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a turtle in the lagoon for myself, which he did, and brought it into my yard, and from there it was forcibly removed by the Natives. I remonstrated with them and asked them for their authority to do so. They replied, " The turtles were not for Europeans, but belonged to themselves." This has happened to other Europeans besides myself, and has also taken place since the annexing of this island to New Zealand. They have also seized fish caught outside of the passage — i.e., the ocean, and I humbly petition that you will allow us Europeans the right to go and secure fish in the lagoon for food, as it constitutes the only fresh food we can obtain. 1 fully believe that such action on your part would confer a great benefit on the European residents of Penrhyn Island without injury to the Natives. - I have, &c, To His Excellency Lord Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., ■ Harry L. Owen. Governor of New Zealand and its Dependencies.

No. 4. Rarotonga, 31st March, 1903. Memo, for the Hon. the Minister for the Islands. European Officer required at Mangaia. I have the honour to submit for the consideration of the New Zealand Government that there is urgent necessity for the presence of a European officer at Mangaia. For some time past the state of this island has been most unsatisfactory. The Judges generally consider that they have a right to the fees and fines of their Courts, and object to be governed by the statute law of the Islands, or any other law than their own sweet wills. Miringitangi is the worst offender in this respect, and has probably embezzled not less than £50 in the last twelve months, and is now carrying on the same system with impunity by neglecting to enter the cases heard in his Court-book. The Island Council being without the aid and direction of a Resident Agent is a dangerous farce. It pretends to make laws but does not submit them for approval, but none the less Miringitangi acts on these bogus laws, and keeps the small people in a state of subjection in order that he and his friends may make a percentage out of the sale of the island produce. In order to alter this state of affairs I propose to move Mr. Large from Aitutaki and station him at Mangaia, and abolish all of the Native Judges at the last-named place, and appoint him the President of the Island Council. I would also appoint Mr. Proctor at £100 per annum to replace Mr. Large at Aitutaki, and carry on the good work begun by that very able servant of the Government. This change would probably not cost the Government of the Group more than £50 per annum, for the revenue of the island would increase, and Mr. Large's presence would without doubt cause an immediate increase in the planting of cocoa-palms and other island produce, since the small people of Mangaia would feel safe in their belief that they would reap where they had sown. W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

No. 5. Rarotonga, 2nd April, 1903. Memo, for the Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands. Moorings for the Ports of Rarotonga and Aitutaki. 1 have the honour to submit, for the consideration of the Hon. the Minister in charge of these Islands, that the trade thereof would be greatly benefited by good moorings being laid down on the anchorages of both Rarotonga and Aitutaki. The latter is a most dangerous place to anchor, not only because there is foul ground where many anchors have been lost, but also from the fact that any change of wind to the west places a sailing-ship in danger, and makes it necessary to slip the anchor and work off the land. Under these circumstances I beg to recommend that moorings be laid down with as little delay as possible by the New Zealand Government, and suggest that as the Union Steamship Company will benefit greatly by the work, they be requested to carry the moorings free of charge and place them in position. It is possible that other islands may hereafter be dealt with in a similar manner ; but so far as our present knowledge extends the water is too deep at Mangaia, Mauke, or Atiu to permit of these aids to commerce. W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner.

No. 6. Rarotonga, 2nd April, 1903. Memo, for the Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister for the Islands. Boat-passages through the Beefs. During the visit of the Hon. the Premier an indefinite promise was made that the Government of New Zealand would cut passages through the reefs where required in order to give cargo-boats access to the shores of the islands. At Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Penrhyn, and Niue nature has done this; but at Mangaia and Atiu two or more passages are required at each island. At present every pound of produce has to be shipped over the reef in frail canoes, with the result that it takes as long to ship 50 tons at these two islands as it would to ship 200 at Rarotonga or Aitutaki, and with the further drawback that