G.—B

2

these things well. I would not permit visitors to enter unless accompanied by the custodian or janitor, as it is found that it is impossible to keep the feather ornaments, &c, intact unless some such arrangement is made. As will be seen in the plan, I should like to see a good carved house, a storehouse, a common house, a rua, a memorial canoe, and, if possible, part of a pa-fence. If the canoes obtained were too large they could be arranged longitudinally. The marae in front of the carved house should be kept clear as far as possible of supports so that the space might be available for photographic groups of Natives with a suitable background.

2. Dbaft Regulations undeb "The Maori Antiquities Act, 1901." Sir,— Wellington, 12th March, 1902. We have the honour to state that, after meeting and consulting together on the questions you wished us to consider connected with the regulations under " The Maori Antiquities Act, 1901," we now enclose for your information a set of suggested regulations, and, further, we beg to recommend, in order to carry out the provisions of the Act, — (1.) To carry out section 3 of the Act Government purchasing officers be appointed as below at once, to be followed by others from time to time and as circumstances call for them. (2.) We consider it highly desirable that the services of Captain Gilbert Mair be obtained for Auckland; for Eotorua we suggest that Judge Scannell, in addition to his duties under the Maori Councils Act, might act ; Mr. Percy Smith will be glad to act for New Plymouth; for Hawke's Bay we think Mr. A. L. D. Fraser might be asked to act; and for Wanganui Mr. Goffe is suggested; whilst Mr. Tregear could probably act in Wellington. In respect to the latter part of clause 3 of the Act, we think temporary accommodation should be provided for articles which may now at any time be acquired by Government. It would be advisable that notice be sent to all dealers in Maori curiosities calling their attention to the provisions of the Act and of the regulations; and that all Customs and police officers be notified of their responsibilities under the Act. With regard to the Act as it now stands, there appears to us (and to others) to be a conflict between the terms of section 2 and 4, which it would be desirable to remove. The part of section 2 which seems to conflict is the last paragraph thereof. In the event of any amendment being made in the Act, it would be desirable to obtain power for the Government, when consent is given to sell and export any Maori antiquities, to secure the right to photograph or make casts of such objects before exportation. We have, &c , S. Pebcy Smith. The Hon. the Colonial Secretary, Wellington, A. Hamilton.

PROPOSED REGULATIONS UNDER " THE MAORI ANTIQUITIES ACT, 1901." 1. There shall be appointed at each shipping-port, and such other places as may be found necessary from time to time, a Government Purchase Officer. The duties of the Government Purchase Officer shall be, on the application of any person, to issue permits to remove for export or for sale outside New Zealand any Maori antiquity, in the form hereinafter provided. He shall affix a mark to each Maori antiquity for which he issues a permit for export or sale. He shall report to the Colonial Secretary from time to time as to the desirability of purchasing any specimen submitted to him under clause 6 of the Act, or which may come otherwise under his notice. 2. Any police or Customs officer shall have power, in accordance with section 5 of the Act, to seize and detain any Maori antiquity attempted to be removed from the colony contrary to the Act, and shall forthwith notify the same to the local Government Purchase Officer, who shall communicate with the Colonial Secretary, and, if necessary, take proceedings under the Act. 3. The Collector of Customs and the officer in charge of the police at any place shall have power to enter and search in any place where he has reason to believe that the Act is being evaded, and seize the same, and also any article about to be exported without the necessary permit. 4. The penalty for any breach of the Act or of these regulations may be any sum not exceeding £100, to be recovered before a Stipendiary Magistrate. 5. Any person desirous of removing any Maori antiquity from the colony shall apply on the appended form to the local Government Purchase Officer for permission to do so. Form of Application. [Date.] I, A. 8., hereby apply to the Purchasing Officer under "The Maori Antiquities Act, 1901," for the District for permission to remove from the Colony of New Zealand the following articles: — 1. 2. Etc. A. B. Note.—Each article is to be described sufficiently to identify it to the satisfaction of the Purchasing Officer. Form of Permit. I, CD., Purchase Officer for the District of , hereby grant permission to A. B. to remove from the colony the articles enumerated above, to each of which has been affixed a ruark as follows:— [Mark.] C. D.