COOK ISLAND CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 9, 5 July 1911, Page 8

COOK ISLAND CASE.

SOME IXTKRKSTIXt; DETAILS. | The planter John William Wigmore, who was tried at Raratonga before Sir Robert Stout on u charge of murdering a native, was defended by Mr. R. McVeagn, brother of Mr. Jas. McVeagh, solicitor, of Eltliam (says the local Argus). Writing to his brother from Avarua, Raratonga, after the conclusion of the case, Mr, McVeagh, in the course, of liis letter, states:

"It has been the biggest and best fought tight of my life. The charge was murder, the verdict manslaughter with a recommendation to mercy, and the sentence six months' hard labor, and the accused was ordered to leave the island.

'•I consider that I completely broke down every material witness for the Crown, but there were influences at work against me. The first was that there was a section dissatisfied with the administration here, and they were using my case as a means to their own ends. The second was that the missionary influence was exerted to the utmost against me. The third was that the jury, owing to the paucity of the European population, consisted of only six persons. The fourth was that the occurrence was the result of a drunken orgie between the natives and tne Europeans, and that my client at least connived at it, if indeed he did not participate in it. The fifth was that such circumstances were the special abhorrence of Sir R. Stout. With the same case I could win eventime with ease before an Auckland jury.

Sir R. Stout stated, in passing sentence, that I had made an able defence, and that no point or suggestion that told in favor of the accused was omitted. Privately, lie expressed to Mr. Waldegrave, the Under-Secretary for Justice, who came, with us, and also to Captain Smith, the Resident Commissioner, much stronger and more favorable opinions. So much for that. "We left Auckland on the 3rd inst. Next morning we were in a howling gale, the ship rolling dreadfully. A large portion of the woodwork of the rail was carried .away, the ironwork bent and twisted out of shape, and a great deal of water got into some of the cabins. However, I didn't get sick. I thoroughly enjoyed the sea trip, and spent a good deal of time with Sir R. Stout, who, of course, is a most amiable and charming companion. Owing to his goodness I am now •licitor of the High Court of the Cok Islnds."

Mr. M<-Veagh also ;. ; ves an interesting description of the islands and the reception of (he visitors there. Incidentally he men' 5 .ns that he atended the R.C. Church •> two Sundays. The atendance was of he scantiest character. The prayer: .re recited in the same manner that tl Maoris recited them 30 years ago in ambridge when Dr. McDonald conducted his Maori mission. But the R&ratongans also sang in harmony and in perfect time selections in their own language. In addition to this they sang a "Sanctus" and an "'Agnus Dei" in Latin and » hymn in English at the conclusion of the service. The visitors received great hospitality at the hands of tne European residents, and were entertained at native ceremonies, which included the giving of presents, followed by a banquet, at which soup was served first, then fowl and sweets. The vegetables consisted of taro, bread fruit, and kumeras. A pudding was also provided. The liquor consisted of the liquid from .the. cocoa^uj^ The island, says Mr. McVeagh, is capable of great productiveness. Only about one-tenth is cultivated, a very large area being in a state of nature. The output of fruit could be increased tenfold by the application of industry and by intelligence in the development of the natural resources of the country. The rainfall is 80 inches per annum. The summor months—December, January, February and March—are those in which the rainfall is greatest.

Briefly outlined, the case against Wiomors was as follows:—On Sunday, March 12, Wigmore was entertaining some mends at hie plantation. There wera also natiree present, one of whom was an elderly man named More More, who was there at Wigmore's invitation. About 5 o'clock in the afternoon Wigmore went outside his house, carrying a loaded carbine, which was discharged, and the bullet penetrated More, who died shortly afterwards from the effects ot the wound. The acting-medical officer Held an inquiry, and found that More met his death by a gunshot wound accidenta ]y inflicted by Wigmore. Subsequently depositions were made before the Registrar of the High Court in direct conflict with the evidence at the inquiry, and the whole of the papers were forwarded to the New Zealand law authorities, with the result that Wigmore was charged with murder.