Interesting Development

Natives Drying Copra

In N.G.

OOMETHING of a stir has been caused among traders in the Rabaul district of New Guinea by the development of the ccpra-drying industry in native villages.

The movement started a year ago, when certain Europeans introduced a.small hot air drier to the natives of one village, and showed them how to use it. The natives quickly learned how to produce first quality copra, and the industry spread quickly.

The drier pictured here puts through half a ton of No. 1 grade in a day, and was designed for the natives by Mr. T. V.

Wallace, of Walaur, Rabaul. Since then, driers of the same design, capable of dry ing from one to three tons per day, have been erected in several places.

At first, traders resisted the move, as

it threatened very seriously to dislocate normal business. But now it appears that it is of some general benefit, as it has added considerably to the natives’ pur chasing power. Within the past year, for instance, they have bought seven or eight lorries, each costing £3OO, for carrying in loads of coconuts to the driers, and carting the bagged copra to Rabaul and Kokopo.

Top: Wife of the drier’s owner arranging the cut copra on the beds, ready for sliding into the drier.

Bottom: Hot-air drier designed for natives by Mr. T. V. Wallace.