A.--3.
No. 20. My Lord Barotonga. 24th April, 1901. In reply to your despatch (No. 456), I have the honour to inform you that I will leave here by the " Ovalau " so as to arrive in Auckland by the 30th May. I have, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., W. E. Gudgeon, Governor of New Zealand. British Eesident.
No. 21. Sib,— Government House, Wellington, 3rd May, 1901. I have the honour to inform you that the builders of the oil-launch have applied to the Marine Department for an extension of time to the Ist July. The vessel cannot be completed before that date. Under these circumstances, it will be useless for the Barotongan portion of the crew to reach Auckland prior to the steamer due about the 27th June. I must express my regret at this delay, which, I fear, may seriously affect her earnmg-powers this year, by making her arrival in Cook Islands too late for the commencement of the fruit-crop. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, British Eesident, Barotonga. Eanfurly.
No. 22. (Telegram.) 7th May 1901 Belative to rabbits, you must take the most energetic measures in your power to eradicate these pests forthwith. I suggest you should issue Proclamation forbidding the import of any animals or insects without your sanction. Eegarding Peter Cowan, who brought these rabbits m, has he rendered himself in any way liable under your laws or customs ? If so, he should pay the Re future government of Islands, please make notes of all matters requiring discussion. Begarding New Zealand Merchant Shipping Act, this certainly would require great modification for schooner island trade. Please express my deep regret to Makea Ngamaru not being able to come to Auckland. 1 especially regret the cause—viz., Ngamaru's health. I shall expect to be in Auckland myself about the Ist June. Eanfurly. The British Eesident, Barotonga (vid steamer from Auckland).
No. 23. g m Government House, Wellington, 15th May, 1901. I have the honour to inform you, in reply to your despatch (No. 16/1901), that it would be desirable for you to make yourself acquainted with the Babbit Act of New Zealand, which would apply to the Islands after the declaration of the extension of the boundaries of this colony, unless other arrangements were considered more suitable. ~,.., Under this Act any person found with rabbits on his premises or on his land is liable to heavy penalties. Ihave,&c, r Eanfurly. The British Eesident, Barotonga.
No. 24. y, j __ Barotonga, 4th June, 1901. V ° U I have the honour to inform you that I have directed Mr. Goodman to send five sailors .natives of the Cook Islands) to Auckland by the next trip of the " Taviuni " to act as crew of the Covernment schooner. Under present circumstances it seems possible that I may not be here to meet them, in which case I would suggest that the police be asked to look after them and hand them over to Captain Worsley. . . I shall have to ask Captain Worsley to select a mate, as the man I would have chosen has been lost, with all hands.
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