Cook Island

Notes

From Our Own Correspondent Rarotonga, August 14.

The Laburnum sailed on August 3 for Niue and Pago Pago, after spending two days here.

Prior to her arrival in Rarotonga, she had called at Pukapuka, Rakahanga and Penrhyn in the Northern Cook Group, the Society Islands (Papeete), and at Hervey Island, in the Lower Cook Group.

From the latter place, she brought Robert Dean Frisbie (author of “The Book of Pukapuka,” with a further book coming out this year) to Raro tonga. Mr. Frisbie, who is an Ameri can, had been spending some months on the Islands of Manuae and Te-au-o-tu (Hervey Islands) as the guest of the owner manager, Mr. J. A. Bunting.

American Yacht In Port

Mr. Templeton Crocker, of San Fran cisco, in the yacht Zaca, with three guests on board, arrived at Rarotonga on August 1. The yacht had spent some time in Papeete and had called at Borabora on her voyage to Rarotonga.

The vessel anchored fairly close to the Laburnum, and with the heavy swell running her capstan carried away, and she had to slip her cable. Later, she managed to get a rope on to the Labur num, and swung there all night and most of next day. Mr. Wm. O’Brien, wharfinger for the Union Company, took a lighter out, and managed to pick up her cable and anchor.

About 7 p.m. on August 2, the Zaca sailed for Suva, via Aitutaki. The ves sel left Aitutaki again on Wednesday, August 6. She is to travel up through the Straits Settlements and Suez Canal to be in the Mediterranean for the season in February, and will then go across the Atlantic.

Wireless Sets Useful

There are at present 8 wireless re ceiving sets on this island, and more coming along. From about mid-day until 2 a.m. concerts are received over the wireless from America, Australia and New Zealand.

The mortgagee has foreclosed on the Taylor Plantation (comprising 99 hec tares approx, in two leases, one with 74 years and one with 73 years to run), and the property, together with dwel ling house, is up for sale by public auc tion on August 25.

Late Sir Maui Pomare

The following is a copy of a public notice issued by the Administrator; “The ashes of the late Sir Maui Pomare will be brought ashore on arrival of the R.M.S. Makura on Monday, 18th August, and taken to the Palace, Taputapuatea, where a tangi will take place according to native custom.

“All European friends are respec tively invited to attend.”

Sir Maui Pomare was cremated in California, and Lady Pomare travelled to New Zealand with the ashes by the R.M.S. Makura.

Quick Help For Tahiti

When advice was received through Samoa of the helpless condition of the Tahiti, 450 miles south west of Raro tonga, the A.S. Tagua, which was lying in Avarua Harbour, and was the near est vessel in the vicinity, was prepared immediately for despatch to the scene. She had just come in from the northern islands, She was quickly un loaded, and filled with provisions and oil, and then left port. The Tagua was 52 miles from Rarotonga, when she was recalled by wireless, following news that the Tofua, Penbryn and Ventura were on their way to the Tahiti’s assistance.

Serious Fruit Losses

The fruit report on s.s. Waipahi ship ment this month shows: Oranges, ap proximate percentage waste fruit, aver age—Rarotonga, 10 per cent.; Aitutaki, 6 per cent.; Atiu, 11 per cent.; Mauke, 3 per cent. The condition of the balance was good. The average prices were 6/6 to 10/6. Tomatoes, good condition, brought 5/6 to 7/6. These prices are not payable.

On the July trip of the Tahiti from San Francisco to Wellington 16,000 cases of fruit were despatched from here. This was the largest shipment for the year. Unfortuntely, the vessel met with very heavy weather en route to New Zealand, and according to wire less reports between 50 per cent, and 70 per cent, of the fruit cargo was lost.

By the s.s. Waipahi on July 30, two fruit inspectors were sent to the outer islands for the remainder of the season, Mr. Binfield going to Mauke, and Mr.

Nottage to Atiu.