C. H. Mills.

No. 4.

13

A.—3.

No. 28. Sir, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 31st July, 1905. With reference to the appointment of a successor to" Mr. Herd as Collector of Customs and Postmaster at Rarotonga, I have to say that after carefully considering the matter I have decided to transfer one of the officers of the Customs Department here, Mr. William James Stevenson, to take up the position. Mr. Stevenson has proved himself to*be a very capable officer, and I believe he will faithfully perform all the duties appertaining to his office. He has been married a few months. I have told him that, in addition to the salary paid from here, he will receive £50 a year from your Government, as well as a free house, and I have explained to him that in the event of your being absent from Rarotonga at any time he would-Dccupy the same position as Mr. Herd has done, and be responsible for the control of matters generally. The appointment will be for three years. Mr. Stevenson will leave for Rarotonga by the steamer sailing from Auckland on the sth September, and Mr. Herd could return to New Zealand by the same boat. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 29. Sin, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd August, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth June, with a return of the population of the Cook and Northern Islands, Native and European, for the present year. This will be very useful for reference. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Xo. 6.

No. 30. g IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1905. I should be glad to hear whether you consider anything further should be done at present in the direction of acquiring the la.goons at Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Aitutaki for the purpose of Retting~them apart as reserves for public pearl-shell fishing. The descriptions you have already furnished may be sufficient for the purposes of notices under section 3 of "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," but I should like to hear from you on the question generally before taking any further steps. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 31. g IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of jour letter of the 20th June, with reference to issuing regulations under subsection (8) of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," prescribing the mode of making and assessing compensation claims in respect of land taken under that section, and note that you purpose submitting draft regulations shortly. I assume that in most cases where land has been taken you are continuing paying the rent to the Native owners, so that so far as they are concerned the question of compensation does not arise for the present. Please say if this is correct. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 11

No. 32. g IR Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1905. I am in receipt of your letter of the 19th June, No. 73, N.Z., reporting on the arrangements made in the several islands in pursuance of sections 5 and 6 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904." I think you are right in your opinion that section 5 does not apply to Rarotonga, and you have done well not to interfere with the Arikis Makea and Pa in the positions they now occupy as Judges. I agree with you also that for the purposes of section 5 Mr. Williams should be deemed to be a European, and that he should be appointed Magistrate for both the islands under his jurisdiction.

No. 10.

14

A.—3.

I think it would have been better, as a matter of formal compliance with the law, if nothing else, had you given effect to section 5 during your recent visit to Penrhyn, notwithstanding Captain Nagle's pending retirement. I assume you will have this matter settled if possible when you go north again next month. 1 have, <tec, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 33. Sir, — Niue, sth August, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 113, dated the 7th June, 1905, covering a report made by Mr. Paul recording his impressions of Niue. I beg to say that I concur generally in what Mr. Paul has stated in his report, but there are one or two subjects that he has touched upon that I desire to make some remarks about. 1. The rate of pay: He is not strictly accurate in stating the rate of pay ruling here at 2s. per day. This only applies to roadwork, and then only in certain cases— e.g., when numbers of Natives are employed without adequate supervision. The usual system is piecework. When small parties of reliable men are emploj'ed the daily rate is 4s. for foreman and 3s. for labourers. When Natives are employed as carriers or lumpers on arrival of shipping they are invariably paid 4s. per day each. 2. Waste land: As it seems impossible to persuade the Natives to remain here and cultivate their land, I am in hopes that when land titles are put in order some enterprising Europeans with capital may be induced to take up areas of surplus land on long leases and grow cocoanuts, which it seems is about the only thing of commercial value which could profitably be grown here. It must be remembered, however, that the Niue people are hard and difficult to deal with in the matter of land. 3. Timber: A good deal of ebony was exported from, here in past years, but the traffic was abandoned as marketable timber became scarce. In my explorations throughout this island I have observed comparatively little marketable timber of any kind, and over twenty years' experience in New Zealand forests enables me to form a fairly accurate opinion. 4. Sanitary conditions : I do not think the sanitary conditions of any of the villages are so bad as might be inferred from Mr. Paul's remarks. The nature of the surface is so rocky and porous that evaporation and absorption take place very rapidly. No cases of zymotic disease —as typhoid, for instance —ever occur here that I am aware of. During my long experience amongst the Maoris in New Zealand I observed many sad instances of the ravages of this disease amongst them. The physical conditions of the two places are, however, very different. I think that, generally speaking, Niue villages will compare favourably as regards cleanliness, &c, with those of most aboriginal peoples. I have, ifec, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

See A.-3, 1905, No 185.

No. 34. g IB; Niue, 7th August, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of you letter No. 173, dated the 14th July, and note the purport of His Excellency's decision regarding the subject-matter of the petition from the Natives. I will convey His Excellency's decision to the King and other petitioners, as directed. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 20.

No. 35. gi R; Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 9th August, 1905. I have the honour to forward herewith a report by Mr Blame, of the Schooner Department, on the returned labour from Maiden Island. It is most satisfactory to find that the men are so we'll pleased with the arrangements on that island and all wish to return. With the Mangaia people who have been at Maiden the effect will be productive of much good, for the young men of that island have hitherto been simply held in bondage by the chiefs, and have had to work for the benefit of those men only—men who have done their best to prevent the young men going away to work, and who have hunted out as vagrants all who would not work for them. The force of public opinion will now be too strong for the chiefs, and the small people have now a chance of earning some money, for the Mangaians are industrious. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

15

A.--3.

Enclosure. Sir, — Government Schooner Department, Rarotonga, 9th August, 1905. I have the honour to report the return from Maiden Island of thirty-three Cook-Islanders (thirteen Aitutakians, seven Rarotongans, and thirteen Mangaians), being the majority of the labour party which proceeded to Maiden Island under engagement to Messrs. Grice, Sumner, and Co. in the month of August last year. The men were sent away from Maiden Island some five weeks before the expiry of their twelvemonths' engagement owing to the fact that the stock of provisions at that island was shortened by reason of the crews of two vessels wrecked at Maiden Island in May last being on the island for some weeks before they were taken off by a passing vessel. The wages earned by the returned men amount to about the sum of £720, of which they received £320 in cash, the balance going for the most part in the purchase of corrugated roofing-iron and building-timber ordered by the men through Messrs. Grice, Sumner, and Co. This timber send iron is purchased in Auckland by Messrs. Grice, Sumner, and Co., and is forwarded by the " Countess of Kanfurly," to be delivered to the men at their various islands. The returned men speak in the highest terms of the treatment they received at Maiden Island under Mr. Karlson, who was appointed manager about twelve mouths ago, and many of them have expressed a desire to return to Maiden whenever a party is again to be sent from the Cook Islands. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner. E. Blaise, Secretary.

No. 36. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 14th August, 1905. Referring to your letter of the 20th August last, on the subject of the steamer-service to the Cook Islands, I have now to inform you that the accommodation-house at Rarotonga is completed, and will be opened about the beginning of next month. I shall be glad, therefore, to hear whether your, company can see its way to take any steps towards establishing a fortnightly service from New Zealand to Rarotonga—for a few months' trial if not as a permanent arrangement —and on what terms the additional steamer can be run. I have, &c, C. H. Mills. The Managing Director, Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

A.-3, 1905, No. 53.

No. 37. g IRj Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 15th August, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 212, of the 4th instant, I have the honour to suggest that the lagoons of Penrhyn and Manihiki should be proclaimed under section 15 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901," subject to the provisions of section 4 of the amending Act of 1904. I do not think that further action than the Proclamation will be needed just now, for the price of shell is so low at present that the industry barely pays, and will bear no restraint. It may, however, be as well to appoint me to administer the reserves. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgboh, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 30.

No. 38. g IRj Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 15th August, 1905. In reply to your letter of the 4th instant, No. 210, I have the honour to inform you that draft regulations were forwarded in No. 86, of the 4th July last. In all cases where land has been taken we are paying the rent provided for in the lease to the owners thereof, and it is a system that I think it would be well to continue, though the Court must decide the compensation payable, either at the termination of the lease or on the request of either party to the transaction. The compensation payable must be awarded on the present values. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 31.

16

A.—3.

No. 39. SlR >— . Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 15th August, 1905. With reference to your letter No. 209, of the 4-th instant, I have the honour to inform you that I have formally notified both Mr. Williams and Captain Nagle that they are now the Magistrates of their respective islands, by virtue of section 5 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," and that for the future they will b"e held responsible for the conduct of the various Courts of such islands. I will also instruct Captain Nagle as to the measures he should take during my next visit. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 32.

No. 40. S IR > — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 16th August, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 177, of the 14th ultimo, I have now the honour to enclose a draft Proclamation for your approval, taking Section 10 as residential sites. I have received numerous letters from intending settlers of means, who ask what accommodation there would be for their wives and families in the event of their arrival at Rarotonga, and to this question I have had to reply that not only were there no houses that could be leased, but that I could not even guarantee that sites could be obtained whereon to build. You will therefore recognise that it is absolutely necessary that some land should be taken for this purpose, and I know of nothing more suitable than Section 10 (4 acres). The rent is £14 per annum, which is simply extravagant, but we will continue to pay it unless I can come to some arrangement with Jimmy te Pou. The tenants' interest is so small that I think £10 will buy it out. With reference to Sections 7 and 14a, I do not propose to deal with them at once; but I may manage to negotiate with ithe owners and save any friction, and this I will try to do. Touching the matter of a house for Mr. Blame, I will, with your approval, build on Section 10 about the beginning of the new year, unless I can arrange with the owners of Section 7 for the house he now lives in. If I can buy out the lessees at a reasonable price it would probably be cheaper than building a new house at a cost of £500. I have, <fee, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 41. Sir, — . Eastern Pacific, Rarotonga, 16th August, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 176, of the 14th ultimo, enclosing Order in Council directing that the additional regulations 7, 8, and 9, made under section 50 of "The Native Land Claims Adjustment and Laws Amendment Act, 1901," shall have operation in the Cook and other Islands. You will be glad to hear that the Natives of Rarotonga are taking the fullest advantage of these regulations : at least fifty orders have already been made I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 21.

No. 42. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration. Wellington, 16th August, 1905. Referring to previous correspondence on the subject of the Government of the Cook Islands taking over the control of all the schools in the Group and the northern islands, I have to say that this matter has been considered by Cabinet, and it has been decided to defer any action for the present. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

17

A,—3.

No. 43. Niue, 22nd August, 1900. I beg to hand to you for your consideration a letter from the Secretary to the General Trust Board Auckland, with reference to receiving three Niue boys into St. Stephens School, Parnell, Auckland j also a letter sent to Uea, Native teacher at Alofi, on a eimilai "übjert In this letter the Board intimated that the cost of maintenance would be £18 a year tor each ' ad - Tandetuntil next year there is ample time to make any arrangements neCS At r the higher rate of £25 per annum £100 a year would probably cover cost of clothing as well " tU spent, and if the scheme meets with your approval it would only be necessary to ascertain whether the diminished revenue of this island will admit of the expenditure. I have, &c., C F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. SIR _ The Diocesan Office, Shortland Street, Auckland N.Z., 16th June, 1905 SlR ' I am instructed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter oi {^X^^TJiT Niue Island Administration desired to send three boys to St. Stephen s School, and asking wnat WOUI ? n b Lt e er oS I I'SrStiSS you that the Board will receive three boys on payment of a sum of £25 a: year eaci tl ßoard will not be in a position to accept them until the beginning of /i (\f\c\ 1 have, <fec.j next year (1906). w _ g> CocHKANE; Secretary. C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue.

No. 44. Sm Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd August, 1905 ,-. C. H. Mills. The Resident Commissioner, Niue.

No. 1?.

No. 45. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd August, 1905 '~~ I have to inform you that, in accordance with the suggestion contained in your letter t «.p 15th April a Order in Council has been issued reducing to Is. a pound the duty on black of the 15tli April, an v '« '" islands where the invoice value does not exceed Is. twist tobacco imported into the Cook and other ™^™\^ e^.° er dated the 10t h December, deem this necessary. C. H. Mills. The Resident Commissioner, JNiue.

A.-3, 1905, No. 172.

Enclosure. the Time of Importation does not exceed Is. the Pound. PuranoßT, Governor. Order in Council. At the Government House, at Wellington, this second day of August, 1905. Present: His Excellency the Governor in Council. a \ -TV, Tw " The Cook and other Islands Governemnt Act fa exercise of the powers il SS L intent M, 1903,'' Amendment Act, 1902," and ihe Cook■ °ther l Excellency the Governor of and of all other powers and authentic enai> DgJ«n Executive Councl i of the Colony of K -f £' t tariff in its application to goods imthe said colony, doth hereby mociny cue c . declaring and directing as follows: —

18

A.—3.

2. The duty on black twist tobacco imported into the said islands on and after the said first day of October, one thousand nine hundred and five, shall be one shilling the pound (in lieu of three shillings and sixpence the pound as fixed by " The Customs and Excise Duties Act, 1888 ") where the Collector is satisfied that the genuine invoice value at the time of importation does not exceed one shilling the pound. Alex. Willis, Clerk of the Executive Council. ...

No. 46. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd August, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd July, with a schedule showing the roadwork completed on Nine Island during the quarter ending the 30th June. I am pleased to know that good progress is still being made with this work, and that the reservoirs you have constructed at Alofi South and Lakepa have already proved of great benefit to the inhabitants of those villages. . . I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 14.

No. 47, Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd August, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist July, with a Statement of Niue Island Revenue, &c, for the quarter ending the 30th June, 1905. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 13.

No. 48. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd August, 1905. I have been considering the question of education in Niue, to which, reference was made during our conversation in Wellington in March last, and I am anxious that something be done as early as possible on the lines of your suggestions. '.. Kindly let me know whether your Administration would pay the salary of a married teacher, and to what amount; also whether suitable accommodation for a man and his wife and family could be obtained at Alofi. This and any other information you may be able to give will assist me in dealing with this important question. Among the applications I have received lately from persons desirous of settling in the islands is one from a young man who is at present employed as a teacher under the Canterbury Education Board. His wife has also been a teacher, and they are both anxious to settle in some tropical island if the means of subsistence can be found. lam aware that there are no openings for taking up land in Niue at present, but it has occurred to me that the experience and qualifications of this couple might be of service in connection with education on the island. Please let me know what, you think of it. The applicant mentions that he has some knowledge of carpentry, and I imagine this could be turned to very good account in the training of the Niue boys. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 49. g IE; . Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 23rd August, 1905. I have the honour to forward enclosed Ordinance No. 3 of the Aitutaki Island Council. Mr. Cameron's letter will explain the position, and I attach a copy of Ordinance No. 1 to make clear the provisions of section 12 which it is now proposed to repeal. Having regard to the peculiar position of Aitutaki as a food-producing island without fences, Ido think the provisions of this Ordinance as to pigs and cattle are reasonable. I have therefore the honour to recommend this Ordinance for the approval of His Excellency. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

3—A. 3.

19

A.—3.

: ■_■:•. Enclosure. Siß,-r- -.•::: Aitutaki, 19th August, 1905. ■ v " I have the honour by direction of the Aitutaki Island Council to forward for your approval Aitutaki Ordinance No. 3, and to explain as follows : — . . Section 2. The pigs here have a fairly extensive run, and no excuse can be offered for permitting tho damage done by them to continue. The Council have caused every one to plant food, and it seems it is no one's business to look after the pigs that destroy the work of months in an hour or two. Section 3 has been drawn as a fair solution of the cattle difficulty, which has been continually cropping up during the past three years. The vote was unanimous. Several violent solutions were suggested, for the cattle are in the hands of a very few owners, who take little notice of complaints; but the Council consider this section will meet the case, and gradually get rid of them all but a very few. Any beast worth keeping is worth £1 a year. There is no room in Aitutaki for many cattle, and when they break inland they do a large amount of damage. Section 4 explains itself. The women who cannot get through their washing, &c, before 4 p.m. do not deserve consideration, as they have little else to do, and the men are kept very dirty for want of a bath. The men do all the planting, &c. Section 5 cancels section 12 of the Aitutaki Ordinance No. 1. The parents consider they can look after.their daughters, and tho husbands their wives, and the R.M. is always at hand if necessaryto assist them. I have, &c, J. C. Cameron. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, C.M.G-., Eesident Commissioner, Earotonga.

Sub-enclosure. . ;. Aitutaki Local Ordinance No. 3.—Aitutaki Ordinance No. 3. Be it enacted by the Island Council of Aitutaki: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Aitutaki Ordinance No. 3." 2. No pig. shall be allowed to run at large on Aitutaki except in the " Lagoon-side Enclosure " ; and any person who finds a pig loose and devouring or destroying the food in any plantation or kainga may kill such pig there and then, and shall at once give notice to the constable of the district that he has done so. 3. On and after the Ist January, 1906, all cattle on Aitutaki shall be subject to a yearly tax of twenty shillings per head, payable in January of each and every year ; but no calf shall be liable to be taxed until it shall have attained the age of one year. Owners of cattle are liable for any and all damage done by their cattle; and those owners who refuse or neglect to pay the above tax may have their cattle destroyed by order of the Council. No person shall be allowed to import cattle into Aitutaki unless by special permission of the Council. 4. And whereas the women of Aitutaki now occupy the several bathing and washing pools of Aitutaki from daylight to dark, to the exclusion of the men, who are thus unable to bathe until night: From and after the passing of this Ordinance the bathing and washing pools shall be at the disposal of the women from* early morning until four p.m. on each and every day, at which hour every woman shall have finished her washing, &c, and shall leave the waters for the use of the men only. Any woman offending against this section shall be liable on conviction to a fine of not exceeding five shillings for each offence. 5. Section 12 of Aitutaki Island Ordinance No. 1, being inexpedient and unnecessary, is hereby rescinded, cancelled, and declared null and void, and no longer in force in Aitutaki. 6. All tea-shops shall be closed between the hours of nine o'clock p.m. and six o'clock a.m. ; and children under the age of thirteen years shall not be allowed to congregate or wait about or in any tea-shop, except when in charge of their parents. Any tea-shop licensee who neglects to see the provisions of this section attended to shall be liable to have his license cancelled or suspended; and it shall be the duty of the police to assist in seeing that this section is enforced. J. C. Cameron, 19th August, 1905. . President, Aitutaki Island Council. [Assented to by the Governor, 23rd September, 1905.]

No. 50. S IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th August, 1905. I have to inform yoa that an Order in Council has been issued reducing to Is. a pound the duty on black twist tobacco imported into the Cook and other Islands, where the invoice value does not exceed Is. per pound, and revoking the previous Order in Council dealing with this matter, which was passed on the 10th December, 1903. I have posted to you a number of printed copies of tfie new Order for distribution should you deem this necessary. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. See No. 45,

20

A 3.

No. 51. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin, 25th August, 1905. Sir, — Re Cook Islands. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your favour of the 14th instant, informing me that, the accommodation-house at Rarotonga is now complete, and asking whether the company can now establish a fortnightly service from New Zealand to Rarotonga. I have looked into the matter very closely, and regret that we cannot at the present moment undertake to establish a fortnightly service for passenger purposes, as the monthly steamer now engaged in the trade is more than sufficient to carry not only the passengers, but also all the cargo offering. I shall be pleased, however, to offer inducement to persons to risit Cook Islands for temporary residence by granting return tickets at single fare. To my mind it is doubtful whether the Cook Islands can at short notice furnish sufficient marketable fruit to load a second steamer, apart altogether from the question whether New Zealand can absorb another cargo per month in addition to present supplies. If it is desired to try the experiment of a second steamer for the carriage of fruit for three or four months next season, it might be well to have the matter arranged some time beforehand, so that producers in the Group may prepare for it. I would suggest also that the Resident Agent be asked to report as to how far additional supplies of first-class marketable fruit will be available. Not less than 1,000 tons will be required for a second steamer in excess of what the present steamer can carry. I have, &c, James Mills, Managing Director. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister of Customs, Wellington.

No. 36.

No. 52. Sih, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 29th August, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th July, forwarding draft notices taking land for a landing-place and i oad at Atiu, and a road at Mangaia. These have now been approved and signed by His Excellency the Governor, and I forward them herewith for publication in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 23.

Enclosures. Lands taken for Landing-place and Road at Atiu, 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 landing-place and a road at Atiu, 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 in the Schedule hereto are hereby taken for the purposes of a landing-place and a road respectively, as mentioned in the said Schedule. Schedule. Land for landing-place: All that piece of land at Taunganui, Island of Atiu, containing 42 ars, more or less, starting from a tou-tree; thence southerly B'4 meters to the centre of the Main Road, which is easterly 1247 meters from the new flagstaff; thence southerly 25"2 meters; thence westerly 124 - 7 meters to the coast; thence along the coast 252 meters to the new flagstaff; thence along the coast 8"4 meters; thence easterly 124"7 meters to the tou-tree at the starting-point. Land for road: All that piece of land in the Island of Atiu, 10 meters wide, starting from a point which is southerly 8"4 meters from the tou-tree at the north-east corner of the Taunganui Landing-place; thence south-easterly, 35T6 meters; easterly, 16T7 meters; south-easterly, 254 meters; easterly, 165 - 9 meters; south-easterly, 1271 meters; southerly, 393"1 meters; south-easterly, 659 - 5 meters; easterly, 585-8 meters; south-easterly, 252 - 6 meters; southerly, 44 meters, to the northern corner of the stone wall of the enclosure Te Ari-o-te-Rangi at the settlement. Area,' 3 hectars, more or less. The said lands are more particularly 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 Atiu. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this 27th day of August, 1905. C. H. Mills.

21

A.—B.

Land taken for Road at Mangaia, Cook Islands. ■■ : :■■■■■■- ■■ - . Plunk ex, 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 certain public work, to wit, for a road between the settlements of Oneroa and Tamarua, in the Island of 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 any wise enabling me in this behalf, do hereby notify that on 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 a public road. Schedule. All that piece of land in the Island of Mangaia, 10 meters wide, starting from the concrete block numbered I at the junction of the Makatea Road with the Main Coast Road at the settlement of Oneroa; thence southerly, 1847-2 meters; thence south-easterly, 1007 meters; southerly, 187-5 meters; south-easterly, 6322 meters; easterly, 132*9 meters; south-easterly, 227 meters; easterly, 95-6 meters; south-easterly, 17229 meters; easterly, 19278 meters; north-westerly, 57"4 meters; westerly, 83 meters; northerly, 134 meters; easterly, 388 meters, to the concrete block numbered 17 at the settlement of Tamarua. Area 7 - 5 hectars, more, or less. The said land is more particularly 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 Mangaia. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this 27th day of August, 1905. C. H. Mills.

No. 53. g IRj Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 29th August, 1905. I have to thank you for your letter of the 25th instant, with reference to establishing a fortnightly steamer-service between New Zealand and the Cook Islands. I regret that your company cannot see its way to undertake such a service until the produce for export from the islands is much more extensive; but lam grateful for the offer you are prepared to make in order to induce people to visit the Cook Islands for temporary residence, by granting return tickets at single fares. As showing how rapidly the fruit trade in the Group is expanding I enclose an extract trom a letter I received recently from a committee of planters at Rarotonga, and the opinions they express as to the capabilities of the islands for an almost unlimited production are entirely indorsed by the Resident Commissioner. . _ r . ... - As you are aware, the shipments of fruit from the Cook Islands, after arrival in Auckland, often, through no fault of your company, miss the steamer coming south, and when they reach Wellington they are frequently too far gone for distribution further south. This means a great loss to the shippers and disappointment to the consumers in the South Island, who have to pay dearly for their fruit. lam of opinion that if we could have a monthly steamer between Wellington and the islands in addition to the present service, the consumption of oranges, bananas, &c, would very soon be quadrupled, and the passenger traffic would prove to be far greater than is generally contemplated. I have The Managing Director, l>• "-■ mills. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 51

No. 54. g lß .__- ... Cook and other i s i an( i s Administration, Wellington, 30th August, 1905. I enclose for your information a copy of a letter received from the managing director of the Union Steamship Company on the subject of * fortnightly steamer-service between New Zealand "and the Cook Islands. I enclose also a copy of my reply. -■:• I shall be glad to hear your views on the company's letter, particularly as to paragraph o, as Twould like to be able to assure the company that we will fall in with any action they may take in "the directions indicated in their letter as soon as they are in a position to move The concession promised as to passenger-fares is an important one, and will no doubt be justified by results; but the question of a fortnightly service will be determined principally, if not entirely, by the amount of : cargo that can be promised in addition to the present output. » -: - The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C H. Mills.

Enclosures. See Nos. 51 and 53.

22

A.—3.

No. 55. Sir,--- : Cook and other islands Administration, Wellington, 30th August, 1905. ;..;. . ... I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st July, reporting on the work done by the Land Titles Court in Earotonga during the quarter ending the 30th June last, which I consider most satisfactory. I note that the Court purposes dealing with the Islands of Mauke, Takutea, and. Rakahanga before resuming work on Makea's lands in the summer. I have, &c, . The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 25.

No. 56. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th August, 1905, I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th July, relative to making provision for European settlement in the Cook. Islands. Your suggestion that the Government should lease all the available land for terms of not less than fifty years, and sublease to European settlers, is one which I am disposed to consider favourably. It will be necessary, however, to obtain legislative authority in order to give proper effect to the proposal. lam unable to promise that anything will be done this session; but I would like you to send me by return mail, if possible, an outline of the provisions you think necessary to institute a workable and effective scheme. The provisions of your Land Act will have to be borne in mind, as it may be deemed advisable to exempt leases to the Crown from some of the conditions governing ordinary leases, and provision will have to be made accordingly in any new enactment dealing with the matter. Please let me have full particulars of your proposal. The question is a large one, and whatever action is taken will have to be carefully considered. I would like you to say also whether you think the scheme in its general application will meet with favour among the people of the islands, or otherwise. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 24,

No. 57. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 31st August, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 89, of the 18th July, with reference to the ownership of land in Rarotonga. I take it that the view which you hold as to the rights of the smaller people, and which you are having recognised in the proceedings of the Land Titles Court, is in keeping with the old customs of the island, although not with the practices of late years. Is this so, or is the contention that the occupiers of the land " have an inalienable right to a certain portion of the land subject to the rights of the overlord " rather your own view of the equity of the position as you find it at the present time? lam quite satisfied it is the correct view, but would like to know whether it is part of the original polity of the island or a recent development of it. I am very much pleased at the changed attitude Makea is adopting in this matter, and I think you are to be congratulated on the good work that is being done by the Land Titles Court. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 22.

No. 58. Sir, — . Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ist September, 1905. I have the honour to forward enclosed a draft notice taking the following roads within the Island of Rarotonga: (1) The Victoria Road, (2) the Takuvaine Valley Road, (3) the Ara Metua (Ancient) Road, (4) the Avatiu Valley Road. Nos. 1, 2, and 4 have been formed and metalled, and are used by carts bringing produce to the port. I have therefore the hono\ir to request that you will submit the draft for the approval of His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, W, E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

::■■ ~,,. ~.. - •■ .... • . No. 59. .SftS,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 11th September, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of notices taking land for landing-place and ] road at Atiu and a road at Mangaia. These notices will be gazetted at once. I have, &c, • • .. . :: :.-:. . ..- • . . WE. Gudgeon, . Resident Commissioner.. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 52.

23

*F*4

No. 60. Sir,— Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 11th September, 1905. * In reply to your letter No. 2-19, of the 30th ultimo, I have the honour to report that the concession offered by the managing director of the Union Company will probably bring us more visitors during eight months of the year than we can accommodate. The place is now full. We can, however, build a four-roomed cottage of wood for men if necessary, and do it cheaply. I cannot say that I think that a fortnightly line of steamers will pay. The returns from oranges- this year have been so bad that the producers may at any moment refuse to export. I question if shippers have received a net return of ss. a ton if we take the whole year through; until lately we have had actual losses. How can oranges pay when we have thousands of boxes of French fruit competing against us, and twelve hundred cases of oranges a week from Sydney sent to Dunedin? It is for this reason that I find it impossible to give any guarantee as to shipments of fruit by a fortnightly steamer. It appears to me that, judging from the prices obtained, we are already overshipping to New Zealand, and that so long as we are exposed to the competition of the whole Pacific it is unsafe to reckon on large exports. The general opinion seems to be that we have planted too many bananas, and that shippers will burn their fingers within the next year or so. I suggest for your consideration that it will not be wise under present circumstances to make any engagement as to quantities until we find that there is some remuneration for the fruit exported. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 54.

No. 61. g IR; Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 11th September, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 252, of the 31st ultimo, I have the honour to report that of old the land was held to be the property of the Ariki or " Tutara " —that is, of all those independent landholders who held lands for the benefit of the tribes or sub-tribes who lived under their mana. So far as can now be ascertained, this Arikiship or Tutaraship was purely elective, and the position was, as a rule, placed in the hands of the most capable man in the reigning family, irrespective of seniority; but he was at best merely regarded as their chief for the time being, and as having only a life interest in the lands of the tribe. An Ariki Tutara had, however, this privilege: hecould make absolute gifts of unoccupied land to members of his own family—that is, to the Rangatiras — and by this act of gift they in turn became Tutaras over the land so given, and were relieved of all obligations to the Ariki other than that of building and repairing his house and perhaps a few other minor obligations. During the last fifty years it has been the aim of the Arikis —but not of the Tutaras generally — to lessen the power of the members of their own family and put others in their place, in order that the powers of the Ariki might be upheld by men whose position depended on the support of the Of old it was held that those who held land under the Ariki could not be dispossessed of the land so held except for the offence of akateitei (denying the right or mana of the Ariki), a very salutary rule that finds expression in our laws—viz., that the tenant may not dispute the right of his landlord. I believe that I have in my decision followed closely the old laws of this island, and I have some reason for this belief inasmuch as Makea herself, who represents all that there is of autocracy in these islands, has adopted my view of the case, and voluntarily awarded two and a half miles of coast to her people on the terms approved by the Court. The result is that the people are pleased, and Makea is satisfied in every respect. _ For my own part I am more than pleased, for justice has been done without injury to the susceptibilities of the Native chiefs. The right of the governing-power has been recognised, and the tillers of the soil have now security of tenure. I have &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 57,

No. 62. g IB _ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 11th September, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 248, of the 30th ultimo, I have the honour to report that the present method of dealing with waste or unoccupied lands within these islands is not only bad, but inefficient; in fact, there is no method, properly speaking. Any person visiting this Group must come here and lose both time and money m looking for land from the Native owners. He may not be able to obtain the 50 acres which is the minimum quantity of land for a man with some capital, and owing to some fault of manner, or even personal appearance, a man who would become a valuable settler may not be able to obtain any land on lease.

No. 56.

24

Ae«sfi

- All of these evils might be obviated by the local Government being authorised to lease direct from the Native owners, and sublet to suitable men who desire to become planters. The conditions imposed by our Land Act are not onerous, for people have already experienced the trouble incidental to cutting down all timber at once and will not repeat this mistake. I may be wrong, but I can hardly see the necessity for legislative action in such a case. Your authority for the expenditure of the local revenue in the leasing of lands for settlement should surely be sufficient, for those lands would not be on our hands for six months in any case. If, however, legislation should be necessary, 1 would suggest that Rarotonga should legislate for their own lands, on the following lines: — :■ Leases for not less than fifty years, at not exceeding ss. per acre, or 6s. in special cases. No one settler to hold more than 100 acres of flat or first-class land, or 500 of second-class land (mountain-slopes). Lands to be sublet to suitable settlers with capital for not less than forty-nine years; all rents received by the Government to be paid direct to the Treasury. Treasury to keep a debtor and creditor account as against all lands leased from Native owners, and to report on the 31st March in each year for information of Parliament. The question is not a large one so far as Rarotonga is concerned, for I do not think that more than 700 acres could be leased by the Government under tEe most favourable circumstances. That the leading Natives will approve the scheme I am quite sure, for I have already spoken to them on the point. . I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, ....... . Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 63. Sin, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 13th September, 1905. I have the honour to forward a hastily written report and plan of the Island of Takutea for your information. There has been no time for revision of the report, as we are on the eve of departure for the north, but Mr. Connal's report will give you a fair idea of this valuable property. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

■ ■ ■ * . . ■ - . ! Enclosure. Report on the Island of Takutea, Cook Islands. Havino been directed by the Resident Commissioner to proceed to Takutea to survey, report, and plant in cocoanuts as much land as the time at our disposal would permit, I left Rarotonga with a party of thirteen, in the Government schooner " Countess of Ranfurly," about 9 p.m. on the 30th August, and arrived at Takutea on the Ist September about 9 a.m. Takutea is a coral island, the only others in the Cook Group of any size being Manuae or Hervey Islands and a few of the motus of Aitutaki. Position. —The position of Takutea as shown on the Admiralty charts —viz., latitude 19° 49' S. and longitude 158° 16' W. for the centre of the island —I should say is practically correct. I make a concrete block shown on my plan of the island as A, from the mean of seven star and three sun observations for latitude S. 19° 48' 35"; and for longitude, 5° 51' east of A Rarotonga (159° 46' 10"), which gives the longitude 158° 18 ; 25" W. But as this is got from depending on one chronometer I call the longitude of A to the nearest minute 158° 18' W. as near as I can give it with the instruments at present with me. Area and Height. —l make the total area of Takutea 302 acres to high-water mark, of which 75 acres are mostly sandy beach, leaving 227 acres as land for the cocoanuts, and from high-water mark to the centre of the island is about 25 ft. in height. Most of the scrub land is about from 15 ft. to 25 ft. above high-water mark. Direction of Length. —The direction of the length of the island shown on the Admiralty chart — S.E. and N.W. is not correct, the length being in direction east and west. At the eastern end there is a long reef running out under water as shown on the chart, and at the western end another reef running also as shown on the chart. Landing. —At the north-west side there is a good landing on the reef with the wind and sea anywhere from south-east to south-west. This landing, being protected by the two end reefs, seems superior to any of the other islands' landings of the Group .excepting Rarotonga. Hurricane, January, 1905. —The sea in the hurricane of January last seems to have reached just a little above the edge of the scrub land. Soil, The soil of Takutea is composed of a thick strata of coral sand, which is covered by a thin layer of humus, which by the rains gets washed in amongst the sand below and forms a sandy loam. In several places the soil was fairly black for a foot in depth. This soil is considered a good one for the propagation of the cocoanut-palm.

