Good Coffee Prospects

In Lower Cooks

From Our Own Correspondent

Mangaia, Dec. 30.

THE remarkable balance of Nature on this island has often attracted scientific interest; and at this year’s end we are again faced with evidence that for Mangaia, loss on one crop is gain with another.

All orange-trees show failure or decline; coffee-plantations, conversely, are burst ing with buds, each of which will, unless a hurricane upsets the schedule, be a saleable berry for next year’s coffee-crop, for which a price of at least 9d. lb. is hoped. Rising in 20 years from two pence or 3d., local coffee, which is of the Arabica type, has become a good money maker. Unfortunately, a spate of coffee buds, in conjunction with diminished orange-crop, often presages a coming cyclone, as if a provision of Nature pre pared the trees for the coming wind lashing by insuring that the phenomenal surplus would leave a reasonable supply even after the fiercest storm.

This sign, noted again at writing, has set local prophets to saying that February, or March (the established “uriia” months) may bring excitement.

Cl hurricanes appear to have a ten or seven-year rhythm; “blows” in ’4O-’4l, and destructive storms in ’43-’44, suggest that another cycle of violent weather may be approaching, and locals are apprehensive. (Arabica is currenlty quoted at £A375.

In 1939 price was between £2O and £3O per ton).

Mr. B. L. Gregg, of Suva, Fiji, who has oeen acting as Registrar-General, has gone on overseas leave. During his ab sence Mr. E. C. Woodward will be acting

Registrar-General.