From the Is lands Press

IN the wake of numerous traffic accidents in 1967 and from personal observation, it is obvious that more ought to be done about the speeding problem on Raro tonga.

Motorcycles, cars, and trucks of all kinds—government included— appear to be challenging the laws of centrifugal force as they rip around the race-like perimeter of Rarotonga.

Considering the way of life in the Cook Islands, does anyone need to be told how easy it would be to maim a wandering horse, sideswipe a parked car, or kill a stray child (to say nothing of the all-too-common senseless drunks)? At night, of course, the danger is magnified.

Legally, speeding is wrong.

Morally, it’s despicable. But above and beyond that, common sense wise, it’s stupid! Since the island (Rarotonga) is roughly only 20 miles around, no destination is farther than 10 miles away. For such trips, speeding is foolish.

A heavy fine will create a fear of being caught that will in turn eliminate the urge to speed. After all, a little induced poverty is far better than the loss of life and property. — Letter from Robert L.

Hixson in the “Cook Islands News”, Rarotonga.

IWISH to write a few lines about “King Porky the pig”.

In the Highlands [of New Guinea] he is allowed to roam where he likes, rooting up vehicle roads, school grounds, school vegetable gardens and other people’s coffee and crops. In general he just does what he likes.

A vehicle once overturned when its wheels went into a hole Porky had made—the rain had filled it up with silt. It was carry ing several people.

When someone objects to the damage King Porky does such ill feeling is created it lasts for years and “payback” is sought.

Could there not be a law to forbid pigs being kept unless each village owning pigs has a com munity paddock fenced for the purpose, wherever it is practic able, as they do for cattle?

Why should Porky reign as king

in these days of rapid improve ment?

He is costing our government thousands of dollars annually in the time spent by government officials and police on his offences. Has a record ever been kept of time spent on these things? Letter from “Porky’s Subject”, Eastern Highlands, in the “South Pacific Post”, Port Moresby.

THERE is a great deal of un rest and a lot of criticism heard on Norfolk Island at the moment concerning the manner of the development taking place, and the resultant health risks which follow such haphazard planning.

Some members of the council two years ago in their wisdom (?) saw fit to disregard professional advice and what is more un fortunate, the then Administration in its wisdom (?) did not, as far as we know, take any steps to pursue the practicability of such a survey.

During the last two years we have seen a great deal of finance expended on projects which will become as nothing if the health of the community suffers.

Now that there is this aware ness of the dangers associated with the lack of planning, this is the time that we must, as a com munity, insist on some form of orderly programme of planned development to ensure the con tinuing good health of the people on the island.— Editorial in “The Norfolk Islander”, Norfolk Island.

MY family and I recently com pleted a trip round Viti Levu, which we enjoyed immensely.

However, several incidents have tended to tarnish our memory of it a little.

The first occurred at Natadola where money was stolen from clothing left a few yards from where we were swimming.

The second occurred at an hotel near Nadi. When inquiring if we could swim in their pool, 1 mentioned that we would expect a charge to be made as we were staying at a motel next door.

Imagine my astonishment on

being informed “5/- for adults and 2/6 for children”. Yes, the manager had the effrontery to demand 17/6 for my family and me to have one swim!

At least he must have felt a little guilty about these exhorbit ant charges as he was quick to point out, “That’s what they charge in Australia”.

The third incident occurred on the way back to Suva via the King’s Road. We were looking for a spot to have a picnic lunch when we came to a delightful sandy beach. It displayed a notice proclaiming everything to be free.

Imagine our surprise when from a bare emerged a Fijian who promptly demanded 5/- for park ing our car there. These things happened in just a few days.

I hate to think of the treatment tourists get and the impressions they give of Fiji to the folks back home.— Letter from J. M. Levers edge, Suva, in “The Fiji Times”, Suva.

Mrs. lesieli manuele, of Kolonga [Tonga], told the court she was angry on October 13. In the heat of an argument, she swung a cane knife at her niece, Ele Sake, cutting her ear, and then proceeded to punch Miss Sake in the face, giving her a black eye.

She said she was sorry now.

Judge Malu Taumoepeau, hear ing the case on January 24, said he also was sorry. However, the seriousness of her actions, he said, had now angered him.

Mrs. Manuele was fined $2O, in default five months imprisonment, —News item in “The Chronicle”, Nukualofa.

JUST before Christmas police raided well-known brewers of “bush beer” all around Rarotonga and confiscated a very large amount of brew. The haul in cluded some 400 bottles, 50 gallon casks, and a benzine or kerosene drum which had been cut in half and filled with malt, hops and sugar.

The total amount of illegally brewed beer came to about 300 gallons, and this is now stored at the back of the police station awaiting further investigations and ultimate court action. — News item in “Cook Islands News”, Raro tonga.