A.—4

No. 9. His Excellency the Govebnob to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sic, Government House, Wellington, 15th September, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your despatches No. 15/97, dated the 21st August, and No. 11/97, dated the 10th August, 1897 (with six enclosures), which I have duly laid before my Ministers. The course you have adopted meets with their approval. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Eanfuely.

No. 10. His Excellency the Govebnob to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 15th September, 1897. I have the honour to acknowledge receipt of your despatch No. 13/97 (with two enclosures), dated the 21st August, 1897, which I have laid before my Ministers. They are quite satisfied with your explanation. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Eanfuely.

No. 6.

No. 11. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Govebnob. My Loed, — Cook Islands, British Eesidency, Earotonga, 17th September, 1897. I have the honour to report that the Earotonga Local Council was opened for its annual session on the 31st August, when the enclosed message from the Arikis (the Government) was presented. Your Excellency will observe that the subjects touched upon are important, and likely to develop much difference of opinion. The Council adjourned for a month, for their consideration in the several districts of the island. I have, &c, Fbedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand, &c.

Enclosures. From the Abikis (the Government of Earotonga) to the Eaeotonga Council. We lay before you, in this our opening message for the present session, a letter from the British Eesident sent to us respecting the liquor-laws and the public schools. In laying that letter before you, we urge the necessity of your giving these questions the most full and careful consideration. Be not in haste over them, especially the public schools, which will affect not only the children now growing up, but those who are to come for generations after them. Make full inquiry, and, when you have decided what you think best to be done, let us know, and we will say whether we agree or do not agree with your views. The Rarotonga Council. As we have not yet been able to get the laws printed, it will be well to remind all the people of what the Council consists. This is the law which was passed on the 22nd September, 1893. The Council is divided into two parts—the Council of Arikis and that of the people. You are the Council of the people, and when you have agreed to anything it is to be brought to us. If we agree also, and the British Eesident approves, then it is law. If we do not agree, then it falls to the ground. The Government. The Arikis of Earotonga are not only a part of the Council, they are also the Government. As the Government we now speak to you, and say what has been done during the past year; and send you the British Eesident's letter about the liquor and the schools, for your consideration. The Revenue for the year ending the 30th June, 1897, has been £763 ss. Id., namely:— £ s. d. £ s. d. Subsidies from Federal Government ... ... ... 102 0 0 Permits for liquor— Maoris ... ... ... 192 2 0 Others ... ... ... ... ... 210 16 5 402 18 5 Eoad-tax— Avarua ... ... ... .. ... 13 8 4 Arorangi ... ... ... ... ... 0 0 0 Takitumu ... ... ... ... ... 0 0 0 13 8 4

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A.-1., 1898, enclosure to No. 9; No. i