A.—3

36

No. 98. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 30th October, 1903. Referring to your memo, of the "2nd April last, and my reply of the 11th July, relative to the necessity for laying moorings at Aitutaki and Rarotonga, 1 have to say that in answer to my inquiries as to the probable cost of this work I have received the attached letter. I am informed by Captain Blackburne, of the Marine Department, that a 2 in. stud cablechain weighs about 1.95 cwt. per fathom, and a 2J in. stud cable-chain about 3.12 cwt. per fathom; so that for 60 fathoms the former would cost £108, and the latter £210 125., irrespective of anchor, &c, and freight. 1 shall be glad to hear whether you think anything further should be done under the circumstances at present. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills. P.S. —I wished to make provision for Mangaia also, but I notice you express the opinion that the depth of water is too great to admit of anything being done there.

Nos. 5 & 28.

No. 99. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir, 30th October, 1903. Referring to your letter of the Ist June last, and my reply of the 14th July, on the subject of moorings for Alofi roadstead, I have to say that in reply to my inquiries as to the probable cost of the work I have received the attached letter. I am informed by Captain Blackburne, of the Marine Department, that a 2 in. stud cablechain weighs about 1.95 cwt. per fathom, and a 2£ in. stud cable-chain weighs about 3.12 cwt. per fathom; so that for 60 fathoms the former would cost £108, and the latter £210 125., irrespective of anchor, &c, and freight. I shall be glad to hear whether you think anything further should be done under the circumstances at present. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Agent, Niue. C. H. Mills. P.S. —On thinking the matter over after I left the island, it occurred to me that even if we had moorings laid down and a gale came up from the westward a vessel would still have to leave her moorings and go round to the lee side of the island, so that I am not sure that we should gain as much advantage as might be expected from such a large expenditure. Is there not a suitable landing-place on the other side of the island, at Mutalau, which could be used when the roads are completed 1

Nos. 17 & 32.

No. 100. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 31st October, 1903. I have to inform you that His Excellency the Governor has been requested to approach Admiral Fanshawe with a view to having a boat-passage formed through the reef at Mangaia and also at Atiu. The commander of the vessel will no doubt consult you as to the precise locality in which the passages should be formed. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C. H. Mills.

No. 101. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 31st October, 1903. During the debate in the Legislative Council on the Cook and other Islands Act Amendment Bill it was stated by one of the members that some of the lepers at Morokai had told him, in reply to his inquiry, that they had not always enough to eat, the supplies supposed to be sent from the village coming rather irregularly. I understood that provisions were sent every week. Will you kindly have arrangements made so that these poor unfortunate people will receive their ordinary food regularly, and, in addition, a small quantity of biscuits, tobacco, and castor-oil at stated intervals. I understand they expressed a wish for these when Dr. Mason visited them. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. C H. Mills.

No. 102. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, Sir,— 31st October, 1903. I have your letter of the 10th instant suggesting that £100 should be paid out of the Niue Island revenue to the Schooner Department as an annual subsidy towards the "Countess of Ranfurly." lam quite convinced that Niue should contribute something towards the maintenance of the vessel, irrespective of what she receives from the island in the way of freights, passages, Sat., and I am of opinion that it would be in the interests of all the Islands to fall in with the scheme of purchasing the schooner about which I have already written you. As soon as I hare received Colonel Gudgeon's reply from Rarotonga I will communicate with you again. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Esq., Resident Agent, Niue. C. H. Mills.

No. 85,