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ERECTION OF CARGO-SHED AT AITUTAKI. No. 19. km, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, sth November, 1909. I have the honour to report that on my visit to Aitutaki I Looked at the proposed site for the erection of a suitable cargo-shed for storing fruit pending shipment. 1 may say that after a consultation with the Engineer the site was approved of. In the estimates rendered to you by the late Commissioner, you will notice an item of £150 to carry out the entire work. The work that could he carried out for this amount would not suit the requirements of the fruit-growers, and will not hold a single shipment. I have therefore practically agreed to the erection of a shed, and a trolly ails to carry ihe fruit to the end of the wharf, for a sum of £480, the cost of which will have to be paid out of next year's estimates. I can assure you that it is not only a most pressing, but a ver\ necessary work. I have arranged for interest on the outlay (o be ainplj i by a charge of Is. per ion on all outward shedded cargo. No charge will be made for inward cargo. 1 have, (fee, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration. Wellington.

No. 20. Sm, — Cook islands Administration, Wellington, 22nd November, 1909. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the sth instant, stating that you propose to erect a storage-shed for fruit at Aitutaki at a cost of £480. I presume that the site has been obtained. 1 have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

No. 21. S IR , — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 6fh December, I '.)(>!). 1 have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter (No. 263, C.1.A., 0!) Illii dated 22nd November last, and, in reply, to inform you that the shed to be erected ai Aitutaki for storing fruit at a cost of £480 will be erected upon Government land already obtained. I have, Sec, J. Eman Smith, The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner, Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

FRUIT-INSPECTION. X(i. 22. Sn;, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington. 12th November. 1909. Referring to previous correspondence, 1 beg to inform you that Mr. G. Esam, Orchard Inspector, is to succeed Mr. E. A. Reid as fruit Inspector, and will leave lor the Islands by the steamer this month. Mr. Esam is an officer of the Agricultural Department, and will draw salary ai ihe same rale as Mr. Reid. ' have, (fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

No. 23. Sik Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 22nd November, 1909. In my despatch to you of the 28th September last, I reported that I had visited the islands of Mangaia, Atiu, and Aitutaki. taking with me the Fruit Inspector, so that he might be able to report fully upon the fruit industry. I have now the honour to enclose for your information a copy of his report, and also a duplicate copy which I respectfully request be forwarded to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, to be handed, after perusal,"to Mr. T. W. Kirk. Government Biologist. I have, (\-c. J. Eman Smith. The Hon. James Carroll, Resident Commissioner. Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington. Enclosures. Report oi Fruit Inspector on Visit to other Islands of Cook Group. s I1; , Rarotonga, 2(lth S ptember,l9o9. In aceoidaiic. with your instructions, 1 left Rarotonga by the s.s, " Talune" on the (ith September, 1909, to visit and report on the fruit exported from the islands of Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, and Aitutaki. I have the honour to report as follows: —