A.—3.

No. 3. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenob. My Loed,— Cook Islands : British Eesidency, Earotonga, 25th April, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your Excellency's despatch of Ist April (95/98 B). I have informed Mr. Goodwin accordingly. 1 am relieved to hear from your Excellency also that an early decision may be expected as to the future government of these Islands. Happily there is no rancour nor ill-feeling among the Arikis and people ; they have not suffered the least wrong to produce it; but they have been persistently told, and are now imbued with the idea, that Captain Burkes Proclamation in 1888 secured to the Arikis that their individual administration would not be interfered with. The presence of a British Eesident with the least power is therefore regarded by the Arikis as an infraction of their mana, and of their claim to control the Government, and especially the revenue that has come with it, at their pleasure. The education and road rates are now being collected by the Arikis contrary to law, and to be dealt with at their pleasure, instead of its going into the local Earotonga revenue. Their apparent impunity in the outrage on Nicholas's premises in January last, and other matters, as well as the absence of attempt to interfere with their mischievous misleaders, are producing their natural fruit among an ignorant people. The presence of a competent Court is becoming daily more important, if these Islands are to be retained at all. I have, &c, Feedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.

A.-4, 1898, No. 30.

No. 4. The Deputy of the Goveenoe to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sic, — Government House, Wellington, 9th May, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatches, numbers and dates in the margin, asking that a Court of the Judicial Commissioner should be appointed to sit at Earotongas for the disposal of certain alleged causes of action. I have taken the advice of Ministers, and, in compliance with the requests made, have applied to the High Commissioner to give all necessary directions with a view that the Court be held as requested. Will you inform the Head of the Government of the requests made, and of my action ? I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. James Peendbegast.

Nos. 1 and 2.

No. 5. His Excellency the Govbenoe to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sib,— Government House, Wellington, 30th June, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that on the 14th instant I received a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, paragraph 4 of which was as follows : — "I entirely agree in the opinion of your Ministers, that Mr. Moss has rendered very good service, and has done his best to promote the well-being of the Natives and the prosperity of the residents generally ; and I regret that, in view of the settled distrust and suspicion with which the Natives appear to have come to regard him, no course is open but to discontinue his connection with the Group." Whilst fully indorsing the opinion of my Ministers as to the good services performed by you whilst British Eesident at Earotonga, it is with regret that, under the circumstances, I feel constrained to request you to forward by return mail your resignation. The acceptance of the same will be held over until your successor has been appointed and assumed office. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Eanfuely.

No. 6. His Excellency the Govbenoe to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sic, Government House, Wellington, 30th June, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that, with reference to my despatch No. 223/98 A., my Ministers request (and in which I concur) that you will remain on at Earotonga for a few months, pending appointment and all arrangements as to your successor, as it is felt that it would be detrimental to British interests if those islands were for even a short period to remain without a Eesident. 2. That a Judicial Commission has been applied for from the High Commissioner for the "Western Pacific to try impending cases at Earotonga, and that I trust it will shortly arrive;, that on account of absence and sickness it has been impossible to send the Commission sooner. 3. That my Ministers are considering the appointment of your successor, and that he will probably reach Earotonga about October or November. 4. That no immediate change is in contemplation respecting the administration of the Cook Islands, and it is hoped that a more satisfactory condition of affairs may be in the near future obtained. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Banfuely.

No. 5.

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