Letters for Wednesday September 22, 2021

Dear Editor,

Big and Humungous Meitaki Atupakapaka uatu ei to all road tar sealing workers making the wonderful and brilliant road connections between Vaimaanga and Rutaki, as was from Nikao to centre town, to Tupapa, to Matavera, to Muri-Ngatangiia and now Vaimaanga to Rutaki. Love and enjoy the smooth and soothing ride and drive. Excellent work boys, keep up with the good works, take your time but please hurry up, make it all around Rarotonga, we still have the in roads and back road yet, only Takuvaine and Titikaveka have the best so far. Big high fives and high salutes to you all road tar sealers, bridge builders, and certainly not forgetting the ongoing forever and ever till Jesus returns rubbish collectors, road cleaners and pothole fillers - keeping Raro clean and tidy, praying much for you all. Tei mua uatu ei kotou. Amene!

Bishop Tutai Pere

I write to compliment Rod Dixon, columnist for his rich historical publication going back several hundred years ago.  It is good to know that a Tahitian called John Henry Marsters fought in the battle of Waterloo in 1815. 

That a Rarotongan called Kiro saw Queen Victoria and the Duke of Wellington at a parade in London in 1846 with Napolean’s empty throne.  That a part Mangaian, James Conant, son of a Mangaian woman and American father fought for Abraham Lincoln in the American Civil War in 1867 is so amazing.

Best of all the warrior Aitutakian seamen and other Cook Islanders services as seamen all over the world was previously unheard of.  

The feats of Aitutakian rowers winning whaleboat races in Sydney Harbour is another first to know.  Outer islanders power in rowing and cargo handling made them in high demand in the First World War.  

Rarotongan planters only had plough and horses to work with, the result is that they were tough and hard as granite.   Try propping against those hard shoulders in a rugby scrum and you will feel pressed by a compressor.

The Puakeri family story about a young kidnapped Mangaia whaler, finally getting back home with his Spanish anvil is like a Robert Louis Stevenson novel, fantastic reading.

Lastly my wife and I are delighted to view photographs of some of my wife’s Aitutaki ancestors, great grandfather Tima, great grand uncles Metuatini and Pere.  

We are uncertain exactly where they are in the lineup and would appreciate a little clarity if you can, later Rod.   Great writing Rod Dixon, keep up the good work and please cite your references.

 Norman George