Cook Islands

Fewer Tourists Arriving

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, June 20.

THE number of passengers on the

mail-boats calling here has dim

inished considerably.

The Matson Line, which will soon

operate between San Francisco and

Auckland (via Honolulu) will probably

affect the two mail services maintained

by the Union Steamship Company—

particularly the route via Rarotonga.

For travellers from the United States the Matson service will combine the advantages of the route of both the Union Company’s services. A better proposition, competitively, would be a mail service between San Francisco

and Auckland, via Papeete and Raro

tonga.

A rearrangement of the Union Com pany’s mail services would not be sur

prising in the circumstances.

Fruit For New Zealand

The S.S. Waipahi arrived on June 2, from Auckland, and proceeded directly to the four main outer islands of the lower group—Aitu taki, Atiu. Mauke and Mangaia.

The weather broke on her return to Raro tonga and loading operations were carried out in a deluge, which delayed the vessel some 7 or 8 hours.

Fortunately, the cargo did not suffer to any extent. Oranges opened up with a waste of only 2 or 3 per cent. The shipment com prised, in addition to oranges, bananas, man darins, tomatoes and nuts.

The schooner Tagua sailed for the outer group on June 7. She will call at the islands of Penrhyn, Manihlki and Rakahanga. The schooner Tiare Taporo has not yet returned from north.

Waihemo’S Sailing Cancelled

The S.S. Waihemo, from Auckland, was scheduled to call here during the month, on route to San Francisco. Local traders were hoping to clear their copra holdings, but the London market announced the price at £ 10/5/- per ton—a new low level record. This apparently affected the Waihemo’s prospects of picking up sufficient cargo, and she can celled her trip.

Inspection Of Lower Group

Judge Ayson (Resident Commissioner) and two of his senior administrative officers, Dr.

Ellison (Chief Medical Officer) and Mr. S.

Savage (Registrar) visited the islands of the lower group during the month.

They returned to headquarters after the usual three or four days’ ordeal of climbing up and down the ship’s gangway and scramb ling into cargo lighters, to say nothing of general discomfort aboard a cargo boat.

On such visits, interviews and medical ex aminations must be conducted in a "quick and lively” manner, to conform to the ship’s time table, which allows generally for a stay of a few hours only at each island.

Mr. Murdock and Mr. Bethune, from Roto rua, are visiting the Cook Islands.

Tennis At Rarotonga

Six teams comprising native players were Invited to play a series of matches against members of the Rarotongan European Club.

The matches were played on June 15. The native teams-won by 6 sets to 4 (96 games to 71).

Plrl Moate (No. 1 native team) gave a fine display of neat crisp drives from the net.

His partner, Mr. D. Brown, played an excel lent game also. The team opposing Messrs.

Piri and Brown comprised Mr. H. Shearman (President of the Club) and Mr. S. Hegin botham (Superintendent of the Wireless Sta tion).

Miss Freda Hirst and Mr. Robinson (No. 6 team) won each of their three matches. Miss Hirst was the only lady player In the tourna ment. A large number of native people were present.