33

A.—3.

[Translation.] No. 6, 1891.—Law for the formation of the Rarotonga Council. Whebeas all laws have now to be approved by the British Resident, and it is necessary to reform -the Council accordingly. Be it enacted, — 1. That the resolution of the 22nd December last is hereby rescinded. 2. That the Council shall consist of thirteen members—namely, the Arikis of Rarotonga and Ngamaru, the Ariki of Atiu, Mitiaro, and Mauke (six), the Chief Judges of the three districts of Avarua, Arorangi, and Takitumu (three); to be elected by the Mataiapos of the said districts, one each (three) ; to be elected by the foreign residents, one. The representatives of the Mataiapos and of the foreign residents shall be elected yearly. 3. All laws shall be passed subject to the approval of the British Resident, who will also decide when they are to come into operation. 4. The Council at its meetings shall elect one of its own members to preside for the session. 5. The Council shall meet on the 3rd May in each year; but if that be Sunday, the day following shall be the day of meeting. 6. Special meetings of the Council may be called by any two of the Arikis sending an application to the British Resident, who shall call the meeting at such place and time as he may think most suitable. The place at which ordinary meetings are to be held shall be decided from time to time by the Council. This law will come into force on the Bth day of July, 1891.

[Translation.] No. 1, 1891.—Law foe the Future Government of Mangaia.—(l7th August, 1891.) It having been resolved by the Arikis, the Paoas, the rangatiras, and the people of the six punas of Mangaia, in public meeting assembled by the British Resident on, Friday, the 31st day of July, 1891, as follows : " That there shall be one Council for the whole of Mangaia, and that the following persons shall be the first members thereof— namely, 1, Tiani (Ariki) ;2, Nooroa (Ariki); 3, Ngariu (Paoa) ;4, Kiriiti (Paoa) ; 5 Atatoa (Paoa) ;6, Vaipo (Paoa) ; 7, Pute (Paoa) ; 8, Turoua (Paoa) ; 9, Meringatangi (Judge) ; 10. Te Aro (Judge) ; 11, Kakerua (Judge) ; 12, Kiripaore (Judge) ; 13, Poeto (Judge); 14, Tai (rangatira) ; 15, Teaki (rangatira) ; 16, Te Nio Iti (rangatira) ; 17, Tua (rangatira) ; 18, Makiamo (rangatira) ; 19, Mauri {rangatira) ; 20, Maiti (rangatira) ; 21, Ingatu (rangatira) ; 22, Rimataei (rangatira ": The said Council doth now, on the 17th day of August, 1891, enact as follows : — 1. All laws made by the Council shall be subject to the approval of the British Resident, who shall also say when they are to come into operation. 2. The Arikis, Paoas, and Judges shall be permanent members of the Oouncil by virtue of their respective offices. 3. The other members shall sit for one year, but may be re-elected. The election shall take place on the day of in each year. 4. The number of members (twenty-two) may be increased or decreased at any time by a law of the Council. 5. The Council shall meet every year on the day of , at o'clock in the forenoon ; but if that day shall fall on Sunday it shall meet on the next day. 6. The Council shall every year at its sitting elect a Chairman, who may or may not be a member. The Chairman shall preside at the meetings for that session, and shall see that a proper record of the proceedings be kept. The Chairman shall have a casting-vote only. 7. The Arikis and the Paoas shall form the Government of Mangaia. The duty of the Government is to see that the laws made by the Council are carried out with justice and mercy, to look after the work when the Council is not sitting, and to prepare the business for the Council so that it may not lose time and meet in vain. The Government shall also appoint all officers necessary to carry out the decisions of the Council ; but such appointments shall be subject to the approval of the Council at its first ensuing meeting. 8. The following are hereby appointed Judges, and they can only be removed from office by a law of the Oouncil: The Judge for Veitatei shall be Meringatangi; the Judge for Tamarua shall be Te Aro ; the Judge for Tavaenga shall be Kakerua; the Judge for Ivirua shall be Kiripaore; the Judge for Keia shall be Poito. In event of any Judge dying or vacating office his successor shall bs appointed by the Government, subject to approval by the Council. 9. The Judges are the only persons to levy fines or to decide disputes, each in his own district. But if an Ariki or a Paoa break the law, or if the case to be heard should be considered in any other way of sufficient importance, the Government may require all the Judges to sit together for its decision. 10. The Government may reduce or remit fines imposed by Judges, or may pardon offenders sentenced by them ; but the Government must report all such action as soon as possible to the Council. 11. The Government may at any time call a special meeting of the Council, giving at least two days' notice thereof. 12. The Government shall keep a record of its meetings, and of the work done thereat. 13. The Judges shall hear all cases with open doors, and keep a record of such cases, and of the judgments given by them thereon. 14. The Council and the Government have nothing to do with the religion of any one sitting in the Oouncil, or being a Judge, or member of the Government, or employed by them in any way. That is a matter for God to judge and not for man. If a man be a member of the Church it is well. If he be not a Church member he shall not for that reason be hurt nor lose his office. If he does wrong he must be judged openly by the Government, and the Government must give to him in writing the reason why his office is taken from him. 15. When a charge against any person is to be heard by a Judge, that person must be summoned to attend and speak in his own defence. If he does not attend, the Judge must satisfy himself that the person has been properly summoned, and he can then give judgment in the case. 16. When laws are made by the Council they must be posted in some places appointed by the Government in Oneroa, in Tamarua, and in Ivirua, so that all people may know that the law has been made. Approved. To go into operation forthwith. Frederick J. Moss, British Resident.—lBth August, 1891.

[Translation.] No. 1, 1891.—A Law to pbovide fob the Good Government of Aitutaki. —(October, 1891.) We, the first Council elected by the people of Aitutaki to make laws for the island, do hereby enact as follows: — Electors and Officers. 1. That every male over 21 (twenty-one) years of age born and brought up in Aitutaki has the right to vote in any election, or to hold any public office. Others may be admitted to the same rights by a law of the Council, in which law every one so admitted shall be specially named. Districts. 2. Each of the six districts into which Aitutaki is now divided shall manage its own roads, and make provision for the maintenance of order and cleanliness within the district. For these purposes the people of the district shall meet on the 15th day of September in every year, and elect three overseers to carry out the decisions to which the meeting may come. The overseers may at any time call together the people of the district, and they shall be obliged to do so on the written request of any seven electors of the district.

5—A. 3.