A.—3.

No. 28. Sir, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 31st July, 1905. With reference to the appointment of a successor to" Mr. Herd as Collector of Customs and Postmaster at Rarotonga, I have to say that after carefully considering the matter I have decided to transfer one of the officers of the Customs Department here, Mr. William James Stevenson, to take up the position. Mr. Stevenson has proved himself to*be a very capable officer, and I believe he will faithfully perform all the duties appertaining to his office. He has been married a few months. I have told him that, in addition to the salary paid from here, he will receive £50 a year from your Government, as well as a free house, and I have explained to him that in the event of your being absent from Rarotonga at any time he would-Dccupy the same position as Mr. Herd has done, and be responsible for the control of matters generally. The appointment will be for three years. Mr. Stevenson will leave for Rarotonga by the steamer sailing from Auckland on the sth September, and Mr. Herd could return to New Zealand by the same boat. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 29. Sin, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 3rd August, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth June, with a return of the population of the Cook and Northern Islands, Native and European, for the present year. This will be very useful for reference. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Xo. 6.

No. 30. g IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1905. I should be glad to hear whether you consider anything further should be done at present in the direction of acquiring the la.goons at Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Aitutaki for the purpose of Retting~them apart as reserves for public pearl-shell fishing. The descriptions you have already furnished may be sufficient for the purposes of notices under section 3 of "The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," but I should like to hear from you on the question generally before taking any further steps. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 31. g IR; Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of jour letter of the 20th June, with reference to issuing regulations under subsection (8) of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904," prescribing the mode of making and assessing compensation claims in respect of land taken under that section, and note that you purpose submitting draft regulations shortly. I assume that in most cases where land has been taken you are continuing paying the rent to the Native owners, so that so far as they are concerned the question of compensation does not arise for the present. Please say if this is correct. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 11

No. 32. g IR Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th August, 1905. I am in receipt of your letter of the 19th June, No. 73, N.Z., reporting on the arrangements made in the several islands in pursuance of sections 5 and 6 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act Amendment Act, 1904." I think you are right in your opinion that section 5 does not apply to Rarotonga, and you have done well not to interfere with the Arikis Makea and Pa in the positions they now occupy as Judges. I agree with you also that for the purposes of section 5 Mr. Williams should be deemed to be a European, and that he should be appointed Magistrate for both the islands under his jurisdiction.

No. 10.

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