19

A.—Ba

about our Resident Commissioner —that is, Captain Smith. We know he is a very fine man. He looks after us well, and he guides us thoroughly and wisely on all Government matters —that is, he performs his office under the power of His Majesty the King of all parts of the British Empire. We now tell you he is the man we want. We have told you that part, and now we have a question or two to ask with regard to those things that have happened during times past, before Captain Smith's time. The reason why we ask this is because certain troubles arose during Colonel Gudgeon's time. It is the question of the powers of the Arikis and Mataiapos. That was done away with then. We do not know whether this was the action of the Government or whether it was the action of Colonel Gudgeon. We want to know, Why was the honorarium given to the Arikis and Mataiapos done away with, and why were the Arikis' Courts done away with, and why was the Chief of the Council done away with, and why was the power of the Arikis and Mataiapos over the people done away with? We want to know what we have done to cause that. Why was that done, and why were these things taken away from us? We are living in peace. We recognize that the King of England is lord over all of us and that we are under his power. It is what Lord Ranfurly told us when he came here to hoist the British flag over these Islands. We are obeying those things that he told us then, and we have not in any way broken them. But we now say that these things are changed. It is not as it was told us on that day. That is why we ask these questions, so that you may know what we think. Another thing is about the Europeans on Rarotonga who are living with Native women, and who have begotten children and do not want to marry these women. What are we to do about these people? These are our thoughts which we place before you. Paaro. —To your Honour the Chief Justice, greetings! To you, the representative of His Excellency the Governor, the Government of New Zealand and our Minister, greetings to you ! Also to all those officers who have come with you, greetings to you all! Greetings also to Te Heuheu, Ariki ! Greetings also to our Resident Commissioner, Captain Smith, and to our Medical Officer ! Now we have met face to face to-day. These are the wishes of Pa Ariki and of Kainuku Ariki and all the chiefs and people of Takitumu. These that we shall place before you are our requests and wishes, and we want them placed before the New Zealand Government, and we think it right that we should ask these things, and we have written it, and if you want it read over we will do so. If it is better that it should be handed in as written we will hand it over. His Honour the Chief Justice. —l have to thank you for expressing your wishes and desires on behalf of your people. We shall carefully consider your representations. The Government still recognizes the Arikis, because the Arikis are on the Council, and I am sure they are exceedingly desirous that the government of the island should be maintained, and that the care that the Arikis, Mataiapos, and all the other chiefs have, had for the peace of this island should be ever remembered. I am sure both Mr. Waldegrave and myself recognize you have done all you could for the peace of the Islands. Speaking for myself, I have been delighted with my visit. We have met such a pleasant, kindly people, and I hope that you will always look upon me as your friend, and ask me for any assistance that I can in any way give. I hope that you will see schools established, and your people trained, and great improvements effected in their lives, and I hope you may ever remain strong, and that the race may prosper and be a lasting race. I thank you again for all your kindness and hospitality, and the love which I have seen you bear to us who are Europeans and strangers. Mr. Waldegrave. —l greet you all again to-day. According to our promise we have come to visit you in your settlement, and we have heard what you have to say. It is right that you should tell us all that is in your hearts, so that the Government of New Zealand may be aware of what your wishes are. Your representations that have been made to-day will be laid before the Government, who I am sure will give them every consideration, and endeavour to do everything they can to further your interests. When we return to New Zealand we shall be able to tell the Government of your condition and the manner in which you are living, and the manner in which you are being governed. lam glad to hear what you have said of your Resident Commissioner, Captain Smith, who represents the Government of New Zealand in these Islands. I also wish to thank you for your kindness and hospitality to me while I have been here. I said to you the other day that we came as strangers and you had treated us as friends. I shall always remember you all when I go back to New Zealand, and anything I can do for you I shall be only too glad to do. Perhaps some day I shall come amongst you again and renew my old friendships. I thank you again. M. Members of Council to Sir Robert Stout. [Translation.] Rarotonga, 19th June, 1911. To His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Robert 'Stout, K.C.M.G. Greetings to you ! Since meeting you on Tuesday, the 13th instant, we have had time to consider many matters, and after due consideration we recognize that our Resident Commissionerhas so much work to do pertaining to his office in generally administering affairs and conducting the commercial side of the Administration, and on that account cannot give the time and attention to Land Court work on this island and on the other islands of the Group, and the Northern Islands, as should be, for that work should not be neglected. We therefore suggest that a good Land Court Judge be appointed from the Land Court of New Zealand to go into these matters and