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No. 8. Slr, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 17th June, 1909. Referring to your letters of the 23rd October, 1908, and 30th April, 1909, I return herewith Federal Ordinance No. 26, relating to the election of Arikis, duly assented to by His Excellency the Governor. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

Enclosure. Federal Ordinance No. 26. An Ordinance to regulate the Election of Arikis. Whereas since the annexation of the Cook and other Islands to the British Empire, the status of the Ariki has altered, and the Ariki has now only jurisdiction as an hereditary member of the Federal Council and of the Island Councils, wherefore it is advisable that, on the death or removal from office of any Ariki, the new Ariki should be chosen from the best men of the Ariki family. Be it therefore enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook and Northern Islands as follows : — 1. From and after the date of the passing of this Ordinance, any Ariki to be elected shall be chosen by the unanimous vote of all the members of the Island Council. The Island Council shall have power to call before them the Ariki family or the people of any district and hear their views before choosing any person as Ariki. 2. The person chosen for the Arikiship shall be of good character and of pure Maori blood, and a recognised member of the Ariki family. The senior line (mua tangata) of any Ariki family shall not be passed over without good and sufficient reason. 3. In the event of any dispute between the members of the Island Council in relation to the choosing of an Ariki, the Resident Commissioner shall finally decide the matter at issue. 4. The person chosen as Ariki by the Island Council shall be submitted to the Resident Commissioner for his approval, and on such approval being notified by the Resident Commissioner by publication in the Cook Islands Gazette, the said person shall be deemed to be duly elected as Ariki. 5. Any Ariki to be hereafter elected may, for good and sufficient reason, be removed from office by the unanimous vote of all members of the Island Council, with the approval of the Resident Commissioner. 6. The provisions of this Ordinance shall apply to the Island of Rarotonga, but may be made applicable to any other island by a resolution to the Island Council of any such other island, with the approval of the Resident Commissioner. Passed this twenty-fourth day of October, one thousand nine hundred and eight. S. Savage, Assented to by the Governor on the 16th June, 1909. Clerk to Council.

No. 9. Sir, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, 22nd January, 1909. I have the honour to forward an Ordinance for the suppression of gambling within these islands, and to request the approval of His Excellency in order that it may become law. I cannot say that I think there is any very urgent necessity for the Act, but the Arikis think otherwise, and say that there are at least two professional gamblers here who ought to be suppressed—viz., a Maori and a Chinaman. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Hon. the Minister administering Cook Islands. Resident Commissioner.

y~ Enclosure. Federal Ordinance No. 27. —The Gambling Ordinance, 1909. An Ordinance to prevent Gambling by Means of Cards or other Instruments. Be it enacted by the Federal Council of the Cook Islands as follows : — 1. The Short Title of this Ordinance is " The Gambling Ordinance, 1909." 2. It shall be unlawful for any member of the Maori race to gamble or play for money or other stakes by means of cards, dice, or other instrument or instruments. Any person offending against the provisions of this section is liable to a penalty not exceeding two pounds, or in default one month's imprisonment. 3. The owner or occupier of any house or premises who shall permit or allow gambling or playing for money or other stakes by any member of the Maori race to take place in such house or upon such premises is liable to a penalty not exceeding two pounds, or in default one month's imprisonment. 4. It shall be unlawful for any gambling or playing for money or other stakes by means of cards, dice, or other instrument or instruments to take place in any house, store, tea-shop, or other place for which a license or permit under any law now or hereafter in force is required. Any person found