EX-CHIEF JUDGE OF SAMOA

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 17, 14 October 1921, Page 5

EX-CHIEF JUDGE OF SAMOA

RETURN OF MR. J. E. WILSON. As his leave has not yet expired. Mr. J. E. Wilson, who recently resigned from tho post o Chief Judge of Samoa, did not feel at liberty to discuss the criticisms that have been levelled against the New Zealand Administration since the Dominion took over from Germany, but when he was seen by an Auckland ■ "Star” reporter on board the Tofua, by which he returned tn Auckland on Tuesday, there was no doubt about the fact that he regarded many of the statements made concerning conditions in Samoa as being away from the truth. Mr. Wilson, it will be remembered, was second Stipendiary Magistrate at Auckland before he was chosen for the Samoan post, and, as the New Zealand Justice Department gave him leave of absence without pay for a year, with the understanding that if the Islands did not suit him he could reoccupy his seat on the New Zealand Magisterial Bench, he is still a Stipendiary Magistrate. Mr. Wilson found life at. the Islands very interesting, and the work was congenial', but tho younger members of his family were unable to stand the climate, and he had A send them back to New Zealand about six months ago. This determined li-im to resign and resume his position under the Justice Department of New Zealand. His successor at Samoa was Mr. C. R. Walker, formerly of Auckland. Provided a man does not have to engage in manual labour, life in Samoa can be made quite reasonably comfortble for a European, said Mr. Wilson; but it was unquestionably not a. climate in which, in his opinion, a white man could do manual work, except a matter of a couple of hours after, the break of the day, and about a similar period before sunset. He spoke enthusiastically of the beauty of New Zealand’s newest acquisition, and said that he was sorry in many ways that circumstances made it impossible for him to remain there.