Cook Islands News Notes

THE NZ Civil Aviation Department’s radio-facilities calibration aircraft, on its quarterly visit, made several return passenger flights between Aitutaki and Rarotonga in December. Many people took advantage of the facilities offered. * * * Radio Rarotonga (on 5050 kc/s) made a number of pre-Christmas greetings broad casts by people from outer islands to their relatives back at home. Hospital patients were included. The broadcasts were much appreciated in the Northern Group. ♦ * * The Tahiti chartered vessel “Tuamotu” repatriated a party of Mangaian labourers from the Makatea Island phos phate workings late in December, return ing to Makatea with a new party. The labour was cleared via Rarotonga. * * * When "Charlotte Donald” departed from Rarotonga on her final Northern Group trip of the year before continuing on to her annual refit in Papeete, passengers aboard included Mr. Phillip Woonton. of Penrhyn, and Mr. Dan Ellis, of Manihiki, two of the North’s oldest residents. * * * Mr. Don Reid of Island Territories De partment, and a former Official Secretary of the Cook Islands Administration, paid a brief visit to Rarotonga in December aboard the CAA aircraft, and was there welcomed by many friends. * * * As a result of a special dance organised at Avarua by Makea Nui Teremoana Ariki in December, her Makogai patients fund was swelled by £7O.

fl Mrs. W. Snell, of Port Moresby, arrived at Surfers’ Paradise, Queens land, recently on vacation.