Ceylon Copra Driers in

New Guinea Inception Due to Dept, of Agriculture

From Our Own Correspondent.

Rabaul, Nov. 13.

EVERY planter appreciates —more or less—the merits of the Ceylon copra drier, and on several estates in the Ter ritory this type of drier is being intro duced: but in all fairness to the Depart ment of Agriculture here, all the credit should not be given to Burns, Philp for the idea of the introduction of the Ceylon drier. The following is quoted from the Rabaul Times, of August 10; Considerable interest is being shown in the “Ceylon” type of copra drier and the following letter, received from Mr. E. V.

O’Brien, of Madang, to the Planters’ As sociation of New Guinea, is therefore of interest. Inter alia, he writes: “I would like to say that it was due to the courtesy and encouragement given to me by the present Director of Agriculture (Mr. George H. Murray) that success at tended my efforts in producing what is Iknown as ‘Ceylon Cured’ copra in this Territory. I began this method of curing copra in the Madang district over two years ago, and my kilns were inspected twelve months and more ago by inspectors of the two main firms operating in the Territory, as well as by numerous plan ters interested. Quite a number of these kilns are now in operation in this district.

On March 21 last, the Director of Agri culture wrote to one of my managers thanking him for particulars of these types of kilns, supplied by Mr. Guthrie, Copra Inspector.

“Copra cured by Ceylon methods which I have had analysed contained less than 5 per cent, moisture and 64.79 per cent, oil of an almost transparent colour. As a result, an offer has been made to pay me a premium of 5/- to 7/6 per ton for this quality of copra, above Rabaul Plan tations Hot Air quotations in the Sydney Morning Herald. It is hoped to secure a much higher price when the quality be comes known and shipments are up to sample.

“The above facts are mentioned with a view to encouraging members of our Association to endeavour to produce this quality of copra throughout the Territory, so as to secure highest prices for their product. Also, let you know of the valuable assistance I received from the Director of Agriculture in producing this quality of copra.”

Mr. O’Brien’s driers cure 9½ and 5 tons per week, and the average number of units employed is 17 per ton.