Cook Island Notes

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rarotonga, Oct. 3.

THE schooner “Tahitien,” bound from Papeete to Auckland, put into Raro tonga on September 22 for repairs. A wire stay had carried away, endangering the stability of the main mast. Temporary repairs were made here, after which the vessel proceeded on her way four or five days later.

An announcement was recently made by the Administrator that approval had been given for the installation at the local hospital of a mobile X-ray plant. Many native people, naturally, are quite unaware of the nature of X-ray apparatus, and one young fellow expressed the firm belief that the machine was a kind of telescope, with mirror arrangements, by means of

which a doctor could look right inside a person.

Mail advices from the lower group dis close that one or two of the islands have experienced a more profitable fruit season this year than for some years previously.

New Zealand market reports speak highly of the choiceness and soundness of the oranges from our outer islands.

Several officials who have put in some years of good service here are reported to be returning to the temperate climes again. Amongst these are Miss D. Kings bury, of the local post office, and Mr. J.

Wright, of the Customs office.

Recently the well-known Rarotongan chief, Makeanui Ariki, formally announc ed Ringiao Manarangi as his leading Mataiapo, with the added rank of Taunga (High Priest). The function took the form of a native ceremony and feast to which the Administration officials were

invited to be present. Ringiao Manarangi is an official himself and is the son of Manatangi, who for many years (until his death in February last) was the spokesman for Makeanui at all his public functions.

A general medical survey of the natives of the northern Cook Islands showed that very little sickness exists amongst them.

The primitive diet of the northern islan ders —coconuts and fish—possibly has much to do with their good state of health.

The natives in those more isolated islands are reported to have magnificent sets of sound teeth, with which they are able to tear the husks off coconuts.

The local branch of the Union Company has scrapped its gas lighting plant and is preparing to install electricity at its jetty and throughout its offices and sheds.

Dr. McKnight, who has been relieving Chief Medical Officer at the Group for eight or ten months, leaves in a few days for New Zealand. During the latter part of their stay here the doctor’s wife suffered a severe breakdown in health and considerable sympathy is felt for the doctor in having to leave Rarotonga under circumstances of anxiety.

A book on native education by Mr. W.

C. Groves, a well-known anthropologist who has been at work in New Guinea, will be published in March by the Mel bourne University Press. Another book by Mr. Groves, entitled “Captivity,” and dealing with war experiences, will be published by Messrs. Angus and Robert son early in 1935.