A.—3.

No. 7. Sir, — Earotonga, 20th April, 1908. I have the honour to report, for your information, that it is my intention to take advantage of the visit of the " John Williams " about the middle of May, and inspect every island of the group. I will also take Dr. Gatley with me, and will see that he reports the result of his inspection to you. I may point out that there is great economy of time in the trip of this mission boat, inasmuch that, while it gives me ample time to hold Courts or inquire into grievances, &c, I get through the whole work in one month, whereas by any other mode of transport it would take three months. I have, kc, W. E. Gudgeon, Eesident Commissioner. The Hon. James McGowan, Minister administering Islands.

No. 8. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 19th May, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 20th April last, reporting your intention to take advantage of the visit of the " John Williams " to inspect the various islands of the Cook Group. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. James MoGowan.

FEDERAL COUNCIL AND ISLAND COUNCIL ORDINANCES. No. 9. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 2nd August, 1907. I have the honour to forward enclosed, for the approval of His Excellency the Governor, Federal Ordinance No. 21, providing for the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges within the Island of Rarotonga, and also Local Ordinance No. 7, which has reference to building regulations in this island. In the first of these Ordinances I have taken advantage of an ancient custom (akanooanga), which provides that all public works shall be performed by a call upon the whole population within the boundaries of the Ariki who carries out the work. The traffic on the Rarotonga roads is now very great, for not less than 700 tons of fruit is the average for each month. For this reason the people will have to do extra work to keep the roads in repair. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. James McGowan, Minister administering Islands.

No. 10. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th September, 1907. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 2nd August last, forwarding the Rarotonga Buildings Ordinance No. 7, passed by the Island Council of Rarotonga, for the assent of His Excellency the Governor. I return herewith the ordinance duly assented to by His Excellency. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. James MoGowan.

Enclosure. Rarotonga Local Ordinance No. 7.—The Rarotonga Buildings Ordinance, 1907. An.Ordinance in reference to Regulations for Buildings in Rarotonga. Be it enacted by the Island Council of Rarotonga as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Rarotonga Buildings Ordinance, 1907." 2. It shall be lawful for the Resident Commissioner to make, alter, or repeal regulations in connection with the construction and repair of buildings within any settlement in Rarotonga, and by such regulations to fix such penalties for breach thereof as may be deemed necessary. Such regulations may authorise any officer appointed by the Resident Commissioner to pull down, remove, or alter any work, material, or thing erected, or being in contravention of an}' regulation hereunder, and to recover from the person committing the breach all expenses incurred in connection with such pulling-down, removal, or alteration, in addition to any penalty incurred by reason of such breach.

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