Walpole Island

Guano Industry Ceases

THE contract with Austral Guano Co., Ltd., of Walpole Island (New Cale donia) entered into in 1934 by a New Zea land firm for supplies of guano has not been renewed, and work there has ceased.

Recently the Loyaute (Societe des Isles Loyalties) left Noumea to pick up the Aus tral Company’s employees (several Euro peans and about 80 natives) and some of the plant, to be returned to New Cale donia.

Negotiations have been in progress with other Auckland interests in order to con tinue the exploitation of the Walpole Island deposits, but it is understood that the dealings were abortive. The agent of the Osaka Shosen Kaisha Co., of Japan, informed the Auckland group that should the Walpole guano industry be revived his firm, which is contemplating a shipping service between Japan and New Zealand via Noumea, could make satisfactory transport arrangements for the carriage of guano between Walpole and Auckland.

Lying about 150 miles south-east of Noumea, Walpole Island is 2\ miles long by \ mile broad, and contains 310 acres. It is a flat limestone rock, covered by rich deposits of guano. There are no indigen ous natives; the employees of the Austral Co. are mostly kanakas, Javanese, and Tonkinese.

Ships tie up to strong moorings in Wal pole Bay, where there is ample depth of water, and are loaded from 5-ton punts.

Mr. G. A. Carswell arrived in Suva, Fiji, by the Aorangi on March 6 to take up duties as assistant master at the Levuka Public School.