COOK ISLANDS AFFAIRS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1161, 23 June 1911, Page 6

COOK ISLANDS AFFAIRS.

THE MISSION; OF THE CHIEF JUSTICE. ■ A PRIVATE INQUIRY. : DISSATISFACTION OF THE." COMPLAINANTS, (I'roiu Our Special Reporter.)

. Rarotonga, June 9. The Chief Justice (Sir Eobert. Stout), armed with authority to conduct an inriuiry into tho allegations made against the administration of tho Cook Islands by tho Resident Commissioner, Captain J. Eman Smith, and with authority to preside over the trial of a white resident of the Islands, charged with tho murder of a Native, arrived at Rarotonga by the Aorangi ' yesterday, your representative travelling by the, same boat. The Government party includes Mr. 11.I 1 . W. W aidegrave,' head of the Justice Department, Mr. H. 11. Ostler, Crown Prosecutor, and Te Heu Heu Tnkino, a North Island chief, who is making., independent inquiries amongst the Natives as to.their general conditions, so as to report to tho Minister in charge of the Islands, the Hon. J. Carroll.

On arrival, the visitors were met by the Eosident Commissioner, and .immediately they were waited upon by a deputation from the Arikis and Federal Council at the Whare Manuhiri, where the party took up their residence. The deputation consisted of two ladies, Pa Ariki and Makea Karika Ariki, PotikiTaiia, M'aoate, Vaikai, Puri, Te Ura, and others., They extended to the Chief Justice the customary Maori greetings, and expressed . their satisfaction at his coming among them; one speaker expressed it as hi.s opinion that there was no trouble on the island. The Chief Justice acknowledged the greetings in a brief reply. .

A VERITABLE PARADISE. Rarotonga is a vcritablo Paradise—a small dot on the broad Pacific, literally covered with a beautiful tropical growth, prominent amongst which is tho tall, graceful coconut palm. Prosperity is writ largo all over the island, but the land is far from being developed to its full extent, much of itbeing idle. Despito the evident prosperity the people are at present in a very dissatisfied state, feelings being strained between two sections of whites. This grievance is the matter of the hour, and whilst tho Government side appears to go on as though things were all that could bo desired, the opposition make no secret of their discontent and their anxiety to get a public inquiry into the state of affairs generally and into certain specific charges that have been framed against the Eesident Commissioner. In the midst of the turmoil is the Native, who appears to be at a loss to understand the position that has arisen between the whites. To the stranger the Native appears to be nervous and shy, with a decided suspicion of the power of the white man. To bounce or bully tho Maori is to drive him into himself, but in a long, round-about w-sy he will sometimes. tell his troubles to a white he trusts. Whilst one section of tho white population profe.-s to know the Native mind and tay- he is in a state of ferment, the other section .«ays he is quite contented and happy. Tho Native appears to understand his position thoroughly, and knowing that the whites are divided amongst themselves, he "sits on the rail" and gives each side encouragement. Probably no one will know- exactly which way ho will move until the strength of the respective parties is clear to his understanding. THE POSITION AS IT PRESENTS ITSELF. After inquiries extending over a w«ek amongst tho white population, I feel justified in voicing the following conclusions. The attitude of tho Government locally is to treat tho present state of affairs as a storm in a teacup, raised by a few aeita.tors. It is clear, however, that things are not in their normal condition, and there is a strong undercurrent of feeling against the Resident Commissioner, nithough the position may not be as grave as some suggest. A section of the European population will not' come out into the open and indict the Administration. Privately, they voice their grievances, freely, and a number of them say that they would be willing to come forward and give evidence before a public inquiry. These people admit that for business reasons they cannot afford to. come forward against the Commissioner at a private inquiry, although they say the position would be different if everything were square niid above-board, where the public could judge. They arc afraid of the present inquiry, and disappointed that its scope is narrowed down as it is. In this small population, as in every place, there are- two sections distinct from the missionary element, and the Toot, of tho whole trouble appears to be that the Resident Commissioner has formed personal friendships among a particular sec-, tion. The crude slate of the laws of the island and the fact that the Commissioner does not speak the natives' language, and is not familiar with their customs, have led to the C'oinmissiontr's position being made one fraught with difficulties. It is safe to say that the "solid" section of tho' community outside of the Government officers is antagonistic in varying degrees to Captain Smith. Some of the opponents of the 'Administration are openly so, and others hide their views in public. The private inquiries which are being madeby Government offioials will not draw the real state of the public feeling. Men who have chapter and verse for wbnt they would say at a public inquiry have told your representative that they have been approached by one or other of the Government officials, and havo told them absolutely nothing. "Why should I?" "What good could it possibly do?" "I only lay myself open for nothing." Such is the way they reason out these private inquiries.

