ISLES OF THE PACIFIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 6 March 1920, Page 6

ISLES OF THE PACIFIC.

SOME INTERESTING IMPRESSIONS. (By an ex-New Plymouth resident). Mr. H. G. Knight, formerly in business in New Plymouth, recently returned from a lengthy visit lo the eastern Paeilic Islands, of which the Cook and Society group are the principal. Mr. Knight is enthusiastic regarding these islands as a pleasure trip for New Zealanders, and he considers that, when shipping facilities in the Islands hecome normal* the Dominion Government should endeavor to popularise excursions .there during the vvinter months. The Cook Islands are .a dependency of the Dominion, and conditions jthere. are Arcadian. The brilliantly green tropical foliage, the gorgeous coloring, and the pleasant perfume of the flowering trees are beautiful 'wyond description. Kara£onga r the principal .island, is a veritable garden of Eden, plus a water su PP'y. splendid roads, motor vehicles, good accommodation, wireless and other modern conveniences tinfcnown in the traditional Partfdise.

The climate, although hotter than in New Zealand, enabled me to weiix suitable clothing without fear of a chill, and the unpleasant humid heat common in most tropical countries is rare in the Cook group The main road encircles the island for twenty miles through a picturesque avenue of eocoanut palms, and is the prettiest drive conceivable. Rarotonga has a population of fifteen hundred, and as indicating the natives' nassion for the "movies," supports tw<j- picture shows. It is amusing to watch the frenzied excitement of several hundreds of brown brothers and' -sisters when Douglas Fairbanks escapes down the spouting of a skyseraper, or Bill Hart gallops to the rescue at Sioux Creek. Aitutaki. in the north, is surrounded by a coral reef forming a lagoon with an area of two hundred square miles of emerald green water, which produces a magnificent contrast to the extreme bhieness of the deep sea outside the reef. This island is aptly named the "Pearl of the Pacific." Mangaia, in r.lie soui'i, i, a weird but interesting island. It is remarkable for its high stalnctic cliffs surrounding the island, over which the Mangaians have made several stairways to give access to the rich taro swamps of the interior. There are many caves of fantastic formation, and one is said to extend a long distance under- the sea. Going ashore at Mangaia is easily the most thrilling "stunt'' in the Islands. Sir James Allen and the Parliamentary party appear, from the wireless reports, to have had their fill of that thrill. Owing to the absence of fresh water streams there is no passage through the coral reef which surrounds the island. Consequently, when landins passengers and stores, "the canoes are carried over the reef on the crest of a big Comber amidst the triumphant yells of the natives and the roar of the* big Pacific rollers. On regaining conscious" ness the tourist vows to stay on the shore side of that reef for the remainder of his natural life! Manaia. in Taraimki, is said to have been founded by :i. migration of Maiijjaian natives in comparatively recent | times This island has undergone gigantic* contortions in its juvenile days, and should be a "happy hunting ground" for those interested in geological exploration. Phosphate deposits have been found, but so far only in minor quantities. Some prospectors, however, are hopeful that later this island will produce its quota to renew the failing fields of husbandry. There is a quaint curfew law in Mangaia. At dusk, the police beat the "Pati," or native dntm, to warn children of tender yeajs pidioors. At nine o'clock the drum is again beaten, when all unmarried couples are required to go to their respective homes. Failure to obey may mean the arrest of both and sentenced to work on the roads. A former resident of New Plymouth and his wife are in charge of 'the Government school at Mangaia, where the results achieved are remarkable considering that the school has been open less than twelve months. The native children have a wonderful aptitude for writing and arithmetic,-their writin" bein« much superior to that of pupils in our New Zealand schools, while their correctness in arithmetical exercises is extraordinary. [lathing 'in {he tepid lagoons and .lislung are favorite pastimes. The , -fish are gaudily colored, the peacock blue of the parrot fish being most conspicuous. Owing to the extreme depths, it is impossible to feel in the ordinary way when a fish is taking the bait, e.o an elongated box with a pane of glass at one of the open ends is placed on the surface of the water; looking through this "telescope" enables the fisherman to watch the fish bite and to hook it at the proper moment. The great depths of the Pacifk ore surprising, three thousand fathoms being common, while in phwes, such as the "Tongan Ditch," it reaches six thousand fathoms, which is over six miles deep. In the tropics nature is extraordinary beneficent, and so the Cook TslanderV are a carefree, happy people, ever laughing, and it is sad to reflect that the ''Corking Cares of Civilisation" Will envelop these joyous children of the "Isles of the Blest."