OUR ISLAND POSSESSIONS.

Lake County Press, Issue 977, 29 August 1901, Page 7

OUR ISLAND POSSESSIONS.

TWO HIGH OFFICIALS GUILTY OF EAIBEZZLEAIENT. UNREST AND DISSATISFACTION. AUCKLAND, August 25. The ‘ Star’s ’ Cook Island correspondent says that it is idle to disguise th® fact that since the annexation of the Islands to Great Britain in October, 1900, both the native and European population of Rarotonga have been in a state of unrest as to the future administration of the group. This feeling is not in any way lessened by the events of the last two months. All Government moneys passed through tho hands of the two officials, Air F. C. Goodwin, treasurer and secretary of the Government, and Air R. W. Gossett, postmaster and Collector of Customs and bandmaster. Goodwin was killed by the explosion of a rocket on June 10. Gossett was suspended from duty on July 1 on account of drunkenness and absence from his office. An audit of the books showed a total deficiency of about £l,lOO. Gossett was £637 and Goodwin £460 to the bad. Goodwin’s death put out of the question any proceedings against him. Gossett was tried before the High Commissioner’s Court, which included Colonel Gudgeon, on a charge of embezzling £637, the property of the Government of the Cook Islands. Accused pleaded guilty. Dr Craig, Act-ing-Resident during Colonel Gudgeon’s absence, stated that owing to Gossett’s absence without leave on July 2 he had suspended him from duty, and had had the accounts audited. Gossett admitted embezzling the Government’s moneys, which he had spent in liquor, curios, and stamps, and that he and Goodwin had acted in collusion in stealing Government moneys. Gossett was sentenced to two years’ hard labor on the island of Alanual, the Government penal settlement. Captain Hoff, the Government auditor, in his evidence, stated that part of the deficiency of £SOO had been refunded by Lieutenant-colonel Gudgeon, uncle of prisoner. The question of import duties is greatly agitating the minds of the traders of Rarotonga. Previous to June 11 a uniform duty of 10 per cent, ad valorem was imposed on all imports. It was then gazetted that all imports would pay New Zealand rates except goods imported for New Zealand, which would pay only 10 per cent. It further appeared that goods from Sydney via Auckland would pay 10 per cent., but if from Sydney direct they would he subject to higher rates.