THE COOK GROUP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2354, 21 November 1908, Page 3

THE COOK GROUP.

AN ISLAND IN REBELLION. BRITISH FLAG HAULED DOWN. [Press Association.] AUCKLAND, Nor. 20. j'.ln connection with the unrest in the northern islands of the Cook Group, news by the mail states that in Maniheki matters remain fairly j'niiet, but at Rakohanga- the rebellir rous natives have virtually taken possesion of the island, and arrogated to themselves its government. On •July Ist they hauled down the British flag from the public flagstaff, turned the island’s council out of office, -appointed their ringleader governor of the island, appointed their own judge and police, and fined those who opposed them. The leader of the' revolt was formerly a native -Steadier .attached to the London Missionary iSociety at Penhryn, who two years ago was before the-High Court charged with embezzling church money, and had sentence deferred to allow him to restore the missing funds. So far as is known he has not done so. The following resolution has been forwarded to the Hon. J. McGowan, from Raratonga: “Members of the Federal Council, whose names are subscribed, strongly object to any representation in the Parliament of ‘ New Zealand by a member for Cook -/Islands. The Cook and Northern islands are by the conditions of annexation a self-governing commun- • itv under the British Crown, and since included in the Dominion of New Zealand for Imperial, purposes only, that _the said members of the turned are of opinion that there ould be a European member of e Federated Council elected by the adult male European residents ot the Cook and Northern Islands. It was further resolved that m future Arikis be chosen byrthe unanimous vote of the Island Council, instead of by native custom, the Resident missioner to decide- any dispute.