Giant Snails In Usa

THE United States Pacific coast — this time, Portland, Oregon— has had another giant snail scare. They got in amongst goods shipped from Guam and caused panic among customs inspectors who, however, appear to have lo cated and destroyed all the pests.

The US Federal Bureau of Plant Quarantine has had a busy time since the reoccupation of former Jap-held islands in the Marshalls and Caroline Groups.

So far, they appear to be winning Operation Snail, but the danger will continue so long as any of the pests remain in the Islands.

Although the giant snails were firmly established in New Britain and New Guinea by the Japs dur ing the war, and still flourish there, there has been no record of their having reached the Australian mainland. It might be thought that they so readily migrate to the Pacific seaboard of the United States they would also find the Queensland coast to their liking.

A new Crown Solicitor andJ Public Trustee, Mr. W. F. Wilson,, arrived recently in Apia accom panied by his wife and three; children. He has served many years in the office of the Legal Division! of the Public Trust Office, Welling ton, NZ.