Thefts Of Cocoa And
p. 32 · Read in the full issue
Pillage Of Cargo
Samoan Planters and Traders Have New Headache
Prom Our Own Correspondent
Apia, Oct. 1.
AS previously reported, thefts from European and Government cocoa plantations have greatly increased since the rise in the cocoa price.
European planters estimate that they lose approximately 25 per cent, of their crops in this way.
Apart from the theft of cocoa-pods when gathered in the plantations in heaps, ready for opening, the dried cocoa beans are stolen out of the driers and when they are bagged ready for transport to Apia. Only on rare occasions is it possible to trace and punish the offenders.
Dishonest traders are only too ready and willing to purchase cocoa whatever its source.
Some Apia firms are suffering heavy losses by pillage at Pacific ports. When the Norwegian steamer “Thor I” arrived a few weeks ago, a large case containing 40 dozen American shirts was found to be completely empty. The theft must have occurred either on board the .ship or during the “Thor I’s” call at Tahiti.
Two new chrome mines, Claudette I and Claudette 11, have started operations in the La Coulee region of New Cale donia, about 10 miles from Noumea, on the new road leading to the Montagne des Sources. Ore-shifting machinery is being used and it is expected to lift 10,000 tons of ore.