COOK ISLANDS

Hokitika Guardian, 13 June 1930, Page 2

COOK ISLANDS

COMMISSIONER REPORTS GOOD PROGRESS.

AUCKLAND. June 10.

The success achieved by the recently established industry in Rarotonga for the preservation of pure orange juice is a mutter for gratification to the Administration, uccoijdlfig. tfi Mr F. 11. Ay son, for eight years Resident Commissioner ahd Chief Judge of the‘Cook Islands, who is at present in Auckland. A good niarkfct lias been found in New Zealand, and there is every prospect of tlie market being extended.

Mr Ayson. who will spend three months in the Dominion (before returning to Rarotonga. «aid that several thousand gallons of orange juice were preserved last year. The new industry was of importance to the Islands because it absorbed a large part, of the surplus orange crop. A great improvement had been effected in- the packing of fruit for export to New Zealand, lie added. Success had met the establishment of the district packing sheds, which were o rented two years ago, and grading machines and engines had been installed with satisfactory results. A good deal of useful experimental work was also beng done in agricultural nurseries, and seeds, 1 cuttings and plants had been distributed in fairly large quantities to the Islands of tlie group, Speaking of trade conditions. Mr Ayaon said that although a Jail in the price of the principal export, copra, would be felt for some time, exports were still maintained at a fairly high level, The quantity of copra exported during the past year was 230 tons greater than that exported in the preceding year but owing to the loner prices received its value decieased by £4423. The orange crops in Rarotonga and Aitutaki were small last season, and exports dwindled in consequence.