THE FORM OF THE INQUIRY. The first official intimation, received by any of the parties was the following letter from the Chief Justice addressed to Dr. Dawson, formerly medical um'cei , on the island, and dated June 10:—

"I have-tho honour to state that I have been appointed to inquire iuto complaints regarding tho Government of Earotonga. I find from a copy of correspondence forwarded to mo that you have madd complaints in reference to whit may be termed hospital management. 1 should be much obliged if you could let mo know whether you can give nib any. further information in reference to your complaints, or whether you detire to see me with regard to the letters that you wrote to the Eesident Commissioner in reference to certain siek persons who were your patients. I shall bo glad to hear you at tho courthojio at any time tetween 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. on any week-day before J'.ino 16. . . ."' A letter iii similar terms regarding complaints against tho administration of the Eesident Commissioner of Harotouga was addressed to Dr. Rupert Hosking and to Mr. W. It. Reynolds, lato Inspector of Police. In addition to the above,'; notices were dispatched to other parties interested, and a special gazette. 111 English and in' Maori was issued bearing on- tho scopo of the inquiry. FORM OF INQUIRY CONDEMNED. An appointment for 10 a.m. was accordingly mado by Drs. Dawson Mid Hosking and Mr. Reynolds. The interview which dealt with the scopo iif tlio inquiry is considered high'y uiisitisfactory by the complainants. An application by your representativo to tbo Chief Justice for admission was met by a reply that tho pi'ocecdin"s were, according to instructions! to be in camera. In an interview with Drs, Dawsou and Hoskiug anl Mr. Hcrnoldi-,

however,. your representative was given the.following account of the- interview:— On behalf, of the complainants, Dr. Hosking asked his Honour for an intimation as to the scope of tho inquiry. In reply, his Honour read a letter to the effect that he had eorno to Rarotonga t(. inquire into charges laid by Mr. It. A. Wright, M.P., against the administration, of the island; also into the Wigiuore murder charge, oil 1 into anything else that might be, laid before him. He could not, he said, take the evidence on oath. Commissions- were not usually' in public or on' oath. He had never heard of any place where they were. Dr. llosking aske/1 if evidence on oath did not make a man amenable to the law, to which the Chief Justice replied in the affirmative Dr. Hosking added that they (the complainants) had not a very high opinion of the veracity of some tew of the white inhabitants of th« island. PUBLICLY ATTACKED AND DISPARAGED. . After some further discussion .Sir Robert StD it intimated that he th .ugLl that he co.ild get in'ore cut of the witnesses in'private than in public, but he could give no assurmo that the report would be published. M:. Reynolds replied Hint, they (tli3 petitioners) had been publicly attacked and disparaged, and he thought thev were entitled to reply in public. In reply to another ;question, his' Honojir stated that lie ha 1 been appointed to conduct the inquiry, by -the Acting-Prime Minister, ti which Dr. Dawson rcmartid that the.instruction to Hold the'inquiry had been recoirt;l froin the Minister, whose own administration might be. involved. Tho Chief Justice intimated tint it did not matter to him ngninst whom the inquiry, was. He would hoar it impartially. Dr. Hoiking said that they had lieon palled '"irs in a certain quarter, and they wished to prove in public, that they were, not. . The Chief Justice '■aid he-would hear both sides, and it"might be necessary to confront them with the Resident Commissioner.

The three complainants remarked in chorus, that this was what they wanted.

