ISLAND NEWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 111, 1 July 1911, Page 5

ISLAND NEWS.

SIR ROBERT STOUT’S MISSION. (Per Press Association.) Auckland, July 1. The Chief Justice and Mr. Walde grave, who went to Raratonga to in vestigate charges in respect of the Cook Island administration, and t hear a charge against William Join Wigmore, planter, of having murder ed a native named More, returned bj the Talune late last night. In the latter case the jury gave i verdict of manslaughter, with a strong recommendation to mercy. Wigmort was sentenced to six months’ impris onment, and ordered to leave the Is land, the latter portion of the sentence being subject to confirmation In the Governor of New Zealand. Sn Robert Stout states that the ques tion of the return of the prisoner t; Rarotonga would no doubt depenc upon the manner in which he con ducted himself.

The enquiry regarding the charger against the administration was pri vato. Some of the persons making al legations against the Commissione? declined to give evidence on thr ground that they did not consider Si Robert Stout had sufficient powers. It is understood the Chief Justic came to the conclusion that the alle gations were unjustified, the native; expressing every satisfaction with M: Smith’s administration.