A.—3

7

Enclosure No. 5. Message No. 1. —From the Goveenment to the Paeliament. It is clear from Dr. Caldwell's report that the hospital is largely used by both Maoris and Europeans, and will require for its support a larger sum than the Government have at disposal. Over £350 has been expended upon the hospital building, and after making provision for keeping the building in order, and paying ground-rent, the hospital duty may be relied upon to yield £170 to £180 a year. The present arrangements for the management end on the 30th September. The British Resident has suggested to us that it would be desirable to form a committee of Maoris and Europeans for the collection of subscriptions and for the management of the hospital, and that the Government should hand over the building to such a committee, should undertake to keep it in repair, and give a subsidy of £180 a year towards current expenditure. The Government recommend this to your consideration. The hospital is Federal property, belonging to all the Cook Islands, and the time for consideration is favourable, as members from all the islands are now here. Makea, Ariki, Chief of the Government.

Enclosure No. 6. Message No. 2. —From the Goveenment to the Paeliament. The Union Steamship Company desire to put up a store at Avatiu, to receive produce sent from other islands, or gathered at Rarotonga, for shipment by their steamers. The object is one which concerns all the Cook Islands, but it is not advisable to alienate to a private company or person any portion of the small sea-frontage available. The following arrangement has been therefore proposed, and will be acceptable to the company : — (1.) The company to put up a store 120 ft. by 40 ft., keep it in order, and appoint and pay a storekeeper, who shall be approved by the Chief of the Government. (2.) That this store shall be for the reception of goods to be shipped or delivered from any vessels coming here, the company having precedence. (3.) That certain fees be charged on a scale fixed by the company, subject to approval by the Chief of the Government. (4.) That if Rarotonga supply the piles, or do other work to the value of £25, and the Cook Islands Parliament contribute £50 towards the cost of the store, the company will agree that the store may at any time be taken over by the Federal Government, or the Rarotonga Government, on repaying their outlay after making a fair deduction for wear-and-tear and depreciation, the amount of such outlay not to exceed £200. The Government recommend the offer to your consideration. Makea, Ariki, Chief of the Government.

Enclosure No. 7. Retuen of Bikths, Deaths, and Maeeiages for the Year ending 30fch June, 1896. Births. Deaths. Marriages. Atiu ... ... ... ... ... 49 28 10 Mauke ... ... ... ... ... 14 16 Mitiaro ... ... ... ... ... 13 7 5 76 51 15 Aitutaki— Arutanga I 42 31 7 Reureu f ' Vaipae Mangaia— Oneroa ... ... ... ... ... 36 37 5 Ivirua ... ... ... ... ... 18 21 3 Tamarua ... ... ... ... 11 16 1 65 74 9 Rarotonga— Avarua ... .... ... ... ... 38 26 22 Arorangi ... ... ... ... 11 12 9 Takitumu ... ... ... ... 10 8 9 59 46 40 Total ... ... ... ... 242 202 71