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You took it as a threat?— Yes; it was through that; he was going to the Queen of England: we thought we would go too. About that time we wrote to Mr. Moss to come and meet us here, on the 6th December. The whole of the Arikis and the Parliament were here, but the British Resident did not come. We received a letter (No. 1). From that they referred back to the Proclamation at the hoisting of the British flag. They did not have the idea of stopping the Bill. The Arikis thought the office of President should be held by Mr. Moss. They asked for this year to consider the Bill. They were in a doubt as to the purport of the Bill. The British Resident not coming to the meeting, they had other ideas. That was their reason for writing this petition to the Governor. They then remembered past grievances which they had let pass. Mr. Moss did not explain where this Bill originated. They did not know whether it came from England or from Mr. Moss. Had Mr. Moss come to the meeting it is likely that the trouble would have been settled in Rarotonga. That ia my idea. 3. Removal of Bank, Post Office, &o. Vaikai Moate examined: Have you anything to say about the removal of the bank? —The Parliament have asked for the bank to be shifted. What do you mean by that ? What have you thought should be done? —The Government look at it this way : that the control of the bank is with some. They would feel then that the building was their own. Will Parliament appoint an officer and provide a salary ?—Yes. And find the money for the banker to use?— Yes. When they first asked for the building, Mr. Moss asked where was the money to come from. They offered to give up their subsidies. Whose subsidies? [Te Pou: The subsidies to different islands—£4s for each island.] Do you know what the police and the Judges are paid out of ? —He does not know. All the members for all the islands agreed ?—Yes. Mr. Moss thought that unreasonable ?—There was a letter written to Mr. Moss, and he objected ; that was all. They put it to the vote. Do you not know that it is the duty of the Resident to advise you, and if he thinks foolish things are put before you he should advise you to reject them ? Vaikai: That one year Mr. Gamier was sent for by the Parliament. He was asked the question if there was any money available. He said, " No." He advised them to leave it for another year, The next year there was no money. At that time Mr. Moss suggested the hospital. There was money put on the list for that purpose. They did not agree to the hospital, but Mr. Moss insisted. In their ideas they did not consent. This year they brought that question again, and Mr. Moss agreed to shift the buildings, and told them to find a suitable position, and asked for money. They agreed to spend £120. Mr. Moss said it was too small. Did Mr. Moss say how much was necessary ?—Mr. Moss told them to wait till after these troubles are over. Te Pou examined : Have you anything to say about the bank ?—All they wanted was the bank to be shifted to some other house, but it has not been done. Would not the hospital buildings make good public offices?— Yes ;if let subject to a ground-rent of £7. I think so myself. But what about the hospital ? Do you want to have a hospital?—lf these premises are taken over for offices, what about the sick ? I think there ought to be a hospital; there is no money to build a hospital. How would it do to have the post-office in the Parliament House , that would save the £14 a year now paid to Donald and Edinborough. 4. Hospital. An unqualified person has been elected surgeon of the hospital, and money expended on the hospital ? —The unqualified person is Dr. Caldwell. When theDrs. Craig came they found that they cured the sick, which Dr. Caldwell did not. We complain that Mr. Moss and the Government engaged an unqualified man. Was not Dr. Caldwell engaged before Dr. Craig came ? —Yes. Was not Dr. Caldwell the only doctor here at that time ?—We complain that Dr. Caldwell ought to have stated that he was not qualified. Dr. Craig told me that Dr. Caldwell was not a qualified man. Do you know that the Hospital Board offered the appointment to Dr. Caldwell ? —I do not know that. Dr. Craig : Why do you say Dr. Caldwell is not qualified ? —I know Dr. Caldwell is not here, and give that as a reason for not answering. 5. Not advising the Head of the Government. Te Pou: Mr. Moss used at first to advise the Arikis, but he does not advise them now. Did not Mr. Moss advise you for a good many years since the letter of 1891 [produced] ?—He knows that Mr. Moss has given advice since that time. When did Mr. Moss cease to advise you?—l do not know. John Vairakau (Judge of Arorangi) : Receiving that letter from Mr. Moss, she always expected others. In former years Mr. Moss framed the laws, and sent it out. to them. Lately Mr. Moss framed the laws and sends them direct to the Parliament and not to the Arikis. lam quite sure of this. When the Government was formed and Makea elected head of the Government, was it not Mr. Moss's duty to consult only Makea ?—Yes. Then it was Mr. Moss's duty to consult with Makea only about the Bills ?—I can only speak about the Rarotonga Council. Te Pou: Do you say that Mr. Moss has not consulted with Makea Ariki about the Bills? [Mr. Moss explains that he has not consulted with Makea before Bills went to Parliament, but with Te Pou, Chairman of the Parliament and her mouthpiece; but always after they had passed.] Te Pou: When I was Chairman Mr. Moss did consult with me. Did you know that Mr. Moss always consulted with Makea after the Bills were passed ?—After the Bills were passed they came to the Clerk, and I know papers came to the Ariki. I do not see that you mention any case of Mr. Moss not having advised the Chief of the Government ?—All we want that Mr. Moss should mix up with the Arikis, as he used to do ; not the Parliament. When did Mr. Moss cease to mix up with and advise the Arikis ? —ln former times when he received any news from foreign countries he used to let them know. It is only this year that Mr. Moss has ceased to advise them. 6. Federal Court a strain on the Revenue. Te Pou says he wishes Mr. Salmon should speak about this, as it is an Arorangi matter. /. M. Salmon (Arorangi) ; The Court expenses are paid out of general revenue, and we do not want two Federal Courts. That the existing Court did not pay its expenses, and two would be a strain on the revenue. Mr. Moss explains that the new Bill repeals the old Act establishing the Supreme Court. i 7. The Appointment of Mr. Scard as Auditor. Te Pou: Ido not know anything about it. Are you aware that Makea, though at first objecting to the appointment, subsequently agreed to the appointment ?—I do not know. Why has not this been mentioned before?—[Document produced, signed by Makea, in whioh Mr. Scard is appointed Auditor.]

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