'THE CLEANLIEST PEOPLE'

Shannon News, 14 September 1926, Page 4

'THE CLEANLIEST PEOPLE'

NATIVES ON RAROTONGA. ISLAND LIFE IN THE TROPICS. NOTES FROM A RECENT TOUR. Back from an official tour of investigation into educational matters in Rarotonga, Mr J. A. Valentine, who' recently retired from the position of senior inspector of schools in ! Taranaki, has brought with him ] much interesting information. \ "Rarotonga itself is a hilly island, | the chief peaks of which are from J 2000 to 3000 feet high. There is an abundant water supply, which has been conserved and led all over the Jsland in pipes to each house, and consequently the natives are among the cleanliest people of the Pacific," said Mr Valentine. "It is quite a common sight to see one or more members of the family .under the tap. This water supply also enables the women to keep the clothes of the family in a perfectly clean condition. In the outlying islands the water supply is derived chiefly from wells and huge tanks which have been built to conserve the supply. The island of Rarotonga is the headquarters of the Administration, the mail steamers calling monthly on their way between Wellington and San Francisco. Good boarding accommodation is provided in the village of Avarua, and many New Zealanders who want to escapt the winter in the Dominion will find suitable accommodation there. The Cook Islanders are a very fine people physically. They call themselves Maoris ,and their language is also called Maori. The native people are very much like the natives of New Zealand, but have, on the whole a finer cast of features. The islands • have been Christianised for just over one hundred years. On all the islands there are very fine church buildings, with massive walls from three -to four feet through. The material consists of native concrete made from , coral. ' I , Industrious Habits. j The natives of the group are gradually acquiring most industrious habits Their main seource of revenue is their fruit production—oranges and bananas forming the chief crops. Tomatoes grown on the island are im- 1 ported into New Zealand during the winter months. All the islands pro. duce excellent oranges. In the- opinion of Mr Valentine, the right method of handling the oranges does not exist. Consequently much of the fruit imported does not reach the New Zealand market in a very good condition. The administration is seeking by all means to improve the condition so that the fruit may be available to New Zealand consumers at cheaper rates. All over the islands the orange trees grow wild, and when the fruit is ripe it Is gathered, by natives and taken to sorting > sheds, where it is packed. Then it is taken to wharf sheds, where it is inspected by specially appointed officers. The Cook Islands Department deserves "commendation for its efforts to improve the fruit export conditions, says 'Mr Valentine. All the industries of the islands are prospering, and the economic condition f of the whole group is perfectly sound. Becoming More European* Gradually the mf;lvcs are Becoming more and more European in their ways. Thev now count a sufficient supply of tinned foods among their festive needs, they attend picture shows which are held in Rarotonga three times a week. The proprietor of the theatre translates the captions in the Rarotonga language so that the natives may understand the scenes'. The natives are delighted and shout with joy when comical scene? are presented, such .as comedies of the Charlie Chaplin .variety. ■ Most of the food of the whites on the island is derived from New Zealand. Only frozen meat is obtainable It is imported from the Dominion and is kept 'in freezing chambers on the island, being disposed of as required.