Vila Uneasy Over Ambrym
p. 17 · Read in the full issue
Prom Our Own Correspondent
Noumea, Dec. 5.
NOW that there is almost con tinuous volcanic action at Mounts Benbow and Marram, on Ambrym Island, New Hebrides, life is becoming uneasy in Port Vila.
Mounts Benbow and Marram are sending up huge columns of smoke, and heavy clouds of pumice dust are hanging over the archipelago.
The Resident Commissioner for France, M. Anthonioz, who has arrived in Noumea for a holiday, says that Vila is suffering from the eruptions, although they are taking place over 100 miles away, A few days ago, pumice fell for hours on the town, causing damage. “And, as the weather is very dry,” added the Resident Commissioner, “Vila has not much water.”
On Ambrym itself, ashes in some places are now more than 4 feet deep. Much vegetation is dying off.
Most plantations are being ruined and it is said in Vila that the pro ductivity of the island is finished for a great number of years.
* Young Tony Taylor’ is
Called to New Hebrides
From Our Own Correspondent
Moresby, Dec. 2
THE official vulcanologist in Papua-New Guinea, Mr. G. A.
Taylor, at the request of the New Hebrides Administration, is
about to make an inspection of the big volcano at Ambrym.
Mr. Taylor’s first appointment was watchdog to Rabaul’s volcanoes.
His routine changed overnight in January 1951, when Mt. Lamington erupted. He has received much praise for his work there.