15

A.—4

Enclosure No. 8. Sic, — Earotonga, 4th August, 1897. Your letter to me dated to-day just received. Many thanks for your kindness in notifying me of the attack of those two medical men. Since their charges are not specific as to dates, or the names of individuals in whose cases malpractice is said to have been detected, I shall make no attempt to defend myself or make explanations. Since the Cook Islands Government recognises neither their registry nor mine, and since the bitter hostility of Dr. Craig manifests only bigotry and a disregard for the rights of rivals, I shall pay no regard to these unproven charges, feeling entirely secure in my conscious integrity, and confident, too, in a fair knowledge of both the principles of medical practice and of the laws of professional courtesy. The fact is I have too much work to do to feel justified in paying any attention to the unkind thrusts of Dr. Craig. Thanking you again for your impartiality in dealing with discordant elements, I remain, &c, J. E. Caldwell, Ph.D., M.D. Mr. F. J. Moss, British Eesident, Cook Islands.

Enclosure No. 9. Message to the Cook Islands Paeliament complained of by De. G. Cbaig. Message No. 2. — Cook Islands Parliament. De. Caldwell, late Medical Superintendent of the Cook Islands Hospital, has sent to the Government the following report, which is now laid before Parliament for its information. The report is a continuation of that made by Dr. Caldwell to 30th June, 1896, and covers the following two months, after which the Hospital was handed over to the Board, to whom his subsequent reports have been made. Makea Takau, Ariki, Earotonga, 6th July, 1897. Chief of the Government.

Statement of Work done in the Cook Islands Hospital in July and August, 1896.

J. E. Caldwell, M.D., Physician and Medical Superintendent of Hospital Earotonga, 26th June, 1897. during time indicated.

No. 4. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. Sib, — Cook Islands, British Eesidency, Earotonga, 10th August, 1897. I have the honour to inform your Excellency that the Cook Islands Parliament is still in session. The time has been almost entirely occupied by discussions, in Parliament and among the people of the several districts, on the Federal Court Bill, which was rejected by unanimous vote on the 27th July. External influences had been brought to bear by several Europeans, from various motives, to obstruct this Bill, but the large majority are in its favour. A petition against it was got up privately, and every effort made to obtain signatures, with small success. The chief point in the petition is an appeal to the sensitive jealousy of the Maori with regard to mana —an appeal made by persons from some of whom, in the interests of both races,, better might have been expected. On the rejection of the Bill becoming known a petition was at once addressed to me by thirty merchants and others resident in Earotonga, urging the necessity of some such measure being passed. I enclose for your Excellency's information papers which will, I hope, make the position sufficiently clear without comment on my part. There are no Standing Orders to prevent the reconsideration of the Bill. It may, in substance, still pass, but the Maori fear of losing mana once excited is not easily overcome.

1896. Sal a * m I * IS" ° d I * ° a 6 ti ® 3 OJ d H 3 1) O IS02 ail o •si && a 3 (U »s uly lUgUSt 23 15 896 405 86 47 935 365 112 62 1,831 770 Totals 88 1,301 133 1,300 174 2,601