Dr. E. P. Ellison
p. 29 · Read in the full issue
Cook Islanders Want Him as Next Commissioner
From Our Own Correspondent
Rarotonga, June 7.
RECENTLY an enthusiastic meeting of Rarotongans decided to appeal to NZ, that, should the Cook Islands have the misfortune to lose Judge H. F.
Ayson as Resident Commissioner on ac count of ill-health, the Chief Medical Officer, Dr. E. P. Ellison, be given the position.
During Judge Ayson’s five months of sick leave, Dr. Ellison once again filled the position of Acting RC with efficiency and zeal. It is the natives’ opinion, knowing Dr. Ellison for many years, that his knowledge of Islands conditions would enable him to carry out the duties of RC more sympathetically than a new, inexperienced man from NZ.
The Cook Islanders are a tractable ana hospitable race, but tney can be re markably stubborn in cases of new comers who attempt to “ride the high horse”, whether with or without justi fication. In fact, tact and good manners tend to count more than the actual worth of the individual concerned; cer tainly no man could hope to last long in dealing with Polynesians without these qualities.