25

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Kumaras. —In several places kumaras might grow. Despite the fact of the light character of the soil in general a great variety of thick vegetation covers the whole of the island. 'Timber. —The only trees that reach any size on the island are the pukatea, tamanu (I only saw one large one), utu, ano, tanunu, nono, tou, and toa, and plenty of pandanus. The scrub is thick and composed of ngangie, kinakina, kopara, and puutukava. : Well.— At the eastern end of the island there is a water-hole from which fairly fresh water can be : obtained. At any rate it supplied our wants during the time we were on the island. ; Area of Bearing Cocoanuts.— -It is difficult to estimate the area of bearing cocoanuts on the island, as the patches of cocoanuts are so scattered and irregularly planted. There is one good patch at the north-west end where we camped, which I estimate at equal to three hundred cocoanuts, and in other places another three hundred, making, say, six hundred, which ought to yield 4 tons of copra per annum. " -Names. —l am sorry we did not get an old Native from Atiu to give us the names of the different places; none of our party had been on the island before, therefore we show no names on the plan. : Rats. —I saw a good many rats on the island. Mosquitoes. —During our stay we saw very few mosquitoes, and only in the daytime; not a single one by night. The weather was fairly cold for the time of the year and latitude. Fish. Plenty of fish; we had lines with us, but we never had to use them, as the cook could get all the fish we could eat with his spear. Large Land-crabs.— -We caught one large cocoanut-eating crab, and 1 believe 'here are a good many on the island from the traces of them we saw. Plants.— The cocoanuts have not been picked up for some two or three years, so there were plenty of plants. We took some plants with us from Rarotonga, but they suffered very much on the trip. In future I would advise taking a few good cocoanuts, say, from Aitutaki or the northern islands, but no more plants (sprouted nuts). Kirikiri.— Plenty of fine kirikiri (shingle) on the beach for concrete building purposes. Area planted.— -We planted about 20 acres in cocoanuts by simply cutting lines and planting the cocoanut plants 25 ft. apart, leaving the scrub between the rows. The cocoanut on sandy islands requires a certain amount of shade when young to protect it from the fierce rays of the sun. When the plants are four or five years old most* of the scrub might be cleared away. With the party of, say, twelve working we could only do two lines of about 40 chains each, equal to, roughly, 3 acres a day, and as we had only seven working-days, we just planted about fifteen hundred plants. Direction of the Lines.— Had I surveyed the island before I started planting I should have run the lines north and south and east and west; but as we had no time to spare we started in the lines bearing 69° and 159° true, as the 69°-line seemed about parallel to the length of the island, being 56 chains long on the beach. At any.rate, it matters little after all, as long as the lines are fairly straight. .'*' '" " """" ' Cost of planting the Whole Island.— l estimate the cost of planting the whole island at about £1 ss. per acre say, £300. This trip has cost at a higher rate, but our stay has been so short on the island, about eight days, compared with the loss in going and coming; also* we had to survey the island and start the work, so the extra cost can be accounted for. Full Bearing .—When in full bearing—say, in fifteen years from planting—this island ought to produce, if all planted, at least 100 tons of copra per annum. If it is the intention of the Government to plant the whole island, 1 advise that it be planted at the rate of, say, five thousand trees per annum, or in three years. Then the island would furnish almost all the plants A nursery might also be laid down with cocoanuts from Aitutaki or other islands. H ' M. Connal, 13th September, 1905. , Government Surveyor.

No. 64. g m Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 15th September, 1905. I enclose a copy of the letter received from Mr. T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist,, in reply to inquiries I made as to the probable cost of establishing a Government plantation, with experimental ground and nursery attached, at Rarotonga. I shall be glad if you will supplement as far as possible the information Mr. Kirk has given, and also say what prospect there is of securing the 20 acres which he considers necessary in order to put the scheme into operation. Please say, further, what proportion of the estimated cost your Administration will be prepared to bear. 1 have, &c -■■ The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. t. a. Mills.

Enclosure. Department of Agriculture, H.M. Customs Building, Wellington, 7th September, 1905. The Hon. the Minister for Agriculture (through the Secretary for Agriculture). Cook Islands, In reply to memo, from the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Cook and other Islands, numbered 1905/115 I may state that for the purpose of establishing model plantations of (1) cocoanut, (2) banana (3) citrus fruits, (4) pineapple, (5) coffee, (6) experimental ground for testing new varieties and various methods of culture, (7) nursery in which plants free from pests and of guaranteed nomenclature can be raised, an area of about 20 acres should be secured.

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The cost of working I am not able to give, except to say that a really first-class officer should be in charge. His salary would probably be about £300. He would also probably require for at least the first year or,two a good white labourer. Colonel Gudgeon would be able to state what Native labour is available, and cost. To this would have to be added the cost of fencing, a few cheap shelters for young plants, sheds, &c. I am sorry I am unable to give you actual figures as to cost, but have no doubt Colonel Gudgeon could supply these without much trouble. The expenditure for trees, &c, would, of course, be heaviest in the first year; but the whole area need not be planted at onee —the work could be spread over several seasons, and the expenditure would not be great in any one year. The cost, outside salaries of white officers, would probably not be more than from £100 to £150 per annum, and this, after the first year or so, could be reduced by the sale to intending planters of nursery stock, &c, and subsequently by the produce of the plantations. If Colonel Gudgeon cannot supply particulars asked for, I will make detailed inquiry, and communicate with you again. T. W. Kirk, Biologist.

No. 65. Sib, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th September, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th August, stating that you had advised Mr. H. Williams, of Manihiki, and Captain Nagle, of Penrhyn, that they would now perform the duties of Judges in their respective islands, in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904." I expect I shall hear from you in dvie course as to the election of Island Councils in Mauke and Mitiaro, and I assume you will take action with regard to the Palmerston Island Council also when opportunity offers. I have &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 39,

No. 66. Sib,- — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th September, 1905. I forward herewith Federal Ordinances Nos. 14, 15, and 16 (" Immigrants and Vagrancy Ordinance, 1904," "Public Health Ordinance, 1904," and "High Court Ordinance, 1904"), and Ordinance No. 5 of the Rarotonga Island Council (" Rarotonga Regulations* Ordinance, 1904 "), all duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

See A.-S, 1905, No. 84

No. 67. Sib, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th September, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the loth August, and approve of the system you have adopted with respect to lands acquired under section 3 of the Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act of last year—viz., continuing the payment to the owners of the rent provided for in the lease, pending the decision of the question of compensation when that arises. Two of the notices you have forwarded lately—viz., those taking land for a road at Mangaia, and for roads at Avarua—were not accompanied by any explanatory letter. It will be as well in every case where land is to be taken to send with your draft notice some particulars as to the purpose for which it is required, with a reference to any attendant circumstances that may be worthy of mention. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 38.

No. 68. Cook and other Islands Administration. Wellington, 25th September, 1905. I have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 10th July, with a Return of Imports into Niue for the quarter ending the 30th June last. I note your observation as to the falling-off of the amounts of imports, and also as to the amount of Customs duties collected on the island. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 19,

4—A. 3.

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'A.—3.

No. 69. Sib,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th September, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth August, commenting upon Mr. A. Paul's report relative to Nine Island, and am glad to have your statement on the various matters mentioned. I join with jou in hoping that the waste lands of Niue will in time be thrown open for settlement and leased to a good class of white planters, but apparently the time is not quite ripe for this step yet. I note your remarks as to the quantity of marketable timber on the island. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 33.

No. 70. g IR) ! Niue Island Administration, Niue, 26th September, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 237, dated the 23rd August. I regret that I am not at present in a position to state definitely whether this Administration oould support a married teacher, and provide suitable accommodation for him and his family, for the following reasons: — 1. The revenue of this island will be considerably diminished by the withdrawal of the principal duty-paying firm, and it is advisable to first ascertain what the future financial position of this Administration is likely to be. 2. The matter of suitable accommodation is somewhat difficult. No suitable residence is available, and it would be necessary to build. To do this a site must be procured. The Natives are very reluctant to lease any laud in this village. It may be possible to obtain a site for a teacher's residence, and possibly a school, on the land belonging to the London Missionary Society, but Mr. Lawes, the resident missionary, has only just returned from furlough, and I have not had an opportunity of conferring with him on this subject. I will write more fully on this matter by a later mail. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Xo. 48.

No. 71. g IK) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 28th September, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 23rd August, forwarding Ordinance ' No: 3 of the Aitutaki Island Council. I now beg to return this Ordinance duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. With regard to section 6 of the Ordinance, the Attorney-General has pointed out that the words " of the following day " should have been inserted after " a.m." in the third line, for as the section stands the tea-shops might be required to be closed from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. of the same day, whereas quite the reverse is intended. It has been deemed advisable to have the Ordinance assented to as it stands, leaving it to you to take steps to remedy the imperfection should you consider this necessary. There is a similar defect in Rarotonga Ordinance No. 5. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 49.

No. 72. S IE) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 28th September, 1905. 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th August, enclosing a report from Mr. Blame relative to the return of certain Natives from Maiden Island after having completed engagements with Messrs. Grice, Sumner, and Co. The report discloses a very satisfactory condition of things, and is a good reply to much of the criticism that has been directed against the employment of Native labour in that island. I have, <&c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 35.

No. 73. Si ßj Cook .and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th September, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 16th August, forwarding a draft notice taking land for residential sites at Avarua. I now beg to forward a notice taking the land as for " township purposes,'.' duly signed by His Excellency, for publication in the Cook Islands Gazette. As you are aware, land taken for township purposes is required to be dealt with in manner prescribed by regulations to be made by the Governor (subsection (10) of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904 "), and I shall be glad if you will forward a draft of the regulations you think will meet the case.

No. 40.

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A.—3.

With regard to erecting a residence for Mr. Blame, Registrar of the High Court and the Land Titles Court, I approve of your building on Section 10 if you are unable to acquire the house he is now living in on Section 7. I forward also a notice taking lands for roads at Avarua, Rarotonga, signed by the Governor. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosures. Land taken for Township Purposes at Avarua, Rarotonga, 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 the purposes hereinafter mentioned: 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 land mentioned in the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purposes of a township, to wit, the Township of Avarua. Schedule. All that piece of land, being Section 10, Tutakimoa, Settlement and District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, containing 157 ars, more or.less, starting at the junction of the Tutakimoa and Moss Roads on the southern side of Moss Road, thence along the western side of the Tutakimoa Road, southerly, 105 meters to the junction with the Vakatini Road; thence along the northern side of the Vakatini Road, westerly, 146"7 meters; thence northerly -102 meters to the southern side of the Moss Road; thence along the southern side of the Moss Road, easterly, 1595 meters to the starting-point. The said land is more particularly delineated in 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 30th day of September, 1905 C. H. Mills.

Lands takes for Roads at Avarua, Rarotonga, 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 roads 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 Cool; Islands Gazette the lands respectively mentioned in the Schedule hereto are hereby taken for the purposes of roads. Schedule. All that piece of land, known as Tutakimoa Road, 10 meters wide, Settlement and District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, starting from the southern side of the Beach Road on the western side of Section 5, thence southerly 40 meters; south-easterly, 20 meters; southerly, 235 meters to the Vakatini Road. All that piece of land, known as Vakatini Road, 10 meters wide, Settlement and District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, starting from the western side of the Tutakimoa Road on the southern side of Section 10; thence westerly 280 meters to the St. Joseph's Road. All that piece of land, known as St. Joseph's Road, 10 meters wide, Settlement and District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, starting from the southern side of the Beach Road on the eastern side of Section 16; thence southerly 322 meters to the northern side of the Vakatini Road. All that piece of land, known as Moss Road, 10 meters wide, Settlement and District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, starting from the Tutakimoa Road on the northern side of Section 10; thence westerly 281 meters to the eastern side of St. Joseph's Road. The said lands are more particularly delineated in 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 30th day of September, 1905. C. H. Mills.

No. 74. g IR Niue Island Administration, Niue, Ist October, 1905. I have the honour to present to you a Return of Exports from Niue for the Quarter ended the 30th September, 1905. The total value of Niue produce exported during the period amounts to £2,977, which is, I am pleased to say, considerably more than double the value of the exports for the corresponding quarter of last year, which amounted to £1,268.

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The increase is chiefly due to copra, 218 tons of which (value, £2,186) being exported, against 41 tons, value £417, in September quarter of last year. Hats show a slight decrease of 25 dozens. Other items are about the same. A considerable quantity of merchandise, value £1,044, was reshipped, some of it under drawback. This was caused by Messrs. Lever's Pacific Plantations (Limited) relinquishing business in Niue, and some unsuitable stock was also sent away by other firms. On the whole I think we have reason to be satisfied with the result for the quarter, considering the heavy gale experienced at the beginning of the year, the injurious effect of which is usually felt for a long time afterwards in this island. The glut in the New Zealand market will lessen the production of Niue hats for the current quarter, the traders having practically ceased to purchase them for the present. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 75. Sir,- — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 6th October, 1905. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith a Statement of the Niue Revenue Account for the quarter ended the 30th September, 1905, together with the Niue Island account current at the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland, and a summary of the total funds to the credit of ihe Administration as at the end of the above period. You will observe that the total receipts for the quarter amount to £264 14s. 2d., or, including balance brought forward, to £799 Bs. 3d., and disbursements to £274 9s. 4d., leaving, a cash balance in hand here of £524 18s. lid. The approximate credit balance of current account in the Bank of New Zealand at end of period was £236 14s. lid., and the total funds to credit of this Administration on same date £1,461 13s. 10d., to which I have added the item of duties collected in New Zealand £1,172 18s., making a grand total of £2,634 11s. 10d. Some unusual payments, as salary, drawbacks, refunds, &c, were made duriDg the period, but, excluding these, the result for the quarter is a little better than for the corresponding quarter of last year. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. Niue Island Revenue Account for Quarter ended the 30th September, 1905. Receipts. Expenditure. £ s. d. 1905, Ist July— £ s. d. By Rent of offices ... ... ... 915 0 To Balance brought forward ... ... 534 14 1 Freight ... ... ... ... 29 18 4 Customs duty ... ... ... 179 14 8 j Horse-feed ... ... ... ... 14 0 Fines and fees ... ... ... 26 16 3 Labour ... ... ... ... 24 17 0 Miscellaneous receipts ... ... 915 0 Roadwork ... ... ... ... 78 2 0 Shipping fees ■■■■ ... ... 2 5 0 Boat's crew ... ... ... ... 017 0 Emigration fees ... ... ... 14 8 0 | Allowance to constables ... ... 30 0 Sale of forms ... ... ... 0 5 0 i Refunds ... ... ... ... 20 12 0 Trading licenses ... ... ... 29 7 6 Compensation ... ... ... 14 0 Reimbursement to Labour Account ... 0 18 0 Sundries ... ... ... ... 12 4 Bond rents ... ... ... 14 9 1 Library books ... ... ... 4 9 5 Purchase of liquor under Licensing Act 3 10 1 Drawbacks ... ... ... ... 35 17 8 Labour (Lakepa Road) ... ... 18 0 Furniture ... ... ... ... 3 8 0 Mutalau Reservoir ... ... ... 810 0 Salary, assistant ... ... ... 31 5 0 Interpreter ... ... ... ... 100 Alofi Reservoir ... ... ... 14 9 6 Cash balance on hand at Niue... ... 524 18 11 £799 8 3 j ■ £799 8 3 C. F. Maxwell, Ist October, 1905. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

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Niue Island Current Account, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. Dr. Qr. 1905, July— £ s. d. 1905. £ s. d. To Balance forward ... ... ... 210 14 10 July 4. By Cheque, Upton and Co. ... 10 0 0 Transferred from Post-office Savings- Aug. 2. ~ A. H. Nathan ... 717 4 bank Account ... 300 0 0 ~3. ~ Tonson Garlick ... 8 9 8 „ 3. „ E. Porter and Co. ... 17 411 ~ 3. ~ Government Printer... 3 0 0 „ 3. „ John Wilson and Co. 17 4 0 ~ 3. „ John Burns and Co 3 2 6 „ 4. „ Hon. C. H. Mills ... 15 1 0 „ 5. ~ Jagger and Harvey ... 2 8 0 „ 5. „ Wingate and Co. ... 38 12 6 ~ 7. ~ Cook Islands Administration ... ... 150 0 0 „ 23. „ Government Printer... 10 0 273 19 11 Sept. 30. —By Balance at bank (approximate) 236 14 11 £510 14 10 £510 14 10 C. F. Maxwell, Ist October, 1905. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

Total Funds to Credit op Niue Island Administration as on the 30th September, 1905. £ a. d. On fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland ... ... 500 0 0 ~ Post-office Savings-bank, Auckland ... ... 200 0 0 Approximate balance to credit of current account, Bank of New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... 236 14 11 Cash balance on hand at Niue ... ... ... ... 524 18 11 £1,461 13 10 Niue's share of duties collected in New Zealand during year ended the 31st March, 1905, as per the Hon. the Minister's letter, 155, 7th July, 1905 ... ... ... ... ...£1,172 18 0 Grand total ... ... ... ... ...£2,634 11 10 C. F. Maxwell, Ist October, 1905. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

No. 76. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 10th October, 1905. I have the honour to report to you that the sum of £78 2s. has been expended on roads in Niue during the quarter ended the 30th September ultimo. The following is a description of the work executed: — 7§ chains of rock-blasting on Alofi-Avatele Road, at £1 13s. ... £12 12 0 Forming and concreting road to jetty at Alofi ... ... ... 713 6 Surface work, Alofi-Tuapa Road .. ... ... ... 400 Alofi-Hakupu Road ... ... ... ... 27 1 0 Alofi-Avatele Road ... ... .. ... 26 15 6 £78 2 0 The surface work has been carried out by four gangs of four men each on day pay, the foreman receiving 35., and the labourers 2s. 6d. per day each. The operations consisted of removing rock from, and filling in, roads previously constructed. As I have been able to constantly supervise the work, it has been performed satisfactorily. About one mile of the Alofi-Tuapa, one mile and a half of the Alofi—Avatele, and two miles of the Alofi—Hakupu Roads have been thoroughly gone over and placed in good condition. The people are now engaged in constructing the part of the Alofi—Hakupu Road still unfinished. I give them provisions and tobacco, but no money, and finish the work with paid labour. This plan works satisfactorily, as the whole cost does not fall on the Administration. T have, <fee, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Nine. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge of the Islands, Wellington.

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No. 77. The Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court. g IR _ Registrar's Office, Rarotonga, 12th October, 1905. I have the honour, in the absence of the Resident Commissioner, to acknowledge the receipt: of your letter of the 30th September, enclosing notices taking land for township purposes at Avarua, and also notice taking lands for roads at Avarua, which will lie duly published in the Cook Islands Gazette. ~,,,, , , ~ v v tv The matter of the draft regulations for the township land will doubtless be dealt with by the Resident Commissioner on his return to Rarotonga. I have, &c, E. Blaikb, Registrar. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands, Wellington.

No. 73.

No. 78. 'p g IR _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th October, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th August, and now beg to forward herewith notices signed by His Excellency the Governor, taking the lagoons at Penrhyn and Manihiki for the purposes of pubiic pearl-shell fisheries. As it was not clear that the lagoons could.be regarded as Crown lands, it was deemed advisable to take them under section 3 of "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904 " and when you have had the notices gazetted, the reserves can be proclaimed in accordance with-'section 15 of the Act of 1901. You will be appointed to administer the reserves, and when you think the time is opportune, you can issue the necessary regulations under section 4 of the Act of last session, for the Governor's approval. l »«««. *?•' The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. «• Mills.

So. 37

Enclosures. Land taken foe Public Pearl-shell Fisheries at Pknrhyn. Plunket, Governor. Whereas the lands included within the boundaries described in the .schedule hereto are required to be taken under "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904, tor certain public works, to wit, for public pearl-shell fisheries at Penrhyn 7aaUnti 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 included withm the boundaries described in the schedule hereto are taken for the purposes of public pearl-shell fisheries at Penrhyn. Schedule. All the inland sea or lagoon enclosed by the reef and islands of the Penrhyn atoll, excluding only the islands within the reef. Commencing on the south side of the Taruia entrance; thence south-east and east to the Omoka Village; thence by the shores of the lagoon east, north and west to the Village of Te Tautua ; and thence west and south by the island known as Morokai to the noint of commencement. . , „ , mnr As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this 13th day of October, 1905. (_>. ri . M.IIjIjS.

Land taken pom Public Pearl-shell Fisheries at Manihiki. Plunkbt, Governor. &iSSSS£t;£SSSL Colony of 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 included wihm the boundaries de- . scribed in the schedule hereto are taken for the purposes of public pearl-shell fisheries at Manihiki. Schedule. All the inland sea enclosed by the reef and islands known as Manihiki. Commencing at the Village of Tauhunu ; thence by the shores of the lagoon to the Village of Tukao; and thence by the reef and islands along the shore of the lagoon to the point of commencement : excluding, however, allthe the t l h ago h on d of -, ; 19Q5 Kj . ri. MILLS*

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Village Scene, Aitutaki.

Lagoon-shore, Penrhyn.

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No. 79. Sir, — : Niue Island Administration, Niue, 16th October, 1905. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith an Import Return for the quarter ended the 30th September ultimo. The total value of imports from all places for the period amounts to £2,668, and the duty assessed thereon amounts to £237 Bs. 7d. Part of this duty (amounting to £57 13s. lid.) was not paid until October, and will appear in the return for the December quarter, leaving the sum of £179 14s. Bd. as the amount of duty actually collected during the quarter. The imports from New Zealand proper total £1,730, which is nearly four timea as much as from Samoa, which comes next on the list with the sum of £437. Practically the whole of the imports from New Zealand proper (excluding tobacco and spirits) are duty-paid in Auckland. Comparing the result with the corresponding quarter of last year, there is a total increase in the value of imports of £1,794, and an increase in the value of imports from New Zealand proper of £1,338. As the imports from New Zealand consist chiefly of the products or manufactures of that country, it is apparent that the Niue trade is becoming of increasing value to the colony; at the same time, as New Zealand is the principal market for Niue productions, the benefits enjoyed are reciprocated. It would be unwise to take the results for one quarter as a criterion, but as the value of the exports for this quarter exceeds the value of imports by £586, it would seem that the commercial position of this island is satisfactory. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 80. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th October, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th July, forwarding Ordinance No. 26. No. 1 of the Mangaia Island Council, " An Ordinance to regulate Village Life in Mangaia." I approve of the alteration and addition you suggest, and return the Ordinance herewith for amendment by the Island Council. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H Mills.

No. 81. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Wellington, 18th October, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th September, forwarding a plan No. 63. of Takutea and a report by Mr. H. M. Connal on his visit to the island for the purpose of surveying and planting it. I have read this with much interest, and am glad to know that a satisfactory beginning has been made with the work. I note that Mr. Connal estimates the cost of planting the whole island at £300. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 82. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 18th October, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th September, No. 114, and have n O . 61. to thank you for the interesting statement you have supplied as to the manner in which land in Rarotonga was held in the past by the Arikis or Tutaras. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 83. Sir,— = Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 20th October, 1905. Referring to the question of the representation of white residents on the Niue Island Council, dealt with in your letter of the 9th September, and in Mr. E. yon Fremersdorf's of the 7th, which you forwarded, I have to say that the question was considered by Cabinet last year in connection with the Cook Islands, and it was deemed inadvisable to make any change at present. As I understand the position, the European residents in Niue have no vested interest in the island in any way, and might close their business and leave at any time, and it might be argued that they are sufficiently represented on the Council by you. I would like you, however, to say whether you can suggest any practicable scheme, other than direct representation, by which the interests of the white population could be properly safeguarded. Could such laws as affect the European residents be submitted to a committee of them for consideration before being finally passed by the Council, or could the Council receive a deputation, or consider representations made to it in any way? Please write me fully x>ll the matter, and I shall be pleased to consider any feasible plan you may propose. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

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No. 84. Si X) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th October, 1905. 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist September, forwarding a drafi notice taking roads at Avarua, as under: (1) The Victoria Road, (2) the Takuvaine Valley Road, (3) the Ara Metua (Ancient) Road, (4) the Avatiu Valley Road. I now enclose a notice, duly signed by His Excellency the Governor, for publication in the Cook Islands Gazette. " l have &c. The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 58

Enclosure. Lands taken for Roads at Avaetja, Rarotonga, 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 roads 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 respectively mentioned in the schedule hereto are hereby taken for the purposes of roads. Schedule. All that piece of land, known as Victoria Road, 10 meters wide, in the District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, starting at the southern side of the Main Beach Road at a point 175 meters easterly from the north-east corner of Section 44; thence southerly 262 meters to the northern side of the Ara Metua. . . All that piece of land, known as Takuvaine Road, 10 meters wide, in the District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, starting at the north-west corner of Section 1 on the southern side of the Main Beach Road; thence southerly 352 meters, to the northern side of the Ara Metua near concrete block 122, and starting again from the southern side of the Ara Metua near concrete block 122 a with a width of 5 meters; thence south-easterly 282 meters, to concrete block 123; southeasterly 217 meters, to concrete block 124; south-easterly 227 meters, to concrete block 125. All that piece of land, known as Ara Metua, 5 meters wide, in the District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, starting at the western side of Section 52; thence south-westerly 402 meters, to the eastern side of Section 51 ; westerly 704 meters, to concrete block 122; thence south-westerly 137 meters, to concrete block 122 a, westerly 155 meters, to the western side of Section 95; northwesterly 147 meters, to concrete block 47; north-westerly 396 meters, to concrete block 48 ; southwesterly 276 meters, to concrete block 120; westerly 414 meters, to concrete block 121 on the eastern side of the Avatiu Road; westerly 239 meters, to concrete block 126; north-westerly 571 meters, to concrete block 131 : westerly 274 meters, to concrete block 132; westerly 239 meters, to concrete block 133; thence westerly 608 meters, to concrete block 134; westerly 895 meters, to concrete block 135; westerly 322 meters, to concrete block 136; south-westerly 358 meters, to concrete block 137; south-westerly 312 meters, to concrete block 138, on the boundary between the Districts of Avarua and Arorangi. . . All that piece of land, known as Avatiu Road, 10 meters wide, in the District of Avarua Island of Rarotonga, starting from the western side of the Main Beach Road near concrete block 6- thence westerly. 161 meters; south-westerly 336 meters, to the northern side of the Ara Metua near concrete block 121 ; thence with a width of 5 meters starting from the south side of the Ara Metua near concrete block 121; thence south-westerly 376 meters, to concrete block 127; southwesterly 346 meters, to concrete block 128; south-westerly 473 meters, to concrete block 129; southerly 487 meters, to concrete block 139; south-easterly 258 meters, to concrete block 140. The said lands are more particularly delineated in the plan deposited in the office of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court at Avarua, Rarotonga. ~.-„,. .N t X IQ ns As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this 23rd day of October, 1905. C. H. Mills.

No. 85. a _ Coo k and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 24th October, 1905. 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th September in reference to the proposal that the Government should lease all the available unoccupied lands in the Group, and sublease to European settlers. , . . ~ i i *,v i I referred the matter to the Solicitor-General for his views on the legal aspect of the proposal, and he is of opinion that legislation is necessary, but that an Ordinance ofthe local Council will meet the case I shall be glad, therefore, if you will endeavour to have an Ordinance passed dealing with the matter on the lines of your suggestions. 1 have, &c The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. <■-• «• mills,

No. 62.

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No. 86. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th October, 1905. I enclose herewith a copy of a letter received from the. Secretary of the Diocesan Trust Board, Auckland, with reference to the cost of maintaining Niue boys at St. Stephen's School. I have been carefully considering this matter, and think that any available funds would be expended to much better advantage if a teacher were appointed for Niue who could undertake the duty of teaching boys English, and so fitting them to visit New Zealand for the purpose of learning trades. The cost of passages and a year's maintenance for the three boys it was proposed to send to Auckland would amount to at least £100, which would go a long way towards paying the salary of a teacher, from whose services the island community would benefit generally. When replying on the question of a teacher's residence being available, please let me have your views as to whether it would be advisable to appoint a teacher as soon as the question of accommodation has been settled, and abandon the idea of bringing lads to the colony to be taught English. The proposal to have them instructed in useful trades can be carried out as soon as their knowledge of English is sufficiently advanced. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 87. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 26th October, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th September, relative to the expected increase of passenger traffic to the islands in consequence of the concession in fares granted by the Union Company. I have already (in my letter No. '319, of the 16th instant) authorised the erection of a wooden cottage to supplement the accommodation of tKe Whare Manuhiri. With reference to protecting the fruit trade of our islands, I may state that I had a Bill prepared imposing a duty on tropical fruit imported into New Zealand, in order to meet, to some extent, the wishes of the Rarotonga Fruit Committee, but the session is. now within a few days of its close, and it is practically certain that nothing.further can be done this year. I note that you are unable to give any definite indication of the quantity of cargo that would be available for shipment from the islands in the event of a fortnightly steamer-service being established between them and New Zealand. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 60.

No. 88. jg IR) Niue Island Administration, Niue, 4th November, 1905. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith, for transmission to His Excellency the Governor, two Ordinances that were passed by the Niue Island Council on the 3rd instant. Ordinance No. 15, " The Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1905," has been enlarged, and repassed. Ordinance No. 16, " The Niue Island Fish-protection Ordinance, 1905," is a new enactment, and is rendered necessary by the circumstances set forth in the Ordinance. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. Ordinance No. 15.—The Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1905. 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 therefore 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, 1905." 2. No Native of Niue, or Natives of other islands of 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. No restriction is imposed by this Ordinance upon the sale or supply of either green or dry cocoanuts to vessels desiring to obtain" the same, and such nuts may lawfully be sold or supplied by either Natives or European traders to any vessels visiting Niue. 4. Any Native of Niue, or Native of any other island of the Pacific, contravening the provisions of this Ordinance shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten shillings for each offence, or ten days' hard labour on the public roads.

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5. Any trader purchasing dry coooanuts from any Native as aforesaid for the purpose of converting the same into a marketable product shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ten shillings for each offence. Enacted and passed by the Niue Island Council, at Alofi, Niue, this third day of November, one thousand nine hundred and five. Togia, Approved. President of the Niue Island Council. C. P. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. [Assented to by the Governor, 13th January, 1906.]

Ordinance No. 16. —Niue Island Fish-protection Ordinance, 1905. Niue Island Council. Whereas the practice of destroj-ing fish with dynamite on the shores of Niue Island is becoming general, and the fish are thereby being driven away, and it is expedient to impose restrictions upon this injurious method of taking fish : Be it therefore enacted by the Niue Island Council as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is " The Niue Island Fish-protection Ordinance, 1905." 2. From and after the date on which His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand shall have assented to this Ordinance it shall be unlawful to kill fish with dynamite or other explosives on the reefs surrounding Niue; but no one shall be prosecuted for so doing until the Governor's assent to this Ordinance is made known in Niue. 3. Every person who infringes the provisions of section two of this Ordinance shall be prosecuted by the police in the Courts of the Native Magistrates, or before the Resident Commissioner, and upon conviction may be fined not exceeding five pounds, or sentenced to hard labour on the public roads, or other work of public utility, for any term not exceeding two months. The Niue Island Administration may offer a reward for the detection of offenders, and such reward shall be paid out of the public revenue. Enacted and passed by the Niue Island Council, this the third day of November, one thousand nine hundred and five. Approved. Togia, C. F. Maxwell, President of Niue Island Council. Resident Commissioner. [Assented to by the Governor, 13th January, 1906.]

No. 89. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 7th November, 1905. I have the honour to report that I left Rarotonga in the Government schooner on the 15th September for Rakahanga, taking with me Messrs. Connal and Savage. On the 16th we arrived at Aitutaki, and took in labour from Maiden Island, and here I left Mr. Savage to relieve Mr. Cameron, whom I took with me for the benefit of his health. On the 24th of the same month we called at Manihiki in order to ascertain what cargo could be obtained on our return trip, and also to take Mr. Williams and some two hundred people, who had interests in the Rakahanga lands, to that island. We landed our passengers that same day, and on the 26th I held a meeting of all the inhabitants and explained that I intended to survey the whole island, and would further survey and hear all special claims made to the Court. To this a man named Repoama demurred, saying that they had been told that the survey was a measure preliminary to a land-tax, and that the Church feared that if the lands were individualised the people would leave the village and each live on his own section. In reply to this I said their fears had no foundation in fact, and that they might well leave the matter in my hands; that we would not allow the interests of the people to suffer, and that I would survey the lands of all those who wanted surveys, and that the time would come when they would have reason to bless my decision. On this all opposition ceased, and we began the survey that day. For the first ten days of our stay I found it necessary to go out each day with Mr. Connal and settle the boundary disputes on the ground, and for this reason I could not sit many days in the Court; but from the 26th September to the 16th October I heard and decided no less than thirty-five small blocks of land that have been in dispute for the last fifty years, and which same have now been awarded to no less than 264 people. During the same period Mr. Connal not only surveyed the Outer coasts of the island and the lagoon-shores, but survej'ed sixty-five blocks of land, thirty-two of which have yet to be dealt with by the Court. Towards the end of the work the people expressed themselves well satisfied, and insisted on paying fees to the amount of some £18, although I told them that they need not do so for the next two years. They were deeply impressed by a sense of the security of the new title, and therefore desired to clear the land of all liabilities.

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I submit that we have every reason to be satisfied with the result of the visit to Rakahanga, for the people have alread} 7 begun to clear and plant the lands awarded to them on the ocean boundary, hitherto unplanted. In this instance I have made the fees absurdly small, but it is necessary to encourage the people to obtain titles to their lands, and the question of fees is of less importance than the improvement in the condition of the islands, both social and economic, which must result from fixity of tenure. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 90. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 7th November, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 270, of the 15th September, I have the honour to report that the jj 0 g4 circumstances of these islands have altered greatly for the better since your visit, when I first proposed the establishment of a branch of the New Zealand Agricultural Department in Rarotonga. At the present time all the good land near the port has been planted with bananas, and these yield a fair return to the Native owners, so that it would be impossible to lease such lands except perhaps at Titikaveka. I do not think we should be justified in employing an officer at £300 per annum merely to look after an experimental plantation of 20 acres. Any such officer should have control of all the fruit shipped, and that fruit ought to be fumigated here. At present the value of the fruit (oranges) shipped is so small that it does not warrant any expenditure on the part of New Zealand or of the local Government. The preliminary expenses of this undertaking would be as follows:— £ s . d. Superintendent's house ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 Sheds ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Fencing and clearing ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 500 0 0 The annually recurring cost of the establishment would be as follows: — Salary, Superintendent ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 ~ European labourer ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 ~ Native labourer ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Incidental, including rent ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Total ... ... ... ... ... ... 600 0 0 I would suggest for your consideration that no further steps should be taken in this matter until the more important question of the protection of the island fruit has been settled, for on that question depends the future of the fruit industry. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 91. g IR; Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 7th November, 1905. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Federal Ordinances 14, 15, and 16, and No. 66. of the Rarotonga Council Ordinance No. 5, all bearing the assent of His Excellency. These Ordinances will be gazetted forthwith. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 92. g IH Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 7th November, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 296, of the 28th September, I have the honour to inform you No. 71. that Ordinance No. 3 of the Aitutaki Island Council, with the assent of His Excellency thereon, has been received, and the amendments suggested by the Attorney-General have been duly made. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

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No. 93. g IH) Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 7th November, 1905. In reply to your letter No. 275, of the 16th September, I have the honour to inform you that I have instructed Captain Nagle to assume jurisdiction over the Penrhyn Courts, and allow no decision to be given in any case without his concurrence and in his presence. I have also directed him to allow the present Judges to sit with him, but that he will gradually assume all their functions. I have already instructed our Agent at Palmerston to carry out the elections for the Island Council in accordance with the provisions of section 6 of the Act of 1904. I have, &c, W. E. GUDGEON^ Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington. .

No. 65.

No. 94. g IE Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 10th November, 1905. With reference to your letter No. 234, of the 24th October, 1 have the honour to inform you that I have called together the Council to meet on the 11th instant to discuss the advisability of dealing with the waste lands of the Group in a comprehensive manner—that is, in placing all such lands in the hands of the Council by giving the administrative officer of the local Administration power to carry out any resolution of the Council requiring him to lease and sublet any lands that may be offered to the Government. If I can induce the Council to pass an Ordinance of this nature I will have it done lmmeIt may be that it will not now affect the Islands of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, and Mangaia, but there is much waste land both at Atiu and M.auke which may be utilised. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 85.

