37

A.—3

Pa stated that, as the meeting was held at her village, she had, by native custom, the right to name a President for the occasion, and named Maovete, who was accepted by the Council accordingly. Baiki was named as clerk. It was then proposed and carried, after discussion : " That the following shall be the arrangement for legislation after the present session : There shall be one General Council and a separate Council of Arikis. The General Council shall consist of the following members : One to be appointed by each of the ruling Arikis of Barotonga ; the chief Judges of the three districts of Barotonga ; one to be elected by the Mataiapos of each of the districts of Avarua, Arorangi, and Ngatangiia, respectively; one to be named by the foreign residents—in all ten members. The Judges to sit while holding office ; the remainder for one year. That all laws passed by the General Council shall be submitted to the Arikis, who shall sit in Council to consider the same, together w T ith the British resident for the time being. No laws shall be valid till the approval of the Arikis' Council has been formally given. That the agent of the London Missionary Society in Earotonga shall be a member of the Council of Arikis, entitled to speak, but not to vote." It was further resolved that the first meeting of the General Council shall be convened for the 3rd of May next, and that the British Eesident be requested to do so, at such hour and place as lie may deem most suitable. The following laws were then duly debated and passed : No. 2 (No. 1 having been the temporary liquor law passed on the 22nd November, 1890) making provision for upholding the law. No. 3. To regulate the meetings of the Council. No. 4. When laws are to take effect, and how to be promulgated. No 5. Respecting fines. No. 6. Dog-tax. No. 7. Protection of imported birds. No. 8. Power of pardon. A law to regulate the sale of intoxicating liquors was then proposed and keenly debated. The question was finally put, " Shall a Bill be passed for total prohibition or for the control and restriction of the sale, as proposed in the Bill now before the Council, and prohibition be only resorted to if that Bill fails." There voted for control and restriction in preference to prohibition : Makea, Tinomana, Pa, Karika, Kainuku, Tepou, Maovete, Takao. Mr. Gelling, the only remaining member, asked that the "noes" should not be taken till he had an opportunity of consulting the foreign residents. If, as had been asserted, a majority of them were in favour of total prohibition he should vote for it. If not, it would be better to have such a Bill as that now before the Council. The adjournment being agreed to, the Council adjourned until Wednesday, the 24th instant, to meet at 10 a.m., at Makea's residence, Avarua. Wednesday, 24th December, 1890. The Council resumed at Makea's at 10 a.m. Present: Makea, Tinomana, Pa, Karika, Kainuku, Tepou, Takao, and Maovete. Ngamaru was introduced, and took his seat as Ariki of Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro. Prayers by Eev. J. Chalmers. Moved by Mr. Gelling, "That Mr. Eawlings be appointed interpreter for the Council." (Negatived.) Moved by Ngamaru, " That the Rev. J. Chalmers be asked to interpret again to-day." (Carried unanimously.) Besolved, That the sittings of the Council be open to the public, unless otherwise ordered. Mr. Gelling stated that he had taken the opinion of his constituents, the foreign residents, and found a great majority were against prohibition. In fact, only two were in its favour. No. 9. The liquor law, after several amendments, was then finally passed. No. 10. Quarantine law 7 , passed. No. 11. Prohibiting furious riding or driving in the public roads, passed. Tinomana wished to have the law as to Sabbath observance made clear, and enforced. At present some obeyedandothers did not, especially strangers coming by steamer, who travelled about when they landed, without regard to the law. After some discussion the matter dropped. Mr. Gelling wished also to introduce a Cattle Trespass Bill, but the Council decided not to consider any other measures at the present session. Proposed by Mr. Gelling: " That Mr. Joseph Henry Garner be appointed Licensing Officer under the liquor law; to receive remuneration at the the rate of $25 per month from the fees collected by him. Any surplus to be held as public revenue." This closed the business, and the Council adjourned.

APPENDIX E. Return of Convictions at the Judge's Court at Avarua from the 28th November to the 26th December, 1890. November 28.—Keia pipi (stealing turkeys), four natives, each fined $10 —$40: c kai ua aia (partaking only of the same), one native, $5. December 5. —Akaturi (adultery or fornication), one native, $14; one native, $4: pei tangata (assault), one native, $5 ; tutungi mata kite ai (setting the grass on fire), one native, December 12.—Akaturi, two natives, each $8; kai kava (drunkenness), one foreign resident, $5 ; akavaavaa ite tuatua akakite a te Ture (contempt of Court's orders), four natives, each $I—s4. Total fines, $105. Tepou. [Note —The names of persons fined are given in detail in the original return.]