A.—3

10

Enclosure. To Mr. Moss. Mangaia, 13th September, 1898. Geeetings ! I have seen your letter in the loi Karanga with reference to fining this group for breaking into the house of Enere (H. Nicholas). I ask you whether the Arikis, chiefs, and people held a meeting to discuss the taking of the press from the hands of Enere (H. Nicholas). I have not known of these words. I went to Earotonga on the 14th November, 1897, and remained there four weeks, and no Ariki, no chief, nor person spoke to me of this trouble. We held no meeting to discuss this trouble. After my return to Mangaia I heard that the printing.press had been taken from the house of Enere (H. Nicholas); hence my writing this letter to you to tell you my W ords—that it is not right to take any portion of the Mangaia subsidy from the mouth that did not speak, the eyes that did not see, and the ears that did not hear. There was no person of Mangaia concerned in this business, and now I say to you, Do not take any portion of the subsidy from Mangaia to pay for the mistake of another. Give the subsidy to Mangaia from July, 1897, to July, 1898, in full. Enough. Greetings ! John Teego, Ariki, Mangaia.

No. 19. Captain Beowne to His Excellency the Goveenoe. (Telegram.) Auckland, 23rd September, 1898. Aeeived Earotonga 10th September. Proclamation and Message read in public on 12th September to a large concourse of the Arikis and inhabitants with due ceremonies. All satisfactory. Mr. Moss returns in " Tauranga "to Auckland. Am leaving to-day for Tonga. The Governor, Wellington. Captain Beowne, Earotonga, 12th September.

No. 20. His Excellency the Goveenob to Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon. g IE; Government House, Wellington, 4th October, 1898. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatch of the 14th September, 1898, the contents of which are in every way satisfactory. I consider that your being able to communicate with Makea and others without the aid of an interpreter is a matter of the first importance, and it is very pleasing to me to find that the language is sufficiently similar to the Maori tongue to enable you to do so. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, British Eesident, Earotonga. Eanfuely.

No. 17.

No. 21. His Excellency the Goveenob to Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon. g IE Government House, 4th October, 1898. At the request of His Excellency the High Commissioner for the Western Pacific, I have the honour to forward to you herewith an instrument of appointment, as well as a despatch which was enclosed therewith. I have, &c. Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, British Eesident, Earotonga. Banfuely.

No. 22. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, Cook Islands : British Eesidency, Earotonga, 6th October, 1898. I have the honour to forward, attached hereto, two copies of the High Court Bill. The amendments made are unimportant in character, and for the most part are included in the Bill out of deference to Maori prejudices. This remark applies specially to the proviso in section 20 of the Bill, which excludes the land of Maori owners from sale or attachment. The proviso to section 15 of the Act has been added because it is exceedingly doubtful whether the Cook Islands Government can afford the machinery necessary to enforce judgments as against Europeans, where it is necessary to award penal servitude. I have further the honour to forward two communications, marked "A" and "B" respectively, in which lam requested to accept the position of Chief Justice. It would seem to me that the Maori inhabitants of the Cook Islands fear that the very large powers conferred on the Judges by this Act should fall into the hands of those who are strangers to Maori character, and in whom, therefore, they would have no faith. To accept the position of Chief Justice under the High Court Bill would mean that my work would be doubled, without any corresponding increase in pay. lam not, therefore, anxious to assume the responsibility of. that office. On the other hand, if your Lordship is of opinion that the Cook Islands would benefit by my accepting the position I am ready to perform the duties of that office, and will appoint a Eegistrar to aid in the work. The gentleman who I propose to appoint either as Judge or Eegistrar is Mr. Alfred Eoss, of Marton. This gentleman is known to Sir Walter Buller, to whom I would refer your Lordship. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Resident. Governor of New Zealand.