Dr. Dawson said this might involve rn action for damages, his Honour remarking that Dr. Dawson. had resigned. Dv Dawson said he was not after money. He would not take any action on tho ground on which he resigiied. His Honour said he had nothing to do with 'hat. Dr. Dawson could tnkn what action he pleased. He (Sir Robert. Stout) was only there to inquire into the matters stated. EX-POLICE INSPECTOR'S "HOSTILITY." Mr. Remolds said he had been, publiciv.craf b '?.d with hostility to'the Commissioner, arid this charge bad besD published in-New Zeal-iml,and'in Karotong-v. arid he thought he should be entitled to answer publicly. His Honour implied that Reynolds was a tho administration, and. having received a month's notice as per aercomen , ., he had nothing to complain of. Mr. Reynolds said it was not so niueh his disoharge as the facts lcadin? up to it, and the fact that he «'r.s dismisspri for alleged hostility, and thus branded abroad as a hostile servant.. His Honour, after quoting the law be : tween master and servant, indicated that it was open to a master to dismiss a servant. Mr. Reynolds asked if things could not be put back a little and allow (he matter to be dealt with as that of the' insubordination of a Government servant, the case to-be dealt with by his Honour and Captain Smith to provo the charge in public^ His Honour intimated that he could not do this.

Mr. Reynolds .handed his Honour for perusal's petition-signed by.GO odd.European residents of the islaud, expressing confidence- in, and satisfaction wjth, the work done by Reynolds during the nine months of office in charge, of the police. NATIVE LAND TROUBLES. Dr. Hoiking said certain natives had approached him and asked what his Honour's powers were, and whether he could hear land troubles. In reply his Honour said those must bo heard by the Native Titles Court. He gathered from Colonel Gudgeon's reports that there were lid land troubles. Dr. Hoskipg said ho did not anything about it in Rarotonga until lately, but natives assured him that there were, and that they should be fixed up. He knew for a faqt, however, that in Aitutaki {an adjoining' island) the land trouble was not settled. Dr. Dawson said he had hail personal experience of the land trouble in an endeavour to get land for himself. Ho had tried to get two different blocks, and found that they had not been surveyed Consequently, he was unable to come to any agreement with the natives. So the natives were unable to cultivate the land themselves, or to receive rent for it. As he went about among tho native people (and he felt that he had their confidence), they talked to him and asked, him what they were to do when, the Judge came down His t reply was that'they were not to be frightened, but. were to tell tho Judgo just what w.as in their hearts!" His Honour said' he had had a good deal to do with the Maori, and he understood them. He would hear their complaints it they camo forward. Dr llosking asked if the natives could bnmr their own interpreter, to which his Honour replied that tho natives coukl brine an interpreter as a check on the Government interpreter. PUBLIC INVESTIGATION INSISTED UPON. Reverting to the general matter in hand, Dr. Hosking pointed out that they wanted a public investigation, because the whole.state of the law was in such a tangle that they could get neither law After enme .further discussion, the complainants pointed out that their ob jection to the form of inquiry wns not in any_ way a suggestion thaMher were protesting against his Honour's 'impartiality, - but they and others concerned had undeistood that the inquiry would be public, and at this evervone would have come forward. ' " ■

_Phe complainants then intimated that they could not give evidence before the liKnm-.y as at present constituted." Thov must insist on publicity V His Honour concluded the interview J"' i a that the. compllnan s had better consider the matter, an 'see him again on the -Monday morir™

PUBLICITY OR. NOTHING. , The matter was revived again on thf Monday when each of tho complainants interviewed his Honour and presented letters bearing-on Hie matter in hand Br Dawson, writing under date June 11, inl formed the Chief Justice as follows:—"Kosarding the charge made by me against Hie administration of the local' hospital 1 wish to submit the following points— (1) ■ Ih connection with this charge'' I have been attacked publicly and I "consider it only fair that I should be given an opportunity to lay tho -matter before the public m extenso. The subject is- a professional one and I understand tho case is' being watched by my professional brethren in New Zealand. ' ■ (2) Tho subject of the charge is a public one and. therefore flic:'public havo a riglit jU> know the whole fads. (II) Someone is responsible for this lamentable state of affairs and until the mutter is sifted il will not be possible t> hay who is to blame. In my opiuion this can only be done in public. ft) As ('ho correspondence on which the chargnis based shows the evasive proclivities of the; administration' , it is necessary that evidence. shnuld'Le taken on [oath and that the iritnesses be subject