No. 95. y IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 14th November, 1905. I have the honour to forward a letter from the Rev. Mr. Hutchin, in which he forwards a resolution of the directors of the London Mission with reference to the island schools.. In reply, I have informed him that Cabinet has decided to take no action at present in the matter of education. I have also intimated to him that under no possible circumstances could I recommend that the mission should be allowed to interfere in the education of the children, inasmuch as sectarian bitterness would immediately result, and in these small islands such a state of things would be most lamentable. I honestly believe that we cannot do better than leave matters as they now stand. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. „ _ Rarotonga, 9th November, 1905. I beg to forward for your consideration the following resolution of the directors of the London Missionary Society concerning the educational work carried on by our pastors in the various villages of these islands, and also concerning the Tereora Boarding-school. The resolution is as °T< S That in tlle event o f t he New Zealand Government undertaking the charge of secular education in the Cook Islands, the society will be prepared to withdraw from this branch of its work, and to hand over the Tereora School to the Government with such safeguards for religious teaching as may be found to be desirable." -- '■■ Will you please bring this resolution before the notice of the New Zealand Government? In the careful, consideration which you and the New Zealand Government are necessarily giving to the question of such importance, we are sure that you will be glad to be acquainted with the views of the London Missionary Society. I have, Secretary of the Cook Islands District Committee of the London Missionary Society. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, C.M.G., Resident Commissioner, Cook Islands.

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No. 96. Sir, — Itarotonga, Cook Islands, Ist December, 1905. I have the honour to forward herewith Notices for the signature of His Excellency, taking the following sites for Government purposes: — Omoka, Island of Penrhyn, a residence-site for Resident Agent; land given by the people of Omoka. Tukao, Manihiki, the site of the Courthouse, used as such for the last sixty years. Tauhunu, Manihiki, Courthouse-site, used as such for sixty years. Landing-place taken with the approval and at the request of all the people. Flagstaff Reserve, Tauhunu, taken at the request of the people to secure the right to keep a signal-staff thereon. Rakahanga Council House and Courthouse site, taken at the request of the people, this piece of land being used for that purpose even before the arrival of the Mission in the island. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 97. Sir, — Rarotonga, .Cook Islands, Bth December, 1905. I have the honour to inform you that a public meeting was held in the Courthouse, Avarua, on the sth instant, to consider a proposition by the Union Company to run a second steamer between Wellington and Rarotonga during the orange season. The agent put the matter very fairly before the meeting, but the fruit-growers of the island, with two exceptions, simply refused to entertain the proposition. It seems to me that the planters of this island have behaved with but little wisdom. They were not asked to guarantee anything, but simply to provide cargo for the steamer, and I think might have opened up a profitable direct trade with the west coast of the Middle Island, besides placing the fruit for Otago and Canterbury in good condition on those markets. It is not easy to indicate the reasons that guided the opponents of the measure, but those given out to the public are as follows: — First, that it is ridiculous to suppose that the Union Steamship Company wanted to help the shippers of fruit, since they have already shown that they have no intention of so doing. The people have asked that the steamer should make a trip early in January, as there would be at least .500 tons of pines and bananas at that time. The only firm that would seem to have opposed this apparently has more power than all the remaining population of the islands, and the steamer will not come here. Second, a remark made by the agent that if the second steamer came on the trade the fruitshippers would be expected to send all their southern fruit by that steamer: If the company were to make a point of this, then the chief use of the steamer would be removed, for men shipping from here could only send one lot of fruit a month to the south, while a firm with its headquarters in Auckland could swamp the southern market before the second boat could reach Wellington. Third, there is a very strong feeling that too much fruit is already shipped to New Zealand, and that further shipments should be discouraged. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 98. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 12th December, 1905. Replying further to your letter No. 237, dated the 23rd August, 1905, regarding education in Niue, I have the honour to state that I find there is difficulty in obtaining a suitable site for a schoolhouse and teacher's residence here. In any case, assuming that a site were available, the. cost of the buildings, &c, would amount to several hundreds of pounds, and many months must elapse before they could be completed. I am desirous of obtaining the services of a trained teacher as soon as possible, so that a school may be established. To do this it appears to me that the easiest way would be to utilise the mission schoolhouse for the present, and I have asked the Rev. F. E. Lawes to guarantee the use of the mission schoolhouse at Alofi, and beg to enclose his letter in reply for your consideration.

Nos. 48 and 70.

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Regarding accommodation for the teacher and his family, the departure of two trading firms will leave their commodious premises vacant, and as Mr. R. D. Head is about to build, the house at present occupied by him might be obtained if desired. You will have personal knowledge of this latter house. The rent of each of these places is about 10s. per week. Regarding the question of salary, I think £150 per annum might be paid to a teacher, and, say, £20 per annum to his wife" for teaching needlework, &c. If the revenue receipts do not seriously diminish, the total salaries to the teacher and his wife might be raised to £200 per annum after a year or two. I am aware that this is a small salarj' to offer to a married man to live in so isolated a place, but the financial position of this island would not, in my opinion, admit of further expense, in view of the expenditure necessary to maintain regular communication. An approximate estimate of the expense of establishing a married teacher here for the first year would be as follows: — £ s. d. Salary for male teacher ... ... ... ■■■ ■■• 150 0 0 his wife 20 0 0 Passage fares, freights, &c.- ... ... ... ... ■■■ 30 0 0 Desks and fittings for school ... ... ... ... ••• 1500 Rent of house for one year ... ... ... .. • •■ 26 0 0 241 0 0 The cost of necessary school stationery would probably amount to, say, £9, so that a total sum of £250 would have to be provided for. Under the circumstances that have obtained up to recently there would be no difficulty in finding this money, but the collapse of the hat trade and the withdrawal of two trading firms cannot fail to exercise a prejudicial effect upon our revenue. I am therefore dubious as to whether this Administration would be justified in incurring fresh obligations until the means of meeting them be more assured than they are at present. If any pecuniary assistance in support of education in Niue is likely to be granted by the Education Department of New Zealand, or if you should consider it within the means of this Administration to do so, I would respectfully recommend that the teacher referred to in your letter be engaged to proceed here by the next direct trip of the " Countess of Ranfurly," probably in April next. Should you decide that under the circumstances noted it is expedient that this Administration should engage a teacher, I would suggest that a telegram to Auckland might catch the " Countess " before she sails for Niue early in January. Failing this a letter might reach me via Rarotonga, as the "Countess " is to call here for labour for Maiden Island after her return from Auckland. It is essential that 1 should make necessary arrangements in readiness for the arrival of the teacher. He should bring with him some household furniture, and sufficient stores for three months. I have, &c, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge C. F. Maxwell. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 99. Government Schooner "Countess of Ranfurly," g IH Auckland, 15th December, 1905. I beg to inform you of the arrival of the Government schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " at Auckland, from the Cook Group, with cargo and passengers, all well. I also" wish to draw your attention to the publication of certain reports dealing with the passenger trade engaged in by the " Countess of Ranfurly," and comparing same to the old time labour trade or " blackbirding." Now sir, as these reports are wholly misleading and therefore calculated to create an erroneous impression, it is my duty to inform you that they are absolutely groundless. I have no hesitation in saying that those responsible for the preparation and writing-up of such statements have not the slightest knowledge of the matter referred to, and it is to be regretted that instead of seizing the facts (which are within reach) they have so largely drawn upon their imagination. Sir, I beg to assure you that the " Countess of Ranfurly " is running a legitimate passenger trade which has proved a great boon to the Natives of the Cook Group, and that conditions are fully explained to all Natives prior to the signing of agreements before the Commissioner at such islands as the "Countess" may call at. Under said agreements Natives receive a fair wage of £2 per month, and good substantial food. I may here state that we have at times the greatest difficulty in preventing Natives from " stowing away," so eager are they to engage, and at all islands I am obliged to have the Native police on board to search for stowaways before sailing. I have had about ten years' exDerience in the labour trade, and am qualified to assert that there is no similarity between the old trade and that of to-day. I have, &c, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Wellington. W. Champion, Master.

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No. 100. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th November, relative to the No. 94 question of dealing with waste lands of the Group. I hope you will be successful in having this important matter effectively dealt with by means of an Ordinance of the Federal Council, and I shall await your further report on the matter when it has been brought before that body. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 101. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th October, reporting on the No. 76. progress of road-work in Niue during the quarter ending the 30th September last. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 102. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th November, reporting on your No. 89, visit to Rakahariga in connection with the work of the Land Titles Court. I agree with you that the results of the sittings of the Court there are entirely satisfactory. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 103. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th January, 1906. I forward herewith a copy of regulations, which have been signed by the Governor, prescribing the mode of making and assessing compensation claims under subsection (8) of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904." An alteration has been made by the Solicitor-General in section 3, the effect of which is that the assessors have no power to fix the amoiint of compensation payable. Dr. Fitchett was of the opinion that as the assessors might be Natives this power should be reserved for the Court. Kindly have these regulations published in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. Plunket, Governor. Whereas by section three of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904 " (hereinafter called "the said Act "), it is enacted that the Governor may from time to time make regulations prescribing the mode of making and assessing compensation claims (as in the said section mentioned), and generally whatever he thinks necessary in order to give full effect to the said section: Now, therefore, His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in exercise of the power and authority conferred by the said section of the said Act, and of all other powers enabling him in this behalf, doth hereby make the regulations following: — 1. In any case where land is taken under the said section, the Resident Commissioner may appoint a fit and proper person as an assessor for the Crown, and the claimant may also appoint a fit and proper person as an assessor for him. 2. Every such appointment shall be notified in writing by the appointer to the Registrar before the date specified in the notice given under subsection (4) of the said section three, or such later date as the Court may allow. 3. The two assessors so appointed shall sit with the Court (but not as members of the Court) for the purpose of assisting the Court in the matter of determining the compensation payable in respect of the land taken: Provided always that the Court shall itself determine the amount of compensation, and its decision shall be final. 4. Every assessor shall be entitled to a fee for each day upon which he attends a sitting of the Court in respect of the claim, the amount of such fee to be fixed by the Court. 5. The Court shall fix and determine the amount of the costs of inquiry, both as to ownership and compensation, in each case, and shall direct by whom such costs or any part thereof ("including the fees for assessors as above provided) shall be paid.

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6. The determination of the Court both as to ownership and compensation shall be entered by the Registrar in the records of the Court, and a certificate in writing duly signed by the Registrar that the person or persons named therein is or are entitled to receive compensation in accordance with the determination of the Court shall be sufficient warrant for the amount of such compensation being paid out of the public revenues of the said islands. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this twenty-seventh day of December, one thousand nine hundred and five. C. H. Mills.

No. 104. Sir, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st November, forwarding draft regulations dealing with lands taken as township-sites under section 3 of "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904." These are being submitted to the SolicitorGeneral for his approval, and when signed by the Governor will be forwarded to you for publication in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H Mills.

No. 105. Sir, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th January, 1906. I forward herewith a copy of a memo. I have received from the Hon. the PostmasterGeneral enclosing a letter addressed by Mr. Stevenson, Postmaster at Rarotonga, to the Chief Postmaster at Auckland, in which he recommends that a money-order and postal-note office be established at Mangaia, and that Mr. Large be appointed Postmaster. I note that Mr. Stevenson states that you concur in his suggestions; but before making any recommendations to the Postmaster-General I should like to have some official advice from you on the subject. I think it would be well if correspondence on all matters affecting the islands were sent through me, including cases such as this one, where the Postal or some other Department is immediately concerned. It is desirable that the work of administering the islands be concentrated as far as possible; and in any case such matters are always referred to me by the Department concerned before anything is done, so that time will be saved by writing to this office direct. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. General Post Office, Wellington, 30th December, 1905. Memorandum for the Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington. I attach hereto copy of letter from the Postmaster at Rarotonga, recommending that a moneyorder and postal-note office be established at Mangaia, and that Major J. T. Large, the Resident Agent, &c., be appointed Postmaster, in place of Mr. C. F. Proctor. It is understood that at Mangaia there are many Natives and few white people. Before I consider the matter, I should be obliged if you would favour me with your opinion as to the necessity for providing moneyorder and postal-note facilities and the change of Postmaster. J. G. Ward, Postmaster-General.

Sub-enclosure. g IR Post-office, Rarotonga, 11th December, 1905. I beg to bring under your notice that it is the desire of the residents of the Island of Mangaia to have the post-office there made a money-order and postal-note office. I fail to see why their wishes should not be acceded to, as is the case at Aitutaki and Penrhyn, although not nearly so important as Mangaia. Large shipments of fruit and other produce are made almost monthly from Mangaia, and at present the traders and Natives there are compelled to accept cheques of New Zealand firms, and in doing so are taking a certain amount of risk. In the event of Mangaia being made a money-order office, I recommend that Major J. T. Large, the Resident Agent there, be made Postmaster in place of Mr. Proctor. I have nothing to complain of about Mr. Proctor, as he has carried out his duties admirably; but with the advent of a money-order business, a Postmaster has more responsibility cast upon him and often large sums of public money in charge. It would be hardly fair to ask Mr. Proctor to accept such responsibility when there is a Government officer resident on the island quite capable of carrying out the duties of Postmaster. The fact of Major Large holding the positions of Resident Agent, Magistrate, and Customs Officer should insure his fitness for the position of Postmaster,

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I might say that Colonel Gudgeon, the Resident Commissioner for the Cook Islands, agrees with the above recommendations, and should you agree to them, I would suggest that the change take effect from the Ist April, 1906. The Government offices at Mangaia are centrally situated, and in every way suitable for a post-office. I have, &c, The Chief Postmaster, Auckland. ■ W. J. Stevenson, Postmaster.

No. 106. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 4th January, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 323, dated the 20th October, 1905. Your view of the position that " the European residents in Niue have no vested interest in the island in any way " is perfectly correct, and I doubt whether they can reasonably claim representation on the Council. I beg to suggest that the simplest mode of dealing with the matter would be for the Resident Commissioner to be empowered to convene a meeting of the white residents when required. The draft of any ftiture Ordinance likely to affect them could then be submitted to a committee, and anything deemed inexpedient might be pointed out by them with a view to its elimination before being passed by the Council. I think this course would meet the circumstances, and there would then be no ground for ignorance of the subject-matter of any Ordinance on the part of the European residents. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Wellington.

No. 83.

No. 107. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist December, forwarding draft notices taking land for (1) Government Buildings, &c, Omoka, Penrhyn; (2) Courthouse at Tukao, Manihiki; (3) Courthouse at Tauhunu, Manihiki; (4) Landing-place at Tauhunu, Manihiki; (5) Flagstaff Reserve at Tauhunu, Manihiki; (6) Council Chambers and Courthouse, Rakahanga. Notices have been forwarded to His Excellency the Governor for signature, and I hope to be able to post them to you for publication by this mail. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 96.

No. 108. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist October, forwarding return of exports from Niue for the quarter ending the 30th September, 1905. lam pleased to note such a substantial increase in the value of goods exported as compared with the figures for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The increase in the output of copra is very satisfactory, and I have no doubt that before long the hat trade will have regained its former position as one of the leading industries of the island. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H Mills.

No. 74.

No. 109. g 1B; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th December, with reference to certain comments made regarding the Native passenger trade carried on by the "Countess of Ranfurly." I am glad to have your statement on this matter, and shall take steps to have the facts made known. I have, &c, Captain Champion, " Countess of Ranfurly,'•' Auckland. . C. H. Mills.

No. 99.

(3-A. 3.

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No. 110. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th January. 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th November, with reference to the proposal to establish a Government plantation, &c, at Rarotonga. I submitted your letter to Mr. T. W. Kirk for his remarks, and enclose a copy of his memo, herewith. These papers, and those relative to the question of imposing a duty on tropical fruit imported into New Zealand from the outside islands, are being again referred to Cabinet, so that the whole question may be carefully considered and some decision come to as to what shall be done next session. I am pleased to note from your letter that the circumstances of the islands have greatly improved since our visit, and I hope that we shall continue to see a steady progress in all matters affecting their welfare. . I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 90.

Enclosure. Department of Agriculture (Divisions of Biology, Horticulture, and Publications), Wellington, 23rd December, 1905. Cook Islands. I have perused Colonel Gudgeon's memo, of the 7th ultimo, and other papers. It seems to me that several points have become somewhat obscured since the earlier correspondence. 1. (a.) Fumigation: I recommend that all plants, &c, imported into the Cook Islands be examined, and, if necessary, fumigated or dipped at Rarotonga, which should be the only port of entry for the Group. This would prevent the introduction and spread of fresh diseases. (6.) Fruit exported from Rarotonga itself would, of course, be examined and fumigated in the official fumigator by the Horticultural Officer, who would control all horticultural matters in the Group. When his certificates were found to be reliable they would be accepted at face value. (c.) The fruit exported from other islands of the Group there would, however, be some difficulty in treating. Either there would have to be a shed and competent officer at each island, entailing an expenditure not yet warranted, or the fruit would have to be collected at Rarotonga by local boats ready for the regular steamer. As an alternative, the present system must continue so far as those islands are concerned. 2. The advantages of the suggested plantations are set out in my "suggestions" already on this file. 3. In Colonel Gudgeon's "recurring charges," £100 is put down for rent. I was given to understand that the land would be provided free. 4. The imposition of a duty or other protection for Cook Islands fruit, as per my "suggestion" No. 5, is very important. Some such protection is.necessary if the Cook Group is to compete successfully with Tonga and Fiji. T. W. Kirk, Biologist.

No. 111. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th October, forwarding a statement of the Niue Island Revenue for the Quarter ending the 30th September, 1905. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 75.

No. 112. g IR Niue Island Administration, Niue, 9th January, 1906. I have the honour to hand to you herewith a Return of Exports from Niue for the Quarter ended the 31st December, 1905. The total value of Niue produce exported during the period amounts to £795, of which 407 pounds' worth was sent to New Zealand, and 388 pounds' worth to Samoa. Compared with the figures of the return for the same period of 1904, there is a decrease in the value of Niue produce exported of £1,822. This shrinkage may be accounted for in this way: About 60 tons of copra which is usually exported in December quarter was not shipped until sth January. This amounts to nearly £600 in value. Hats show a shortage of 1,154 dozens, value £895: the cause of this is already known to you. The quantity of fungus exported is £145 less in value than for the corresponding quarter of 1904. The same reason which affected the quantity of copra exported applies to fungus also, but primarily the dry weather we have had here reduced the crop considerably. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

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No. 113

Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 9th January, 1906. I have the honour to hand to you herewith a Statement of the Niue Island Revenue Account for the Quarter ended the 31st December, 1905. The total receipts from all sources during the period amount to £192 17s. 6d., which, added to the balance brought forward —viz., £524 18s. lid.—total £717 16s. sd. The disbursements amount to £171 14s. Bd., which, being deducted, leaves a cash balance in hand here of £546 Is. 9d. You will observe that the total funds to credit of this administration as on the 31st December ultimo, including amount at fixed deposit, £500 :in Post-Office Savings-Bank, £200; cash balance in hand here, £546 Is. 9d. ; and balance to credit of current account, Bank of New Zealand, £228 11s. 10d., amount to £1,474 13s. 7d. ; to which may be added the sum due to Niue as proportion of Customs duties collected in New Zealand, £1,172 18s. (vide your letter No. 155, of 7th July, 1905), making a grand total of £2,647 11s. 7d. Having received the pass-book from the bank, I am able to show the true state of the current account. The principal items of expenditure during the quarter from Revenue Account are payments of salaries to Niue Councillors, Magistrates, and police, and some payments on account of work at various reservoirs. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge of the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. Niue Island Revenue Account for Quarter ended 31st December, 1905. Receipts. £ s. d. Disbursements. £ a. d. Brought forward .. .. •• 524 18 11 Labour, Alofi Reservoir .. .. .. 29 1 6 Customs receipts .. .. •• 165 10 6 „ Hikutavake Reservoir .. .. 3 0 0 Fines and fees 24 1 0 „ Mutalau 5 0 0 Sale of forms .. .. .. •• 012 0 „ miscellaneous .. .. .. 21 5 0 „ Ordinances .. .. •■ 04 0 Pay of police .. .. .. .. 22 18 0 Refund .. .. . • • ■ 10 0 Salary of Magistrate .. .. .. 17 14 0 Shipping fees '.'. .. .. • • 08 0 „ Niue Councillors .. .. 42 12 0 Emigration fees .. .. ••12 0 ~ Assistant, on account .. .. 210 0 Stores for Native labourers .. .. 11 16 3 Freight .. .. .. .. 317 6 Timber for reservoir .. .. .. 2 6 0 Compensation .. .. .. .. 4 5 0 Refund .. .. .. .. 0 19 11 Rent of gaol-site .. .. .. 012 0 Interpreters' feo .. .. .. 012 6 Horse-feed .. .. .. .. 14 0 Allowance to constables .. .. .. 0 19 0 Allowance to Councillors .. .. 12 0 171 14 8 Cash balance on hand 31st December .. 546 1 9 £717 16 5 £717 16 5 C. F. Maxwell, Bth January, 1906. Resident Commissioner, Niue. Niue Island Curbent Account, Quarter ending 31st December, 1905. jy r Cheques issued — £ s. d. gopt 5L £c. d. Nov. 25—1>. Goldie .. .. .. 518 9 B ilance as per bank pass-book .. .. 412 17 0 Dec. 12—D." Wallace .. .. .. 35 0 0 Site of stamps at Auckland .. .. 22 14 7 Add outstanding cheques ia sued previous quarter— Aug. 4—Hon. C. H. Mills .. .. 15 1 0 Aug. 7 —Government schooner .. .. 150 0 0 Aug. 23—Government Printer .. .. 10 0 206 19 9 Credit balance .. .. .. .. 228 11 10 £43ff 11 7 C. F. Maxwell, Bth January, 1906. Resident Commissioner, Niue;

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Total Funds to Credit of Niub Island Administration on the 31st December, 1905. £ s. d. On fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand ... ... ... 500 0 0 Post-Office Savings-Bank ... ... .... 200 0 0 Cash balance on hand at Niue ... ... ... •■■ 546 1 9 September, 5— Balance as per bank pass-book ... ... 412 17 0 Add stamp-sales at Auckland (six months) ... 22 14 7

435 11 7 Deduct cheques outstanding(£ls Is., £150, £1, £5 18s. 9d., £35) ... ... ... 206 19 9 — — 228 11 10 £1,474 13 7 C. F. Maxwell, Bth January, 1906. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

No. 114. Sir, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th November, reporting the steps you had taken at Penrhyn and Palmerston in pursuance of sections 5 and 6of The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904." I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 93.

No. 115. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th November, relative to Ordinance No. 3 of the Aitutaki Island Council, and note that you have made the amendment suggested by the Hon. the Attorney-General. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 92.

No. 116. g IR; Niue Island Administration, Niue, 10th January, 1906. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith a Return of Imports into Niue for the Quarter ended the 31st December, 1905. The total value of imports for the period amounts to the small sum of £299, and the Customs duty collected thereon amounts to £104 4s. 9d. Compared with the return for the quarter ending the 31st December, 1904, there is a decrease of £1,649. This is attributable to the following reasons: — 1. The withdrawal of Messrs. Levers and Co. from Niue. 2. The collapse of the hat trade, which has seriously impaired the purchasing-power of the Natives. 3. The scarcity of shipping. Only two vessels visited Niue during the period—viz., the " Countess of Ranfurly " from Rarotonga, and the s.s. " Maori " from Samoa. Neither of these vessels was convenient to obtain goods by; consequently very little arrived by them. The regular trading schooner " Tsabel," which usually comes during the quarter, did not arrive until the 2nd instant. Imports by her do not therefore appear in this return. The conditions that have prevailed on this island for the past year are normal, and there is nothing beyond what I have stated to explain the shrinkage in trade. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Wellington. Resident Commissioner.

No. 117. g IK . 'Niue Island Administration, Niue, 12th January, 1906. I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 335, dated the 25th October, 1905, covering , a copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Diocesan Trust Board, Auckland, with reference to the cost of maintaining Niue boys at St. Stephen's School.

No. 80,

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I quite agree with you that it would be more advantageous to obtain a teacher for Niue, instead of sending the boys to New Zealand. The principal object in view in sending Niue lads to school in New Zealand is to have them taught English, and that may be equally well accomplished in this island by having a resident teacher. lam prepared to abandon the i-dea of sending boys to New Zealand in favour of obtaining the services of a teacher for this island, the matter of instruction in useful trades to be dealt with when the boys have acquired some English. I am writing to you under separate cover with reference to obtaining the services of a teacher. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Wellington. Resident Commissioner.

No. 118. Sic, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth December, reporting on a No. 97, meeting of fruit-growers and others held at Rarotonga on the sth ultimo to discuss the question of running a monthly steamer between Wellington and the Cook Islands in addition to the present service from Auckland. I am sorry the meeting could not see its way to fall in with the proposal made by the Union Company. I feel sure the company is desirous of assisting the fruit trade of our Islands in every way possible, and it would be a pity if further action on their part were discouraged by the refusal of the residents to avail themselves of the more extensive facilities recently offered. It seems to me that no permanent and satisfactory advance can be made in the fruit trade between the Cook Islands and New Zealand until there is communication at least twice monthly, and if a steamer could run direct from Wellington to the Islands and back the southern parts of New Zealand would get their fruit in much better condition, and so long as there were constant supplies the consumption would steadily increase. I think, also, that a large number of visitors from the southern parts of the colony, as well as tourists from outside, would be glad to visit the Islands from Wellington, who might not care to make the journey to Auckland first. I trust that it may be possible even yet to arrange for the additional service proposed. • I have <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 119. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th January, 1906. Memo, for the Hon. the Minister of Marine. I forward herewith a mounted tracing showing particulars of survey of Niue Island made by Mr. H. M. D. Haszard, and one showing the difference between the contour of the island as ascertained by him and as shown on the Admiralty charts. I think it will be well if these are sent to the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, London. A printed copy of Mr. Haszard's report on his surveys is also forwarded to show the conditions under which the work was done and the instruments used, &c, so that the Admiralty may be in a position to judge what reliance should be placed on the results he has arrived at. C. H. Mills.

No. 120. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th January, 1906. I forward herewith Ordinances Nos. IB and 16 of the Niue Island Council, "The Niue No. 88. Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1905," and " The Niue Island Fish-protection Ordinance, 1905," duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 121. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 20th January, 1906. I enclose draft regulations prepared by the Solicitor-General under section 28 of "The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904." These are being sent on to the Governor for his signature, and as soon as they are completed I will advise you. The regulations are based on the drafts submitted by yourself and Mr. Maxwell, and Dr. Fitchett has endeavoured to meet the requirements of the various island Ordinances as well as the New Zealand Act. I also forward copy of a memorandum by Dr. Fitchett on the construction of the sections of the Licensing Act dealing with the Cook and other Islands, and the extent to which they affect the provisions of the various

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island Ordinances relating to liquor. This practically confirms the opinions already conveyed to you, and continues in force all the provisions of the island Ordinances which are not in conflict with those of the Act. Dr. Fitchett suggests that the Ordinances be brought into line with one another, as well as with the New Zealand Act, and I shall be glad to hear from you as to whether you consider any steps should be taken in the direction of amending the Ordinances accordingly. I think, however, that it would be a pity to in any way relax the restrictions which have been placed upon the introduction and sale of liquor as affecting the different islands, although there is no doubt that some simplification of the present law is very desirable. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. Memorandum on the Construction of Sections 19 to 28 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," and the Extent to which they affect the various Island Ordinances relating to Liquor. 1. Sections 19 to 28 of "The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904" (which expressly apply to the Cook and other Islands, are in some respects obscure, but on the whole I am of opinion that their purpose and effect is to absolutely prohibit all private traffic in liquor in the islands, and to allow it to be sold only as provided by section 22—viz., by specially appointed Customs officers and solely for use in arts or manufactures, or for medical, religious, or scientific purposes. The sale of liquor for ordinary consumption as a beverage is thus made unlawful. 2. Liquor cannot be imported or manufactured for sale or consumption except through the officers mentioned in section 21. "Sale" here means sale by the Customs officers under section 22, for any other sale is unlawful. 3. Liquor may be imported by private persons for consumption (but not for sale) if, as provided by section 21, it is imported through and consigned to the Government officers mentioned therein : and the importation and consumption may be restricted by regulations under section 28. 4. As regards the Native inhabitants (including in that term all Polynesians resident in the islands) section 23 provides that no liquor shall be sold to them except on the written authority of one of the specified officers. In my opinion this section must be read with section 22, as referring to sales thereunder, for it is only sales under section 22 that are lawful. The effect, therefore, is that liquor cannot be sold to Natives for any of the purposes mentioned in section 22 except on the written authority of the officer mentioned in section 23. 5. Speaking generally, the New Zealand Act repeals or modifies the island Ordinances in so far, but so far only, as they are inconsistent with or repugnant to it. The penalties under the former are in every case different from those under the latter. Hence in cases where the Act creates the same offence as an Ordinance, the Act should be treated as impliedly repealing the Ordinance, and proceedings should be taken under the Act. But the Ordinance will stand as to offences which are created by it alone, and are not repugnant to or inconsistent with the New Zealand Act. 6. It may be convenient to refer to the various Ordinances in detail: — Rarotonga Ordinance of 1899. Section 25 (sales and gifts) is superseded by the New Zealand Act as to sales, but stands as to gifts of liquor, and in the case of gifts must be read subject to section 6 of the Ordinance of 190°4, which authorises gifts of spirituous liquor to Natives (including Chinamen) on the written authority of the Resident Medical Officer. Barotonga Ordinance of 1901/.. This Ordinance may be treated as superseded by the New Zealand Act, except that section 6 (sales and gifts) stands as to gifts of spirituous liquor to Natives as denned (including Chinamen), but is superseded by the New Zealand Act as to sales. Mangaia Ordinance of 1899. Section 22 : The first portion (importation) stands, but the importation is by private persons under section 21 of the New Zealand Act. The two provisions can be read together and are cumulative. Hence in the case of Mangaia the liquor imported under section 21 of the Act nrast be for medicinal purposes only and on the "order" (which I think means "authority or consent") of the Resident Surgeon of the Cook Islands Hospital. The second portion (sales and gifts) stands as to gifts of liquor, but is superseded as to sales by the Act, which forbids sales except under section 22. Section 24 (manufacture of orange-beer or other intoxicating liquor) is superseded by section 24 of the New Zealand Act. Aitutaki Ordinance of 1899. Section 23 (sales and gifts) is superseded as to sales, but stands as to gifts. Section 25 (manufacturing or. drinking bush-beer) is superseded by section 24 of the New Zealand Act.

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Atiu, &c, Ordinance of 1899. Section 26 (sales and gifts) is superseded as to sales by the New Zealand Act, but stands as to gifts. Section 28 (manufacture of orange-beer or other intoxicating liquor) is superseded by section 24 of the New Zealand Act. Nine Ordinance of 1903. Section 2 (importation of liquor) stands, but applies only to private importations under section 21 of the Act. Section 3 (importation of spirituous liquor by Natives) stands. Consequently Natives cannot import spirituous liquors into Niue under section 21 of the Act. The section does not apply to fermented liquors. Section 4 (sales, barter, or gift of spirituous liquor to Natives): This section is superseded as to sales by the New Zealand Act, but stands as to barter or gift. Here also the section does not appty to fermented liquors. Section 6 (bringing liquor on shore) stands except in cases where, under the Act, liquor is imported for the Government. 7. Matters would be much simplified if the Ordinances were brought into line with the New Zealand Act. 8. In drawing the regulations under the Act regard should be had to the provisions of the Ordinances. Feed. Fitchett Solicitor-General. Crown Law Offices, 15th January, 1906.

No. 122. ' Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 20th January, 1906. I enclose a copy of a letter that has been received from the Samoa Observatorium, Apia, asking whether New Zealand will be prepared to co-operate with the Observatory in the study of hurricanes by establishing a meteorological-station at Rarotonga. I am replying, stating that steps will be taken to establish such a station, and I shall be glad to hear what arrangements you can make for having the observations taken, and also what instruments, if any, you have at present. The letter mentions only a mercurial barometer, apparently leaving the wind observations to be taken without the aid of an instrument. It may be deemed advisable, however, to have the station equipped with an anemometer and barograph, as well as a barometer and thermometer, as the Meteorological Department here will be very glad to receive reports from your island. In the meantime you might take observations as to the direction and force of the wind as best you can, as the Superintendent of the Samoa Observatory would like to have reports for this season. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. Samoa Observatorium. Sir, — Apia, Samoa, 18th December, 1905. The Samoa Observatorium, as the sole observatory in the South Seas, considers it as its Suty to encourage the study of hurricanes. lam requested, therefore, by Dr. Linke, the Superintendent of the Observatory, to inquire whether you would be willing to co-operate with the Observatory by establishing a meteorological station at Rarotonga. The observation would consist in observing daily at stated hours barometer (mercurial), direction and force of wind. The expenses need not be large, as good barometers (Kew marine pattern) can be purchased in England for £4 ss. It would be of great advantage if some of the suggested stations could be already in workingorder during the coming hurricane season. All reports and publications bearing on the observations will, of course, be furnished to you. In conclusion, we beg to inform you that we have proposed to His Excellency the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific the establishment of stations in Fiji and the Gilbert and Ellice Group, a proposal to which His Excellency has agreed, and also that observations will be made for us at Fanning and Christmas Islands. I have, &c, G. Hbimbrod, Magnetic Department, Carnegie Institution, Assistant pro tern. Samoa Observatorium. The Right Hon. R. J. Seddon, P.C.

No. 123. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 20th January, 1906. I forward herewith notices- taking land as under, duly signed by His Excellency the Governor: (1) Government Buildings, <fee, Omoka, Penrhyn; (2) Courthouse at Tukao, Manihiki; (3) Courthouse at Tauhunu, Manihiki; (4) Landing-place at Tauhunu, Manihiki; (5) flagstaff reserve at Tauhunu, Manihiki ; (6) Council Chambers and Courthouse, Rakahanga. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C, H, Mills.

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Enclosures. Land taken for Government Offices at Omoka, Penrhtn. Plunket, Governor. Whereas the land mentioned in tlie 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 offices at Omoka, Penrhyn: 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 land mentioned in the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purpose of Government Offices at Omoka, Penrhyn. Schedule. All that piece of land, being Allotment 5, Settlement and District of Omoka, Island of Penryhn. Commencing at a peg at high-water mark; thence westerly 170 ft. 4 in.; thence southerly 128 ft.; thence easterly 168 ft. 4 in.; thence northerly along high-water mark to point of commencement. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this thirteenth day ot January, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills.

Land taken for Courthouse at Tukao, Manihiki. 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 a Courthouse at Tukao, Manihiki: • Now, therefore, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony oi 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 land mentioned in the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purpose of a Courthouse at Tukao, Manihiki. Schedule. All that piece of land, being Allotment 4, Settlement and District of Tukao, Island of Manihiki Starting at an iron bolt on the northern side of.the road to the church; thence easterly along said road 37 links; thence north-easterly 71 links; thence northerly 44 links; thence westerly 97 links; thence southerly 84 links to the starting-point. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this thirteenth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills.

