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matters as they (the Arikis) may consider desirable, and which will secure not only additional production, but an increased population living on the land set aside for their occupation as special settlements in Earotonga. Dated at Avarua, this 26th day of September, 1894.

No. 18. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenok. My Lobd,— . British Besidency, Barotonga, 14th November, 1894. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Barotonga Council closed its session on the 26th October, on which day the Arikis' House approved of the measures that had been passed, and sent them to me for approval. I enclose, — 1. Opening address from the Government to the Council on 31st August. 2. Statement of account for the year 1893-94, with statements of revenue and expenditure attached. 3. Estimates for 1894-95, as finally adopted by the Council. 4. Besolution respecting special settlements (referred to in my last despatch, No. 19, of 15th October). 5. The following laws, passed by the Council and approved by me: No. 1, Animals (trespassing; No. 2, Guavas (for their eradication); No. 3, Cruelty to Animals; No. 4, Damage to Property; No. 5, Tax for Boads; No. 6, Land Occupants; No. 7, British Currency in Barotonga; No. 8, Census Act; No. 9, Appropriation Act, 1894-95. No. 5 (Boad Tax) is the first attempt at raising a local revenue from general taxation in this or any other of the Cook Islands. The original proposal was to place the tax on all lands, whether occupied or left waste; but the Council resolutely declined to apply the tax to any but occupied lands: This tax marks, I hope, a new departure, and will lead to a fair and proper payment to the labourers on roads and other public works, which, nominally voluntary, have really been made under a system of forced labour on the part of those who dare not refuse the demand of their chiefs for such work as they were called upon to do. No. 6 (the Land Occupants Act) will be useful in securing those who occupy land from the arbitrary ejectment and demands to which they have been subject. I have also to inform your Excellency that a Proclamation was issued by Makea, the Chief of the Federal Government, on the 6th November, proclaiming the Ist January, 1895, as the date from which British current coin is to be the only legal tender in the Cook Islands. At the end of October the Boman Catholic Mission was opened in Barotonga by two French priests from Tahiti, who inform me that a school for teaching the natives in English will be shortly opened, under the control of two English or Irish sisters appointed for the purpose. The school built at Nikao by the London Missionary Society will also be opened during the present month. I have, &c, Fbedebick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Glasgow, G.C.M.G., British Besident. Governor of New Zealand.

Enclosure No. 1. From the Government to the Council of Babotonga; We welcome you to your yearly meeting, and pray God that your deliberations may be for the good of Barotonga. The Revenue I c. For the year has been ... ... ... ... ... 2,105 20 To which must be added the balance from the previous year ... 901 67 3,006 87 The Expenditure Has been 2,041 07 . ." :.: $965 so The fines from the Arikis Courts in Avarua and Arorangi for the half-year from Ist January to 30th June have not yet been received. The next Year. After providing for all necessary expenditure for Judges, police, and other purposes, we are of opinion that you will have about a thousand dollars for works for the good of Barotonga. To improve the road at the Black Bock should, we think, be one of the first works taken in hand from this money. It will be well for you to consider how best to encourage people to plant coffee and cocoanuts and other good things, and to protect them when planted from being destroyed by horses, cattle, and pigs. We wish you also to say whether the magpies that have been brought here do good or harm. If they do good you should protect them; if they do harm let them be destroyed. We wish you to tell us your thoughts on this matter. The guava plant is spreading fast. Think well how that evil can be stopped.