A.—4

52

then, at about 10 p.m., nailed up the door of the house with a small piece of wood, and marked round the wood so nailed with lead pencil, thereby taking possession of the house and anything they may have left in it. I have not since disturbed the house, and have been compelled to refuse two offers of leasing it, as further trouble might ensue if I occupied it. The land on which the Torea building is erected is leased by me from Pori, the owner, one of the natives alluded to. The land rent is fully paid to date. The lease has been made out, registered, and published, in accordance with the laws and customs of the country in every respect. Eangi Makea is a cousin of Makea, Ariki. Pori is also related to Makea, Ariki. Tekeu is a policeman. Pora is a man who holds no office to my knowledge. Piaputa and Puia also hold no office. Eaea is pilot of the port, and is a man of some influence. Earotonga, 29th January, 1898. Heney Nicholas. Witness to signature—Frederick George Moss, Earotonga.

Statement of Thomas Henby Mallett. Accompanied Mr. H. Nicholas to a picnic on the 17th January, and returned home with him at about 5 p.m. Saw Owen and some natives in Mr. Nicholas's yard. Had no conversation with any of them. After tea, at about 6 p.m., while washing my hands-on the verandah of Mr. Nicholas's house, I saw Pora forcibly break open the door of the Torea house, using his hands and right foot. I also saw them removing property from the house. Owen was present, and assisting. The Torea house was not 10 yards distant, and in full view. Mr. Nicholas asked me if I had witnessed the proceedings. I told him I had. Thomas H. Mallett. Earotonga, 29th January, 1898. Witness to signature—Fbedeeick Geoege Moss, Earotonga.

This is the interpretation of letter marked " A " : — " Avarua, 17th January, 1898. " These are sent to take the presses at Henry's. The names of the men: Eangi, Pora, Pori, Piaputa. Sufficient. " Tepou-o-te-rangi." The above is a true translation, to the best of my knowledge and belief. Heney Nicholas.

This is the interpretation of letter marked " B " :— " Avarua, 17th January, 1898. " This is a right of Oscar Owen to break the Torea house, to take away the goods belonging to the Government —that is, the two presses—if Henry will not give them up. " Tepou-o-te-eangi." This is a true interpretation, to the best of my knowledge and belief. Henry Nicholas.

Paeticulaes of Pbopebty removed (Marked "C"). 29 cases for type, 8 chases, 3 composing-sticks, 1 bookbinder and bench, 1 printing-press, 2 rollers, 200 lb. long primer type, 200 lb. brevier type, 50 lb. pica type, 1 box wires for stitcher, 7-J lb. 2-line English black, 6 lb. pica black, 5 lb. fancy jobbing type, 2 lb. fitting letters, 40 lb. lead, 1 dotted rule, 1 pica reglet, 1 nonpariel reglet, 2 imposing-tables, 1 jar potash, small quantity of black ink, small quantity of red ink, 1 office table, 6 office clips, 2 lamps, 1 waste-paper basket, small quantity binding-cloth, small quantity marble-covered paper, 3 reams printing-paper, 6 roller stocks, 2,000 memo, forms, 9 galleys, 3 wood galleys, 1 wire-binder, 1 plough-knife, 1 ink-table, 1 ream paper, 1 brass rule, 1 perforating rule, 1 lot wood furniture, 3 office-stools, 1 copying letterpress, 6 office-files, 1 lamp-shade, 2 office-chairs, 1,000 bill-head forms, small quantity of letterpaper, 60 packages large cards, 2 dozen packages small cards, 1 fount combination border, 1 small quantity of side-sticks, small quantity wood quoins, 6 column-rules, 2 double frames, 1 blottingpad, 1 brush, 1 shooting-stick, 1 single frame, 2 tin pans, 12 lots paste : of the total value of £100 sterling, as estimated by me. This is the inventory of property removed from the Torea building on the 17th January, 1898, to the best of my knowledge and belief. 29th January, 1898. Henry Nicholas. Witness to signature—Fbedeeick Geoege Moss, Earotonga.

No. 20. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Govebnob. My Lord, — Cook Islands, British Eesidency, Earotonga, 3rd February, 1898. I enclose, for your Excellency's information, certain translations of correspondence between Makea Takau, Chief of the Federal Government, and Tepou-o-te-rangi, who does not hold any position with the Federal Government at all,