A.—3

6

We then knew that he had forsaken us, because he said that in the future his talk would go to the British Government. "Was it because it is his parent?" We remember it is also our parent. It was from the British bible that the Cook Islands were first enlightened, and from the British Government we got our flag—given to us to protect and shield us from enemies. This is how we know it is also our parent. The British Eesident has been too hasty in his anger, shown no forbearance, has hurriedly left us, and caused the estrangement. And now (Sir), your Excellency, we know his ways; and what he has now done it is not pleasing to think of. What we all desire is that you will appoint another British Eesident for us, because the present British Eesident (Mr. F. J. Moss) is not at all suited to us. This is our petition to you. We have given copies in English and Maori to the British Eesident, and with the request that he will forward this (the original) to your Excellency. And your petitioners will ever pray, &c. J. M. Salmon. Me Tuaeau ") V. Maoatel-t, . Ngarohu lAitutaki. Tita (Baxotonga. Ngapo j Utakea (his x mark) \ Tuapi ~\ Tua -Atiu. Tangi LMangaia. Kaketera (his x mark) j Tiraapu J Witnessed above signatures, written in the Parliament House, this 13th day of September, 1897, by Frederick Goodwin, Clerk of Cook Islands Parliament pro tern. Earotonga, 13th September, 1897.—Tepou o te Eangi, Chief Judge.

[Translation.] Sir, — Earotonga, 7th September, 1897. Salutations ! This is the word of the Arikis to you. To give you this paper that you may see it and send it to the Governor of New Zealand. They will also send one to him. Enough. From the Arikis of Earotonga—that is to say,— Makea Ariki. Kueiha. Tinomana Ariki. Ngamaru. Pα o Kainuku. Makea Daniela V. Makea to Mr. F. J. Moss [Translation.] Sir, — Earotonga, 16th September, 1897. Salutations ! lam enclosing a petition from me to His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, which will you kindly forward on to New Zealand? Enough. Your obedient servant, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Makea Daniela V. Makea.

[Translation.] To His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.G.M.G., Governor of New Zealand, &c. I, of the undersigned name, a name which is unknown and seldom seen by your Government, but is now being brought before your notice and your day-book—a name which is small in its own country —I am calling to you and your Government from the midst of the torrent to make haste and help me out of it. May the petition of the Arikis of Earotonga, and that of the Parliament, and those who hate the British Eesident without cause, to withdraw F. J. Moss, Esq., from the Cook Islands, have no weight with you, as they know not what they do or say. The British Eesident, F. J. Moss, Esq., leave him here till his clays are clone, to approve the laws for the good of the people and the children, and I will bury him in Earotongan soil when his last day in this world arrives. I am putting this before your face. It is for you to find who is right and who is wrong. May your servants find grace in your eyes. Dated at Avarua, Earotonga, this 16th day of September, in the year 1897. Makea a Vakatini a Makea.

Meechants and Othees at Earotonga to His Excellency the Governor. His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand, &c. The petition of the undersigned merchants and others, residents of Earotonga, respectfully showeth that we find with surprise and regret that a petition has been signed by the Arikis of Earotonga asking for the withdrawal of the present British Eesident, Frederick J. Moss, Esq., and that some other Eesident may be sent who will bear with them in their ignorance of foreign customs and teach them to carry out their laws for the good of all, and to be just "in so doing." On the point of forbearance, we are bound to say that the natives certainly have no right to complain. The administration of justice by the natives has been borne with until a change was absolutely necessary. This led to the introduction into their Parliament by Mr. Moss of a Bill for the creation of a Federal Court, which we believe would have satisfactorily remedied many of the evils of the native administration, and of which Bill we heartily approve. This Bill has been used as a handle by a few persons here notoriously influenced by private feeling and private considerations to incite in the Arikis a fear that their mana (i.e., power) was to be entirely taken away from them. Intrigues of all kinds have been used, and the Bill has been most obstinately opposed in the Native Parliament, without whose consent under the present