Fatal Rocket

Cook Is. Tragedy of 40 Years Ago

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Dec. 10.

AS far as I know, the first resident doctor to practise at Rarotonga was a Dr. Caldwell, a Seventh Day Adventist, who came accidentally to the Cook Is lands. He was passing on a brig, the “Pitcairn”, belong to the S.D.A., which called at Rarotonga in 1889. A depu tation of Europeans asked Dr. Caldwell and family to remain in Rarotonga; and he settled ashore, built himself a house, and practised for a number of years, re lieving many and generally doing good work.

When Dr. Caldwell left Rarotonga, Dr.

George Craig was appointed Medical Officer by Colonel W. E. Gudgeon, and was later joined by his younger brother, Dr. William Craig. At the outbreak of the Boer War, the two Craigs, popular men, left for service in Africa.

Upon the termination of the war, the Craigs returned to Rarotonga on the S.S. “Ovarau”, arriving off Avarua on February 19, 1900. As soon as the Craigs’ friends ashore heard that the two doc tors were aboard, they decided to give them a warm welcome.

Mr. F. Goodwin, of the trading firm of Gocdwin and De Lisle (later to be come J. Kohn & Co.; and to-day a branch store of The C.I.T. Co., Ltd.) undertook to Are rockets of welcome .from the Avarua wharf. These rockets probably belonged to the ketch “Janet Niccol”, owned by the firm of G. & De L.

So down the wharf went Fred Goodwin with the rockets, followed by a crowd to see the fun—for, although it was day light, they meant to have their fire works display.

Goodwin drilled a hole in the wharf timber to accommodate the rocket stem —a hole that, unfortunately, proved to be too shallow, and inadequate for its purpose. He then fitted and ignited the rocket.

Owing either to vibration on the wharf, or a puff of wind, the rocket suddenly canted round towards the spectators, and went off with terrific force. It struck poor Goodwin full in the face, and those standing near him were splashed with his blood, which gushed from his head.

Mr. E. J. Mathews, then manager of Messrs. A. B. Donald, Ltd., who was standing close to Goodwin, had a very narrow escape.

The brothers Craig were immediately sent for, and came ashore, but the wel come had turned to tragedy—Goodwin died within half an hour of the accident.

Anyone knowing the whereabouts of Mr. or Mrs. E. Riddell, who were residents for many years in Western Samoa, are requested to communicate as soon as possible with Mr. P. W. Glover, executor of the estate of the late T. Andrew, Apia, Samoa. Mr. Glover has asked the “P.1.M.” to try to locate Mrs. Riddell, in connection with a legacy left by Mr.

Andrew.

Mr. J. Stinson recently won the Suva Bowling Club’s Singles Championship.

The Fairs Championship was won Jay Messrs. G. B. Hoddinott and C. W. Aid ney.