A.—3.

keep their affairs apart. In cases, however, beyond the judgment of the two Judges the affair should be transferred to Fiji, as this colony stands under the jurisdiction of the Government of Fiji. The document referring to the annexation of Penrhyn to Great Britain, signed by Sir William Wiseman, Bob, and Tautaitinii, is deposited in Omoka. Bope. We, the undersigned foreign residents in Tetautua, affirm that all and everything said in Bob's letter is based upon the truth.—John Mubdoch, E. Kloppeb. Mr. Simons, Consul on S.M. " Britainnique," Papeete.

No. 44. (Telegram.) 24th September, 1901. The Premier acknowledges the receipt of memorandum No. 33, of the 24th August, to His Excellency, reporting arrival of His Majesty's ship "Torch," and is pleased to hear that Captain Macalister intends to visit Penrhyn or other northern islands, and with a view of endeavouring to settle disputes which have arisen at Penrhyn over the Judge of the Tautua Village. It is very satisfactory to know that Colonel Gudgeon was, fortunately, in a position to give Captain Macalister valuable information, and which will conduce to a satisfactory settlement. As intimated in other memoranda, the Government desire you to proceed to Penrhyn and fix matters up in the best manner possible pending permanent arrangements. E. J. Seddon. Colonel Gudgeon, Barotonga (Post, Auckland).

No. 35.

No. 45. (Telegram.) • 24th September, 1901. The Premier acknowledges, through His Excellency, memorandum No. 34 of the 24th August, and replies as follows : Action re Masters approved. Will be a warning, and will have desired effect. Begret to hear natives having been supplied with spirits, and we hope to take effective steps against repetition and continuance of evil. We propose to pass an Act giving Eesident Commissioner of Federal Parliament power of modifying such of our laws as are not advisable for the islands, and we have declared Barotonga the port of entry and clearing for the islands mentioned in your letter. This, we hope, will prevent arms and spirits being landed unchecked on any of the islands within the New Zealand boundaries. B. J. Seddon. Colonel Gudgeon, Barotonga (Post, Auckland).

No. 36.

No. 46. (Telegram.) 24th September, 1901. The Premier has received your memorandum (No. 36) of the 25th August to His Excellency the Governor, reporting Mr. Dickson's refusal to enter into a bond for payment of duty on two hundred eases of meat for Penrhyn. Under the circumstances, perhaps it is as well you did not press the point raised and allow him to take the meat to Penrhyn. From what the Premier can gather Penrhyn will be our greatest trouble, and, being so far distant from Barotonga, will be our making Barotonga the only port of entry and clearing inconvenient. But we will try it. Having a Collector of Customs and Eesident Agent will meet the difficulty to some extent. Colonel Gudgeon, Barotonga (Post, Auckland). B. J. Seddon.

No. 37.

No. 47. (Telegram.) 24th September, 1901. I have received copy estimates and expenditure of Cook Group up to 30th June last. For the future it would be advisable, I think, to let the financial year at the islands close on same date as New Zealand —namely, 31st March—thus bringing them into line, and they could then be laid on the table of the House and included in the New Zealand Government financial year. Colonel Gudgeon, Barotonga (Post, Auckland). B. J. Seddon.

No. 32.

No. 48. (Telegram.) 24th September, 1901. The Premier acknowledges receipt of your letter of the .3rd September (N.Z., No. 11), and, in reply, begs to say that Captain Martin Nagle has been appointed as Agent at Penrhyn, at salary to be fixed by you. As previously stated, the appointment should be temporary at first, to see how matters progress. If they are satisfactory permanency will follow. We have also issued Proclamation under our Customs laws making Barotonga the only port of entry and departure for Penrhyn, Manihiki, Bakahanga, Pukapuka, and Palmerston. I am rather doubtful about Penrhyn. However, we can try it, and, as previously mentioned, until the Bill is passed by the New Zealand Parliament the present Federal tariff will apply to the Cook Island Group. In respect to Penrhyn and other islands outside the group the New Zealand Customs laws apply. Of course, you can use your discretion, because under the Bill we are providing that the Governor may by Order in Council modify any of the Acts in their application to the islands. But you are on the right side if you keep to the New Zealand tariff, and apply the same to all outsiders trading with Penrhyn, Manihiki, and any other islands outside the Cook Group. Colonel Gudgeon, Barotonga (Post, Auckland). B. J. Seddon.

No. 38.

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