A.—3

31

I have several gangs of Natives vigorously at work improving the grades and rendering the roads suitable for wheeled traffic. This involves the use of large quantities of explosives; without dynamite the work would be tedious and costly. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Government Agent, Nine. The Hon. the Minister of Trade and Customs, Wellington.

No. 83. Union Steamship Company of New Zealand (Limited), Sir,-- Wellington, 6th October, 1903. 1 have to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 22nd ultimo, a copy of which I had forwarded to my head office, as the matter of entering into a new contract to carry on a service from Wellington to Rarotonga alternate with that from Auckland is one which will require very careful consideration from the directors. You will doubtless receive a communication direct from my general manager on the subject. Yours, &c, W. A. Kennedy, Manager. Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister of Customs, <fee, Wellington.

No. 77

No. 84. Sir,— Niue, 10th October, 1903. I have the honour to submit to you a statement of the Niue revenue for the quarter ended the 30th September, 1903. The total receipts from all sources, including balance brought forward from last quarter, amount to £1,055 6s. 10d. ; the expenditure totals £196 18s. lid. ; leaving a balance in hand of £858 7s. lid. The cash statement accompanying this includes cash in Bank of New Zealand, Post-Office Savings-Bank, &c, amounting to .£2,052 l()s. Bd., less expenditure and cheques drawn amounting to £784 11s. 6|d., leaving a balance of £1,267 19s. Hd. If the £500 placed at fixed deposit be added, it shows a total of £1,767 19s. lid. to the credit of the island as on the Ist instant. This does not, however, represent the whole. The Auckland Sale of Stamps Account to hand only shows to December last. There is a considerable sum still due to the Niue Account as proceeds of stamps sold in Auckland since then, and cash remitted from here to the Chief Postmaster, Auckland, which was derived from the sale of Niue stamps. As Ido not possess the figures, I cannot include them in this statement. Mr. Cornwall will submit to you a balance-sheet to the 19th September, the date of his audit. I make up the accounts quarterly, so send you this in the usual course. I am vigorously proceeding with the formation of new roads and the improvement of old ones. There is very much to be done, and I have already expended the £100 which you mentioned might be spent on roads. However, with ample funds in hand, I feel justified in proceeding with work of such importance to the island. lam now paying 2s. per diem to labourers, and give the women tobacco for assisting. The work is arduous and tedious, but, I am well satisfied with the progress made. I hope to send you by the " Countess " a measurement of the roads made and the average cost per chain. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Agent, Niue. The Hon. the Minister of Trade and Customs, Wellington.

Enclosures. Statement of Ntue Island Revenue for Quarter ended 30th September, 1903. 1903. Receipts. £ s. rl. 1903. Expenditure. £ s d. July 1. To Balance .. .. .. 365 4 3 By Stationery .. .. .. 016 9 Customs duties.. .. .. 547 7 5 Allowance to police .. .. 119 0 Fines and fees.. .. .. 22 9 6 Cement .. .. 0 0 0 Shipping-fees .. .. .. 1 14 0 Advance to Captain Worsley .. 40 0 0 Trading licenses .. .. 24 0 0 Compensation for trees. &<•.' .. 111 0 Advance, Captain Worsley ■ ■ 40 0 0 Flagstaff . . 0 12 0 Emigrants' fees .. .. 4 4 0 Canoe-hire . . .. .. 016 0 Exchange on draft .. .. 0 7 8 Labour .. .. .1112 0 Proceeds sale of stamps.. .. 50 0 0 Horse-feed .. .. 4 10 Interpreter .. .. .. 015 0 Office-rent .. .. .. 3 10 0 Paint-oil .. .. . . 016 0 Postage .. .. .. 0 5 0 Derrick .. .. .. 17 0 Tools .. .. .. ..080 Refund of duty. . .. .. 714 10 Sundries "•" .. . . .. 013 0 Messenger .. . . ~ 0 6 0 Pay of Native constable.. . . 1 15 0 Provisions for labourers .. .. 10 0 Advance to Togia, Salary Account 5 0 0 Stores for Niue Government .. 211 10 Freight .. .. .. 9 5 6 Timber .. .. .. 0 5 0 196 18 11 Oct. 1. Cash in hand .. .. .. 858 7 11 £1,055 0 10 £l055~6~l(r C. F. Maxwell, 10th October, 1903. Collector of Customs, Niue,