A.—3a

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» H. Dr. Dawson to Sir Robert Stout. Your Honour, — Avarua, 13th June, 1911. Regarding your verbal request for certain particulars of the three cases mentioned in my correspondence with the Resident Commissioner in the months of January, February, and March last, I beg respectfully to refer you to the last paragraph in my letter to you, dated 11th June. I apologize to you for seeming to change my ground, but the fact is that on the spur of the moment I agreed to supply the particulars desired, and my hasty action in thus agreeing was simply a reflection of my earnest desire to see hospital matters put on a proper basis. I think you will agree with me that the giving of these particulars would stultify the terms of my letter. For another reason, I wish you to ascertain for yourself the present method of death registration and certifications, which is an absolute farce, and this I think can best be done by your making inquiries through departmental channels. I have, &c, Sir Robert Stout. C. M. Dawson.

I. Sir Robert Stout to Dr. Dawson. Sir, — Rarotonga, 14th June, 1911. lam in receipt of your letter of the 13th instant. I understand from you that Tau was the man who died, and I am informed that he died on the 3rd February, 1911, and was buried on the 4th February; further, that he was dead when the Commissioner received your letter of the 3rd February stating that you had a person to admit to the Hospital suffering from ischiorectal abscess. I have, &c, Dr. Dawson, Rarotonga. Robert Stout.

J. Dr. Dawson to Sir Robert Stout, Your Honour, — Avarua, 14th June, 1911. Tau was the man that died. He died on 3rd February, about midday. I was unaware of this till 3 p.m., when I went out to visit him. My letter to the Resident Commissioner was written early that morning, and I think should have been received by him before midday. The Resident Commissioner's reply was dated Bth February. I have, &c, Sir Robert Stout. C. M. Dawson.

K. Notes of Meeting with the Federal Council, 13th June, 1911: Captain Smith.— These are the members of the Federal Council who have been asked here this afternoon to meet His Honour the Chief Justice of New Zealand. His Honour has very graciously consented to come down to the Cook Islands to hear what you may have to say upon your own affairs. Anything for the benefit of your people he will convey to the New Zealand Government. Any complaints that you may have to make with regard to the administration he will also go into and convey to the New Zealand Government. This is an opportunity probably that you never had in your lives before, and I wish you to avail yourselves of it most freely. Be not afraid of any person or of any one. Tell His Honour everything that you want to say freely and without the slightest reserve. In order that you may be able to express yourselves more freely I intend to ask His Honour to allow me to leave the room. Mr. Waldegrave, the Under-Secretary for Justice, will also listen to what you have to say. His Honour the Chief Justice. —I wish to add one or two words to what the Commissioner has said. I should like to hear from you anything that you may like to say about the administration of government in Rarotonga and the Islands. I take a great interest in all things that concern the Islands. For three years I was all through New Zealand meeting the Maori people and hearing what they had to say and what they desired. I met them in all their pas and villages, and they came and openly told me just what they wanted, and I heard them, and we understood each other. If you have any suggestions to make about anything or any complaints to make I shall be very glad to hear them. Pa Ariki. —I wish Paaro to speak. Paaro. —Greetings to your Hono lr the Chief Justice of New Zealand ! To Mr. Waldegrave, who has been sent here amongst us on Government matters, we extend greetings also. You have just asked us, if we have anything to complain of, to unreservedly tell you —that is, anything we have to say about the administration of government over these Islands. Now, we will tell you exactly what we say and know about the administration of government at the present time. The