Cutter Sabotaged
p. 74 · Read in the full issue
The cutter TOREA, owned by Dr Tom Davis, leader of the Cook Islands Democratic (Opposition) political party, sank at its berth in Avatiu Harbour, Rarotonga early on April 16. It had been sabotaged.
It appeared unlikely, at first, that the yacht had been deliberately sunk because the small harbour was crowded with shipping—the TOA MOAN A from New Zealand, inter- Cook islands trading vessels, fishing boats and cruising yachts. In addi tion, there should have been a watchman on board.
But, after the Torea was hauled up from the bottom by a crane mounted on a government truck, it was found that four in. diameter holes had been bored in the timber hull, two from the outside and two from the inside.
The electrical system was com pletely ruined, and the engine had to be completely stripped down, cleaned, reassembled and tested.
Rumours were that the sabotage was not motivated by political feel ings, but by somebody with a per sonal grudge against Dr Davis. At the time of writing the police had not made their findings public.