Cook Island News.

Annual Spring Cleaning.

From Our Oxen Corrctpondent.

Rarotonga. Jan. 1.

During December every year the villages and settlements are given an extensive cleaning up.

Besides house to house activity and attention to domestic surroundings, the main thoroughfare and public areas are trimmed and tidied.

Natives armed with reap hooks, women and children with improvised baskets and home-made brooms, turn out. Accumulations of leaves, coconut husks and fronds, fallen fruit and veget able rubbish, etc., are gathered up and burnt.

Leaky taps are repaired: pig, fowl and horse tethering spots are made sanitary, and the finishing touches to all the work is put on by means of the whitewash brush. Native mats of striking design and workmanship and wonder fully worked bed quilts (Tivaivai) are used to brighten up the home for the occasion of the visit of inspection.

This year the Resident Commissioner, in the company of several officials (including the Chief Medical Officer), and in conjunction with the Ariki of the village and others, commenced the visit on December 8, and occupied about a week tramping from house to house.

Offerings of water-melon and mangoes, etc., and an “Umukai” (Native dinner) at each village at mid-day, as revivers to the party of inspec tion, are a regular part of the event. The officials decided on the village of Ngatangiia, as this year’s winner of the “Au vaine’’ cup, named after the committee of native women (Au vaine), who constitute a kind of executive for seeing that the work of cleaning up is done.

This important event results in a marked freshness and cleanliness throughout the villages at the onslaught of the summer heat and, humid ity, and incidentally gives the village surround ings a spruce and tidy appearance at Christmas time, which in all probability they would not otherwise receive.

The event is termed the “Tutaka,” which signifies a visit.

Fatal Motor Accident.

A tragedy occurred on the roadway at Nikao on December 8, when a heavy motor truck, driven by Mataroa Iti, a native policeman, got out of control, ran over a heap of stones and somer saulted along the metal.

Of the seven occupants five were hurled clear of the truck and fortunately escaped practically unhurt. The sixth, a native boy, was bruised and badly shaken and Mataroa, fatally crushed at the steering wheel, died shortly after admis sion to the hospital.

The evidence at the inquest disclosed that Mataroa was driving at a reckless speed.

Three years ago a similar tragedy occurred at the same spot and two natives were killed. Then followed a second catastrophe twelve months later, when another driver was killed.

With a view to minimising the danger, the

Public Works Department lias recently widened the metal at this part. The work was not quite completed when the last fatal accident occurred.

Luxury Liners’ Calls.

Two ship-loads of world tourists are to be let loose on the island during February, according to information released by the local office of the Union Steamship Company.

The Cunard liner “Carinthia” is due to arrive at Rarotonga on February 7 and the “Stella Polaris’’ five days later.

The first will bring about 350 tourists and the second approximately 150.

The President’S Cup.

Keen competition has taken place amongst members of the bowling club, both gentlemen players and ladies, for a silver cup presented by the president, Mr. D. Brown.

It is reported that the president himself, who has played in the competition (but not as a competitor for the trophy), has had an unbroken series of wins.

The final games for the cup have yet to be played.

Two old residents of the Island—Mr. Charles Ward and Mr. A. Beaumont —are at present patients in the local hospital. Mr. Ward is

one of the oldest identities in this part of the Pacific, and was here many years prior to the hoisting of the British flag at Rarotonga. It is a fact that he made the first Union Jack that was flown here, and hoisted it in the name of the King.