4

A.—3

No. 7. His Excellency the Governor to Mr. F. J. Moss. Government House, 20th July, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Hamilton Hunter will proceed to Earotonga towards the end of the month, in H.M.S. " Eoyalist," to act as Judicial Commissioner Owing to postal arrangements I regret that an earlier intimation could not be sent to you but should my despatch reach you prior to Mr. Hamilton Hunter's arrival it would be well ii the parties interested in the Earotonga cases were informed immediately. F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Eanfurly.

No. 8. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Governor. Mv r™n — Cook Islands : British Eesidency, Earotonga, 22nd July 1898. IVIY lord h^our to acknowledge receipt of your Excellency's despatches of the 30th Tune and place my resignation in your Excellency's hands as British Eesident in these islands I have to hold this office, small in itself, but bringing with it work in which I felt the Eight Hon. the Secretary of State for the Colonies, your Excellency, and your Ministers for the kind expression of praise to which my work has been accorded. y I agree at the request of your Excellency and your Ministers, to remain " pending appointment and arrangements" as to my successor; but, unless there is certainty of the speedy arrival of the fong expected Judicial Commissioner, I beg that I may be relievedwitUs little delay as possible. Frederick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.

Nos. 5 and G.

No. 9. His Excellency the Goveknok to Mr. F. J. Moss. Government House, Wellington, sth August, 1898. ~~ I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch No. 19/98, dated the 22nd Tnlv 1898 tendering me your resignation. I thank you for having consented to remain until the arrangements were completed regarding your successor. These arrangements I have now completed, and accept the same as from the 12th September. the honour to inform you that Major WE. Gudgeon has been appointed British Eesident at the Cook Islands as from the 12th September, 1898. He will arrive on that day, on or about noon, in H.M.S. « Tauranga." I should be glad if you will have his appointment arrival the Senior Naval Officer will, on my behalf, read a Proclamation from Her Majesty the Queen which I have received from England I had intended to do tnie personally but Sg to the session of Parliament, I find it impossible to leave the colony at the present time I should be glad if you will have this notined to Makea, the Ankis, and inhabitants 3 In conformity with the Colonial Eegulations, you will be good enougn to hand over to Major Gudgeon all despatches, documents letters, &c, in your care. I have, &<= F J Moss Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Kaniurly.

No. 8.

• No. 10. His Excellency the Governor to Major Gudgeon. q _ Government House, Wellington, 19th August, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that I have this day received a cablegram from the Secretary of State for the Colonies appointing you British Eesident at Earotonga Cook Islands, vice F. J. Moss, Esq., resigned. l haye ' J°-' . Major W. B. Gudgeon. Eanfukly.

No. 11. His Excellency the Governor to Captain W. T. H. Bkownb. „ _ Government House, Wellington, 26th August, 1898. I have the honour to enclose herewith, for your information — 1 A Proclamation from Her Majesty, which on the instructions of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and with the sanction of His Excellency the Commander-m-Chief, Australian Station, I have to ask you to read to the inhabitants of the Cook Islands. :. 2 A Message from myself, as Governor of New Zealand, introducing the new British Eesident, which I should be obliged if you would also deliver.