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31st August, 3rd September, 6th September. Meetings occupied with further debate on Federal Court Bill and other matters. Friday, 10th September, 1897. Parliament met to-day at noon. Eoll called. Members present: Earotonga —Tita, J. M. Salmon, Vaikai; Aitutaki—Metuarau, Ngaropu, Ngapo ; Atiu—Utakea, Tua, Kavetana. Mangaia—Absent. Permission granted to return to their islands by Parliament and the Arikis. Chairman, J. M. Salmon. Prayers by Utakea. F. Goodwin elected Clerk of Parliament pro tern. Various matters considered, and meeting closed at 5.45 p.m. Monday, 13th September, 1897. Parliament met to-day at 10 a.m. Eoll called. Members present: Earotonga—Tita, J. M. Salmon, Vaikai; Aitutaki —Metuarau, Ngaropu, Ngapo; Atiu—Utakea, Tua, Kaketava. Mangaia—Absent, with leave Chairman, J. M. Salmon. Prayers by Tua. Among other matters, a letter from the Eesident re Clerk and Appropriation Act was considered and replied to. Resolved, to call a meeting of the Arikis to meet Parliament on the 15th September. Meeting closed. To meet the Arikis at 10 a.m. on the 15th instant to consider the Appropriation Act and close of Parliament. Wednesday, 15th September, 1897. Parliament met to-day at 1 p.m. Eoll called. Members present: Earotonga—J. M. Salmon, Tita (letter of apology for nonattendance from Vaikai); Atiu—Utakea, Tua, Kaketava ; Aitutaki—Metuarau, Ngaropu, Ngapo. Chairman, J. M. Salmon. Prayers by Kaketava. Letter from British Eesident, dated the 14th instant, considered, and reply to same sent by Arikis and Parliament. Arikis present—Makea, Karika, Tinomana, Pa, Kainuku. Power of attorney signed by members leaving for their own islands for the remaining members to act for them in any work to be done after their departure. Power of Attorney. [Translation.] " We, members of the Cook Islands Parliament, are returning to our islands. We sign this to show that we agree to our names being signed to any papers that may be concluded in connection with the work that is yet to be done. We are giving this power to three members—namely, J. M. Salmon, Tita, and Vaikai Maoate. They will finish the work. " Utakea (his x mark). " Ngaropu. " Tua. " Metuarau " Kaketava. " Ngapo. "Earotonga, 15th September, 1897." The meeting then closed at 5 p.m. (no date fixed for next meeting). Friday, 24th September, 1897. Parliament met this day. Meeting opened at 11 a.m. Eoll of members called. Two present: Earotonga—J. M. Salmon ; Atiu—Utakea. No other members present. Chairman, J. M. Salmon. Prayers by Utakea. Letter received by J. M. Salmon, Chairman, from Vaikai, explaining his absence, and voting against the Appropriation Act. Utakea—on the Appropriation Act—will not agree to pass it, owing to the present troubles. Mr. J. M. Salmon has been instructed by the Ariki Tinomana and his constituents of Arorangi not to pass the Appropriation Act, but to let it stand over until the present trouble is through. Nothing more before Parliament. The session is now closed until the sth December, 1897. J. M. Salmon, Chairman to Cook Islands Parliament.

Translation of Letter from Vaikai Moate, above referred to. Ngatangiia, 27th September, 1897. Salutations ! Do not be angry with me. lam writing to say that you, by yourselves, are to seek out the things that remain to be done. Anything that is not fitting, let it be sought out by you. I will not be there. Enough. Salutations ! I will not sanction the Appropriation Act. Prom Yaikai Moate, Member of the Parliament. To the Chairman of the Parliament of the Cook Islands.

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