A.—3

16

Her Majesty will probably be scarcely aware of our existence, being as we are the inhabitants of a small island in the Pacific, but I can assure you, my Lord, that Her Majesty has no more loyal and sympathetic friends than the people of Earotonga and the Cook Islands generally. May I request that your Lordship will kindly "convey to Her Majesty the Queen of Great Britain our condolence. Enough. From Makea, Chief of the Federal Government of the Cook Islands. His Excellency Lord Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct translation.—F. Goodwin, Government Interpreter.

No. 20. His Excellency the Govebnoe to Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon. Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 13th September, 1900. With reference to your despatch (No. 26) dated 10th August, 1900, relative to the samples of arrowroot you forwarded to me, I have the honour to forward you herewith a copy of the reports I have received concerning the analysis of the same. By the report it would appear that not enough water was used in the washing of the arrowroot. I have, &c, Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, British Eesident, Earotonga. Eanpuely.

No. 14.

Enclosure. My Lobd, — Department of Agriculture, Wellington, 13th September, 1900. I have the honour to attach copies of reports on the samples of South Sea arrowroot which you forwarded to be tested. I have, &c, John D. Eitchie, Secretary for Agriculture. His Excellency Earl of Eanfurly, Governor of New Zealand, Government House, Wellington, New Zealand.

Department of Agriculture (Biological Laboratory), Wellington, New Zealand, 12th September, 1900. Memorandum for the Secretary of Agriculture. South Sea Arrowroot. I have made a careful microscopic examination of the samples furnished by His Excellency the Governor, and also submitted them for chemical analysis by Mr. Aston, Agricultural Chemist attached to this department. In addition to the scientific reports I have been fortunate in obtaining a commercial report from Mr. E. Basil Jones, manager for Messrs. E. H. Crease and Son. Mr. Jones has had extensive experience in England, America, and Australia, so that his report is most valuable. Report on Microscopic Examination of Four Samples of Arrowroot from South Sea Islands. (1.) Arrowroot grown at Aitutaki, Cook Islands. —Pure, but insufficiently prepared. Too much fibrous matter, &c, left. Needed longer washing. (2.) Pia Maori, or Indigenous Arrowroot. —Pure and of good quality. Well prepared, although more washing would be an advantage. (3.) Maniota, grown at Arorangi, Barotonga. —Pure, but not clean; too much earthy matter. (4.) Pia Maniota, Manioc, or Cassava. —Pure, but too much fibrous matter left. Needs longer washing; otherwise a fair sample. This examination shows that the samples are all free from adulteration, but that greater care is needed in the preparation. A plentiful supply of water is desirable where arrowroot manufacture is undertaken. The samples prove that good arrowroot can be made in the islands, but I am informed the chief objection to this has been the want of uniformity and finish, one parcel being good, the next very far from it. T. W. Kick, F.L.S. (Lond.), Biologist.

E. H. Crease and Son (Limited), Quin and Dixon Streets, Wellington. Samples submitted of arrowroot I have appraised as below, as per numbers : — (1.) Partly soluble in cold water; would bear more washing. Cooked, compares with a medium quality Queensland. Clear in cup. Value, about £12 per ton. (2.) Fairly insoluble in cold water. Compares (cooked) favourably with West Indian and Queensland; good quality. Clear in cup. Worth from £14 to £16 per ton, according to the market. (3.) Partly soluble in cold water. Not a good sample; would bear more washing. Cooked, only medium quality. Value, about £10 per ton. (4.) Slightly soluble in cold water. A little more washing would do this good. Cooked, fairly good quality. Value, about £12.