SAMOAN CONTROL

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22202, 31 August 1935, Page 14

SAMOAN CONTROL

NEW ADMINISTRATOR PENDING APPOINTMENT SEVERAL POSSIBILITIES MR. H. F. AYSON MENTIONED [BY TELEGRAPH —SPECIAL REPORTER] WELLINGTON, Friday Tho appointment of an Administrator of Western Samoa to succeed Sir Herbert Hart, who recently retired, is expected to be made shortly by tho Government. More than half a dozen men have been mentioned as possibilities for the post, but it is understood tho Government's choice will bo made from a more limited field. Perhaps the most likely candidate is Mr. H. F. Ayson, Resident Commissioner in tho Cook Islands and a former Judge of the Native Land Court, who has had nearly 20 years' experience in native administration. He first went to the Islands, in 1918, and four years later lie was appointed Resident Commissioner, a position in which ever since he has shown conspicuous ability. In certain circles there is a feeling that the Government should send to Samoa a man who has not a more or less marked army affiliation and that the tirno has como for the appointment of one who has made a study of tho problems of the Polynesian race. Others who are stated to be possible candidates for the position are Mr.' A. C. Turnbull, secretary to the administration and at present acting-Adminis-trator, and Sir Charles Stathain,

Speaker of tho House of Representatives, who has announced his intention of retiring from Parliament this year. The names of Mr. J. H. Luxford, Chief Judge in Western Samoa, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, of Auckland, and Mr. C. It. Orr-Walker, S.M., of Timaru, have also been mentioned. There is' a likelihood that the appointment may bo announced next week.