NOTES FROM RAROTONGA.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13641, 10 July 1906, Page 3

NOTES FROM RAROTONGA.

(FBOK Oto OWN Corbssjosmnt.) Juno 26. Tho old saying ihafc yon must go away from homo for news of yourself was exemplified in a Press Association telegram recently published in tlvo New Zealand papers, which contained tho information that a fumigating shed has been erected al. llarotonga, and also that the Fruit Committee lias not. yet agreed to ship fruit direct to the port of Wellington. So far as Wo residents know there is as yet no sign of tho fumigating shed except for the fact that a sum has been put on tho Esti-; ma'tes for this year for the purposo of building one. 'Die information about the Fruit Committee is rather misleading, for that particular body has not the slightest control over the place to where fruit is shipped, and tlierefore their consent does not enter into the question a.t all. Every man hero is a law unto himself as to w.hero ho ships, and will always be so; Iho only thing that will influenco him in deciding tho destination of his consignment is tho price he obtains for it, for he will always fillip to the port that gives the best Toturns, ae is natural. Tho projected direct servico between this group and Wellington, however, appears to bo knocked on tho head, for the presnb at anyrate, for the Union Steam Ship Company. evidently not seeing prospects of a pavablo quantity of cargo for tho extra service, asks for a subsidy of £500 per month, which the New Zealand Government, is not prepared to pay it. Tho gonoral opinion hera on the subject is this: that if the New Zealand Government has any such sum as that to sp'end it would bo expanded to much greater advairtago to this group 'by giving it direct to tho producers in some form of bonus on shipments rather than use it to subsidise' a steamer servico that will be, at tho best, of vorv doubtful benefit to the fruit trade of these islands, at anyrato for many years to oomo. A very sudden death took place hero on tho 13th'ini?t., the deceased—a photographer named M'Elwain. a white resident of many years—being found dead in his bed on the following morning. Heart diseaso was the cause. He is said to leave a wifo and two daughtore, who liye in Auckland. On her roturn; from Tahiti last trip the Taviuni was two days late reaohmg Rrtotonga, and anxiety was be i tiff felt for her safety. It. appeals she encountered rather bad weather on tho wav up, and at the i island of Raiatea. somehow got on the heaoh, and was bumping about there for 30 liours 'before she could got off. No damage apmare to have lwen done to the vessel,' A forge cargo of fruit was waiting here here, which, naturally, will not be improved' in rendition bv the extra two. (lavs' delay, Owhur to tho Quantity cli" brought from tho French islands and Aitutaki slip could not take nuite. all of ours, some 200 eases being left behind. The Hsuroto Tclurned this time in the Taviuni's place, with our old friend Captain Hut-ton in charee, half a day late through delays in Auckland.