A.—3

22

Gudgeon's authority as Chief Judge shall extend to Niue so far as these matters of detail are concerned. This latter would be the better way of dealing with the matter, but I shall be glad to have your views on the point. The Order in Council provides for the- payment of fees into the Cook Islands Treasury, but this is overridden by the provisions of the Amending Act of last session. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 50. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th August, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 7th July, No. 1, with a statement of Niue Island revenue for the quarter ending the 30th June. lam glad to note that the revenue of the island continues to be satisfactory, and that there is such a substantial sum to the credit of the Administration. I have, <fee, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 27,

No. 51. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th August, 1904. I am in receipt of your letter of the 27th June, No. 222, with reference to traders' licenses. I received your previous letter forwarding " The Niue Island Traders' License Ordinance, 1904," and sent you a reply with reference thereto on the 9th July. I have no objection to the fees prescribed by the Ordinance so long as the amendment mentioned in my last letter is made. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 16,

No. 52. Sib — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 19th August, 1904. I have the honour to report that H.M.S. "Clio," Captain Wilkin, returned, to Rarotonga from Tahiti via Atiu yesterday morning. Fortunately there was no sea at the latter island, and therefore Captain Wilkin was able to blast a boat-passage through a portion of the reef that has hitherto been a source of danger to aP boats, and by so doing has left clear the old landingplace of the island canoes. This is a matter of much importance, and Captain Wilkin deserves the thanks of the Government for the foresight he has displayed. The weather has been unusually bad, but there are now signs of improvement, and as the '" Clio " leaves on the evening of the 21st for Mangaia, I anticipate that a good job will be made of the Atuakoro and perhaps one other passage at that island. On this I will report further. I am much indebted to Captain Wilkin for his courtesy and willingness to aid the local administration. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 53. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), g IR Dunedin, 20th August, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your favour of the 10th instant. I was pleased to learn from your communication of the 17th June that authority has been given to the Resident, Commissioner at Rarotonga to erect an accommodation-house for the convenience of the travelling public. You may rely upon it that when this is available we shall supplement the efforts of the Government by offering inducements in the way of accommodation and fares to the New Zealand people to visit the Group, and, if the result justifies it, we shall not be slow to fix our services so as to meet the requirements of the increased traffic. I have, <fee, James Mills, The Hon. the Minister of Customs, Wellington. Managing Director.

See A.-3 1904, No. 212.

No. 54. (Telegram.) C F. Maxwell, Esq., Niue. Post Auckland. Referring to my telegram of 9th instant and previous correspondence re labour licenses, the Solicitor-General has now decided that the Pacific Islanders Protection Acts do not apply to our Islands since annexation to British dominions; consequently we cannot require vessels to obtain licenses and the only law now governing the position in Niue is your Emigration Ordinance,