Cocoa Beans

Market Sought for N.G. Product

interests are making a very strong effort to organise in Australia a market for cocoa beans from New Guinea. It is reported that the biggest consumers of cocoa beans in Australia— confectionery makers—have displayed in difference, if not hostility, towards the New Guinea product; and a move is now afoot to urge that a tariff be placed on cocoa beans from other than Australian sources.

The most serious difficulty, however, is the poor quality of most of the cocoa beans which are sent from New Guinea.

The beans as grown compare favorably with the beans from other countries; but in New Guinea the washing and cleaning are careless in the extreme, and the fer mentation is very defective. The appear ance of the beans when opened up in Sydney, carrying too much mulch, is not attractive.

If the New Guinea Administration could establish for N.G. cocoa beans the same recognised high standard of quality that it established for copra, it will be doing the Territory a very real service.

Mr. Lauriston Sharp, Harvard University An thropological Research Scholar, is continuing his work among the Gulf tribes of the Cape York Peninsula. He will remain at the Mitchell River Mission during the ensuing wet season. Miss Ursula McConnell, of the Sydney University, who has been similarly engaged in the district, has returned South.

After spending over 12 months in the New Hebrides, Mr. A. J. Marshall, a member of the Oxford University’s South Sea Expedition, arrived in Sydney by the Morinda on September 20. He brought with him many specimens for the Aus tralian Museum.

Papuan Sugar Syndicate Ltd., having nominal capital of 990 ordinary shares of £10 each and 100 founders’ shares of £1 each, was registered in Papua as a local company in September. The company’s registered office is at the office of Mr.

R. D. Bertie, Port Moresby.