THE COOK ISLANDS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7449, 25 May 1911, Page 1

THE COOK ISLANDS

IMPENDING VISIT BY-’THE CHIEF JUSTICE. On Juno Ist his Honor the Chief Justice Sir Robert Stout will leave Wellington on his way to Rarotonga, where he is going for the purpose of trying a charge of murder of a native preferred against \V. J. \Vigmore, a resident of the ialand. The charge is feo grave, and the issues involved so fard-eachmg, that the Government considered that tho investigation should: not bo left to tho local judicial tribunals, but; should he presided over by a -member \of tho Supremo Court Bench of New Zealand. Air H. If. Ostler. Crown Prosecutor at Wellington, will also proceed to Rarotonga, and will conduct', the prosecution on behalf of .the Crown, jit is understood that the accused, Wigradre, has retained counsel in Auckland. - A While at Rarotonga the Chief Justice will also look into the charges and complaints recently made against tho local administration. A Royal Commission will not bo issued, but, ,'following the precedent set' in IS9B, whyn a', former Chief Justice. Sir James;; Prendergast, visited Rarotonga at the request of the then Governor to inquire S into various complaints against the administration. Sir Robert Stout has been,asked to inquire fully into tho -complaints made and into any other matters that may be brought before him, the exact form which the inquiry will take being'-left to his Honor's discretion. • • Tho Chief Justice will leave Auckland on Juno - 3rd, by tho San . Francisco steamer Aorangi, and may return about the end of tho month.