THE COOK ISLANDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CVI, Issue 12588, 24 August 1901, Page 5

THE COOK ISLANDS.

A STATE OF UNREST. [Per Press Association.] AUCKLAND, August 23. The Cook Islamd correspondent of the Auckland “Star” says:—lt is idle to disg\us$ tlis fact that Fines the annexation of these islands by 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 has not in any way been lessened by the events of the last two months. All Government moneys passed through the hands of two -officials, Air F. 0. Goodwin, Treasurer and Secretary of the Government, and Air R. W. Gossett, the Postmaster, Collector of Customs and bondmaster. Goodwin was killed by the explosion of a rocket on-June 10, and Gossett was suspended from duty on July 1 on account of drunkenness and absence from Ms office. The audit of the books showed a total deficiency of about £llOO. Gossett was £637 and Goodwin £460 in arrears. Goodwin’s death put out of the question proceedings against- him. Gossett wastried before the High Commissioner’s Court, including Colorel Gudgeon, on a charge of embezzling £637, the properly of the Government of the Cook Islands. The accused pleaded guilty. Doctor Craig, Acting-resi-dent during Colonel Gudgeons absence, stated that owing to Gossett’s absence from duty on July 2, he had suspended him from duty. He had the accounts -audited, and Gossett admitted embezzling the Government’s moneys, which he had spent in liquor, curios and stamps, and that ho and Goodwin had acted in collusion in stealing Government moneys. Gossett was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labour in tbe Island Manual Government Penal Settlement. Captain Hoff, the Government Auditor, in his evidence, stated that part of the deficiency of £SOO had been- refunded by the cheque of Lieutenant-Colonel Gudgeon, the uncle of the accused. The question of import duties is greatly agitating the minds of traders of Rarotonga. Previous to June 11 a uniform duty of 10 per cent ad valorem was imposed -on all imports. Then ft was gazetted that all -imports must pay the New Zealand rates, except goods imported from Neiv Zealand, which’would pay only 10. per cent.' lb appeared that goods coming from Sydney by way of Auckland' would pay 10 per cent, but if they came from. Sydney direct they would be subject to the higher rates of the New Zealand tariff. This differential dutv, however, acts chiefly against Tahiti, Which is a- large buyer of New Zealand produce. It seems inimical to tne interests of both.