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No. 2. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Goveenob. Mt Loed, — - Earotonga, 30th January, 1900. I have the honour to enclose herewith the sum of £107 7s. 6d., being the contribution of the people of the Cook Islands towards the Widows and Orphans Patriotic Fund. It has been a very great pleasure to me to assist the Maori inhabitants of the Federation in their very laudable desire to show their real feelings towards the Imperial flag, and their anxiety to be considered as part and portion of the Empire. I have, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., W. E. Gudgeon, Governor of New Zealand. British Eesident.

Enclosure. Youe Excellency,— Rarotonga, 29th January, 1900. I have the honour to forward to you a contribution from the Cook Islands towards the Widows and Orphans Patriotic Fund. We have only had one week within which to collect these subscriptions, and, as you are aware, the people of Earotonga are not only poor, but few in number. Under these circumstances, the amount forwarded to your Lordship is but small; but we ask you to believe that it has been given as freely, and with as much good feeling, as though we had all been born Britishers. This letter will be enclosed to Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, together with the sum of £107 7s. 6d., and he will be requested to forward the same on to you. Enough. With Greetings. Makba. His Excellency Lord Ranfurly, K-C.M.G., &c, Ngamaeu. Governor of New Zealand and its Dependencies.

No. 3. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Goveenob. My Loed, — Earotonga, 30th January, 1900. I have the honour to inform you that I received the attached letter from Makea Ariki to-day, shortly before the steamer left. It appears that Makea is anxious to make a present to Her Majesty the Queen of a Mangaian stone axe, and asks your Lordship to forward the same on from Auckland. The present is of small value, and is merely intended as a mark of Makea's respect and sympathy. The box containing the axe, &c, is forwarded to you per " Ovalau." I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, His Excellency the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sib, — Rarotonga, 29th January, 1900. May I request that you will forward to His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, for transmission to Her Majesty Queen Victoria, a box containing a Mangaian axe, &c. Enough. Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, British Resident. Makea.

No. 4. His Excellency the Govebnoe to Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon. Sib, Government House, Auckland, 10th February, 1900. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your covering letter (No. 4/1900) with enclosure from Makea (Ariki) and others, and enclosing the sum of £107 7s. 6d. to the Widows and Orphans Patriotic Fund. I need hardly say with what pleasure I received the amount, proving that, no matter where Her Majesty's subjects may be, the same generous loyalty animates them. I enclose a letter fpr Makea and the Arikis, and I am sure you will convey to them, as well as to the European subscribers, the warm appreciation of their offering. I have paid the amount over to the Mayor of Auckland's Patriotic Fund, who will send you a receipt. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, British Resident, Earotonga. Ranfubly.

No. 2.

Enclosure. Madam, — Government House, Auckland, 10th February, 1900. On behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, whom I have the honour to represent, I thank you for your generous offering towards the Widows and Orphans Patriotic Fund, and assure you that I very warmly appreciate the spirit of loyalty and sympathy which has prompted you, Ngamaru,