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No. 3. Sib, — Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 2nd September, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 19th August, reporting the election of Rangi Makea to succeed Makea (deceased), as Makea Ariki; and, in reply, to inform you that the election is approved. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

LAND ACQUIRED FROM AH SIN AT RAROTONGA FOR PUBLIC PURPOSES. No. 4. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 22nd September, 1911. I have the honour to inform you that on the 10th July last it was reported to me by the Chief Medical and Health Officer that the premises occupied by Ah Sin, situated on the foreshore between the Union Company's wharf at Avarua and that of A. B. Donald (Limited) at Avatiu, and opposite the Cook Islands Trading Company's store, were unfit for human habitation and a menace to the public health. The premises were used as a bakery, tea-shop, and dwellinghouse. This land is part of the Beach Reserve, which was taken for public purposes by order of the Land-titles Court on the 4th July, 1904, under subsection 10a (repealed by Order in Council dated 28th October, 1904) of section 10 of Order in Council (vide Cook Islands Gazette of Ist December, 1904, page 234). As it is desirable that the whole of the foreshore between the points mentioned should as soon as possible be maintained as an open space, arrangements were made to take over Ah Sin's lease and find for him another suitable site upon which to carry on his business. This has been done, and the old buildings, which are dilapidated and an eyesore, are being burned. The sum of £150 has been paid to Ah Sin in full payment of compensation for the cancellation of the lease and loss of business pending the erection of new premises. The property adjoining this was, in July, 1904, taken over for public purposes, the amount of compensation being £135, and there yet remains one other property to be acquired, now in occupation by Ah Kiev. The latter is at present away in China, and the matter is being held over pending his return. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.

No. 5. Sir, — • Cook Islands Administration, Wellington, 16th October, 1911. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 22nd September last, reporting that the premises situated on the foreshore between Avarua and Avatiu and occupied by Ah Sin as a bakery, tea-shop, and dwellinghouse, have been condemned by the Medical Officer and burned, and that the lease has been taken over and a sum of £150 paid to Ah Sin as compensation. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. J. Carroll.

LAND TAKEN FOR PURPOSES OF MEETING-HOUSE, ARORANGI. No. 6. Sir, — Cook Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 9th August, 1911. I have the honour to transmit herewith for the signature of His Excellency the Governor order under section 20 of the Cook Islands Government Act, 1908, taking land at Arorangi for public purposes. The land is that upon which is erected the old Courthouse at Arorangi, and the circumstances in connection with the same are as follows : The old Courthouse was built by the people of Arorangi many years ago on land of Tinonlana's, but in 1901 or 1902, when the Arikis Court at Arorangi was abolished, the land and building was no longer used at a Courthouse. When the land was before the Land-titles Court in July, 1903, it was given to John Salmon and John (an adopted son) by Tinomana Mereana, and no objection was made by the people, but it might be that they were unaware of what was being done. Lately the people of Arorangi have been wishing to use the house, but as the portion of land on which it stood was vested in John Salmon there was a difficulty in the way. I have now been asked by the people to take the land for public purposes, and I have agreed to do so. I have arranged with Mr. Salmon to pay him £15 as compensation for his interest in the land, and he has been paid that amount. I may add that I consider it necessary that the Government should have a small piece of land at Arorangi, as same may be required for police or medical purposes. I have, &c, J. Eman Smith, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook Islands Administration, Wellington.