COME ON, SMOKE IT!

BIG FISH

“Who signed the European Union Cook Islands fishing deal?” a Smoke Signaller asks. “The Minister of the Ministry of Marine Resources may like to enlighten the public. I presume that there is a paper trail authorising the signing of these documents. Or do we have the tea lady heading off to Brussels to sign on behalf of the Crown?”

PHANTOM ISLAND?

Tommy Wennerstierna writes: “I've researched islands in the South Pacific and came across what seems to be an island east of Tamarua that has no name on Google Earth and is not accepted by my AI [Artificial Intelligence] as existing.  I thought that reaching out and asking someone about this was legitimate.  I’m very curious about it. It's unlikely that there would be an undiscovered island between the Cook Islands and French Polynesia? Let me know your thoughts.” Smokies: Looking at your AI output it seems there is a discrepancy between your prompt coordinates and the actual coordinates of  Îles Maria (21° 48′ 0″ S, 154° 41′ 0″ W). Per Wikipedia: Îles Maria or simply Maria, also known as Hull Island, is a small coral atoll...its original name is Nororotu. The nearest island is Rimatara situated 205 kilometres (127 miles) to the ESE. According to Polynesian legend, the uninhabited island was discovered by Chief Ama'itera'i of Rurutu in ancient times. It was made a place of exile by King Teuruarii IV and his mother and regent Taarouru. The island was also claimed by the neighbouring island kingdom of Rimatara. So sorry Tommy, you can’t claim it!