A.—3.

I quite agree with you that it would be more advantageous to obtain a teacher for Niue, instead of sending the boys to New Zealand. The principal object in view in sending Niue lads to school in New Zealand is to have them taught English, and that may be equally well accomplished in this island by having a resident teacher. lam prepared to abandon the i-dea of sending boys to New Zealand in favour of obtaining the services of a teacher for this island, the matter of instruction in useful trades to be dealt with when the boys have acquired some English. I am writing to you under separate cover with reference to obtaining the services of a teacher. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, The Hon. C. H. Mills, Wellington. Resident Commissioner.

No. 118. Sic, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the Bth December, reporting on a No. 97, meeting of fruit-growers and others held at Rarotonga on the sth ultimo to discuss the question of running a monthly steamer between Wellington and the Cook Islands in addition to the present service from Auckland. I am sorry the meeting could not see its way to fall in with the proposal made by the Union Company. I feel sure the company is desirous of assisting the fruit trade of our Islands in every way possible, and it would be a pity if further action on their part were discouraged by the refusal of the residents to avail themselves of the more extensive facilities recently offered. It seems to me that no permanent and satisfactory advance can be made in the fruit trade between the Cook Islands and New Zealand until there is communication at least twice monthly, and if a steamer could run direct from Wellington to the Islands and back the southern parts of New Zealand would get their fruit in much better condition, and so long as there were constant supplies the consumption would steadily increase. I think, also, that a large number of visitors from the southern parts of the colony, as well as tourists from outside, would be glad to visit the Islands from Wellington, who might not care to make the journey to Auckland first. I trust that it may be possible even yet to arrange for the additional service proposed. • I have <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 119. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th January, 1906. Memo, for the Hon. the Minister of Marine. I forward herewith a mounted tracing showing particulars of survey of Niue Island made by Mr. H. M. D. Haszard, and one showing the difference between the contour of the island as ascertained by him and as shown on the Admiralty charts. I think it will be well if these are sent to the Hydrographic Department, Admiralty, London. A printed copy of Mr. Haszard's report on his surveys is also forwarded to show the conditions under which the work was done and the instruments used, &c, so that the Admiralty may be in a position to judge what reliance should be placed on the results he has arrived at. C. H. Mills.

No. 120. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th January, 1906. I forward herewith Ordinances Nos. IB and 16 of the Niue Island Council, "The Niue No. 88. Island Sale of Cocoanuts Prohibition Ordinance, 1905," and " The Niue Island Fish-protection Ordinance, 1905," duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 121. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 20th January, 1906. I enclose draft regulations prepared by the Solicitor-General under section 28 of "The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904." These are being sent on to the Governor for his signature, and as soon as they are completed I will advise you. The regulations are based on the drafts submitted by yourself and Mr. Maxwell, and Dr. Fitchett has endeavoured to meet the requirements of the various island Ordinances as well as the New Zealand Act. I also forward copy of a memorandum by Dr. Fitchett on the construction of the sections of the Licensing Act dealing with the Cook and other Islands, and the extent to which they affect the provisions of the various

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