A.—3

14

No. 23. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1904. 1 have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Ist June, stating that Mr. George Ellis had resigned his position as Resident Agent for the Tukao Division of the Island of Manihiki, and returning his commission. Will you please inform Mr. Ellis that his resignation has been accepted, and at the same time convey to him the Government's appreciation of and thanks for the good service he has rendered on the island. lam sorry that the state of Mr. Ellis's eyesight has rendered it necessary for him to relinquish his office. I note that you have placed the Tukao Division under the charge of Mr. Williams tor the time being. Please let me know when you are in a position to suggest a permanent arrangement, so that the necessary appointment may be made in proper form. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

A.-3, 1904, No. 197

No. 24. S IR ._ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1904. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the Ist June, with reference to certain additional cases of leprosy which you discovered during your recent visit to the northern islands, and note that you took prompt measures to deal with the matter as far as was possible under the circumstances. I am now in communication with the Health Department on the subject, and it is probable that an Order in Council will be issued applying the New Zealand Health Act, or portions of it, to the Islands This will give you ample power to appoint leper-stations, to isolate the patients, and to deal with all offenders." I have, *?•. The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. H - Mills.

No.- 3,

No. 25. _ m Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1904. 1 have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the Ist June, reporting on your visit to the northern islands. lam glad to learn that you found such a marked improvement in thertate of affairs at Manihiki, and 1 hope that your visit to Rakahanga will result in an equally satisfactory condition of things being established there. ~',-,,, + Your remarks as to some fresh cases of leprosy discovered have been dealt with in a separate , I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. c - H - Mills.

No. 3

No. 26. Sti . _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1904. 1 am in receipt of your letter of the Ist June, enclosing letters from Thomas Harries and Charles J. Ward, complaining of the unfair operation of the system of ram in the Wands ot Penrhyn and Rakahanga. I trust the steps you have taken will prevent any further use of the ram to the detriment of the trade of European residents. 1 have &c The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. n. ivij.ll&.

No. 4

No. 27. __ Alofi, Niue, 7th July, 1904. I have the honour to forward to you herewith for your information a statement of the Niue Island Revenue Account for the quarter ended the 30th June ultimo together with papers showing the state of the Niue banking account, and a summary of the total funds to the credit nf this island as on the 30th June, 1904. The total Customs receipts for the quarter amount t0.£136 16s. 4d. as compared with £269 0s Id for the corresponding quarter of last year. This shrinkage is due to the fact that tactically the whole of the goods imported from New Zealand, with the exception of tobacco and siiHts, are duty-paid in Auckland. The reduction of duty on tobacco has also made a difference^ You will observe that there was a cash balance in hand here amounting to £748 17s sd. at .i °T,7 Ihl . npriod After providing for cheques drawn there should have been a balance to Newlealand, on the 30thJune, of J43S l* *Jd TMs sum includes the balance from Niue postage-stamp sales in Auckland after placing £500 in the p f \ffi, tvl bank and paying £61 15s. to Mr. Haszard, as mentioned in your telegram of toe 6toW ulmo I m assuming that the Niue Postage-stamp Sales Account is now closed theotn June uitimu * Account, Bank of New Zealand. It is Poiible,"of thahhis-baii than the sum named if accrued interest were add6 The total funds to the credit of this island amount to £2,181 ss. 7d., as shown by attached I have, &c, P a P er ' C F. Maxwell, Hon.C H. Mills, Minister in Charge, Resident Commissioner, Niue. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.