Been Forgotten
p. 94 · Read in the full issue
Cook Group Has Not Been Forgotten
EVIDENCE since the visit of NZ’s Ex-Minister of Island Territories (Mr. Webb) and his advisers last year indicates that Wellington does intend to promote progress in the Cook Islands.
With the veteran Islands trader Maui Povnare out of commission, the Government made prompt arrangements with the USS Co. to send the Matua on a special voyage to Rarotonga and Mangaia, leaving Auckland May 5. She will be able to carry 20,000 cases of citrus and up to 550 tons of general cargo—copra, pearl shell, etc —and passengers.
Waitemata called at Rarotonga northbound for the US in March and will call southbound in mid- May, Waitomo will make a south bound call late in April. In March the 300-tonner Vasu carried Cl mail from Auckland and called at Aitu taki with aviation petrol. * * * A 21-year-old Aitutakian diver, Robert Panga Rio, collapsed and died while shell-diving without a suit in about 13 fathoms in the Manihiki lagoon in mid-March. He
failed to surface and was brought up dead. Two fatalities with suit divers have occurred in recent years.
Tara Ngapoe, a 13-year-old boy, was lost in the surf at Mitiaro in
March. He was with a group other men and his absence was noted until later when all had turned to the village. Then surf-board was found floating r the reef. Weather was rough the time.