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RAROTONGA

LOCAL RESIDENT’S IMPRESSIONS. Mr E. Fisher, who resigned his position as engineer of the Palmerston North River Board some weeks ago, because of ill-health, has returned to Palmerston North from a. recruiting trip to Rarotonga, greatly benefited by his sojourn there. Mr Fisher, who intends to visit the thermal regions shortly, had some interesting observations to make regarding his trip. The island of Rarotonga, he said,” is regarded as .the most beautiful and picturesque island of the southern Pacific group of the Cook Islands. The population is about 5000, chiefly natives, with less than 200 Europeans. There are five well established native villages on the island. Generally the native" wliares are thatched with the leaf of the cocoa tree and the nuts provide an important part of their food. To the visitor the great variety of luxuriant natural scenery is most beautiful and interesting. The native flowering trees bloom abundantly and are large and of various bright shades of colour. The bloom of the water lillies on the inland lagoons present a magnificent sight. Brightly coloured foliage is also much in evidence. The beautiful and profuse blooms of the hibiscus in many shades of colour adorn the homesteads and recreation reserves. The bowling and tennis clubs have well appointed greens, set in beautiful surroundings and visitors are made welcome and invited to join in play. The great coral reef surrounding the island is a very attractive and inspiring feature, and the "rich blue and green coloured waters of th© spacious lagoons within the confines of the reef are a very beautiful spectacle indeed. There arc wonderful specimens of corai to be found on the reefs, the boom of the breakers on which are never-to-be-forgotten elements oi island life, Mr Fisher added. The greater part of the island is high country, rising about the centre to several very precipitous peaks, the highest being 2100 ft. above sea level. There is also a distinctive landmark in tlie form of a perpendicular column of rock (known-as The Needle) rising to a height of 200th, and can bo seen well out to sea. Ine average annual rainfall is about 80 inches. Beautiful creeks and streams issue from the hills and provide an abundant supply of good water, and the inhabitants are given an unrestricted high pressure water supply from these creeks by means of an intake gravitation scheme combined with an individual septic tank slystem of sewerage, which means much to the health of the natives. The sanitary system is quite satisfactory and the health oi the populace is good. There is a well equipped hospital and ample educational facilities for the children. A native child welfare organisation ynder the direction and supervision of Dr. Ellison is doing excellent work and a big decrease in infant mortality is recorded. LAND CULTIVATION. The la.nd is freely utilised in small areas by the natives under the authority and direction of the Administrator. The chief products exported are copra, coconuts, citrus fruit, bananas and tomatoes, for which rather unprofitable prices are received. Pineapples, mangoes, paw paws, taro, arrowroot, kumeras, coffee, cocoa, cotton and kapoc are also grown, but not for export. The old orange plantations are in a more or less depleted state of production and a start has been made to replace them with young trees under the direction and control of the chief fruit inspector, Mr Boucher, who had told Mr Fisher there would be a complete revival in the orange production in five years’ time. All cargoes in and out have to be lightered to the steamer; this work is entirely done by tlie natives. There is a well maintained level road round the island, which reflected much credit on Mr H. Williams, forema.li of public works. This road is about 20 miles in length, and is set in an avenue of luxuriant green trees, making a most delightful motor drive, Mr Fisher said. There is a considerable number of motor cars in use by the Europeans; also a good number of motor trucks are used by tlie natives in transporting their produce to the wharf. A considerable number of horses and four wheeled brakes are used by the natives. The horses,are small and m-ost of them are in poor condition. There are very few cows on the island ; only sufficient to provide milk for the white, people and native babies Gnats are also kept by the natives. There are no sheep on the island. Tlie meat supply comes from New Zealand in a frozen state and is kept in a freezing plant on the island. The island pastures do not seem to be suitable for stock. New Zealand grasses have been tried out but have tailed. The average annual minimum shade temperature is 70dec. and the maximum about KXkleg. The native sporting life on the island consists of football and cricket, which they are keen to indulge in. Socially they are very fond of community singing and amuse themselves in the evenings in groups at the villages. They are very entertaining in their native costumes in dancing and singing at concerts given by them. They put on a splendid performance and dinner at the king’s palace for the welcome to and reception of Rt. Hon. G. W. Forbes and party, which was heartily enjoyed by all present, one of the company being Mr Fisher. The public affairs of the island are admirably administered by the Resident Commissioner, Mr Ayson, and his staff, which is amply reflected in the apparent contentment and happiness of the native people, the Palmerston North visitor added. There is also an elective island council representing the two races in local interests.

“The island is not immune from stream erosion troubles and my advice was sought thereon and much appreciated. 1 am very pleased with my experience of the island and 1 have formed the opinion that as a winter resort for tourists much could be done in making it more attractive by providing more adequate and a better standard of accommodation than at present offers,” the visitor concluded.

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Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/MS19330919.2.19

Bibliographic details

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 250, 19 September 1933, Page 2

Word Count
1,010

RAROTONGA Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 250, 19 September 1933, Page 2

RAROTONGA Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 250, 19 September 1933, Page 2