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No. 4. Sin. Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, '27th August, 1906. Referring to your letter of the 20th Juno on the subject of the Order in Council defining your powers and duties as Resident Commissioner, I think the difficulty you have pointed out will be fully covered by the provisions of clause 6, which Rtates that "The Resident Commissioner shall in all matters act in accordance with the instructions of the Governor or the Minister, as the case may be." As I see no object in your referring all minor appointments to me, I hereby authorise you to make such appointments yourself, and submit names and all particulars to me afterwards for confirmation. In view, however, of the provisions of the Act and the Order in Council, 1 wish you to exercise this power as little as possible. I have, &c, The Resident Commissioner, Rnrotongu. James McGowan.

STRAIGHTENING CHANNEL OF AVATIU STREAM. NO. 5. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 30th June, 1906. 1 have tliu honour to Bttbmit for your information a plan of the proposed deviation in the channel of the Avatiu Stream. Hitherto the shingle lias been deposited in the small harbour, as shown on the plan, and valuable land in the valley has been subject to floods by reason of the bend of the creek. For these reasons Mr. Counal has recommended that previous to the building of the new concrete bridge we should, in the interests of all the people of the island, straighten the course of the. stream ami make a permanent job of the work. The landowners of Sections 31 and 82 were inclined t" !»■ obstructive, hut 1 finally succeeded in purchasing the right to take the creek through the two sections tor fi3o. Digging the channel will cost about £100, and in this way double the estimated cost of the bridge; but I think you will agree with me that the benefit we shall derive from doiny the work thoroughly will justify the increased expenditure. I have, <fee, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands.

No. 6. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Rarotonga, 18th July, 1906. 1 have the honour to forward enclosed a Proclamation for the signature of His Excel lency the Governor, taking the strip of land shown on plan attached, in order to straighten the course of the Avatiu Stream, and save the inlet of that name from filling up with the shingle from the mountains. I have already agreed with the owners that the price to be paid for land so taken shall be £'-W. I have, <tc, W. E. Gudgeon, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. C. H. Mills, Minister administering Islands.

No. 7. Sir,— Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 15th August, 1906. 1 have received your letter of the 18th July, forwarding a draft .notice taking a strip of land in Avarua for the purpose of straightening the course of the Avatiu Stream. A copy of the notice is being forwarded to His Excellency the Governor for his signature. I note that you have already agreed with the owners to pay £30 for the land. I have, <fee, The Resident Commissioner, Rarotonga. James McGowan.

No. 8. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 15th August, 1906. I have to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 30th June, forwarding a plan of the proposed deviation in the channel of the Avatiu Stream to prevent the deposit of shingle in the harbour and the flooding of the valley lands. I approve of the work being undertaken, and have no doubt that you will find that the proposed ex]>enditure will be fully justified by the results. I nav e. &°-. The Resident Commissioner. Rarotonga. Jambs McGowan.