47

A.—4;

The summaries for the year from 1892 (the first regular supply) to the year 1897 are as follows;— Imports of Spirits and Wines and Beer. Spirits. Wines. Beer. £ £ £ 1892 ... ... ... ... ... 324 25 153 1893 ... ... ... ... ... 407 55 89 1894 ... ... ... ... ... 531 59 40 1895 ... ... ... ... ... 481 77 27 1896 ... ... ... ... ... 552 67 96 1897 ... ... ... ... ... 449 88 132 £2,744 371 537 Since the end of August last it was necessary for me to advise the Licensing Officer (Mr. Gamier) to refuse recognising the mouthpieces of the Arikis, and especially Tepou and Te Eangi, to accept their supply to the natives from the Licensing Officer. This refusal was taken by the Licensing Officer, and the course pursued by him was to receive the signature of the Arikis personally. The Arikis and their mouthpieces have resented this action of the Licensing Officer and been greatly indignant. They insist upon the dismissal by the Earotonga Council of the Licensing Officer, but, as British Eesident, I feel it my duty to ratify the action of the Licensing Officer completely. Supplies of spirituous liquors have been thus stopped to natives since the Ist September, 1897. The supply of banana, orange, and pineapple has been secretly made with much increase, and done much harm, but neither myself nor the Licensing Officer has received any power for their interference. I have, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., Frederick J. Moss, Governor of New Zealand, &o. British Eesident.

No. 18. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Govebnob. My Lobd, — Cook Islands, British Eesidency, Earotonga, Bth January, 1898. I have the honour to enclose, for your Excellency's information, the trade report for the Cook Islands for the year ending 31st December, 1897. I have, &c, Frederick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand, &c.

Enclosure. Eepoet o_f the Teade of the Cook Islands foe the Yeae ending 31st Decembee, 1897. Shipping and Navigation. Table 1., showing the report of shipping at the Port of Earotonga, indicates that the steamer " Eichmond " has been purchased by the Union Steamship Company, which confines its use of the " Upolu " alone. The companies' steamer is now used regularly for twenty-eight days from Auckland to several of the Cook Islands, shipping occasionally its oranges and other produce, as well as to Papeete and several of the Society Islands at various opportunities for shipment to Auckland. The Union Company gives all useful opportunities for facilities to natives for the shipment of produce on speculating sales on their individual enterprises. The Union Company has also built a very useful and effectual wharf, with adequate large stores and wharf sheds, for supply shipments to the regular steamer, in the Avarua small harbour, which has become the central object for all trade to the steamers.. Exports. Table 11. gives in detail the exports for 1897, showing the total of Cook Islands produce, amounting to the unusual sum of £2,175 Is., together with a further shipment of £2,381 of pearlshell and other produce received from Penrhyn and other places. The export of Cook Islands coffee has reached for the year to the value of £10,754, much in excess of any previous year's supply. In addition to the exports stated in Table Ha., full particulars are stated of shipments for the years 1892 to 1897 for values to New Zealand and to Tahiti respectively. The totals of Cook Islands produce and of others sent to the Cook Islands from Penrhyn and the external islands are as follows (summarised) : — Cook Islands Prom Penrhyn m , , Produoe. and Others. iotaK £■. £ £ 1892 ... ... ... ... 15,394 4,943 20,337 1893 ... .. ... ... 18,763 905 19,668 1894 ... .-:. ... ... 18,937 1,728 20,665 1895 ... ... ... ... 19,084 1,054 20,138 1896 ... ... ... ... 15,486 1,333 16,819 1897 21,751 2,381 24,132 £109,415 £12,344 £121,759