| In 1970, after serving nearly 20 years in Nigeria, John Smith returned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office ready for a fresh assignment as a Commonwealth administrator. The 'powers that be' assured him that they would find him 'an island in the autumn' the posting turned out to be that of Financial Secretary of the Solomon Islands. John Smith writes about his life as Governor, Colonial Administrator, Judge and Political Advisor to this 'paradise on earth' at a time when great changes were taking place within the Commonwealth. |
