The Cook Islands.

The Cook Islands proper are situated between the 18th and 22nd parallels of south latitude, and the 157th and 160th meridians of west longitude. They comprise eight islands: Rarotonga, Mangaia, Atiu, Mauke, Mitiaro, Aitutaki, Takutea, and Manuae (Hervey).

Takutea and Manuae are small. Manuae and Te-Au-o-Tu are enclosed in one reef, and were originally named the Hervey Islands by Captain Cook on his second voyage. The name of the Hervey Islands is frequently applied to the Cook Group.

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The above islands are usually referred to as the Lower Group, to distinguish them from the Northern Group, both groups having been annexed and placed under the New Zealand Administration in 1900. The Northern Islands are Palmerston, Suwarrow, Danger (Pukapuka), Manihiki, Rakahanga, and Penrhyn (Tongareva).

Both groups are administered from Rarotonga, Judge H. Ayson being the Resident Commissioner. The population of the Lower Group is about 7,791. Of late years it has shown a slight increase.

The Royal Mail steamers running between Wellington and San Francisco call monthly at Rarotonga, both coming and going. During the winter months a Union Steam Ship Company's boat calls at Rarotonga and the various Islands of the Lower Group to ship fruit.