A.—3.

(B.) The High Court of the Cook Islands, Sir, — Registrar's Office, Rarotonga, 3rd April, 1909. I have the honour to report on the work of the Court for the year ending 31st December. 1908, as follows :— The number of cases heard by the Court in its criminal jurisdiction was 233, as set out hereunder. Adultery and illegal cohabitation .. .. .. .. 46 Drunkenness and bush-beer drinking .. .. .. .. 66 Assault .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 30 Theft .. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..28 Trespass g,. .. .. .. .. .. .. ..20 Wandering animals .. .. . . . . .. . . 15 Miscellaneous .. . . .. .. .. .. 28 233 The sixty-six cases of drunkenness and bush-beer drinking involved the appearance of 324 defendants before the Court. The total fines imposed amounted to £170 12s. In its civil jurisdiction the Court heard sixty-five cases, viz. : — Divorce .. .. .. .. . . .. .. 47 Debt .. .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 16 Miscellaneous . . . . .. .. .. .. .. .. 2 65 The total Court fees imposed amounted to £53 16s. In addition to holding sittings of the Court once a week at Rarotonga, the Chief Judge also held sittings at Aitutaki, Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, Mitiaro, Manihiki, Rakahanga, Pukapuka, and Palmerston, During the absence of the Chief Judge from Rarotonga the Registrar of the Court filled the position of Acting-Judge. It may be mentioned that, as Arikis' Courts have now ceased to be held in Rarotonga, the work of the High Court has consequently increased. The amount of Court fees and fines collected for the financial year ending 31st March, 1909, and paid into the Treasury, was £263 13s. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga, E. Blame, Registrar,

(C.) Cook Islands Administration. Statement of Expenditure for Year ended 31st March, 1909.

2—A. 3.

9

Service. Voted. Expended. 1. Medical and Health Officer 2. Hospital supplies and attendance 3. Island allowance, Collector of Customs 4. Contingent expenditure, High Court, including prisoners' food 5. Registrar Land Titles and High Court .. 6. Civil Engineer and Surveyor (half-time) 7. Draughtsman, Survey Department 8. Surveyor (Native boy) .. -" . . 9. Cadets (2)—one £60, one £35 .. 10. Secretary, Interpreter, and Government Printer 11. Chief of the Federal Government 12. Vice-President of the Federal Council 13. Subsidy in aid of food for children, Araura School 14. ,, cool-chamber.. 15. Police, Rarotonga, £30 ; High Court police, £24 16. Clerks, Arikis' Court, Rarotonga —one £10, one £5 17. Subsidy for food, Tereora School 18. Rents-—Wharf, £5 ; Section 10, £14 ; Post-office site, £8 15s. 19. General contingent expenditure 20. Resident Agent, Penrhyn 21. ,, Aitutaki 22. ,, Mangaia .. .. . . 23. ,, Manihiki and Rakahanga 24. Subsidy —Pilot, Aitutaki, £10 ; canoe, Mangaia, £5 25. Native Assessors (3), Aitutaki .. i • £ s. d. 350 0 0 .175 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 300 0 0 150 0 0 75 0 0 70 0 0 95 0 0 175 0 0 100 0 0 .20 0 0 50 0 0 100 0 0 54 0 0 15 0 0 200 0 0 27 15 0 250 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 0 200 0 0 50 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 £ s. 350 0 330 3 50 0 159 13 300 0 150 0 75 0 52 10 95 0 175 0 100 0 5 0 50 0 100 0 54 0 15 0 200 0 20 15 427 9 172 4 200 0 200 0 50 0 15 0 15 0 d. 0 6 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 0 0 0 0 Q