Progress in Rarotonga

From Our Own Correspondent

Rarotonga, Nov. 5.

RAROTONGA’S civil air-port is almost completed. And, like so many other Pacific Islanders, the Rarotongans have been thrilled by the spectacle of the michty earth-moving machines tumbling over coconut trees like ninepins clearing bush as though by the sweep of a giant hand, and moving mountains into h °lngenious Rarotongan schoolboys have turned from making models of bombers and warships to the construction of working-model bulldozers and ditch-dig gers. There is no doubt whatever that, to the easy-going Islander, the sight of these mechanical monsters performing miracles of man-saving labour at the hands of a single casual white man, has done much to enhance the prestige of their British and American protectors We can only hope that, when the tumult and the fighting are oyer, our political leaders will do all in their power to nurture the seeds of admiration and respect that our fighting men and civil constructors have sown in the hearts of the Pacific peoples.

Naturally, a great subject for specula tion among Cook Islanders, at present, is just what part the air-port will play in the future economic affairs of the Group.

The chief construction engineer, in the course of a vote of thanks at a recent fish-drive, feast and dance, organised by the paramount chieftainess. Mrs. Love, in honour of himself and his men said: “Our job was to build you a cmi air nort, but what its future uses will be I cannot sav: that will be for others to decide. There is no doubt that the con struction of an air-strin will contribute to the future prosperity of the Cook Islands. The agricultural possibilities of the Gronn are unlimited, and I see no reason whv the attractions of your islands should not bring a considerable tourist traffic after the war.”

WITH the air-strip almost finished, the Public Works Department has diverted some of their heavy mach inery to the preparation of the site for the new tubercular sanatorium, some details of which have already been pub lished in the “PIM.” .

An approach road has been made, wind ing first through bushland and then the steep fern-clad hills to an elevation of 250 feet, where the site has been levelled.

The choice of site is a happy one; there is a magnificent view; the open hill is ‘swept by the ocean breezes but sheltered from the colder winds by the towering mountains behind.

It is expected that the work of erecting the sanatorium buildings will take about five months.

A GOOD job just completed is the cut ting of a ditch out through the waterfront road to drain the low lying area occupied by the shacks of the Manihiki settlement, at the back of Avarua which, during heavy rains, usually became deeply flooded.

At long last, tpo, an electric lighting plant has been installed in the Rarotonga General Hospital. Up to the present, benzine and kerosene lamps have been the only methgd of illumination. Primus stoves were used for water-heating and sterilisation. With such primitive eouip ment, emergency operations, particularly at night, were often a trying task for the staff.

These improvements to Rarotonga liv ing conditions have already been accom plished—it is understood, as well, that the main coastal road and bridges are to

receive attention when some of the more important projects are completed. But residents earnestly hope that something will also be done to improve the drink ing-water system, which has been a mat ter of protest for many years. It is the general opinion that much ill-health is caused by the impurity of the water—a fact freely admitted by the medical staff.

During rainy weather domestic taps sup ply a rich brown liquid which looks like coffee but completely lacks that flavour.

This project is possibly already under consideration.

When Sir Philip Mitchell became Gov ernor of Fiji, some two years ago, he bought the beautiful little yacht, “Cimba,” re-conditioned her, re-named her “Blue bell,” and sailed her frequently in Fijian water. Sir Philip Mitchell, on his depar ture, sold her to Mr. Gordon F. Russell, of Suva, and he has restored her name to “Cimba.”