111

A.—3

No. 210. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1906. I am in receipt of your letter of the 19th March, reporting further heavy gales among the northern islands. I trust the Natives will not be seriously inconvenienced through the loss of so many cocoanuts during the storm. I understand that the inhabitants of the northern islands are largely dependent upon these for both food and drink, but I have no doubt you have already satisfied yourself that they are sufficiently provided for. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 169.

No. 211. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 12th May, 1906. In pursuance of representations made to the Tourist Department, the officer in charge has been making inquiries as to the possibilities of a steamer-service from Wellington to Norfolk Island, Noumea, New Hebrides, Fiji, Tonga, Niue, and Rarotonga,-returning thence to Wellington. Tenders are about to be advertised for, for a six-weekly and a four-weekly service. The latter will, I think, be the most suitable, and if it is decided upon it will be a step in the direction of more frequent communication with the Cook Group. I shall be glad to have any comment you may care to make on the proposal as affecting Rarotonga. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 212. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 12th May, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 13th April, forwarding a statement of the revenue and expenditure of the Niue Island Administration for the quarter ending the 31st March, 1906, with a summary of the total funds to the credit of the Administration at that date. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 192.

No. 213. StK, — Cook Islands-Administration, Rarotonga, 22nd May, 1906. I have the honour to report that a Compensation Court was held on the 18th instant io hear and decide the claims made in the case of Section 10, land taken for village-sites, and also in the case of Sections 2 and 3, Avarua, taken as a site for Hospital and Whare Manuhiri, respectively. In the matter of Section 10, Makea Daniela and Te Tianui, having a life interest in this block, claimed £350 compensation. This claim was heard in Court, but finally settled outside by the Resident Commissioner and Makea Daniela, the latter assisted by Mr. Thomas Shearman. The arrangement arrived at was as follows: The sum of £200 was awarded, but that the money should be left in the hands of the Government and bear interest at the rate of 7 per cent., payable half-yearly to the two life grantees. In tlie event of this money being required to improve the Tutakimoa Estate, application to be made to the Land Titles Court for authority to pay the same. The Cook Island Trading Company, as lessees of this land, claimed £200 for their ninety years' interest. Here also a mutual agreement was entered into between the manager of the company and Resident Commissioner, whereby a sum of £150 should be paid for the whole interest of the company in Section 10; the Government to allow the company to use the said section as a grazing-paddock until required for building purposes, on payment of £10 per annum. These arrangements were ratified by the Court, as also the cases of Sections 2 and 3. In this instance Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, the lessees, received £350 for their interest in a forty-four-years lease of the sections. The owners, Karika and Papai, also received £350—viz., £300 to Karika and £50 to Papai. Karika to be paid £100 forthwith and Papai £50, but £200 of Karika's money to remain for some time in the hands of the local Government at 5 per cent, interest. This last was made a point of by the Native owners, who probably recognised their inability to prevent the spending of any money when once in their hands. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.