A.— 3.

No. 16. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, sth July, 1905. Referring to your letter of the 3rd March on the subject of leasing land in the Cook Islands, I should like you to consider whether something cannot be done to facilitate the granting of leases to suitable applicants in this colony. You point out that the leases can only be obtained by the applicants negotiating with the Native owners, and it seems to me that so long as this is so European settlement in the islands will advance very slowly, since it is impossible here to give an applicant sufficient information to justify him taking definite action. It is only natural that an intending settler should expect some guarantee that he will secure a lease if he decides to visit the islands with that object, and it has occurred to me that arrangements might be made whereby an applicant could receive from this office sufficient information to enable him to form a reasonable idea of his prospects of success. Now that there seems to be a growing disposition on the part of the Natives to have their lands surveyed and their titles defined, may it not be possible to furnish this office with full information regarding specific areas that may be available for lease from time to time? There is no doubt that the future progress of the islands is largely dependent on the growth of European settlement, and although up to the present the applicants have not been numerous, I feel sure that there are numbers of desirable settlers who would gladly take up land in the islands if it was known that reasonable facilities were being offered. I have, &0., The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 17. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 6th July, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th April, forwarding the minutes of a meeting held at Rarotonga for the purpose of ascertaining the views of the Arikis on the land question. I have read these very carefully, and approve of the position you have taken up. We can only hope that as a result of your conference it will be found that the interests of the " small people " will now be better safeguarded, without any loss of mana or dignity to the Ariki party. Do I understand you to say that every man owns land, including the unga section of the community; or am I right in my assumption that these people hold land merely on sufferance from, and as tenants of, the higher orders?. ; ■ I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

A.-3, 1905, No. 181.

No. 18. Si R) _ Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 7th July, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th May, and am glad to know that there is no reason to fear a shortage of the material used in the manufacture of hats in Niue. I note what you say as to the present condition of the industry, and the need of securing a more extended market. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 1.

No. 19. Sir,— Niue, 10th July, 1905. I have the honour to enclose to you a Return of Imports into Niue for the quarter ended the 30th June ultimo. The total value of imports is £1,529, which is £1,160 less than the value of imports for corresponding period last year —viz., £2,689. The duties collected, £165 19s. 2d., are £29 2s. 10d. more than were received for the same time last year. The goods imported from New Zealand proper amount to £1,242, as contrasted with £2,593 for June quarter, 1904, a falling-ofi of £1,351. With the exception of tobacco, practically the whole of these goods are free, or duty-paid in New Zealand, which explains the small amount of Customs duty collected here. It is not easy to account for this falling-off in the imports except that traders overstocked last year, and owing to the abundance of Native food this year the Natives have not purchased foodstuffs, &c, to the same extent that was expected. Now that Messrs. Lever have relinquished business in Niue, future imports will be almost entirely from New Zealand, and most of the duties will be paid there. A large number of labourers have returned during the quarter from Maiden Island and Samoa, and brought in considerable quantities of goods, of which such articles as biscuits, meats, and soap are of New Zealand manufacture. . I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Collector of Customs, &c, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington,

8