LONG SERVICE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23137, 8 September 1938, Page 15

LONG SERVICE

THE COOK ISLANDS MR. S. J. SMITH RETIRING NOTABLE OFFICIAL CAREER [by telegraph—PßESS association] WELLINGTON, Wednesday The retirement from public service of Mr. S. J. Smith, lute Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, is announced. Mr. Smith is retiring on superannuation at his own request after a long and arduous official career extending over nearly 40 years, the last 2.'3 years having been associated with island territories, of which he has a unique knowledge.

Mr. Smith spent his early service in the office of the then SecretaryGeneral of the Post Office, Wellington. Experience of some years in the Department of Internal Affairs followed, including a period as private secretary to the Minister of Internal Affairs. Mr. Smith was a member of the Samoan Expeditionary Force, and was later seconded for duty as secretary to the Samoan Administration in the British military occupation. In 1920 Mr. Smith was appointed chief clerk in the newly-created Department of External Affairs and the Cook Islands. He succeeded to the position of secretary for the Cook Islands Department in 1928, and was appointed Resident Commissioner and acting-Chief Judge of the High Court of the Cook Islands early in 1937.