Hebrides.

Minerals In New

Results of Prospecting.

UP-TO-DATE practically nothing is known about the mineral wealth of the New Hebrides, and few steps have been taken to ascertain anything.

In 1930 Mr. B. Dunstan, Chief Gov ernment Geologist of Queensland, paid a short visit to the islands, connected with the sulphur deposits on Yanua Lava, and he expressed the opinion that the geological formation of New Hebrides, as far as he had seen, showed no reason why mineral wealth should not exist.

Acting on this opinion Mr. A. Donald Fraser, a settler of over 25 years’ stand ing, with a thorough knowledge of the Islands, and also being well versed in mining matters, has for the last two years been actively engaged in making various studies and assays in the in terior of certain islands.

The results of his efforts have been distinctly promising. Gold had been found in two different localities; one a very large outcrop, tracable for a con siderable distance, giving a surface assay of 1½ dwts. gold and 18 dwts. silver to the ton; and the other a small reef, giving, at a depth of ten feet, 19 dwts. gold, and 4 ozs. silver to the ton —both showing traces of copper.

Some good samples of nickel have been obtained, and a deposit of alluvial chrome of considerable extent have been found. Another interesting find is an important deposit of amblygonite, a substance that contains lithium.

Some good samples of copper have been unearthed and also cinnabar and molybdenite.

All these finds warrant further inves tigation, particularly the gold. Unfor tunately, the New Hebrides do not possess any mining laws of any description and, being under joint jurisdiction, it probably will be a rather difficult and lengthy affair for the two Governments to come to a mutual

understanding- in the matter. Again, there is the question of land titles, as outside of Vate these are non-existent.

However, the time seems ripe for consideration of the mining industry and, as investigations on a larger scale are likely soon to be undertaken, it is evident that some laws will have to be framed for the protection of an in dustry that may prove a source of wealth to the Condominium.