Smoke Signals
Women could teach our leader a thing or two about parliament
Monday 6 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
The women’s conference to be held at Parliament later this week, ought to consider extending an invitation to PM Henry Puna, a smoke signaler says.
Same problems and lack of real solutions
Monday 6 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Complaints about speeding vehicles and bikes, the disregard for road rules and just plain idiotic behaviour on the part of drivers is unlikely to be addressed anytime soon, a smoke signaler reckons.
Write a cheque and let them get going
Thursday 2 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
The failure of government to distribute $500,000 in cash money, sitting in the bank for the benefit of inter-island shipping is astonishing.
Sponsor's jersey cover-up more than a bit embarrassing
Wednesday 1 March 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“What’s with the cover-up of SuperBrown, the sponsor’s jersey by the Avatiu Eels Premier’s team during last weekend’s grudge match, a smoke signaller wants to know.
Strategic plan for filling potholes must be next on the list
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
It was interesting reading that Infrastructure Cook Islands has spent the last year working so hard on a strategic plan for the future.
One (or more) bad apple
Tuesday 28 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller says that over the weekend he was overcome with a temptation that he reckons even Adam and Eve could not have resisted.
Good pressure? Or luck with rains
Thursday 23 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Well … just how transparent could the promoters of the $30 million dollar phase one of Te Mato Vai be, but to turn on the new pipes after heavy rain to show us how much pressure we now have?
Smoke signal about banks makes a difference
Tuesday 21 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Thanks to the person who put a smoke signal in CI News last week highlighting the need for more tellers in our local banks.
Voluntary departure rule used previously
Monday 20 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
REGARDING the option Immigration has given Mark Franklin to leave the country voluntarily, wasn’t there a recent case of the footballer from another Pacific country who was also given the option to ‘voluntarily’ leave the country after claims he allegedly acted in an overly hostile way to a young man?
Bank fees take hour's wage
Friday 17 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“After withdrawing money from the BSP ATM with my ANZ ATM card because the ANZ machine in Muri doesn’t work,
Courthouse steps never-ending job
Thursday 16 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
The never-ending saga of the courthouse steps never seems to end, a smoke signaller says.
Less haste please!
Wednesday 15 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“To the lady I spotted driving through Tupapa on Monday morning, please slow down,” a smoke signaller says.
Man on mission – for himself
Monday 13 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
The Prime Minister promised political reform after getting into power. Now after more than five years there’s absolutely nothing to show for it, except broken promises.
Meeting delays opening
Saturday 11 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Upskilling is important in public service and workshops are a good way to do this..
'Special place, special people' not quite so apt
Friday 10 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“Since when did we turn into Samoa...charging people five dollars to go to the waterfall is disgraceful,” a smoke signaller says.
Nice car Madam Secretary
Thursday 9 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
Maybe the Secretary of Health driving around in a fancy car paid for by taxpayers is not the best way to show that the ministry’s budget is not enough.
Sober choice? Maybe not
Wednesday 8 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
A drunken man, barely able to stand, was swaying around Raro Fried Chicken mid-afternoon on Sunday.
No handouts for shipping service
Tuesday 7 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“IT WAS SAD to see the one professional and dedicated server of shipping to the Pa Enua had their brand new boat stranded on the reef, by accident,
Cruel people turn blind eye to dogs
Monday 6 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
“How many starving thin skin and bone pictures of animals do we have to report and see before anything gets done about it?” a smoke signaller asks. “The land the animals that featured in CI News recently were found on belongs to someone, so report them. Charge them, put their names in the paper and shame them. A woman found the dogs because they were barking. Didn’t the neighbours hear the dogs? Someone must have known they were there, so why didn’t they help or report? It is pathetic how these people can get away with such cruelty on such a small island and no one sees or knows anything. It is time to give police the power to arrest for cruelty to animals. and as harsh as it sounds, culling may be kinder in the long run. The poor bitch dogs left to have puppies constantly should be removed from the owners and desexed immediately. And for repeat animal cruelty human owners should be offered castration or imprisonment.” LOCAL WORDS “Just to help Jaewynn McKay out in her letter on the Chamber of Commerce, the word we use in the Cook Islands is “papaanga”, not “whakapapa,” a smoke signaller says. “That would make the letter more, ahhh, “local.” TURN IT DOWN, PLEASE! Can the CIRU lovers and haters please keep it down, the leagues on. BENEFITS FOR SOME… “In the March 2000 Economic Gazette, under the heading ‘Current Court Actions’, it is recorded that MFEM was taking action against a certain retailer for the sum of $103,784.64,” a smoke signaller says. Eleven years later, on June 9, 2011, a CI News article recorded that the amount owed to MFEM from that same company was now $237,216.05. You can only wonder what the amount is today. And now the government wants to write off the penalty tax. So effectively the company will receive an interest free loan for over 17 years from the taxpayers. Is that what the Minister of Finance means by saying ‘all Cook Islanders will benefit from this’?” REDS UNDER THE BED What reds under the bed are scaring Papa Williams, a smoke signaller ponders? His attack on an Australian heading the inquiry into the multiple shootings near Titikaveka in October is bewildering, a smoke signaller says. “Williams whinges that it should have been a New Zealander heading the inquiry and that by not picking one it is a slap in the face for the Cook Islands relationship with the former colonial ruler. What is he on? Australian police have had a long relationship with Cook Islands Police and Australia’s Federal Police fund many training programmes here and through the Pacific. And his thought that the government’s choice is done purely to cover up issues is an outrageous slur upon the integrity of Dennis McDermott, a man who is a former AFP Assistant Commissioner. If Williams wants to slam the government he should make sure it is the politicians he targets, not experts who come here to help Cook Islanders.”
Charges versus those wages...
Saturday 4 February 2017 | Published in Smoke Signals
STANDING IN THE long queue at one of the banks this morning I was pondering over the bank charges for their various services and wondering...