RETURN OF MR PERCY SMITH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 8, 10 January 1902, Page 2

RETURN OF MR PERCY SMITH.

The Auckland Herald says "Mr Percy Smith returned by the Manapouri last night from Niue, where he has been organising a system of government suitable to the island. Niue is one of the islands recently taken within the jurisdiction of New Zealand, and at the request of his Excellency the Governor, Mr Percy Smith went to stay three months on the island and start a 'system of government. Since he went to the island a Council has been elected by the 11 villages on 'the island, native magistrates and policemen have been appointed, and up to tba time of his leaving everything was working as smoothly as I could possibly be. When he left his | successor, Mr Maxwell, had not arrived, but he had gone on to Rarotonga, and was, Mr Smith states, no doubt going on to Niue'by the Oountessof Ranfurly, which had not arrived when he left. Mr Smith has no doubt from what he has seen of the natives that everything will in the future goon very smoothly. They are, he states, a fine people, the hirdest working coloured race in the Pacific, and only require to be tr a'ed with justice and kindness go ensure satisfactory resul't. During Mr Smith's stay of three and a half months at Niue he oolleeSed some botanical specimens; specimens of rare birds and other curios, some of which : he intends presenting to the Auokland Museum."

Mr Smith arrived in New Plymouth yesterday morning by the Takapuna.