IN THE COOK GROUP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 149, 24 June 1911, Page 5

IN THE COOK GROUP.

COMPtaiNTS AGAINST.-COMM3S- ■-'■' ' .'BIO&E& • ■ ■■- >--■■

SIR ROBERT STOUT'S ENCJXnRY.

(Bj! Association.)

"WELLINGTON, Friday. According t<r reports from jßarotonga published by the Dominion, the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) on arrival, was waited on by a deputation, from, the Federal Council, and arilds, who extended customary greeting, to which Sir Robert Stout briefly responded. The day after Sir 'Robert Stout's arrival Dr. Dawson, Dr. Hosking, and ex-Inspector Reynolds received notifications from him Of his appointment, and asking them for any further , information they might have. Notices -were . also despatched .to other parties interested, and a special Gazette, bearing on the scope of the in; quiry, was issued in English and Maori. Drs. Dawson and Hosking and ex-Inspec-tor Reynolds (interviewed Sir Robert Stout. The Chief Justice refused admission to the press, stating that in accordance with instructions the proceedings were to be in camera. ; ■:.••.

Talking with a reporter later,: the complainants stated . that they wished the inquiry to be public, and to have evidence taken on oath, Dr. Hosking saying that they had not a very high opinion of the veracity of a few' of the white inhabitants of the island. Sir Robert Stout told them that he could get more jout of witnesses in private than in-pub-lic, and also that he could give no assurance thai the report would be Dr. Hosking said the natives had asked him if Sir Robert Stout would hear their land.troubles, and the Chief Justice had replied that these must be heard by the Native Titles Court. ■• •-

Two days later Drs. Dawson and Hosking and ex-Inspector Reynolds separately wrote to Sir Robert Stout declining to have anything to do with' a. .private inquiry. Ex-Inspector Reynolds, in his letter, remarked on his dismissal, which occurred only two days after the arrival of the mail with Hansard, containing a discussion of the relations between the Commissioner and himself. He enclosed also a copy of testimonials signed toy the whole of ; the European population, with. one exception. Before the mail left, Reynolds, acting on the advice of his friends, had decided to lay his case before Sir Robert Stout. This case .is' purely a Departmental one, and not connected with -the complaints "of Drs. Hosking and Dawson. The case was proceeding when the mail left. ' Written application by a,pressman for admission to the' inquiry elicited; from Sir Robert Stout -.a -reply confirming the previous refusal, on the ground that he believed that the inquiry, to be efficient, must tie held in private. A petition has been presented to Sir R. Stout, signed by the .majority .of white residents," asking him to convey to. the Government the petitioners'' desire that Dr. Dawson be reappointed to the medical staff. Sir Robert Stout promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Government.- -A petition is bein<* circulated asking, for the ■'removal of Mr. Ewan Smith, Resident Commissioner, from the . various positions he now holds, on the grounds that, he 19 deficient in the necessary; qualifications'for the position, his lack of legal knowledge, and his not attempting to make himself familiar with-; the native, customs and language; They ask that the offices of, Resident Commissioner and magistrate be held Iby different individuals, and, finally, that a commission of inquiry, differently empowered and constituted, be appointed at an early date to investigate the complaints against the administration. Such sittings of the Commission,- they say, should be open to the press'and the public. ■" ■' --. ■•-. • ■ ■■■. ■■:, I :

The Wigmore murder trial was set down for hearing on June' 16. "Some difficulty is anticipated in selecting a jury, as only about 30 whites are.available, and of these some are already exempted from service, and others are connected directly or indirectly' with the case. Mr. MeVeagh, of Auckland, appears for the accused.- .