COOK ISLANDS INQUIRY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1013, 4 July 1911, Page 4

COOK ISLANDS INQUIRY.

Auckland, July 1. Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, who went to Raratonga to investigate charges against the Look island Administration, aud hear a charge against William John Wigmore, a planter, of having murdered a native named Mure, returned by the Talune late la.-ff night. In the latter case, the juiy gave a verdict of manslaughter, with a strong recommendation to mercy. Wigmore was sentenced to six mouths' imprisonment, aud ordered to leave the island, the latter portion ol the sentence being subject to confirmation by lhe Governor of New Zealand. Sir Robert Stout added that the question of the return ol the piisoner to Raratonga would no doubt depend upon the manner in which he conducted himself.

The inquiry regarding the charges against the Administration was a private one. The persons making the allegations against the Commissioner declined to give evidence 011 the ground that the) did not consider Sir Robert Stout had sufficient powers, it is understood that the Chief Justice came to the conclusion that the allegations were unjustified, the natives expressing every satisfaction with Captain Smith's administration.