COOK ISLANDS THE ADMINISTRATION

Evening Post, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 73, 27 March 1914, Page 7

COOK ISLANDS THE ADMINISTRATION

STATEMENT BY MIL H. W. i NORTHCROFT i "EVERYTHING PROCEEDING SATISFACTORILY." " THE RECENT HURRICANES. Mr. H. W. Northcroft, N.Z.C., Resident Commissioner of the Cook Islands, arrived in Wellington from Rarotonga by the Moana yesterday. To a Post representative to-day, Mr. Northcroft stated that he has come on a visit to New Zealand chiefly for health reasons. When he went to the Cook Islands he had an attack of illness common to new arrivals, and, acting on medical advice, he arranged to come to New Zealand for a change. He made it a condition of accepting the appointment of Resident Commissioner that he should have six weeks' annual leave. THE GOVERNOR'S VISIT. Although really on his 'annual leave, Mr. Northcroft, while in 'Wellington, will confer with the Minister in charge of the Cook Island administration, Hon. Dr. Fomare, with reference to the approaching trip of His Excellency the Governor to the Cook Islands. As other governors have done, Lord Liverpool desires to visit these distant parts of the Dominion, of which he is the King's representative. Lord Liverpool will be accompanied by Hon. Dr. Pomare, Minister in charge of the Islands administration, and the Hon. A. L. Herdman, Minister of Justice. It was suggested that in addition to visiting Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Mangaia, Atiu, Klauke, and Mitiaro, that His Excellency should extend his trip to the northern islands — namely, Penrhyn, Manihiki, and Rakahanga, but as these islands are distant from 400 to 700 miles from Rarotonga, it is doubtful whether the voyage can be made within the time the Governor can be absent from New Zealand. So that it is probable the Governor's visit will be confined to the nearer group. Mr. Northcroft has arranged to be back at the Cook Islands a fortnight before the arrival of the Governor, and will make the necessary preparations for a suitable reception being accorded to His Excellency, who will leave New Zealand about 19th May. DESIRE FOR SCHOOLS. Mr. Northcroft states that everything is proceeding satisfactorily at the islands. The burning question with the natives is the desire to have schools where their children can be taught English. THE HURRICANE: GRAPHIC NARRATIVE. A destructive hurricane struck the Islands on"the 9th January. Many native houses were blown down, and much damage was done to the orange and other crops. At Aitutaki early on the 9th January the barometer showed a very bad glas3, and ran down very rapidly, although there was very little wind during the after ioon. Messages were sent out to. the variojs villages for the n to prepare for the worst. Between midnight and 1 a.m. the fui* fury of the storm was felt, and houses were swept down like nine-pins. Peeling anxious as to the welfare of the Sisters of Mercy, the Acting-Resi- ' dent Agent, Mr. T. Duncan, attempted to leave his house to render them assistance^ but found it impossible to face the fury of the wind and flying sheets of iron. Messrs. Low and Gell'ng rescued them, and they were eventually given shelter in a new house. The Govenment building (Courthouse and Post Office) was ruined, only the walls remaining. The whole roof carried away, landing in the Court-rSom and Agent's office, smashir.g everything underneath. The wharf came in for a very severe handling, and considerable damage was done, a portion of the tramline being bodily removed. The gates at the wharf were blown down, and the sea entered the shed, piling the trucks up on the concrete flooring. The Cook Islands Trading Company appeared to be the chief sufferers — stock being damaged to the extent of about ! £1000. The whole ol the Island of Aitutaki was in a pitiable condition and was changed from a fertile island into a scene of desolation. It was a fortunate thing that Mr. Low possessed a barometer, as it was only thorugh that that the Acting-Resi-*dent Agent was able to give warning to the various villages. All the islands- in the southern group suffered severely from the hurricane. It is also known that Manihiki and Rakahanga in the north were affected, but no definite information has been received in respect to Penrhyn. RELIEF FOR THE SUFFERERS. IMMEDIATE STEPS TAKEN. Immediate steps were taken by the Resident Commissioner to succour the sufferers from the hurricane. Two months' food was sent to the Islands of Manihiki and Rakahanga. Arrangements were also made for the schooner Huanui to take up timber, additional food, and other necessaries. In fact, Mr. Northcroft says he did everything that could possibly be done to alleviate any distress following the disastrous storm. "I do not think the hurricane has done as much damage as was at first thought," remarked Mr. Northcroft. " There will be a shortage for a time in the orange crops on Mauki, Atiu, and Aitutaki ; but the trees may come on later. " Where we find a shortage of fruit! crops work will be provided for the natives — such as roadmaking, etc. Mi\ Northcroft says that at present there is no real suffering on the islands, th 6 necessary steps having been taken to prevent the same. The engineer, Mr. Connall, is visiting all the islands affected and is doing whatever is necessary.