Violent Eruptions

Ambrym Island in Danger

Santo, Nh, Oct. 1.

THERE is almost continuous vol canic action at Mounts Benbow and Marram, on Ambrym Island. Several new fissures have appeared.

Ashes in some places are more than 3 feet deep, and several plan tations appear to be damaged.

Much vegetation is dying off—many coconut • palms have only 2 or 3 fronds left.

Experts say that even if the erup tions decrease in intensity, the pro ductivity of most plantations is finished, or at least ruined for some years.

Most of the natives have left even those in apparently safe areas are getting ready to move to other Islands. Several plantation owners and traders have departed.

This constant volcanic action is giving colour to the belief that Am brym Island is in danger of com plete destruction.

Quake Damage In Solomons

Honiara, Oct. 1.

fTiHE earthquake which occurred X on the south coast of Guadal canal last November (1950) caused a great deal more damage that was at first realised.

A landslide between Pite and Duindui swept into the sea the whole of one side of a 2,000 ft. mountain ridge, taking with it the village of Chaunaroga. No loss of life occurred, however—the natives were so scared by the preliminary shaking that they fled into the jungle on higher ground.

All communications along most of the south coast have been wiped out. The native tracks have been rendered perilous by the uncertain formation of the ground.

A large freshwater lake, inland from the south coast, broke out to the sea; and as it has been raining incessantly for several weeks, the native villages are inundated and the native gardens have been washed away.

As if to aggravate the situation, the sharks along this coast have been more than usually active and have taken recently a heavy toll of native fishermen.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Huxley, of Madang, New Guinea, are at present in Australia on extended vacation, touring the eastern coast by car.

They spent some time in Sydney with their three children, Noya, Travers and Mike, who are at col lege. Mr. Huxley is a contractor and recently completed a new bakery for a syndicate at Madang.