Land taken for Courthouse at Tauhunu, Manihiki. 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 a Courthouse at Tauhunu, Manihiki : cat-71~,i 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 land mentioned in the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purpose of a Courthouse at Tauhunu, Manihiki. Schedule. • All that piece of land, being Allotment 4, Settlement and District of Tauhunu Island of Manihiki Starting at the south-east corner of the church land on the northern side of the road; thence easterly alonf the said road 76 links; thence northerly 107 links; thence westerly 80 links; henc! southeriy alolg eastern boundary of the church land 107 links to the starting-point thence Governor) tMs thirteenth day of January,. one thousand nine hundred and six. Mills

Land taken for Landing-place at Tauhunu, Manihiki. Plunket, Governor. Whereas the land mentioned in the schedule hereto is required to be taken under " The Cook and other Mands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," for a certain public work, to wit, for a landi No g w PI r e rllrt U Wmfam Lee! Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, date of The publication hereof in the Cook Islands Gazette the land ment,oned m the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purpose of a landing-place,

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Village Scene, Manihiki.

Village Scene, Manihiki.

[Face page 48.

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Schedule.

All that piece of land, containing 10J ars, more or less, being Allotment No. 9, Settlement and District of Taulmnu, Island of Manihiki. Starting from the north-east corner of the southern side of the Landing Road and western side of the Ara Metua; thence southerly along the western side of the Ara Metua 307 meters; thence westerly along the northern side of a right-of-way to high-water mark ; thence northerly along high-water mark to the southern side of the Landing Road; thence easterly along the southern side of the Landing Road to the starting-point. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this thirteenth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills.

Land taken for Flagstaff Reserve at Tauhunu, Manihiki. 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 a flagstaff reserve at Tauhunu, Manihiki: 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 land mentioned in the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purpose of a flagtsaff reserve. Schedule. All that piece of land, containing 6| perches, more or less, being Allotment No. 7, Settlement and District of Tauhunu, Island of Manihiki. Starting on the northern side of the Landing Road at a point 127 links from the western side of the Ara Metua; thence northerly 461 links; thence westerly to high-water mark; thence southerly along high-water mark to the northern side of the Landing Road; thence easterly along the northern side of the Landing Road to the startingpoint. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this thirteenth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills,

Land taken for Council Chambers and Courthouse at Rakahanga. 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 Council Chambers and Courthouse at Rakahanga : 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 iii the Cook Islands Gazette the land mentioned in the schedule hereto is hereby taken for the purpose of Council Chambers and Courthouse at Rakahanga. Schedule. All that piece of land, containing 5"8 ars, more or less (exclusive of right-of-way), being Allotment 5, Settlement and District of Rakahanga, Island of Rakahanga. Starting from the north-east corner of Section 3, thence along the western side of a right-of-way northerly 2138 meters; thence along the southern side of the Ara-o-Mahuta westerly 1643 meters to the northeast corner of a right-of-way of 2 meters wide which is reserved through this section, runningsoutherly to the northern boundary of Section 3; thence along the southern side of the Ara-o-Mahuta, westerly 13-60 meters; thence southerly along the eastern side of a right-of-way 18-87 meters; thence along the northern boundary of Section 3, easterly 32 - 45 meters, to the startingpoint. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this thirteenth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills.

No. 124. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 22nd January, 1906. I have the honour to report for your information that the trade returns of the Cook and Northern Islands have now been compiled, and disclose that the Imports for the year ending the 31st December 1905, are of a value of £36,933, being an increase of £3,594 on the year 1904. The exports have, however, fallen off, and show a value of £28,257, against £31,578 for the year 1904, a shrinkage of £3,330. The hurricane of January, 1905, will account for this shrinkage, since we are short not less than 285 tons of copra from the two islands of Aitutaki and Mangaia, valued at £3,049.

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Limejuioe shows a falling-off of 17,000 gallons, valued at £900; and coffee of 45,3941b., value £761. Last year the coffee-crop was a failure throughout the Group. This year we have an abnormal crop, but Ido not expect that it will be picked, the price offered is so small. It may, I think, be taken for granted that both coffee and limejuice will disappear from the list of Cook Islands exports unless some protection be afforded to these industries. For the best dry berries it is not possible to obtain more than sd. per pound in New Zealand; but the middleman evidently must make money, for it is sold for Is. 6d. per pound. It is therefore clear that the general public gain nothing by our loss. The banana trade is increasing slowly but surely, and would have by this time reached much larger dimensions had it not been for the abnormally cold winter that checked all growth. The planters are, however, quite satisfied with the prospect. Complete and exhaustive trade returns will be furnished with the annual report. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 125. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 22nd January, 1906. I have the honour to forward enclosed Ordinance No. 17 of the Federal Council of the Cook and Northern Islands. This Ordinance will probably prove to be a very useful measure, since it enables any member of the Council to apply the spur to the negligent or lazy landholders within his district, and the law will be strongly applied to the owners of the coral-sand zone who do not plant cocoanuts. When this matter was brought before the Federal Council, the Ordinance contained clauses enabling the local Government to lease any waste lands and re-lease the same to intending settlers. These clauses were strongly opposed by the mission party, who for reasons that I have already given you are strongly opposed to any European element, and as I found that they were regarded with suspicion, I withdrew them from the Council rather than allow them to become a bone of contention. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 94.

Enclosure. Federal Ordinance No. 17.—Unimproved Land-tax Ordinance, 1906. Whereas there is much valuable land in the hands of the Native owners thereof which is unimproved and unplanted, and consequently of no benefit to the said owners or to the community generally: And whereas it is expedient that the Native owners should improve and plant their said lands: Be it therefore enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook and Northern Islands, as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Unimproved Land-tax Ordinance, 1906." 2. An Island Council may at any time hold an inspection of lands in any district of an island over which such Island Council has jurisdiction, and may by resolution in writing under the hand of the President of such Island Council recommend to the Resident Commissioner that the lands mentioned in such resolution be taxed as unimproved and unplanted lands. Thereupon it may be lawful for the Resident Commissioner to impose a tax on such lands not exceeding one shilling per acre per annum; and such tax shall continue to be a charge on the said land until payment, and shall be paid up to the thirty-first day of March in each year by the Native owner or occupier of the same respectively until the Resident Commissioner or some officer appointed by him for that purpose is satisfied that the land has been sufficiently improved and planted. 3. Notice of any tax imposed as aforesaid shall be duly given in the Cook Islands Gazette, and shall also be served on the owner or occupier of fhe land so taxed. Such notice shall name a reasonable time within which such tax shall be paid. 4. Any such tax may be recovered by proceedings in the High Court of the Cook Islands, or in the Resident Agent's Court in the islands where the land is situated. 5. The Registrar of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court shall keep records of all matters under this Ordinance; and all moneys received under this Ordinance shall be paid into the Cook Islands Treasury to the credit of the general revenue. Passed by the Federal Council, this thirteenth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and six. Approved. S. Savage, W. E. Gudgeon, Clerk to the Council. Resident Commissioner. [Assented to by the Governor, 28th June, 1906.]

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No. 126. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th January, 1906. I have the honour to forward enclosed a letter from the Chairman of the Fruit Committee of these islands on the subject of coffee. Mr. Sharpe takes much the same view as that contained in my letter No. 4, of the 22nd instant. lam aware that the subject is one of some difficulty, and that the middlemen will endeavour to raise public opinion against any attempt to diminish their profits. The coffee industry is not a large or increasing concern, but the value of the crop would be from £1,000 to £2,000 per annum, according as the season was favourable or not, and the loss of such a sum of money in these small islands must be regarded with concern. I do not wish to see these islands depend on cocoanuts alone, as that would amount to a cessation of all trade with New Zealand, the market of San Francisco being superior to either Sydney or Auckland; but it seems to me that the tendency of our commerce is in that direction. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Sir, — ■ Rarotonga, 24th January, 1906. I have the honour to bring under your notice once more (with a view to impressing the matter upon the Hon. the Minister in Charge of Cook Islands) the serious hardship likely to be inflicted upon the Natives of this Group during the coming season in consequence of the unremunerative price of coffee. There is a good crop this year, but at the present price in New Zealand it is certain that a very small percentage of the crop will be harvested. A large number of coffee-plants have already been destroyed in the islands in consequence of the low price, and unless a better market can be insured the probability is that the bulk of the present plants will be destroyed. This, as you are aware, means a very considerable set-back to the islands, and the loss of what should be a profitable industry. If the New Zealand Government would give any assurance that they would reimpose the old duty of 3d. per pound on coffee, business people might be prepared to buy the green produce at a price which would make it worth while for the Native to harvest his crop. As tKe crop will be available in the months of April and May, I feel, sir, that no apology is needed from me for bringing the matter under your consideration thus early. In conclusion, I may reiterate the statement made by the Fruit Committee that the margin between the price our coffee realises and the price at which the article is retailed is such that the imposition of a threepenny duty should not in any way affect the consumer. I have, &c, J. W. Sharpe, Chairman of Fruit Committee Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, C.M.G., Resident Commissioner.

No. 127. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 150, of the 27th December, informing me of your proposals as to the erection of a gaol in Alofi, and have to say that I approve the steps taken to secure a site, and authorise the expenditure necessary for erecting the building. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 128. gjjj Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 28th January, 1906. I have the honour to inform you that the freezing-plant established by the firm of Donald and Edenborough at Rarotonga is now in working-order. The expenses have, however, exceeded the estimate, and Mr. Matthews, the manager of the firm, waited on me to-day in order to represent that the present subsidy would not pay interest on the outlay, and that the working-expenses would not be covered by profits of sales. That this is the case is very clear to me, and I told Mr. Matthews that I would recommend that the subsidy should be increased to £75 per annum. I have therefore the honour to request your approval. I submit for your consideration that without this freezing-plant it would never pay_to raise cattle, for by reason of the climate all meat killed must be eaten the same day, and this means that about 1501b. could be disposed of and the rest thrown away-

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Under present circumstances the whole of the animal will be used to the benefit of the stoekowner, and indeed of the whole island, for the owners of cocoanut-plantations can keep stock under' their palms, and not only make a double profit thereby, but also save themselves expense, inasmuch as the cattle will clear the land that might otherwise have to be done by labour at 2s. 6d. per diem. 1 haye > &c -> W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 129. Sj R) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 155, of the 4th instant, on the subject of European representation on the Niue Island Council. Your suggestion as to convening a meeting of the white residents when required, in order to submit to them the draft of any Ordinance affecting their interests, is probably the best way of meeting their wishes, and I shall be glad if you will take steps accordingly to ascertain the feelings of the European population regarding any local legislation that is likely to affect them. This, of course, will not limit the powers of the Council as the legislative body, but it will give the opportunity desired by the European residents for expressing their views on matters that may affect their interests. l haye > &0 -> The Resident Commissioner, Niue. ■ H. Mills.

Nfo. 106.

No. 130. g IK Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th January, 1906. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of notices taking land as below, all duly signed by His Excellency the Governor: (1) Government Buildings, Omoka; (2) Courthouse, Tukao; (3) Courthouse, Tauhunu; (4) landing-place, Tauhunu; (5) flagstaff reserve, Tauhunu ; (6) Council Chamber site, Rakahanga. These will be gazetted forthwith in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 123.

No. 131. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th January, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 373, of the 4th instant, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of regulations under subsection (8) of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1904." . The alteration made by the Solicitor-General will be an improvement on section A as submitted, for the European lessees have most extraordinary ideas as to the value of their leases. The regulations will be gazetted forthwith, and cases taken under their provisions about the middle of February. I nay &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

tfo. 103.

No. 132. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th January, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 367, of the 4th instant, I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Stevenson consulted me on the subject of a money-order office at Mangaia, and I supposed he had been moved to do this by some communication from his own Department. . I told Mr. Stevenson that I thought the money-order office would be a great convenience, but that if decided on the post-office ought to go to Mr. Large as the only responsible officer. I did not understand that the matter had reached the stage when it would be formally submitted to you and therefore I did not ask Mr. Stevenson to forward letter through me. I waited for the approval of the Secretary to the Post Office before making formal application to you for your concurrence. , ~ , , , ~ I have now the honour to recommend that a money-order office should be opened at Mangaia under Mr. Large. : haye > ' kc -> W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 105.

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No. 133. g IH Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ist February, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 30, I have the honour to state that I have received the draft regulations under section 28 of the Licensing Acts. The provisions thereof appear to me to cover all the weakest points of the statute, and are therefore most satisfactory. In these islands we cannot trust to the police, and have to depend on the law-abiding spirit of the Europeans to carry out the spirit of any Act. As a rule we can safely trust to them, but there are one or two who I have thought might import largely for their own use, but might sell or barter to the Natives. This is now impossible since the Collector of Customs has power to curtail imports. I am very much of the opinion that the Solicitor-General's advice should be carried out, and all clauses relating to importation or sale of liquor in our local laws repealed, except that absolute prohibition should be the rule in Mangaia. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 121.

No. 134. cj IR __ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, sth February, 1906. Mr. Percy Browu having audited the accounts of the local Government for the year 1904-5 and for the first half of the present year in a very thorough and satisfactory manner, I have the honour to request that you will approve his auditorship for the present year, in order that the accounts may be presented to you at the end of March after a thorough investigation. Mr. Brown's work is thorough, and he can give the time to it that is required, and is therefore a very fit and proper person for the billet. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 135. g IRj Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 7th February, 1906. I regret that I have to report that Pa Ariki died this morning. The deceased was a halfcaste, and not of high rank, but he was a man of sterling character and ability, a man anxious to see his people progress, He will be a loss to the London Mission, and a still greater loss to the local Administration, for he could at all times be depended on, and never failed to take a sensible and progressive view of every subject brought before the Council. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 136. g IR Niue Island Administration, Niue, 12th February, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of Niue Island Ordinances Nos. 15 and 16, " The Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1905," and " The Niue Island Fishprotection Ordinance, 1905," which have been assented to by His Excellency the Governor. I will have them translated, and the Niue version sent to you. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 120.

No. 137. g IR) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th February, 1906. I forward herewith a copy of despatch from the Secretary of State to His Excellency the Governor with reference to the flags of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, at present appearing in the Admiralty Flag-book. Will you please say if they are correctly depicted in the accompanying drawings, and also if there is any reason for retaining them in use 1 Since the annexation of the islands to New Zealand there is, I suppose, no real object in using special flags in the islands, but there may be some local consideration in favour of retaining them. I shall be glad to hear from you on the subject. l have, &C-, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. H. Mills.

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No. 138. Sir, —• Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 15th February, 1906. In connection with the census to be taken throughout the colony this year, Cabinet has decided to have one taken in the Cook and other Islands at the same time, and to appoint Mr. Percy Brown Enumerator, at a remuneration of £75 as a lump sum for the work. Will you please therefore arrange to have the census taken as early as possible, and forward returns to me? The particulars you supplied in 1902 were numbers, male and female, of adults, and children under fifteen, under ten, and under five years of age respectively, with the birthplace or nationality in each case. This information should be supplied in connection with the enumeration now proposed, and it would be well if, in addition, you could furnish particulars as to occupation, religion, degree of education, and school attendance. As, however, the amount of payment has been definitely fixed by Cabinet, I must leave it to 3WI to arrange with Mr. Brown for the fullest returns that can be supplied under the circumstances, leaving the question of details to be settled by you. I am not sure whether Mr. Brown will be able to include Niue in his returns; if not, please let me know, so that I can arrange with Mr. Maxwell to have the work done on that island. The intention, of course, is that Mr. Brown shall do the whole of the work if it is possible without exceeding the amount fixed by Cabinet. I have, &c, Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 139. . Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th February, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth December, enclosing a letter from the Rarotongan Fruit Committee relative to Mr. C. Bagley's criticism of the Cook Islands fruit trade. With reference to the question of protecting the Cook Islands fruit trade, Cabinet is of opinion that, as the supply will not be equal to the requirements of the colony for some time to come, it is inadvisable at present to impose a duty on outside fruit. At the same time, the Government is very anxious to offer some encouragement to Cook Islands shippers, and recognise that some material assistance is desirable. I would like you, therefore, to advise me what form, apart from a protective duty, you think this should take. It might be arranged for a bonus to be paid, or a payable price guaranteed ; or it may be found more workable and equally satisfactory if the concession took the form of a remission, wholly or in part, of the freight paid. You will understand that, while the Government is desirous of fostering the fruit trade of the islands as much as possible, the requirements of the colonj' as a whole must also be studied. Please let me have your views as early as possible. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 140. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th February, 1906. Referring to my letter of the 20th January, I have to inform you that the regulations under section 28 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," have now been signed by His Excellency the Governor, and I forward herewith a number of printed copies extracted from the New Zealand Gazette of the loth instant. In section 6 of "The Sale of Spirituous Liquor Restriction Ordinance, 1904," passed by the Island Council of Rarotonga, it is provided that no spirituous liquor shall be sold or given to any native Polynesian, &c. No reference is made to fermented liquors, and as this section of the Ordinance remains in force so far as gifts are concerned, I shall be glad to know whether you have been giving effect to the provision of the section as it stands, or have been interpreting the term " spirituous liquor " in the wider sense of " alcoholic liquor." I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 121

Enclosure. Regulations under Section 28 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," relating to the Cook and other Islands. Plunket, Governor. In exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section twenty-eight of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," and of all other powers and authorities enabling him in this behalf, His Excellency the Governor of the Colonjiof New Zealand doth hereby make the regulations set forth in the schedule hereto for the purpose of securing the proper administration of sections nineteen to twenty-seven of that Act, relating to liquor in the Cook and other Islands therein referred to.

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Schedule. — Regulations. 1. These regulations shall apply to the Cook and other Islands (hereinafter called "the said islands "), as denned by " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901." 2. Any person who is lawfully entitled to import liquor into any of the said islands shall do so in accordance with these regulations, and not otherwise. 3. The person desiring to import the liquor shall deliver the order therefor (in duplicate) to the appropriate officer, meaning thereby in the case of Niue Island the Resident Commissioner of that island or the Collector of Customs therein, and in the case of any other of the said islands the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands or the Collector of Customs of the island into which the liquor is to be imported. 4. The order shall be signed by the person importing the liquor, and shall specify the name of the supplying merchant by whom the liquor is to be sent, the quantity and description of the liquor, the port of importation, and the full name, occupation, and address of the importer (being in every case the person giving the order). 5. If the liquor is to be imported into the Island of Mangaia, then, whilst section 22 of " The Statute of Mangaia, 1899," remains in force, the order shall also contain a certificate by the Resident Surgeon of the Cook Islands Hospital that the liquor is required for medicinal purposes and is being imported with his consent pursuant to that section. 6. On receipt of the order the authorising officer, if satisfied that the liquor to which it relates is not excessive and may lawfully be imported by the person giving the order, and also that the order is in accordance with these regulations, shall note thereon a memorandum under his hand that the liquor is being imported through him in accordance with section 21 of "The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," and shall retain for record one copy of the order, and forward the other to the supplying merchant in an envelope duly stamped by the importer. 7. All liquor supplied pursuant to such, order shall be imported only at the place named in the order, and in packages addressed to the importer (being the person who gave the order), through the appropriate officer. 8. (1.) If the liquor is imported into the Island of Niue it shall, whilst section 2 of "The Niue Island Importation of Spirituous Liquor Ordinance, 1903," remains in force, be placed in the custody of the Collector of Customs, anil be dealt with as provided by that section. (2.) In any other case the liquor imported may, as the authorising officer thinks expedient, either be delivered to the importer or be stored in the King's bond or some other place of safe custody under the control of the appropriate officer for delivery to the importer from time to time in such quantities as the appropriate officer thinks fit: Provided that delivery shall not be given until all duties and charges payable to the Crown have been duly paid. 9. All expenses incurred by or on behalf of the Government, or any Collector of Customs, or any appropriate officer in receiving, storing, or delivering liquor under these regulations shall be payable by the importer as a debt due to the Crown. The amount of the expenses shall in each case be fixed by the Governor or by such officer, and shall be payable before the liquor is delivered. 10. Nothing in these regulations shall apply to liquor imported by or for the Government for sale under section 22 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904." 11. Nothing in these regulations shall be deemed to authorise the sale or gift of liquor in any of the said islands where such sale or gift would be in breach of the last-mentioned Act or of any Federal or local Ordinance for the time being in force. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, at Wellington, New Zealand, this eighth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills.

No. 141. Slß » — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th February, 1906. I have to inform you that the regulations under section 28 of "The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," which were compiled by the Solicitor-General on the basis of drafts submitted by you and Colonel Gudgeon, have now been signed by His Excellency the Governor, and I forward herewith a number of printed copies extracted from the Gazette of the 15th instant. I also forward herewith a memo, by the Solicitor-General on the construction of the sections of the Licensing Act relating to the Cook and other Islands, and the extent to which they affect the provisions of the various island Ordinances dealing with liquor. You will notice that Dr. Fitchett calls attention to the fact that in sections 3 and 4 of "The Niue Island Importation of Spirituous Liquor Ordinance, 1903," "spirituous liquor" only is referred to, the effect of which is that fermented liquor is exempt from the provisions of the sections. As section 3 remains in force, and section 4 still stands as to barter or gift, I shall be glad to hear whether you have been giving effect to these provisions as printed, or have been interpreting the term " spirituous liquor " in the wider sense of " alcoholic liquor." I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H Mills

Enclosures. (SeeKos. 121 and 140.)

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No. 142. Sir, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 17th February, 1906. I have to inform you that Cabinet has approved of the inspection of fruit at the islands, and has decided to appoint Mr. Percy Brown as Inspector. His salary will be £100 per annum, which will be paid by this Government, but Cabinet directs that the buildings necessary for the inspection and fumigation of fruil shall be erected by your Government. The duty of the Inspector will be to examine all fruit, plants, &c, imported into the Cook Islands, whether for use in Rarotonga or for distribution to the other islands of the Group. This is in accordance with the suggestion made by Mr. T. W. Kirk in his report on the horticulture of the islands, and the object is to prevent the introduction and spread of fresh diseases. Also (6) to inspect, and, if necessary, fumigate, all fruit exported from Rarotonga to this colony. So far as the fruit from the adjacent islands is concerned, I do not see that anything can be done at present, unless it can be brought to Rarotonga for shipment. Nothing further has been -done in the direction of establishing a Government plantation at Rarotonga, with experimental ground and nurseries attached, as proposed by Mr. Kirk, but I wish such a step to be kept in view, and in the meantime we will ascertain what benefit is to be derived from the inspection of your fruit prior to shipment to New Zealand. Cabinet has also decided that the schooner " Countess of Ranfurly " be run direct to Wellington for, say, two trips, in order to test the market here. Kindly have these decisions given effect to as far as possible. It will be necessary to examine the fruit not only for scale, but also for any signs of the maggot, otherwise it may develop during the voyage and cause the fruit to be condemned. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 143. Wellington, 20th February, 1906. (Telegram.) Colonel Gudgeon, Rarotonga, post Auckland. Very sorry to hear of the death of Pa Ariki. It will be a distinct loss to the islands. Please convey to relatives and people my regret at their loss, and my appreciation of the high character of the late Ariki, and the assistance he always rendered to the Government in all matters making for the welfare of the Group. C. H. Mills.

No. 135.

No. 144. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 24th February, 1906. I have the honour to inform youtthatt t the people of Takitumu having selected Te Tianui, wife of Makea Danicla, as their Ariki in the place of Pa Maretu, deceased, I attended the ceremony of installation at Ngatangiia on the 24th, and gave the formal oonsent of the Government to the selection of the people. In this case the people have made a very good choice, for not only is Te Tianui the elder descendant of the old line of the Pa family from Tai-teariki, but she is a woman of excellent character. I have, however, informed her that there will be no Ariki's Court in the future at Takitumu, and that I am prepared to take all the cases in that district. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 145. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ist March, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 69, of the 17th ultimo, I have the honour to report that I have communicated with Mr. Brown, who will probably accept the post offered to him. So far, I may say that he sees many difficulties in the way of making the fruit-inspection at this port a success. 1. I would point out that there is no law here that will compel any man to have his fruit fumigated whether he likes it or not. I have therefore the honour to submit for your consideration that such a law is necessary,and if not passed it will result in half the fruit being fumigated and the other half having to be picked out on the Auckland wharf, whereby all the benefit of fumigation will be lost. 2. There can be no benefit to the growers at Rarotonga unless the certificate of the officer at this place be accepted as final whenever fumigation has taken place. 3. It is with the greatest difficulty that shippers succeed in getting in their fruit in time to ship by the steamer even under present circumstances, the same wagon working continuously for forty-eight hours. If, therefore, the fumigation is to be a success, a very large shed must be erected

No. 142.

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capable of taking five thousand cases. In fact, there should be two sheds of that capacity each, so as to avoid the overhandling of the fruit. This will be a very expensive work to undertake in aid of an export that is not worth having. I would point out that at least ten men will have to be employed on the work for four days in each month. The fruit from the outlying islands cannot possibly be dealt with here. No shipper will permit transhipments and delays on a cargo that he will almost certainly lose money on. This, however, will not matter greatly, as the oranges of Aitutaki, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro are comparatively clean, having had no direct communication with New Zealand, from which place all our pests were brought by the medium of old cases which were at one time reshipped to this, island. I will await Mr. Kirk's suggestions before I send in an estimate of the cost of fumigatingchamber. The most economical method will be to utilise part of the sheds of the Union Company, but this would cost not less than £500, and I submit that the oranges of this island are really not worth the work. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 146. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ist March, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 61, of the 15th ultimo, jj 0 133, with reference to the proposed census of these islands for the present year. Mr. Percy Brown informs me that he is prepared to undertake the work under the remuneration offered. I have already secured a census of the Island of Mangaia, and I think that on this occasion it will be as well to bring the whole census of these islands into line with that of Mangaia, in which the whole population is divided into male, female, adults, and children, all those below the age of eighteen being counted as children. As for religion, except at Mauke and a few in Rarotonga, the whole of the people are London Mission, and except in Rarotonga, where there are perhaps twenty employed as clerks or storemen, the whole of the people are planters. Therefore we will attend to the matter of occupation in Rarotonga only. I may say that in consequence of the poll-tax inflicted on the Tahiti people by the Government of that place, the people are very suspicious of the census, and there would be no possibility of obtaining a second census of that island. I think that if we can obtain a fairly correct census of all the islands in a simple form we shall do all that is possible. I hope to obtain the returns from Manihiki, Rakahanga, Aitutaki, and Atiu shortly, but Penrhyn I cannot get until June. Mauke and Mitiaro I shall probably have to take in person; Palmerston I shall get in June. I do not see how Mr. Brown can include Niue in his return, and I would suggest that you instruct Mr. Maxwell to supply the necessary information from that place. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 147. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2nd March, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 54, of the 13th ultimo, I have the honour to inform you that No. 137 the flags of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands Federation are correctly depicted on the plates forwarded by His Excellency. These are the only flags known to the islands within the boundaries of Great Britain in the eastern Pacific. I cannot say that there is any reason why they should be retained, but there is a certain amount of sentiment in favour of the Rarotonga flag, inasmuch as it was the flag of Makea and was in existence some years before the establishment of the protectorate. I would therefore suggest that it be retained for the present. I may add that I use the blue ensign over the Government Offices, not the local flags. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 148. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 3rd March, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 56, of the 16th February, I have the honour to acknowledge No. 140. the receipt of forms of regulations under section 28 of the Licensing Acts Amendment Act of 1904. These regulations appear to be' most suitable, and in accordance with the spirit of the Act. In all matters connected with the sale of alcoholic liquor the strictest interpretation is given, and we have always held that the words " spirituous liquors " include fermented liquor of any description. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

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No. 149. Sir, — Earotonga, Cook Islands, 3rd March, 1906. In replying to letter No. 32, of the 20th January, I may say that I think that the main question has already been answered. I may, however, add to anything I have previously said that our only scientific observer is Mr. Connal, who, from the nature of his work, is often away. He will, however, instruct Mr. Blame to take his place. We have no mercurial barometer, but have an aneroid and thermometer. An anemometer and barograph should be sent, and we will endeavour to build a frame to support the wind-gauge and weathercock at the end of the wharf, it being somewhat difficult to ascertain the direction of the wind, living as we do under the shadow of the mountains. If the Meteorological Department can send general directions to Mr. Connal as to his observations it will be as well to do so. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Kesident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 122.

No. 150. g IR) Rarotonga, sth March, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 63, of the 16th ultimo, and to report that I have communicated with the Fruit Committee of this island as far as I thought advisable, and hope to be in a position to forward their views to you this mail. With reference to the form that the assistance should take, in order to encourage the fruit trade of these islands, it appears to me that it would not be expedient to guarantee " a payable price." This would be a very risky measure, for the Maori who lives close to the place of shipment would probably consider himself well paid on receipt of Is. per box clear of all expenses, whereas the European who lives ten miles from port, and takes care to send nothing but the best fruit and well packed, would require Is. 6d. clear. Those who buy fruit for shipment would require something more. Whatever arrangements may be made, I think there can be no doubt but that the granting of a small bonus will increase the export, and this being the case, the Government would accept a heavy liability by guaranteeing any price. I object to the payment of freight either wholly or in part, for any such arrangement would relieve the middleman of the necessity of finding a buyer at such a price as shall provide for the freight. The best possible method of assisting the fruit-grower of these islands will be by giving a bonus of 6d. on each box containing 2 cubic feet of fruit or over, and 3d. for the 6 in. box; such bonus to be given for bananas, oranges, and pines only, and the money to be payable in Rarotonga immediately after the departure of each steamer. The Resident Commissioner, on the recommendation of the Inspector, should have the power to stop the bonus for any one of the following offences: (1) Placing the mario among the ordinary banana of commerce; (2) packing any variety of plantain among the true bananas; (3) shipping undeveloped bananas to New Zealand; (4) shipping small unripe oranges that are known to be unfit for market, or rotten oranges, to the detriment of the whole cargo, or unsound oranges of any description. A local Ordinance should define the powers of the Inspector, and every facility should be given to him to prevent the shipment of any fruit not of the first quality. It should also be his duty to prevent the rough handling of the fruit, which is now the rule rather than the exception, not only on the wharf but in the boats and steamer. I may also remark for your information that the majority of shippers appear to think that a three-weekly service, that 'should run through to Wellington via Auckland, would be of more value to them than any other service. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 139.

No. 151. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sm _ Dunedin, 6th"March, 1906. I notice that a deputation from the Wellington Chamber of Commerce waited upon you a few days ago to discuss the question of a direct steam service between Wellington and the Cook a I would remind you that I wrote you on the 25th August last, suggesting that, if desired, the experiment of a second steamer during the three or four months of the fruit season could be tried, but expressing a doubt whether sufficient supplies of marketable fruit would be available. In reply to this you intimated that you-had sent my letter to the Resident Commissioner for his report. I shall be glad to know if you have any report from him, and if it is likely that sufficient fruit will be available. Our advices indicate that the crop for the coming season is likely to be smaller than for last year.

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If it is decided to try the experiment, we would propose to offer the "Wainui," Which would have a capacity for 500 tons, exclusive of coal for the voyage, to make a trip each four weeks for three months from Rarotonga to Wellington; and for this service I estimate that we should require a subsidy of £500 per trip to cover cost. I make this proposal for the purpose of bringing the matter before you in a formal shape, and shall be glad if it will serve as a basis for negotiations. I have, &c, James Mills, Managing Director. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister of Customs, Wellington.

No. 152. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 6th March, 1906. I have the honour to forward herewith two Ordinances for the approval of His Excellency the Governor. No. 1, the Village Regulation Ordinance of 1905, has already been before you, and was returned to me in your letter No. 326, of the 18th October, 1905, approving certain amendments that have now been made. Ido not like the Ordinance in many respects: it is inquistorial and tyrannical, and of the same type as the old mission laws; but as it is clear that the Island Council do like it I offer no objection, and recommend the approval of His Excellency. No. 2, the Mangaia Regulations Ordinance: The punishments are excessive for such small offences, and I would suggest that 10s. should be the highest fine for such small breaches of a mere village Ordinance. With your approval this amendment could be made in New Zealand. I have never found good results from severe fines or punishments. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. Mangaia Local Ordinance No. 1. —Village Regulation Ordinance, 1905. Be it enacted by the Island Council of Mangaia: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is " The Mangaia Village Regulation Ordinance, 1905." 2. A curfew bell or gong shall be sounded in each of the Mangaia villages at 9 p.m. every evening, after which bell all beating of drums and other loud noises shall cease, and the villagers retire to their houses : Provided always that this section shall not be deemed to apply to those who have a valid excuse for being abroad after 9 p.m. : Provided also that the President of the Island Council may grant permission to any " tarekareka " or entertainment to be extended to midnight. 3. It shall be the duty of the police to see that the provisions of this Ordinance are strictly observed. Any person offending against the provisions of section two, or obstructing the police in the execution of their duty, shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding twenty shillings, and in default of payment to twenty days' hard labour. 4. Except with the permission of the President of the Island Council, no human corpse shall be buried in any place other than a burial-ground recognised by the Native inhabitants as such, or reserved or set apart by them or some duly constituted authority as a burial-ground, nor in less than twenty-four hours from the time of apparent death. Any person infringing this section shall be liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding twenty shillings or twenty days' hard labour. 5. Any person found playing for money, whether by cards or any other game, shall be liable on conviction to a penalty not exceeding twenty shillings. Any owner or occupier of a house or premises situate in any village who shall permit or allow gambling or playing for money in such house or upon such premises shall be liable to the same penalty. 6. The President of the Island Council may by notice in writing direct the owner or occupier of any house or other building in a dirty or unwholesome state to clean or cause the same to be cleaned within a time to be specified in such notice. And if after the service of such notice upon him any person shall refuse or neglect to comply with such notice he shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding twenty shillings or twenty days' hard labour. For the purposes of this section the President of the Island Council, or any person duly authorised by him, may inspect any house or premises in the presence of the owner thereof. 7. No nightsoil, refuse, or offensive rubbish shall be cast or deposited or allowed to flow into any spring, stream, or watercourse used as a water-supply by the inhabitants of the island. All refuse as aforesaid shall be buried in the earth without delay. Any offender against this section shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty shillings or twenty days' hard labour. 8. Except with the permission of the President of the Island Council no guns shall be fired within the limits of any Native village between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m. Any offender against the provision of this section shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten shillings or ten days' hard labour.

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9. And whereas many prisoners are in the habit of stowing away on board of vessels calling at Mangaia: From and after the passing of this Ordinance it shall not be lawful for any prisoner to visit a trading or other vessel unless provided with a pass signed by the Resident Magistrate of the Island. Any prisoner offending under this section shall be liable to a fine not exceeding twenty shillings. And any person who shall knowingly aid or abet him or her in breaking the provisions of this section shall be liable on conviction to a fine of twenty shillings, and in default of payment twenty days' hard labour. Animals. 10. It shall not be lawful to tether horses, cattle, or other animals on the public road; and no beast shall anywhere be tethered in such a position that it can reach nearer than ten feet of the public thoroughfare. Any person infringing the provisions of this section shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ten shillings for each offence or ten days' hard labour. 11. " The Wandering Animals Ordinance, 1902 " (No. 8), is hereby adopted and brought into force within the limits of the Island of Mangaia; and it is further enacted by the Island Council of Mangaia that sections six and eight of the above Act shall also be deemed to apply to the public roads and Government reserves on Mangaia; and section seven shall also apply to bulls. 12. Any person placing rocks, timber, or other obstacles on the public road, whereby the traffic may be impeded or injury caused to person or property, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ten shillings, and to pay any damage caused by such obstruction. 13 Any person guilty of furious riding or driving on the public roads within the limits of any settlement on Mangaia shall be fined not exceeding ten shillings and be liable for any damage caused thereby to person or property. , 14. Any person guilty of wanton cruelty to dumb animals, such as riding or driving a horse with bad abraided back, shoulders, or withers, or guilty of other atrocious and shameful usage of dumb animals, shall be fined not exceeding ten shillings or ten days' hard labour. 15. Whereas packs of hungry curs cause much mischief and disturbance at night by chasing animals, stealing food, &c, it is hereby enacted that all dogs on Mangaia shall remain tied up at night from sunset to sunrise the following morning. Any owner or person in charge of a dog who neglects to conform to this clause shall be liable to a fine not exceeding ten shillings or ten days hard labour. •.««« n • 16. All cases under this Ordinance and " The W T andering Animals Ordinance, 1902, incorporated herein, shall be heard in the Island Court before the Resident Agent: Provided always that there shall be a right of appeal to the High Court if due notice of such appeal be given in writing within seven days of the first hearing. Passed by the Mangaia Island Council, this thirteenth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and six. John T. Labgb, President, Mangaia Island Council. [Assented to by the Governor, 11th August, 1906.]

