How Alcohol Came

To Rarotonga

Letter to the Editor.

IN his article on the Cook Islands (September PIM) Mr. Shortall said: "There is evidence that intoxicating: liquor was consumed in the Cook Islands prior to the arrival of Europeans”. I do not know whether he meant this to apply to Rarotonga. The history of Rarotonga since contact with Europeans has been more fully documented than that of any other island of the Cook Group; but, for the 19th century, most of this is embodied in the journals and reports of LMS missionaries and of the British Vice-Consuls and Residents.

First Europeans to reside in Rarotonga were British missionaries, in 1827. They found no intoxicating beverage in use, though they did suppress the drinking of kava in the belief that it was an intoxi cant. This suppression was later deplored by Rev. James Chalmers (missionary in Rarotonga, 1867-1877), who considered it partly responsible for the adoption cf stronger beverages. (Special report by Chalmers to the LMS in London, Novem ber, 1890.) According to Revs. Charles Pitman and Aaron Bnzacott, alcoholic drink was first introduced into Rarotonga in the 1830’s, most probably in the form of rum brought ashore by the crew of an American whaler wrecked at the Island late in 1836 or early 1837. (Pitman to LMS, February 27 and March 20, 1837; Buzacott to LMS, September, 1845.) Prohibition was decreed by the chiefs of the government, and the liquor trade was

outlawed; but owing to the fact that certain leading chiefs themselves enjoyed rum, attempts to enforce the laws were not very effective or consistent. (E.g., William Gill to LMS, June 16, 1845.) Throughout the 1840’s, the emigration of Rarotongans and the immigration of foreigners (excepting individuals con nected with or approved by the LMS) were prohibited; but, while immigration was controlled successfully, emigration was not. Many Rarotongans stowed-away aboard whaling ships and travelled throughout the Pacific. Few ever re

turned home, but those who did had much to say of life and customs in the cosmo politan areas which they visited. Among the foreign Ideas and practices introduced by such travellers was the art of brewing bush-beer brought to Rarotonga from Tahiti about 1850. (Pitman to LMS, July 23, 1851.) This fermented-fruit drink soon became popular throughout the island, and as is well known, it has re tained its popularity. Therefore, as re

gards Rarotonga, Mr. Shortall was quite right in saying that bush-beer has been in vogue for a long time, but Chalmers would seem to be more correct in his analysis of its origins.

I am, etc.,

R. P. Gilson.

Apia, 5/11/1954.