Cook Island Notes

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Mar. 12.

•"THE sympathy of the beach is ex * tended to Mr. Herbert Shearman, European representative on the Island Council, for the loss of his wife on January 25.

Born in Lancashire, the deceased lady accompanied her parents as a child to New Zealand, whence, in 1909, she left Auckland to marry Mr. Shearman. She leaves a family of two sons and a daughter.

Guest House For Sale

“Avarua House,” Number 2 Rarotonga Hotel, has come into the market as a result of Mrs. P. Shearman’s decision to rejoin her husband in the Dominion.

The hotel, with emergency accommoda tion for 22 guests, has recently had several extensions added and, given a satisfactory steamer service, should be a good investment for somebody.

Rarotonga Lacks Amusements

Although the harbours at Ngatangiia and Avarua offer quite good facilities for mooring small shallow-draught craft, few residents here have ever taken seriously to sailing. Indeed, in comparison with other places having a similar climate and economic status, Rarotonga is conspicu ously lacking both in the quantity and quality of its amusements. Although horses are cheap to buy and keep, nobody rides. There is neither a golf course nor a club and, although a number of people swim regularly, no one has had the initi ative to install a raft with chute and div ing boards. Fishing too —trolling and hand line—offers considerable sport, yet it is doubtful whether half a dozen persons take advantage of it.

A New Dinghy

It was therefore quite an agreeable surprise last week to see a 15-ft. centre

board, Marconi-rigged dinghy tacking en

ergetically beyond the reef at Avarua.

Inquiry disclosed the owner as Mr. H.

Scott, and he is to be congratulated on the neat job which he has turned out, single-handed, during his spare time as manager of A. B. Donald’s branch store.

It is to be hoped that his example will be followed by others—unless the thrill of bowls, lawn tennis and ping pong is considered sufficient stimulus for tired tropic nerves.