Solomons’ Valuable

Kauri Production

ALTHOUGH there is a large, growing and profitable demand in Australia for the fine kauri timber of Vanikoro (Southern Solo

mons), the Vanikoro Timber Co., is gravely handicapped by difficulties in getting European staff and native labour, and in obtaining transport for its products.

When the MV Lautoka called at Vanikoro recently, to load Ik mil lion feet of kauri, she was the first

overseas vessel to load there sinct November, 1950.

The company maintains a staf of 14 Europeans at Vanikoro, in cluding engineers, tractor drivers timber cutters, office workers, etc, and pays them £BO per month; bu very few Europeans stay longer thai one year—they prefer to get ou then and pay their outward fare o £75, rather than remain for anothe year and enjoy leave at the com pany’s expense. Since the compan; resumed operations after the wa over' 36 employees have departe and only one returned.

The company spent over £BO,OO after the war on heavy plant an equipment, and in linking the poi with the kauri forests by means c a fine road, 4 miles long; and it i estimated that, in full operatior and without too much rain, it ca produce 3 million feet per annum, The Lautoka took to Vanikor for towing logs and general servid a tug-boat 35 ft. long, 12 ft. bean powered with an 80 HP diesel. Th: is proving very useful.

Cost of living at Vanikoro is higl Eggs by recently chartered plan< cost 10/6 dozen; fresh butter in per lb; potatoes 2/8 lb. Ordinal letters from Sydney are charge at the rate of 1/6 lb., and parce 3/6 per lb. One employee who ha a large accumulation of newspape; in his mail had to pay £lO for ther