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A.—3

No. 18. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Besfdency, Earotonga, Bth September, 1900. I have the honour to forward herewith a petition from the Arikis of Earotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro, asking for annexation under the conditions set forth in the petition. I have also to inform you that the Mataiapos and Eangatiras of Earotonga have indorsed the action of their Arikis, and therefore the inhabitants of this island may be said to be absolutely unanimous in their desire for annexation. The inferior people have not, of course, been asked their opinion on this question ; but I am in the position to say that they are more in favour of annexation than any other class, since they hope to benefit by the change. I have not spoken to the Arikis of Mangaia on this subject, for I have not been able to visit them, and Ido not think that it is necessary to do so. The action taken by Earotonga will govern the whole group, and the Mangaians will offer no opposition to the will of the majority. I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., British Eesident. Governor of New Zealand.

Enclosure. We, the Arikis of Earotonga, together with Ngamuru, Ariki, who represents the three Islands of Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro, being assembled in Council at Avarua, in the Island of Earotonga, on this 6th day of September, 1900, do hereby petition His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand to annex the Islands of Earotonga, Atiu, Mauke, and Mitiaro to the British Empire. And whereas we are of the same race as the Maoris of New Zealand, and all our trade is with those islands, we are willing to become part and portion of that colony : Provided always,— 1. That the Parliament of the Cook Islands shall be abolished, and in place thereof a Council of Arikis, under the Presidency of the British Eesident, with Makea, Ariki, as Chief of the Government, shall be substituted. 2. That the land rights of the people of these islands shall not be vitiated by annexation, and if any question shall arise hereafter as to those rights, such question shall be submitted for the final decision of the High Court of the Cook Islands. 3. We ask His Excellency to use his influence to the end that the following islands may be included in the Federation with New Zealand, viz. : Penrhyn, Manihiki, Eakaanga, Palmerston, and Pukapuka (Danger Island), and, if possible, Niue. We ask this because the inhabitants of the islands in question are of the same race as ourselves, and are, we believe, already British subjects. 4. And whereas the Legislature and Government of the Cook Islands have already adopted the criminal law of New Zealand as a guide for the High Court, and have passed certain statutes suitable to the requirements of this small community, we ask that such of these statutes as shall be found in accordance with the spirit of English law shall be respected, and that the general laws of New Zealand shall only be introduced as required and adopted by the Council of Arikis. And whereas the administration of the Cook Islands has hitherto been carried on with the utmost economy, all official appointments to the public service of the Cook Islands hereafter to be made shall be subject to the approval of the Island Council, and no public officer shall be dispensed with without the same approval. In conclusion, we wish to express our appreciation of the manner in which both your Excellency and the Premier of New Zealand have guarded the interests of the people of this group. Makea. Tinomana. Kaeika. Pα. Ngamaeu. Kainuku.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct translation from the native into English.—Feederick Goodwin, Government Interpreter. Earotonga, Bth September, 1900.

No. 19. Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon to His Excellency the Goveenoe. My Loed, — British Eesidency, Earotonga, 10th September, 1900. I have the honour to forward the enclosed letter from the Arikis of Earotonga, in which they express their sympathy with Her Majesty the Queen on the occasion of the death of His Eoyal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh. I have, &c, His Excellency the Earl of Eanfurly, K.C.M.G., W. E. Gudgeon. Governor of New Zealand.

Enclosure. My Loed,— Rarotonga, Bth September, 1900. The Arikis of Earotonga have desired me to express the general sorrow felt by them on receipt of the news of the death of the Duke of Edinburgh