locator Resigns

Ersonality

popular Cook Islands’ locator Resigns

Popular Cook Islands Director of lucation, Mr. W. N. A. Allison, tired from the Public Service and ~t Rarotonga for Australia, and a w job, on January 25.

IR. ALLISON becomes Editorial Assistant with the SPC’s Literature Bureau. He will be itioned at Sydney, and will take his new duties about the end of bruary. The duties consist of Iping with the production pro imme of the administrative and ►earch work of the Literature reau, and advising territorial janisations in the establishment and maintenance of village libraries, ere will also be normal editorial ties.

Lllison’s career in the Cook Islands ran in March, 1940, when he was pointed Resident Agent and head cher at Atiu.

During his ten years on that md, he persistently urged that a :ater part of the New Zealand )sidy be spent on the outer inds; fought for improved plant shipping and marketing; and nanded a guaranteed price for > growers. n his period of office he saw many mges—improved water supplies, i introduction of a democratically 3ted Island Council, and the ssion-run schools of the northern tnds gradually replaced by Ad nistration schools under Maori idteachers. n November, 1950, Allison became headteacher of Avarua school, rotonga. Much of his time was

spent as Acting Education Officer, and he was confirmed in that position when Mr. H. H. Hickling retired because of ill-health.

As the Education Department expanded, the position of “Director” replaced that of “Education Officer”, and in February, 1955, Mr. Allison became the first Director. Always keenly interested in the welfare and development of Cook Islanders, he was one of the men who helped to build the framework of the Legislative Council. He subsequently attended eight of its 11 annual sessions, first as Atiu’s RA, then as Education Officer, and finally as Director of Education.

During recent years, he has had the satisfaction of seeing the estab-

lishment of Tereora College, a Teachers’ Training College, and several new schools built in Raro tonga and most of the outer islands.

School grounds have been improved, qualified organising and supervisory staff introduced, and academic standards raised.

Mr. Allison is the first and only European to be elected Honorary Member of the Maori Teachers’

Guild—which indicates the high regard in which he is held by the teaching staff.

He has given many years of conscientous service to the Cook Islands, and has friends m all sections of the community. He goes to his new career in Australia with

their sincere good wishes.-

Whp.