to cross-examinalioii. I have no doubt as to'-your impartiality, but 1 regret that Hie powers conferred on you by the Jinn, the .Acting-Prime .Minister to inquire into this- charge, are not sulliciciitJy wide to deal with it in n-iuuiiiler to satisfy, either the public or my.-elf. 1 must tnercfore respectfully decline, to go on with the charge -or give evidence there anent at the"present, juncture. DR. HOSKING CANNOT PROCEED. The following .letter wns produced by' Di\ llosking:—With reference to the' interview I,'with other complainants, had with you on June JO . .-•'. wherein you most "courteously and kindly afforded us information as to the scope and conduct of the inquiry . . . into hospital and other complaints ... 1 have, the honour In inform you that it is wjl'h regret lliat I have, to lay before- you my refusal, in writing, to proceed with the, laying of further charges, at this stage, supplementary to. those already submitted to the' Minister in charge of the Cook Islands by Mr. l<. A. Wright, M.1 , ., 1 regret that I shall not have the pleasure of laying before you some 'JO charges, for I realise that I should have had'an impartial and unbiased hearing from your Honour. I must further refuse with all due respect' ... to give any evidence in this inquiry. These steps J have been forced to take for the following reasons:— 1. Your' Honour has notified us that the Minister's instruction to you is that evidence is not to be taken on oath. This may be. the usual course in inquiries, but with all due deference I have come to the conclusion, not easily to bo shaken, that, in' view of the want of veracity of certain individuals and the tactics they have adopted, it is absolutely necessary that both sides should be put in a position that will ensure truthfulness and will put pprverters of the truth within the grasp of the law. I personally am fully willing to give evidence on oath and make statements on oath, and am willing that I-should be adequately punished if found to have committed perjury or distorted facts for my own ends, and it seems reasonable that this should apply b both sides.

AN OPEN, UNBIASED INQUIRY WANTED.

2. Your Honour has informed us that yoii have decided, as you have power to do, that while here you think that you will" be able to get more and letter evidence in private than in public. With your Honour's wide and long experience, your decision I may not dispute, but I would beg to again draw your Honour's attention to the fact that I consider that as 1 have been attacked by several persons and called by sundry approbrious names, in speeches in Parliament it is only fair that I should have a chance to refute these statements in public so that garbled tales may not be spread abroad in those islands and elsewhere. I have raid my say so far in public, and I wish to continue to do so. Your Honour, I stand unafraid of the law, for I have been law-abiding in so far as one is able to disentangles the law in these islands.

