Cook Islands

Visit of N.Z. Flagship From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, July 18.

THE H.M.S. “Diomede,” flagship of the New Zealand squadron, flying the ensign of Rear-Admiral Blake, C.B.E.,D.S.O., drop ped anchor at Rarotonga on July 8. The cruiser remained four days and continued her island cruise. Her next call is at the island of Moorea, off Tahiti —noted for its deep sea fishing grounds.

The arrangements made for the entertain ment of the officers and men were all that could be desired. Many private people placed their cars at the disposal of the officers and men. The residents of the island co-oper ated with the Resident Commissioner in rising to the occasion. The gifts of fruit made by the native people to the Flagship were on a very liberal scale —in conformity with their time-honoured custom.

The ship’s orchestra and the brass band played ashore at the dances, providing a treat much to the heart of the native race and incidentally bringing from the outside world something new in the way of fox-trots, etc., for local talent to catch on their uku leles, guitars, and so forth.

An “At Home” was given aboard the flag ship by the Admiral to the residents of the island.

H.M.S. Veronica Arrives

On July 18 H.M.S. Veronica anchored off the reef, under the command of Commander H. L. Morgan, C.M.G., D. 5.0., who rendered distinguished services at Napier (N.Z.) at the time of the recent earthquake.

H.M.S. Veronica remains at Rarotonga until the 23rd, after which she is scheduled to visit the islands of Mangaia, Atiu, Aitutaki and Palmerston. Unfortunately, the visit clashed with the arrival of the two mail steamers, affecting to some extent the desire of the local people to make the fullest pos sible arrangements in the direction of enter tainment.

Inter-Island Shipping

The schooner Tiare Taporo returned to Rarotonga on June 27, from Penrhyn Island, Manihiki and Rakahanga.

Mr. Wilkinson, manager of Messrs. A. B.

Donald’s branch store at Penrhyn Island, was a passenger to Rarotonga.

The northern islands are, unfortunately, re turning to somewhat of a hand-to-mouth ex istence. Their once promising trade in pearls, mother-of-pearl shell and copra has almost gone by the board. The tragedy of copra is all the more felt in the northern group, inas much as these islands are completely out side the fruit trade to New Zealand.

The Tiare Taporo re-sailed for Manihiki and Rakahanga on July 6.

The schooner Tagua, owned by the Cook Islands Trading Company, left Penrhyn Is land on June 29 for Rarotonga, with a ship ment of copra. On the way down she was becalmed for several days and was then struck by a troublesome storm. She put into Aitutaki for supplies and later pro ceeded to Rarotonga, completing the trip of 700 miles in 19 days. Slight damage was sustained to the ship.

Praise For Administration

Some complimentary remarks concerning the local administration appear in The Auck land Star of June 17. The much-travelled journalist, Mr. Marc T. Greene, is reported to have said that the Administrator, Judge Ayson, has won the respect and affection of the people here.

Considering that the life of the islands has probably for hundreds of years run along in a groove of an easy-going existence, and, having regard to the fact that the island people do not easily grasp the significance of new ideas —even for their own best interests —the fact that contentment reigns in the group must be very satisfactory to those charged with the task of winning the good will and confidence of the people, both native and European.

Fish Plentiful

At this time of the year, when the weather is so much more settled than in the summer, the native fishermen proceed further out beyond the reef and in greater numbers than usual. Netting in the openings of the reef and deep-sea line fishing yield fair quantities and an appreciable variety of fish, some of good size. The flying fish, so popular as food both with the natives and Europeans, are no longer to be found feeding off the reef, having departed to more northern waters to spawn.

Fruitgrowers’ Disappointing

Month

The month has been somewhat disappoint ing as regards the shipping of fruit. The usual mid-monthly boat from Auckland—the Waipahi—did not make the trip, resulting in a considerable quantity of tomatoes and or anges becoming too far advanced for holding for the mail boat. Prices are low, particu larly for oranges. So far as Rarotonga is concerned, the orange crop is finished. It is understood that quantities are available at Mauke, Atiu and Mangaia.