HURRICANE IN COOK GROUP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 18 February 1935, Page 4

HURRICANE IN COOK GROUP

EXTENT OF DAMAGE INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE (By Telegraph—Press Association' WELLINGTON. This Day. With a view to investigating the nature and extent of damage caused by the recent hurricane in the Cook Islands, arrangements have been made by the Department of External Affairs for the American vessel Golden Bear to call at Palmerston Island, about which particular anxiety is felt. The Golden Bear, which is bound from United States ports to New Zealand, is expected off Palmerston Island on Wednesday. Her captain will report by wireless on the state of affairs and should that indicate assistance is necessary, it is probable the lighthouse steamer Matai will leave for the group late this week. A doctor will leave Wellington by the Makura. for Rarotonga to-morrow to assist Dr. E l . P. Ellison, resident medical officer. The steps being taken are on precautionary grounds, particularly in view of the isolation of many islands in the Cook Group. If tiie Matai makes tile trip she can also transport a number of lepers on the various islands to Makogai leper station. MEDICAL OFFICER TO GO This Day. Colonel F. Dawson, assistant Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury and Westland, has received advice that iie is t& proceed at, once to Rarotonga to lend assistance in the work of rehabilitation on the island. Colonel Dawson will leave Wellington tomorrow by the Makura.