Bsi Sulphur Deposits

Valueless

From Our Own Correspondent

Honiara, July 24.

THE BSIP Government Geologist, Mr. J. C. Grover, in company with Messrs. Bill Higgins and Charlie Bird, recently visited the sulphur deposits at Paraso on Vella La Vella.

Mr. Grover said, on his return, that this deposit, which has received some publicity in Australia as a possible source of sulphur, is of no economic importance. The region, however, is interesting in itself, as in over a square mile of country, there are flat areas of barren hot ground, spectacular with boiling and spluttering pools of grey mud, and gently hissing vents of vapours con taining hydrogen sulphide, around which almost pure sulphur crystals are deposited in yellow encrusta tions.

With reduction in the pressure of the vapours, these crusts have in many cases sealed over, and present the anpearance of a solid surface.

As a consequence it was necessary in some places, to test the ground ahead, and for all personnel to proceed in single file. Gases bubbling into the water rendered some of the streams almost un bearably hot, as was most of the ground underneath the atmosphere cooled surface.

Boiling mud pits were scattered through the dense vegetation bordering this area. Some photo graphs were obtained of the phenomenon which is explained as the final stage of post-volcanic activity in this area.

Lying at anchor during the night about I mile offshore, and exposed to a cold gaseous mist smelling strongly of hydrogen sulphide, the ship was covered with a stagnant scum, and white paintwork became blackened by chemical action. It was necessary to scrub down the ship the following day.