7

A.—3a

6. That in each of the said districts the people shall elect their members to the Parliament in such manner as the local laws of the district may direct. 7. That the Parliament shall meet at Avarua, in the Island of Earotonga, at 10 a.m. on the 15th day of June in every year, and when the day falls on Sunday the day following shall be substituted. 8. That the Parliament shall at each yearly meeting elect one of its members to be Chairman for the year. 9. The Government. —That an Executive Council is hereby appointed to carry out the laws made by the Parliament, and to look after the well-being of the Islands when Parliament is not in session. That this Council shall be styled " the Government "of the Cook Islands. 10. That the Government may at any time call a special meeting of the Parliament, giving thirty days' notice of such meeting. The notice to date from the date of publication. 11. That with the Government shall rest the power of reducing or remitting any penalties imposed under laws passed by the Parliament; but such power shall only be exercised with the approval of the British Resident. 12. That all arihis of the Cook Islands shall be ex-officio members of the Government. 13. That Makea Takau is hereby appointed Chief of the Government, and is to administer it under the laws of the Parliament and subject to the approval of the British Eesident. All letters or other public documents issued by the Government are to be signed by the said Makea Takau. 14. That any appointments to public office shall be expressed as made subject to the approval of Parliament, and shall be submitted for its consideration at the first opportunity. 15. Fixed Appropriations. —That out of any revenue raised by authority of the Parliament the sum of $1,560 shall be appropriated yearly as follows : (a.) To each of the four Representative Districts, to be expended by the local Governments of such districts for public purposes, $300 ; (b.) To each member of the Parliament for his personal use, $30. 16. All laws made by the Parliament shall be in English and in Maori, and whenever doubts arise as to the meaning of the Maori the English version shall take effect. 17. Additional Glauses. —Whenever persons fined under any law of the Parliament neglect to pay or are unable to pay such fines, the Court shall substitute such labour with or without imprisonment, as it may deem most suitable. 18. The posting of laws or notices in any public place appointed by the Government shall be sufficient promulgation thereof. Te Pou, Chairman of Parliament. Approved for the Islands of the Protectorate. Fkbdbeick J. Moss, British Eesident, sth June, 1891. Approved for Aitutaki until Her Majesty's pleasure is made known. Fbedeeick J. Moss, British Eesident, sth June, 1891. This Act to come into immediate operation. Fbedbeick J. Moss, British Eesident, sth June, 1891.

No. 2.—To Levy an Impoet Duty (June, 1891). It is hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands, — 1. That a duty of 5 per cent, on the original cost and charges till landed at the Cook Islands shall be levied on all goods, or movable property of any kind, imported into the Cook Islands : But the Government may remit such duty on— (a) Wearing apparel for the use of the owner ; (b) articles imported for use or consumption by religious missions, or schools in connection with them, or any other schools that may be established hereafter. 2. The Government is hereby empowered, subject in all cases to the approval of the British Eesident, to make all necessary regulations for giving effect to this law. 3. Any person evading payment of import duty, or infringing regulations made by the Government under this law, shall be liable to a fine not exceeding $ 1,000, and the said regulations may provide for fines to that extent accordingly. Tβ Pou, Chairman of Parliament. Approved, to go into operation forthwith. Fkedekick J. Moss, British Eesident, sth June, 1891.

No. 3.— lmpoet Duty No. 2 (June, 1891). It is hereby enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands, — 1. That the Government may remit the import duty on all goods afloat and actually on the voyage to the Cook Islands on or before the sth day of June last past. 2. That the Government may remit the duty on empty packages, or the sawn timber, or staves, or other material ready to be put together to make such packages, provided that the said, packages are intended to be used for the export of the produce of the Cook Islands. Te Pou, Chairman of Parliament. Approved, to go into operation forthwith. Feedekick J. Moss, British Eesident, Bth June, 1891.