15

A.—3a

E. Mr. Reynolds to Sir Robert Stout. Your Honour, — Tupapa, Rarotonga, 10th June, 1911. Having duly considered *he position as placed before Dr. Dawson, Mr. Hosking, and myself on Saturday, the 10th instant, by you, I beg to inform you that I have decided to refrain from proceeding with my complaints under the conditions laid down. It has been stated in Parliament and in the Press that I am " hostile " to Captain J. E. Smith, but that I only hold a temporary position, and that he intends dispensing with my services as soon as convenient. The Hansard and papers with this statement arrived here on the 22nd December; on the 24th 1 receive my notice to leave, to take effect on the 31st December. No reason or explanation is advanced for this summary action. This itself leaves my character open to severe criticism. During the time of my service under the Cook Islands Administration no complaints were made against myself or my work, so far as I know. The term " temporary " was never mentioned in connection with my position, either here or in New Zealand. I then affirm that, accepting the temporary conditions as being the truth, I was sent here under false representations deliberately, and allowed to remain under that impression for nine months. This itself is an injustice. 1 am dismissed, as I have already pointed out to three New Zealand officials, on the ground of " hostility "to the Resident Commissioner. No effort is made to prove or confront me with this accusation. The circumstances go to prove my contention that the hostility is on the Commissioner's side, not mine. I ask you to note the fact that it is not hostility to the Administration, but to one member of it, that is alleged. To be dismissed on the plaint of personal hostility is not a usual practice. I did my work as Inspector of Police impartially and fairly, I sincerely believe. The European population have confidence in me, and the Maoris trusted and believed in me. I made a strong effort to become familiar with their language, which was in a degree successful. The Resident Commissioner has declared from the Bench on the 25th of January that he had never had fault to find with my work, and that he knows of nothing against me, and that I have a character, as far as he knows, that any man might be proud of. This was said on the occasion of my charging Dr. Story, then acting Medical Officer, with abusive language to the dismissed Inspector. Then, under these circumstances it appears most inconsistent to dismiss me and fill the position again. I wish your Honour to believe me when I say that 1 have every faith in your fairness and impartiality, and should be only too pleased to place my complaints before you if it were a public affair, but to place it before you privately to be dealt with by a Minister who has already said in effect that I have no redress would be useless. I refer to the Hon. J. Carroll. The Dominion newspaper, of Wellington, which voices our wishes, distinctly declared that wo (and myself) would not lay our complaints before a private inquiry. Whatever confidence I may once have had in the majority of the members of this Administration to whom my charges relate has been entirely destroyed by recent events. I beg to enclose you a copy of what 1 will term a testimony of confidence signed by all the European population of this island, with one exception, who were here at the time. Casual inquiries among any Maoris of rank or age who are not in fear of the Resident's displeasure and what it entails may go to prove my statements are not vain boasts. I have, cv.c, His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout. W. Revell Reynolds. F. Mr. Reynolds to Sir Robert Stout. Sir, — Tupapa, Rarotonga,, 14th June, 1911. I herewith beg to request that 1 may be permitted to withdraw my letter of 10th instant and may lay my case before you. The reason for this change of front on my part is that certain persons whose names appear upon the letter of confidence which was handed me in January last consider that it would be unwise of me to withhold the facts I have to lay before you, or any inquiry, and so postpone any satisfaction there may be to be gained for an indefinite period. I now recognize that my complaints are chiefly departmental, and such being the case they can only be dealt with in private. Should your Honour permit my request, as I trust you will, I would ask you to acquaint me with the day and hour that would be satisfactory to yourself. I have, &c, His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout. W. Revell Reynolds. (1. Sir Robert Stout to Mr. Reynolds Sir, — Rarotonga, 14th June, 1911. I am in receipt, of your letter of to-day. I shall have much pleasure in hearing your evidence to-morrow morning at 9 o'clock, if that hour will suit you. T have, &c, W. R. Reynolds, Esq., Rarotonga. Robert Stout.