A.—6.

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

FEDERATION AND ANNEXATION: PACIFIC ISLANDS. PROCEEDINGS OF THE BRITISH RESIDENT, RAROTONGA. [In continuation of Parliamentary Paper A.-3, 1892.]

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

No. 1. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 31st May, 1892. I have the honour to report for your Excellency's information that I arrived here on the 19th instant, and found the Governments (local and Federal) working satisfactorily. The Federal Parliament will meet on the 15th June, and the Earotonga Council on the 29th, due preparation being made for the work laid before them. The meeting will be the first held since the Federation, and full information as to the year's operations will be laid before them. The revenue will be in excess of the estimate, but the low prices of cotton and copra will render it advisable to be very careful in the next year's appropriations. The liquor law continues to work satisfactorily, and the drunkenness prevalent eighteen months ago has quite disappeared. The native consumption is confined to what they call " beer," manufactured secretly from the abundant oranges, and for which manufacture they are fined when detected. The coffee crop is being gathered, but is not expected to equal that of last season. Oranges and limes of the finest quality are rotting in great quantities for want of a proper market. They are very abundant this season. The vessel being built entirely by the natives at Natangiia, in this island, is nearly ready for launching. She will be very strong, and of nearly 100 tons. Your Excellency will be pleased to hear that the natives of Mangaia have sent up sufficient produce and money to pay off, within £20 or £25, the fine of $1,390, equal to £208 10s., which I felt compelled to levy upon them for the forcible expulsion of a British subject from their island in August, 1890. Considering the determined opposition they exhibited for some time, the manner in which they have now recognised the justice of the penalty, and paid it without threat or force, reflects great credit upon them and upon their local Government, and gives great hopes for their future. I am glad to report that a school for teaching the Natives English is at work at Ngatangiia, and that I have received information that the London Missionary Society intend making the teaching of English a leading feature in their operations. Nothing could be done more calculated to advance these people. I have, &c, Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., &c. British Eesident.

No. 2. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, —■ British Eesidency, Earotonga, 18th July, 1892. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Federal Parliament met on the 15th June, and remained in session till the 9th July. 1. This was the first meeting for general business ; that of last year having been only to federate the islands, to organise a Legislature and Government, to raise a revenue, and do other work necessary to give effect to the federation. This done, an Act was passed, "The Provisional Powers Act, 1891," authorising the Government to appropriate the revenue, and do other necessary work till the Parliament could gain experience, and take it in hand. The Act was to remain in force

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