58

A.—3

Under present circumstances the whole of the animal will be used to the benefit of the stoekowner, and indeed of the whole island, for the owners of cocoanut-plantations can keep stock under' their palms, and not only make a double profit thereby, but also save themselves expense, inasmuch as the cattle will clear the land that might otherwise have to be done by labour at 2s. 6d. per diem. 1 haye > &c -> W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 129. Sj R) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th January, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 155, of the 4th instant, on the subject of European representation on the Niue Island Council. Your suggestion as to convening a meeting of the white residents when required, in order to submit to them the draft of any Ordinance affecting their interests, is probably the best way of meeting their wishes, and I shall be glad if you will take steps accordingly to ascertain the feelings of the European population regarding any local legislation that is likely to affect them. This, of course, will not limit the powers of the Council as the legislative body, but it will give the opportunity desired by the European residents for expressing their views on matters that may affect their interests. l haye > &0 -> The Resident Commissioner, Niue. ■ H. Mills.

Nfo. 106.

No. 130. g IK Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th January, 1906. 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of notices taking land as below, all duly signed by His Excellency the Governor: (1) Government Buildings, Omoka; (2) Courthouse, Tukao; (3) Courthouse, Tauhunu; (4) landing-place, Tauhunu; (5) flagstaff reserve, Tauhunu ; (6) Council Chamber site, Rakahanga. These will be gazetted forthwith in the Cook Islands Gazette. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 123.

No. 131. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th January, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 373, of the 4th instant, I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of regulations under subsection (8) of section 3 of " The Cook and other Islands Government Act, 1904." . The alteration made by the Solicitor-General will be an improvement on section A as submitted, for the European lessees have most extraordinary ideas as to the value of their leases. The regulations will be gazetted forthwith, and cases taken under their provisions about the middle of February. I nay &c, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

tfo. 103.

No. 132. g IR Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 30th January, 1906. In reply to your letter No. 367, of the 4th instant, I have the honour to inform you that Mr. Stevenson consulted me on the subject of a money-order office at Mangaia, and I supposed he had been moved to do this by some communication from his own Department. . I told Mr. Stevenson that I thought the money-order office would be a great convenience, but that if decided on the post-office ought to go to Mr. Large as the only responsible officer. I did not understand that the matter had reached the stage when it would be formally submitted to you and therefore I did not ask Mr. Stevenson to forward letter through me. I waited for the approval of the Secretary to the Post Office before making formal application to you for your concurrence. , ~ , , , ~ I have now the honour to recommend that a money-order office should be opened at Mangaia under Mr. Large. : haye > ' kc -> W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister administering the Islands, Wellington.

No. 105.