A port for pineapples
(N.Z. Press Association)
WELLINGTON, May 12. The tiny island of Atiu, in the Cook Islands group, has staked its economic future on pineapples, and New Zealand Army engineers will shortly play the trump card to guarantee that stake.
Thirty engineers will arrive in Atiu early in June to build a new harbour, to give the island an allweather outlet for pineapple exports. The existing landing at the island can take only small surf boats, which ferry fruit to vessels offshore. The landing is subject to frequent heavy surging, and the boats can-
not work in rough conditions.
The engineers, who will take about 500 tons of equipment with them, will modify and improve the harbour and its facilities to enable motorised barges to use the harbour, even in rough weather. The Department of Maori and Island Affairs has allocated $300,000 for the project.. Atiu, only 11 square miles, lies 116 miles northeast of Rarotonga. It has a population of 1500. Its pineapple production, 1360 tons this year, is expected to increase to about 5000 by next year.
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Bibliographic details
Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33532, 13 May 1974, Page 2
Word Count
181A port for pineapples Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33532, 13 May 1974, Page 2
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