A.—4

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Enclosure No. 4. Madam, — British Eesident's Office, Earotonga, 22nd January, 1898. I am informed that Tepou-o-te-rangi and certain evil-disposed persons have forcibly broken and entered into a certain locked house in Avarua and removed valuable property therefrom. English law provides that such conduct is a breach of the public peace, and is severely punished, and these persons who wrongfully take property stored in the house create an offence against the public peace, and are liable to punishment. I must also point out to you that by section 13 of the Constitution Act (No. 1, 1891) such laws are to be administered with the approval of the British Eesident. I shall therefore hold it my duty to report this affair at once to the proper authorities, and to cause Tepou and others, whether Maori or European, who assisted him, to be charged before the High Commissioner's Court when sitting in Earotonga. This offence is against the flag of the Protectorate Power, and a grave wrong-doing. Enough. From the Beitish Eesident (Frederick J. Moss). Makea Takau, Chief of the Federal Government.

No. 21. Mr. F. G. Moss to His Excellency the Govebnob. My Lobd, — Cook Islands, Earotonga, 4th February, 1898. The enclosed letter, with copy, was given me yesterday for the British Eesident. Mr. Moss, I am sorry to say, is considerably knocked up, and, acting on the advice of his medical attendant, I take the liberty of forwarding it to you myself. The letter, I may say, was given to me open, and I have closed it and forward it to you. Trusting you will excuse the liberty I take, and believe no other course possible. I have, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., F. Geoege Moss. Governor of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Youe Excellency,— Earotonga, 3rd February, 1898. I am forwarding through the British Eesident a letter and copies of correspondence relating to the trouble we have between the British Eesident and the Government, and we hope that you will look into the matter. The Arikis of Earotonga and myself hope that you will approve of what we have done. This is all. With greetings, Na Makea, Ariki, The Eight Hon. Lord Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., &c, Chief of the Government. Governor of New Zealand.

Sub-enclosures. Sic, — Earotonga, 2nd February, 1898. Salutations ! I, Makea (Ariki), Chief of the Government of the Cook Islands, send you herewith copies and translations that you may know all that has been done in connection with my taking possession of the printing-press, the property of this Government. When Sir James Prendergast was here holding the inquiry we asked, " Who does the press belong to ? " and we were informed by the British Resident that it belonged to the Government. Mr. Moss gave the press into the hands of a person here (Henry Nicholas) to start a newspaper called Te Torea, who also did the Government printing. This paper became a source of trouble between the Maoris and the foreigners. We wish to prevent such trouble. This paper — Te Torea —we knew, was the paper of the British Eesident, and did not belong to us. But when the British Eesident informed us, in the presence of the Chief Justice, that it belonged to the Government we then knew that the press belonged to us. This press was purchased with Government money, and a bargain was made between the British Eesident and H. Nicholas that the latter should, pay 5 per cent, interest on the outlay. We have never yet received any money. I wrote a letter to H. Nicholas telling him to return the press. He did not reply to my letter. My Judge, Tepou-o-te-rangi, who was out on a land-boundary dispute, called on H. Nicholas, and asked him what he had to say about the Ariki's letter. He replied, " I did not know how to answer. I was afraid I would make a mistake." Tepou told us this at our Arikis' meeting. I then wrote a letter (marked "A ") to the British Eesident, to which he replied that the key of the house was in his possession, and we must leave the press where it was until the