Rarotonga

Legco in Session at Rarotonga

THE Legislative Council of the Cook Islands opened for busi ness on October 10 at Avarua, Rarotonga. The NZ Government was well represented—Mr. F. L. A.

Gotz, Member of Parliament for Manukau, along with the Island Territories Department’s Assistant Secretary. C. E. Quin, and Mr. D.

Say well. Professor Belshaw also attended.

On the second day of the session the Council unanimously approved the recommendation that Maoris be appointed to judicial positions, as a means of increasing the participa tion of Cook Islanders in the Gov ernment.

Under this scheme senior mem bers of the Maori race, who hold the confidence and respect of their people, will be given the power to deal with certain minor offences.

High Court procedure will be fol lowed throughout, and the judicial powers of the Maori justices would be precisely defined.

Several amendments to the Cook Islands’ Act, 1915, were passed by the Council. The proposal that Public Servants be allowed to stand on Island Councils was also

approved.

Other matters to be discussed are proposed amendments in New Zea land to the Cook Islands Pearl Shell Fisheries Regulations, and the Small Boats Travelling Bill.— Special Correspondent.

If Mr. Harry Lorimer, officer i/c Rarotonga’s Power Scheme, left there in late September, on the Meadowbank, for furlough in New Zealand.

H Mr. Bob Schmidt, Ministry Works Engineer, and acting co sultant to Rarotonga’s PWD, i turned to New Zealand per TEAL t Aitutaki on October 14. t The special visit of MV Matua j Rarotonga in November was t occasion of a major exodus of les ing Cook Islands residents f 1 hurricane-season furlough in N> Zealand.