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Amendments to Liquor Law suggested to Rabotonga Council in the Opening Address op the Arikis (2nd August, 1897). From the British Resident to the Arikis (the Government of Rarotonga). Salutations ! The Rarotonga Council is to meet on Tuesday, the 31st instant, and there are two things which I suggest you should specially bring before them—the liquor law and the public schools. The Liquor Laiv has now been seven years in existence. For a long time it worked well, but in the last few months there has been great relaxation in its administration. My instructions on coming here were to report from time to time respecting the liquor law, and in doing so some months ago I stated that it was my intention to make proposals for amendment when the Council met. The weak points are, — (1.) That the police let people go about tipsy in the street and roads without bringing them before the Judge. (2.) That the "liquor permits " to Maoris are issued in the name of the Arikis by persons appointed to act for them, and those persons, being unpaid, have gradually adopted the pernicious practice of charging for each permit. (3.) The means of enforcing prohibition orders are very deficient. (4.) There is no provision to prevent the sale of bad and poisonous liquor. (1.) As to the police, the Judges are their heads, and the only people who can keep them up to the mark. (2.) As to the liquor permits, a sum should be voted for the Arikis to pay monthly the persons who sign for them, and those persons should be severely punished if they then take other money for issuing permits as well. (3.) To enforce prohibition orders, the long-talked-of lock-up should be finished. (4.) People should be punished for selling bad liquor. Some of the rum sold here I have sent to Auckland for analysis, and hoped to have had the analysis back before this, but it has not yet come. Returning from the May mission feast at Arorangi, on Queen's Birthday, I first noticed the evident increase of tipsy Maoris walking in the road, and at once wrote to the Ariki of Arorangi, hoping that the men would be fined and no more permits issued to them till they were fit to be trusted. I have written since to others; and it is time that the law should be altered, especially as to the issue of Arikis' permits. The law about bush beer should also be reconsidered. The secrecy with which it is now made is probably doing far more harm than open manufacture could do.

Prom the Akikis (the Government of Rarotonga) to the Rarotonga Council. We lay before you, in this our opening message for the present session, a letter from the British Resident sent to us respecting the liquor laws and the public schools. In laying that letter before you we urge the necessity of your giving these questions the most full and careful consideration. Be not in haste over them, especially the public schools, which will affect not only the children now growing up, but those who are to come for generations after them. Make full inquiry, and when you have decided what you think best to be done let us know, and we will say whether we agree or do not agree with your views. The Rarotonga Council. As we have not yet been able to get the laws printed, it will be well to remind all the people of what the Council consists. This is the law which was passed on 22nd December, 1893: The Council is divided into two parts, the Council of Arikis and that of the people. You are the Council of the people, and when you have agreed to anything it is to be brought to us. If we agree also, and the British Resident approves, then it is law. If we do not agree, then it falls to the ground. The Government. The Arikis of Rarotonga are not only a part of the Council, they are also the Government. As the Government we now speak to you, and say what has been done during the past year, and send you the British Resident's letter about the liquor and the schools for your consideration. The Revenue for the year ending 30th June, 1897, has been £763 ss. Id., namely : — £ s. d. . £ s. aSubsidies from Federal Government .. 102 0 0 Education rate: Avarua .. .. .. 81 4 6 Permits for liquor: Maoris .. .. 192 2 0 „ Arorangi .. 21 17 5 Others .. .. 210 16 5 „ Takitumu (for two years) .. 32 0 5 Road-tax: Avarua .. .. .. 13 8 4 Arorangi ........ 763 5 1 Takitumu .. .. .. .. Add to this the balance in hand on Ist July, Dog-tax: Avarua .. .. .. 15 13 10 1897 .. .. .. .. !. 75 12 4 „ Arorangi .. .. .. 0 6 7 Takitumu .. .. .. .. Total receipts .. .. .. £838 17 5 Court fees: Avarua .. .. .. 68 0 0 Arorangi .. .. .. 14 0 0 Takitumu .. .. .. 11 15 7 Expenditure. The expenditure for the year ending the 30th June has been £632 Is. 6d., namely,— & a. d. £ s , a. Public schools .. .. .. .. 172 10 0 Rent of bond .. .. ..580 Arikis' Courts—Judges and police .. .. 296 10 0 Auditing and departmeutal .. .. 22 10 0 Expenses of the Council .. .. .. 9 10 0 Roads and road inspector . , .. .. 65 0 0 Printing, stationery, interpreting, and general contingencies .. .. .. 60 13 6 £632 l 6 Leaving a balance on the Ist July, 1897, of £206 15s. lid., from which must be deducted outstanding liabilities not exceeding £50. Pull accounts will, as usual, be laid before you. We do not think it necessary to say more at present. The schools and the liquor-law are all which we bring before you for consideration. In dealing with them and all other matters for the good of Rarotonga we pray that God will give you wisdom and his blessing on your work. For the Government, Rarotonga, 31st August, 1897. Tinomana (Ariki).