Not Bright

Samoa Banana Prospects Not Bright

Mrs. A. Hamilton Irvine, a resident of Fiji for about 50 years, left on October 22 to make her home at

From Our Own Correspondent

Apia, Nov. 3

UE to recent strong requests by Samoan banana growers, buy ing price for bananas in cases )orted to New Zealand Fruit Dis- Dutors Ltd., the NZ purchasing mcy, has been increased 1/- per e making the new price 8/- per ie paid to growers. The bonus 1/- per case will continue to be d to shippers for bananas arriv : with at least a 2 inch bulge, good condition and quality at w Zealand ports, rhe Samoan banana industry fered during the recent New aland shipping strike, when mtations were neglected and 'aying discontinued. The recent mght also affected banana ex its; Samoa’s main food product, 'o, was in very short supply sn, and Samoans had to fall back bananas. This boosted the local ice to 3/6 for a small basket and oducers found that it paid tter and saved packing and ecting bananas for export, to find ready sale in Apia, rhere are complaints that too ich time is taken up by playing cricket, malagas, concert parties to the detriment of work on nana plantations.

The prospects of increasing nana production for export do it look bright in spite of ener-> tic efforts made by the Agricul ral Department to induce growers i Upolu and Savaii to plant iditional areas in preparation for e better opportunities for ship ent when Tofua and Matua will 11 at Apia and provide a fort ghtly service.

Dr. and Mrs. S. Welch, who have cently returned to Sydney after ro years on Fanning Island, said at they liked it “in spite of every mg” and think that they will ok around for another island. Dr. elch sold his Sydney practice to > to Fanning as MO for the 23 iropeans (mostly Telecommuni itions employees) and the natives ho live there.

Sydney. Her property in the Siga toka area, Malaqereqere, has been, acquired by an Indian purchaser

[?]ographs show three Charles McPhee’s tings which were [?] ght by Governor [?]ps. From left to they are: The Rain [?]er Pago Pago [?]t Island Officers' in foreground); S.

Manga (Paramount [?]f of Pago Pago, and [?]rict Governor East [?]; Blustery Morning, [?]ego Village.