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I have the honour to inform you that my Government favour the acceptance of this offer. I have not personally seen this island,"and have no information beyond the despatch to enable me to form an opinion. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Enclosure. Sm, — Earotonga, Cook Islands, 23rd December, 1902. I have the honour to inform you that on the 19th instant Ngamaru, the Chief Ariki of Atiu, Mauke, and Atiu, caused the title of the Island of Pakutea to be investigated by the Court. There was really no question as to the ownership, and the island, comprising some 400 acres of very fertile land, was awarded to Ngamaru. Immediately after the Court had made the order Ngamaru rose, and, calling on the Arikis, Makea, Paruarangi, and Eongomatane, to witness his act, said, " This island I hand over to my Ariki, His Majesty King Edward, for the benefit of his subjects in this group " ; and he added, " I wish the Court to write this in their books, in order that there may be no mistake." This island, if properly planted, will be valuable, and as a penal settlement will be most useful. I have therefore the honour to recommend the acceptance of this generous offer. I have, &c. The Hon. the Minister for Trade and Customs. W. E. Gudgeon.

No. 37. (No. 13.) . Sir,— Government House, Wellington, 7th February, 1903. With reference to your despatch circular of Bth July, 1902, relative to the marriage and divorce laws, I have the honour to inform you that no change has been made in the marriage laws since Lord Glasgow's despatch of the Bth December, 1903, except the passing of " The Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Act, 1900," which came into force on the 22nd May, 1901. With regard to divorce, I have the honour to enclose a memorandum giving a short summary of the conditions on which it is granted; also a copy of "An Act to amend the Law of Divorce, 1898; " the Rules and Regulations (Supreme Court of New Zealand) ; and " The Deceased Husband's Brother Marriage Act, 1900." These should be substituted for that portion of the enclosure to Lord Glasgow's despatch dealing with the divorce question. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.

No. 38. (No. 18.) Sir, — Government House, Wellington, 21st February, 1903. With reference to your despatch (New Zealand, No. 81) dated the 15th August, 1902, on the subject of the medical examination of third-class passengers before departure from New Zealand, I have the honour to inform you that instructions have been issued to the port Health Officers to examine all such passengers leaving this colony for Great Britain, and that any suffering from consumption shall, if possible, be berthed in a cabin by themselves. I have, &c, The Right Hon. J. Chamberlain, RANFURLY. Secretary of State for the Colonies.