A.—3

30

15. Fixed Appropriations. —That out of any revenue raised by authority of Parliament the sum of 51,560 shall be appropriated yearly as follows : (a) To each of the four representative districts, to be expended by the local .Governments of such districts for public purposes, $300 ; (b) to each member of Parliament for his personal use, $30. 16. General. —That all laws made by Parliament shall be in English and in Maori, and whenever doubts arise as to meaning or construction the English version shall rule. 17. That whenever persons fined under any law of the Parliament neglect to pay or are unable to pay such fines the Supreme Court shall substitute such labour, with or without imprisonment, as it may deem most suitable. 18. That the posting of laws or notices in any public place appointed by the Government shall be sufficient promulgation thereof. Dated at Avarua, this sth day of June, 1891. Approved for the islands of the Protectorate. Frederick J. Moss, British Resident.—sth June, 1891. Approved for Aitutaki, until Her Majesty's pleasure may be made known. Frederick J. Moss, British Resident.—sth June, 1891. This Act to go into immediate operation. Frederick J. Moss, British Resident. —sth June, 1891. No. 4)91. — To establish a Supreme Court. —(Passed 10th June, 1891.) Short Title.-—" The Federal Court Act, 1891." Ie is hereby enacted by the British Resident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands : :' , 1. That there shall be a Supreme Court for the Cook Islands. 2. That the Court shall for the present consist of a Chief Judge, who shall be appointed by the Government, with the approval of the British Resident. That the Government may also appoint, with the approval of the British Resident, not more than two Associate Judges if at any time the Government consider it advisable to do so. 3. That a Judge of the Supreme Court shall only be removed from office by a special law made for that purpose by the Parliament, and approved by the British Resident. ■4. That the Government may suspend from office any Judge charged with misconduct as Judge, and may appoint some other person to act in his place till the meeting of Parliament next ensuing, but the salary of a Judge shall continue to be paid during his suspension. 5. The Supreme Court only, unless otherwise ordered in any particular law, shall take cognisance of all offences against laws made by Parliament, or of charges of murder, against either Maoris or foreigners. When cases arise between foreigners in any of the Cook Islands, such cases may, on the demand of either party, be transferred from the local to the Supreme Court for trial. 6. The Court shall sit at Avarua on the third day of January, April, July, and October in each year, and when either of these days fall on Sunday, the next day shall be substituted. /Ulli 7. The Court may hold special sittings, with the consent of the Government, due notice of the said sitting being given .X-^ 3 8. Any person disobeying a lawful order of the Court shall be adjudged guilty of contempt, and liable to such fine or substitute in labour, wiih or without imprisonment, as the Court may direct, subject to the powers of remission vested in the Government of the Islands. 9. Every Judge on taking office shall take an oath to act impartially and righteously in his office. The form of oath and the administration thereof to be settled by the Government. Dated at Avarua, this 10th day of June, 1891. Approved, to come into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Resident. —10th June, 1891.

No. 4)92. — Unauthorised Expenditure. (Passed Ist July, 1892.) Short Title.—" Unauthorised Expenditure Act, 1892." It is hereby enacted by the British Resident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands: 1. That the Government may expend a sum or sums not exceeding in the whole |800 (eight hundred dollars) in any one year for such public purpose as it may deem desirable. 2. That a statement of such expenditure shall be laid before Parliament at its annual meeting, and the amount be included in the estimates for the following year. Dated at Avarua, this Ist day of July, 1892. Approved, to come into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Resident.—9th July, 1892.

No. 5/92. —" Constitution Act Amendment Act, 1892." (Passed Ist July, 1892.) Short Title. —" Constitution Amendment Act, 1892." It is hereby enacted by the British Resident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands : 1. That the day for the yearly meeting of Parliament is hereby altered from the 15th June to sth July, and that section No. C of the Constitution Act is amended accordingly. Dated at Avarua, this Ist day of July, 1892. Approved, to come into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Resident.—9th July, 1892.

No. 2/94. —" Supreme Court Act 1891 Amendment Act, 1894." (Passed Ist August, 1894.) Short TUU.—" Federal Court Aot, 1894." Whereas a Court was established in the year 1891 for the enforcement of Federal laws and other purposes stated in the said Act, and whereas the name given at the time to the Court is misleading in so far that it has no connection as &, Court of Appeal or otherwise with the Arikis' Courts in each island : It is hereby enacted by the British Resident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands: 1. That the said Court shall henceforth be styled "The Federal Court of the Cook Islands." Dated at Avarua, this Ist day of August, 1894. Frederick J. Moss, British Resident.—7th August, 1894.

Constitution, 1891.—Cook Islands Protectorate.—Laws of the Federal Paeliament. No. I. — A Law to provide for the Good Government of the Cook Islands. (June, 1891.) It is hereby enacted by the British Resident and the representatives of the several islands of the Cook Group— namely, those islands that are included within the British Protectorate and the Island of Aitutaki, now in Council assembled: 1. Local Government. —That each island shall continue to govern itself as much as possible, subject to the condition that all laws hereafter made by the local Government shall not be valid until formally approved by the British Resident for the time being, who shall also state the day when such law so approved shall come into operation. 2. Parliament. —That the representatives of the several islands, duly elected, and now assembled in Council at Avarua, in the Island of Rarotonga, hereby constitute the first General Council of the Cook Islands, which shall hereafter be styled " the Parliament" of the Cook Islands. 3. That the Parliament shall be responsible for the peace, order, and good government of the Cook Islands, and by it shall be undertaken all good works which cannot be done by the people of any island separately.