A.—3

22

At each of the three islands named I opened the Land Titles Court, and put several blocks of land through the Court to the final stage. By so doing I succeeded in showing to the Native inhabitants the value of the institution, and as a natural sequence I was requested to take cases that would have given me at least three months' work. As I was unable to accede to this request I have promised to give them three months next December. I have, &c, W. B. Gudgeon, The Hon. C. H. Mills, New Zealand. Resident Commissioner.

No. 52. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 9th March, 1903. I have the honour to forward a dozen copies of an Order in Council appointing Messrs. Browne (two), Salmon, Proctor, Yon Nagel, Wilson, Williams, and Ellis, to be Interpreters of the Cook and Other Islands Land Titles Court. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C H. Mills.

No. 53. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 31st March, 1903. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th March reporting your visit to Penrhyn and the northern islands, and your having held Land Courts at Penrhyn, Rakahanga, and Manihiki. Also of your intention to return there for the same purpose next December. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 54. Sir, — Rarotonga, Ist April, 1903. I have the honour to report for your information that the Ariki Ngamaru died on the 31st March last. This man was the real chief of all the people of the three islands, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro, and possessed power that no other Ariki has or is likely to have in the future. Early in the month of March another of the old Arikis of Atiu died, viz., Parua, but she had but little influence, and it is not intended that her Arikiship should be filled by any one, since she has no direct descendants. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Hon. C. H. Mills, New Zealand. Resident Commissioner.

No. 55. Sir,— Premier's Office, Wellington, 4th April, 1903. Referring to your letter of the 7th May last, I have now to inform you that Mr. Kirk, of the Department of Agriculture, arranged for 200 vanilla plants to be sent by Mr. Holmes, of Fiji, to Rarotonga, and it is presumed he has sent them to you direct from thence. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Sib, — Rarotonga, 6th April, 1903. I have the honour to forward herewith a report on the Cook and Northern Islands, in which I have dealt with the trade and revenue of the Group for the year 1902. You will be glad to learn that these islands have never been so prosperous as at the present moment. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Hon. C. H. Mills, New Zealand. Resident Commissioner.

Enclosure. Report on the Cook and Northern Islands for Year ending 31st March, 1903. I have the honour to report that the trade prospects of this Group show distinct signs of improvement. In the trade returns attached hereto (Appendix A), it will be seen that the imports and exports for the year ending the 31st December, 1902, are valued at £27,623 and £34,821