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time they are always getting smashed, sometimes as many as six in one day, and as they cost between £8 and £10 apiece it means a big lot of money. There being no timber on the island large enough (or canoes, they have to get them from the other islands. The late Hon. R. J. Seddon promised that a passage would be cut in the reef, as it could be done at no very great cost. H.M.S. " Clio " was here two years ago and fired several mines; but it was too rough to do anything, and she sailed away. The reef is dry at times for a week and ten days at one time. Hoping that a passage will be cut soon, we remain, Yours, &c, Geouqe Brown, T. Glover, S. C. Buckeley. G. Glovek, J. Craig:. John Glover. C. F. Procter. The Hon. J. McGowan, Minister in Charge of the Cook Islands.

No. 22. (Jbxti.emen, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 30th October, 1906. I have the honour to acknowledge the'receipt of your letter of the 18th instant, with reference to the cutting of a boat-passage through the reef at Mangaia. In reply, 1 am directed by the Hon. Air. McGowan, the Minister in Charge of the Islands Administration, to inform you that the Resident Commissioner is fully alive to the necessity of the boat-passage referred to, but that there are practical difficulties in the way which it has not yet been possible to overcome. 1 have sent a copy of your letter to Colonel Gudgeon. I have, dec, F. Waldeorave. Mγ. (ieorge Brown and the other gentlemen signing the letter, Mangaia.

No. 23. Sib, — Rarotonga, Cook Islands, sth December, 1906. In reply to your letter of the 30th October with reference to the boat-passage through the Mungaian reef, I have the honour to inform you that nothing has been done as yet, and nothing can well be done unless we can insure a deep boat-passage through the reefs. With the present appliances this seems to be well-nigh impossible, for there are but few days in the year when the sea is calm enough to allow the drill to be used on the outer rocks. We have but one man here (Mr. Conual) who is fit to superintend such work, and before 1 bring an experienced miner from New Zealand I wish to know that there is some prospect of success. My intention is to interview the Chief Engineer in New Zealand, with your approval, and take his advice I have, &c, W. E. Gudgeon, The Hon. the Minister administering Islands. Resident Commissioner.

No. 24. Sir, — Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 10th May, 1907. Referring to my letter of the 10th April last, I have now the pleasure to advise you that 1 have shipped to you, per s.s. " Manapouri," two sets of drilling apparatus for use in making a boat-passage through the reef at Mangaia. The shipping-note is enclosed herewith. I also enclose full descriptions of and directions for the use of the drills, and I hope that the operations will prove successful I have, &c, The Resideni Commissioner, Rarotonga. James McGowan.

MONEY-ORDER OFFICES AT MANGAIA AND AITUTAKI. No. 25. g IR) Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 4th July, 1906. In connection with the proposal to open a money-order office at Mangaia,' the Postal Department asked Mr. Large to furnish the usual fidelity bond for £100, but he has declined to do so, thinking probably that he was or should be covered by "The Civil Service Officers Guarantee Act, 1893." I have referred the matter to the Solicitor-General, who advises me that, as none of the Acts affecting members of the Civil Service have been brought into operation in the Islands, the

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