THE COOK ISLANDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 27, 22 June 1914, Page 2

THE COOK ISLANDS.

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Per Press Association. U'eiMiigton, .Friday. The (iovemur, acooaijiauva by tiu-Countcs-s of Liverpool .ui,l aides-de-camp. returned from his visit to the look islands to-night. Tiic parly arrived ai lturotonga on Aiay £>, after a rough voyage from Auckland. l)r Pomare, Minister in Charge oi die {Junk Haul fc accompanied the party. Ilia Excellency received a cordial reception from the natives 1 , and many functions were aij tended by larg.j numbers. The Governor ' visited tlie Islands of .Mangaia, -Jlankc, A: In, .\:itiar>. ■iind .u.iuakK ami was hospitably eiilertiiiiied by the resident agents and the natives on each island. Dr Pomare hud conferences with the Island Councils and di <iu;:scd with the natives various (matters appertaining to the present condition and future welfare oi the. dependencies. At Rarotonga Dr Pomare met the Arikia and discuwed with them various aspects of island affairs, and made a definite, statement regarding the intention of the Government to establish State schools in the Cook Islands. Me said three would be opened on Karotonga, and one at Aitutaki. The Government would ask for a grant to maintain these for five years, wlion it was hoped the islands would be able to ibear the cost. 'General control oi the Cook Islands system would be exorcised by the headmaster of Awamia school, which would be a training Fchoo! for young native teachers. The Arikis received tihe Minister's statement with expressions jf satisfaction. The Minister went on to deal with other questions, particularly the desirability of the adoption of vigorous measures to secure the health of the natives and the development of the frnit industry. Dr Pomare said that during the forthcoming session the Government would undertake , the work of protecting and developing the fruit industry and revising and validating 'the laws of the Cook Islands He appealed to the natives to suppress "bush beer" drinking, and appealed to them to work together for the preservation of their people and the good government of the Islands.

were presented from the natives, asking for various concessions, which Dr Pomare promised to enquire into.

His Excellency also received a number oi private petitions. Dr Pomare and party sailed in the Tutanckai for Niuo, op route for New Zealand, where they will arrive about the end of June.