THE COOK ISLANDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15672, 27 January 1913, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE COOK ISLANDS.

CAPTAIN NORTHCROFT APPOINTED

COMMISSIONER.

WELLINGTON, January 15. Captain H. W. Northcroft, formerly stipendiary magistrate at Auckland, has been appointed Resident Commissioner of the Cook and other islands. Tho general opinion is that the Government is to be highly congratulated upon so satisfactory an appointment, Captain Northcroft was an active fighter in the Maori wars. He has an excellent knowledge of Maori customs and a character that will stand him in good stead in the new position he is to fill. The delay in making the appointment was purely because of the desire of tho Government to get a thoroughly qualified man for the position, a matter about which there was considerable difficulty.

Captain Henry William Northcroft was : born in Essex, England, in 1846, and arrived in New Zealand In 1851 in the ship Cresswell. He was educated at New Plymouth and Nelson. He subsequently joined the colonial forces in Taranaki, served there and in Wanganui, and rose to be sub-inspector in the armed consta- . bulary, and captain in the militia. He participated during his 16 years' service in 49 engagements, and showed conspicu-'. ous gallantry in rescuing Farrier-major Duff at Pungarehu, Private Economedea at Tiritiri Moan a, and Private Watt at Oiauto. Ho was specially recommended for decoration by Colonel M'Donnell. In 1377 he was appointed resident magistrate % for Waikato; afterwards warden an 3 magistrate at Thames; and stipendiary• magistrate at Auckland in 1892.