5

A.—6

5. To authorise, under certain conditions, the sending of persons convicted of violent offences to banishment on the Island of Takutea. There they may learn to repent of their evil deeds, and will not be able to harm other people. 6. To change the law that fixes the day for the meeting of Parliament, and to make it the sth July, in order that in future the accounts for the year may be closed and read before the meeting. 7. To appropriate the revenue for next year. This work will always be one of the most important that Parliament has to do. If we allow the public money to be wasted, or spent wrongfully, we shall bring trouble in many ways upon the people. Eoads and bridges are much wanted; schools have to be established for teaching English ; and there is plenty to be done for the good of all. Be careful then, we say, in making the law for spending the public money, for it must be spent as that law directs, and in no other way whatever. You will be sorry to hear that Lord Onslow, who was so kind to us in every way, and under whose guidance our Federation was established, has given up the Governorship of New Zealand and gone to his own home in England. We shall long remember his name in these islands, and are sure that he will not cease to take an interest in our welfare. The new Governor of New Zealand is Lord Glasgow, but he had not arrived there when we last heard. You will at this meeting of Parliament have plenty of work to do. Think well at each step, and be not in a hurry. Do not be content till you understand thoroughly everything that is done, so that each may be able to explain it clearly to the people of his own island. We pray for God's blessing on you and on your work, and that He may be pleased to direct all you do, so that it will be to the benefit of the people of the Cook Islands. For the Government, Avarua, 15th June, 1892. Makea, Ariki.

Enclosure No. 2. MESSAGE No. 2. From the Aeikis (the Government) to the Paeliament of the Cook Islands. We recommend you to take into consideration, as soon as possible, the appropriation of the money for public works next year, in order that the good season for making roads and bridges and other works may not be lost. The following arrangement would, in our opinion, be most suitable : — To pay to the Council of each Island half the cost of any public work approved by the Federal Government which the said Council may undertake—namely : To Aitutaki, a sum not exceeding $ ; to Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke, a sum not exceeding $ ;to Mangaia, a sum not exceeding $ ;to Earotonga, a sum not exceeding $ : in all $2,500. The Government to pay this money only on proper certificates that the work is well done. This subsidy is in addition to the $300 payable by law to each Island. For the Government, Avarua, 15th June, 1892. Makea, Ariki.

Enclosure No. 3. LAWS PASSED BY THE EAROTONGA COUNCIL AT THE SECOND PARLIAMENT, JUNE 15TH TO JULY 9TH, 1892. No. 1 (4th July, 1892). —" Peovisional Powees Act 1891 Amendment Act, 1892." It is hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands : — 1. That section 2 of " The Provisional Powers Act, 1891," giving power to the Government to appropriate the revenue till the year 1893, is hereby repealed. 2. That the limitation of the remaining sections, No. 1 and Nos. 3 to 12, is hereby repealed, and that the said sections shall continue in force. Dated at Avarua this 4th July, 1892. Approved. To come into operation from this date, 9th July, 1892. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident. No. 2 (6th July, 1892). —Eeoisteation of Bieths, Deaths, and Maeeiages. It is hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands: — 1. That the birth of every child born after the 30th June, 1892, shall be registered by the mother, or other relative of the mother, within one month after birth, under a penalty not exceeding $10 for neglecting so to do; the fine to be recovered in the District Court. 2. That every marriage shall also be registered under a penalty not exceeding $20, to be recovered in the District Court.