27

A.—6

Enclosure No. 6. [Teanslation.] From Vaipo, Chief of Ivirua, Mangaia, to Mr. F. J. Moss. To Mr. Moss, Earotonga. 19th September, 1892. Salutations to you, with God's blessing. I received your letter on the 19th instant, and lam very pleased. The man-of-war called here and landed at our village, and did not go to Oneroa. I was greatly rejoiced on that day. We gave them some food, such as yams, bananas, taro, &c, and they went away at five in the afternoon. We have been doing our work. We commenced on the sth instant. Two weeks have passed, and this is the third week that we have been at work. The worst part is finished. In some parts the banks are 24ft. high. It is now better for travelling. The greater part of our work is done, but I cannot say how long it will be before we have finished. Enough. Salutations. From your friend, Vaipo, Ivirua, Mangaia.

Enclosure No. 7. Mr. F. J. Moss to Vaipo. To Vaipo, Ivirua, Mangaia. Earotonga, 23rd September, 1892. Salutations.—l received your letter of the 19th instant, and am glad the man-of-war called. The weather was very bad after she left, and I feared the captain would not be able to call at Mangaia. He will write to me from Tahiti. The road work you are doing is good. The import duty is for such works. Only the Parliament acting for all the islands together could collect that money. If any one island had tried to collect it, those who bring goods would have refused to pay, and there would have been trouble, as of old with the market, and other things. Other countries now see that the Cook Islands have a proper Government, with proper officers, and are under British protection ; so they will not receive ships unless they bring papers to say that the laws of the Cook Islands have been obeyed, and all import duties paid. That is why the money is paid without trouble now. lam going to Auckland for a few weeks by the "Eichmond." I have written two letters to John. You will see them, and I need not say more. Good-bye, for a time, to you and all your people. From your friend, Feedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident.

Enclosure No. 8. [Teanslation.] From Chiefs of Te Aus, Mangaia, to Mr. F. J. Moss. To our friend, Mr. Moss. Mangaia, 21st September, 1892. Salutations, with God's blessing. We wish to let you know a few words from us. We do not know if it be true or not, but these are the words: We have heard that there is one Ariki to rule over all the islands—namely, Queen Makea, to rule over Earotonga, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro. That is the report we have heard. If this be true, we now let you know that we cannot agree to it. If she is made Ariki over all we will be in great trouble. We cannot allow Makea (Ariki) to rule over us. We have our own Arikis, also Governors, and Eangitiras of the land, and we shall rule it ourselves. That is our word. This thing we cannot sanction. Another. We have heard that Judge Tepou is Chief Judge over all these islands, that his jurisdiction reaches all of them, and that he is also the head of all the Judges. This we cannot agree to. Another. We have abolished the members for Parliament, and no members are to be sent in future, because of these reports that have arisen lately and that we have heard. We are greatly troubled. We were all right until we heard these reports. Another. When vessels arrive here from New Zealand or Tahiti, we shall levy our own duty upon their goods; and if a vessel arrives from Earotonga and lands goods, we shall also levy a duty upon the same, and keep the money here upon our own island. These are our words for you to know. Another. The division that Tepou gave us to pay—namely, $1,000, we decline to pay. There should have been a meeting of all the islands that a Government House was going to be built. We would then have paid our share. Earotonga has taken it upon herself, and now sends to us to pay a portion. This we do not agree to. Another. Give us our own stamps for our own island, with the sign of the Arikis of Mangaia upon them. Another. The money allotted to us by Parliament—namely, $500. Give it to us, and send it by the first vessel, because it is money that is allotted and settled for us. Enough. Salutations. From your friends, The Tiaki Aus of Mangaia. Their names (taken from John Trego's letter) —namely, Kakerua, Poito, Miringatangi, of Onero; Te Aro, of Tamarua; Kiripaore, of Ivirua.