COOK. ISLANDS ADMINISTER TION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15185, 3 July 1911, Page 8

COOK. ISLANDS ADMINISTER TION.

the commissioners'..''iNQiiuir: ;•':' (Pib United Pbbss Association.) ;.:. "AUCKLAND, July 2. . !-.; The complaints regarding the ddmini-' ... 6tration of the Cook Islands broke down ". completely. The reports of the conimis- ' v ; sioners remains secret until it is presented ..', to the Government.- They visited the,' ' islanders at a number of places, and discussed their requests, which -were not in the nature'of complaints. At a meeting of natives and visitors, which Was some- '."' thing official in ite character, held at' ■ Makea, the Arikis' palace, speeches were made by the natives, who stated that they ;' understood Sir Robert Stout had been sent to the island to ascertain -whether , they had any complaints to make. The natives wished it- understood that, they were thoroughlyjjgatisfied with the. . work and administration of Captain Smith, and they had no complaints to' make. If they had any complaints they . wero with regard to native titles.- '■'..- The inquiry regarding the charges was a private one. The persons making allegations against the Commissioner declined to give evidence, on the ground that they did not consider Sir Robert Stout ■ had sufficient powers. It is understood the - Chief Justice <ame to the conclusion,that. ■■- the allegations were unjustified,; the '.\ natives ; expressing- every satisfaction with Captain Eman Smith's administration. ' An Aucklaad visitor, unconnected with tho official party, expressed the opinion ■•' that there. were only three persons in tha '• islands dissatisfied with Captain Smith.' One of them was a discharged policeman. .' He adds that, the Chief Justice won •' golden opinions from, the natives by his ' affability and charm of manner. ' ' Te Heuheu Tukino, who conveyed 1 the condolences of the Maoris of the Dominion to the Cook Islanders on the death of Queen Makea, returned by the Talune.