Postage Stamps Give Cook
p. 27 · Read in the full issue
Group A Surplus
From Our Own Correspondent
Rarotonga, Feb. 15.
THE annual report of the Cook Islands shows a surplus of £9,391, and it would seem that the finances are in a healthy state. That is not so, because, included in the income, is the sum of £ll,OOO, being a grant from the N.Z. Gov ernment for education and hospital. Also, sales of new postage stamps are shown as £22,277, an increase of £16,704 from last year. This was due to the enorm ous sale of Coronation Stamps.
Therefore, without the N.Z. grant and the Coronation Stamp windfall, the fin ances would have been in a bad posi tion. The report states that, without these sums, it would be impossible to carry on, as by Act of Parliament the Administration is required to supply free medical attendance and hospital accom modation for all Maoris, and also free education.
There has been a substantial increase in trade as the following figures show: —
Government control of the handling, exporting and marketing of all oranges came into operation from May 1, 1937.
The year’s operations (as at March 31, 1938) resulted in a surplus of £461, in addition to which there is a reserve fund of £252 and an amount standing to the
credit of a growers’ debt redemption fund of £936.
There are now 24 schools in the Cook Group, with 3,014 pupils and 99 teach ers.
There was no serious crime. Out of the total of 1,236 cases, there were 798 for consuming intoxicating liquor, 143 for animal trespass, 26 for failing to regis ter a dog, and 26 for cohabiting.
Miss J. Bennett sailed from Sydney in mid-February by the “Nankin” for Rabaul, New Guinea, to visit Mrs. Phillip Woodhill, wife of the Assistant Crown Prosecutor.
Mr. J. W. Dodd arrived in Sydney from New Guinea by the “Macdhui” on Feb ruary 21 on holidays. He is engaged in prospecting and mining on the Upper Ramu.
1936. 1937.
Imports .. £72,567 £86,534 Exports . .. 67,556 86,333 The main exports compared as follows: 1936. 1937.
Citrus fruits, cases . .. 75,390 69,369 Bananas, cases .. . . .. 49,431 39,910 Tomatoes, cases .. , ,. .. 38,546 34,390 Copra, tons 689 1,629