The Cook Islands.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXI, Issue VII, 15 August 1903, Page 461

The Cook Islands.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) RAROTONGA, July 28. FEDERAL COUNCIL. The Federal Council of the Cook and Northern Island' met at Rarotonga on the 20th inst. under the presidency of the Resident Commissioner, Colonel Gudgeon. C.M.G. The following ordinances were passed:—The Fencing Ordinance, the Schools Ordinance and the Traders License Extension Ordinance. The Fencing Ordinance deals with the question of dividing fences between European occupiers of land in Rarotonga and follows the provisions of the New Zealand Fencing Aet of 1895. Native landowners and occupiers are not affected by the ordinance. The ordinance only applies to the island of Rarotonga, but its provisions may be extended to other islands by proclamation. The Schools Ordinance makes it imperative on all children between the ages of seven and thirteen to attend school, the parents of children not attending being liable to be fined. The Traders License Extension Ordinance extends the provisions of the Traders License Aet of 1898 to the islands of Manihiki. Rakahanga, and Pukapuka. The ordinances have been transmitted to New Zealand for the assent of the Governor. THE GOVERNMENT SCHOONER. The Government schooner Countess of Ranfurly arrived here from Auckland via Niue on the 11th inst- with a full cargo. After discharging at Rarotonga she visited Mangaia, and took on board some 15 tons for Auckland, returning to Rarotonga on the 18th inst. After shipping some 40 tons of cargo for the group she left Rarotonga for Mauke, Ttiu, Manuae and Aitutaki on the 22nd inst. She is expected back at Rarotonga to-morrow, and will have immediate despatch for Auckland via Niue with a good cargo of lime juice and copra. According to a circular just issued by the secretary of the Government Schooner Department, it is intended to keep the vessel in the Auckland, Niue and Rarotonga trade, including three trips round the Cook Group until the end of the year, when the schooner will visit Penrhyn and the Northern islands, and an approximate time-table has been framed accordingly. It is felt by traders here that there now being some certainty of the vessel’s running they will be better able to avail themselves of the opportunities of using her. It is rumoured that it is the intention of the Nino Government to contribute a small subsidy in aid of the schooner so as to ensure the vessel calling at that island regularly. MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS. The marriage of Miss Constance Vivian Gudgeon, second daugnter of Colonel Gudgeon, C.M.G.. Resident Commissioner. to Mr F. E. Digbv Smith, local representative of the Union Steamship Company of New Zealand, took place at the London Missionary Society’s church on the 18th inst., the ceremony being performed by the Rev. W- N. Lawrence. The wedding was a very quiet one. The Resident Commissioner, Colonel Gudgeon, accompanied by Mr H- M. Con nal. surveyor, left Rarotonga by the Countess of Ranfurly for Aitutaki. where they will remain for some weeks holding sittings of the Land Titles Court. During the absence from Rarotonga of Colonel" Gudgeon. Resident Commissioner. the sittings of the High Court will be presided over by Pa Ariki, Judge, assisted bv Mr E. Blaine. Registrar. The Collector 'of Customs, Mr T. R. Herd, will act for the Resident Commissioner in other matters. The weather during the past month has been generally fine with occasional seasonable rain. The orange and banana trees are looking much better and freer from insect pests than they have been for some years past. Copra making has just begun, but the yield this year in Rarotonga will not surpass last year’s owing to the low price (Jd per lb) which is being offered locally- The steamer will call next month at Atiu and Mauke, when the orange crop of those islands will be available. Mr A. B. Roberton, of the firm of Heather. Roberton and Co.. Auckland, was a passenger by the Countess of Ranfurly, and is visiting all the islands of the Group. Mr Roberton expresses himself as greatly pleased with the future trade prospects of Rarotonga.