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A.—3a

No. 6, 1891.—Law fob the Formation of the Barotonga Council. (Translation.) Whereas all laws have now to be approved by the British Eesident, and it is necessary to reform the Council according. Be it enacted, — 1. That the resolution of the 22nd December last is hereby rescinded. 2. That the Council shall consist of thirteen members—namely, the arikis of Barotonga and Ngamaru, the ariki of Atui Mitiaro and Mauke (six), the Chief Judges of the three districts of Avarua, Arorangi, and Takitumu (three) ; to be elected by the Mataiapos of the said districts, one each (three); to be elected by the foreign residents, one. The representatives of the Mataiapos and of the foreign residents shall be elected yearly. 3. All laws shall be passed subject to the approval of the British Eesident, who will also decide when they are to come into operation. 4. The Council at its meetings shall elect one of its own members to preside for the session. 5. The Council shall meet on the 3rd May in each year, but if that be Sunday the day following shall be the day of meeting. 6. Special meetings of the Council may be called by any two of the arikis sending an application to the British Eesident, who shall call the meeting at such place and time as he may think most suitable. 7. The place at which ordinary meetings are to be held shall be decided from time to time by the Council,

No. 7, 1891.—Law to Amend the Dog-tax. (Translation.) Law No. 26 of the 22nd December, 1890, hereby amended as follows: Any. one refusing or neglecting to pay the tax within fourteen days of its being demanded, or seeking by falsehood to evade payment, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding three dollars in addition to the tax that may be due.

No. 8. 1891.—Amendment to Law XL (Translation.) Whereas the above law provides for certain action to be taken in case of the man who exalts himself above his ariki, Mataiapo, rangatira, or elder brother; and whereas, although grave disputes between arikis and mataiapos and others occur, but no existing local Court is competent to adjudicate upon the same, it is hereby enacted that the execution of this law shall be left to the three Judges of Avarua, Arorangi, and Takituma respectively. They shall sit together, and any two shall be a quorum. They shall hear all such cases on the complaint of any ariki, and their decision shall be final

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