COOK ISLANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 40, 16 February 1905, Page 3

COOK ISLANDS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

RAROTONGA, February 8. PROTECTION FOR ISLAND FRUIT..

The committee appointed by fruitgrowers and shippers to consider the letter of the Minister for the Islands in regard to the imposition of a duty on fruit imported into New Zealand from places other than the Cook Islands have .completed their report. In this report *-c committee state that it has no hesitation in saying that in a reasonable time the whole of hte fruit needed in New Zealand cau be supplied by the Cook Islands—that is, oranges and bananas.

The committee point out that since the Parliamentary visit to the Islands (upon which occasion Mr Mills held out some hope that the fruit Industry might be protected), the output of bananas had increased from 62,000 bunches in 1903 to 90,000 bunches in 1904. It is estimated that the output this year will amount to 140,000 bunches, and an increase of fifty per cent, per annum could be maintained so long as there was a remunerative market.

The committee suggest as a remedy for ithe present state of affairs the Imposition of a duty on foreign fruit aa follows:— Oranges and bananas, id per pound; pineapples, Id per pound; coffee, a return to the old duty of 2d per pound; and also a duty on cocoarruts and llmejuice. The committee further recommend that these duties should be further Increased by a sum equal to any reduction in freight made by the carrying companies in favour of fereign fruit should such reduction be made aa' was the case when the Commonwealth imposed a duty on outside bananas.

The committee state that they cannot conceive that these duties would enhance the price of fruit to the consumer, and point out that in spite of an identical duty of id per pound upon apples, the price of that fruit is as cheap in New Zealand as before.

In conclnding their report the committee point out that the geographical position of the Cook Group is a natural disadvantage as compared with Fiji, and to that extent Fiji fruit Is protected and the New Zealand fruit penalised. The committee urge the necessity of dealing propmtly with the matter, lest with the increasing output there may be an unremunerative market, which would dishearten the native growers and so retard the development of the group. The report will be sent on to the Resident Commissioner.

The steamer leaving Rarotonga to-aay takes the largest cargo of bananas from this island known for this time of the year, both in cases and bunches, the total aggregating over 500 tons.

MANUFACTURE OP FRUIT BOXES. One of our leading firms is seriously considering the advisability of making in Karotonga the boxes In which to ship fruit to New Zealand, instead of import 1 ■ the same from Auckland. It is asserted that there Is plenty of timber In Rarotouga available for that purpose, the only requirement being the necessary machinery for the cutting of the boxes, which, the firm In question will import and erect. The value of boxes imported into Rarotonga from Auckland Is about £3000 per annum, and, If the boxes were made locally, It is estimated that the greater portion of that amount would be distributed amongst the natives of the island. The matter has been placed before the Resident Commissioner and the Arikls of Rarotonga, and the same has so far received their appro-' val. The same firm also intends to establish an ice house and refrlgera tor, which will be a great boon to inhabitants. RAINFALL. The following shows the amount of rainfall at Rarotonga for the past six years, us observed by Captain A. yon Hoff:— 1599, 91.20 inches; 11)00, 61.04; 1901, 86.13; 1902, 72.48; 1903. 65.38; 19Oi, 74.45. The average rainfall for tihe past six years is therefore 75.21 inches. During 1004 the month of March had the most rain, viz., 10.73 Inches, whilst the least rain was in November, 1.42 inches being the amount recorded. MISCELLANEOUS NOTES.

The erection of the sanatorium or accommodation Ih-ouse at Rarolonga is now being pi-oceeded with under the superintendence of Mr H. If. Oonna], the Government engineer. The braiding will be of concrete, and the foundations are now well above the ground. The work towards which the New Zealand Parliament voted £1000 willtake about four months to complete. The Union Steamship Company intends Increasing its accommodation at Rarotonga by the erection of an additional slhed 80ft by 25ft, and also by building a small wharf for boats. The work is being- undertaken in view of the increase In local fruit shipments, which give promise of being larger in the near future.

The vital statistics of Rarotonga far 1904 show an improvement as compared with the previous year, the figures being- aa follows:— 19O4: Births. 55, deaths 94 marriages 45* For 1905, [the figuaes are: Births 84, deaths 53, marriages 38.