13

A.—3

No. 6, 1900.—Medical Ofpicbb's Inquiry Act, 1900. Whereas certain unqualified persons, Maori and European, have, by their ignorant and unscientific treatment of disease, added to the mortality of the people of Earotonga : Be it enacted by the Federal Parliament, with the approval of the British Eesident, — The Short Title of this Act is " The Medical Officer's Inquiry Act, 1900 " 1. In all cases of death occurring in Barotonga where the Medical Officer shall deem it necessary, the Medical Officer may apply to the Chief Judge of the High Court for authority to hold an inquiry to determine the cause of death, and on receipt of such authority under the hand of the Chief Judge of the High Court shall hold such inquiry. 2. No taunga, whether Maori or foreigner, shall secretly attend any person who is seriously ill, but shall at once inform the Government Medical Officer that he has attended and prescribed for such sick person. The Medical Officer has been appointed to do this work, and will use his power in giving advice where the taunga has complied with this section, but if a taunga does not at once inform the Medical Officer that he is attending a patient, and the patient dies, an inquiry may be held. 3. For the purpose of such inquiry a jury of four may be empanelled. 4. The Medical Officer's inquiry shall be held at such time and at such places as the Medical Officer may direct. 5. That, subject to the provisions of this Act, the procedure of the inquiry shall be in accordance with the principles and practice of the English Coroners' inquiry. 6. The Medical Officer shall have power to call witnesses and to receive testimony, sworn and unsworn. 7. Any person who shall have been duly cited to attend a Medical Officer's inquiry as juror or witness, and who shall fail to appear, shall be guilty of contempt against the High Court, or any person who shall interfere with the maintenance of order at such an inquiry may be prosecuted therein. 8. In all cases where an inquiry has been held under this Act, the Medical Officer shall report the result of the proceedings to the Chief Judge of the High Court. Passed. "Te Ariki Tapu Bangi, Chairman of Cook Islands Parliament. Approved. Makea, Ariki, Chief of the Federal Government. Approved. —W. E. Gudgeon, British Eesident.—The Eesidency, 22nd August, 1900.

[For returns of revenue and expenditure for the financial year ended 30th June, 1900, see enclosure to No. 15.]

No. 17. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Governor. My Lord, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 7th September, 1900. I have the honour to forward enclosed four copies of the estimated revenue and expenditure for the present year. With the exception of votes 24, 25, and 26, the estimate is lower than it was for the year ending 30th June, 1900, and could not be further reduced. I may inform your Lordship that' I confidently expect a substantial surplus at the end of the present fiscal year. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.

Enclosure. Estimated Eevenue for Year ended 30th June, 1901. ■ • B s. d. Surplus from year ending 30th June, 1900 ... ... ... 976 18 0 By Customs duties ... ... ... .. .. 1,500 0 0 Post Office ... ... ... ... ... ... 300 0 0 Shipping-fees ... ... ... ... ... ... 20 0 0 Trade licenses ... ... ... ... .. 200 0 0 Liquor dues ... ... ... ... ... 200 0 0 High Court fees and fines ... ... ... ... 70 0 0 Arikis' Courts ... ... ... ... ... 180 0 0 Eents ... ... ... ... ... ..'. 40 0 0 3,486 18 0 Passed. Te Ariki Tapu Eangi, Chairman of Cook Islands Parliament. Approved. Makea, Ariki, Chief of the Federal Government. Approved. —W. E. Gudgeon, British Eesident.—The Eesidency, 22nd August, 1900.