Kauri From New Caledonia

Letter to the Editor.

THE report in the “Pacific Islands Monthly”, just published, is somewhat incorrect, and credits us with an in terest in the New Caledonian Kauri timber industry to which we are not en titled.

It is true that shipments of kauri pine logs are now reaching Australia regu larly, but the principal carrying steamer in the trade is the S.S. “Neo Hebridais’’, which is owned by Societe Maritime et Miniere Hagen (Mr. N. Hagen), Noumea, and for whom H. C. Sleigh are the Sydney agents. To cater for this log trade, the S.S. “Neo Hebridais” has been fitted with special cargo gear, which is capable of lifting logs weighing up to eight tons.

The timber is produced by Societe

Forestiere, whose Sydney agent is Mr.

Norman Hardie, and for whom Mr. N.

Hagen is the agent in New Caledonia.

The S.S. “James Cook”, which is owned by H.C.S. Coasters Pty., Ltd., recentlv leaded a cargo of kauri logs at Noumea for Sydney. The cargo was exceptionally good quality, and was very favourably commented on by members of the Sydney timber trade.

For the sake of accuracy, we would appreciate a correction in your next issue.

I am. etc.,

H. C. Sleigh.

Sydney, August 19. 1938.

Mr. John H. Bradshaw, of New Guinea Goldfields, Ltd., Golden Ridges, Wau, New Guinea, died in hospital in August from blackwater fever.