RARATONGA ENQUIRY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 374, 1 July 1911, Page 5

RARATONGA ENQUIRY.

ALLEGATIONS UNJUSTIFIED. PLANTER EXILED. [BT TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION.] Auckland, This Day. The Chief Justice and Mr Waldegrave, who went to Raratonga to in* vestigate in respect to charges aginst the Cook Island Administration, and to hear a charge against William John Wigmore, a planter, of having murdered a -native named More returned by the Taluie late last night. In the latter case*the jury gave a verdict of manslaughter, with a strong recommendation to mercy. .Wigmore. was sentenced to six months imprisonment, and ordered to leave the island, the latter portion of the sentence being subject to confirmation by the Governor of New Zealand. Sir Robert Stout added that the question of the return of the prisoner to Raratonga woulid no doubt depend upon the way in which he conducted himself. The inquiry regarding the charges against the administration was a private one. Persons making allegations against the- Commisssioner declined to give evidence on the ground that they did not consider Sir Robert Stout had sufficient powers. It is understood the Chief Justice came to the conclusion that the allegations were unjustified, the natives expressing every satisfaction with Commissioner Smith's administration.