To Nursing School in America

fl New Zealand author, Ronald Syme, during his sojourn in the Cook Islands during the past six months, has stimulated great in terest in the old songs and chants of the Cook Islands and in singing in general. Prior to his departure from the Group in January he donated a cup to stimulate com petition between villages and islands.

A tape recording which he made

for use by the BBC, caused par ticular interest. Singers from four Rarotongan villages, ranging in ages from 9 to 70, performed under the supervision of Snr. Sgt. Nia Rua, with Syme providing the com mentary. The effort was supported by the Further Education Depart ment. Mr. Syme, now on his way to England and America to arrange further programme material for

radio and television, plans to re turn about August. At a send-off party attended by the Resident Commissioner, Mr. Nevill, speeches of appreciation were made in ack nowledgment of the assistance given by Mr. Syme and the interest stimulated amongst the population in various activities.

These four girls from American Samoa, Rufo Suiaunoa, Sinira Talatonu, Repeka Isara, and Ofeira Tuliau, are graduates of the High School of American Samoa, and are now bound for the United States to train as nurses at the Kaiser Foundation School of Nursing, Oakland, Cal. —Photo by Pan American Prints.