THE COOK ISLANDS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1563, 5 October 1912, Page 14

THE COOK ISLANDS.

■ , e STATEMENT BY DR. POMARE. tßy Teleeraph.—Press Association.) Christchurch, October i. Matters connected with the Cook Islands were referred to by tho Hon. Dr. Poniare, Native representative in the Cabinet, in , conversation with a reporter to-day. At the outset, Dr. Pomaro said he wished to deny the "startling rumours about tho spread of leprosy in the Islands." He said there were about 35 cases of leprosy in the Cook Islands, but there were other islands in the Pacific which were in a' worse position in this respect, and where thero were probablj' twenty cases to every ono in the Cook Islands. All patients were isolated, and they were in no way a danger to other people. "It was also stated," continued Dr. Pomare, "that these lepers are handling fruit at ■ Rarotonga which is shipped to New Zealand, but I can only characterise this as being absolutely false. They are never nnar tho fruit, and to say that fruit is contaminated—and this has been said—is absurd. No, they are isolated from everything like this, and are not the menace they are alleged to bo." Referring to tho administration of tho Cook Islands, Dr. Pomare said it had been decided to have another report made on the affairs at the Islands, and Judge JtacCormick, who is acting as Resident Commissioner, has been instructed to drawup a report. Dr. Pomaro said he was satisfied that matters were in a satisfactory condition at the Islands, and though it had teen suggested that inquiry should bo held into the administration of the Islands he did not think an inquiry was necessary. Several new appointments aro to be made, and some of these are now before Cabinet. Judge MacCormick is now acting as Resident Commissioner at tho Islands, but a permanent appointment is to bo made, and while the selection has not yet been made, Dr. Pomare said the matter was now undor consideration. Ho also stated that a doctor is to bo appointed for the Island of Nine, and another nurse is to be sent • to Rarotonga Hospital.