Cook Islands Notes.

Cyclone Hampers Loading.

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Jan. 26.

IT was touch and go whether 6,000 cases of bananas which were awaiting the “Maunganui” on the wharf on Janu ary 2 for shipment to New Zealand would not have to be left behind owing to bad weather.

The vessel cruised off the island all day in a howling gale, which seemed de termined to continue; but modified suddenly. Daybreak saw the “Maunga nui” at anchor off Avarua with reason ably good reef conditions. Loading op erations commenced but during the afternoon repeated blasts from the ves sel’s siren indicated the anxiety which was being felt regarding the weather.

The ship hung on until the loading was through and lifted anchor at about 5 o’clock. Barely was she out of sight when the hurricane came in from the north. The “Maunganui” reported by radio that she had been caught in a cyclone which lasted several hours.

Rarotonga bananas arrived in New Zealand in better condition than was an ticipated, so that, all things considered, shippers regard themselves fortunate that things turned out so well.

Farewell Cricket Match.

Despite the handicap of advancing years the London Missioner, the Rev.

Bond-James accepted an invitation from the European Cricket Club to lead a team against an eleven captained by Dr.

Ellison.

The match took place on January 21 at the Mission Park.

One or two overs proved disastrous for Dr. Ellison’s team and it made 48 runs.

Six players on the Missionary’s side failed to score, whereupon the Rev.

Bond-James seized a bat, strode to the crease, adjusted his glasses and com menced to hit balls all over the field.

The last wicket fell with victory to Mr.

Bond-James’ team by a good margin of runs. The score sheet disclosed a total of 17 not out to the missionary who returned to the shade of the big tree amidst applause.

Weather Spoils Sport.

The three main sporting events on the Island which are held during Christmas and New Year, sports at Titikaveka, the regatta at Muri, and the races at Nikao, were, this year, marred by rain. Thrills this year were provided by the capsizing of European competitors in a canoe race at Muri and the dislodging of riders into

the lagoon in some of the racing events at Nikao. The latter events are run on the beach with a turning point about half a mile along the sand.

Mysterious things are known to hap pen at this point, such as mounts mak ing the turn too soon, but this year, for some inexplicable reason, horses per sisted in turning into the water, tossing their riders into the lagoon, and gallop ing through the shallows towards the small island on the reef.

MAJOR C. W. C. MARK, Federal Minis ter in Charge of Islands Affairs, who will open the Legislative Council in Ra baul on May 9.