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No. 62. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd September, 1904. I enclose herewith a copy of the Licensing Acts Amendment Bill which has been introduced by the Premier. If this Bill is passed it will supersede " The Niue Island Sale of Spirituous Liquor Ordinance, 1903," as it contains special provisions dealing with the Cook and other Islands. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 63. Education Department, Wellington, sth September, 1904. Memorandum for the Hon. Mr. Mills. I have been in communication with the authorities at Te Aute College respecting the admission to the institution of five Native students from the Cook Islands who desire to become teachers in the village schools of the Islands, and I am now advised that the Trustees will be pleased to take the young men, and to do their best to further the object in view. The terms are £25 a year, this being the annual average cost per pupil in the institution. Albert Pitt.

No. 64. Sir,— Rarotonga, 12th September, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of a copy of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Bill, 1904," and so far as I can see the Act will be most valuable. I am sorry that it does not go a little farther, but I can quite understand that a New Zealand Parliament'never will understand that these people are mere children, and that if they are to.progress the progression must be forced upon them. I see no possibility of them to pass any Ordinance that would force them to lease or improve waste lands. Pa Ariki would do so, but, Makea would oppose anything of the sort, inasmuch as her lands are more neglected than any other of this island. I naturally wish to rush this and other islands into a better position than they now hold, and this can only be done by taxation of unimproved land and the power to call on all landholders to put their lands through the Court. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 65. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th September, 1904. Your letter of the 3rd July addressed to the Right Hon. the Premier has been referred to No. SO. me for reply, and I have to thank you for your suggestion as to establishing an experimental sugar-mill in the Cook Islands. lam advised, however, that the scheme is hardly practicable, as there are no large areas of land suitable for growing cane, and the question of labour presents some difficulty. lam glad, however, to have had your views on the subject. The question of imposing a protective duty on fruit from outside islands has already been noted for consideration when the tariff is next under revision. I have, &c, Mr. J. A. Burke, Upper Albert Street, Thames. C. H. Mills.

No. 66. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 22nd September, 1904. Referring to my letter of the Ist August, on the subject of the insurance of the " Countess of Ranfurly," I have to'say that I have been advised by the Agent-General that the insurance has been extended for three months at a pro rata premium of £3 3s, per cent. It is stipulated, however that in the event of the vessel being lost during this period the underwriters are to receive the full twelve months' premium of £12 12s. per cent. I will send you a claim for your Administration's share of the premium when I have received particulars of the precise amount from the Agent-General. . . Cabinet has decided that on the expiry of the present three-months policy the insurance is to be discontinued, and that a sinking fund is to be created with the amounts payable annually as premiums on an insurance of £2,500. Before instructing you definitely on this point, however, I would like to have your views on the subject. I have <fec^, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. G. H. Mills.

No. 67. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 23rd September, 1904. Memorandum for the Hon. A. Pitt. - ... . * I have to thank you for your memo, of the sth instant, stating the results of your inquiries as to No. 69, the cost of educating some Native students from the Cook Islands at Te Aute College. lam glad

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