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and the other Arikis to collect such a large sum. It is by this splendid unity of purpose that England must gain her end, and it is pleasing to know how deep and widespread is the sympathy for the widows and orphans of our gallant soldiers now so bravely facing death for England's sake. I shall take care to make this proof of your loyalty known to Her Majesty the Queen. I also shall have pleasure in forwarding the stone axe which you have sent her. Makea, Chief of the Federal Government, Cook Islands. Banfurly.

No. 5. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Govebnoe. My Lord,— Earotonga, 28th March, 1900. I have the honour to forward herewith a cheque for £27 13s. 3d., being a further contribution from these islands towards the Widows and Orphans Fund. Most of this money comes from the Island of Aitutaki. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.

No. 6. His Excellency the Goveenoe to the Health Offices, Earotonga. (Urgent telegram.) Wellington, Bth May, 1900. Health Officer, Earotonga, per " Ovalau," from Auckland. (To be handed to him on boarding ship.) Please inform British Eesident that there is no case, or suspected case, of bubonic plague in any part of New Zealand; that in the event of a case I shall inform him in a similar manner to this telegram, so that you can get first information. I consider you run no risk whatever from " Ovalau " or her cargo unless any comes from Sydney. I consider that old fruit-cases which may have come from Sydney to be dangerous, also old copra-sacks, and desire to warn British Eesident especially against these if they have been at an infected port. Fruit-buyers do not invariably return growers their own old fruit-cases, so caution in these is necessary. Eanfuely, Governor.

No. 7. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 20th April, 1900. I have the honour to forward herewith an application by Ngamaru, Ariki of the Islands of Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro, and Makea Takau, the Chief Ariki of Earotonga, asking that the abovenamed islands be annexed to and become part of the British Empire. The feeling expressed against New Zealand is really only against those members of Parliament who treated the petitions of certain Earotonga beach-combers as genuine and trustworthy. This feeling will die out. As to the Manihiki letter to Makea, I have heard more than once that the northern islands would like to join the Federation. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Sic, — Earotonga, 21st April, 1900. It has for some time been in the thoughts of Ngamaru, the Ariki of Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro, and also myself, Makea, the Chief of the Federal Government, that the present system of protection is not satisfactory, and it is our desire that we should form part of the British Empire and become one with the British people. We therefore ask you to bring this matter before Lord Eanfurly, in order that he may take steps to carry out our desires. We wish his Lordship to understand that it is to Great Britain we wish to be annexed, not to New Zealand. Do not blame us for this sentiment, for we have not forgotten that it was the Parliament of New Zealand who received petitions from bad and disreputable men, and treated them as though they were true. I have received communications from Manihiki and Eakaanga asking me to intercede on their behalf that they might become part of this Federation. Those people are descendants of our ancestor, Te Euri, therefore we are interested in their welfare. We trust in you to aid them in their desires and assist us in ours. Enough. Makea, Ariki. Ngamaeu, Ariki. Lieut.-Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, British Eesident, Earotonga.