Mangaia Local Ordinance No. 2.—Mangaia Regulations Ordinance, 1906. Be it enacted by the Island Council of Mangaia, as follows:— 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Mangaia Regulations Ordinance, 1906. Regulation of Traffic. 2 Any 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 a bell when approaching and passing any other person, bicycle, or vehicle. Regulation of Tea-shops. i All tea-shops shall be closed between the hours of nine at night and six in the morning the following day; and no business shall be done by the licensee or his servants in such tea-shops between such hours. . . . 5 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. 6 Any person contravening any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding thirty shillings, or in default of payment thirty days' hard labour. 7 All cases under this Ordinance shall be heard in the Island Court, before the Resident Acrent': Provided always that there shall be a right of appeal to the High Court if due notice of su°ch appeal be given in writing within seven days of the first hearing. Passed by the Mangaia Island Council, this thirteenth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and six. 3so. T.Large, President, Mangaia Island Council. [Assented to by the Governor, 28th June, 1906.]

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No. 153. Sir, —■ itarotonga, Cook Islands, 6th March, 1906. I have the honour to forward attached a letter from the Fruit Committee of this island, which seems to me to require no special remark except as to duty on coffee and limejuice in paragraph 3. As to this lam inclined to think that a bonus on coffee of Id. per pound would probably cause some 50 tons to be gathered this year that would not otherwise be touched. As for limejuice, our exports are small. As to paragraph 3, I do not see how we can begin to build the fumigating-shed for the next three months. We have so much pressing work on hand, and I would ask you to remember that in this place either Mr. Connal or myself must be present, and there are only two reliable carpenters in the Group to which one can intrust important work. This work properly carried out will be expensive, and I submit that a charge of Id. per box should be made on all cases fumigated. I fear that we shall find a good many difficulties facing us in this local fumigation. The owners of the fruit minimise the long passage by picking the fruit only a few days before the arrival of the steamer, and they will expect us to inspect fifteen thousand cases in the two days, and fumigate about nine thousand of these. In such case the inspection will be merely perfunctory. It will be night and day for the short time before the steamer arrives in any case, and I am quite certain that no one will keep the appointment long. As to the profits of an experimental orchard paying the Inspector's salary, we could not now get a suitable piece of land without taking it under the Act, and it would never pay its own work-ing-expenses. The water-supply of Rarotonga and Aitutaki ought first to be provided for. 1 do not know that the appointment of Mr. P. Brown will be satisfactory to the shippers of Rarotonga, but I am quite certain that he will perform the duties of the office without fear, favour, or affection. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 150.

Enclosure. Sir, — Rarotonga, sth March, 1906. Your committee has the honour to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the Ist instant containing extracts from various letters from the Minister in Charge of the Islands, and wishes to comment upon the proposals as follows: — 1. Fumigation. —Upon the proposal to fumigate fruit here prior to shipment: There can, in the opinion of the committee, be only one objection. Some shippers (rightly or wrongly) are of opinion that the keeping qualities of fruit suffer very much in the process of fumigation, and, therefore, that fruit fumigated here would not reach New Zealand in such good condition as unfumigated fruit. If the Government's expert advisers are satisfied that such is not the case the committee is satisfied that fumigation here would be an undoubted advantage. 2. Duty. —-Whilst the committee regrets that the New Zealand Government does not feel prepared to impose a duty upon foreign fruit (which, in its opinion, is much the most satisfactory means of establishing the fruit business upon a sound basis), it is pleased to see that the authorities are prepared to take some steps to assist the grower, and trusts that, failing the imposition of duty, both coffee and limejuice will be included in the bonus scheme. 3. Inspector. —The committee approves, provided the Inspector appointed is a man with the requisite technical knowledge, and whose certificate would have the same value in New Zealand ports as those of the present Inspectors of the Agricultural Department in New Zealand; who would be able to instruct the Native grower in better methods of cultivation and packing, and who could carry on an experimental orchard, the proceeds from which, together with the fees for fumigation, would go far towards paying a reasonable salary. i. "Countess of Ranfurly." —The sailing of the "Countess" two trips to Wellington is, in the committee's opinion, solely a question of whether shippers are sufficiently satisfied to find a cargo of fruit by a sailing-vessel. We have, &c, Percy Brown, Makea Daniela, Thos. Shearman, J. W. Shakpe, Chairman. To Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, C.M.G., Resident Commissioner.

No. 154. g IR __ Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 6th March, 1906. I have the honour to forward herewith a petition from certain residents of Mangaia asking for a passage through the reef. They ask for this as though it was an easy matter to make such a passage, and do not consider the fact that no workable passage has ever yet been made through any reef except at a cost of nearly £1,000. There is only one man who has any knowledge of mining in this Group, and he lives at Mauke, and for the last eighteen months has been engaged on that reef, which is more easily dealt with than Mangaia, and, so far, the passage is valueless.

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The fact is that no passage is of any use unless it has 6 ft. of water at the lowest tide, and therein lies the difficulty; in effect, unless the passage is very good and deep, the reef is much safer. In any case a really experienced man is required with good boring apparatus, or the money will be wasted, since dynamite will be required by the ton. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 155. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th March, 1906. Memo, for the Hon. the Postmaster-General. Referring to your memo, of the 30th December, No. O.R. 1923, I have to say that the matter was submitted to the Resident Commissioner at Rarotonga for his consideration, and I have now received his reply. From this it appears that it is desirable that a money-order office be established at Mangaia, and I shall be glad therefore if you will give the matter your favourable consideration. If the change is decided upon, Mr. J. T. Large, Resident Agent on Mangaia, should be appointed Postmaster. I shall be glad if you will let me know when the matter is decided. C. H. Mills.

No. 105.

No. 156. Si R; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th March, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 30th January with reference to the proposal to establish a money-order office at Mangaia, and the appointment of Mr. Large Postmaster, &c. I agree with you that such an office is desirable on the island, an-d I have written the Hon. the Postmaster-General advising that the contemplated change be made. I will advise you as soon as the matter has been decided. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 132.

No. 157. §Ir;--I_ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th March, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 28th January with reference to the freezing plant established at Rarotonga by Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, and, under the circumstances mentioned I approve of the subsidy from your Government being increased from £50 to £75 per annum. I have, &c The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. t<. -H- Mills.

No. 128.

No. 158. g IR _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th March, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth February, and in reply have to say that I approve of Mr. Percy Brown being appointed auditor of the accounts of your Administration for the current year. The appointment by Governor's Warrant will follow in due course. .■.;.-••■ I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 134.

No. 159. s _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th March, 1906. I have to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has appointed Messrs. W. J. Stevenson J T Large J C. Cameron, and M. J. Nagie to be officers who may sell or supply liquor under the'provisions'of section 22 of. " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904 " in the Islands of Rarotonga, Mangaia, Aitutaki, and Penrhyn respectively. I forward herewith four copies of the New Zealand Gazette containing the appointments. 1 have, &C., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. <-• **. Mills.

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Avarua Village, Rarotonga.

Landing-place, Mangaia.

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Plunket, Governor. In exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section twenty-two of "The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," and of all other powers and authorities enabling him in this behalf, His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand doth hereby appoint William James Stevenson, Rarotonga, John Thompson Large, Mangaia, John Choenneth Cameron, Aitutaki, and Martin John Nagle, Penrhyn, being officers of H.M. Customs, to be the officers who may sell or supply liquor under the provisions of the said section twenty-two in the Cook and other Islands referred to therein. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this twenty-fourth day of February, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills.

No. 160. Sir,— • Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Bth March, 1906. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the 22nd January, forwarding particulars of the import and export trade of the Cook and Northern Islands during the year ending the 31st December, 1905. In view of the fact that some of the islands suffered serious loss as the result of the hurricane of January, 1905, the returns you have furnished must be considered satisfactory. I am writing you in a separate letter with reference to the trade in limejuice and coffee. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 124.

No. 161. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington,. 10th March, 1906. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the 9th January, and approve of your suggestion that Mr. Hugh McCrone Connal be appointed Chief Surveyor and Civil Engineer for the Cook Islands under the provisions of section sof " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901." The Warrant of appointment is being forwarded to the Governor for signature, and will be sent to you when completed. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 162. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 10th March, 1906. I have the honour to forward to you herewith Ordinance No. 17, " The Niue Island Public Roads and Landing Reserves Dedication Ordinance, 1906," for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor. This Ordinance was brought before three meetings of the Council and fully debated, and finally passed unanimously on the Bth instant. I deemed it better to have the roads, &c, vested in His Majesty by Ordinance, instead of taking them by Proclamation under the means provided, as less likely to rouse suspicion in the minds of this very sensitive people. Any further steps that may be essential can now be taken at any time. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Niue Island Ordinance No. 17.—Niue Island Public Roads and Landing Reserves Dedication Ordinance, 1906. Niue Island Council. Whereas it is expedient that the roads and landing-places in Niue should be dedicated to His Majesty King Edward VII, and thereby withdrawn from the control of private individuals: Be it therefore enncted by the'Niue Island Council, as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is "The Niue Island Public Roads and Landing Reserves Dedication Ordinance, 1906,"

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2. All roads and landing reserves in Niue Island marked on the ground and delineated in the map of Niue Island, deposited in the Government Survey Office of New Zealand (a tracing thereof being now produced before the Niue Island Council), are hereby dedicated to and vested in His Majesty King Edward VII and his successors, absolutely and without reserve, for ever, to wit: — The landing reserves at Avatele, Aloii, Tuapa, and Mutalau respectively; The main road commencing at Alofi and extending round the island, connecting all the villages except Hikutavake, Fatiau, and Tamakautoga; The main roads from Lakepa, Ljku, and Hakupu converging on Alofi, through the centre of the island; The branch roads to Hikutavake, Fatiau, and Tamakautoga. 3. The average width of the main roads is sixty-six feet. All cocoanut-palms growing within the limits of any road shall remain the property of their present owners, but may be removed at any time by the Niue Island Administration for the purpose of widening the formation. Fair compensation shall be paid to the owner for any trees so removed. i. From and after the date on which this Ordinance is assented to by His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand, all public roads and landing reserves in Niue as aforesaid shall be vested in His Majesty the King, and any person obstructing the same in any way shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds or to not exceeding two months' hard labour. Enacted and passed by the Niue Island Council, this eighth day of March, one thousand nine hundred and six. Togia, Approved. President of Niue Island Council. C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. [Assented to by the Governor, 28th June, 1906.]

No. 163. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 12th March, 1906. I have the honour to forward to you herewith Ordinance No. 18, " The Niue Island Maintenance of Public Roads Ordinance, 1905," for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor. Since the establishment of a Government in this island the difficulty of keeping the public roads weeded has increased owing to the reluctance of the Natives to do anything to them unless paid for it, claiming that all public work should be paid for by this Administration. While they may be right to a certain extent, I do not see that they should be entirely exempt from contributing to the upkeep of the roads, either in money or labour. They ha-d to do this in the past, but at the present time pay nothing in the shape of road rates, and decline to keep the roads passing through their villages clear of weeds. I have therefore had this Ordinance passed by the Council, which will, I think, meet the case. I find from inquiry that it is the custom in adjacent islands for the landowners — -i.e., the Natives —to keep the roads in repair, and I do not see why Niue should be an exception. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Enclosure. Niue Island Ordinance No. 18.—Niue Island Maintenance op Public Roads Ordinance, 1905. Nine Island Council. Whereas it is expedient that action shoul-d be taken to enforce the weeding and maintenance of public roads by the owners or occupiers of land through which such roads pass, and who are benefited thereby, such labour being done in lieu of payment of road rates: Be it therefore enacted by the Niue Island Council, as follows:— 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is "The Niue Island Maintenance of Public Roads Ordinance, 1905." 2. The inhabitants of every village in Niue Island shall keep the main roads passing through such village free of weeds or other vegetation. Every householder shall maintain in good order that portion of the main road in front of his or her section or dwelling-place. 3. Once in every three months, or when the state of the roads requires it, all landowners or householders in every village of Niue shall be notified by the police to weed the roads passing through their lands. One day of each week shall be devoted to such work until the task is completed. If a landowner or householder is from any cause unable to attend personally to such work, a substitute shall be provided by him or her. 4. Neglect on the part of any householder or landowner to comply with the police notification as aforesaid shall render him or her liable to a fine of five shillings for every such act of neglect. The Niue Administration may have the necessary work executed, and recover the cost of the same from the landowner,

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5. The Native constables in every village are hereby appointed Road Inspectors under this Ordinance, and it shall be their duty to see that the provisions of this Ordinance are carried into effect. Enacted and passed by the Niue Island Council, this fifth day of December, one thousand nine hundred and five. Toqia, Approved. President of Niue Island Council. C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. [Assented to by the Governor, 28th June, 1906.]

No. 164. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 12th March, 1906. Referring to my letter of the 17th February, I now beg to forward a pamphlet sent me by No. 142. Mr. T. W. Kirk, Government Biologist, in which you will find plans of the sheds used in fumigating fruit, &c, with a description of the process. Mr. Kirk suggests that it may be advisable for the Inspector to visit New Zealand for a little instruction in inspection and fumigation, and he will be glad to hear if this can be arranged. If it cannot he will endeavour to write out full details, as it is necessary, in order to insure satisfactory results, that the Inspector should have some practical instruction before taking up his duties. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 165. S IR> Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 12th March, 1906. I shall be glad if you will send me as soon as convenient a plan showing the roads in Rarotonga recently taken under section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," and let me have in future plans of all land dealt with under this section, if possible. I assume you will not be in a position for some time yet to furnish a complete plan of Rarotonga or any of the other islands of the Group, but I hope as your survey-work advances that you will be able from time to time to send' me maps of the different islands, showing as much detail as possible, as they will be of great assistance to me in dealing with the work from here. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 166. g IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Auckland, 16th March, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letters of the 31st January and the 3rd March, No. 149, relative to the proposal to establish a meteorological station at Rarotonga. I think it will be better if the observations are taken by a Government officer, and I shall be glad if you will arrange with Mr. Connal, or in his absence Mr. Elaine, to undertake the work. The Meteorological Department in Wellington will be asked to supply the necessary instruments, and also to furnish you with full instructions as to how the observations should be taken. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 167. g IR) Cook and other Islands Administration, Auckland, 16th March, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist instant, and note the steps you No. 146. propose to take in connection with the taking of the census in the Cook and other Islands. These appear to be quite satisfactory. I understand that there is no immediate hurry for the returns, and it will do if those for Penrhyn and Palmerston are furnished in June, as you suggest. I shall instruct Mr. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner at Niue, to furnish returns for that island. Ihave,&c The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. **• Mills.

No. 168. g IK Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th March, 1906. I have the honour to forward enclosed an Ordinance of the Rakahanga Island Council, adopting the Manihiki Ordinance No. 1 (regulating village life). The Manihiki and Rakahanga people are really one tribe, and live indifferently on either island as the spirit moves them. I have therefore the honour to recommend the approval of this adoption. I have, &c, : W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington,

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Enclosure. Rakahanga Local Ordinance No. I.—Rakahanga Ordinance No 1. Be it enacted by the Island Council of Rakahanga, as follows: — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Rakahanga Ordinance No. 1." 2. Sections two to nineteen of "The Manihiki Ordinance No. 1 " are hereby adopted for the Island of Rakahanga, and shall be deemed to form part of this Ordinance, substituting therein the name " Rakahanga " for the name " Manihiki." Passed by the Rakahanga Island Council, this eleventh day of June, one thousand nine hundred and five. Approved. Henry Williams, W. E. Gudgeon, President. Resident Commissioner. [Assented to by the Governor, 28th June, 1906.]

No. 169. g IR; Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th March, 1906. I have the honour to report that, contrary to all previous experience, the Islands of Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Rakahanga have again been visited by gales of wind, almost of hurricane force, which on this occasion lasted nearly five weeks. At Penrhyn the gale lasted from the 15th January to the 20th February, and probably culminated in the hurricane at the Paumotus on the 7th February last. The threshing of the palm-leaves has, of course, knocked off a good many nuts in all three of our northern, islands; but with, this exception little damage has been done. The news from Tahiti already shows great damage and loss of life, but when our steamer last left that port the full extent of the disaster was not known. I fear that the want of drinking-water on the low islands that have been swept by the sea will kill more people than the waves have done. There would have been no survivors of the last hurricane but for the ingenuity of an American missionary, who condensed sea-water with very imperfect appliances. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 170. g IR) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 22nd March, 1906. I have to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has appointed you to be the officer who may sell or supply liquor in the Island of Niue under the provisions of section 22 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904." A copy of the New Zealand Gazette containing your appointment will be forwarded shortly. A copy of the Warrant is enclosed. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. Plunket, Governor. In exercise of the powers conferred upon him by section twenty-two of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," and of all other powers and authorities enabling him in this behalf, His Excellency the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand doth hereby appoint Christopher Freke Maxwell, being an officer of H.M. Customs, to be the officer who may sell or supply liquor under the provisions of the said section twenty-two in the Island of Niue. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this twelfth day of March, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills.

No. 171. S IRj Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd March, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 9th January, forwarding a Return of Exports for the Quarter ending the 31st December, 1905. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 112.

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No. 172. S IRj Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd March, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 10th January, forwarding the No. 116. Return of Imports for the Quarter ending the 31st December, 1905. I am sorry to see that the volume of inward trade has been so small, but I think the position is sufficiently explained by the circumstances you have mentioned. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Nine. C. H. Mills.

No. 173. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd March, 1906. Memo, for the Right Hon. the Premier. Referring to the despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies to His Excellency the Go- No. 147. vernor, dated the 19th December (Government House record 44/1906) relative to the flags of Rarotonga and the Cook Islands, I have to state that I have now received a reply from the Resident Commissioner of Rarotonga, to whom the question was referred, and he states that the flags are correctly depicted on the Admiralty plates, and that they are the only local flags known to the islands within the boundaries of New Zealand's territory in the eastern Pacific. Colonel Gudgeon suggests tTiat the Rarotonga flag be retained for the present. It is the flag of Makea, and was in existence before the establishment of the protectorate, and a certain amount of sentimental interest attaches to it in consequence. As to the others, there appears to be no reason why they siiould be retained any longer. The Resident Commissioner states that he flies the blue ensign over the Government Offices at Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 174. g IR) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd March, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th January, relative to the proposal to appoint a European teacher for Niue. I will forward a copy of your letter to the applicant, so that he may know exactly what life on the island would mean for him in the event of his receiving an appointment there; but as I have already advised you by wire, dated the 18th January, the whole question of education in the Cook Islands and Niue has been submitted to the Education Department, Cabinet having decided that the Education Act should be applied to the islands. A memo., of which I enclose a copy, has been addressed to the Right Hon. the Premier by the Secretary for Education, but I have not yet learned what steps it is proposed to take in the matter. . Under the circumstances the question of an appointment must remain in abeyance tor the If you care to make any comments on the proposals outlined in the memo, enclosed, I shall be glad on receipt of a letter from you to forward it on for the of the Education Department. Ihave,&c The Resident Commissioner, Niue. a - mills.

Enclosure. Education Department, Wellington, 2nd March, 1906. Memorandum for the Right Hon. the Minister. Education Scheme for the Cook Islands and Niue. The character of the scheme depends upon the answer to the question whether or not the policy of the Government is to anglicize the Natives in the same way as the Maoris in New Zealand are being anglicized. . In New Zealand Maoris form a small minority, and therefore if they were, not anglicized they would remain for ever a semi-barbarous people living side by side with a British population. This would obviously have been a source of social danger ; indeed, a similar policy has failed conspicuously in the case of the Indians in the United States of America. It would therefore seem that it was wise to attempt to raise the Maoris to the British standard of civilisation, and therefore of necessity to teach them English. Maoris who have been to our schools are consequently bilingual, like the Welsh and some of the Scotch Highlanders. Where the Native race is in a large majority, and likely to remain so, as perhaps with the Cook Islands two courses are open. Either (a) they may be partially anglicized, and the best of them be taught English, which would always in that case be a foreign language as far as the Natives of the islands were concerned; or (b) they may be treated as the Maoris are, and the attempt made to anglicize them entirely. Of course, in either case the process is very gradual. If the policy (6) be adopted, the process takes longer (it has taken fifty or sixty years in New Zealand and is not complete yet); the result is, however, more complete.

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The Resident Commissioner in Niue seems to suggest a scheme of education that involves the teaching of English to all Natives, and, although Colonel Gudgeon's expression of opinion is not quite so explicit, yet I infer that he holds the same views. Evidently the same policy should, as far as possible, be carried out in respect of the inhabitants of all the islands. 1 take it, therefore, that 1 am not wrong in assuming that the direction of Cabinet that the New Zealand system of education should be extended to the Cook Islands implies an adaptation of the Native-school system as carried out in New Zealand. 1 have said "adaptation," because to apply the New Zealand system fully would mean for the present the staffing of all the schools with European teachers, which would involve an expenditure of about £15,000 per annum, for which I presume the Government is not at present prepared. If the schools are not all staffed at once with European teachers, then time must be allowed for the training of Native teachers, especially in English and in manual work suited to the local conditions prevailing in the islands, for I take it that, as in our Maori village schools, these two subjects should receive by far the largest amount of attention. In a previous memorandum I have suggested that in Rarotonga there should be an institution consisting of 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. Both of these should be fully staffed. To give more, say, than twenty-five to thirty pupils to each fully qualified European teacher would be to court almost certain failure; or if there were not complete failure, I am sure that the results would be very disappointing in proportion to the expenditure. The numbers in the high school should therefore be limited to the number that can be effectively taught by the staff. I suggest that, if there are two teachers besides the superintendent, the number should be limited to seventy-five. The conditions for admission might be that the pupils should be, whether European or Maori, not under ten, should be able to transcribe in their mother-tongue four or five lines of easy prose, should know the numbers up to 100, and be able to do, orally, easy sums in these numbers. In the training college there should be from twelve to twenty student-teachers. They could obtain practice in the high school under the supervision of the English staff. The students should have passed satisfactorily through a high-school course, and the "professional" training should take from two to four years, according to the individual. Meanwhile the village schools should be left as they are; but whenever a trained teacher was available for a school, that school should be taken over and managed somewhat as a New Zealand Maori school is, under the general direction of the Superintendent. In course of time all the schools would be supplied with trained teachers. A similar double institution should be established at Alofi in Niue, perhaps another in Aitutaki, and eventually one or two others. If buildings are required for the school and students, the sum of £2,000 would probably be sufficient in each case—that is, if the cost of building in Rarotonga does not greatly exceed that in New Zealand. But probably existing buildings could be used for a time. For this scheme the following is my estimate of the annual expenditure in each place: Salary of Superintendent, £350; salary of first assistant, £200; salary of second assistant, £150; cost of boarding, say, fifteen students, £300; incidentals, £100: total, £1,100 per annum. The cost of the village schools Colonel Gudgeon puts down at £20 each for the salary of the teachers. I doubt whether a trained teacher, when he knew that he could earn in other ways (e.g., agriculture) more than this, would be willing to work for so little. Underpaid and therefore inefficient teachers would kill the scheme, and it would be better to leave things as they are than to introduce an inefficient scheme. As suggested in my memorandum of the Bth May, 1905, I think it would be of benefit if one of the Inspectors of Native Schools were once, say, in three years to visit the islands. Summary. If it is decided to anglicize the Natives —that is, to treat them in the same way as the Maoris are being treated in New Zealand —I recommend— 1. The establishment of two institutions (combined high school and training-school) as described, one in Rarotonga and one in Alofi, the number to be increased, if necessary, later on. 2. These institutions should be well staffed. 3. That the village schools should be taken over as soon as trained (Native) teachers are ready for them, and that they should be then treated as Maori village schools are with us. I ask for direction as to whether I am to draw up regulations on the lines indicated above. G. HOGBBN.

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No. 175. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd March, 1906. In connection with the census to be taken throughout the colony this year, Cabinet has No. 146. decided to have one taken in the Cook and other Islands at the same time. The Enumerator has been appointed for the Cook Group and Northern Islands, but he will not be able to undertake the work in Niue. I have to ask you, therefore, to please arrange to have the census taken as early as possible, and forward the returns to me. It will be sufficient if the returns are made up in the same form as those you furnished in 1902, when you stated the number of adult males and females, and children of fifteen, ten, and five years of age and under respectively for each village. If, in addition to this, you can furnish any particulars as to occupation, religion, degree of education, and school attendance I shall be glad to have them. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 176. Sir, — Cook and other islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd March, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 12th January on the subject of the proposal to bring No. 117 some Niue boys to New Zealand for training in useful trades, and note that you are agreeable to the project being abandoned for the present in favour of the larger question of education on the island, about which I have written you in a separate letter by this mail. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 177. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd March, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 9th January, forwarding a Statement of the Revenue No. 113. and Expenditure of Niue Island for the Quarter ending the 31st December, 1905. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 178. General Post Office, Wellington, 24th March, 1906/ Memorandum for the Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge of the Cook and other Islands No. 155. Administration, Wellington. Referring to your memorandum of the 7th instant C.1., 1906-1, I have to inform you that it has been decided to appoint Mr. J. T. Large to the position of Postmaster, Mangaia, and to open a money-order office at that place in his charge if the fidelity bond usual in such cases is given. This Mr. Large is being asked to furnish. Albert Pitt, Acting Postmaster-General.

No. 179. g IR) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 26th March, 1906. I duly received your letter of the 6th instant, but deferred replying to it pending my No. 151 visit to Auckland to discuss with the fruit merchants the questions of the fruit trade and communication with the islands. lam now having the whole matter brought before Cabinet, and will let you know as early as possible what has been decided with respect to the proposal you have submitted. l haye > & c -. C. H. Mills. The Managing Director, Union Steamship Company (Limited), Dunedin.

No. 180. g IR) Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 31st March, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter C.1., 1906/13, of the 12th No. 164. March, and the pamphlet referred to therein. The fumigating-shed will be put in hand as soon as possible, but the orange-crop of this year is a very small one, and will be finished long before the shed can be made ready. Mr. Brown is not prepared to go to New Zealand at present, and it will probably be as well that Mr. Kirk should write fully on the subject of inspection and fumigation. I would point out that the inspection and fumigation of the fruit at this port is, in the absence

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of definite information, not too well received here, and I would further say that the interests of the fruit-shippers in Wellington or Auckland are not the interests of the growers of fruit, and for this reason there is not the most remote probability that the " Countess " will receive cargo for Wellington. One matter seems to me to be very clear, and that is that the wants and recommendations of the middleman in New Zealand will receive no indorsement in the Cook Islands. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Lslands, Wellington.

No. 181. Sib, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 31st March, 1906. In reply to your letter of the 12th instant, I have the honour to inform you that full maps giving every detail of the following islands have for some time been in course of preparation in order to accompany my report for the year 1903-6: Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mauke, Manuae, Takutea, and Rakahanga. lam now in a position to show the surveys that have been carried out up to date, and I may say that every block that has been surveyed has also passed the Court, and been awarded to the real owner. Yesterday I finished the last block of Tupapa, one of the largest and quite the most valuable of the taperes under Makea. This has hitherto been one of the most troublesome of all of the taperes, by reason of the fact that at least fifty of the owners had been ejected by the Mataiapos Taraare, Vakapora, and Tamaioa. These people are now restored to their ancestral lands, and I have told them I shall expect them to repay me by improving their lands. I have, <fee, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 165

No. 182. 'Sir,—- Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 2nd April, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 24th February, intimating that Te Tianui, wife of Makea Daniela, had been elected Ariki of Takitumu, in succession to the late Pa Maretu, and am glad to hear that you consider this selection a good one. I note that you propose to discontinue the sittings of the Ariki's Court at Takitumu in future, and will take all cases in that district yourself. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 144.

No. 183. g IR _ Niue Island Administration, Niue, 2nd April, 1906. I have the honour to forward to you herewith a Return of Exports from Niue for the Quarter ended the 31st March, 1906. The total value of the exports for the period (excluding merchandise reshipped) amounts to £1,177, produce valued at £882 being shipped to New Zealand proper, and specie and produce, value £295, to Rarotonga. Comparing this result with the return for the corresponding period of last year, there is ft falling-off of £332. This deficit can be at once accounted for by the collapse of the hat trade, only 288 dozens, value £186, being exported during the quarter, as against 1,118 dozens, value £836, for March quarter of last year —practically a loss of £650 to this island. If the hat market had remained normal the present return would show a considerable increase, instead of a falling-ofi, in value of produce exported. Excluding hats the outlook for the rest of the year is satisfactory, and the output of copra should be above the average I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

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Enclosures. Return of Exports from Niue for Quarter ending the 31st March, 1906.

Summary, Total Value of Exports.

Summary of Niue (Export) Customs Return for Year ending the 31st March, 1906. 1905. Value. June quarter — £ £ New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... 1,903 Tonga ... ... ... ... ... 794 New South Wales ... ... ... ... 276 2,973 September quarter — New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... 479 Cook Islands ... ... ... ... ... 270 New South Wales ... ... ... ... 1,375 Samoa ... ... ... ... ... 427 Tonga ... ... ... ... ... 705 Reshipped goods ... ... ... ... 1,056 4,312 December quarter — New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... 407 Samoa ... ... ... ... ... 396 803 1906— March quarter — New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... 882 Rarotonga ... ... ... ... ... 295 Reshipped goods ... ... ... ... 387 1,564 Grand total ... ... ... ... £9,052 £ New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... 3,671 Tonga ... ... ... ... ... 1,499 New South Wales ... ... ... ... 1,651 Samoa ... ... ... ... ... 823 Cook Islands ~. ... ... ... ... 565 Reshipped goods ... ... ... ... 1,443 Total ... ... ... ... 9,652 C. F. Maxwell, 2nd April, 1906. Resident Commissioner, Niue.

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Values. Articles. . Country exported to. Quantities. Niue Produce. Foreign. Totals. New Zealand .. 62 tons £ 587 £ £ 587 Jopra .. Jurios Rarotonga 1 1 Fungus New Zealand .. 2,081 lb. 28 28 Hats .. New Zealand .. Rarotonga 182 doz. 106 „ 116 70 I 186 »» Kits .. New Zealand .. Rarotonga 452 doz. 22£ „ 91 4 I 95 I 280 >» • • • • Specie .. New Zealand .. Rarotonga 60 220 3ooda reshipped— Drapery Hardware Furniture Provisions Rarotonga 195 65 30 97 195 65 30 97 Totals .. 1,564

Country. Niue Produce. Foreign. Totals. New Zealand.. Rarotonga „ (reshipped) Grand totals ■ • ! £ 822 75 £ 60 220 387 £ 882 295 387 1,564 1,564

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No. 184. g IR; Niue Island Adminstration, Niue, 3rd April, 1906. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith a Return of Imports into Niue for the Quarter ended the 31st March ultimo, together with a summary of imports for the year ending the same date, showing amount of duty collected thereon. You will gather from this return that the value of imports for the last quarter totalled £1,178, of which goods to the value of £1,086 were imported from New Zealand proper, the duty collected thereon amounting to £127 10s. 10d. Comparing these results with the return for the same period of last year, there is a falling-ofi of £24 in the imports, and £16 11s. 10d. in Customs duty collected. This latter deficiency is attributable to the fact that the bulk of the imports for the period came from New Zealand, chiefly duty-paid. In the circumstances which have prevailed during the past year, of which you are aware, it is not surprising that imports should have fallen off to some extent. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. Summary of Customs Return for Niue for Year ending 31st March, 1906.

New Zealand ... ... •■• ■■■ ••■ ••• ••• 4 > IBB New South Wales ... ... ••■ ••• ••• •■• 318 Samoa ... ... ••■ ••■ •■• ••■ •■■■■ 591 England ... ... •■• ••■ ■■• ••• ••• 248 Maiden Island ... ... ... ■•• ••■ ••• •'•'• 166 Tonga ... ■•• ••• ■•• •■• •■• ••■ 145 Cook Islands ... ... ■•■ •■• ■•• ••• ••• 21 Tasmania Germany ... ... ■•■ -•• •■■ -■■ ■•• a 5,674 C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue.

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Imports. Duty received. Country. Value. 1905— June quarter New Zealand Cook Islands .. New South Wales Maiden Island Tonga £ 1,242 21 98 166 2 £ £ s. d. September quarter 1,730 248 437 172 80 1 1,529 165 19 2 New Zealand England Samoa New South Wales Tonga Tasmania 237 8 7 December quarter Samoa New Zealand New South Wales 154 97 48 2,668 1906— March quarter .. 299 165 10 6 New Zealand Tonga Germany 1,086 63 29 127 10 10 Grand totals 1,178 6,674 696 9 1

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Niue Island. —Import Return for Quarter ended the 31st March, 1906.

10—A. 3.

