NEWS FROM AITUTAKI ISLAND.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 154, 1 July 1901, Page 3

NEWS FROM AITUTAKI ISLAND.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) ]

June 18th, 1901. !

The 25th May proved a red letter day* here, on the occasion of the visit by thd oil schooner Vaite of IGO natives from the island of Mauki. This party camej on a pleasure trip, and they brought witfr them some 60 canoes and innumerable other presents, which were all distribut* ed among their friends here. Dancing and other sports have been the order ot the day since their arrival. They show* both men and women, great perfection mi their curious and weird dances and songs while the time they keep is something wonderful, proving that they have been to great pains in their practices.

The mission schooner John Williamst arrived here on the 31st May, from Pen-* rhyn, Manahiki, and other northern is-< lands, also Mangaia and Rarotonga. Sha left again the next day for Niue, Samoa, and other stations of the London Mission Society to the westward. The Rev. Mjj Lawrence accompanied the ship.

During the trip of the vessel a nativfll missionary was stationed on a new fielSt of labour—Palmerston Island. This is* land is held under lease from the Bfit< ish Government by the Masters family., They are now rapidly extending theli" operations, and are introducing labour from here and other islands to the morel effectually work the large island whicUl constitutes this, what more rightly, should be called the Palmerston Group* There are about 12 or 13 islands, eaclil sufficiently large to support from 70 to Sfli persons. The elder Mr Masters, whiW alive, would not tolerate any strangers, living on his domains, but his sons ara taking a more progressive view of a£« fairs, and it is to hoped that theilj pluck will meet with due reward. It ia in view of this increase of population that the London Mission Society have es< tablished a station there.

On the sth May the barquentine Jer-t falcon, from Maiden Island to Niue^ Savage island, with returning labour* pasteod Manahiki. Shel returns from; Savage Island to Maiden for time expired labourers for this island. Frord( here she will go on to Melbourne withi her cargo of guano. The vessel is cxx pected during the present month.

The comet, which visited us on thfi 2nd May, after taking a good look at us and we at it, left again on the U&tti May—destination not reported. The na< tives say it was the spirit of Queen Vie* toria finally visiting her various posses-t sions.

Copra this year is tor command Eng* lish coin, In lieu of that abomination. Chili money. This is mainly due. tat Captain Harries, of the schooner Valte,, who is doing his utmost to clear out thq various islands of the group of this rutx blsh. He has been successful in Man* gala., and hopes to soon succeed in tha other islands. Ho should receive every assistance from the other traders in this work, for without doubt the usei of Chili coin has been a serious draw* back to trade.

The 'Rev. Mr Lawrence goes from herej to Rarotonga to take the place of thei Rev. Mr Hutchins, who, with his family, goes to England on a two years' furlough. The Rev. Mr Jones takes Mf. Lawrence's place at this Island. Theses two are now the only representative* of the L.M.S. in this group.