A.—B

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the work to be proceeded with. Will you please, therefore, send me a sketch-plan of what you consider will be a suitable building for the requirements of, say, the next ten years, and show the position on the section on which you propose to erect it. It had better be designed so as to admit of additions being made later on. Please also give me your estimate of the cost, as it is possible I may obtain a further grant if really necessary. I would like to receive the plan and other information by return mail, with a list of the material you require, so that if the plan is adopted the requisites for the building may be ordered in time to be sent down by the next trip of the schooner. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 204. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 11th June, 1904. Referring to my letter of the 13th May, relative to the reduction in the duty on claret imported into the Islands, you will notice from the copy of the Order in Council forwarded herewith that the date of it differs from what was stated in that letter. An amendment was made in the Order at a subsequent meeting of Council, and the date from which it will now take effect is, as you will see, the Ist July, proximo. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C H. Mills.

No. 187.

No. 205. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 11th June, 1904. After careful consideration, Government has decided to adopt the Ordinance forwarded on the Bth February last, providing for Government control of the liquor traffic. It will therefore be sent on to the Attorney-General and to the Governor, and after approval by His Excellency will be returned to you. This Ordinance will certainly place matters on a better footing than exists at present; but probably when the accommodation-house is erected another Ordinance may have to be passed placing the sale of liquor more entirely under State control than this one does. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C H. Mills.

No. 143.

No. 206. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 11th June, 1904. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your comprehensive report for the year ending the 31st March, 1904, with returns of the revenue and expenditure for the year, and estimates of the revenue and expenditure for the year 1904-5. I propose going through them carefully again, and will then reply to you in detail. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 169.

No. 207. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 11th June, 1904. Referring to the question of cutting boat-passages through the reefs at Mangaia and Atiu, I now enclose for your information a copy of a letter received by His Excellency the Governor from Admiral Fanshawe, stating that H.M.S. " Clio " will leave Sydney on the 12th instant for Noumea and Tahiti, and will do the work required on her way to or from the latter. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

Enclosure. My Lord,— " Euryalus," at Sydney, 31st May, 1904. I have the honour to inform Your Excellency that I have given directions to the commanding officer of His Majesty's ship " Clio " to endeavour to make boat-passages through the reefs at Tuapa (Niue), Mangaia, and Atiu, as requested in your letter No. 588, of the 10th October, 1903. 2. His Majesty's ship " Clio " leaves Sydney on the 12th proximo for Noumea and Tahiti, and the passages will be made on her way to or from the latter island. 3. I have directed Commander Wilkin to consult Lieut.-Colonel Gudgeon, the Resident Agent at Rarotonga, before commencing the openings in the islands of the Cook Group. 4. On the return of the ship to Sydney I will acquaint Your Excellency as to the results of tbtwork, and the amount and cost of the gun-cotton, &c, expended. I have, &c, Arthur D. Fanshawe, Vice-Admiral and Commander-in-Chief. His Excellency the Right Honourable the Earl of Ranfurly, G.C.M.G., Governor and Commander-in-Chief, New Zealand.