Smoke Signals
First session of parliament off to boring start
Friday 10 June 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
PARLIAMENT sure has got off to an unexciting start. In fact, the first day was downright boring and the second wasn’t any better.
Counting the cost of private schools
Thursday 9 June 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“SENDING our kids to a private school especially has become way too expensive these days,” a smoke signaller says.
Another view on Punanga Nui wall
Tuesday 7 June 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
After hearing the Punanga Nui vendors on radio being questioned on why they had the new wall built alongside the road, it is clear she meant well.
Hitch-hiking tourists travel on the cheap
Saturday 4 June 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“IF the Finance Minister is saying tourism will get a boost in the annual budget I am wondering why we are getting “cheap-as” tourists visiting our shores?” a smoke signaller says.
Move over John, James is coming
Friday 3 June 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“AFTER reading James Thomson’s letter in Thursday’s Cook Islands News, it seems to me that it would be nice if he took over the job of Clerk of Parliament from John Tangi,” a smoke signaller says.
One hazard leads to another
Monday 30 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
A NOTE and a photo from smoke signaller Kevin Cook:
Some questions about leaf-blowing MP
Friday 27 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Can someone please explain to the public what right MP George Maggie has to be holding motorists up on their way to work at 8.00am and at 4.00pm and why he can’t do his ‘blow-waving’ at a more appropriate time of day?” a smoke signaller asks.
Don't just write about it, do something
Thursday 26 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Just a thought for Ruth Horton,” a smoke signaller says.
Mail on slow boat to Aitutaki
Monday 23 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Why is it that a Bluesky invoice dated April 30 and issued about May 4 does not hit the mailbox on Aitutaki until May 18? This is an ongoing problem that we had with TCI, and the new mob are just as complacent, the invoice arriving only a day or two before the required payment date.
Nice to watch, but not over and over
Friday 20 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
It’s great that Bluesky has introduced assorted channels to air on Moana TV. But why are some of the programmes being repeated from months ago and why do we pay full price for this? I thought the advertisements were the only things on repeat.
Three could become too much of a crowds
Thursday 19 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Rumour has it that some well-meaning, but clearly naïve, person at the Justice Department appointed three lawyers to help with land matters. Never has the saying been more appropriate, “the foxes are in charge of the chicken coop.”
Transport from bars would be helpful
Wednesday 18 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“After visiting Rarotonga for the second time, it seems to me that the major part of local industry revolves around bars/food, but there is no easy way of getting to the next destination after having consumed alcohol,” a smoke-signalling visitor says.
Look at other ways of making money
Monday 16 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Whatever we do to generate revenue, stripping our already-assaulted marine environment bare for a few cents should not be part of it.
Downsides to bigger jet on LA service
Sunday 15 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
It’s great that we have a larger aircraft servicing the Los Angeles route, but how much thought was put into the revised schedule, a smoke signaller wants to know.
Advertisements just window dressing
Thursday 12 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Executive officer positions in the outer islands are being advertised. But that’s all nonsense as the “boys” have already been lined up for the job, a smoke signaller claims. “As long as you’re a CIP supporter you can get the job. That’s even if you don’t have any qualifications, like the guy who stood for CIP on a southern group island with a low population. He is already on site advising the island council.”
Keep quiet and it will all go away?
Tuesday 10 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“The prime minister has kept pretty quiet about dissent within the ranks about the controversial EU purse seine fishing deal,” a smoke signaller says. “Is it a case of saying nothing and hoping it will go away, like the Aitutaki Sunday flights referendum, perhaps?”
Watch this space
Monday 9 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“To anyone who has lived in the Cook Islands long enough and has seen the two recent smoke signals challenging government to do something with the reclaimed land for “the new Constitution Park,” such as the foreshadowed skateboard park, there might, just might, be the suspicion that a friend of government is waiting in the wings with a sweetheart deal all sewn up for a long term lease of a couple of acres of absolute lagoon-front land,” a smoke signaller says.
Events suggest cabinet in chaos
Saturday 7 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“The only explanation I can think of for cabinet ministers not reading and understanding important submissions like the EU Fisheries Agreement is their total negligence of public duty,” a smoke signaller says.
Eating wild chickens not a great prospect
Friday 6 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
Are people really advocating that we eat our wild fowl? Do we really have to eat every living thing in sight? I hope not, as my chooks are like pets which I feed and watch over fondly.
Lack of labels causes water confusion
Thursday 5 May 2016 | Published in Smoke Signals
“If a blue sticker indicates that a water station is safe to use and a red sticker indicates it’s not, what are we supposed to do when the station has no sticker at all?”