FRUIT INQUIRY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 35, 10 August 1936, Page 7

FRUIT INQUIRY

COOK ISLANDS PARTY

LAST STAGES OF TOUR

RAROTONGA, August 8. The New Zealand Parliamentary delegation has reached the last stage of its inquiry, and left last Sunday on the Matua to visit the lower group of islands.

At Aitutaki there was a spectacular welcome from the chiefs and the people. A school display by SOO pupils was much appreciated ?s, showing a high standard of attainment. .Evidence concerning the fruit industry was heard in the afternoon, and the party left the same afternoon after a strenuous day. There was the same atmosphere of confidence , that has characterised the whole tour.

At Atiu on the following day there was adverse weather. The natives welcomed the visitors at a feast, and after the taking of evidence, the party returned to the ship in a blinding rain squall, which gave them a vivid understanding of the danger to shipping, passengers, and cargo caused by the reef.

At Mauke on Wednesday bad weather made a landing too risky, and an inquiry was conducted aboard the ship. At Mangaia on. Thursday the delegates had the novel experience of shooting the reef in native canoe's. The skill of the natives' canoeing of orange shipments through the reef is proverbial.

The delegation returned to Rarotonga on Friday. All the islands celebrated their visit in right royal fashion," speeches of welcome in most picturesque language being a marked feature. The delegation is now at Rarotonga finishing its work. It will board the Makura on Monday and will be glad of the few days' rest the voyage will afford.