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A.—3

The number of deaths is somewhat appalling, but, unfortunately, they are not preventable while the Native inhabitants are in their present state, moral and mental. The deaths are due to dysentery, >nd the relatives will not supply the sick persons with the food proper in such cases, and by which alone they can be saved. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Hon. James McGowan, Minister administering Islands. Resident Commissioner.

Enclosure. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 16th June, 1906. I beg to inform you that during the last four weeks I have visited all the islands of this Group. In none did I find any serious sickness —only minor complaints, such as coughs, &c. The lepers I also inspected.on their isolation islands. Persons suspected of leprosy were also examined, and their isolation effected where necessary —viz., two at Aitutaki, one at Pukapuka, and one at Pernhyn. It does not appear that leprosy is on the increase, as in all the islands at present there are only twelve afflicted ; a few years ago there were twenty on the leper island at Penrhyn. I am, &c, H. R. Gatley, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. Medical Officer for the Cook Islands.

FEDERAL COUNCIL AND ISLAND COUNCIL ORDINANCES. No. 6. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 28th July, 1908. I have the honour to forward enclosed Ordinance No. 25 of the Federal Council, in duplicate. The aim of the Ordinance is to protect such native birds as may yet be found on the mountains, and also encourage those who import valuable insectivorous birds by protection of the same. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Hon. the Minister administering Islands. Resident Commissioner.

Enclosure. Federal Ordinance No. 25.—The Protection of Birds Ordinance, 1908. An Ordinance for the Protection of Indigenous and Imported Birds in the Island of Rarotonga. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook and Northern Islands as follows : — I The Short Title of this Ordinance shall be " The Protection of Birds Ordinance, 1908." 2. It shall not be lawful for any person to shoot, take, or kill any indigenous wild bird or any bird which may now have been or may hereafter be imported into the Island of Rarotonga. Provided that the Resident Commissioner may from time to time by notice in the Cook Islands Gazette declare any indigenous wild bird or any imported bird exempt from this Ordinance subject to any restrictions he may think fit, and may from time to time alter, vary, or repeal such notice. 3. It shall not be lawful for any person to import into the Island of Rarotonga any bird or' birds without the permission in writing of the Resident Commissioner. The Resident Commissioner may order the seizure and destruction of any bird or birds imported without such permission. 4. Any person contravening any of the provisions of this Ordinance shall, upon conviction, be liable to a penalty not exceeding five pounds, or, in default of payment, to hard labour not exceeding one month. 5. This Ordinance shall not apply to domestic fowls, ducks, geese, or turkeys, or, as regards the provisions of section 2, to flying mammals—viz., flying-foxes. 6. Section 29 of the " Statute of Rarotonga, 1899," is hereby repealed. Passed this twenty-fifth day of July, one thousand nine hundred and eight. S. Savage, Assented to by the Governor on the 26th September, 1908. Clerk to Council.

No. 7. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th September, 1908. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 28th July last, forwarding Federal Ordinance No. 25, for the protection of birds in the Island of Rarotonga, for the assent of His Excellency the Governor, and, in reply, to return to you the Ordinance duly assented to by His Excellency. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. James McGowan.