A.—3

20

Water-supply. We regard a proper water-supply, by bringing the water from the hills in pipes, as one of the works to which Rarotonga should look forward. It is a great work which cannot be done at once, but is not to be forgotten when means permit. New Laws. We propose a law to name the various settlements, streets, and roads, so as to save confusion in the time to come, and to preserve the names by which the places have been always known to us and to our fathers. We propose also a law to prohibit the shooting or killing of wild ducks during the months of October, November, and December, which is their breeding season. Other subjects requiring legislation may suggest themselves to you during the session, but we wish to see laws made only when it can be shown that they are actually required. Printing the Laws. Provision has been made by the Federal Parliament for compiling and printing the Federal laws, and with them the laws of Rarotonga and the other islands. This work will take time, and we shall propose a law authorising the compilation, and the sanction in your name of such compilation, so far as Rarotonga is concerned. External Communications. During the year our communications with New Zealand has received a material addition by the Union Steam Shipping Company putting on a regular steamer. We now have two steamers each month, and are brought into closer connection with New Zealand, to whose assistance we owe so much in the past progress of Rarotonga, and the establishment of the self-government we now enjoy. Finally, we have to express our satisfaction at the signs of activity and progress displayed by the increase of planting and of cultivations in many directions, and we look forward, by God's blessing, to your work this session being for the good of Rarotonga and its people. For the Arikis (the Government), Tinomana, Ariki.

No. 6. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — Cook Islands, British Residency, Rarotonga, 22nd August, 1896. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's despatch of the 3rd August, with copy of a despatch from the Right Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, conveying to the Government of the Cook Islands, on behalf of Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness, an expression of their cordial thanks for their address of sympathy on the death of Prince Henry of Battenburg, and to inform your Excellency that a copy has been sent to the Cook Islands Government accordingly. I have, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., Feedeeick J. Moss. Governor of New Zealand.

No. 7. His Excellency the Goveenoe to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 10th September, 1896. I have received a letter from the High Commissioner of the Western Pacific, dated the 19th August, regarding the registration of deeds relating to the property of the London Missionary Society, and enclosing a letter from the Rev. Mr. Cullen, of Mangaia. Former correspondence on this subject, dated Fiji, 23rd September, 1895, and forwarded for your opinion, on its return got lost sight of in the Premier's Office, and has only just been returned to me. The High Commissioner, in his letter of the 9th August, suggested an amendment of the Act No. 1, 1895, to allow Mr. Cullen to register the property of the London Missionary Society, as it is evident that the failure to do so was the result of a misconception on the part of that gentleman. I return to you the whole correspondence, with the request that you will be good enough to take what steps seem best to you in order that the property in question may be registered properly. Be so good as to return the correspondence when done with. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Resident, Rarotonga. Glasgow.

Enclosure No. 1. High Commissioner's Office, Western Pacific, My Loed, — Suva, Fiji, 19th August, 1896. I have the honour to enclose copy of a letter I have received from the Rev. Mr. Cullen respecting deeds relating to the property of the London Missionary Society in Mangaia, and of my reply thereto. The Rev. Mr. Cullen was last year a new-comer in the Cook Group, and consequently unaware of the true position of affairs, and I am sure acted, or failed to act, through misconception, and not any intentional disregard of the law.