81

Articles. Country whence imported. Quantity. Value. Totals. Duty receivei including Preferential. £ 8. 33 0 6 0 6 0 4 0 2 0 43 0 9 0 50 0 2 0 4 0 0 10 3 0 1 0 12 0 5 0 0 13 8 0 4 0 14 0 0 10 2 0 0 2 20 0 2 0 18 0 16 0 2 0 4 0 3 0 2 0 3 0 6 0 3 0 33 0 2 0 1 0 36 0 2 0 116 0 1 0 11 0 3 0 23 0 6 0 7 0 6 0 18 0 119 0 9 0 2 0 6 0 11 0 3 0 55 0 52 0 33 0 9 0 1 0 3 0 2 10 0 10 1 0 0 14 4 0 31 0 1 10 2 10 8 0 7 0 8 0 12 0 1 0 80 0 105 0 5 0 1 10 1 10 17 0 5 0 1 0 18 0 ,5 0 0 10 1 0 £ £ s. d. Apparel Axes Axe-handles Biscuits, plain ,, fancy Books Blue Boots and shoes Beer Brushware Butter Cutlery Cornsacks Calico Cotton Caps, Percussion Cigars Cement Confectionery New Zealand .. .. j Tonga Germany New Zealand .. Tonga New Zealand .. Tonga New Zealand .. .. Tonga" New Zealand . . I 45 j 1 12 6 1 6 2 3 doz. 4 2 43 9 60 2 4,940 lb. 402 lb. I ■{ 0 3 1 10 gals. 3 1 12 206 lb. 1 6 J 0 3 0 8 4 14 1 ii 6 3,000 200 25 5|- tons 1121b. ) 2 I 0 4 5 0 0 9 Drapery Explosives Fruit, preserved Fish-lines Fish-hooks Fancy goods Flour" Tonga New Zealand . . 4 doz. 20 2 18 16 2 4 3 0 18 2 0 "i 5 2,100 f *{ o io 9 1,100 lb. 6 3 33 Fuse Fish, preserved Glassware Hardware Hams and bacon Iron, galvanised Jams Tonga New Zealand .. 9141b. } -'I 0 4 10 601b. 5f tons 361b. 31 cases 36 2 116 1 11 Kerosene Lace »» • * Lime Matches .. y> • ' Muslins Meat, preserved ,, salted Musical instruments Milk, preserved Oil, perfumed .. ,, Linseed Provisions Prints Powder Paper Pipes, Clay ,, Briar .. >> »» Perfumed spirits Potatoes Paint Rice Saddlery .. • •» Sewing-machines Sateen Sugar Soap, common Toilet requisites Timber Tobacco . . . • • Tanks, Iron Germany New Zealand .. Tonga New Zealand .. «, ..■ ,, Tonga New Zealand .. • • ,» Tonga New Zealand .. Tonga New Zealand .. Tonga New Zealand .. .. I ,, 3 tons 60 gross 50 „ 5,966 lb. 750 lb. 16 doz. 20 gal. 130 lb. } } I 26 J 6 »J 18 119 9 2 6 11 3 55 »■( 9 1 3 6 5 4 2 IO 0 4 6 1 1 •I 0 2 li 0 13 6 3f pints 1 owt. 1 1 4 31 2 2 56 cwt. i 1 15 10 1 10 6 0 2 4 ) M iii cwt. 9 „ 8 12 1 80 105 5 1 2 17 5 1 10,759 sup. ft. 2,108 lb. 99 3 0 0 10 0 Tea ■ Whisky Wagons Woodenware Waters, Aerated Zephyrs »» • ■ Zinc Miscellaneous Tonga New Zealand .. 26 lb. 2Jtgal. 1 io 11 ) 23 I 1 2 1 0 2 6 0 13 3 127 10 10 1 1 Grand totals 1,178

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Summary of Total Values of Imports to Niue during Quarter ended 31st March, 1906 Value. Country. , £ New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ••• •■• 1,086 Tonga .... ... ... ... ■. •■ ■■ 63 Germany ... ... ... ... - ■■■ ■•• •■• 29 Grand total ... ... ... ... ... ■•• 1.178 C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue,

No. 185. S IR; Niue Island Administration, Niue, 4th. April, 1906. I have the honour to report to you that affairs generally here are satisfactory, and the health of the people is good. No epidemics of any kind have occurred during the past year. My relations with the Natives continue to be cordial, and I am not aware of any grievances. I have no difficulty in obtaining all labour required for public works on my own terms —in fact, the Natives now show a greater willingness to co-operate with this Administration in objects of general utility than they have ever done in the past. Boad-works. —l2o chains = 1J miles, of the Alofi-Hakupu Road have been converted from a stony track into a road suitable for"wheeled traffic, at an average cost of Bs. 0 T 9 c d. per chain, the cost to date being £i 8 9s. Two gangs, of five men and six men respectively, are still at work on day-labour at the rate of 3s. per day for foremen and 2s. per day for labourers. I intend to complete this road to Hakupu, as it is an important one. A considerable number of Natives are also at work on the Alofi-Avatele Road on piecework. Beservoirs. —The construction of reservoirs in all the principal villages is proceeding vigorously, as I deem it a matter of supreme importance to provide an ample supply of pure water in each settlement. A reservoir has been built close to the Government Building in Alofi. It has a capacity of 13,000 gallons, and is provided with a pump, and facilities for supplying water to shipping. It is now full of water, and is an excellent piece of work. A similar one is now in use at Mutalau, and another is almost completed at Hikutavake, making five in all. Excavations are in progress for one reservoir each in Tuapa, Avatele, and Hakupu; these will be completed as soon as material comes to hand. A considerable quantity of cement and lime is required for these concrete tanks, and as they are blasted out of the solid coral, much dynamite, &c, is used. The average cost is £60 apiece, but most of the work is done by the villagers for a nominal sum. The large reservoir at Alofi cost £94-odd, but all labour, &c, was paid for, as it is wholly a ■Government affair. I hope to complete the concrete jetty this season; the portion already built is very satisfactory. The erection of a lock-up will also be put in hand. The stormy season is now practically over without damage, and the production of copra and fungus should be above the average. The cessation of demand for Niue hats, however, depresses trade to a large extent. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 186. S IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th April, 1906. Referring to your letter of the 30th January last, I have now to inform you that the Hon. the Acting-Postmaster-General has advised me that it has been decided to appoint Mr. J. T. Large to the position of Postmaster at Mangaia, and to open a money-order office on that island in his charge, when the usual fidelity bond —for which he has been asked—has been furnished. I have, kc, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 132.

No. 187. g IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th April, 1906. Referring to the request of the Samoa Observatorium that observations with respect to hurricanes be taken in Rarotonga, I have to state that I communicated with the Director of the Meteorological Department here with a view to having the necessary instruments supplied, and he informs me that on receipt of a supply of instruments which he is daily expecting from England a set will be forwarded to you, with the necessary instructions for the establishment and conduct of a Meteorological Station at Rarotonga. In the meantime I shall be glad if you will take such observations as are possible with the instruments at hand, and forward them to the Department here, as well as to the Superintendent of the Samoa Observatory. I have, &c. The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga, C. H. Mills.

No. 166.

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No. 188. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 11th April, 1906. I forward herewith the following Warrants of appointment, signed by His Excellency the Governor :- — William James Stevenson, Postmaster at Rarotonga. William James Stevenson, Collector of Customs at Rarotonga. Percy Brown, Inspector of Fruit, &c, at Rarotonga. Percy Brown, Auditor to the Government of the Cook Islands. Hugh McCrone Connal, Chief Surveyor and Civil Engineer for the Cook and other Islands. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 189 S IR) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 11th April, 1906. Referring to the application made by the Levers Pacific Plantations (Limited) for an extension of their lease of Suwarrow Island, I have to state that the application was submitted to Cabinet, together with your recommendations in the matter, and it was decided that no extension could be grunted. A letter has since been received from the Sydney office of the company relative to the possibility of securing a new lease, but Cabinet has decided that it cannot see its way to grant any further lease. The company has been advised accordingly. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C H. Mills.

No. 190. g IR _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 11th April, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd March, and note that the work already arranged for the "Countess of Ranfurly " will prevent her returning to New Zealand until about the middle of June, when you hope to send a full cargo of limejuice and copra. I recognise the difficulty of utilising the vessel for the carriage of fresh fruit, but at the same time rep-ret that nearly all the shippers have decided not to try the experiment. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 191. SIR __ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 12th April, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 6th March, forwarding for the Governor's assent the Mangaia Island Ordinance No. 1 (amended), and the Mangaia Regulation Ordinance, 1906 (No. 2 of the Mangaia Island Council). I have, etc.. The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. <- "■■ wills.

No. 152.

No. 192. „ Niue Island Administration, Niue, 13th April, 1906. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith the Niue Island Revenue Account for the Quarter ending the 31st March, 1906, together with a statement of the Niue Island account current at the Bank of New Zealand, Auckland; also a summary of the total funds to the credit of this Administration as shown by our books at the expiration of the period. The receipts from all sources for the quarter amounted to £185 ss. Bd., and the expenditure totalled £178 3s. 5d., the cash balance on hand amounting to £553 4s. The approximate balance in t'ne bank to credit of Niue Island current account amounted to £993 8s 6d" and the total funds to the credit of this Administration as on the 31st March, 190b, amounted to £2,246 12s. 6d. I ■ The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner. Cook and other Islands, Wellington

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Enclosures. Niue Island Revenue Account for Quarter ended 31st March, 1906. 1906. Receipts. £ s. d. I 1906. Expenditure. £ a. d. To Balance brought forward .. .. 546 ' 1 9' By Labour (Hakupu Road) .. .. 48 9 0 Customs receipts .. .. 127 10 10 „ (Mutalau Tank) .. .. 35 19 0 Fines and fees .. .. .. 6 19 ~ (Alofi Reservoir) .. .. 615 0 Trading licenses .. -~ ' .. 18 10 10 „ (Miscellanooua) .. ... 28 8 0 Sale of stamps .. .. .. 20 0 0 Iron for Alofi Reservoir .. .. 410 0 Shipping fees .. .. .. 110 Timber for tanks .. .. .. 0 110 Sundries ~ .. .. ... 293 Police allowance .. .. .. 100 Tobacco-salea .. .. .. 9 12 0 Payment to boat's crew ~ .. 0 19 0 Horse-feed .. .. .. .. 1 12 0 Salaries .. .. . . . . 12 10 0 Freight .. .. .. .. 30 911 Allowance for Councillors .. .. 12 0 Refund cost of boat .. .. .. 4 10 0 Sundries .. .. .. .. 18 6 Cash balance on hand .. .. 553 4 0 £731 7 5 i £731 7 5 C. F. Maxwell, 2nd April, 1906. Resident Commissioner. Niue Island Current Account, Bank of New Zealand, Auckland. 1906. Dr. £ s. d. 1906. Cr. £ s. d. Jan. ITo Balance brought forward .. 228 11 10 Jan. 3 By Cheque, Wilson and Horton .. 12 6 Lodgment .. .. .. 892 511 „ 4 „ Champtaloup and „ (stamp-sales) .. 17 1 Cooper .. .. .. 1 16 0 „ (stamp-sales) .. 14 9 ~ 4 Cheque, Colledge and Sons .. 7 7 0 „ 31 „ E. Porter and Co. .. 319 8 „ 31 „ A. H. Nathan and Co. 13 16 0 „ 31 „ Upton and Co. .. 312 5 Feb. 1 „ J. Wilson .. .. 23 0 0 1 „ D. Goldie .. .. 12 17 6 ~ 1 ~ Wingate .. .. 35 0 0 Mar. 31 Balance on hand (approximate) 993 8 6 £1,123 9 7 £1,123 9 7 C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue.

Total Funds to Credit of Niue Island Administration as on 31st March, 1906. £ s. d. On fixed deposit, Bank of New Zealand ... ... ... 500 0 0 Post-Office Savings-Bank ... ... ... 200 0 0 Cash balance on hand at Niue ... ... ... ... 553 4 0 Approximate balance to credit of current account, Bank of New Zealand ... ... ... ... ... ... 993 8 6 " £2,246 12 6 C. F. Maxwell,' Resident Commissioner, Niue.

No. 193. Sih, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 14th April, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter 1906/28, dated the 22nd March, acquainting me of the fact that I have been appointed by His Excellency the Governor as the officer who may sell or supply liquor in. the Island of Niue, under the provisions of section 22 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904." I also beg to acknowledge receipt of a copy of the Warrant. I have &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 170.

No. 194. Sir, Niue Island Administration, Niue, 16th April, 1906. . I beg to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 106, dated the 23rd March last, with reference to having a census taken in Niue. I shall have the matter attended to at once. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner. Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

No. 175.

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No. 195. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 16th April, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 57, dated the 16th February, together with a number of printed copies of the regulations under section 28 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904"; also the memo, by the Solicitor-General elucidating the provisions of the various Acts and Ordinances dealing with liquor. The regulations appear to me to cover everything necessary to facilitate the proper working of the Act. I note the distinction between " spirituous liquor " and "fermented liquor '-' pointed out by Dr. Fitchett. I have hitherto construed the term " spirituous " liquor as including all potable liquor containing alcohol, and consequently more or less intoxicating, and dealt with it accordingly. Neither spirituous nor fermented liquors have been permitted to be sold or given to any Native of Niue since I have been in charge here. No attempts have- been made by Natives to import fermented liquor, although small quantities of spirits have been landed by them and seized by the Customs. As a matter of fact, the Niue Natives do not like fermented liquor, and I doubt whether many of them would drink it. I found this to be the case in Tonga, where there are large numbers of Niueans and (previous to my visit) no restrictions on the free sale of liquor to them. As "The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," does not appear to forbid the gift of intoxicating liquor to Natives, and such gift is controlled here only by section 4 of the Niue Ordinance No. 6, which does not go far enough, it will, I assume, be necessary to amend sections 3 and 4 of this Ordinance by substituting " intoxicating " liquor for " spirituous " liquor, if circumstances require it. At present I see no necessity for such an amendment. I have, &c, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Wellington. C. F. Maxwell.

No. 141.

No. 196. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th April, 1906. I have the honour to forward herewith my report for the year 1905-6, and Schedules A to H, which form part of the report. The plans referred to therein will be sent by separate parcel, in order to prevent damage to the tracings, I forward also Mr. Connal's report on the survey-work, &c, and Mr. Blame's report on ftie work performed by the Government schooner, and the future prospects of that vessel. I further submit for your information a return of the births, deaths, and marriages for the year in those islands from which I have received returns. 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 31st MARCH, 190 K. Trade. The Schedules A and B attached to this report disclose the trade of the Cook and Northern Islands for the year ending the 31st December, 1905, and by reference thereto it will be seen that the imports have been valued at £36,993, an increase of £3,594 on the previous year; and the exports at £34,890, as against £38,245 for the year 1904. This falling off in the exports is the natural result of the cyclone of January, 1905, for in the single item of copra the Islands of Mangaia and Aitutaki are short by 285 tons, valued at £3,049. At Manuae, where two or three thousand trees were uprooted, the loss may be estimated at 30 tons of copra for the next ten 3 r ears. In addition to losses by the cyclone, I have to report a total failure of the Rarotonga coffee crop of 1905, the deficiency being 45,3941b., or £761. So, also, the manufacture of limejuice has for some reason fallen off to the extent of 17,000 gallons, of the estimated value of £900. This year we have the promise of an abnormal crop of coffee; but the price that the traders will be justified in offering is so small that it is very doubtful whether the Native landowners will condescend to pick the berries. Hitherto our best market for coffee has been Tahiti, notwithstanding the 30 per cent, duty; but for some years past the settlers of that island have planted large areas of coffee, and", aided by a wise policy of protection, can now supply their own requirements. In Schedule C I show in detail the products of each island of this Administration. The return is instructive, since it discloses the important part played by Rarotonga in the matter of exports, and also how much more might be done by the other islands. Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro do undoubtedly suffer from their isolated position and want of communication with the outer world. These islands produce the finest oranges in the Pacific, and could, if there was any real demand for good fruit, ship five times the amount recorded in Schedule C; but we know by experience that there is no such demand; that a few thousand extra cases will at any time disorganize the New Zealand market, and make the whole shipment unremunerative.

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The true capacity of these outlying islands can only be estimated by reference to the exports of Rarotonga, and a knowledge of the conditions existing in that island. The ascertained area of Rarotonga is 16,500 acres. Of this about 6,500 may be deducted for steep and wooded mountains, which, though picturesque, add nothing to the economic value of the island; and of the remaining 10,000 acres not less than 7,000 are lying absolutely waste. For it is a fact that the whole produce of Earotonga is derived from the indifferent management of some 3,000 acres worked by perhaps eight hundred adults of both sexes. 1 use the words ''indifferent management" advisedly, for though the Native methods of gathering and packing fruit have improved during the past* five years —and there is reason to believe that the improvement will continue — they have still much to learn, and they will probably never develop the care and foresight of ordinary Europeans. That the outlying islands of the Cook Group are capable of great improvement will be evident when I point out that Mauke has 3,600 acres, of which one-half is suitable for the most valuable of all crops—the cocoanut —and the remainder is first-class land suitable for any purpose of tropical agriculture. In other words, this island could easily export to the value of £15,000 per annum. Aitutaki has an area of 3,900 acres, all of which is first-class land, suitable for every purpose but that of growing bananas, the rainfall being hardly sufficient for this industry; but the pineapple and orange grow here better than in most of the islands, and it is the chosen home of the cocoanut. If fairly developed this island should produce rather more than Mauke. Mitiaro has not yet been surveyed, but it is estimated to contain about 4,000 acres. Of this 2,000 may be deducted for bare coral reef; but there are about 1,200 acres of cocoanut land and 800 acres of the best soil. This island might well export copra to the value of £5,000 per annum. Atiu contains some 14,000 acres, every acre of which may be planted remuneratively. Ten thousand acres may be said to be cocoanut land, but really one-half the island is available for any purpose. This island has really no land that it would not-pay to plant; but the present population have neither the desire nor the ability to develop the resources of the island. There is, however, a prospect of its being leased at no distant date, for the leading people have asked me to hear and decide their boundary disputes, and surveys must be made before this can be done. Mangaia is perhaps the largest island in this Group; but as a rule the land is poor, and unless the island be fully planted with cocoanut palms we need expect very little more than we now obtain. It is not likely that any European will assist in the development of this island while there is anything to be done elsewhere. Taking the lowest possible estimate of the area and quality of the lands in these islands, I can see nothing to prevent a fourfold increase in the exports of the Group; but this position cannot be attained by the Native inhabitants. There must be European planters who shall find remunerative work for those men who, though Natives of these islands, are now working for other people at Tahiti, Maiden, or Samoa, and others who are wasting their time in New Guinea. It seems to me that the only chance that these islands have of preserving a remnant of the Native race is that they shall be induced to adopt habits of industry, and this can only be done by two means: first, by giving each man a good title to his ancestral lands; and secondly, by encouraging a sufficient number of suitable Europeans to settle in the Group, in order to insure employment for the young people, who must and will have money, and who prefer when young to work ior those who will pay them daily wages. To the first of these remedies I have already given attention, as my report on the lands will show. The pity is that the early missionaries did not enforce upon this people the fact that industry and godliness went hand-in-hand. During the first sixty years of their residence in these islands their influence was very great, and at any time during that period they might have called upon the people to plant the whole of the coral-sand zone of the islands with cocoanuts. Had they done so the work would have been done within two years, and the present generation would have been wealthy. The banana trade of this island is increasing in a very satisfactory manner, and would already have reached very respectable dimensions were it not that we have experienced a very cold winter, followed by a dry spring and early summer, so that many plants of a year's growth are only now bearing fruit. The success of a banana plantation depends on an excessive rainfall for quantity, and on a high temperature for quality. During ordinary years we can depend on these requisites, and therefore planters have no ground of complaint, even though the yield may not quite reach the usual standard. The orange is still the weak spot in our industrial system. During the year .1905 no less than 76,080 cases of this fruit were exported to New Zealand from the Cook Islands, and at least onethird more might have been shipped had there been any market for it. As matters stand at present the only persons who really benefit by this trade are the New Zealand middleman and the Union Company. The producers, who have to pay for the boxes, pick the fruit, pack it, and bring it a distance of perhaps ten miles to the port, frequently receive a debit note for their trouble. The necessity of a fruit department at Auckland as a Government measure does not appear to me to be urgent; but if the trade is to continue some measure of this sort may have to be considered. Personally, I am of opinion that it would be in the interest of the whole Group that prices should continue so bad as to discourage the orangt trade altogether. These islands are the home of the cocoa palm, and if the Native owner.s could be brought to see that their interests lay in the systematic planting and culture of these valuable trees they would soon be wealthy men. The market of San Francisco is a good one for copra, and likely to extend its operations. Already we have been benefited by the-fact, and the Native owner can now obtain £10 per ton for copra, instead of £8 as of old. The decision of the Union Company not to send a steamer to these islands during the month of January has caused considerable loss to those growing bananas. Had the ordinary time-table been kept, the " Taviuni " would have left Karotonga for New Zealand on the 10th January, but she did not leave until the 7th February, and thereby caused a loss of about 400 tons of bananas.

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I have the honour to submit for your information a table of the exports and imports of these islands from the year 1892 to 1905, inclusive: — Imports, Value. Exports, Value. Year. £ £ 1892 ... ... ... ... ... 16,249 20,337 1893 ' .. * ... .. ... ... 19,284 19,668 1894 ... ... ... ... ... 22,435 20,665 1895 ... ... ... ... ... 23,239 20,138 1896 ... ... ... ... ... 23,068 16,819 1897 ... ... .... ... ... 26,861 24,132 1898 ... ' ... ... .. ... 18,155 12,617 1899 ... ... ... ... ... 13,555 14,219 1900 ... ... ... ... ... 21,181 22,379 1901 ... ... ... ... ... 24,864 27,819 1902 ... ... ... ... ... 27,623 34,821 1903 ... ... ... ... ... 34,886 34,740 . 1904 ... ... ... ... ... 33,399 38,248 1905 ... ... ... ... ... 36,993 34,890 With reference to the proposal to establish a fortnightly steam service between Rarotonga and New Zealand ports, calling alternately at Auckland arid Wellington, I have the honour to point out that it is by no means certain that such a service would benefit these islands, except perhaps during the months of May, June, and July. The present arrangements for the transport of island produce are really supplementary to the Fiji trade, neither service interfering directly with the other. It is, however, felt that the second steamer may disorganize a system that has worked very smoothly for the last two or three years, and that at least one of our shipments must come into conflict with that of Fiji, to the detriment of all parties. If this should prove to be the case — and Ido not see how it can be avoided —the planters, both European and Native, will cease to ship by that boat. Lest my report on the trade of these islands should appear to be pessimistic, I may say that we are at least twice as well off as we were five years ago, and the habits of industry lately developed by the Native inhabitants insure a continuance of the present prosperity. Lands and Surveys. The past year has been a very busy one, both in the matter of surveys and investigations of title. The Court has held sittings at Rakahanga, Manihiki, and Rarotonga on forty-six days, and during the same period has made 213 orders on investigation of title, and thirteen other orders. In every instance the survey of the block investigated has been previously made by TVEr. Connal, and the Court orders are now ready for issue on payment of the fees. The fees imposed by the Court during the year have been as follows: — T , , Ccrart Fees. Survey Fees. Total. Island. ~ j , J , B „ j £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Rarotonga ... ... ... ... 241 10 0 352 0 0 593 10 0 Rakahanga ... ... ... ... 19 10 0 21 5 0 40 15 0 Total ... ... ... 261 0 0 373 5 0 634 5 0 The total amount of fees collected and paid into the Treasury for the year ending the 31st March, 1906, has been £330 6s. 2d., and the following fees were outstanding on the same date: — £ s. d. Rarotonga ... ... . . ... ... ... 730 15 6 Aitutaki ... ... ... ... .. ... 164 5 0 Mauke ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 33 15 0 Mangaia ... ... ... ... ... ... 16 5 0 Mitiaro ;.. ... ... ... .. .. 6 0 0 Atiu ... ... ... ... ... ... 5 5 0 Rakahanga ... ... ... ... ... ... 22 12 0 Manihiki ... ... ... ... ... ... 0 15 "0 Total ... .. ... ... ... £979 12 6 In accordance with your instructions, steps have been taken to obtain payment of all fees that have been outstanding for two years and upwards. I have the honour to forward under separate cover the plans of the following islands: Rarotonga, Manuae, Aitutaki, Takutea, Mauke, and Rakahanga, as also a general plan of the Group, which, if lithographed, would prove of great service to sailors cruising among these islands. These plans will show the lands already surveyed and awarded to Native owners, the roads taken, and all other information that may be required. It will be seen that the district under the jurisdiction of Makea has almost all been surveyed and passed through the Court, and, I am happy to say, with but little opposition of friction. In this island it has been necessary to encourage the occupiers of the land to survey and pass the same through the Land Titles Court, to the end that the oppressive mana Ariki might be ascertained and restrained within' proper limits. In the early days of the Court in this island it soon became apparent to me that the people were afraid to oppose the claims of the great chiefs, even where they knew them to be unfounded. They therefore allowed the Arikis and others to seize lands that did not belong to them. In every instance in which an Ariki has been the claimant I

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have deemed it advisable that a life interest only should be awarded, that having been the old tenure. An Ariki was nothing more than a trustee for the tribe or family, and the so-called Ariki lands really belong to the younger branches of the Ariki family. Of the five Arikis of this island, only two have children, and it is not advisable that Arikis should be allowed to will lands outside the family. I have always given claimants to understand that I would keep the title open for amendment wherever it could be shown that a rightful owner had been left out, either by design or by carelessness. The atinga now payable to the Ariki in recognition of the interest of the governing power in the lands should, when the present Arikis die, be payable to the local government as the natural heirs of the Arikis, who have now become an anachronism, and if this course be followed the atinga must be reduced to a money payment. The power to. do this has been reserved to the Court in each case. The Court has, further given notice that it does not admit the right of any man to devise land away from his own family, whether natural or adopted; and by the old custom, in default of natural heirs such land reverted to the overlord, whose privilege it was to give the land into the hands of distant relatives of the deceased, or retain it in his own hands. The Government have therefore the right of reversion as the natural heirs of all families who may die out. The Ancient System of Government and Land Tenure in Karotonga. The ancient, form of government in Rarotonga and some other islands of the Pacific is the natural result of the laud tenure of those islands. Any variation that may be found to the general patriarchal rule will be seen to be the result of a conquest over one or more of the families who first occupied the island, or in some instances it will be found that modifications in favour of the chiefs and against the interests of the people have been introduced by masterful Arikis under the protection of the Gospel. I do not wish to imply that the early missionaries ever assisted to oppress the people, or deliberately sided with the Arikis; but they did preach the gospel of non-resistance and peace, and thereby enabled an enterprising Ariki to gradually destroy the independence of his people. The ancient system was that the eldest born of a family was the governing power of the clan, and nominally owner of their land; but it was recognised that every member of the family had a right to the lands in common with all his relatives, and this right could only be lost by some crime against the family sufficiently heinous to set the family against him and cause them to drive him from the community. Their policy was simple. An adventurous chief and his near relatives would build a canoe and sail away in search of new lands. As a rule the crew would be the blood relations of their leader ; but if he was specially famous, either as a warrior or navigator, he might probably be joined by a few men of tried valour from other families, but in such case they would be adopted into the new tribe. This is in effect the history of Karika and Tangiia, who, perhaps six hundred years ago, met in mid ocean, and, after a short struggle, joined forces as a preliminary to the conquest of Rarotonga and the ejection of the tribes of Ira, who then held the land. After the conquest, and after the old owners had been driven from the districts coveted by the intruders, the land was divided, and each member of the crew received his share, and thereby became the first Mataiapo of his family. This share was his by right of conquest, and the only obligation attached to the land was that of building and keeping in repair the house of the Ariki (chief of the canoe), and the further obligation common to all—to attend with his whole family and carry out such public works as the tribe might consider necessary for the public welfare. In all other "respects the Mataiapo was an independent landholder, and exercised much the same powers in his own family as the Ariki did in the tribe. In the event of any serious disagreement with his Ariki, the Mataiapo had the right to transfer his allegiance to another Ariki; and this was actually done by the Mataiapos Vakapora and Taraare shortly after the arrival of the first missionaries, when these men renounced the overlordship of Pa and joined Makea. So far I have spoken of the real Mataiapo; but there is another class, namely, where the family has died out and the land has reverted to the Ariki, or, worse still, where the Mataiapo has died and left young children who were unable to help themselves. In the first case the Ariki would hand over lands and title to some favourite of the. hour, but would impose onerous conditions as to service, &c, which would degrade the office, but would not be unfair, seeing that the new Mataiapo had no right other than that he derived from the donor. In the second instance, the land would be improperly given to an outsider in order to. destroy the original tenure and create a new one, under which the Mataiapo would be a mere creature of the Ariki by reason of his being an interloper. This has been done on many occasions by Makea's ancestors, though she herself has been fairly just. The power of an Ariki would seem to have depended much on the character of the man who held the position, and even more on the warlike ability of his younger brothers. His position may, however, be described as a despotism tempered by the spears of his followers. For there was a point bevoiid which the greatest Ariki could not go with impunity, and of this phase of Polynesian life Tinomana is an instance. Her people and authority should be at Nga-Tangiia, but she does not live there, nor is she recognised in that district,-for the reason that the last Tinomana installed as Ariki of Nga-Tangiia was a man of the most tyrannical type, who, having exhausted the patience of his people, barely saved his life by a hasty flight to Arorangi, where he was received and sheltered by the tribes of Iva, and gradually acquired sufficient mana to cause himself to be regarded as Ariki of that district. So also when Makea was driven from his land about the year 1820: it was not the warriors of Nga-Tangiia who did this, but the disaffection of the tribes who had heretofore acknowledged the overlordship of Makea. These people were known as Te Au-o-Tonga, and had always fought for Makea; but then' leading warrior Kapo had been grossly insulted by Rupe Makea, and when the war-party of Kainuku invaded Avarua, Kapo repaid the insult with interest by holding back the Au-o-Tonga until Ngati-Makea had been defeated and Rupp sl«.in. Tliis defection on the part of the Au-o-Tonga has never been forgiven, and each successive Makea has attempted to deprive them of their independence.

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Avarua Harbour, Rarotonga

Bush Scene, Rarotonga.

[Face page 80.

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The overlord is said to own the land, be he Ariki or Mataiapo; but from the earliest times it has been recognised that all the descendants of these overlords who have continued to occupy the land have an inalienable right therein. The position of the Komono is in many respects scarcely inferior to that of his overlord; but with this exception, that there is in every instance an obligation on the part of the Komono to do or pay something in recognition of the fact that he is not the Atu enua (lord of the land). Waimahanga is the ancestral tapere of Pa Ariki, but as the land was in excess of that required for his own use, he gave a portion to each of the following Mataiapos: Terei, Rama, Tamakeu, Poati, Te Aia, and Nia: and by virtue of this gift each of these men became Komono of Pa on Waimahanga, though they were Mataiapos on other lands. When this tapere was brought before the Court Pa recognised these men as absolute owners, subject to the obligations to which the land had always been subject. A Komono is a sort of feudal baron who has received a portion of an estate in consideration of his having engaged to defend the whole against all comers. Such a man might be a near relative of the overlord, and as such have rights on the land apart from his komonoship, or he might be a stranger to the family owning the land, but valuable by reason of a large family of valiant sons whose presence would insure the peaceful occupation of the estate. But, whatever his status, once he was installed his right could not be questioned, nor could he be ejected so long as he fulfilled the obligation of building or repairing the chief's house. The Kiato is but an inferior sort of Komono, whose ancestor has been given the right to occupy a piece of land under much the same feudal arrangement as described in the case of the Komono; but as the Kiato was almost always a man of less social and political importance than the latter, it may be conceded that his rights were less assured, but such a man had generally a family right on the land, in addition to that acquired by long occupation as a Kiato. The Unga is the lowest class of Polynesian, for his very name signifies that he has no rights. " Unga "is the name given to the hermit-crab. Such a man would merely occupy the land on sufferance, and work for the owner, receiving in return a bare subsistence. There are at present not more than twenty such families in the island, and in every instance where it has been shown that the Unga has had long occupation I have held that he had a right to be enrolled among the owners. Another very influential class is that known as the Rangatiras, that is, the junior members of the Ariki families. These men have in almost every instance inherited portions of the Ariki estate, and are therefore independent of the reigning Ariki, and cannot be called upon to do any service other than repairing or building the Ariki's house. It is on this point only that there is a difference of opinion between Makea and the Rangatiras. She holds that she is entitled to call upon them for general service, while the Rangatiras, aided by the independent tribes, deny her excessive jurisdiction over them, and will not admit that they owe allegiance to any one but His Majesty. The quarrel in this case is not as to whom the land belongs to, but as to the class of servitude attached to it. Pa Ariki strongly supported the claim of the Rangatiras, and I think there can be but little doubt that the ancestors of Makea never had the power she now claims. The system of land tenure existing in this island is not responsible for the numerous cases of injustice perpetrated under innovations that are all of late date. For the last sixty years both Arikis and Mataiapos have encroached on the rights of the people by claiming the sole ownership of the lands, and ignoring the fact that they were merely trustees for the family. Those who refused to submit to food and labour exactions, which were unknown in the pre-mission days, have been turned off their lands, and have lived more or less on charity for the last twenty years. During the hearing of the claims in the Tupapa tapere, the oppressions of Taraare were a prominent feature of the case. Whole families of thirty or forty people had been driven from the land, simply because they would not submit to his exactions. Ngati-Ara and Ngati-Pi, numbering over fifty people, had been treated in this manner. Enua, the true descendant of the Vakapora family, had been turned off his own special piece of land, and lotea was ignored on the Tamaiva lands. These men and women, numbering some sixty or seventy souls, have now been reinstated in their rights. More than one-half of the available land of Rarotonga has now been awarded to the rightful owners under a title that is practically unassailable, and the result is already manifest, for the grantees now for the first time realise the benefit of security of tenure, and have of late displayed habits of industry and an interest in the land that their previous habits had not given us reason to anticipate. The Native of Rarotonga is altering in a very marked degree, and it will shortly be admitted by all that he is anything but a lazy man, and that he merely requires the ordinary incentive of knowing that some benefit will accrue to him for work done. Since the survey of the Tukuvaine and Avatiu Valleys, the planting of bananas has become a serious business with the people of these valleys, and they have not only realised the necessity for good roads, but have devoted themselves to the gravelling and formation of these by-roads. This is but one of many circumstances that show that the Maoris appreciate the changes now taking place, and their intention to prepare their produce for the market with as little damage as possible. In my opinion nothing has proved more beneficial to the Natives than the example of certain Europeans, who, having succeeded in leasing lands from the Native owners in Titikaveka, have at once planted and improved the land in a systematic manner. It is the example of these men that has brought about the banana-planting in Avarua. That there is room for European settlement in this island must be obvious to the meanest capacity, for there are at least 2,000 acres of the coral-sand cocoanut land lying absolutely waste. The Natives themselves have recognised this fact, for on page 14 of A.-3, 1895, will be found a resolution of the Council and a letter from Mr. Moss to His Excellency the Governor affirming the principle I have endeavoured to carry out. Unfortunately, the agents of the London Mission have succeeded in impressing their views on the Natives, to the effect that there is not sufficient land for

11—A. 3.

