A.—3.

In the Emigration Act I have aimed at putting an end to the extortion practised by the chiefs, and hope under its provisions to lessen the great evils flowing from the constant absence of so large a number of the young men at the Guano Islands and Tonga, evils which are extremely demoralising to the younger population, whilst at the same time the productions of the island su ff er I have, &c, S. Peecy Smith, His Excellency the Governor, Wellington. Government Eesident Agent, Niue.

Enclosure. NIUE ORDINANCES. Act No. 1. —" The Niue Council Act, 1901." Whebeas the island of Niue-Fekau having, at the request of the Patuiki, the chiefs, and people of Niue become part of the British dominions ; and, by virtue of a Proclamation made and published by His Boyal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and York at Auckland, New Zealand, on the 11th day of June, 1901, the same island having been annexed for administrative purposes to the Colony of New Zealand, it becomes necessary that some alteration in the form of government and additions to and alterations in the laws of the island be made : -,-,,. And whereas the Patuiki and chiefs of Niue, whose names are hereunto appended, being representatives and delegates from each village in the island, being assembled in Council at the Village of Alofi, in the said island, on the 22nd day of October, 1901, for the purpose of settling (inter alia) the composition and duties of the governing Council of the island, to be called " the Council of Niue," with the approval of the Government Eesident Agent, do make the following enactment, that is to say :— ~,,,,,.■,■ . . . , n •.,-,, 1 There shall be one General Council for the Island of Niue, which shall consist of the Patuiki and one or more representatives selected by the inhabitants of each of the following Villages :- Members. Members. Alofi ... ••• ••• Tamalagau ... ... ••• 1 Tamakautoga ... ... 1 Mutalau ... ... ••• 1 Avatele and Fatiau ... ... 1 Tamahatokula ... ... ■■■ i Hakupu ... 1 Uhomotu 1 Liku ... ■ - • ... 1 Makef v ... ... ••• -i The first session of this Council shall consist, in addition to the above members, of the eleven members of the old Council appointed by the Patuiki; but they shall not hold office longer than such first session, unless re-elected. ~ 2 The first Council so constituted shall hold office for one year from the day of selection, but thereafter the members shall be elected to serve for a term of three years. 3 The Patuiki shall be President of the Council, and shall preside at all meetings thereof, and it'shall be his duty to preserve order and regulate the proceedings. He shall sign on behalf of the Council all laws, regulations, or orders made by the Council; and as President shall summon the Council to meet at any time and place after receiving a request to that effect from the Government Resident Agent, and shall dismiss the Council at the close of each session. In the case of illness or other disability of the Patuiki, the Council may be summoned by the Government Eesident Agent. . .. , . 4 In the absence of the President the members present in Council, being a quorum, may select one of their number to act for and on behalf of the President, and his duties and powers for the time being shall be the same as those of the President. ~,„'. iU , + v t+u 5. The quorum of members necessary to constitute the Council shall be three-fourths of the total number of members. _ ~,,,,. • i. 6. A member of the Council shall cease to hold office under the following circumstances :— (1.) Upon the effluxion of time for which he was elected. (2.) If he breaks any of the laws, &c, enacted by the Council. (3.) If he commits any breach of the moral law. (4 ) If he takes money for supporting any matter before the Council. (5 If the inhabitants of the village which he represents prefer a request to the President that he be removed ; and after the approval of the Council, and after it has heard the member concerned, should the Council agree that the complaint is sustained, such member, with the approval of the Government Eesident Agent, shall cease to hold office. . (6.) If he absents himself from any Council meeting without leave, unless in the case of 7 Upon a vacancy occurring as above, the President of the Council shall give notice to the village concerned to select another member, who shall hold office until the expiry of the term of office of the Council then next ensuing. 8 All laws and regulations, &c, shall be introduced to the Council through the President and, upon being approved by a majority of the Council (being a quorum), such laws, &c, shall become the laws of Niue, subject to section 10 hereof. 9 In the case of any difference of opinion amongst the members of the Council on any question that may come before them for consideration, the decision of the majority of members shall be final; each individual member in such case shall, upon being asked by the President, record his vote " Aye" or " Nay," and such vote shall be entered m the minutes of the Council Such decision so arrived at shall be binding on all members of the Council, and shall be considered as final. 5—A. 3.

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