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No. 22. His Excellency the Govebnob to Mr. F. J. Moss. Sib, — Government House, Wellington, 4th February, 1898. I have the honour to inform you that I have received the report from his Honour Sir James Prendergast, the Chief Justice of New Zealand, of his inquiry into complaints and petition relating to the Cook Islands. I should be glad if you would generally make it known to the Arikis and those interested in the matter that I am, with the assistance of my Ministers, giving it my earnest attention. Prior to sending any decision on the various matters in question I have determined to forward all the papers, with the report, to the Secretary for the Colonies, with a view to his expressing his wishes in the matter. I have, &c, F. J. Moss, Esq., British Eesident, Earotonga. Eanfuely.

A.-3, 1898, No. 14.

No. 23. Mr. F. J. Moss to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — Cook Islands, British Eesidency, Earotonga, 22nd February, 1898. I have the honour to enclose, at the request of Mr. F. Goodwin, a letter to your Excellency of complaint from him therein. Mr. Goodwin states that I have not previously written to him disapproving of his action. His position in connection with the Arikis' Council and their forcible seizure of the printing-press and material will yet require investigation when legal opportunity of doing so is obtained. But the present position was different. The Arikis and the Earotonga Council had just taken upon themselves formal authority, without asking approval of the British Eesident, and contrary to law, to seize the Government books and papers in the hands of Makea Daniela, and to dismiss as interpreter Mr. H. Nicholas. I enclose tbe two so-called laws to deal with these matters. They were both in Goodwin's own writing, and his name is included among those to take forcible possession of the books, office-papers, and furniture. The danger of such a course is the more imminent that, if successful, as with the printing plant last month, it is well understood that the next step will be to take possession of the permit liquor office, place a new officer under control, and get possession of what they have required—the habit of calling " our money" collected therein. The laws above referred to are styled—(l) Withdrawal of Makea Daniela from his positions; (2) the appointment to replace Makea Daniela. The interpretership is dealt with in the body of said papers, and Makea Daniela is to hold office till the 28th February. On the other hand, Goodwin encloses in his letter to your Excellency a formal appointment by the Arikis, dated for him on the 6th September last. This appointment is to the Federal offices only, but I have for the first time heard of its existence, and am of opinion that the appointment was not written at anything like the date given. It has nothing to do with the local Earotonga Council. I have, &c, Feedebick J. Moss, British Eesident. His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, Governor of New Zealand, &c.

Enclosure No. 1. Earotonga Council. —Withdrawal of Makea Daniela from his Offices. 1. It is enacted by the Earotonga Council that the offices of Makea Daniela are hereby cancelled, in accordance with his resignation in a letter to the Arikis, dated the 6th September, 1897. All his offices shall be hereby cancelled on the 28th February, 1898. 2. The Council hereby appoint, to take account of all things that may be in the hands of Makea Daniela (F. Goodwin, Vakapera Teeiai, Puai), and which are the property of the Earotonga Government. Also, in accordance with his request to the Arikis, and shall place all such things in the hands of the Chief of the Earotonga Government. 3. The Council hereby grant twelve days in this month of February to Makea Daniela, in order for him to collect all things together which are the property of the Earotonga Government. Should the day appointed be Sunday, the Chief of the Council will, on the following Monday, send the persons above appointed to take charge. 4. That Makea Daniela shall receive his salary for eight months—namely, from Ist July, 1897, to 28th February, 1898. No salary shall be paid to him after that date. Samuela, Acting Chairman. Tinomana, Ariki, Earotonga, 11th February, 1898. Chief of the Earotonga Government.

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