15

A.—3

8. The Act shall come into operation on the Ist day of October, 1898. Approved for the Cook Islands. W. E. Gudgeon, British Eesident.—29th September, 1898.

" The Medical Officers Act, 1898." Short Title : "The Medical Officers Act, 1898." Whereas it is essential that a duly-qualified medical officer should be appointed to suvervise and have medical charge of the Cook Islands Hospital:— Be it enacted by the Parliament of the Cook Islands, with the approval of the British Resident, — 1. The Short Title of this Act shall be " The Medical Officers Act, 1898." 2. The Chief of the Government may, with the approval of the British Resident, appoint a Medical Officer or officers to have charge of the Cook Islands Hospital; such officer or officers shall be paid the salary voted by Parliament: Provided always that no officer shall be placed in medical charge of the hospital unless his name shall first have been placed upon the Medical Register of New Zealand. 3. It shall be the duty of the Medical Officer, or his deputy, who shall be an honorary surgeon of the hospital, to visit the group at least twice in each year. 4. The Chief of the Government, with approval of the British Resident, may make such rules under this Act for the guidance of the Medical Officer as shall be deemed necessary, such rules to form part of this Act. Approved. W. E. Gudgeon, British Resident.—The Residency, 29th September, 1898.

" The Public Health and Quabantine Act, 1898." Short Title : " The Public Health and Quarantine Act, 1898." Whbeeas it is essential to the well-being and health of the people of the Cook Islands that a duly-qualified Quarantine Officer should be appointed, in order to prevent the introduction of diseases from foreign ports : Be it enacted by the Parliament of the Cook Islands, with the approval of the British Resident, — 1. The Short Title of this Act shall be " The Public Health and Quarantine Act, 1898." 2. The Chief of the Government may, with the approval of the British Eesident, appoint a duly-qualified medical man to act as Public Health and Quarantine Officer for the Cook Group, and pay him such salary as may be voted by the Parliament: Provided always that no medical officer shall be employed in any capacity by the Federal Government of the Cook Group unless his name shall appear on the Medical Register of New Zealand. 3. The Chief of the Government may, with the approval of the British Resident, make such rules for the guidance of the officer or officers appointed under this Act as shall be deemed to be necessary, and these rules shall have the force of law and be read as part of this Act. 4. Any officer appointed under this Act shall ex officio be an honorary surgeon of the Cook Islands Hospital. Approved. Makea, Ariki, Chief of the Federal Government. Approved. W. B. Gudgeon, British Resident.—The Residency, 29th September, 1898.

"The Government Buildings Act, 1898." An Act to Provide for the Purchase of Buildings for Administrative Purposes. Short Title : " The Government Buildings Act, 1898." Be it enacted by Che Parliament of the Cook Islands, with the approval of the British Eesident, as follows: — That the allotments of land situated at Avarua be taken over, together with leases, and all the buildings thereon as per plan of site be purchased, and become the property of the Cook Islands Government, for the purpose of Cook Islands Government administration offices solely. That, from the Ist day of October, 1898, there shall be paid a sum of £350 annually for three years; that, at the expiration of the three years from the Ist day of October, 1898, the amount of money—namely, £1,050 sterling—will have been completed. That the amounts of moneys voted as above are to be paid to Frederick Goodwin, or his order, on the 30th day of June in the years 1899, 1900, 1901. Dated this 29th day of September, 1898. Amendment. It is hereby enacted by the Parliament that the following amendment be added to the former agreement for the purchase of leases and buildings from F. Goodwin : — 1. It is hereby resolved by the Cook Islands Parliament to pay to F. Goodwin the sum of £1 sterling per week to the 30th June, 1899. 2. At the end of that time it is agreed to purchase for the sum of £1,050. 3. It is agreed thftt the £1 sterling per week shall be deducted from the amount, £1,050, and that the balance will be paid as section 4. 4. The payments to F. Goodwin will be made as agreed in three instalments : due 30th June, 1900 ; 30th June, 1901; 30th June, 1902. Approved. W. B. Gudgeon, British Eesident.—The Eesidency, 10th October, 1898.