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be picked up by a man on the spot, but that, I think, will be the extent of future European occupation for many years. I have heard complaints that the Land Titles Court has allowed the land to be divided into small areas and put too many names in the titles, thereby making it difficult for Europeans to lease. This amounts to a suggestion that the rights of the Natives, solemnly assured to them at the time of annexation, should have been subordinated to the convenience of a handful of Europeans. Those who have had experience in Native land in New Zealand know what iniquities were perpetrated and what wrongs were suffered through the system which obtained there in early days of putting in only a few names in the titles of blocks of land. Ostensibly trustees, such nominees almost invariably betrayed their trust. Much of the work of the Native Land Court since 1886 has been directed towards partially remedying these early errors. The Land Titles Court here has been wise in seeing that the people's, rights are put on lecord. Nevertheless, difficulty and expense in leasing should be avoided as far as possible, hence the suggestion I have previously made that similar provisions to the " assembled owners " clauses of the Native Land Act, 1909, should be brought into force. Aitutaki, a small island about 3,600 acres, and some small islets along the reef, in all perhaps another 300 acres, is almost all fertile land. Population, about 1,200, hence there is little opening for European settlement. Some of the local traders are acquiring small areas by way of lease. A large part is still unclothed with title, but most of it is utilized, though not to best advantage. Mitiaro contains about 2,500 acres, while the population is only a little over 200. It is not, however, all of good quality, and at present is not visited by the steamer. Very little Land Court work has been done. Some land might be obtainable, but in all these small islands the best parts are occupied by the Natives. Mauke is about the size of Aitutaki, but the population is only about 450. It is fertile, and some land could no doubt be obtained in small areas. Most of it has been dealt with by the Court and titles issued. Atiu. —A large island. It has not been surveyed as a whole, but is supposed to contain about 20.,000 acres. Population, under 1,000. It is of mixed quality, but good land predominates. Very little Land Court work has been done. This island, I think, offers the best opportunity of obtaining land for settlement, but communication, as in the case of Mauke and Mitiaro, is irregular and infrequent —a great drawback. Steamer calls three or four times a year, and schooners at intervals. Mangaia is about the same size as Atiu, but large deductions must be made for rocky and barren areas. Population, between 1,500 and 1,600. There is a monthly steamer. Natives apparently object to their lands being dealt with by the Court, and little has been done in this direction or in survey. I consider the prospects of obtaining suitable land for European settlement to be poor. The Hervey Islands (Manuae and Te-au-o-tu) are leased as a whole for a long term. They contain about 1,500 acres —coconut land. Takutea, 300 acres, is Crown land. About twelve miles from Atiu. Is unoccupied. Has been planted with coconuts by this Administration. Palmerston is leased to the Marsters family (over 100) for ten years. The Far Northern Islands are, I am advised, out of the question for European settlement. Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages. This is at present done by the European and Native ministers of the different Churches, who are under no penalty and under no obligation to make any return. (Vide section 15 of the Marriage and Divorce Act, 1899, page 91 of Book of Laws). The police, however, have orders to immediately report all deaths, so that inquiry may be made into the circumstances. I consider that registration should be done by Administration officers, though there is no objection to the present system being continued in addition if thought desirable. I refer you to the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages Act, 1892, page 50 of Book of Laws. This provides for registration of births and marriages, but not of deaths, except by implication. At any rate, there is no penalty for not registering a death. But the Registrar of the High Court informs me that this Act has been a dead-letter since the passing of the Act of 1899, which I have referred to. He himself is the only registration officer. All this has been previously reported on, but presumably it was thought unnecessary to change the system. Another question is whether there should not be a civil officer appointed in each island to celebrate marriages. Some people object to any religious ceremony, others to be married by ministers not of their own faith, and in some instances ministers themselves object to perform marriages on conscientious grounds — i.e., of divorced persons. Hospital. Though, generally speaking, the Health Officers are satisfied, they press for a laboratory and storeroom for drugs. I have already forwarded Chief Health Officer's report on this to the Secretary. I have arranged for a further supply of hot water to Hospital building proper, and for certain alterations in horse-paddock. I attach copy of a letter from the Chief Health Officer on certain other matters which I have discussed with him. The water-closets referred to are in the houses of the doctor and nurse —the Hospital closets are detached earth-closets. I purpose altering the water-closets in nurse's quarters at once, and I have asked the Engineer to report as to the other one, and whether an improvement of light in the operating-room can be effected. I have, &c, Chas. E. MacCormick, Judge, Acting Resident Commissioner. The Hon. the Minister in Charge, Cook and other Islands Administration, Wellington.