A.—4.

Table IV.—Revenue of the Federal Government of the Cook Islands for the Year ending 30th June, 1897, with Comparative Statement for Years 1897-96, 1894-95, 1893-94 1892-93.

No. 19. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Govebnob. My Lobd, — Cook Islands, British Eesidency, Earotonga, 2nd February, 1898 I have received from Mr. H. Nicholas, " Copies of statements of myself and Mr. Thos. H. Mallett re the breaking-open of the Torea house, in my occupation, and removal of property therefrom; also, copy of my letter to Sir George O'Brien, H.M. High Commissioner, Western Pacific, on the same subject." I enclose them from report to your Excellency as thus sent to me. I have, &c, Fbedeeick J. Moss, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand, &c.

Enclosures. Youb Excellency,— Earotonga, Ist February, 1898. I have the honour to enclose statements by myself and Mr. T. H. Mallett regarding the forcible entry, on the 17th January last, by Oscar Owen and certain natives of this island, into a house owned and occupied by me, and the removal of valuable property therefrom. I have the honour to request that steps be taken to punish the offenders, and to compensate me for the injury done. I have supplied the British Eesident (F. J. Moss, Esq.) with copies of the statement and enclosure. I have, &c, His Excellency Sir George O'Brien, K.C.M.G., Heney Nicholas. Her Majesty's High Commissioner, Western Pacific.

Statement of Heney Nicholas. On the 17th January, 1898, on my return home from round the island, at about 5 p.m., I found in my yard Oscar Owen, a European previously in my employ as printer, and four natives— viz., Eangi Makea, Pora, Pori, and Piaputa. Owen presented two letters in native, of which I enclose interpretations, marked "A " and "B " respectively. Owen then demanded that a building situated in my yard, and known as the Torea building, should be opened. I told him the building was my own property, was locked up, and the key was in the possession of the British Eesident, Mr. Moss. Owen said he did not believe it, and that he and the natives with him had authority to burst it open, and intended to do so. I warned him not to do so, and ordered him to leave the yard. Owen said he had as much business in the yard as I had. Owen then asked the natives— mentioned above—in my presence to burst the door open. Pora said to Owen, "We came to assist you, not to break open the door." Owen urged them to do so, but they refused, and went away, Owen with them. Owen and the same natives, with Eaea, Puia, also Tekeu, who is one of the police, returned in about an hour. Owen again told me he meant to burst open the door, and took hold of the doorhandle and tried it. I ordered him away from the premises. I stood in front of the door. I pushed him away, and he struck me twice in the face with his fist, the natives (seven in number) standing round. Owen then called to the natives to break open the house. Pora and Piaputa said, " We have now got orders to break it open from the Ariki," and Pora then burst it open with his shoulder and foot, using all the force at his disposal. I then called Mr. Mallett's attention. They removed property belonging to the Cook Islands Government and to myself privately. I enclose particulars of property removed, so far as I can discover, with its estimated value. They

51

Year. Import Duty of 5 per Cent. Postal and Postagestamps. Hospital Duty, 1 per Cent, on Imports. Miscellaneous. Total. 1896-97 1895-96 1894-95 1893-94 1892-93 £ s. 919 9 1,117 10 1,048 2 943 10 563 6 d. 8 1 9 5 5 £ 120 120 228 278 245 s. d. 5 3 8 5 0 1 2 3 5 9 £ s. 6 10 171 9 d. 0 8 £ s. 188 17 19 9 10 18 24 14 16 17 d. 0 6 6 5 2 £ s. 1,230 2 1,428 17 1,287 1 1,246 7 825 9 d. 9 8 4 1 4 Total.. 4,591 19 4 992 1 9 177 19 8 255 17 5 6,017 18 2