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(4.) That English coin has been declared the only legal tender, whereas other moneys are the current coin in circulation, and whereas English coin is not obtainable; and, further, that Messrs. Donald and Edenborough have, as Government bankers, thus greater facilities in paying their duties than other traders. (5.) That the Government Auditor is also the local manager for Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, the Government bankers, and that all Government cheques on the said bankers have to be countersigned by the said Auditor before being payable. (6.) That the said manager for Messrs. Donald and Edenborough assists the Postmaster in the sorting of letters, and also assists the Licensing Officer and Collector of Customs in his clerical work, and by so doing, in his capacity as Auditor, is auditing his own accounts. (7.) That the said manager for Messrs. Donald and Edenborough is also a Government Registrar, and, during temporary absences of the Postmaster, Collector, acts in his place. At one time he acted for two months during the Collector's absence in New Zealand. (8.) That the British Eesident objects to any European representation in either Parliament or Council. (9.) That members of Parliament and members of Council are not elected by ballot as provided by law. (10.) That one-eighth of the revenue for 1896-97 has been expended on the British Residency, and that this money was not voted in the Appropriation Act, but was taken from votes for other purposes. (11.) Since the creation of the Federation of the Cook Islands many laws have been enacted and approved by the British Eesident, and that several of these laws have never been carried into effect. (12.) That a hospital has been inaugurated against the wish of Parliament, and for that purpose a building has been purchased from Messrs. Donald and Edenborough, and 1 per cent, duty levied, which realises only the sum of £180 per annum. This is the only amount obtainable for the salaries of doctors and nurses, medicines and food, and all appliances for a hospital, and to give free treatment to a population of some six thousand inhabitants. (13.) That harbour dues are collected, whereas no safe moorings are laid down, nor have been advised to be laid down, for the safety of vessels in the harbour. (14.) That vessels sailing under the Protectorate flag of the Cook Islands are permitted to cruise without certificated masters, thus rendering life and property insecure. (15.) That very unsatisfactory laws are in existence at the neighbouring islands of the Cook Group, much to the detraction of British trade ; and that the British Resident makes no effort to modify such laws. (16.) That a road-tax has been levied, whereas roads and bridges have not been properly attended to ; and that during the past year the Arikis have taken the matter into their own hands, in preference to paying the said road-tax. (17.) That public schools have been created, and taxes made for the same accordingly, whereas no certificated teachers have been appointed, no inspections made, and that, on the whole, the public schools have been a failure. (18.) That the liquor laws framed by the British Resident have been very unsatisfactory. And your memorialists will ever pray, &c. C. Kohn, Managing Agent. Emil Piltz. Geoege Ceaig, M.B. William B. Ceaig, M.B. William Taylor, Agent for S. R. Maxwell. His Excellency the Right Hon. the Earl of Ranfurly, K.C.M.G., Governor of New Zealand, &c.

Eemabks on the Petition of Messes. Kohn, Taylor, Piltz, Dk. Geoege and Dβ. William Cbaiq. Bevioval of Public Offices. In July, 1894, the date to which petitioners especially refer, a petition was sent from Messrs. Muth, Kohn, Taylor, and Piltz, and forwarded by me to the Parliament on the 3rd July. It was accompanied by a letter to me, and, after making full inquiry, I replied on the 10th as follows:— " Post-office. —From the first establishment of the office Mr. Gamier has been in the habit of receiving on occasions of pressure the friendly aid to which you refer—-from Mr. Scard —and I am glad to find that you speak so highly of the gentleman by whom it is given. This aid was an incident in the transition from the system of dealing with letters before the Government was established, but provision will be made in the estimates for the payment of such assistance as may be necessary. . . . Mr. Gamier considers that a change from the present office is unnecessary." " Customhouse. —Mr. Gamier states that no invoices exhibited to him for import entry are or ever have been seen by any other person." To the above it is only necessary to add, by way of explanation, that in January, 1891, the bond was opened, and that the Licensing Officer was the only public officer employed. In April, 1891, I assumed office as British Eesident. The Licensing Officer (Mr. Gamier) then took charge of the mails, which continued to be made up in the private office of Mr. Exham, managing partner of Donald and Edenborough at the time, and Acting Vice-Consul for some time previously. The stamps used were supplied to Mr. Exham by the Auckland Post-office, and continued to be so supplied till May, 1892, when the Cook Islands Post-office, with Cook Islands stamp, was first

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