91

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the use of the Natives. They altogether ignore the fact that under mission rule the Native inhabitants have dwindled down from six thousand, to less than fifteen hundred, and that the island was found equal to the support of the six thousand. I have succeeded in inducing the Council to pass an Ordinance giving the Resident Commissioner power to tax unimproved lands; there is therefore a chance that the owners may plant the waste lands under the pressure of the tax. The Liquor Laws. The Licensing Act of 1904 is working very smoothly. Very little spirituous liquor has been imported either by the Government or residents of the Cook Islands during the past year, and it may safely be said that few communities take less interest in the traffic than Rarotonga, where for the past six years the European inhabitants have been most abstemious. The following return will show the amount of liquor imported into the Cook Islands during the years 1903, 1904, and 1905, inclusive: — t, ... , T . 1903. 1904. 1905. Description of Liquor. £ £ £ Beer ... ... ... ... ... 241 89 16 Brandy ... ... ... ... ... 22 8 11 Geneva ... ... ... ... ... 95 48 21 Rum ... ... ... ... ... 21 15 Whisky ... ... ... .. ... 305 177 106 Wine (sparkling) ... ... ... ... 13 Claret ... ... ... ... ... 84 123 82 Total ... ... 781 160 236 From the above it will be seen that the importations for the year 1905 do not exceed one bottle for each adult in this island, and this is in itself a refutation of the nonsense with which the Government of New Zealand has been troubled on this subject. The fact is, that from the time that the authority of the Native chiefs to issue permits was cancelled, there has been little, if any, traffic with the Natives in imported liquor. The onty Natives who ever did use imported liquor consistently were the very sober members of the community. The drunkards naturally prefer quantity, and have never wasted their money in the purchase of intoxicating drink that they can make with little trouble. This beer they have brewed for the last forty years, and consume it on the Sabbath and following days. This fact is known to every European in the island, and in my opinion the custom will never be put down, for the police are wise enough to avoid seeing offences of this nature. It must be remembered that the police have to live among the people of this island, and therefore refrain from exasperating those members of the tribe who would surely retaliate by destroying the property of a too zealous policeman. I cannot say that the manufacture of bush beer has been increased in this island by reason of the total prohibition of imported liquor. It appears to me that the Licensing Act of 1904 has had no 'effect either one way or the other on the local productions. The only persons who feel a natural irritation against the Act are the Arikis and minor chiefs, who complain—not without reason— that they have by this measure been reduced below the level of Chinamen. They fail to see why they, who have always been the sober and law-abiding element of these islands, should be treated as subjects for prohibition. They quote the case of Fiji as an example. There prohibition is the rule, but an exception has always been made in favour of the chiefs who have deserved exemption by reason of their sobriety. In answer to this 1 pointed out to the chiefs that the people of New Zealand knew but little of these islands and their inhabitants, and imagined that the work of the mission had been hindered by unlimited supplies of European spirits, and that the Arikis and chiefs were enthusiastic prohibitionists. Every one in the Group knows that these views are false. The Arikis and leading chiefs do desire sobriety and prohibition pure and simple for all those people who are unable to restrain their desire for spirituous liquor; but they do not, and never have, desired that form of prohibition which confounds the sober man with the drunkard, and therefore they feel acutely the slight conveyed by the Licensing Act, which from their point of view deprives them of the old mana of a Native chief, and shows that they have lost .status by becoming British subjects. This is the Maori view, and though lam not prepared to deny that the present system is hard on men like the late Pa Ariki and Makea Daniela, or women like Makea and Tinomana, I must still say that I distinctly approve of prohibition. Hitherto the supposed traffic in imported liquor and the consequent evil effects of the same has been used to excuse many shortcomings. It has been used to hide the much more serious evil of bush-beer drinking, at which both men, women, and children attend throughout the year on each and every Sabbath. This last is a very real evil, and one that the mission appear afraid to face. As I have already said, the police will not give information against these meetings at the beer-tub; but if the mission chose, they could materially assist in putting down the evil, by calling on their deacons and church members to act as police, as they did in old days. The Northern Islands. Copra is the life of the coral islands—the alpha and omega of the atoll—but the supply of this article of commerce is limited by the requirements of the inhabitants. Rakahanga has an area of rather over 900 acres, all closely -planted with cocoa palms, but the export does not exceed 200 tons. This may be accounted for by the fact (hat in all the coral islands the water is bad or at best brackish, and for this reason the people use large quantities of immature nuts for drink, and many mature nuts for food. In fact the inhabitants of Manihiki and Rakahanga cannot use less than

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five thousand nuts per diem; that is a ton of copra per day. These two islands have, however, taken their own destinies in hand, and will succeed if they can find but one honest man among them. Hitherto they have had to pay extravagant prices for everything they used, so that their copra did not at any time realise sufficient to enable them to buy food and clothing. They now intend to use the Government schooner, and export all their copra to Rarotonga (the best market), and there buy goods for cash in what is also the cheapest market in the Pacific. By this means they get rid of the middleman, and do their own retailing as a co-operative society. They realise that they can, in this way, keep down prices and largely benefit the islands by consuming more flour, rice, and sugar, and less cocoanut. These people have on several occasions sought my advice and assistance in this matter, and I have told them that success was certain if they could only find a reliable manager. The Question of Labour. The development of the British islands to the north of Penrhyn must necessarily be of interest to this Group, if only from the fact that our three northern islands have hitherto supplied the labour for both planting and pearl-diving. Christmas Island will alone require nearly two hundred men to develop it properly, and there are also Flint and Suwarrow to be worked. From present appearances we shall shortly be unable to supply labour for these islands, for the requirements of the Cook Group will take every man we can spare from the north. Under these circumstances we may anticipate that the Levers Company will probably bring labour for Flint and Christmas Islands from the Solomon Group. At Aitutaki but little harm is done by the fifty men working at Maiden, for they are for the most part young men who would be a nuisance to their friends if left on their own island, but are a source of profit when sent to Maiden, since it is they who supply the iron and timber for the Aitutaki houses. Under any circumstances they are British subjects, and if they choose to go away and work I know of no power that could legally stop them.' Public Health. The public health of these islands is not good. The constitutions of the people are bad, and their habits are not conducive to longevity. The beer-tubs, superstition, immorality, and the visits of the " John Williams " all aid in the destruction of the race. It would seem to be advisable in the interests of these islands to stop the useless loss of life which is the result of sending Native missionaries to New Guinea. There are causes now in action tending towards the destruction of the Polynesian race which we are powerless to arrest, but we might at any rate prevent the very great loss of life which is the natural consequence of sending men of little vitality and half fed to die in the malarious swamps of New Guinea—men who during the last two years appear to have become dissatisfied with their work, for I have on two occasions received requests from men actually engaged in the work, asking that I would prevent their friends joining in the New Guinea work, and giving reasons that I need not here disclose. In 1843 the population of Rarotonga was 3,300, and in that year there were 450 deaths, as ■against 100 births —a result that will show conclusively that at that date neither drink nor im morality could have been factors in this decrease, for at that time the members of the mission were the only Europeans in the island, and there was no drink. At the present day the populafcn of Rarotongan descent cannot exceed fourteen hundred. I have said that superstition has been a motive power in the destruction of the people. They believe strongly in evil spirits, who are said to take possession of the living, and to get rid of this evil thing the tohungas adopt measures of rubbing or pressure which would seem to kill more surety than the devil which they wish to eject. I have not yet heard of any patient who has recovered from the treatment of a tohunga. The Native of Rarotonga is one of the most superstitious of men. Only a few weeks since a. man was brought before the High Court charged with having opened a grave and poured keiosere on the Goffiii and set fire to it. He pleaded guilty, and said he had done this out of respect for the people of Arorangi, whom he wished to save from the evil spirit within the coffin. My reference to the "John Williams" also requires explanation. The Natives believe that after each visit of this vessel there is an outbreak of disease more or less serious, and it appears to me that there is a certain amount of truth in this; indeed there is reason why it should be so Not only does this vessel bring many sick people from New Guinea and other places, but she also lies for some time near the wharf and slums of Sydney, and as all of her sailors are more or less traders, much second-hand clothing is brought to this Group, and hence perhaps the peculiar forms of influenza that appear after the visits of the mission steamer. The Financial Position. The financial position of this Administration could hardly be more favourable than it is now. From my first arrival in the Group I have seen the urgent necessity for a large reserve fund, which would enable the Administration to meet any sudden demands consequent on the cyclones to which we are occasionally liable. About the years 1830,1844, and 1862 these islands were laid waste by cyclones similar to that which has laid waste the Paumoto Group and devastated Tahiti. These disturbances occur, fortunately, at long intervals; but that whichhas happened will happen again, and hence my desire to keep in hand a reserve fund of at least £5,000. To this position we have now attained. By Return D, attached hereto, it will be seen that our expenditure for the year amounted to £5,505 10s. lid., and our revenue to £7,157 Is., leaving a balance in the Treasury of £1,651 10s. Id., to which must be added the surplus in hand on the 31st March, 1905, and the outstanding fees bi Survey and Land Title Court Departments, viz.,—

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;....: £ s. d. Cash surplus for year ending 31st March, 1905 ... ... 3,092 2 4 Cash surplus for year ending-31st March, 1906 ... ... 1,65110 1 Outstanding fees, Survey and Land Court, for year ending 31st March, 1906 .... . : ... ... .-. -•• , ■••. 979 12 6 £5,723 4 11 Up to the year 1899 no public money had been expended on useful works within this Group, and the Federal Government had neither public offices nor land on which to build. Since that date we have secured the most valuable site on the island, and erected thereon the following concrete buildings: Public offices of seven rooms, including Court-room; residences for the Collector of Customs and the Medical Officer; and an accommodation-house of thirteen rooms. The moneys actually expended on public works during the past six years are as follows:— Out of General Revenue. £ s j 1899 First payment on lease of Government building site ... ... ... 500 0 0 1900 Second „ „ ••• ••• "••'■ 500 ° ° 1901-2 Third , „ „ 200 0 0 Fencing the Residency grounds ... ... ..... •■■ ... 60 0 0 19,02-3 Government offices (concrete) ... ... ••• ••■ ••• 623 , \% 8 1903-4 Fittings, Government offices ... \ . ... ••■ ■•.-,. jj Purchase of fend, Aitutaki ■ , ~.. .-.. .-■ ...' ■■■ ■■■ ■•• ~ 41 10 0 Residence, Collector of Customs .... ... ... ■■ ... : 786 0 3 Concrete wall round Government buildings • ... ■■• ■• 101 14 3 Erection of bridges ... ... •■• ••■ ■■■ • 200 ° ° 1904-6 Makea's Bridge, Avarua, and approaches ... • ... ... •■■ 250 0 0 Blasting passage through reef, Mauke ' ... ... ■■• •■• 69 0 2 Erection of cargo-shed, Mangaia \ .'••• ••• •■• . ••• "■■ - 310 Planting Takutea Island ; ... ... •■• . ..... •■• .... 53 11 1 Purchase of land, Avarua (Hood's house and section) ... ... ... 100 0 0 Concrete wall round Whare Manuhiri ... ... •• •• ■ 79 6 6 Blasting rocks in Avarua Harbour ... ... -- •■• •■ _, 48 Furnishing Wharc Manuhiri ... ... ... ■•• •■■ 538 2 1 Lock-up, Rarotonga ... ... ■•• ■•• ■•• ••• 23 14 4 Fitting Court-room, Mangaia ... ... ■•• ••■ •■ 6 16 4 From, Public Works Fund, Local Revenue. 1903 Flagstaff, £26 11s.. 4d.; wooden bridges, £60 9s. Bd. ... 87. 0 0 1904 Wooden bridges ..: ... •■• ••• ••• ••• •■■ 31 10 ° Purchase of Schooner. 1904-5 First instalment ... ... ■•• ••■ ••• ■•• 301 n 3 1905-6 Second instalment. ... i ... ■■• ■■■ ••• ••■ 301 n 3 Total ... ... . ... ... ••• ...£6,031 17 11 The assets of the local Administration are in most cases estimated at higher value than the sums actually expended thereon, inasmuch as prison labour has been a considerable factor in the erection of the buildings. Value of Government Property, Cook Islands. £ g d Residency site, house and stone wall ... ... ... 700 0 0 Government offices, Rarotonga, and walls ... ... ... 1,724 0 0 Whare Manuhiri and concrete wall .. ... ... ... 2,380 0 0 Furniture for Whare Manuhiri ... ... ;.... ... 538 0 0 Landing reserve, Courthouse and residence, Aitutaki ... ... 250 0 0 Residence site, Courthouse and residence, Mangaia ... ... 400 0 0 Residence, Collector of Customs, Rarotonga ... .. ... 786 0 0 Residence and land, Penrhyn ... ... ... ■•• 250 0 0 Wharf site, Avatiu ... •■• ■•• ■■• ■•• 100 0 0 Wharf site, Avarua ... ••• ■•• •■■ ■•• 300 0 0 Beach reserve, Avarua ... ... • ■ ■ 200 0 0 . Courthouse sites and buildings, Tauhunu, Tukao, and Rakahanga 300 0 0 Two concrete bridges, " Ranfurly " and " Makea " ... ... 350 0 0 Four wooden bridges ... ... ■•• ••■ ••• 250 0 0 Takutea Island ... ... ••• •■■ •■■ ••• 1.000 0 0 Goods-shed and flagstaff, Mangaia ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 Total , ...£9,728 0 0 Land rights purchased (Hood's section and house) ... ... £100 0 0 For the year 1906-7 I do not propose to effect any saving, inasmuch as there are many public works urgently required. Cabinet has decided that the inspection and fumigation of fruit shall be done in Rarotonga, and therefore I have appropriated £500 to build a suitable shed. The con-

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Crete bridges at Avana and Avatiu are required to facilitate the transport of fruit to this port. The bathing-place is a necessity of life in this climate. At present the Native women have to bathe and wash all clothing in the public view. The retaining-walls in Avarua Creek are necessary to prevent the flood water getting behind the approaches 1o the Makea Bridge. The water-supply from the mountains is perhaps the most necessary of all the measures that we are called upon to undertake. So far we have not been able to carry out the necessary surveys, but we have reason to believe that we have a permanent mountain spring about a mile and a quarter inland, which will give a fall equal to 200 ft. per mile. The expense will probably not be more than £1,500, of which sum £500 has been appropriated for the present year. At Aitutaki it is proposed to spend a sum of £200 in concreting the end of the stone pier, and in building a cargo-shed thereon, and £150 has been voted to construct a fresh-water reservoir and bathing-pool. All of these works are necessary, but more especially those that will insure a good supply of pure drinking-water, and the cleanliness essential in a tropical climate. At present the people of Aitutaki suffer from repulsive skin-diseases that are aggravated by the scarcity of fresh water. Bathing in tropical seas only tends to aggravate many forms of eczema. At Mangaia it is proposed to spend not less than £200 either in improving the passage through the reef or in making the road through the Makatea. This question I propose to leave to the Island Council. If possible, I propose to plant the whole of the Island of Takutea this year. I submit the public-works estimates, Return F, for your approval, the amount being £2,950. The schedule marked G is the estimate of the ordinary expenditure of the local Administration of the Cook and Northern Islands. The increases in salary are few and insignificant. Mr. Connal's salary is now £300, a sum that is still inadequate to repay the services he renders. The Native boys who are employed in the Public Works and Survey Departments now receive a livingwage, and Messrs. Cameron and Large now receive £200 per annum. In Schedule 4 will be seen the estimated revenue for the ensuing year. In Schedule E the details of the contingent expenditure have been worked out for your information, and in order that you may have the fullest possible knowledge of the prospects and financial position of these islands, I have the honour to submit a comparative table of the revenue and expenditure for the last ten years : — liesa Spent on Revenue. Expenditure. Public Works. Year - <£ itfcSa. ' £v a. d. : ? I bp>£ s. d. 1896-97 ... ... 1,230 2'"9 1,654*0 3 ... . 1897-98 ... ... 1,379 10 0 1,439 9.5 ' 1898-99 ..'. ... 1,801 13 4 1,402 12 5 1899-1900 ... ... 3,166 7 10 2,188 9 10 500 0 0 1900-1 ... ... 4,252 17 11 2,951 14 10 500 0 0 1901-2 ... ... 4,063 9 6 2,335 7 3 260 0 0 1902-3 ... ... 6,584 13 4 4,725 16 11 1,623 9 10 1903-4 . ... ... *5,310 4 3 4,558 3 9 1,163 910 1904-5 ... ... *5,574 14 0 5,093 8 8) . Sfifi r _ 1905-6 ... ... *7,157 1 0 5,505 10 11 I I)6bb J ° * These amounts do not include balance from previous year. The health of the Group has been normal during the year, but as Mr. Brown is now taking the census, and Dr. Pomare is making a professional report on the whole Group, I have not touched on these points, as any information I might have on the subject would necessarily be inferior to that collected by experts. W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

Sub-enclosures. A. Cook and other Islands Administration. —Port of Rarotonga.—Return of Imports for the Year 1905.

95

Article. Whence. Value. Total. -gricultural produce (not otherwise enumerated) .. jiimals, living—Sheep Pigs .. ■".." jme, ammunition, and explosives £ £ 171 101 New Zealand .. New South Wales United States America.. 40 M \ it >> ») >> ?> .... New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales Germany .. i.. United States America.. Tahiti .. " 5i Lpparel and slops .. .. 701 22 196 44 61 305 ,, .. .. .... 1,32!

A. ~~3.

Return of Imports for 1905— continued.

96

Article. Whence. Value. Total. ' £ J Tahiti.' ".-.'' '..'.' I New Zealand .. ■ Tahiti ■. £ Arrowroot .. "... .. ..... Bacon and hams .. .. .. - • • I i 56 1 7 j j • • Bags and sacks i New Zealand .. ! United States America.. Tahiti 57 181 23 18 222 71 Bamboo (for hat-making) Beer Tahiti New Zealand ■■'. New South Wales 11 5 ,, . . . . New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti •. '- 16 Bicycles and parts .. .. .. 14 . 133 ■22 5) - - * " ' * * * 169 Biscuits .. ■ ■ i '■ New Zealand .: ' New South Wales .. , 1,897 122 Blue .. .. Boats Boots and shoes .. .. .. New Zealand New South Wales New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti ... .. United States America.. 2,019 23 36 365 1 1 22 ?? • • 389 ,, Building-material (not otherwise enumerated) )j " New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 276 36 8 17 337 JJ " 17 " Butter . . .. .. »» • * • • • • New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 295 10 5 310 ,, Carriages, carts, and materials for New Zealand Niue United States America.. Tahiti 251 20 416 4 691 119 u> . , )> " )> *>"'■ " ' ' Casks .. Cement New Zealand New Zealand New South Wales 369 3 , ? * * Cheese Coal Confectionery .. ■ .. • • New Zealand New South Wales New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti i 372 33 18 ») * * 45 2 3 50 ?» • * Cotton piece-goods ,, New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales i. France United States America.. Tahiti 2,174 581 216 9 135 907 4,022 •>•> '' *' >» • * »» Cordage and twine New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 129 29 110 12 >» * ■ 280 >> * * ?» * ■ Drapery 5> ' " New Zealand United Kingdom Niue New South Wales Tahiti 1,965 75 147 26 57 >» ' * »J . * * . t> 2,270

A—3.

Return of Imports for 1905— continued.

97

Article. Whence. Value. Total. £ Drugs ,, New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 85 22 2 4 113 Earthenware and glassware j> New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 97 15 4 J? 116 Fancy goods.. ,, New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales Victoria Tahiti 169 27 62 4 26 >» ,, t> 288 ?ish, preserved 99 t> >> J? New Zealand New South Wales British Columbia United States America.. Tahiti • 188 61 69 54 12 ?> >> j> 99 384 Furniture »> New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 1,252 195 3 40 y> 1,490 «, Flour ,, New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 1,415 47 264 667 ,, . . Haberdashery New Zealand New South Wales Germany 77 4 41 2,393 5, . . 122 ?? * ' Hardware >> M * * ' * New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales Germany United States America.. Tahiti 933 6 49 5 29 16 ,, ,, 99 Hats New Zealand Niue 77 345 1,038 J? 422 Hosiery ,, J, New Zealand New South Wales Germany United States America.. United Kingdom Tahiti 107 2 20 19 31 136 ?» ,, iron, bar, bolt, and rod ,, galvanised, corrugated New Zealand .. 496 16 11 315 145 » >) >» New South Wales Tahiti 523 J) j> " ,, wire j> )? New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 31 11 1 5 >5 J) l> ?> ndiarubber goods New South Wales New Zealand .. 48 33 57 lams Machines, sewing >> >? ?> • • New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 50 21 68 60 >> >? >> 5J * ' 199

A 3

Return of Imports for 1905— continued.

98

Article. Whence. Value. Total. "T Machinery (not otherwise enumerated) .. New Zealand United Kingdom New South "Wales United States America.. £ 929 6 74 70 £ j> >s JJ >9 Matches .. .. .. .. ;; :A\ :: :: Meats, fresh .. .. „ preserved New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales Sweden Tahiti 1,079 296 17 6 32 12 New Zealand .. 363 72 New South Wales Tahiti 1,896 182 6 JJ JJ ,, ,, New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 2,084 „ salted 484 12 3 ,, * ,, . . . . ,, j> New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 499 Milk, preserved 140 3 2 JS ,, JJ JJ I 145 Nails New Zealand Tahiti 320 1 >» . . . . Oars New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. 321 ,, .. 27 16 26 69 ,, Oil, kerosene, and benzine 4) ft j> * • ' ' New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 406 ! 21 470 .» JJ tf JJ »• JJ ,-, linseed .. .. jj jj • • New Zealand New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 73 i 13 2 2 jj jj • • jj » Onions Paints and varnish New Zealand .. 90 40 ,, . . . . j> • • • • New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 120 j 17 ! 13 22 ,j ,, 172 118 65 27 Paper .. .. .. Perfumery (not otherwise enumerated) .. Photographic goods Potatoes New Zealand .. y> ,, Tahiti" 100 2 ,, New Zealand .. 102 71 Pumice Provisions (not otherwise enumerated) .. 620 108 9 51 >> " . ■ ■ New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 788 n " >> " Rice y> ' ' ' ' '.' ' New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti United States America.. 349 92 164 49 jj j, . . • • 654 Saddlery and harness jj New Zealand New South Wales Canada United States America.. Tahiti 56 1 19 30 15 ft ,j . . . . >9 ' ' ' ' 121

A.—3.

Return of Imports for 1905— continued.

1-2—A. 3.

99

Article. Whence. Value. Total. Silks New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti £ 70 54 9 £ J? ■ • ■ • • • 133 Soap 4 New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 551 20 13 99 ' ' ' ' • * 584 Spirits —Brandy New Zealand Tahiti 10 1 is J? • • • • „ Geneva „ Whisky .. „ methylated New Zealand .. 11 21 106 ,, . . » ■ ,, . . . . New South Wales 4 2 6 j? jj „ perfumed >» j? • • • • jj jj • • • • New Zealand United Kingdom New South Wales France Tahiti 40 7 25 28 9 j? j» >? 99 • ' * * Stationery and books .. 109 5? * • " ' New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 56 52 7 J? * * • * Sugar New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti .. 115 ,, 948 48 96 1,092 )» ,. Tanks 99 , , . . . . New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 51 27 3 5? • • • " • • 81 Tar New Zealand United States America.. 5 4 99 ' * • • • • 9 Tea New Zealand Tahiti 51 4 55 3,813 99 • • • • • • Timber, fruit-box „ sawn, dressed, and undressed New Zealand .. 910 75 745 16 5) M JJ ?? JJ JJ >? 99 New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 1,746 17 9> 93 99 99 logs Tobacco United States America.. New Zealand New South Wales Tahiti 243 81 3 ,, 327 ,, . . . . . . Cigars and cigarettes ,, . . . . New Zealand ... New South Wales Tahiti 9 3 3 ,, . . . . 15 Tools ,, J? New Zealand Niue United Kingdom New South Wales United States America.. Tahiti 63 2 1 27 27 20 ,, . . . . . . 99 • ' ' ' ' ' 99 ' ' ' ' ' ' Trunks New South Wales Tahiti 17 1 140 99 ' ' ' ' * ' 18 Wine, claret »* »; New Zealand New South Wales United States America. . Tahiti 5 5 18 50 )? 99 78

A.—3.

Return of Imports for 1905— continued.

B. Cook and other Islands Administration.—Port of Rarotonga.—Return of Exports for the Year ended 31st December, 1905.

100

Article. Whence. . Value. Total. £ £ Pine, port .. f oodenware oods, miscellaneous .. New Zealand .. j> >> ' • • ' United Kingdom New South Wales . - France United States America.. Tahiti 71 4 96 5 4 65 4 51 » >> >> >j • • 245 >> >> » » » » • • £36,993 Total Values. New Zealand Niue United Kingdom Victoria Canada British Columbia France Germany Sweden United States of America Tahiti New South Wales ... 1905. 1904. ... 27,686 514 777 4 19 69 42 110 32 2,365 3,012 2,363 £36,993 £33,399 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 15th January, 1906. W. J. Stevenson, Collector of Customs.

Article. Where exported to. Quantity. Value. Total. Quantity. 1904. Value. £ 8,225 684 £ £ Bananas New Zealand 46,358 cases 10,768 bunches 8,909 39,588 cases 9,324 bunches 7,400 Oranges 76,080 cases 9,364 9,364 79,330 cases 9,600 Pineapples t> •' 4,378 cases 616 616 5,275 cases 680 Fresh fruit (not otherwise enumerated) Cocoanuts 49 49 10 76,900 nuts 194 194 187 Dried bananas 1 cwt. 2 2 20 Coffee 12,656 lb. 212 212 58,050 lb. 973 Nil 8 Cotton Vanilla 3 Whale-oil .. 16 Fungus New Zealand 58 58 9 Candlenuts ,» * • New South Wales .. 20 cwt. 290 „ 7 73 80 25 cwt. 7 Curios United Kingdom .. 310 „ 4 4 15 Kumeras, yams, and taro New Zealand 65 65 330 Copra New South Wales .. United States America 228 tons 216 „ 243 „ 2,622 2,484 2,795 972 tons 10,950 687 „ 7,901

A.—3.

Return of Exports for 1905— continued.

Cook Islands Administration.—Exports from Northern Islands, Year 1905.

C. Cook and other Islands Administration. —Return showing Exports from each Island of Cook and Northern Islands during 1905.

W. J. Stevenson, Barotonga, 16th January, 1906. Collector.

101

Article. Where exported to. Quantity. Value. Total. 19i Quantity. 1904. Value. Iimejuice New Zealand 4,950 gals. £ 221 £ 221 22,344 gals. 1,106 Miscellaneous .. ,» 13 13 16 Goods imported and re-exported »> 462 107 569 248 Niue 28,257 31,578 Total Values. New Zealand United Kingdom Niue New South Wales ... ... ... United States of America £ ... 22,794 4 107 2,557 2,795 Total ...£28,257 Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 16th January, 1906. W. J. Stevenson, Collector of Customs.

Article. Where exported to. Quantity. Value. Total. 1904. Quantity. Value. Copra New Zealand New South Wales .. United States America Tahiti 18 tons 70 „ 142 „ 295 „ £ 207 805 1,633 3,428 £ »» • * »» • • 5,000 525 tons 6,073 500 tons Hats Tahiti 17 17 20 Mats 5 5 Beche-de-mer 1,5001b. 18 18 Pearlshell New Zealand llf tons 520 520 1,650 6,633 6,670 W. J. Stb Cc 'BNSON, Hector of Cusi Rarotonga, Cook Isl; .nds, 16th January, 1906. tms.

Bam m 0) u O CO a 09 V a 3 -CD It 3 O a o O ffl CD O o 6 ffl S-f S £ CO M O o ffl .° 'ffl I 13 '53 . . S W S ft ,nas. Rarotonga Aitutaki Mangaia Atiu Mitiaro Mauke Manuae Cases. 44,108 117 2,133 Bches. 5 10,766 r Cas es. i 59,134 4,164 3,610 3,141 . Cases. I 2,002 { 1,413 I 963 Cases. £ 24 Number. 66,900 2,150 6,650 1,200 . lb. Cwt. 1 [ 60 Cwt. 310 . Tons. ) 122 153 24 144 60 140 44 Galls. ! 1,660 ! 30 110 3,150 ) 11 £ 2 Tons. 1 ! .. I 1 224 19,766 2,073 i .. r ! .. I 257 I .. I .. 1 .. 1 .. 6,031 2,000 ' .. I Penrhyn Manihiki Rakabanga Buka Buka Palmerston 14 100 , , ,'i'n 135* 131 196 50 48 4 13 *5 46,358 10,768 76,080 4,378| I 257 24 76,900 24,063 75" 1,212| I 4,950 28 7 310 koni ;a.

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

W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer. Audited and found correct, subject to my report dated the 21st April, 1906, addressed to the Minister of the Islands. Percy Brown, Auditor.

102

Service. Voted. Expended. Salary, Medical Officer Hospital supplies and attendance Island allowance, Collector of Customs Salary, Registrar of Courts High Court, contingent expenditure Land Titles Court, contingent expenditure Salary, Civil Engineer and Surveyor Cadets (2), Survey Office Salary, Secretary, Interpreter, and Printer Chief of Federal Council and Judge Arikis Court Vice-President of Council Two Judges, High Court Subsidy, Tereora School Salary, Native Magistrate, Takitumu Police, Rarotonga Clerks, Arikis Courts, Rarotonga Rents of wharf, hospital, and post-office sites.. Contingent expenditure, General Salary, Resident Agent, Penrhyn „ „ Aitutaki „ „ Mangaia „ „ ManihiM and Rakahanga Subsidy, pilot-boat, Aitutaki,£10 ; canoe, Mangaia, £5 Salary, three Native Assessors, Aitutaki „ Police, Aitutaki „ Native Assessors, Mangaia .. „ Police, Mangaia „ Postmaster, Mangaia „ ,, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro Clerks of Court, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro Salary, three Assessors, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro.. „ Police, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro Subsidy, Government schooner .. ... Second annual payment, cost of Government schooner Subsidy towards destruction of flying-fox Subsidy towards cool-chamber for meat Construction of Makea Bridge .. .. Blasting reef passage, Mauke Erection of cargo-shed, Mangaia Planting Takutea Island Resumption of land for public purposes Subsidy, Aitutaki Island Council Furnishing, fitting, and fencing Whare Manuhiri Subsidy in aid of Whare Manuhiri, seven months Cost of duty and other expenses on account of wines and spirits £ 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 20 0 0 15 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 £ s. d. 350 0 0 140 2 8 50 0 0 300 0 0 53 14 11 260 3 6 250 0 0 66 0 0 140 0 0 100 0 0 15 0 0 18 15 0 200 0 0 17 10 0 30 0 0 15 0 0 21 5 0 343 18 6 175 0 0 160 0 0 160 0 0 20 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 29 0 0 9 II 8 25 0 0 10 0 0 12 0 0 10 0 0 16 0 0 14 0 0 350 0 0 301 11 3 29 4 3 25 0 0 240 14 1 64 7 2 138 13 10 53 11 1 100 0 0 50 0 0 574 13 7 44 13 9 441 0 8 50 0 0 50 0 0 200 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 400 0 0 50 0 0 574 19 7 50 0 0 Balance on hand, 1st April, 1906 * 5,455 10 11 4,793 12 5 10,249 3 4 * Of the above balance, £50 is the property of Niue, contributed to schooner sinking fund.—' '. J. S.

A.—3.

Cook and Northern Islands. —Revenue for Ybak ending 31st March. 1906. Service or Source of Revenue. ~ moun . £ s. d. £ g. d. Cash balance on hand, 31st March, 1905... ... ... ... ... 3,092 2 4 Customs duties ... ... ... ... ... ... 2,613 2 6 Traders' licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 327 5 0 Sale of Stamps ... ... ... ... ... ... 183 8 9 Fees, High Court ... ... ... ... ... ... 117 14 6 Magistrate's Court, Aitutaki ... ... ... ... ... 85 15 5 Mangaia ... ... ... ... .. 23 16 6 Arikis Courts. ... ... ... ... ... ... 107 8 6 Land Titles Courts ... ... ... ... ... ... 330 6 2 Kent, Palmerston Island (two years) ... ... .. ... 50 0 0 ~ Suwarrow Island (two years) ... ... ... ... 29 19 0 Miscellaneous rents ... ... ... ... ... ... 48 10 0 Interest on fixed deposits and debentures ... .. ... 77 12 10 Shipping fees and forms ... ... ... ... ... 323 3,998 1 5 Sale of wines and spirits ... ... ... ... .. ... 561 11 7 Sale of coal ... ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 22 14 0 ~ old building ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 7 5 0 Received from Government of New Zealand, duties collected in that colony ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1,947 19 6 Niue Administration, subsidy in aid of schooner (three years) ... ... 450 0 0 ~ one-sixth of insurance premium on i>636 os. 9d. ... 106 0 1 Insurance Reserve Fund, 1905-6, contributed by Niue >... ... ... 50 0 0 Refund of expenses shipwrecked seamen ... ... ... ... .. 1395 Total ... £10,249 3 4 W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.

E. Cook and other Islands Administration. —Details of Item 18, Contingent Expenditure, 1905-6. £ s. d. Printing Office, supplies and labour ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 9 9 Customs Tidewaiters, wages ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1680 Boatmen for Health Officer ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 440 Office furniture ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 10 0 Bonus to Resident Agent, Atiu ... ... .. ... ... 10 0 0 Repairs and labour, Resident Commissioner's residence ... ... ... ... 317 0 Purchase of chronometer ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 0 Painting and repairs, Government buildings, and residence Collector of Customs ... 88 6 1 Repairs, Health Officer's boat ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 188 Rain-gauge ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 116 Blasting reef, Avarua Harbour ... ... ... ... ... ... 487 Bank charges ... ... ... ... ... ... ... .. 010 5 Fencing Government land ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 27 17 3 Purchase of lawn-mower ... ... ... ... ... .. ... 280 Travelling-expenses ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 13 15 0 Purchase of tools ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 29 14 3 Cost of collecting Customs duties in New Zealand on goods afterwards shipped to Cook Islands ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 24 7 0 Photos, accommodation-house ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 1 10 0 Auditor's fee ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 0 Census-printing ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 076 Stationery ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 18 4 6 Customs duties remitted to Niue Administration ... ... ... ... 1919 0 Travelling-expenses re New Zealand Exhibition ... ... ... ... ... 300 Freight on stationery, Mangaia office ... ... ... ... ... ... 040 Interpreting fee at Island Council ... ... ... ... ... ... 010 0 R.M. Court expenses, Aitutaki ... ... ... ... ... ... 018 0 £343 18 6 Rarotonga, 9th April, 1906. W. J. Stevenson, Treasurer.

103

A.-d.

F. Cook and other Islands. —Public Works Estimates for Yeah 1906-7. Amount. Service. £ a. A £ s. d. Rarotonga, fumigating-shed ... . . ... .. •• • • 500 0 0 ~ concrete bridge, Avana ... ... ... •■■ 200 0 0 ~ concrete bridge, Avatiu ... . . ••• •■• 150 0 0 ~ bathing-place, Avarua ... ... ... ... 150 0 0 ~ creek retaining-walls ... ... ... ... ■■■ 200 0 0 ~ water-supply for Avarua ... ... ... ... 500 0 0 1,700 0 0 Aitutaki, fresh-water reservoir, &c. ... ... •■■ •■• 150 0 0 ~ concreting; wharf and shed ... ... ... •■■ 200 0 0 350 0 0 Reef passage and Makatea Road, Mangaia ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 Takutea, planting cocoanuts ... ... •■• ••■ •■■ ••■ 100 0 0 Compensation for land taken ... ... .- •■• •■• •■• 600 0 0 £2,950 0 0 W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

G. Cook and other Islands. —Estimate of Expenditure for the Year ending 31st March, 1907.

W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

104

Service. 1905-6. 1906-7. 1. Medical and Health Officer 2. Hospital supplies and attendance 3. Island allowance, Collector of Customs .. 4. Eegistrar Land Titles and High Courts 5. Contingent expenses High Court, including prisoners' food 6. Civil Engineer and Surveyor 7. Draughtsman, Survey Department 8. Two cadets, Survey and Public Works, at £40 9. Secretary, Interpreter, and Government Printer 1.0. Chief of Federal Government and Judge Arikis Court LI. Vice-President of Council L2. Subsidy, Tereora School L3. Subsidy to Aitutaki Council in aid of school 14. Subsidy in aid of cool-chamber 15. Police, Rarotonga 16. Clerks of Arikis Courts, Rarotonga, £10 and £5 .. L7. Rents—Wharf, £5 ; Hospital, £7 10s. ; Post-office, £8 15s. 18. Contingent expenditure (general) 19. Resident Agent, Penrhyn 20. „ Aitutaki 21. „ Mangaia 22. „ Manihiki and Rakahanga !3. Subsidy, pilot-boat, Aitutaki, £10 ; Mangaia, £5 .. 24. Three Native Assessors, Aitutaki 25. Police, Aitutaki 26. Native Assessors, Mangaia (2) .. 11. Police, Mangaia 28. Postmasters—Mangaia, £10 ; Atiu, £6 ; Mauke, £3 ; Mitiaro, £3 29. Clerks of Court—Atiu, £4 ; Mauke, £3 ; Mitiaro, £3 50. Assessors—Atiu, £8 ; Mauke, £5 ; Mitiaro, £5 51. Police—Atiu, £6 ; Mauke, £4 ; Mitiaro, £4 52. Subsidy in aid of schooner 53. Bonus for destruction of flying-fox 54. Travelling-expenses Land Titles Court 55. Auditor's fees (two years provided for) .. 56. Upkeep of Whare Manuhiri £ s. d. 350 0 0 150 0 0 50 0 0 300 0 0 50 0 0 250 0 0 66 0 0 140 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 200 0 0 50 0 0 50 0 0 30 0 0 15 0 0 21 5 0 200 0 0 175 0 0 160 0 0 160 0 0 20 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 29 0 0 16 0 0 25 0 0 22 0 0 10 0 0 16 0 0 14 0 0 700 0 0 50 0 0 200 0 0 20 0 0 £ s. d. 350 0 0 150 0 0 50 0 0 300 0 0 100 0 0 300 0 0 60 0 0 80 0 0 140 0 0 100 0 0 20 0 0 200 0 0 50 0 0 75 0 0 30 0 0 15 0 0 21 5 0 250 0 0 175 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 0 20 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 29 0 0 16 0 0 25 0 0 22 0 0 10 0 0 18 0 0 14 0 0 600 0 0 50 0 0 150 0 0 40 0 0 140 0 0 3,689 5 0 4,030 5 0

A.—3.

