Court shows respect

A minute of silence was observed in the Cook Islands High Court at Avarua yesterday morning for the recent deaths of two prominent Cook Islanders, who were both Justices of the Peace.

Sir Apenera Pera Short died aged 96 years at his Muri home on Wednesday morning, and early yesterday Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid died in Auckland, New Zealand.

A sitting of the High Court began at 9.30am and Justice of the Peace Tiki Matapo ordered all inside the courtroom to stand and observe one minute of silence in respect of the deaths.

Weve received word that two prominent citizens of this country, Sir Apenera Pera Short and secondly Te Tika Mataiapo Dorice Reid, have passed away and therefore I ask you all to support and stand for a moment of silence.

Those in the court included members of the public, registry staff, lawyers, and members of the probation service.