A.—3

18

Enclosure No. 15. Aeikis' Succession. Wheeeas disputes have arisen as to the rightful succession to the high position of Ariki, and to guard against the Federal Government being involved in such disputes : Be it enacted by the British Resident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands :— (1.) That, while it is for each island to settle the succession of its own Arikis in accordance with the ancient laws and customs of that island, every Ariki so succeeding must be formally recognised by the Council of Arikis in the particular island before having the right to take part as an Ariki in the Government of the Federation. Dated at Avarua this day of , 1896. This Bill was set aside till next session.—F. J. Moss, 10th August, 1896.

Enclosure No. 16. [Extract from Te Torea, Saturday, 15th August, 1896.] Cook Islands Paeliament. Monday, 10th August, 1896. Parliament met at 10 a.m. Present: Tepou-o-te-Rangi (Avarua, Chairman), J. M. Salmon (Arorangi), Vaikai (Takitumu), Ngatama (Oneroa), Tangi (Ivirua), Tiraapu (Tamarua), Utakea (Atiu), Kaketava (Mitiaro), Mana (Mauke), Paremo (Arutanga), Daniel (Reureu), and John Pakoti (Vaipae). Prayers. " Appropriation Act, 1896." —This Bill was read and passed. Letter to Sir George Grey. —As the business of the session had now come to a close, a conversational discussion ensued amongst the members on the desirability of sending a letter to Sir George Grey. On his retirement from public life, it was felt by all present to be a fitting time to pay him a tribute of gratitude for the great good he had done for the Maoris of the Cook Islands, as well as those of New Zealand. The following is a copy :— "Rarotonga, 10th August, 1896. " To Sir George Grey, the long time Governor of New Zealand, and the trusted friend of the Maori people. " Salutations ! We, the men sent by the Maori people of the Cook Islands, are met for the fifth year in the Parliament which was formed to make laws under the protection of the Queen and the British nation. Our people are at peace, and prospering, with schools in which their children are taught in English, and we are trying in all our doings to uphold what is right, and to act in the spirit in which you dealt with all Maoris, and never ceased urging them to deal with others. " We have read in the New Zealand papers of your retirement from the Parliament of that country which has helped us so generously in building up our government. Our word to you, 0 Grey, is this: We wish you happiness and health, and to know that our love goes forth with this letter. We wish to tell you that your name will never be forgotten by the Maori people in these islands. Many of us knew you in New Zealand, but all have heard of the great things done by you for Europeans and for Maoris in that country. " May God's blessing rest upon you, and give peace and happiness to you, who have done so much for the peace and happiness of others in your long and honoured life. " From your friends, the Parliament of the Cook Islands. " Tepou-o-te-Rangi, Chairman. " Aroa (love). —Makea, Ariki, Chief of the Government." Parliament then adjourned till Tuesday, 11th August, 1896. Parliament met at 11 a.m. Prayers. The Chairman and Clerk, according to custom, proceeded to Makea's and presented to her, as Chief of the Federal Government, the various laws passed during the session. Makea, having expressed her approval, attached her signature. The Chairman and Clerk then returned to Parliament House, and a message was sent to the British Resident that the work of the Parliament had ended, and the Resident soon after entered, and was received by the members standing. The various laws were presented to him and formally approved, after which he congratulated the members on the good work done, and on the care they had given to its consideration. Only one Bill had been rejected—or, rather, deliberately left over —to " prevent any Ariki taking part in the Government of the Federation unless he had been recognised by the other Arikis of the particular island of which his district was part." He thought the Bill a good one, but as they thought otherwise he was glad they had not passed it. He hoped they would always act on their own opinions. All he asked was that they should give reasons for those opinions, as they had done in the present case. Other points were touched upon, and when Mr. Moss sat down members from each island rose one after the other to thank him for what he had done for the Cook Islands. They were able now to understand much better and to appreciate what a Government meant, and the way it helped on the people by enabling them to work together. They hoped they would have in future only one mind, and that Mr. Moss would remain with them and continue his work for the rest of his life. The Resident thanked them sincerely for the good feeling they expressed, and which to him was a great reward. When he began to form the Government he was told that it would be useless—that the Maoris were like children, that they required some one to act for them,