COOK ISLANDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 November 1923, Page 1

COOK ISLANDS.

SIR MAUI ROM A RE’S VISIT. WELLINGTON", Nov. 9. Sir Maui Poinare, Minister for tho Cook islands, returned to Wellington to-day by the Alaunganui, after a six weeks’ visit, to Rarotonga and Aitu laki, ot the Cook Island group, accompanied on an official tour by Lady and .Miss Romaic, Messrs A. •). Conway (private secretary), and J. D. (Ray (Under-Secretary of External Affairs). The Ministerial party left Wellington by the Alaunganui on September Willi, and reached Rarotonga on September ,‘lOtli. The Alinister was given a most cordial reception on arrival and speeches of welcome were made by both Europeans and natives. Over four year- bad elapsed since the .Minister's la-l visit, and the hope was expressed liv the -peaker- lhal he would, ii possible, pay an annual visit to the 1 shills. The .Minister noted many improvements lit Rarotonga, and was pleased ai the increase of export Irade, which

amounts to about (JRid,OOP, consisting principally of orange-, bananas, copra, and tomatoes. The experimental farm at Rarotonga, remarked the -Minister, continues to prove a source of special interest to visitors from England and America who go ashore from tho mail steamer when she touches at, the Island. At the experimental farm all

sort- of tropical fruits are grown with a view in testing their suitability for cnitii etion on the Island group. During the past year about £17,000 worth of tomatoes were shipped to New Zealand, supplying our market during the winter. The tomato is a hybridised species, produced from the native tomato and the ordinary variety. The latter has a very thin skin and will not hear transport well. The Harolougan tomato jmssesses a thick skin which enables the fruit to he handled and carried with freedom from bruises or In in ry. There are live schools at Rarotonga, with an attendance of about 800 native children. Education is carried on to the sixth standard. Old native arts and crafts are taught, including hat-making and mint-weav-ing, and a speciality is made of the instruction of children In the growth of Island fruits and other plaids. The Alini-ter made a journey to the Island ef Aitmaki in the steamer Wanaka. The island escaped the influenza epidemic n! lols, hut recently cx|)ori- j cured an epidemic of the same disease in a mild form, and between 00 and 40 deaths occurred. After spending four days at Aitufaki. the Alinister returned to Rarotonga by the auxiliary schooner Avarua. Tie intended, if

possible, to visit the other islands in the group, hut was unable to do so owing to lack of communication and time. There is ;1 wireless station at Rarotonga. and arrangements are well on the way for the installation oT a plant at Aitmaki. Speaking generally, the Minister said he found the natives in both island- contented and happy. A great want was adequate and projier shipping facilities. The islands, ho .-aid, could produce twice a- much fruit, copra, etc, a- they are doing at prosciii, and in the Af,blister's npiiiiiin llio-c islands could he made a winter garden for New Zealand.