COOK ISLAND NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXI, Issue 179, 30 July 1900, Page 6

COOK ISLAND NEWS.

(Per S.s. Taviuni.)

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

FEUIT TRADE

Although the shippers here last steamer got nothing—or next to nothing—for their fruit (the returns received barely centring cost of boxes and freight), a large shipment goes up this month by the s.s. Taviuni, comprising mostly bananas and oranges. The trouble here is the scale on some of the orange trees, which, of course, means them being examined, and in some cases fumigated at Auckland. All this is a source of extra expense to the shippers. Great complaint is made here of the apparent over-offi-cialism displayed by the fruit inspector, or inspectors, in Auckland. One feature in connection with the scale is that it only exists on the tree 3 round the two harbours on the north side of Barotonga, whilst on the eastern, western, and southern sides there is none, or in one or two instances very little scale. This appears to indicate that the scale has been introduced here. In some districts the pineapple plants show indications of having a very heavy crop this coming season. The mangoe trees are also all thickly covered with blossom. Shippers this time trust there will not be such a glut of oranges and bananas in the market as there was on the arrival of the Taviuni last time at Auckland. We should be srlad to learn whether the dark-skinned oranges, which is a sweet and luscious fruit, would have a marketable value in New Zealand. They are quite equal to the Tahiti orange.

THE JOHN WILLIAMS.

The s.s. John Williams duly arrived from Auckland on June 27, after having undergone a period of quarantine and having been thoroughly fumigated at that place.

SANITAKY PRECAUTIONS

In order to preserve the open communication between the port of Auckland and Earotonga, the Government of the Cook Islands has placed all matters connected with the health of the islands in the hands of Dr. W. B. Craig and the British Resident, and those gentlemen have resolved "that iio vessel shall be admitted to pratique that comes from any port of Australia. They regret that it is necessary to have to take these steps; but it is felt that we could not cope with the plague in these islands. The John Williams, after staying here for a day, left for Aitutaki and Mangaia, and returned again on July 6th, ultimately leaving for several islands of this group, also Penrhyn, Eakahanga, Pukapuka, and Manihiki. After this cruise she will then return here. Dr. W. B. Craig, of this place, went round in her, as none of these islands have a medical man. SHIPPING ITEMS. The Ngamaru Ariki, a locally owned schooner, arrived from Tahiti on June 28th, having on board forty-three passengers—all natives—for this group. She left again for the various islands of the group. The schooner Vaite arrived from Mitiaro, having on board forty tons, copra. I.; / PUBLIC -W^EKS. Under section 8 of the Public Works Act the Councils are empowered to call out every Maori adult in their districts to work on the roads, and the work so done has been found to be most satisfactory, the Maoris regardjn-- it as a sort of jubilee. No less than three good bridges have been built, and their last piece of work has been the road leading from the mam road to the Residency. Stone retaining walls have been built to this causeway across a very low and wet piece of land. They have been neatly plastered the whole making an exceed-inc-lv workable and useful piece of road" The lime used for this plasterine- is made by the natives themselves out of coral, and is excellent. Pa Ariki, at Natangiia, is carrying the main road past his territory, and here several bridges will be built from m .terials supplied by the Government. One of these bridges will be across the Avana stream, which at present has to be forded by all the traffic.

MONEY OEDEK CONVENTION. It has been a great source of inconvenience for some time past to traders and others that no system of remittine money existed between here and New Zealand. But on the occasion of the visit here of the Eight Hon. R. J. Seddon, a convention was drawn up and signed by that gentleman on behalf of New Zealand, and by the British Eesident of the Cook Islands, on behalf of Rarotongn. The agreement provides for a regular exchange of Money Orders between the two countries The maximum amount for which a Money Order may be drawn in either country upon the other shall be £20 sterling. The amounts deposited by the remitters and paid to the puyees of Money Orders, shall be in gold coin or any other legal money of the same current value. Each country shall keep the commission charge' on all Money Orders issued within its jurisdiction, but shall pay -to the other country one half of one per cent on the amount of such Orders. On the part of the Colony of New Zealand the Office of Exchange shall bP Auckland, and on the part of the Cook Islands the office shall be Envotongn. Tiiis Convention shall take effect on the first day of 1900 and shall continue in force until twelve months after either of the contracting parties shall have notified to the other its intention to terminate it.

GENERAL NEWS.

The Government party have just returned from the various islands of the group. They found that the laws as enacted by the Federal Parliament with the approval of Lieut.-Col. Gudgeon, British Eesident, were working adnirably. Both the white population and the Maoris were highly satisfied with and speak well of the present administration. All the natives have for the last two years been busily, occupied planting cocoanuts;* etc., on all the various islands of the group, which in a few years to come will materially increase the revenue.

There has been a slight epidemic of whooping cough amongst the infafitile poprlaiion here lately, but thanks to the health and medicnl officer it is slowly dying out. On Friday, 13th July, the eldest daughter of Mr F. Goodwin, Secretary to the Government, was married to Te Tupu Ariki, at the London Mission Society's Church by the Eev. J. J. K. Hutchin. After the marriage service was over they were driven to the bridegroom's house at Tupapa. Numerous and various gifts were re-

ciilvea "by the couple from all over the island, including Queen Makea, and all the chief Arikis, Eangitiras, and Mataiapos of the island, ■ also from most of the white residents, including the British Kesident.