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No. 88. Sic, — Barotonga, 22nd February, 1902. I have already reported the very unsatisfactory condition of the post and Customs office, and the want of good quarters for the officer in charge, and have now the honour to request your authority to build offices of coral, lime, and cement for the use of the various officers and their departments, and also for the Collector of Customs. The estimated cost of such a building is £600, but I place it at £700. I have a very clever man here who will act as foreman of works, and I propose to use native labour only under his supervision. The present condition of the building is such that a hurricane would break it up. If this building is authorised I will have a survey made of the wharf, Customs, and hospital site, and ask that the land be proclaimed under section 15 of the Act. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Eesident Commissioner. The Eight Hon. the Premier of New Zealand, Wellington.

No. 89. Sic,— - Barotonga, 4th March, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of warrants of appointment as Eesident Agents for the following officers : — Christopher Freke Maxwell ... ... ... Niue. Martin Nagle ... ... ... ... ... Penrhyn. Harry Williams ... ... ... ... ... Tauhonu, vid Manihiki. George Ellis ... ... ... ... !.. Tukao, via Manihiki. Panapa Wauharangi ... ... ... ... Bakahanga. Adolph yon Nagel ... ... ... ... Atiu. Joel Masters ... ... ... ... ... Palmerston. I have forwarded the warrants to the officers named, and have officially informed the last four officers that no salary is attached to the office. This fact was, however, understood when I made the recommendations to which you have kindly given effect. To the unsalaried Agents I have also given definite instructions as to their duties. I would suggest that a clause should be inserted in the Cook and Other Islands Government Bill that all Eesident Agents should be ex officio Justices of the Peace. It would be a step towards breaking up the Ariki Courts. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Eesident Commissioner. The Bight. Hon. the Premier of New Zealand, Wellington.

No. 90. Sic, — Barotonga, 6th March, 1902. With reference to the site of the sheds now in the occupation of the Union Company at Barotonga, I have the honour to inform you that I have arranged the lease with Mr. Smith, the agent of the company, as follows: For a period of twenty years from the Ist June, 1900; rent, payable annually in advance, £20 per annum. Wharf may be used by any vessel on payment of Is. per ton wharfage on all cargo landed or taken on board. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Eesident Commissioner.

No. 91. Sic, — Barotonga, 10th March, 1902. In reply to your letter (No. 15, 213/1902) of the 29th January, 1902, I have now the honour to forward Ordinance No. 4 of the Federal Council, embodying the draft rules for the conduct of the Penrhyn pearl-shell fisheries previously forwarded to you. The Arikis have signed the Ordinance on the back thereof. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Eight Hon. the Premier, Wellington. Eesident Commissioner.

No. 83.

Enclosure. Oedinance No. 4. Wheeeas it has hitherto been the custom to take and export from the Island of Penrhyn small and immature shell, to the injury of this valuable industry, and it is expedient to prevent the same, and generally to regulate this industry within the Pacific islands now included within the boundaries of New Zealand: And whereas the eighth section of the Cook and Other Islands Government Act gives power to the Federal Council to make laws for the government and welfare of all the said islands and the people thereof;

B—A. 3,