A.—3

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You will understand that the election of the Council for Niue and the subsequent laws passed are ultra vires, the Act of the last session for the government of the Cook and other islands making special provision for the appointment of a Council by the Governor upon your recommendation. It will rest, therefore, with the newly appointed Council, should it see fit, to re-enact the laws referred to, except that relating to marriage, &c. (No. 4), respecting which I shall be glad to receive your report. It is not considered expedient or advisable to extend " The Marriage Act, 1882," to the islands, as anything that tends to depreciate marriage according to native customs, unless there is the desire of every native to comply with the elaborate machinery of that Act, tends to make matters worse instead of better. With reference to the Eesidency, I shall be glad to hear that a building has been provided for Mr. Maxwell. You will see that Mr. Smith makes a requisition for stores for the purpose in his letter of the 13th November. I need not refer now particularly to Mr. Smith's letters, as you will no doubt advise me as to what is necessary to be attended to. I have, &c, The Eesident Commissioner, Barotonga. B. J. Seddon.

No. 97. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 4th April, 1902. Beferring to your letter (No. 22) of the sth August, suggesting the advisability of bringing into operation " The Sale of Spirituous Liquors Act, 1899," and to His Excellency's reply, dated 20th September last, I have now to point out that, as the Act in question was not in operation on the passing of " The Cook and Other Islands Government Act, 1901," the provisions of section 2 of that Act does not apply to it, and to suggest that if you still wish such a liquor law you should take the earliest opportunity of getting an Ordinance passed by the Federal Council. I have, &c, C. H. Mills, The Eesident Commissioner, Barotonga. For the Premier.

No. 29. No. 40.

No. 98. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 4th April, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 12) of the 4th March, in the last paragraph of which you suggest an amendment of " The Cook and Other Islands Government Act, 1901," to provide that all Eesident Agents should be ex officio Justices of the Peace, and in reply to state that it is not considered expedient to do so. Any Eesident Agent you consider should be so appointed can easily be appointed by His Excellency the Governor upon your recommendation. I have, &c, C. H. Mills, The Eesident Commissioner, Barotonga. For the Premier.

No. 89.

No. 99. Sib, — Premier's Office, Wellington, sth April, 1902. In reply to your letter (No. 18) of the 10th March, I have now the honour to forward the Ordinance No. 4 of the Federal Council for regulating the conduct of the Penrhyn pearl-shell fisheries, duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, C. H. Mills, The Eesideut Commissioner, Barotonga. For the Premier.

No. 91.

No. 100. Sic, — Premier's Office, Wellington, 11th April, 1902. Beferring to your letters (Nos. 7, of 21st February, and 16, of 7th March),!have now the honour to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has approved of the appointment of Mr. Edward Blame as Begistrar of the High Court of the Cook and other Islands at a salary of £60 per annum. I enclose warrant of appointment. I have, &c, C. H. Mills, The Eesident Commissioner, Barotonga. For the Premier.

Noa. 87 and 100.

No. 101. Sic,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 15th April, 1902. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 8) of the 21st February, enclosing an estimate of revenue and expenditure for the year ending the 31st March, 1902. You have made a mistake in the addition of permanent services, which total £2,785 ss. instead of £2,767, so that the total amount of the estimate, including erection of Post and Custom-house and Hospital, is £4,078 ss.

No. 86.