35

A.—3

Table IV. —Revenue of the Federal Government of the Cook Islands for the Year ending 30th June, 1896, with Comparative Statement for 1894-95, 1893-94, 1892-93.

Table V.—Expenditure of the Fedeeal Government of the Cook Islands for the Year ending 30th June, 1896, with Comparative Statement, 1895-94, 1894-93, 1893-92. £ s. d. 1895-96 ... ... ... ... ... ... . 1,441 0 8 1894-95 ... ... ... ... ... 1,376 8 9 1893-94 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 860 17 4 1892-93 ... ... ... ... ... ... 933 19 8 Total ... ... ... £4,612 6 5 Resume. —Revenue and Expendituee from Ist July, 1892, to 30th June, 1.896. £ a. d. £ s. d. Ist July, 1893.—Balance in hand ... ... 305 18 11 30th June, 1896.—Four years' revenue (Table IV.) 4,787 15 5 5,093 14 4 Ist July, 1893.—Expenditure (Table V.)... ... 4,612 6 5 30th June, 1896.—Liabilities on 30th June, 1896 ... 217 15 9 4,830 2 2 Balance available Ist July, 1896 ... ... ... £263 12 2

No. 12. The Pbemiek to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sib,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 22nd April, 1897. I have been directed by the Premier to forward for your information the enclosed extracts from a letter addressed by a Mr. Wilkie, sometime resident in the Cook Islands, to the Hon. George Jones, M.L.C., and by him handed to the Hon. Mr. Walker, Minister of Education. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Resident, Rarotonga. Alex. Willis.

Enclosure. Deab Sib,— Wellington, 9th April, 1897. Would you kindly ask the House during this session if they are aware that the Natives of Rarotonga are being supplied with drink—rum —wholesale. The Natives have no difficulty in getting it at any time. In December last rum was offered for sale by a Native on the road at Ngatangiia. I have also seen Europeans come out of a Native house at Ngatangiia having been supplied with rum. I have been offered, time after time, rum from Natives on the road from Avarua. I have been told by Natives that they are not allowed to make their own laws as promised, and that they are much against the sale of rum in the islands. The bond-stores are joined to Donald and Edinborough's store, and Donald and Edinborough have an entrance to the bond from their store which can only be locked on Donald and Edinborough's side. The Natives object to this, also to the post-office being in the building. The Native Parliament spent three days last session on post-office, but the British Resident would not allow it to be removed. The Natives are thoroughly disgusted. I shall be pleased to answer any questions you may think fit to ask. References: Mr. Kohn, storekeeper ; Rev. R. J. K. Hutchin; King Maretu ; Queen Makea; William Olliver. Signature of letter-writer — George Jones, Esq. James W. Wilkie. There is no postal orders from or to Auckland. Government charge 2s. per dollar, but only allow Is. 6d. Natives say no use going to Parliament, as Mr. Moss makes all laws.

No. 13. Mr. F. J. Moss to the Peemiee. Sic, — British Residency, Rarotonga, 26th May, 1897. I have to acknowledge receipt on the 20th instant of your letter of 22nd April, covering "extract from a letter addressed by a Mr. Wilkie to the Hon. Mr. Jones, M.L.C., and by him handed to the Hon. Mr. Walker, Minister of Education." Mr. Wilkie was here for a few months as schoolmaster at Ngatangiia. The statements in his letter are merely a repetition of those unceasingly made to strangers and others by a party with which he connected himself when here, and which has been indefatigable in its efforts to annoy the British Resident and create discontent among the Maoris. It is gratifying to find that the

Year. Import Duty of 5 per Cent. Postal and Postage Stamps. Lospital Duty, 1 per Cent, on Imports. Miscellaneous. Total. 1895-96 1894-95 1893-94 1892-93 £ s. 1,117 10 1,048 2 943 10 563 6 d. 1 9 5 5 £ 120 228 278 245 s. d. 8 5 0 1 2 3 5 9 £ 171 s. d. 9 8 £ s. d. 19 9 6 10 18 6 24 14 5 16 17 2 £ s. d. 1,428 17 8 1,287 1 4 1,246 7 1 825 9 4 Total 3,672 9 8 871 16 6 171 9 8 71 19 7 4,787 15 5