Mangaia Prospers

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, July 27.

THE pleasant little island of Mangaia, in the Lower Cooks, is enjoying a year of prosperity. The island, which is 24 miles in circumference and has 1,500 inhabitants, was comparatively un affected by the hurricane which struck the rest of the Lower Group in March last. Its position, well to the south of Rarotonga, saved the day.

Over 20,000 cases of oranges, returning a value of approximately £B,OOO to the island, have been exported this season, in addition to which the “pupu” (shell necklace) industry is well established.

The native inhabitants of Mangaia differ considerably from the people of the neighbouring islands. Mangaia is the most southerly island in the Cook Group and this,, coupled with the rocky geologi cal formation, has produced a some what dour and very independent race, who have the reputation of being the best workers in the Islands.

No Native Land Court holds sway in Mangaia. No land may be leased to outsiders; the plough is almost un known—in fact, anything that the people think, rightly or wrongly, is not desirable, is simply not permitted to be landed. Of all the orange-exporting islands, Mangaia is the only one where the processing of oranges prior to ship ment with ethylene gas has not been adopted—in spite of continued efforts by the Administration to introduce a thing that has been found in other islands to be most beneficial, there is nothing doing.

Traders say that even the merchandise sold in Mangaia differs from that in the other islands, where “luxury” goods sell well. The Mangaian wants blankets, dress goods and other solid stuff—no frippery required.