A. ~3

(22.) Rarotonga Council.—Statement of Expenditure for Year ending 30th June, 1897.

Makea Daniela, Paymaster. I have examined the above accounts, and compared them with the vouchers, and hereby certify that they are correct.— J. Scabd, Auditor. Rarotonga, 10th July, 1897.

(23.) Cook Islands Parliament.—Fedebal Ooobt Bill, 1897. (As amended for reconsideration.) A Bill to create a Federal Court for the Cook Islands. Short Title.—" Federal Court Aot, 1897." Be it enacted by the British Eesident and the Parliament of the Cook Islands : 1. That the Act to establish a Supreme Court (No. 4, 1891) and the Amendment Aot (No. 2, 1894) are hereby repealed. 2. That a Court is hereby established, to be styled the Federal Court of the Cook Islands. Constitution of the Court. 3. That the Federal Court shall consist of a President, and of such Judges as the Chief of the Government may from time to time appoint, with the approval of the British Resident. 4. That until a permanent President, approved by the British Eesident for the time being, can be appointed by the Government of the Cook Islands the British Resident may by virtue of his office assume the Presidency of the said Court. 5. That the President of the Federal Court shall have and exercise all the powers of a Judge. 6. That the Judge of the late Court, Tepou-o-te-Rangi, shall continue to act as a Judge of the Federal Court at the same salary as at present, and is hereby appointed accordingly. 7. That the Court shall meet at such times and at such places as the President may direct. 8. That the President may appoint, in writing, a Deputy to act for him daring absence or inability from any cause, or in special cases, and that such Deputy shall for the time being have the same powers as the President in the exercise of his office. 9. That Judges of the Federal Court appointed by the Chief of the Government as aforesaid shall hold office during good behaviour, and shall only be removed by Act of the Federal Parliament approved by the British Resident: Provided that, if Parliament be not in session, the Chief of the Government, with the approval of the British Resident, may suspend a Judge, who shall continue to receive his salary without deduction till the decision of Parliament shall have been given. 10. That in case of the illness or disability of a Judge, it shall be lawful for the Chief of the Government to appoint an Acting Judge, to hold office for a term not exceeding six months, provided that the appointment may be renewed from time to time, subject both in appointment and renewal to the approval of the British Resident. 11. That the President shall decide all cases brought before the Court, but that any Judge sitting with him and dissenting from his decision may place his dissent, with the reasons thereof, on the record of the Court. 12. That the President shall regulate the procedure of the Court and appoint its officers, and that such procedure shall be in accordance with the principles and practice of English Courts so far as they can be applied with due regard to established Maori laws and customs prevailing at the time when and in the place where the cause of action arose. 13. That all fees of Court, fines, or other moneys received by the Court shall be Federal revenue and treated accordingly.

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Vote. Service. Voted. Expended. Unexpended. 1 2 3 4 5 Clerk to the Council and Government Paymaster Auditor Eent of bona Clerks to Arikis' Courts Avarua Takitumu Arorarigi Police Avarua Arorangi Takitumu Interpreting ana clerical assistance Fixea appropriations, Arikis and Mataiapos Avarua Arorangi Takitumu Fixed appropriations, Judges Avarua Arorangi Takitumu Maintenance of roads — Avarua Arorangi Takitumu Expenses of Council General contingencies Inspector of roads Printing laws, &c. Unforeseen expenditure Public schools— Head teachers Assistant teachers Contingencies Auditing road-tax, &c. £ s. d. 7 10 0 7 10 0 7 10 0 5 8 0 43 0 0 £ s. a. 7 10 0 7 10 0 7 10 0 5 8 0 £ s. d. 25 0 0 9 0 0 9 0 0 72 0 0 36 0 0 18 0 0 18 0 0 10 14 0 7 8 30 '6 0 100 10 0 19 6 0 40 10 0 30 0 0 30 0 0 81 '6 0 45 0 0 18 0 0 18 0 0 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 30 0 0 15 0 0 15 0 0 12 0 0 22 10 0 5 0 0 25 0 0 30 0 0 60 0 0 9 10 0 22 10 0 5 0 0 22 9 6 5 0 0 2 10 0 2 10 6 25 0 0 180 0 0 90 0 0 15 0 0 7 10 0 172 10 0 112 10 0 7 10 0 17 169 6 6 801 8 0 632 1 6