3. Your Honour hns further told us that .your authority to hold an investigation comes, not from his Excellency the Governor as we had expected, but from the Acting-Prime Minister, and that, your report will be sent to him. And your Honour can give us no assurance that this report will be made public.. I, your Honour, am averse to haviug my own evidence or that of my witncsse.s'trausferred I'd the Minister of these islands, even though ho be Acting-Prime Minister, for his verdict. That would bo too much like asking a Minister to pass judgment on himself and his JJopartment, and is not to be thought of for an instant. The dilly-dilly come and be killed" idea does not appeal to me.. I think I am justified in saying . that my friends and myself are desirouf of-giving-evidence only before an "open inquiryand if an inquiry were held by. your Honour under warrant of bis Excellency (.ho Governor, with a certainty of the full publication of evidence, and your Honour's report, we might possibly come forward. TOO GRAVE TO HUSH UP, The gravity of the charges is too serious o allow of anything in the way of a hush-up, not. by your Honour be it understood, but by other , persons. I.- again repeat, we wish an' open unbiased inf(uiry, with the. evidence on oath and as it does not seem in your Honour's power, at present, to afford us that," we must' stand by the refusal we made on Saturday, and which I repeat with all due deference, now. I have the honour; in conclusion, to inform your Honour that I shall now carry the matter, and thoso charges for which I am sponsor, into and before tho Honourable the Hpuso of Parliament, in New Zealand. THE "HOSTILE" POLICE INSPECTOR. The late Inspector of Police, Mr. W. K. Reynolds, handed his Honour tho following letter:—Having duly considered the position, as placed before Dr. Dawson, Mr. Hoskiug. and myself on Saturday, June 10, by you, I beg to inform you that I have decided to refrain from proceeding with my complaints under the conditions laid down. It has been stated in Parliament and in the Press that I am "hostile" to Captain J. E. Smith, but that I only held a temporary position, and that ho intends dispensing with ihy services as soon as convenient. The Hansard and papers with this'statement arrived hero on December 2'2. Ou December 24 I received my notice to leave to talve <>fi'ect on December 31'. No reason or explanation is advanced for this summary action. This itself leaves my character open'to severe criticism. During tho time of. my service under the Cook Island Administration, no complaints were made against myself or my , work so far as I know. The term "temporary" was never mentioned in connection with my position, either here or in New Zealand.' I then affirm that accepti/ig the temporary conditions as being tho truth, I was sent here- under false representations deliberately, and allowed to remain under that impression for nine months. This itself is an injustice. I am dismissed, as I have already pointed out to three New Zealand officials, on the ground of "hostility" to the Resident Commissioner. No effort is made to prove or confront me with this accusation. The circumstances go to prove my contention that the hostility is on the Commissioner's side, not mine. I ask you to note the fact that it is not hostility to the Administration, but to one member of it that is alleged. To be dismissed on the plaint of personal hostility is not a usual practice. I did my work as Inspector of Police impartially and fairly, I sincerely believe. Tho European population have confidence in me and the Maoris trusted and believed in me. I mado a strong effort to become familiar with their language, and was in a, degree successful. The Resident Commissioner has declared from the Bench on January 25 that he had never had fault to find with my work, and that he knows of nothing against mo and that T have a character, as far as he knows, that any man might bo proud of; This was said on the occasion of my charging Dr. Story, then Assistant Medical Officer, with abusive language to myself, the dismissed inspector. . .Then, under these 'ircumstances, it appears most inconsistent to dismiss mo and fill the position again. I wish your Honour to believe me when I fay that I have every faith in your fairness and impartiality, and should bo _ only ton pleased to place my complaints before you if it were a public affair, but to place it-Wore you privately, to be dealt with bv a Minister, who has already said in effect that I have no repress, would lie useless. I refer to the Hon. J. Carroll. The Dominion newsnaper, which voices our' wishes, distinctly declared that wo (and myself! would not lay n,,r complaints before 'n private inquiry. 'Whatever confidence -T may once have hml in themajorily of U"* members of this Administration to whom my charges relate, has benn entirely destroyed by recent events. T beg to ciiclor-e you a copy of what I will term a testimony of confidence signed by-all the European population of this island, with one exception, who were here at the time. Casual inquiries anion? any Maoris of runic or apre who are not in fear of the Resident. Commissioner's displeasure, and what it entails, may go to prove my statements aro not vain boasts." . . .

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT. Following the nbovo communications, tho following petition lo be presented to the Parliament of\N T cw Zealand was rirctilatrd amongst the Europeau iirnl X:\tivo residents:— -..,,.. . . . 1. In our opinion ihe time has. arrived when the lion, the House of Representatjref of the Dominion .of Xe.w.• Zealand should take immediate steps to r.emove

the Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, James Kmnn Smith, from the nlfiris nf Chief Judge of -the High Court nr flip Ccok j<!nii(l-. Chief Juds« "f Ihe Conk Jsl/inds Land Titles Courl, and from tin; pn.-itiou of lir-i'lenl ConimisMoncr in tho nfur«-aid island-.

•-'. The Kc.-idcnl Commissioner has in our opinion, proved (lint he is deficient in tho neces.-a ry iiiiaijiienlians l'ir Hip offices unci posticus which ho hold.-, in that he has shi.nvu a waul of (litre follow certain allegation:-). .Moreover, we claim that die present. Resident. Commissioner has clearly dcinnnslrated his ignoraiu'i. , in legal mailers, arid Ilin laws he has to administer, and he has not, attempted to make himself familiar with the language and customs of tho unlives.

:t. And, furl her, in our opinion, it is advisable that tin-re should lie appointed immediately a fully (|iialilicd successor as Resident (.'oinmisMoiiPi', and iinolher official fuliy quuliiicd to act as Judge of tho High Courl, Judge of the Land Titles Court, ami Magistrate of Rarotonga. i. And, furl her, that we earnestly desire and pray that owing.to the most, unsatisfactory state of affairs at present cxislaut in those islands in legal, social, and moral mailers, it properly constituted and empowered Commission of Inquiry should be, appointed at an early date to publicly investigate the complaints against the administration of government in these islands.

