A.—6

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No. 13. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 29th September, 1892. I had the honour to report to your Excellency in my despatch (10/92) of the 30th April, that H.M.S. " Champion" was at Aitutaki when the last mail left for New Zealand. The " Champion" arrived here on the 14th instant, and left on the 9th for Tahiti. Captain Eooke's report on the Aitutaki Lagoon as a harbour for large vessels will not, I regret to say, be favourable; but, being made after a thorough and careful examination, will set the question at rest. Captain Eooke was kind enough, at my request, to call at Mangaia on the way to Tahiti. His stay at that island was necessarily very short, but I have received letters from Mangaia expressing much gratification. I should like to have gone to Mangaia, but the uncertainty as to an opportunity of returning prevented me. The people of these islands prize very highly the visits of Her Majesty's ships, and Queen Makea expressed to Captain Eooke and myself her regret that his visit could not be prolonged, and her cordial thanks for the kindness and courtesy which Captain Eooke and his officers had shown to her and to the other Arikis and people. I need scarcely add that to myself the visits of Her Majesty's ships are of great value. Captain Eooke was kind enough to have also examined a small harbour on the south side of Earotonga. This was done just before the " Champion's " departure ; but, from what I could learn, will probably show that the approaches may be made practicable at no great outlay. As cultivation extends, such a harbour will become useful, but I do not consider that at present any outlay would be justifiable. I have, &c, Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., etc. British Eesident.

No. 14. His Excellency the Goveenoe to Mr. F. J.- Moss. Sic,— Wellington, sth October, 1892. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the despatches (Nos. 1 to 8) from you of the dates specified thereon. With respect to Despatches Nos. 1 and 5, I have had communications with my Ministers on the subject of your position, salary, and allowances. They have given the subject their best consideration, and they state that, having placed £500 on the estimates as salary for 1892-93, and £100 to cover liabilities, they see no reason for departing from the decision at which they have arrived. I am afraid, therefore, that nothing more can be done in this matter. With reference to Despatches Nos. 2, 3, and 4, I have perused with much interest and satisfaction your account of the proceedings of the first session of the Federal Legislature of the Cook Islands, and also of the Council of Earotonga, and I congratulate you on the tact and knowledge of Native character by which you have influenced their proceedings and have brought matters to so successful an issue. I also congratulate you on the happy termination of the Mangaia difficulty ; and I consider that the ease with which you have obtained payment of the fine levied is to be ascribed to the tact and good judgment with which you conducted the affair. Eeferring- to your Despatch No. 6, concerning the adoption of a Federal flag for the Cook Islands, I have communicated with the Home authorities on the subject, and will await their opinion before assenting to the enactment on the subject. With regard to your Despatch No. 7, concerning visits of Her Majesty's ships to the Islands, I have written to His Excellency the Naval Commander-in-Chief, suggesting that he should move the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty to include the Cook Islands within the limits of the Australian Station, in order that they may be periodically visited by one of the men-of-war on the New Zealand Division of the station. A separate despatch, in reply to the congratulations of the Parliament of the Cook Islands on my appointment as Governor of this colony, accompanies this. In reply to Despatch No. 8, relating to the proceedings of Mr. Gore Martin, it is hoped that he will return the authority he improperly obtained ; but as, on the other hand, he may endeavour to carry out his intention of importing labour into Earotonga, the Customhouse authorities here have received instructions to prevent him from chartering a vessel or obtaining a license, and I am communicating with the Governors of the neighbouring Australian Colonies as well as the High Commissioner of Fiji in case he should apply in any of those colonies. I have, &c., F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Glasgow.

No. 15. His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, Governor of New Zealand, to Tepou-o-te-Eangi, Chairman of the Parliament of the Cook Islands: I bequest that you will express to the Federal Parliament of the Cook Islands my appreciation of the congratulations and good wishes contained in the address, dated 9th July, signed by you as representing the Parliament, and sent to me through the British Eesident. lam very sensible of your kind wishes for the welfare of myself and family, and you may be assured of my hearty desire for the prosperity of your Islands. lam fully satisfied of the sincerity of your expressions of loyalty and affection to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, and you may be assured that she takes as kindly an interest in the welfare of the Cook Islands as she does in all other parts of the world which are under her rule and protection. Wellington, sth October, 1892. Glasgow.