Cook Islands Notes

From Our Own Correspondent RAROTONGA, January 5.

THE schooner Tagua has gone north to Penrhyn to be up in the lagoon until after the hurricane season. The Tiare Taporo followed on December 31, calling at Palmers ton Island on the way. The two schooners are expected to return to Rarotonga early in April.

On New Year’s Day, a privately-owned yacht, Iolanda (1,600 tons) anchored off Ava rua for a few hours. She left the same day for Pago Pago, via Palmerston.

Shooting Case Before Court

The Watson-McBirney shooting case came before His Honour, Judge Ayson, during the month. On the first and major charge (at tempted murder) the jury found Watson “Not guilty,” but “Guilty” on the alternative charge of causing actual bodily harm to Mc Birney. A sentence of one year’s imprison ment was passed on Watson by the Judge.

It is likely that the term of imprisonment will be served in New Zealand.

The outcome of the trial was followed by each party taking civil proceedings against the other. The matter was finally settled in court, between the persons involved in the trouble.

Sharks Plentiful In Outer Group.

Mr. Linton, of the Department of Lands and Survey (New Zealand), and his wife, returned from Penrhyn and Manihiki, by the Tiare Taporo, on December 6. Mr. Linton mentions that the lagoons at both Penrhyn and Manihiki are swarming with sharks, of which he shot somewhere about two hundred.

Mail advices report nothing of special inter est from the outer groups, except the serious illness of Mr. Shepherd, branch manager of Cook Islands Trading Co.’s store at Mangaia.

Later news is to the effect that Mr. Shepherd is recovering satisfactorily.