A.—s

16

me in Earotonga that he would bring the money." This was the kind of evidence that they were writing down. So then they told off six men to go and search the ship. They took me on board, and they searched the ship all over, and could not find it. They then took away their watchman. At 2 p.m. they came for me again and took me to Court. They again asked me where the money was. I answered them the same as before. They then said that the ship should stop here until the money came. I told them that I could not stop them from doing so; "but understand that this is the worst way for you to try and get your money, as the vessel's expenses will come upon you." They said "No; the vessel we are going to keep, and you will have to pay all expenses; that is our law here." Some of them said that they would take the crew away in their own vessel when she came. They did not make me fast as they at first said, and finished up by saying that they would have a meeting with me at the Court every morning this week, and said all white men were crazy birds, and that they were the only enlightened truthful people on this earth. Thomas Habbies, Master, schooner " Norval." No. 4. On Tuesday, sth December, 1892, I was called on shore and taken up to the Courthouse. They again asked me the same questions as yesterday. I told them what I had already told them with regard to the money, and "if I had brought your money here I would give it you." " Well," they said, " you know what we told you yesterday —that the vessel stops here at your expense until the money comes." I told them, " I quite understand what you say, but I think you can get your money a good deal easier by not keeping the vessel." This was all for this day. Thomas Haeeies, Master, schooner "Norval." On Wednesday, 7th December, 1892, I sent the following notice to the Government: — Penrhyn Island, 7th December, 1892. I, Thomas Harries, master of the schooner " Norval," of Auckland, New Zealand, hereby give you notice that, as you have seized the schooner " Norval" when laying at sea, outside of Penrhyn, on Sunday, the 4th December, 1892, and that she is now in your hands, from that date you will have to pay all expenses from that date, until she is released, at the rate of four hundred dollars ($400) per month. Thomas Haeeies, Master, schooner " Norval." On Wednesday, 7th December, 1892, at about 9 a.m., I was called on shore, and went to the Courthouse. They asked me if that paper was from me. I said it was. They said, " Did we not tell you that the vessel was to be kept here till the money comes?" I said, " You did; but I think the best thing that you can do is to let the vessel go back, and that will keep you from getting into any more trouble, and I will guarantee that you will get your money what is due you." They said, "We do not go beyond our words. The vessel has to stop here at your expense, and you take back this notice, or we will make you take it by force," when one of them got up and put it in my hand. I said, "You can do what you like with it, as you have had it translated to you, and you all know the contents." And they further said to my crew, which was present, not to bring any more letters or papers ashore from the captain, or else they would tie them all up. This was all for this day. Thomas Haeeibs, Master, schooner " Norval." I hereby certify that this is a true statement of the Court proceedings at Penrhyn during the sth, 6th, and 7th December, 1892. Thomas Haeeies, Master, schooner " Norval." G. Eldee (cook and steward). Tiaeki (A.8.). Tiaeiki (A.8.). Baki (A.8.). Witnessed by—John Murdoch, Trader, Penrhyn Island ; Walter Nelson, Trader, Penrhyn Island. I hereby certify that this is a true copy of the original documents made by me. Wμ. Chas. Millee, Master, schooner " Omoka."

Enclosure No. 10. Copies of Letteks feom Me. Haeeies sent to the Beitish Eesident by Me. Gaeniee, COLLECTOE AND SHIPPING MASTEE FOE THE COOK ISLANDS GoVEBNMENT AT EaeOTONGA, covering Me. Haeeies's Statement of Events at Penehyn. (Eeceived on the 21st February, 1893.) Dear Sib, — Penrhyn Island, 31st January, 1893. Will you please send these reports to some place where I can get some help, because it is better to be in gaol in any civilised country than to be here without anything to eat, as all I have received from them in two months is two sucking-pigs, 250 cocoanuts, and about twenty fish ; and I am supposed to feed all my crew on this. If it was not for the white residents on the island I would be starved by this time. I am, &c, Mr. Gamier. Thomas Haeeies. P.S. —Please let Donald and Edenborough, at Earotonga, take a copy of the reports, as I have no writing-paper to send them a copy.—Thomas Haeeies.