NEW POSTAGE STAMPS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVIII, Issue 246, 18 October 1927, Page 18

NEW POSTAGE STAMPS.

ISSUE OF ISLAND SERIES

New postage stamps of the denominations of 2£d for the islands of Aitutaki and Penrhyn, and of 2Jd and 4d for the islands of Niue and Rarotonga are now being issued, according to an announcement by the Postmaster-General (Hon. W. Nosworthy). The new stamps, said the Minister, were in keeping with the style of the current series of Island pictorial stamps, of which series they would form part. They would be sold at the four principal centres of the Dominion, as well as in the islands concerned. The design of the 2id stamp, which is identical for each island, has as a central figure a Rarotongan chief in ancient costume. The chief is wearing a headdress made of feathers from the fooddove (or "kukupa") and bosun bird (or "tavake"). A spear held in his left hand denotes hostility, but a fan held in his right hand denotes peace, also that he is a man of rank. The background of the stamp consists of a native hut and a clump of palm trees, while trunks of palm trees form the sides of the frame. The design of the 4d stamp, which also is the same for each island, depicts the Rarotonga harbour, and, in the background, Mount Rarotonga. As is the case ot me present Island pictorial stamps, the new stamps are printed in two colours from steel recess plates. The "predominating colours will be blue for the 2Jd denomination (as required by the Universal Postal Union Convention) and purple for the 4d denomination. % • In consequence of the new issues, the New Zealand 2Jd stamp, over-printed for the use in each of the four islands, and the-4d stamp, over-printed for use in Rarotonga, will be withdrawn on March 31 next, unless stocks become depleted in the meantime. The reproductions of the stamps appearing above are the exact size of the originals. »