Cook Islands Commissioner
p. 66 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent
Rarotonga, June 22.
ON Monday last, Mr. S. J. Smith, formerly Secretary to the Cook Is.
Department, in Wellington, arrived here to take over his new duties as Resident Commissioner for this Group. He is a verv modest man; and amid the bustle and excitement attending on the depar ture of Judge Ayson, he preferred to make his official entry as quietly as possible.
Judge Ayson, who is returning to N.Z. after 22 years here as Judge of the High Court and Resident Commis sioner, has been the guest of honour at a number of farewell umuTcais and public functions organised by various sections of the community. Each village has vied with the next in the quality and quantity of its entertainment, culminating in a feast of huge proportions given by Makea Nui Tinirau Ariki, at Avarua. On this occasion speeches were made by prom inent representatives, both European and Maori, all of which were of the most laudatory nature and as result of which Judge Ayson cannot be in any doubt as to where he stands in the opinion of those who have known him in his several capacities.