A—3:

• I enclose warrant, under the hand of the Minister of Customs, appointing you to be Collector of Customs. I have, &c, H. G. Cornwall, Esq., Niue. James McGowan.

No. 57. Sib—*- Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington, 13th August, 1907. I have the honour to forward herewith a Warrant, under the hand of His Excellency the Governor, appointing you to be the officer who may -sell or supply liquor under the provisions of section 22 of " The Licensing Acts Amendment Act, 1904," in the Island of Niue. I have, &c, H. G. Cornwall, Esq., Resident Commissioner, Niue. James MoGowan.

SALARIES OF PRESIDENT AND MEMBERS OF COUNCIL AND MAGISTRATES AND POLICE. No. 58. Sir, — Niue Island Administration, Niue, 29th August, 1907. I have the honour to forward to you herewith a letter, and translation thereof, from the President and members of the Niue Island Council to the Government of New Zealand, asking for an increase of their salaries. It will save time if I make a few remarks explaining the position. The " Niue Island Council Constitution Ordinance, 1902," provides that the President of the Council shall be paid £50 per annum and members of the Council shall receive £3 per annum. In addition to this the members are paid 2s. allowance for each meeting of the Council they attend. By the " Niue Island Native Magistrates and Police Ordinance, 1904," Native Magistrates are paid at the rate of £6 per annum and constables £3 per annum. Magistrates report to me every month, and are allowed 2s. for expenses each visit. Constables receive 2s. per day when employed on special duty, and Government work is given them whenever possible, in order to keep them employed in their villages. When the last Council was elected three years ago a similar demand was made for increased remuneration, but it was not granted by the Minister in charge at that time. With regard to the proposal that the salary of the President of the Council should be increased from £50 to £100 per annum, I can see no justification for such a course. Togia the Patuiki was given £50 a year as a kind of pension when the island was annexed, and made President of the Council. Beyond notifying members to attend Council meetings his services in an official capacity are practically nil. I cannot recommend any increase in his salary. The Councillors are quite adequately remunerated for their services. It is unlikely that more than two meetings of the Council in the year will be required in future, and they will receive £1 12s. for each meeting, which never occupies more than one day. As, however, they can be of assistance to the Magistrates and constables in maintaining order in their villages, I think their salary might be raised to £5 per annum, and the allowance of 2s. discontinued. The Magistrates do the real work of the Government here, and their salaries should be raised from £6 to £10 per annum; the outlay, I think, would be recouped by their increased activity. The pay of the police should be raised from £3 to £5 per annum, and allowances discontinued, except when employed as Customs searchers and other special service. The cost of Native officials at above rates will work out as follows :— Per Annum. £ President of Council ... ... ... ... ... ... 50 Eleven Councillors at £5 each ... ... ... ... ... 55 Five Magistrates at £10 each ... ... ... ... ... 50 Twelve police at £5 each ... ... ... ... ... ... 60 £215 Upon the decease of the present President of the Council his successor should not be paid more than £10 per annum; a saving of £40 per annum will consequently be effected, thereby reducing the cost of Native officials to £175 per annum. I have, &c, C. F. Maxwell, Resident Commissioner. The Hon. Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands, Wellington.

. Enclosure. [Translation.] Niue, 28th August, 1907. To the Chiefs who have been appointed to conduct the work of the Government in New Zealand. 1. This is a letter from us, the King and members of the Council of Niue.

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