N. Guinea

Giant Snails In

Introduced by Japs at Kavieng, Rabaul and Madang

IN November, Mr. E. J. Wauchope, of Madang, arrived in Australia with the depressing news that the "iant snails, released by the Japs in various parts of the Mandated Territory as a potential foodstuff, had taken possession of an area on Hansa Bay, west of Madang.

The PIM had just gone to press; and, as it was urgent that the news be re leased, and the alarm sounded, we intro duced the “Sydney Morning Herald” to Mr. Wauchope. The news was published all over Australia, and it was hoped that High Autnority recognises its grav ity.

This makes the third area of infesta tion in the Territory. The Japs released the snails at Kavieng (north end of New Ireland) and near Rabaul (eastern end of New Britain); and in each case the creatures have increased enormously, and are advancing across country en masse, destroying much of the most valuable veg etation as they go. This was known months ago.

The appearance of the snails on the mainland of New Guinea was unexpected, and very alarming. There is nothing to stop the spread of the pest, and New Guinea, next to Greenland, is the largest island in the world.

Mr. Wauchope reported that the snails were in an area some two miles- by two miles; that they were in incredible num bers. ranging from tiny crawlers to shell backs eight and nine inches long; and that —like those in Kavieng and Rabaul— they were eating all vegetation in their path—showing a particular liking for young paw-paw plants, and the kaukau (sweet potato) of the native gardens.

They even eat the coarse creeping plants which grow just behind the beaches.

Japs may eat the snails; but they are scorned by the New Guinea natives, and even the natives’ pigs—notorious scaveng ers —reject them. The Japs boiled the creatures in their shells, and then dug them out and ate them, with vinegar.

The snails have no natural enemies in the Mandated Territory, and if the in

festation is not checked, native agricul ture—upon which the natives depend for a large proportion of their food—will be •gravely affected. The Administration’s Department of Agriculture is giving the matter urgent attention, but there is, as yet, no indication of what measures will be taken to check the plague.

It is reported that a firefly, found in Zanzibar, is a natural enemy of this snail, and that the Administration proposes to try this insect as a means of ccontrol.