Investigation In Vanua Lava,

Sulphur Deposits.

Investigation In Vanua Lava, New Hebrides.

AN interesting period of eight months was recently spent by Mr. D. S.

Askew, on Vanua Lava, in the Banks group, New Hebrides, in an investiga tion of sulphur deposits there. Mr.

Askew arrived in Sydney by the Morinda on August 2.

Mr. Askew said that the sulphur de posits which had taken him to Vanua Lava were extensive, and analysis had proved them to be 97 per cent. pure.

About 15,000 tons was lying on the sur face and until a proper survey had been made it was impossible to estimate what lay underground. Several syndicates, including Australian, British and French, were interested, and he had heard just before his departure that a French company was preparing to spend £40,000 in working the deposits. Diffi cult transport problems had to be over come before any of the sulphur could be shipped, as the deposits lay about three miles from the beach, and nearly 3000 feet above sea level. Between the beach and the summit of the semi active volcano on which the deposits lay was some of the roughest country he had ever seen.

The eight months Mr. Askew spent on the island were far from being a holi day. The deposits were still hot, and the atmosphere rusted tinned meats, rotted clothes, and discoloured silver money.