THE COOK ISLANDS

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2159, 15 August 1907, Page 1

THE COOK ISLANDS

(Special to Times.) WELLINGTON, August 13. Mr. Waklegrave, Uuder-Seoretary for Justice, lias been appointed to have charge of the Cook Island departmental affairs. The total papulation of the Cook and other island" recently included in the boundaries of the colony, has now been ascertained to he 12,3-10. The Cook and northern islands imports at £41,437 and the exports at £45,925 show a considerable increase. Niue’s imports (£5500) and exports (£7958) remain about tbe same as the previous year. The running of the Government vessel, Countess of Ranfurly, is admitted not to have been a success. Site was running at a loss, and was unsuitable for the trade, so it lias been decided to sell her.

GISB RON E-NAPIER RAILWAY.

AVa-.itin"’ to the Hawke’s Bay Herald “New Settler” remarks: “As a recent arrival in this district, I have been particularly struck by tiie backwardness of the Hawke’s Bay land district, as compared with other parts of the colony, in the matter of roads and railway comniunioation.

“In Canterbury, there are good roads in every direction, and only a few miles apart. These roads were built for tire most part in the old provincial clays, out of the fund especial i-- set apart from sales of Crown land for tlio purpose. Ait the time if the abolition of tiie provinces, some of the Road Boards had from £IOO,OOO to £200,000 on fixed deposit in the bank, and were able to do very comfortably on the interest received from tlieir deposits. “In the Hniwke’s Bay land district there are roughly 100 miles of railway connecting Napier with Woodv.ille, and, say, 20 miles open, at Gisborne ; whereas the Auckland district has in round numbers 500 nuiles of open lino; Canterbury 500 miles, Wellington (including the Manawaitu line) 400 miles,Otago 400 milc6, Southland 360 miles (and wit-li another nemline promised), Westland 150 miles. In addition to the open lines, all the above districts have lines in course of construction.

“Hawke’s Bay fares equally badly in tile matter of roads. “Fro-m th above it is evident that in the. past there lias been a great want of push and go in this district. Hawke’s Bay has remained stranded. Other parts of the colony are quite content that she should remain stranded, and in the meantime, residents and ratepayers here pay the interest on tiie money borrowed for. public works and spent in other districts. “I know the country on the Gisborne side of Rotorua. Much of it is very poor pumice country, andy from its broken character, it would be very jxipensive to take a railway through it. AA r e should certainly press for the Napier-G.isborne connection.”