And Museum

Cook Is. Library And Museum Go Ahead

Prom Gordon Russell, in Wellington \ In the culture centres of ancient Polynesia were the Houses of Learn ing, where the hereditary leaders were nutured in the wisdom, the knowledge and the procedures that sustained the tribes in peace and war.

IN taking over the burden that was theirs we of the West have been slow in promoting equivalent insti tutions within these culture centres.

At last a tangible gesture in this direc tion is being made in Rarotonga.

Following upon some earlier but abortive efforts, the Cook Islands is to have a library and museum.

Such an acquisition has been mooted often enough since New Zea land embraced the Cook Islands with in its territorial boundaries in 1901 but the first active effort towards a museum that is on record took place in 1946 and had the support of Princess Te Puea, of New Zealand,

on her visit to Rarotonga in tha year. That attempt, a subsequent one by Dr. Tom Davis, and others by Mr Jack Morgan, now Chief Judge ol Cook Islands’ Land Court, all col lapsed for want of a suitable site.

The current development took place at a well-attended meeting ir Rarotonga, on February 27, 1961 convened by the Resident Commis sioner, Mr. A. O. Dare. At that meet ing a strong action committee, headed by Judge Morgan and embracing both Maori and European leaders, was appointed to see this matter through, and that is what it is doing.

Site first, money later, was the initial verdict, and following a thorough survey of potential sites, and just when it seemed that living room was to be the deadlock again, a handsome offer was made by Makea Nui Ariki, CBE, of a generous portion of the grounds of Taputapuatea, a straight gift gratefully accepted. It is doubtful if this site could be bettered.

In serene surroundings close to the Avarua Church and School, yet handy to the public, it is one of the most historic spots in an island rich in historical associations.

In June, 1961, the purpose of, and plans for a Cook Islands Library and

Museum were fully discussed by the people’s representatives from all islands of the Cook Group at the Legislative Assembly in Rarotonga.

As an outcome the Assembly agreed to subsidise this project £ for £ to the extent of £2,000 annually for three successive years, it being agreed that £12,000 was a minimum requirement for a suitable and permanent building. Since then no time has been lost by the committee in appealing for public support, by direct approach, through the local Press and radio, at meetings convened in villages throughout Rarotonga and on other islands, and by mail to friends and associates overseas.

In January, some £1,500 was in hand, mostly from the pockets of Cook Islanders and resident Euro peans, equivalent with the subsidy to a quarter of the initial goal. With both the Church and the State behind this project it is unlikely that the ball will stop rolling. Cook Islanders give most generously of what they have once their interest is established, This has been the case since the Eng lish missionaries first arrived in the Cook Islands in 1823 and per medium of their unquenchable appetite for social gatherings and dances their present-day capacity to raise funds astounds the onlooker from overseas, Later it is likely that worthwhile

financial support will come from c or more overseas institutions.

The late Percy S. Smith, a fount of the Polynesian Society and edi of its Journal for so many yea found a treasure of verbal traditk and genealogies in Rarotonga tl served to integrate much of j material he had gathered elsewh in Polynesia and gave form and si stance to the story of the origins! the Polynesians and their voyagii as interpreted by him in his rema able work, Hawaiki.

In spite of this the Cook Islai have been sadly neglected to date the archaeologists and other scient who are now following up the fi ings of the traditionalists. For o a century historical manuscripts] artifacts of every description hi been carried away from these islai and are now scattered over the gl< in public and private collections.!

Much of this material will trie back to where it belongs once holders are assured of safe cust( and intelligent use of their treasun

Tonga Lawn Tennis

Association Formed

Tonga has formed an Amat Lawn Tennis Association —the ni object being to conduct a natio championship—but the organh also have their eye on participat in the first South Pacific Games, be held in Suva in 1963. Presid is Mr. G. Peart of the Shell Company; and secretary is Mr.

Sayers.

Mr. A. O. Dare, Resident Commissioner the Cook Islands.