A.—3a.

4

It is impossible yet to speak of ways and means, but I am satisfied that with careful administration this Federation will be stable, and conduce much to the progress in knowledge and to the prosperity of the people. 1 am arranging for the opening of the first English school, having, fortunately, a prospect of securing the services of a lady, a trained and certificated teacher, who arrived recently from San Francisco with her husband, his health compelling him to seek a milder climate. This lady has already a very good private school consisting of young children. The Government will be obliged to put up a rough native building for the school. The missionary native school is a large stone building 100 ft. by 30ft., erected by the natives, but handed over by them to the London Missionary Society. I asked for half this large and little-used building, but the Missionary in charge, the Eev. W. Lawrence, did not consider that it could be granted without the consent of the directors in London. The long delay that this would cause might lead to difficulty, especially as the consent of the directors was by no means certain. It seemed to me preferable to have an inexpensive native building, which the chiefs are willing to put up at their own cost, and set the school for English at work as soon as possible. I had hoped at one time to see the school attached to the Mission; but the opinions of missionaries themselves vary as to the propriety or advantage of such teaching, and unless the London society makes it a fixed policy it will be better, in my opinion, to keep the religious and the secular teaching distinct. In order to remove any doubt as to her position as chief of the Government, Makea has invited all the arikis of the islands to meet at her residence to make final arrangements. She has also explained that the action taken by those in Barotonga, in their absence, was at the strong solicitation of of the British Resident, who declared it necessary that the Government should regard as urgent the bringing into immediate operation of the law for levying a duty on imports, and other minor measures under the consideration of the Parliament. When this meeting of the arikis is held, the only ground of possible cavil as to the action of the Government without waiting for the other arikis to meet in the first instance will have been removed. The laws passed will perhaps be regarded as somewhat crude in form and imperfect in detail. If so, I beg of your Excellency to remember the difficulties of the position—that it was necessary to make them as short and simple as possible, and that I am without clerical assistance of any kind, without the means of printing, and only able, as a rule, to have translations made by an interpreter with a knowledge of English as imperfect as my own knowledge of Maori. The Eev. W. Hutchin is, unfortunately, leaving, and has been too busy to do anything. His successor, the Eev. W. Lawrence, kindly translated the first law, but excused himself from acting as interpreter at the Council, at which, however, Nicholas, a merchant, gave his services. I have already informed your Excellency how timely was the arrival of H.M.S. " Goldfinch." She was fortunately delayed coaling in this harbour till the 21st May. During her stay she was visited by the people of each of the villages in turn. Lieutenant-Commander Kingsmill and his officers spared no pains to make their stay pleasant, and have done much to strengthen the feeling of loyalty to the Queen and attachment to the flag, which are marked traits in the people in these islands. The Parliament will probably not finish its work before the 13th instant, for the members are doing their best to master the several subjects before them. I have, &c, Fbedebick J. Moss, British Eesident. His Excellency the Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand.

Enclosure No. 1. Wheeeas by Proclamation dated the 4th day of April, 1891, His Excellency the Earl of Onslow, G.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand, has declared that a Protectorate is the form in which British authority will be exercised in the several islands of the Cook Group therein named: And whereas it is necessary for the proper conduct and efficient action of such government that the said Islands —reserving to themselves their present full management of local affairs —should be united for purposes common to all: Be it hereby made known that we, the Kings and Chiefs of Mangaia present at this meeting, and properly authorised by the said meeting, agree to the formation of a Central Council in which Mangaia shall have a number of representatives (not less than three), equal to those by which the Island of Earotonga shall be represented, on condition that out of any revenue raised by the said Council the sum of $100 be paid yearly to each of the districts of Oneroa, Tamarua, and Ivirua, to be expended for such public purposes as their local Governments may lawfully decide ; and that a further sum of $30 be paid yearly to each of the representatives sent by Mangaia to the said Central Council: And be it further made known that if our representatives, or any of them, should not have arrived in Earotonga at the date when the first Central Council is to be convened at the British Eesidency in that Island (as near as may be after the 23rd day of May next), we agree that the British Eesident shall act for us on the occasion, and we undertake, if necessary, to ratify and confirm any action which he may take accordingly. Witness our hands at Oneroa, in the Island of Mangaia, this 2nd day of May, 1891. Vaipo (chief of Ivirua). Ngaeiu (chief). Ata Keia (chief). Tukoua (chief). John (ariki). Gilli Iti (chief). Nooeoa (ariki). Aute (chief). Signed in the presence of G. A. Haebis, 2nd May, 1891. Note.—The Eev. G. A. Harris, who signs as witness, interpreted the above at the meeting, and acted as interpreter throughout.