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A.—3

(32.) Breach of the Passenger Act. Your Honour,— Collector's Office, Barotonga, 28th December, 1897. I have to report to your Honour that I was not aware of fifty passengers proceeding by the schooner " Titia Tonga" to Aitutaki. No ono reported the circumstance to me, and, as lam entirely without assistance in my office, it is impossible for me to proceed on board every vessel leaving or arriving here to count the passengers. Had I been aware of the fact I certainly should have taken measures. I should like to point out that for many years previously to the natives owning ships it was the general custom for shipowners and shipmasters of any nationality to carry as many passengers as they chose. This they did at a reduced price for a large number, and availed themselves of the privilege (according to my information) to a much greater extent than the natives at present do. When, however, the latter became themselves owners they of course preferred to travel by their own ships. I have, &c, Sir James Prendergast, K.C.M.G., Chief Justice. J. H. Gaenieb, Collector.

(33.) Deae Sir Henry Berkeley,— The Residency, Rarotonga, 20th November, 1897. Welcome to Rarotonga. You will find a buggy waiting at the wharf for yourself and Captain Leggatt. I should like to bo there to meet you, but an eagle eye is kept on my movements just now, and everything misrepresented to the natives. We have a spare room, and shall be glad to have you with us. Other places will be also at your disposal, but we can talk over that when you land. I received your letter by the " Upolu," and have had the papers prepared. Yours, &c, Fbederick J. Moss.

(34.) Non-payment of Monthly Salary. Sir, — Avarua, Rarotonga, 23rd December, 1897. As teacher of the public school for the district of Avarua, I would like to bring before the notice of your Honour the following facts : That my salary has not been paid for three months; that I have been communicated with that lam not to receive it, though no reason has been given; that the teacher at Ngatangiia assures me he received his last month. I have written to the teacher at Arorangi, but so far I have not received any reply as to whether he has been paid. Correspondence has passed between the British Resident and myself, and, if necessary,' can be produced. I have, &c, Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice of New Zealand. E. A. Sivewright.

Dear Mr. Rice, — Avarua, Rarotonga, 17th December, 1897. Will you kindly tell me whether you have received your last cheque ? I knew there was some delay at first, and I have wondered if you have received it, and, if so, were you also paid the assistant's money? lam anxious to know, and would consider it a great service if you would let me hear from you.—With kind regards, believe me, &c, E. A. Sivewright.

Dear Miss Sivewright,— Avarua, 27th December, 1897. Replying to the above, permit me to say, Yes, we have received all school-moneys due us up to 30th November, 1897. I signed the papers required by Mr. Moss after his Proclamation, and there has been no interruption in the receipt of our pay. Trusting you will pardon the unintentional delay in replying, I remain, &c, J. D. Rice, Head Teacher, A.P.S.

(35.) Non-payment of Monthly Subsidy. Sir,— Rarotonga, 23rd December, 1897. On Monday, the 13th December last, the steamer " Upolo " conveyed to His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand the copy of a letter sent by the Hospital Board to the British Resident, re the non-payment of the monthly subsidy guaranteed by Parliament to the Board, and as you, the representative of the Governor, are now in our midst, we beg respectfully to lay before you a copy of this same letter, together with the memorandum on general hospital affairs drawn up previously by us. We have, &c, F. Goodwin, Chairman To Sir James Prendergast, Chief Justice of New Zealand, &c. (For the Hospital Board).

(36.) Hospital Subsidy. His Honour Sir James Prendergast, &c. Rarotonga, 20th November, 1897. Whebeas your Honour has been appointed by Her Majesty Queen Victoria's representative over these seas to inquire into matters pertaining to the welfare of the inhabitants of the Cook Islands, now under Her Majesty's protection: We, the undersigned members of the Board of the hospital for these same Cook Islands, do suggest your Honour to recommend that the said hospital be placed on sound financial and structural bases, on the following grounds : — 1. That it is futile to expect a properly qualified medical man to take up a permanent position here, unless it be to a certain extent guaranteed that the said medical man shall be able to receive or make a suitable income. 2. That it is necessary for the conservation of the native races of this Protectorate, and also for the comfort and safety of white settlers, that a medical man, qualified to cope with various forms of disease, be resident here. 3. That it is to be regretted that in the past, through the incompetence or ignorance of a so-called medical man, life has been endangered, and even lost. 4. That it is useless to expect the Maoris, at the present state of civilisation to which they have attained, to understand or fulfil the obligation of personally and privately supporting a hospital. 5. That the Board has, in the past, sought to increase the income of the hospital—(a) By endeavouring to obtain a larger annual parliamentary grant; and (b) by the issue of " orders," so as to prevent undue advantage being taken of the free treatment given at the hospital: but that by these actions it has only incurred the opposition and censure of the British Resident. 6. That the present building is unsuitable as to position and structure. We have, &c, F. Goodwin, Chairman. J. W. Harding, Vice-Chairman. A. E. Large, LL.A., Treasurer. A. H. Browne, Secretary. His Honour Sir James Prendergast, &c. (For the Hospital Board.)

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