A.—3

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or ownership of land. And whereas there has in the past been much dissatisfaction with the decisions of the native Judges, who, it is alleged, have been influenced by their relationship to one or other of the parties to the suit: Every dispute as to the boundaries or ownership of land shall be heard by the European Magistrate and two Assessors, one of whom shall be nominated by each of the parties to the suit. 51. Notices of appeal against decisions given in the Land Court shall be served in the manner provided by section forty-nine of this Act. 52. From and after the passing of this Act it shall not be lawful for any policeman to prosecute any person for adultery. 53. The Au of Aitutaki may impose a dox-tax annually, which shall not exceed five shillings per dog, and, with the approval of the British Resident, may impose local taxes in order to carry out public works. 54. The Au shall notify the European Magistrate that a dox-tax has been imposed, and it shall then be the duty of that officer to see that the tax is collected impartially. 55. And whereas, in order to preserve the breadfruit trees, horses have not hitherto been allowed on Aitutaki: It is hereby enacted that the Au shall have power to prevent the introduction of any animal that may destroy the food-supply of the Island. Passed. Te Ariki Tapu Rangi, Chairman to Cook Islands Parliament. Approved. Makea, Ariki, Chief of the Federal Government. Approved. To come into operation on the 22nd day of August, 1899. —W. E. Gudgeon, British Besident. The Residency, 22nd August, 1899.

No. 10, 1899.—Christmas Day Act, 1899. An Act to regulate the Calendar, and assimilate the days of the week and months to those of other countries east of the 180 th degree of longitude : Be it enacted by the Parliament of the Cook Islands, with the approval of the British Besident:— 1. The Short Title of this Act shall be the " The Christmas Day Act, 1899." 2. The twenty-fifth and twenty-sixth of December of the New Zealand calendar shall be observed as the Christmas Day within the Islands of the Cook Group, and shall be treated as one day, and be called the twenty-fifth day of December, 1899. It shall further be held that the day following the twenty-fifth shall be Tuesday, the twenty-sixth day of December. 3. It shall not be lawful for any one to follow his or her calling or Inordinary employment, or do any work for profit or reward, on the Sabbath day as fixed by this Act: Provided always that work of an urgent nature, such as the loading or unloading of vessels, shall not be deemed to be prohibited by this section. 4. Any offence under this Act may be punished by a fine of not exceeding ten shillings, or, in default, not exceeding three days' hard labour on the public roads. Passed. Te Ariki Tapu Rangi, Chairman to Cook Islands Parliament. Approved. Makea, Ariki, Chief of Federal Government. Approved. To come into operation on the 22nd day of August, 1899.— W. E. Gudgeon, British Resident. The Residency, 22nd August, 1899.

No. 14. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — Rarotonga, 14th September, 1899. I have the honour to forward, for your information, the Appropriation Act for the present year. Your Lordship will observe that it provides for an expenditure of £2,284, as against £1,402 actually expended last year out of the Federal revenue. This large increase can be accounted for in the following manner : £350 voted to pay the first instalment of money due on Government offices and land; £118, salaries of Judges, police, and Clerks of Court, paid last year by the Rarotonga Council; £50, salary of Magistrate, Aitutaki; £42, increase of honorarium to members, who have hitherto been out of pocket by their trip to Rarotonga; £148, salaries of Customs Officer and Government Interpreter, paid in previous years by Rarotonga Council. The Appropriation Act for the present year shows the whole expenditure of the Federal Government, which has not been the case in past years, owing to the fact that Federal services have been paid out of Rarotonga Council funds. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, His Excellency the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., British Resident. Governor of New Zealand.