A.—3

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No. 11. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — British Besidency, Barotonga, 16th September, 1895. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Federal Parliament closed its session on the 20th-instant. The only Acts passed, in addition to those sent in my despatch of 9th August, were —No. 3, 1895, Import Duty Amendment Act; and No. 4, 1895, Appropriation Act; of which copies are enclosed. The Import Duty Amendment Act levies an additional lper cent, on all imports, to form a fund for the support of the hospital. The building has been purchased, but the arrangements with the doctor and nurse have not yet been completed. I hope to see the hospital opened by the end of the year, but the small amount available renders it necessary to proceed with caution. The Appropriation Act provides for an expenditure of £1,313, against receipts estimated at £1,323. It includes £220 for the purchase of the hospital building, furnishing, and making the necessary alterations to fit it for the small number of patients likely to be received till it is made popular with the natives. Their objection to hospitals is at present very great. In connection with the Appropriation Act I may refer to a new item (£5O) for care of the insane. This is rendered necessary by the hopeless insanity of a trader of long residence in these islands, Bobert Summers, an Englishman, for whom we have to do the best that circumstances permit. I beg leave to suggest that it would be advisable, if possible, to make some arrangement with the New Zealand Government for receiving British subjects into one or other of the New Zealand asylums, subject of course to the payment by the Cook Islands Government of a fixed charge for each patient sent. I have, &c, Frederick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, K.C.M.G., British Besident. Governor of New Zealand, &c.

Enclosure No. 1. No. 3, 1895.—Import Duty Amendment Act. Whereas it is desirable to provide for a hospital, and for the maintenance thereof, in Barotonga: It is hereby enacted by the British Besident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands :— 1. That a duty of 1 per cent, shall be levied on all imports into the Cook Islands, and the proceeds applied to the erection and maintenance of a hospital, at which advice and medicine and general medical or surgical treatment shall be given without charge to all applicants, within certain hours to be fixed by the Chief of the Government. 2. That any money collected under this Act shall be kept in a separate and special account, to be called the " Public Hospital Fund." 3. That this Act shall read with and be an addition in all other respects to Acts 2 and 3 of 1891, and Act No. 2 of 1893. 4. This Act shall come into operation on the Ist day of October, 1895. Dated at Avarua, this 15th day of August, 1895. Approved. To come into operation on Ist October, 1895. Frederick J. Moss, British Besident.—2oth August, 1895.

Enclosure No. 2. No. 4, 1895.— Appropriation Act. It is hereby enacted by the British Besident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands : — 1. That the expenditure for the Public Service for the year ending the 30th June, 1896, shall not exceed the sums stated in Schedule A of this Act, amounting in all to one thousand three hundred and thirteen pounds (£1,313). 2. That the Chief of the Government, with the approval of the British Besident, may authorise the transfer of savings from any vote (other than a vote for salaries) to any vote (other than a vote for salaries) for which it may be found that sufficient provision has not been made in this said Schedule. Also that a statement of transfers so made shall be laid before Parliament at the next session. 3. That every account against the Government shall, before it is sent to the Auditor, be certified by the British Besident, or by persons appointed for each department or service by the Chief of the Government with the approval of the British Besident; that such certificates shall state that the services therein to be paid have been properly performed, or the articles charged have been duly supplied, and that the prices are fair and reasonable. 4. That the various sums in Schedule B of this Act which have been paid under the authority of Act No. 4 of 1892 (unauthorised expenditure) shall be charged to the purposes named in the said Schedule, to the amount of nmety-one pounds four shillings and one penny (£9l 4s. Id.). 5. That no money shall be paid except on cheques signed by the Paymaster and countersigned by the Auditor. Dated at Barotonga, this 20th day of August, 1895. Approved. To come into operation forthwith. Feedeeick J. Moss, British Besident.—2oth August, 1899.