A.—B.

he ought not to be placed in a position inferior to them. He furthermore intimated that, rather than give a bond, he was prepared to clear for Tahiti with the meats, and would take whatever he might require from that place. As we could not prevent him from taking this course I did not press the point, but allowed him to take the two hundred cases. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, G.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.

No. 38. g IE Barotonga, 3rd September, 1901. With reference to your telegram of the 9th August, on the subject of Government agents for Penrhyn and Palmerston Islands, I have the honour to urge upon you the necessity, which is immediate, for the appointment of Captain Martin Nagle as agent at Penrhyn, to be followed at once by the proclamation of Barotonga as the only port of entry and departure for the Islands of Penrhyn, Manihiki, Eakahanga, Pukapuka, and Palmerston. From the delay there has been in these matters we have lost hundreds of pounds in duties, and have allowed all the northern islands to be filled with French and other goods in anticipation of those duties. I do not think an agent will be required for Palmerston. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Bight Hon. E. J. Seddon, Premier of New Zealand. British Eesident.

No. 39. . gtE Niue Island, 11th September, 1901. I have the honour to inform you that the schooner " Countess of Eanfurly " arrived here yesterday after a lengthy voyage from Auckland, and during which we had some very bad weather off the Kermadecs. Of course, I have nothing to report at present, but lam to meet the King and all the principal people of the island in a few days to talk over the introduction of some new regulations, &c. You will be glad to hear that the new schooner is a capital sea-boat and very fast ; but we had no fair winds all the way from New Zealand to Barotonga—a few days calm, a strong gale of wind which drove us south-west of the Kermadecs, necessitating a tiresome retracing of our steps to visit Sunday Island. We were twenty days in reaching Barotonga, though Captain Beid made every effort to push on. We were delayed two days at Barotonga shipping a fresh crew, and then had to call at Aitutaki to complete it. Colonel Gudgeon came down here to introduce me to the natives. He is writing to His Excellency on this subject, I believe, I beg to remind you that whoever is to succeed me here after my three months is up should be sent as soon as possible. I have, &c, The Bight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. S. Percy Smith.

No. 40. S IE) Government House, Wellington, 20th September, 1901. With reference to your despatch (No. 22/1901) dated the sth August, 1901, suggesting the advisability of bringing into operation forthwith " The Sale of Spirituous Liquors Act, 1899," I have the honour to inform you that the Act referred to cannot be brought into force until after the Island Laws Extension Act, now before Parliament, has been passed. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, British Eesident, Barotonga. Eanfurly.

No. 39.

No. 41. S IE) Government House, Wellington, 21st September, 1901. With reference to your despatch (No. 32) dated the 10th August, 1901, relative to Mr. Dexter's goods for Penrhyn, I have the honour to inform you that the New Zealand Government approve of the action that you propose to take in this matter.. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, British Eesident, Barotonga. Eanfurly.

No. 34,

No. 42. g IK) Government House, Wellington, 21st September, 1901. I have the honour to inform you that, as the Cook and other islands now form a part of New Zealand, they will be in future dealt with by one of the Ministers, to whom this special department will be allotted. Under these circumstances, all matters should be referred direct by you to the Minister in charge. I understand that, pending the arrangement as to which Minister is to undertake this department, the Premier will supervise it-

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