H. Cook and Northern Islands.—Estimated Revenue for the Year ending 31 sr March, 1907. £ s. d. Customs ... ... ... ... ... ... 3,500 0 0 Trade licenses ... ... ... ... ... ... 320 0 0 Stamps ... ... .. ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 High Court fees ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 R.M. Courts, fees ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Arikis Courts, fees ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Land Titles Court and surveys ... ... ... ... 450 0 0 Rents ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 100 0 0 Miscellaneous ... ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 £5,070 0 0 W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

Sir, — Survey Department, Rarotonga, 9th April, 1906. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ending the 31st March, 1906, on the general survey of the islands of the Cook Group. Islands visited. During the year, besides Rarotonga we visited for surveying purposes the Islands of Takutea and Rakahanga. Most of the surveying during the year has been done in Rarotonga. I have already reported on Takutea. Land Titles Court Work. The amount of surveying-work done for the Land Titles Court is shown in the Registrar's report. Standard Surveys. The standard survey has now been completed round Rarotonga, and permanent concrete blocks have been placed at about every 20 chains on the inland side of the main road round the island; also on the Ara Metua or inland road, and on the roads of some of the valleys. We also surveyed and completed the coast-line of the islands of Takutea and Rakahanga. We have now 160 co-ordinated concrete stations on Rarotonga. Latitudes and Longitudes. The latitudes and longitudes of the Cook Islands published under Notice to Mariners, No. 75 of 1904, in the Government Gazette seem still somewhat in error for several of the islands. The following I consider the best values as far as I can gather at present: — Latitude Longitude South. West. O / // O / // Rarotonga: Avarua A> concrete block in front of Government offices 21 11 57 159 46 10 Aitutaki: Arutanga A, concrete block in front of Government offices 18 52 30 159 46 30 Manuae: North-west Landing ... ... ... ... ... 19 17 0 158 56 0 Takutea: Concrete block on beach at the North-west Landing ... 19 48 35 158 18 0 Atiu: Taunganui Landing, at the north-west end of the island ... 19 58 0 158 9 0 Mitiaro: Omotu Landing, at the north-west end of the island ... 19 50 0 157 42 0 Mauke: Tanganui Landing, at the north-west end of the island ... 20 7 0 157 22 0 Mangaia: Oneroa Landing ... ... ... ... ... 21 54 0 157 58 0 Penrhyn: Omoka Church ... ... ... ... ... 9 130 158 2 0 Palmerston: Tokotea Landing... ... ... ... ... 18 2 0 163 10 0 Rakahanga: A, concrete block at the junction of the main road and entrance road to church ... ... ... ... ... 10 236 161 6 0 Manihiki: Tauhunu—Tauhunu Landing, flagstaff ... ... 10 26 0 161 1 0 Suwarrow: Landing-place ... ... ••■ •■. ... 13150 163 50 Nassau Island ... ... ... ... ... ... 11 35 0 165 28 0 Pukapuka (Danger) ... ... ... ... ... 10 52 0 165 57 0 Tema Reef ... ... ... ... ••• •■■ ... 11 7 0 165 35 0 During the year I checked the latitudes of Takutea and Rakahanga. The latitude of A, Takutea, a concrete block on the beach at the North-west Landing: From the mean of seven star and three sun observations I make the latitude south 19° 48' 35". Rakahanga, A> concrete block at the junction of the main road and entrance road to church: From the mean of six star observation's I make the latitude of /\ south 10° 2' 36". We have now a good chronometer, and at each island we now visit we shall check the longitude, Rarotonga, as 10 hours 39 minutes 5 seconds west of Greenwich,

105

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Meteic System. We have now our steel bands in meters, having used out the link bands. We use a 100--meter s band divided to 10 meters and a 10-meters band divided to 2 decimeters, roughly a link. The salt water is very severe in the way of rust, and when working near salt water the bands should be cleaned every evening. Island Surveys. I forward tracings of the island plans, as far as they are completed, of Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Manuae, Takutea, Mauke, and Rakahanga, and a general chart of the islands under the Cook Islands Administration. The island plans are all drawn to the scale of 10 chains to the inch, and are coloured—Government land, red; land leased to Europeans, blue; Native lands passed the Court, yellow. Areas. I make the total area of the different islands—Rarotonga, 16,500 acres; Aitutaki, without motus (small islands), 3,900 acres; Manuae, 1,524 acres (cocoanut land, 1,400 acres); Takutea, 302 acres (cocoanut land, 227 acres); Mauke, 3,600 acres; Rakahanga, 930 acres. Roads already taken under the Act are coloured red on the island plans. I have now three assistants, who, when they are not employed in the field, are kept busy in the office. I have, &c, H. M. Connal, The Resident Commissioner. Government Surveyor.

Cook Islands Administration. Sir, — Government Schooner Department, Rarotonga, 19th April, 1906. I have the honour to forward you herewith statement of the accounts in connection with the working of the schooner "Countess of Ranfurly " for the year ending the 31st March, 1906. As you will observe, the earnings of the schooner show an increase of £454 over those of the prevfous year, while the expenses of running have been £282 less, thus showing a diminution of £736 in loss as compared with 1904—5. The following is a comparative statement of the earnings and expenses of the schooner for the past two years: — Expenses. 1904^5. £ s. d. & B. d. Benzine ... ... ... 146 6 0 193 13 4 Wages ... ... ... 850 8 1 876 110 Office expenses ... ... ... 108 13 11 106 6 8 Provisions ... ... ... 383 13 6 425 2 4 Miscellaneous ... ... ... 125 12 5 . 140 18 1 Claims ... ... ... 17 3 0 9 2 6 Outfit and repairs ... ... 446 19 8 609 10 6 2,078 16 7 2,360 15 3 Earnings. Passenger-fares ... ... 308 8 6 189 3 0 Special charters ... ... 573 0 0 319 0 0 Freights ... ... ... 1,006 4 11 925 3 11 Commission ... ... ... 3 14 9 3 16 9 1,891 8 2 1,437 3 8 Loss ... ... ... 187 8 5 923 11 7 The Outfit and Repairs Account includes a sum of £30 12s. Id. incurred in 1904-5, so that the actual loss for the past year, exclusive of insurance reserve fund and payment on account of the cost of the vessel and interest as hereinafter mentioned, was only £156 16s. 4d In addition to the expenses above mentioned, this Department has repaid to the New Zealand Government a sum of £70 16s. 9d. for three months' insurance on the schooner in 1904-5, of which one-sixth, £11 16s. Id., has been contributed by the Niue Island Administration, and paid into the Cook Islands Treasury. In accordance with the arrangement made with the Government of New Zealand for repayment of the capitalised cost of the schooner (£6,000), and interest at 4 per cent., a second instalment of £301 11s. 3d. has been paid by the Cook Islands Treasury to the Government of New Zealand, and I presume that the Niue Island Administration has also paid a second instalment of £201 os. 9d; as arranged, making a total second instalment of £502 12s. The principal and interest thus repaid to New Zealand to date is £1,005 4s. The sum of £300, of which the Niue Island Administration contributed £50, has been invested by the Treasury on fixed deposit in the Bank of New Zealand as an Insurance Reserve Fund, and according to arrangement a similar sum will be set aside and invested in. the month of May next. During the year the schooner has made the following trips, aggregating about sixteen thousand miles; Rarotonga to Niue and Auckland, 2; Auckland to Niue and Rarotonga, 2; Rarotonga to northern islands and Maiden Island, 2; Maiden Island and northern islands to Rarotonga, 2; Rarotonga to northern islands, 1 ; round the Cook Group, 6,

106

A.—3.

While in Auckland last January the schooner was clocked and repaired under the supervision of Captain Champion. The expense of same was kept down to the lowest limit compatible with the efficiency of the vessel. I am pleased to say that the services, of the schooner are now being availed of to a greater extent than formerly by the traders of the Group, and if the vessel can maintain regularity in her movements there is a likelihood of her being used as a potent factor in the further development of trade in the Cook and northern Islands, with profit to the vessel herself. There is, however, a probability that the earnings of the vessel, as far as Niue is concerned, will be lessened next year owing to the slump in the hat trade at that island (which is apparently the reason for one or two trading firms ceasing operations there), and also to the fact that little or none of the Niue copra is carried to Auckland. In addition, there is also a probability that the vessel will only be required to go to Maiden Island once a year instead of every six months, as I am informed that less labour will in future be required to work at that island. This will be a loss not only to the schooner, but also to the trade in the Cook Islands generally, as, in addition to the amount paid by Messrs. Grice, Sumner, and Co. for the charter of the vessel, that firm pays in cash to their Cook Island labour a sum of over £1,000 per annum. The diminution in the earnings of the vessel as far as Niue and Maiden Island are concerned will, I think, be met in a great measure by the support to be given by the traders in the Cook and northern Islands. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. E. Blame, Secretary. Addendum. As shown by the Profit and Loss Account attached, the total expenditure for the year has been £2,293 10s. 6d., while the total revenue received (eliminating subsidy, £350, and profit and loss, 1905-6, £52 2s. 4d.) has been £1,891 Bs. 2d. The difference, £402 2s. 4d., is accounted for as follows :— £ s. d. Loss on present year, 1905-6 ... ... ... ... 187 8 5 Paid insurance, 1904-5 ... ... ... • ... ... 70 16 9 ~ Profits and Loss Account, 1904-5 ... ... ... 138 10 10 Bad debts ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 564 £402 2 4 E. Blame. Government Schooner Department. Working Account of Schooner "Countess of Ranfurly," 1905-6. Or. £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Passenger-fares .. .. .. 308 8 6By Profit and Loss Account, balance 1904-5 138 10 10 Special charters .. .. 573 0 0 „ „ bad debts .. 5 6 4 Freights .. .. •• •• 1,006 411 Benzine .. .. .. 146 6 0 Commission 3 14 9 Wages 850 8 1 Subsidy .. .. . • • • 350 0 0 Office expenses, Auckland .. .. 65 511 Sundry creditors .. .. 303 12 8 „ Rarotonga .. .. 43 8 0 Provisions .. .. .. 383 13 6 Miscellaneous expenditure .. .. 125 12 5 Outfit and repairs .. .. .. 446 19 8 Claims .. .. .. .. 17 3 0 Insurance, 1904-5 .. .. .. 70 16 9 Sundry debtors .. .. .. 101 14 5 Cash, Bank of New Zealand .. .. 118 12 1 Cash in hand .. .. .. 31 3 10 £2,545 0 10 £2,545 0 10 Rarotonga, 19th April, 1906. E. Blame, Secretary. Audited by me from Ist April, 1905, to 31st March, 1906, inclusive, and found correct. This certificate is subject to the exceptions contained in my letter of the 20th April, 1906, to the Minister in Charge of the Islands. —Perot Brown, Auditor. Profit and Loss Account in connection with the Working of the Schooner " Countess of Banfurly," 1905-6. j) r £ s. d. Cr. £ s. d. To Balance, 1904-5 .. • • • ■ 138 10 10 By Subsidy Account .. .. .. 350 0 0 Bad debts .. .. • ■ • • 5 6 4 Special Charter Account .. .. 573 0 0 Benzine Account .. .. ■■ 146 6 0 Commission Account .. .. 314 9 Insurance Account, 1904-5 .. .. 70 16 9 Freight Account .. .. .. 1,006 411 Wages Account .. .. .. 850 8 1 Passenger-fares Account' .. 308 8 6 Claims Account 17 3 0 Balance 52 2 4 Outfit and repairs .. .. • ■ 446 19 8 Miscellaneous Expenditure Account .. 125 12 5 Provisions Account .. .. . • 383 13 6 Office expenses .. .. •• 108 13 11 £2,293 10 6 £2,293 10 6 Balance carried forward .. • ■ £52 2 4 Rarotonga, 19th April, 1906. E. Blame, Secretary. Audited by me from Ist April, 1905, to 31st March, 1906, inclusive, and found correct. This certificate is subject to the exception contained in my letter of the 20th April, 1906, to the Minister in Charge of the Islands.— Percy Brown, Auditor.

13—A. 3.

107

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Cook and Northern Islands. —Vital Statistics of Cook Islands for 1905.

W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

No. 197. g IR Niue Island Administration, Niue, 19th April, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 110, dated the 23rd ultimo, together with a copy of the memo, to the Right Hon. the Premier from the Secretary for Education, and I note that the question of the appointment of a teacher must remain m abeyance for the regard to the memo, referred to above, I would like to say that the system of education outlined by the Secretary for Education appears to me to be rather too elaborate and costly for Niue, although probably suitable for Rarotonga, where the conditions are different in many respects from what they are here. , „, rm Three European teachers, with incidentals, &c, involving an expenditure of £1,100 per annum, would seem to be a large amount to expend upon education in Niue for the present at all events although £300 might be taken ofi the estimate, as the students would board themselves. I think it is unlikely that there will ever be more than a few traders, and possibly planters, settled in Niue, consequently the Native race will always remain in a large majority, and there appears to be no necessity to anglicize them to the same extent as is being done with the New Zeaknd Proposal (a) would therefore seem to be most applicable. It is quite correct that I am in favour of a scheme of education that involves the teaching of English to al Natives, together with tSn in reading, writing, and arithmetic, but I do not believe that a high degree of education r e ther necessary or beneficial to either Maoris or South-Sea-Islanders My experience with the Maorifis that the well-educated Maori, when he returns to his native kamga is in the majority of caes comparatively useless, as he has a distaste for ordinary work and longs for something higher which is seldom attainable. There is no reason to suppose that the Polynesian would not Ye^ h to be instituted in these islands, my humble opinion lS '~(1 ) That a first-class training college for student-teachers should be established in Rarotonga, S ta'SlSa at Alofi, with a thoroughly competent headmaster and one assistant. don Missi g • ty sc h oo ls already in (o.; I™ l sc hool- ultimately the most promising of these should be selected r/Stot oSnga to bt and finally established, in the various villages of ths island in chai; of schools. Not more than twelve would be required here; a few others could be rained to fill possible vacancies. The Native London Missionary Society teachers might be utilised as assistants to these trained teachers, so as not to lose their vocation. I believe the best policy in these islands is to go slowly but surely and I am confident that the scheme I have suggested would be not only economical but effective Ido not think that any diffiffin. likllv to Tbe experienced with regard to training the student-teachers in Rarotonga. It would be a distinct advantage to send them out of this island for that purpose, for many reasons, would be a distinct; aavd.n b reference is made to " industrial occupations," includ'""Eih .. « "if m.tom»», to" ~»U be «r.nged l»t-» «« *-> A<lmi»i»«r»ion. it necessary. w^ lt -o+,-«ti Act is to be applied to these islands, I assume the entire control of Department of New Zealand proper. C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Resident Commissioner. Cook and other Islands, Wellington,

No. 174.

108

Island. Births. Deaths. Maniages. Rarotonga Atiu Mangaia 81 25 62 90 13 53 33 17 Total 168 156 50

A.—3.

No. 198. Sir, — Ilarotonga, Cook Islands, 24th April, 1906. With reference to the erection of a shed for the fumigation of fruit, I have the honour No. 180. to inform you that I have interviewed Mr. Morrison, agent for the Union Company, with reference to a proposal by me to fit up one of the company's sheds for the purpose of fumigation. The point to be gained is not so much the reduction" in the expenditure, but it will prevent the double handling of the fruit which must take place unless the company will allow us to use their sheds for the purpose. Mr. Morrison agrees with, me that the point is of extreme importance, and he will recommend it for the consideration of the general manager. Under these circumstances I will take no action until I know the intentions of the company. I have, &c, W. E. Gudseon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 199. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 124, of the 7th instant, I have the honour to inform you that No. 187 I have instructed Mr. Connal to take all the observations possible with the instruments in our possession, and forward the results of our observations to you, and to the Superintendent of the Samoa Observatory. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 200. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 25th April, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th instant, No. 131, No. 188. containing enclosures—viz., two Warrants of appointments, W. J. Stevenson; two Warrants of appointments, Percy Brown; one Warrant of appointment, H. M. Connal. All of these have been duly handed to the above-mentioned officers. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 201. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Bth May, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 16th April, and am glad to hear that you have been ",No. 195. so careful in your administration of the law regarding liquor in Niue. I note that you do not consider there is any necessity to amend " The Niue Island Importation of Spirituous Liquor Ordinance, 1903," at present. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 202. Sic, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Bth May, 1906. I forward herewith a Warrant signed by His Excellency the Governor, appointing Mr W. J. Stevenson to be Treasurer to the Government of the Cook Islands. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 203. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Bth May, 1906. Your letter of the 25th January with reference to the coffee trade of the Cook Islands has No. 126. been under consideration in conjunction with certain particulars I have obtained relative to the importation of coffee into New Zealand. The matter is now being referred to Cabinet for decision as to the question of duty. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

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No. 204. General Post Office, Wellington, Bth May, 1906. Memorandum for the Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington. 1 beg to inform you that in connection with the regulation of this Department permitting senders of postal notes to make up broken amounts by affixing postage-stamps not exceeding sd. in value to the back of any one postal note, the question has been raised as to the recognition of Cook Islands stamps used in this way. It has therefore been arranged to pay the value of such stamps, and to debit the accounts of the several island Administrations with the amounts. The Resident Commissioner is being informed of the arrangement. Albert Pitt, Acting-Postmaster-General.

No. 205. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 31st March, and am glad to hear that your report for the .year 1905-6 will be accompanied by maps of a number of the islands. I note that the Land Titles Court has successfully dealt with the whole of the land in Tupapa, and it is gratifying to know that the Natives who had been ejected by the Mataiapos have now been restored to their ancestral lands. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 181.

No. 206. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1906. On receipt of your letter of the 14th November last (No. 134) on the subject of education in the Cook Islands, the matter was referred to Cabinet, and it was decided to apply the New Zealand Education Act to the islands, and the Inspector-General was instructed to take action. A memo, on the subject has been addressed by him to the Right Hon. the Minister of Education, and, in accordance with a further Cabinet decision, I now forward copy herewith, and shall be glad to have your comments on the proposals contained therein. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 95.

Enclosure. (See No. 174.)

No. 207. g IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd April, forwarding returns of exports from Niue for the quarter and year ending the 31st March, 1906. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 183.

No. 208. g IB) . Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 4th April, reporting generally on the condition of affairs in Niue, with special reference to the formation of roads and the construction of reservoirs. lam pleased to hear that such good progress is being made with these very serviceable works. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H Mills.

No. 185.

No. 209. g m Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 3rd April, with returns of imports into Niue for the quarter and year ending the 31st March, 1906. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 184.

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No. 210. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 19th March, reporting further heavy gales among the northern islands. I trust the Natives will not be seriously inconvenienced through the loss of so many cocoanuts during the storm. I understand that the inhabitants of the northern islands are largely dependent upon these for both food and drink, but I have no doubt you have already satisfied yourself that they are sufficiently provided for. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 169.

No. 211. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 12th May, 1906. In pursuance of representations made to the Tourist Department, the officer in charge has been making inquiries as to the possibilities of a steamer-service from Wellington to Norfolk Island, Noumea, New Hebrides, Fiji, Tonga, Niue, and Rarotonga,-returning thence to Wellington. Tenders are about to be advertised for, for a six-weekly and a four-weekly service. The latter will, I think, be the most suitable, and if it is decided upon it will be a step in the direction of more frequent communication with the Cook Group. I shall be glad to have any comment you may care to make on the proposal as affecting Rarotonga. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 212. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 12th May, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th April, forwarding a statement of the revenue and expenditure of the Niue Island Administration for the quarter ending the 31st March, 1906, with a summary of the total funds to the credit of the Administration at that date. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 192.

No. 213. StK, — Cook Islands-Administration, Rarotonga, 22nd May, 1906. I have the honour to report that a Compensation Court was held on the 18th instant io hear and decide the claims made in the case of Section 10, land taken for village-sites, and also in the case of Sections 2 and 3, Avarua, taken as a site for Hospital and Whare Manuhiri, respectively. In the matter of Section 10, Makea Daniela and Te Tianui, having a life interest in this block, claimed £350 compensation. This claim was heard in Court, but finally settled outside by the Resident Commissioner and Makea Daniela, the latter assisted by Mr. Thomas Shearman. The arrangement arrived at was as follows: The sum of £200 was awarded, but that the money should be left in the hands of the Government and bear interest at the rate of 7 per cent., payable half-yearly to the two life grantees. In tlie event of this money being required to improve the Tutakimoa Estate, application to be made to the Land Titles Court for authority to pay the same. The Cook Island Trading Company, as lessees of this land, claimed £200 for their ninety years' interest. Here also a mutual agreement was entered into between the manager of the company and Resident Commissioner, whereby a sum of £150 should be paid for the whole interest of the company in Section 10; the Government to allow the company to use the said section as a grazing-paddock until required for building purposes, on payment of £10 per annum. These arrangements were ratified by the Court, as also the cases of Sections 2 and 3. In this instance Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, the lessees, received £350 for their interest in a forty-four-years lease of the sections. The owners, Karika and Papai, also received £350—viz., £300 to Karika and £50 to Papai. Karika to be paid £100 forthwith and Papai £50, but £200 of Karika's money to remain for some time in the hands of the local Government at 5 per cent, interest. This last was made a point of by the Native owners, who probably recognised their inability to prevent the spending of any money when once in their hands. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

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No. 214. y IR) . Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 23rd May, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 158, of the 10th instant, and the memorandum of Mr. Hogben on the subject of the education in the Cook and northern Islands, I have the honour to remark that the case of New Zealand quoted by Mr. Hogben differs materially from that of these islands. For the first twenty-five years the Maoris sternly resisted the attempt to anglicize them. Here every child hopes to learn English, and the support they have given to the Catholic schools is entirely due to the fact that the London Missionary Society were hostile to the teaching of English, and the Catholics forced the hands of that mission. The Tereora school has since done good work, sufficient to show that if it were necessary or expedient all of the rising generation might speak English within ten years. I submit, however, that it is not expedient that English should be taught in all the islands. In my opinion the mere teaching of English will tend to depopulate islands of the Niue class, where at the best the people obtain only a bare subsistence. Samoa, Tonga, Tahiti, and Rarotonga are attractive, and will retain not only their own population, but will absorb the people of other islands. The people of the coral islands, if educated, will leave their homes in search of something better, and a knowledge of English will enable them to do this. Of what possible use can education be to such islands as Penrhyn, Rakahanga, Manihiki, Pukapuka, Mitiaro, or even Mauke? In such communities education can only create a desire for things unattainable. At the best only one in twenty of the boys will obtain employment as clerks or storemen, and the rest will be spoiled for the work"for which they are best fitted —viz., the cultivation of the soil. I would point out that the principles of education and evolution have not yet begun to work among the Polynesians; their only idea on the subject of education is that they may thereby acquire wealth "and avoid work. As for the-moral effect of education, they naturally do not believe in that, inasmuch as it is the best-educated among them who are the greatest rogues. I would suggest that for the first three years our efforts should be directed towards one train-ing-school at Tereora, but not necessarily on that site, and a good village school at each of the following places: Avarua (Rarotonga), Oneroa (Mangaia), Arutanga (Aitutaki), where we can take over the Araura school, and a school at Atiu. These educational establishments would be sufficient for three years, and if the results at the end of that period justified further efforts, the system might be extended. Under no circumstances should the teaching in the ordinary schools go further than the Fourth Standard. I cannot see the necessity for land in connection with any of the schools except used as at present to reduce the cost of board and lodgings for the pupils. No school will effectively teach industrial occupations to the Polynesian. If the industry be displayed in the direction of feeding themselves they will probably acquiesce; but if with the view of teaching them a better system of husbandry, they will probably charge the Government with trying to make money out of them. Any recommendation I may make herein will, I hope, be understood to be the maximum of our requirements, and I think that at present the Island of Atiu may well be left out of the scheme. At Aitutaki there is a fine building that may be used as a boarding and a day school. It is nominally the property of the London Missionary Society, but only so long as they shall use it as a school. It could be taken over without expense. At Atiu there is a piece of land with buildings thereon, all of which should be used as a school and for school purposes, and could be taken for that purpose. The Tereora school I do not recommend the Government to take over. It is a wooden building on poor and unsuitable land. It would be better to build in Avarua near the present school, which Makea would give to the Government. By this means we could have the village school' side by side with the training-school for teachers, superintended by the one man. The high school would not be necessary at present, but the head of each school must be a European. * Mr. Hogben does not know the avidity with which the Polynesian grasps at positions of authority, or he would not say that a Native would despise the £20 per annum as a teacher; but he should have a chance of rising to say £50 per annum. Under any circumstances I would suggest that before any steps are taken a member of the educational staff of the colony should visit this island and observe the position for himself. An expensive institution is not required. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 208.

No. 215. g IR Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 24th May, 1906. In reply to your wire of the 14th instant, I have the honour to inform you that Mr. P. Brown will proceed to Wellington by the June steamer in order to acquire a knowledge of the departmental methods of dealing with fruit. _ _ I have received notice from the Union Company informing me that they will not object to one of their large sheds being transformed into a fumigating-shed, provided that the facilities for shipping now in existence be not affected by the transformation. To remove any doubts from the mind of the head officer of the company, a copy of the plans will be forwarded to them, and the building will be ready for the late crop of oranges. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

N<r. 198,

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No. 216. Sib, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 24th May, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 163, of the 12th instant, No. 211, with reference to the proposed new tourist route from Norfolk Island via Niue to Rarotonga and New Zealand. This line may not directly benefit this Group, but we shall gain by the more frequent communication with New Zealand. It may be also that shipments of fruit may be made by this line, unless it should be found that Fiji and Tonga avail themselves of the same chance. If such should prove to be the case it is probable that the shippers would not care to compete against either Fiji or Tonga. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 217. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 27th May, 1906. With reference to the very important question of boat-passages through the reefs at No. 154. Mangaia, Atiu, and Mauke, I have the honour to report that with our present appliances there does not appear to be any prospect of success. The difficulty would seem to be that with ordinary drills it is not possible to make the holes deep enough to blast out a passage that shall have a minimum of 10 ft. of water, and less than this is not safe. At Mauke we have expended some £70 in work and material without any result. The bottom of the channel is so broken and jagged that a retreating wave would certainly break a hole in the boat by bumping on the rocks. Mr. Connal will shortly visit Mauke, and make a report on the work for your information ; but I think it will be useless to expend money until we have better boring apparatus. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 218. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 29th May, 1906. lam in receipt of your letter No. 53, of the 25th April. I now beg to forward a copy of the regulations prescribing the method of dealing with land taken for township purposes under " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," which have been signed by His Excellency the Governor. Please have these regulations published in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. ' C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. Regulations dealing with Land taken for Township Purposes in the Cook and other Islands. Plunket, Governor. Whereas by Notice in the Cook Islands Gazette of the twenty-fourth day of November, one thousand nine hundred and five, page two hundred and sixty-eight, the land taken therein described, being Section 10, Tutakimoa, Settlement and District of Avarua, Island of Rarotonga, was faken under "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," for the purposes of a township, to wit, the Township of Avarua: Now, therefore, I, William Lee, Baron Plunket, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, in exercise and pursuance of the powers an-d authorities in me vested by the said Act, and of every other power and authority in anywise enabling me in this behalf, do hereby make the following regulations for dealing with the said land: — 1. The management of the said land shall be vested'in the Resident Commissioner. 2. The Resident Commissioner shall cause to be prepared a plan of subdivision into allotments of the said land, and such plan of subdivision, signed by the Resident Commissioner, shall be deposited in the office of the Cook and other Islands Land Titles Court. 3. The Resident Commissioner may erect on any of the said allotments residential houses required for public officers. 4. The Resident Commissioner, on behalf of the Crown, may grant leases of any allotments not required under Regulation 3 to any private person for residential purposes only for any term not exceeding twenty-one years, at such rent and subject to such terms and conditions as may be deemed expedient. Not more than one allotment shall be leased to the same person. The lease may contain provision for renewal, 'valuation of improvements, and payment of valuation by incoming tenant, similar to those in " The West Coast Settlement Reserves Act, 1892," and in no case shall the Crown be liable to pay for improvements.

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5. The Resident Commissioner may confirm the lease of that portion of the said land now occupied by the Rarotonga Lawn Tennis and Bowling Club, and the Resident Commissioner may on the expiration of the said lease allow the said portion of the said land to be occupied or used for recreation purposes by any person or club, upon such terms and conditions as may be deemed expedient. 6. All buildings to be erected on the said land shall be subject to the approval of the Government Surveyor, or such other officer as shall be nominated for that purpose by the Resident Commissioner. 7. The Resident Commissioner may use any portion of the said land for drainage purposes. 8. All rents and profits of the said land, after payment thereout of all proper costs and charges, shall be paid into the Treasury of the Cook Islands. As witness the hand of His Excellency the Governor, this nineteenth day of May, one thousand nine hundred and six. C. H. Mills.

No. 219. S IH) Rarotonga, Cook Islands, Ist June, 1906. I have the honour to report that the " Tavinui " has arrived here two days after her time from Tahiti, with the result" that we have 800 tons of fruit piled up in the sheds, most of which will be overripe when it reaches New Zealand. This delay, which must inevitably cause further delay in Auckland by arriving late on Saturday, has as usual been caused by the shipment of French fruit at Huahine and Raiatea. I am informed that there is no less than 450 tons of French fruit on board, and it is very questionable whether the company will be able to take our 800 tons, except by overloading, as was the case last trip. I would point out that had the Auckland shipping authorities done their duty the company would long ago have put on a larger steamer, but they are not likely to do this so long as they are allowed to carry deck-loads that are absolutely dangerous. The present position here is absurd and anomalous. We are supposed to be a part of New Zealand, but are absolutely at the mercy of a French colony—that is, if there is any room for our fruit after the Frenchmen have been served the company will take it. The French tariff prohibits anything grown in the Cook Islands being exported to Tahiti, while French fruit is received in New Zealand on equal terms with that grown in the Cook Islands. As for the Union Company, they carry goods to Tahiti, five hundred miles distant from Rarotonga, for £1 15s. a ton, and charge us £2. Ido not know whether that company receives any subsidy from New Zealand, but if it does the subsidy is absolutely in aid of Tahiti. Under" the above circumstances, there is no cause for surprise in the fact that one of the European planters on this island sent 450 cases of oranges, carefully selected and packed, to New Zealand last year, and received only £1 for his risk, work, and fruit. I have &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 220. g IE Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th June, 1906. I have to inform you that an Order in Council has now been passed defining the powers and duties of the Resident"Commissioner of the Cook and other Islands, and some printed copies are forwarded herewith. I also enclose a copy of the Solicitor-General's memo, relative to the draft Order in Council submitted by you. I have, &c^ The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga, "■■ Mills.

Enclosure. Defining Powers and Duties of Resident Commissionek, Cook Islands. Plunket, Governor. Order in Council. At the Government House, at Wellington, this first day of June, 1906. Present: His Excellency the Governor in Council. Whereas by subsection one of section five of "The Cook and other Islands Government Act 1901 " it is enacted that the Resident Commissioner appointed under the said Act shall have such powers and duties as may from time to time be determined by the Governor by Order in Council:

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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 acting by and with the advice and consent of the Executive Council of the said colony, doth hereby order as follows : — Interpretation. 1. In this Order in Council, if not inconsistent with the context, — " Minister " means the Minister in charge of the said islands. " The said islands " means the Cook and other Islands (other than Niue) within the boundaries of the Colony of New Zealand, as defined by " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1901." " Resident Commissioner " means the Resident Commissioner appointed under the said Act. Powers and Duties of the Resident Commissioner. 2. The Resident Commissioner shall administer the government in the said islands in accordance with the laws for the time being in force in tßte said islands. 3. The Resident Commissioner shall have in the said islands the following powers and duties: — (1.) To recommend to the Minister fit persons for appointment to any office in the said islands, and generally to control all Government officers in the said islands in the performance of their duties, and to make reports thereon from time to time to the Minister. (2.) In the event of the absence,.disability, or death of any officer, to appoint temporarily a fit and proper person to act for such officer so absent, disabled, or dead. Such temporary appointment shall be immediately notified to the Minister. (3.) For fit and'proper cause to suspend any officer from the performance of his duties. Such suspension shall be immediately notified to the Minister. (4.) To exercise all powers conferred on " the Chief of the Government, with the approval of the British Resident," by virtue of the local laws of the said islands in force for the time being. 4. The Resident Commissioner shall from time to time duly report in writing to the Minister all acts, matters, and.things in connection with the administration of the Government, and other matters in the said islands. 5. The Resideut Commissioner shall, on the 31st day of March in each year, prepare a statement of the revenue and expenditure of the administration of the said islands for the previous twelve months, and also an estimate of the revenue and expenditure for the next twelve months. Such statement and estimate shall, when prepared, be forwarded to the Minister, together with a general report for the previous twelve months. 6. The Resident Commissioner shall in all matters act in accordance with the instructions of the Governor or the Minister, as the case may be. G. C. Schmidt, Acting Clerk of the Executive Council.

No. 221. g IRj Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 9th June, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th April, forwarding your report for the year 1905-6, with financial* and trade returns for the year and reports by Mr. Connal and Mr." Blame on the survey and schooner departments respectively. The result of the schooner's working for the past year is particularly satisfactory, and the financial position generally of your Administration in most gratifying. I was pleased to receive the plans which accompanied your report. They are now being lithographed. I may deal with the report more in detail later on. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 196.

Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given ; printing (1,600 copies), £88 lis. M.

Authority: John Mackav. Government Printer, Wellington. 1906

Price 2s. 6d.]

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