Satisfactory Test Crops

Rarotonga Expert

Mental Farm

THE Cook Islands Administration, in co-oneration with Mr. Senn, mana ger of the Raratonga Pure Fruit Pro ducts Co., has been growing on the experimental farm spices, canning beans and tomatoes.

It is hoped to obtain a payable mar ket in New Zealand for these commodi ties. At the close of operations for the season, it was reported that most of the spices planted had grown satis factorily.

The canning beans were making good progress, and there were possibilities of developing this industry.

The tomato crop was most successful, and it is considered that in the event of the failure of New Zealand sup plies, Raratonga could supply the de mand for pulp. A contract for the sunply of pulp has been already made with New Zealand manufacturers.

New Hebrides in 1929, imported 6 547 cases of snirits, valued at £7,170; 5,417 cases of fine wines valued at £6,300; 1,122 barrels of light wines, valued at £7,100. The territory also imported 2 000,000 cigarettes and £10,796 worth of tobacco.

New Hebrides, in 1929, imported 11 motor cars and over 80,000 gallons of petrol. There are good roads in the island of Efate. The highway from Vila, the capital of the Group, to Devil’s Point, gives a direct run, through delightful country, of 17 miles.

Experiments have been carried out in the Cook Islands with the growing of gherkins. The initial crop has been quite successful.