COOK ISLANDS.

Hokitika Guardian, 22 July 1924, Page 4

COOK ISLANDS.

AXXV AI. DKPA HIM EXT AI. REPOR.T WKI.I.IXCTOX. July IS I lie annual report on the administratioii of the Cook and other islands was presented to the House of Representatives to-day. Il states that the ui most goodwill and harmony exists between the Administration and ail .sections of the people, and there is ample evidence of a warm regard for and attachment to Xew Zealand.

The .Mini-ter states that lie has approved of a scheme of education for the islands of the northern Conk group Mihmitted liv the representative of the l.oliilon Missionary Society. A vote of LTO;) will he found on the Estimates of the Cook Islands Depart men t and for this subsidy the Loudon .Missionary .Sociely will provide trained full-time native teachers, will observe our school hours and holidays, will adopt our syllabus, and will agree to the schools being open at all times for inspection by any duly appointed Administration official The instruction will, of course, he given in the vernacular. We have thus linked up the last of Xew Zealand’s Pacific territories with the Dominion educational system.

The report states that the Aitntaki wireless station will work with the Rarotonga radio, and will lie operated by Rarotonga scholarship pupils, who were brought from St. Stephen's College for .Maori hoys (Auckland), after gaining their proficiency certificates, and trained at the Wellilmgtoh Wireless College by the C'ook Island Department. These youths show great aptitude for the work, and give every promise of making successful operators. If this experiment proves the success that is anticipated a new and most interesting career will he opened for the youth of Cook Island. Reference is made to the improved trade facilities. During the year 13?,55" cases of oranges. “0,20(3 eases of bananas, and 24,0" S eases of tomatoes were exported, and it is considered that with suitable shipping facilities for the coming year the export of these fruits will he increased.