COOK ISLANDS

Southland Times, Issue 22510, 19 February 1935, Page 6

COOK ISLANDS

RECENT HURRICANE. RELIEF INVESTIGATIONS. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, February 18. With a view to investigating the nature and the extent of the damage caused by the recent hurricane in the Cook Islands, arrangements have been made by the Department of External Affairs for an American vessel, the 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 that assistance is necessary, it is probable that 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. P. Ellison, the Resident Medical Officer. These steps are being taken on precautionary grounds, particularly in view of the isolation of many of the islands in the Cook Group. If the Matai makes the trip she can also transport a number of lepers on the various islands to the Makogai leper station.

MEDICAL AID OFFICER SENT FROM CHRISTCHURCH. (Per United Press Association.) Christchurch, February 18. Colonel F. Dawson, Assistant Medical Officer of Health for Canterbury and Westland, has received advice that he is to proceed at once to Rarotonga to lend assistance in the work of rehabilitation on the island. Colonel Dawson will leave Wellington to-morrow by the Makura. MATAI TO GO DEPARTURE ON WEDNESDAY. (Per United Press Association.) Wellington, February 18. According to an official announcement to-day, the External Affairs Department is despatching the Government steamer Matai to Palmerston Island of the Cook Islands Group to investigate the extent of the recent hurricane. The vessel is leaving on Wednesday with Mr S. J. Smith, secretary of the Cook Island Department, and Dr Dawson of the Health Department and is expected to reach the island in a week.