13

A.—3

Another fertile source of trouble has been the fact that the " bond " has hitherto been kept in the warehouse of Donald and Edenborough, and hence the remaining traders believe not only that they have been at a disadvantage as compared with that firm, but also that the local Civil servants have assisted Donald and Edenborough against them. With reference to James Te Pou, I am of opinion that he was never a fit and proper person for the position of Paymaster, nor, indeed, for any one of the offices held by him. Mr. Gamier is a gentleman and an honourable man, and the most that can be alleged against him is that he probably was not suited for the position of Customhouse Officer. As for Mr. Scard, whatever his past may have been, he has behaved well during his residence at Earotonga; he is simply the victim of a dangerous system of Government book-keeping, wherein he has had to do the work of several departments. The above explanation will enable your Lordship to understand why the bonded warehouse has been moved, and why the old officers have been dispensed with. I have, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, W. E. Gudgeon, Governor of New Zealand. British Eesident.

Enclosure No 1. Parliament House, 27th September, 1898. Resolution. Whebeas it is the opinion of the Parliament of the Cook Islands that the time has now arrived when the removal of all of the departments of the Federal Government to a central position, unconnected with any business firm, has become an absolute necessity : And whereas it is also deemed advisable to make a complete change in the personnel of the public officers, and that an opinion to this effect was publicly expressed by the people, chiefs, and Arikis of the group during the inquiry lately held by Sir James Prendergast: Be it resolved that a change in the administration of the public departments is desirable, and that new officials be appointed to fulfil the following offices: — (1.) Licensing Officer, Customhouse Officer, Postmaster, Shipping Master. (2.) Government Treasurer. (3.) Auditor. (4.) Eegistrar. (5.) Paymaster and Clerk to Governments, and Inland Collector of Bates and Taxes, and Government Interpreter and Clerk to Ariki Courts. Passed. J. M. Salmon, M.P., Chairman. Approved, as for the Cook Islands. W. E. Gudgeon, British Eesident.—29th September, 1898.

Enclosure No. 2. (No. 1.) The Cook Islands Gazette (published by Authority). Eabotonga, Monday, 3rd October, 1898. Fbedeeick Goodwin is hereby appointed Treasurer to the Government of the Cook Islands. Appointment to date from 4th October, 1898.

Medical Officers Act (No. 2, 1898). Geobge Cbaig, M.8., CM., Edinburgh, to be Medical Officer to the Cook Islands Hospital. Appointment to take effect from Ist October 1898.

Public Health and Quarantine Act (No.. 4, 1898). William Bannebman Cbaig, M.8., CM., Edinburgh, to be Public Health and Quarantine Officer, also Honorary Surgeon to Cook Islands Hospital. Appointments to take effect from Ist October, 1898.

Import Duties Act (No. 3, 1898). John Sylvanus Cottebell to be Customhouse Officer and Shipping Master. Appointment to date from 4th October, 1898.

Provisional Poivers Act, 1891. John Sylvanus Cottebell to be Postmaster. Appointment to date from 4th October, 1898.

John Sylvanus Cottebell to be Licensing Officer. Appointment to date from 4th October, 1898.