THE COOK ISLANDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9624, 24 September 1894, Page 5

THE COOK ISLANDS.

[FROM oor own correspondent.] Rarotonga, September«l3, 1894. H.M.S. Rapid paid us a visib in August, A very short visit, and I am sure the officers and men themselves wished it longer, They arrived on the Sunday, and left on Friday following for Auckland, bo call ab the Kermadeca by the way. Pity she could nob spend a fortnight in Rarotonga, aad pay a visib to the other islands of the group. The sight of a man-of-war is always pleasant, and does good to the natives also, It keeps them and ourselves in touch with the flag and Empire.

The Rarotonga Council has meb, bub .nob yet done anything. There is much for them to do. They propose road-making, dealing with stray animals, encouraging planting, and arranging for a fair land tax on unimproved values in a rough and ready way. Their idea is to charge so much per foot frontage on all land according to position. The prevailing interesb now is in getting British money instead of the wretched Chili dollar. This has come down so low that it takes 10 to change for a sovereign. Prices are constantly fluctuating, and no one knows where he is. The man who took stock two or three months ago, and valued it in dollars at 1"45 exchange— i.e., at 145 dollars for 100 French crowns = £20, now finds he must re-value at 95, which is the latest exchange ab Tahiti, whence all the Chilian dollars come to Rarotonga. The Resident hopes to have all ready to bring into operation about the end of December the law that makes British coin the only legal tender. The natives are holding back their coffee and produce in hopes of getting British money, which they are very anxious to see re-place the Chili dollar, but as there is no sign of English money coming they are getting tired of waiting, and I fear will sell before December arrives. The delay is caused by getting the currency notes which are to replace the dollar till British money can be obtained, and by other requisite preliminaries, I think the change will tend to carry the trade in a larger degree to New Zealand, and the Resident is of the same opinion. Outsiders will then be able to buy produce who cannot do so now. They cannot compete with the trader, who adds a high exchange to the price of his goods when he sells them for dollars, and so can well afford to lose on the produce which he remits bo pay for them. Again the Richmond takes a splendid cargo of oranges from Rarotonga. They are at their best at this time of the year. The bananas, too, are very fine, and are been largely planted to meet the Auckland demand.

I was sorry to see 15,000 feet Californiau timber landed from Tahiti last week, for the church being repaired at Arorangi. They told me, on inquiry, that the timber once sent to them from Auckland, was so bad that they hare never had any since. I mention this to show that anything sent should be of good quality if the trade is to be encouraged. If nob, the Californians will fill the gap from Tahiti very quickly. Socially there is nothing to tell likely to interest you. We have welcomed back Mrs. Hutchen, wife of our resident missionary, and glad to find her health has been restored by the change. The weather here has been delightfulcool, bright, and dry. All that could be desired.