Capable Islander

Geoffrey Henry, Resident Agent at Puka Puka

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Dec. 13.

ONE of the outstanding examples of Polynesian capability is Mr. Geoffrey Henry, who returned recently with his family from Puka Puka to Rarotonga, on furlough.

Mr. Henry, a three-quarter Aitutakian, has been Resident Agent of Puka Puka (Danger Island) for the past 14 years and, although now 56 years of age and due

for superannuation, he has been prevailed upon by the Cook Is. Administration to return for a further term of two years.

Geoffrey Henry’s father was a full Aitutakian, son of a chief adopted by a missionary named Henry Royle. The “Royle” was dropped and the family sur name thus became Henry. His mother was a daughter of Geoffrey Strickland, an old-time whaler in the Cook Islands.

Young Henry was educated at Araura boarding school, established in Aitutaki by the London Missionary Society. After leaving Araura, he shipped as cabin-boy on the mission schooner “John Williams”

for three years, at the end of which he returned to Aitutaki as headmaster of his old school. He married Metua Kamiri, daughter of the chief of Arutanga dis trict, who became his able assistant throughout his career.

In 1913, the Administration took control of education in the Lower Cook Group; Geoffrey Henry’s position was confirmed, and he thus became a public servant.

Three times, he served as Acting-Resident Agent during his 12 years of teaching on Aitutaki. However, his health finally broke down and he was transferred to the cooler island of Mangaia, as headmaster.

After four years on Mangaia, once more filling the position of Resident Agent for nearly a year on the death of his superior, he was again transferred, this time to Rarotonga (seat of Govern ment) as clerk and interpreter to the Registrar of the High Court and Native Land Court.

In 1927, his long and steady service in the Administration was acknowledged, when he became the first official Maori Resident Agent in the Cook Islands—at Puka Puka (about 720 miles NW of Raro tonga and one of the most isolated islands). Besides acting as administrator, he also supervises local education; his wife looks after the dispensary and also assists in the teaching.

Mr. Henry was proud to learn on his arrival in Rarotonga that two sons who were being educated in New Zealand are now members of the NZ Military Forces, one having already left for overseas service.

Such a record is noteworthy; it should weigh with those Europeans who tend to minimise the capabilities of our Pacific native races. Mr. and Mrs. Henry are doing a difficult, lonely and responsible job well —one may yet live to see the day when all such positions will be capably filled by Maoris of their type.

Lieutenant George Raymond Worledge, of Fiji, who joined the Royal Australian Naval Volunteer Reserve in February, 1939, and who began active* service shortly after the outbreak of war, was awarded the MBE in the New Year’s honours list.

Miss Gwendoline Hides, eldest daughter of the well-known Hides family, of Papua, was married in Port Moresby on December 17 to Mr. Bernard Ryan, formerly of Central Queensland, and a well-known member of the staff of Burns, Philp & Co. Limited. He has been stationed at various places in New Guinea and Papua and is now at Pt. Moresby. Miss Hides had been, for two years, on the staff of Steamships Trading Co. Limited, Samarai, and recently had joined the staff of the Government Secretary at Port Moresby.

The young couple are held in high regard, and received the good wishes of numerous friends.

Mr. and Mrs. Geoffrey Henry.