Smoke Signals
Monday 10: WHO ARE THE KINGS?
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
Larry Price says it right in his letter last week titled ‘King or the People?’ comments a smoke signaller. “He asks ‘What is your guess?’ The answer? The court won’t find it easy, but there will be lots and lots of work for the lawyers and lots of work means lotsa money! Who is King? […]
Monday 10: SAME SAME BUT DIFFERENT
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
An irate reader reports his disgust at the Minister of Finance’s statement in the budget speech that the Cook Islands faces the same challenges as countries around the world. “Not so,” says our reader. “Other countries don’t have the majority of their politicians as incompetents. Neither do they have a few collaring as many of […]
Monday 10: CONSTITUTION SURCHARGE
Wednesday 12 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A visiting couple who were in Aitutaki at the time of the August 4th Constitution Day commemoration commented on a 15 percent surcharge they were required to pay at some places. They said the 15% surcharge at restaurants was similar to what they would face on a public holiday back home, but they were a […]
3 August: Something about July?
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller suggests an interesting political study would be to investigate why over the past 25 years or so, the majority of attempts to topple a prime minister or government – apart from a general election – have come a week or two before the annual celebration of self government. Maybe some people want […]
5 August: POLITICAL REFORM?
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
What’s going on with Government’s promise after receiving the Electoral Reform Committee’s report over four years ago, a smoke signaller asks. “It goes to show that the two mainstream parties cannot be trusted and both parties have failed. People Power, where are you?”
5 August: WELCOME HOME
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller was amused to read that our Cooks team was to arrive in Rarotonga yesterday for the WYNC. “Despite having some residing Cook Islanders in the team – it is a humorous title.”
5 August: RARO SHORTIE LINES
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
Alice: “Get those shorts off!” Kip: “You, me, Raro.” Naomi: “You think I’m going to tell you our precious local (surfing) secrets?” Kip: “Can I walk you home tonight?” Naomi: “Not tonight…tomorrow morning.” $80 TO PRESS A BUTTON? What a rip off, says a smoke signaller, referring to charges of $80 for reinstating a phone […]
5 August: PAGING KIP'N'ALICE
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
It’s been over a week since they left Shortland Street to “choose life” in Rarotonga, but neither has turned up to start work at the hospital’s emergency department. Maybe they got confused and are waiting outside the Outpatients Clinic at Tupapa – as in the episode that’s been shown 2.9 times on TV – rather […]
3 August: BRRRRR!
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
You know it’s getting cold on our little Pacific island when a store in Rarotonga has room heaters for sale!
3 August: ONE LETTER
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
In reference to the article about the new synthetic track at Tereora, a sharp reader from Aitutaki asks: Were the tonnes of used motor vehicle tyres palletised, or where they in fact pelletised? Smokies: Probably both – made into pellets and then loaded onto pallets.
3 August: TOP JOB
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
Nice to see the DPM’s office engaged in employing an office/finance manager, a smoke signaller writes. “But what about advertising the CEO position? Or has someone already been earmarked?!”
3 August: PR QUESTIONS
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A smoke signaller says: “So, a few athletes may get their PR awarded so they can ‘legally’ compete in the Mini Games for a couple of weeks! What about those responsible, hardworking, honest individuals that have been law abiding citizens of this wonderful country for over five years? Not only were their applications ignored last […]
3 August: LOCKED COURTS
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A reader writes: “Recently, the tennis courts at Tereora College were upgraded, a very good job, they look spiffy. So now someone has padlocked the gates and passed the word that the gates will be opened only for ‘authorised persons’. And all these years, I thought the courts were owned by the taxpayers and all […]
3 August: LAGOON FIX
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A reader says: “Apparently there is aid money in the pot now to get a sewage system up and running in Muri. Why is yet another environmental report being done? Is this to line the pockets of a few again? We all know that our lagoon is a disaster area. Just fix it before it’s […]
3 August: BIG DEBT
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
A reader who says he’s a Cook Islander living overseas writes: “I read with great concern and alarm at the debt currently imposed on the CIs people by a government who at best can only be described as totalitarian with no regard for the long term welfare of its people. Who will pay back this […]
3 August: PAPER PASSING
Wednesday 5 August 2009 | Published in Smoke Signals
About further public service cuts, a smoke signaller writes: “The first place to start cuts is the over bloated ministerial support offices. Fifteen years ago it was one staff with abudget of $25,000. Now it’s over 10 staff with an average budget of $235,000 each! That’s a whopping $1.6 million spent on passing paper around […]