A.—3.

No. 86. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 25th October, 1905. I enclose herewith a copy of a letter received from the. Secretary of the Diocesan Trust Board, Auckland, with reference to the cost of maintaining Niue boys at St. Stephen's School. I have been carefully considering this matter, and think that any available funds would be expended to much better advantage if a teacher were appointed for Niue who could undertake the duty of teaching boys English, and so fitting them to visit New Zealand for the purpose of learning trades. The cost of passages and a year's maintenance for the three boys it was proposed to send to Auckland would amount to at least £100, which would go a long way towards paying the salary of a teacher, from whose services the island community would benefit generally. When replying on the question of a teacher's residence being available, please let me have your views as to whether it would be advisable to appoint a teacher as soon as the question of accommodation has been settled, and abandon the idea of bringing lads to the colony to be taught English. The proposal to have them instructed in useful trades can be carried out as soon as their knowledge of English is sufficiently advanced. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 87. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 26th October, 1905. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 11th September, relative to the expected increase of passenger traffic to the islands in consequence of the concession in fares granted by the Union Company. I have already (in my letter No. '319, of the 16th instant) authorised the erection of a wooden cottage to supplement the accommodation of tKe Whare Manuhiri. With reference to protecting the fruit trade of our islands, I may state that I had a Bill prepared imposing a duty on tropical fruit imported into New Zealand, in order to meet, to some extent, the wishes of the Rarotonga Fruit Committee, but the session is. now within a few days of its close, and it is practically certain that nothing.further can be done this year. I note that you are unable to give any definite indication of the quantity of cargo that would be available for shipment from the islands in the event of a fortnightly steamer-service being established between them and New Zealand. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 60.

No. 88. jg IR) Niue Island Administration, Niue, 4th November, 1905. I have the honour to enclose to you herewith, for transmission to His Excellency the Governor, two Ordinances that were passed by the Niue Island Council on the 3rd instant. Ordinance No. 15, " The Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1905," has been enlarged, and repassed. Ordinance No. 16, " The Niue Island Fish-protection Ordinance, 1905," is a new enactment, and is rendered necessary by the circumstances set forth in the Ordinance. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner, Niue. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

Enclosures. Ordinance No. 15.—The Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1905. Niue Island Council. Whereas it is expedient that the sale of dry cocoanuts by Natives to traders should be prohibited, as the practice is detrimental to making of copra by the people of Niue, and gives rise to dishonesty by the theft of fallen cocoanuts for sale to the stores: Be it therefore enacted by the Niue Island Council, with the approval of the Resident Commissioner, as follows:— «,.,.', 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is "The Niue Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1905." 2. No Native of Niue, or Natives of other islands of the Pacific residing in. Niue, shall sell any cocoanuts to traders, and no trader shall purchase any cocoanuts, save_ and except green cocoanuts for drinking purposes, or dry cocoanuts for feeding fowls or other animals. 3. No restriction is imposed by this Ordinance upon the sale or supply of either green or dry cocoanuts to vessels desiring to obtain" the same, and such nuts may lawfully be sold or supplied by either Natives or European traders to any vessels visiting Niue. 4. Any Native of Niue, or Native of any other island of the Pacific, contravening the provisions of this Ordinance shall be liable to a penalty not exceeding ten shillings for each offence, or ten days' hard labour on the public roads.

5—A. 3.

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