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No. 172. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,— Wellington, 13th April, 1904. Referring to your letters of the 22nd September and the 22nd ultimo, numbered 99 and 25 respectively, and our interview of yesterday, I have the honour to inform you that I have placed before my directors your inquiry with regard to a fortnightly service between New Zealand and Itarotonga, and have requested that a full expression of their views on the subject be sent direct to you, and this you will doubtless receive in due course. I have, &c, W. A. Kennedy, Manager. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister in Charge of Cook Islands, Ac, Wellington.

Nos. 77 & 162.

No. 173. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 15th April, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th February, No. 20/1904, forwarding Captain Nagle's report with reference to the statement that the lepers at Morokai, Penrhyn Island, were not always sufficiently fed. lam glad to hear that the position is so much better than was represented in the Legislative Council, and hope that every effort will still be made to minister to the needs of these afflicted people. I understood that something was being done for them by the Islands Government, but Captain Nagle's report does not appear to mention anything beyond private contributions and the levy on pearl-shell. Please advise me as to this point. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 147,

No. 174. Sir,— Niue, 19th April, 1904. I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No. 28, of the 22nd March, referring to duties on Native luggage. I would explain that all apparel, &c, showing signs of wear is admitted free, but large quantities of women's underclothing and dress-pieces are brought in by Natives returning from Maiden Island, and also from Tonga, where, I am informed, goods are often sold by auction at extremely low prices. As these goods are sometimes bought with the intention of subsequently retailing them to Natives on this island, it would be manifestly unfair to traders to permit them to come in free. I allow the Natives considerable latitude, and charge duty on the class of goods generally that I have had myself to pay duty upon when returning to New Zealand from abroad. Tobacco and perfumes are also brought in in much larger quantites than the personal requirements of the individual would warrant. The strict application of the clause quoted in your letter would not exempt Natives from having to pay duty here. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister of Trade and Customs, Wellington.

No. 161

No. 175. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sib,— 22nd April, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th February, relative to having a boat-passage formed through the reef at Tuapa. I am aware of the difficulty of having this work done effectively at Niue as compared with islands such as Mangaia, but probably when you have conferred with the commander of the warship he will see that the work is done to the best advantage, even though he may not have time to cut through the whole width of the reef. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 146,

No. 176. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 27th April, 1904. Your letter of the Bth March, with schedules showing the extent of road-work constructed in Niue, and the cost per chain, came safely to hand. lam pleased to learn that such a considerable length of road-work has been completed at such a reasonable cost. I can quite understand your reason for exceeding the amount authorised, and consider you did what was best under the circumstances. You are authorised to spend another £200, and you will no doubt resume the work immediately the necessary supplies come to hand, as the sooner we have direct communication between the different parts of the island the more quickly will trade expand. It is satisfactory to know that once the roads are made on Niue there is not likely to be much expenditure required for repairs. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Niue. C. H. Mills. P.S. —You might advise me which roads you consider it most necessary to complete. Apparently none of the main villages have yet been reached. —C.H.M.

No. 150.|