5. And, further, that the terms of the appointment of the aforesaid Commission of Inquiry be clearly set forth, and that, all evidence be token on oath, which we consider essential owiug to the giavity of tho charges. fi. And, furthermore, we desire and pray that the sittings of the said Commission shall be open to the, press. The above petition was still in circulation at the time of writing. POSITION OF THE PRESS DEFINED. As a means, of obtaining a definite tuling from the Chief Justice as to whether or not the. press was to be admitted to tho inquiry, or any phase of it; your representative addres.-'Pd the following communication In his Honour, after lnvin<» been told verlnlly on (he opening of the inquiry that the press could not be admitted:— "l?cvertine to the verbal intimation which I received from you on Saturday last to tho effect that you would be unit bio to allow me, as the representative of Tun Dominion and other newspapers, to be present at tho hearing of the inquiry into the charges made in reference, to the administration of the Cook Mauds, I herebv'respectfully nslc your ruling as to whether or not I will be allowed to attend, on behalf of the papers T represent, the native deputation, which, I understand, is to Wait upon your Honour to-morrow morning. I think I need hardly give my assurance that any information I might obtain at. Hip meeting would be treated as .strictly confidential s>> long as I remain in Rar-rtonga, but would l;e published in New Zealand in due course." THE OFFICIAL FIAT. The abor-3 application elicited the following reply from his Honour's secretary:—"l am instructed by his Honour tho Chief Justice to state that he cannot alt?r the determination ho has already expressed to you, namely, to hold all inquiries privately. He believes that an inquiry to be efficient mutt be in private." DR. DAWSON'S POPULARITY. An indication of tho popularity of Dr. Dawson, late 'Medical Officer on tho Islands, was -given by a deputation consisting of the Key. if. Bond James, and Messrs.-B. Shearman and Black, which waited upon the Chief Justice, and presented a petition signed, by nearly every Enron-can on the island. The petition ran as under:— "We, tho undersigned, pray that you ivill convey to the New Zealand Government our earnest desire that Dr. Dawson be reappoiutfd on tho medical staff of tho Cook Islands. He has rendered invaluable services to the Maori and the European in Karotonga and the other islands of (he group. We would point, out dial there is no'conflict of interests in (his matter between the Maori and European. On the other hand, we are Convinced that (he Natives of the' island eagerly desire the reappoinlinput of Dr. Dnwson. l''urth'er, our.', petition' 'is- 'riot based on any financial'considerations, but upoii ihri perfect confidence. fhW'Whii'iF our families have in Dr. Dawson. "We are conscious that, our petition is"reasonable and just; but as we havono voice in-ths Administration "of the Islands-wo entreat you to give this petition your careful consideration, and to aid it with your weighty influence." Attached to the petition were 67 signatures., Tho Kc'v. Mr. James said lit would like to say most sincerely and. emphatically that this deputation was not an attempt to interfere in any way with Dr. Percival's position. Dr. Percival was tho Chief Medical Officer, and they recognised. him as such. Neither was the petition in any tv'ay a political agitation. It was the sincere, earnest desire to retain the. services of a man who had proved a friend, nnd who had served th-s inhabitants in many ways. The petition was signed by practically every European resident .on the island. Out of a total of 75 signatures possible, they had 67. Of thosn limbic- to append their signatures three had guaranteed to contribute so much jier year to retain the services of Dr. Dawson. • .

The Chief Justice promised to bring the matter under the notice of the Government.

EX-INSPECTOR REYNOLDS PROCEEDS.

Acting un the advice' of his friends, Ex-Police Inspector Reynolds, who was dismissed for alleged hostility to the Administration, decided to lay his case before Iho Chief Justice. The argument which decided Reynolds to take this action, in spite of the letter he hnd already written intimating that he was going to hold out for a public inquiry with Dr.«. Hbsking and Dawson, was that his particular case is a purely Departmental one, and in no way connected with the broader charges of the other complainants. Tho matter is proceeding in camera at tho timo of tho closing of tho mail. THE WIGMORE MURDER CHARGE. An unusual amount of interest is being manifested locally in the hearing of tho charge of murder of a Muori against a planter named Wigmore, which case is to commencß at 9 a.m. to-morrow (June 1G). Rome difficulty is anticipated in tho selection of the jury, as there arc only about 30 Europeans available, and some of these havo already been exempted irom ssrvico and others aro connected directly or in-, directly with the case. Mr. H. H. Ostler, of the Crown Law Office, Wellington, will appear for tho prosecution, and Sir. M'\ T eagb, of Auckland, for the accused.