Rarotonga’S Three

Pests

THERE are three outstanding pests in the island of Rarotonga, Cook Group, which should have the active attention • of the Administration.

About 1920, a plant called “elephant’s foot” (technically, Elephantobus Scaher ) was introduced from Tahiti in packing; and it quickly got a hold in the fertile plantations of the island, and grew prolifically. It is a thing resembling the tobacco plant; it takes complete possession of land; and it is ineradicable except by deep digging. The Administration, nowadays, compels plantationowners regularly to cut down this menacing weed, but cutting only increases the

vigour of its growth. Action should have been taken against the pest several years ago, when the danger was first recog nised. Drastic measures are necessary now.

There are multitudes of rats on the island, and the cost of their depredations is incalculable. It has been estimated that they destroy 80 per cent, of culti vated coconuts, by their attacks on flowers, buds and young nuts. Practically nothing has been done to reduce this plague.

The third pest is mosquitoes. Raro tonga harbours swarms of small, savage insects which, after dusk, make life miserable. United action, under Govern ment leadership, would do much to reduce the mosquito pest in Rarotonga, as has been done elsewhere; but initiative seems to be lacking.