COOK ISLANDS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 136, 8 June 1907, Page 5

COOK ISLANDS.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) RAROTONGA May 30. -MIS(_LXA*n'EOU:' "SOTHS. The Resident Commissioner, Colonel Gudgeon, left Karotonga by the steamer John Williams on the 7th inst. to visit the islands of the Cook group and tho Northern Islands, accompanied by Mr Savage, Govt-rnment interpreter. Sittings of the High Court will be held at the various inlands visited, and several matters of general administration requiring attention will be dealt with. The Resident Commissioner expects to return to Karotonga about the 4th June.

The .London Missionary Society's steamer, John Williams, arrived from Sydney on the 7th inst., and left the same day for tlie islands of the Cook group and the Northern Islands. The Rev. H. Bond James accompanied the steamer as tho representative of the Society. H.M.S Torch arrived from Auckland, after a long voyage of sixteen days, on tbe 19th inst., and left the next day for Tahiti, ■ where she arrived on the 2""th inst. From Tahiti the Torch proceeds to Pitcairn Island, taking Mr [Simons, the British Consul at Tahiti, to Pitcairn Island to inquire into matters there. Commander Quayle of the Torch reports having visited tbe Kennadecs on his way from Auckland. The provision depots on these islands were inspected, and found intact. On return to Tahiti the Torch will visit Christmas Island and Fanning Island, and thence on to Suva to coal. Major Large, resident agent at Mangaia, and a party of eighty Mangaians, arrived to-day frfom Mangaia for the purpose of taking part in the Taiekareka, or dancing festival on the 19th June, About 100 natives are also expected from Atiu, so that, with the local dancers, there should be over five hundred natives engaged in the festival. Many | visitors are expected from New Zealand jby the steamer leaving Auckland on the i llth June.

The rahui or embargo on the picking of cocoanuts having been removed, copra making in Rarotonga has now commenced, and it is anticipated that there will be a fair amount made this year. The coffee crop is very small, and will rot approach the returns for the previous twelve months. The yield of bananas and oranges still continues but returns from Mew Zealand markets are not satisfactory. The steamer this trip takes 200 tons of produce from Mangaia, 800 tons from Raroton _~ but only about ten tons from Aitutaki, at which island the orange crop has apparently failed. Two months from now there should be large cargoes of oranges from Atiu and Mauke. Copra makin°- at Aitutaki will start on the Ist June. HIGH COURT, MANGAIA. The resident agent reported to the Chief Judge that steps had been taken to discover the perpetrator of the outrage at the Government buildings last February, when heavy stones were, at night, thrown through the windows jof the Resident Agent's residence. Sworn declarations had been made that a cerItain European had been seen running | away from the buildings on the nit in question, just after the offence, but the Court stated that this would not be sufficient on which to base a char _ against the person namtd, who denied that he was the offender.

Four native applications for divorce were heard and granted, and the Court then adjonrasd.