The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-07-16

kept out of the other islands. On
Rarotonga however, the needs of the
foreign population seem to the resident
to make prohibition impossible, ard
law was passed, the intention of which
apparently was to so regulate the traffic
that, while foreigners could get all they
wanted. the natives might be prevented
from getting any, except by special
permit. Whatever was the intention
of those who framed the law, it has
l. signally failed as means of protect
ing the natives. One of the most seri-
Gus troubles at the time of our visit
was that, in consequence of the facility
with which the law could be evaded,
drunkenness was seriously on the in
crease. The natives have also, unfor-
tunately, learned TO make orange beer
and its use is largely on the increase
though 1t is Illicit, parties of yong
people going off into the woods at night
with barrel, and having an orgie
The advance of the Rarotongans i'm
civilization is manifested in better
ways than the growth of the love of
strong drink, or even the acquisition OF
houses, horses and sewing machines
We found a small hospital had been
established by the native government
and young Scotch doctor was in
charge of it as medical officer for the
group.
We were greeted Immediately after
landing, and as we crossed a small
stream which seemed to be a boundary,
by a welcome shouted in a stentorian
voice by Tepou, the native chief justice
on behalf of Queen Makea, the repre-
sentative of the most powerful tribe
on the island. On the way to the mis-
sion house we passed, by short Cut,
through her majesty's grounds and paid
her an informal visit of greeting. We
found her a gentle-mannered, kindly
faced woman, of truly regal proper
TONS and her husband, who is the
ariki, or chief of the island of Atiu, is
a man of a size worthily to support
his royal consort. Makea it should be
said, is not a personal name but is the
patronymic of the royal house. We
had several opportunities of seeing
Queen Makea subsequently to this, and
were Impressed with her evident anxiety
to promote the best interests of her
people. Before we left the island we
paid her special visit, by her own re-
quest, to discuss the drink traffic. On
this occasion we had an amusing illus
tration of the mingled simplicity and
dignity of royalty in those sunny isles.
We approached the private house of
the queen from the rear by the path
from the mission house and saw her
on the veranda in the midst of her
maidens, experimenting their work in
the manufacture of one of those enorm-
GUS mats winch are uSeU as carpets,
and in the manufacture of which the
Rarotongans are experts. She judici-
ously failed to see us, and we passed
around to the front door without CIV
ing any sign that we had recognized
her. She must, however have sent off
an attendant at once to open the Off
cial residence, which is a large bunga-
low close by. A minute or two after
we were told that we should find the
queen at the palace. There we were
ushred into a large room, furnished in
European fashion, and had scarcely
seated ourselves when the quen and her
consort came in and received US most
graciouSly s.-
Our time was very largely occupied
during our visit on business connected
with the Mission, but the peopel were
very anxious to have an opportunity of
giving their visitors a public welcome
The greater part of one day was there
fore set apart for this purpose, and
gave us an opportunity of seeing under