H.—32.

No. 6. Sir W. Fox to the Hon. the Prbmibe. Sir,— Auckland, 20th May, 1891. In further continuation of previous letters on the same subject I have the honour to request you to lay before His Excellency the Governor the enclosed copies of letters received by me by the last mail from Earotonga. They profess to be written by European residents in that island, and are, .as you will observe, strongly condemnatory of the action taken by Mr. Moss. I have no personal acquaintance with the writers, but the letters are undoubtedly genuine, and I therefore forward them for His Excellency's information, as requested by the writers. I have, &c, William Fox, The Hon. J. Ballance, Premier, &c, President of New Zealand Alliance.

Enclosures. Sir, — Earotonga, 19th February, 1891. By the public prints of Auckland we notice that the onus of the introduction of the new liquor law in force in this group has been thrown upon the shoulders of the native authorities by Mr. Moss, the newly appointed Eesident here, while the real fact is that Mr. Moss, aided by the Eev. Mr. Chalmers, may be said to have forced the new law upon the natives against their expressed wishes (see report in Herald, from that paper's special reporter at Earotonga, in November, December, and January last) and against the desire of several of the residents, the reason given by Mr. Moss being that the natives "had no right to interfere with the liberties of the Europeans," or, as I perhaps should call them, of the foreigners, or to deprive them of drinking spirituous liquors if they wished. " I like my glass and do not think any one has the right to deprive me of it as long as Ido not abuse it," and also, "It would be simply impossible to stop smuggling." Further, we notice that Mr. Moss says the law was passed by the unanimous vote of the authorities. Yes; but only when they were distinctly told they would be doing wrong not to pass it did they reluctantly give consent, and, as will be shown, that they still wish the introduction stopped. With such testimony before you we trust you will urge upon His Excellency the Governor to veto Mr. Moss's action and this obnoxious law, and so close this group from the curseful bane of liquor. We are, &c, Thomas B. Short. H. Nicholas. Sir William Fox. T. Bonar. G. E. Crummkr.

Dear Sir, — Earotonga, 7th March, 1891. I take the liberty of writing to you to give an insight into the traffic, as I notice by the Auckland papers that you have taken up the cause on behalf of these islands, and I fervently wish you every success. The law that was made by Mr. Moss and colleague, and, lam not wrong in stating, forced on the chiefs. The law that was passed by the Queen and chiefs was for totally abolishing all liquors from this group. The way that the present law is being ignored is scandalous. Up to the above date there has been three stores fined for breaking the law. Yesterday one firm was fined in which I, with Mr. J. Harding, my partner in business, were called on as witnesses, having been in the store at the time and times of the selling of liquor. When we both were, separately, when being questioned by the Magistrate, Ma Tepo, grossly insulted by being called b y liars. I am glad to say the accused was not a Britisher. Such false excuses that was offered by one that ought to see justice done to all parties is not excusable. You will see the account of the trial in print. The accused was convicted by the entries in his books, which I demanded should be produced, after being insulted. Some of the law-breakers are now banded together, and are using whatever means that they can against J. Harding and myself. They are going to bring a charge against me for trafficking in liquor, which is false, a thing which I have never done in my life. How it will end it is hard to say, as my accusers are not Britishers or men of principle. For instance, they are some of the band who were parading the streets disguised last night, and sending written invitations to come and meet a friend on urgent business, but these messages were not signed, although the handwriting is well known. This matter is now taken up by the authorities. I notice by the Auckland papers a statement by a reverend gentleman that it would be a great expense on the country to prohibit liquor from this group. If the New Zealand Government will help the authorities of this group to enforce a prohibition law I think it can be done. For my part, with the help and protection of either or both, the New Zealand Government and this, I am willing to give my services gratis for six months. Hoping you will not rest contented until we can abolish it from this group, I remain, &c, Thomasß. Short, Shipbuilder, Earotonga. W. Fitzgerald. Eobert Nicholas. H. Nicholas. Kaitara Nicholas J. W. Harding. Sir William Fox, President, Temperance League.

No. 7. Mr. A. Willis to Sir W. Pox, Auckland. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 27th May, 1891. I have been directed by the Hon. the Premier to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th instant, with enclosures, on the subject of the liquor law at Earotonga, and to inform you that it has been forwarded for the information of His Excellency the Governor. I have, &0., Alex. Willis. Sir W.'Fox, K.0.M.G., President, New Zealand Alliance, Auckland. [Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, nil; printing (1,300 copies), £2 11s.]

By Authority: Geobge Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington, 1891. Price 3c?.]

4