Shipping Impeded at Rabaul

Choked With Pumice

"DECENT reports from Rabaul state that masses of floating pumice are again impeding shipping in Rabaul Har bour and adding considerably to the cost of working cargo in that port.

The trouble was acute, early in June, when the Vulcan eruption left enormous quantities of pumice dust floating on the surface of the water. The dust caked, 20 to 30 ins. thick; and its buoyancv was so great that it would carry a man. These caked masses drifted to the top of the harbour, and made it very difficult at times for vessels to get alongside the wharves.

The position improved in August, but now is bad again. The trouble is that as soon as one mass drifts away to sea, another mass forms from the dust that is continually being blown off the newly arisen Mount Vulcan.

Another trouble is that this pumice is drawn into and clogs up the water cooling systems of the steamers and motor-vessels which use the port.