Your Fungus, Shark-Fins

Etc. Are Valuable

BACK when Bully Hayes was a boy and copra was scarcely :nown, mention of Pacific Islands mmediately raised visions of pro* iucts like sandalwood, fungus, beche le-mer and shark-fins.

We cannot speak for sandalwood, ut lately one of our advertisers, the ydney firm of G. H. Robinson Ex erts & Imports Pty., Ltd., informed s that there is a good market for le other three.

For some time past, this firm has een receiving consignments of fun us from Tonga and shark-fins in irge quantities from the Gilberts, he demand for good-quality beche s-mer at present exceeds the supply.

Prices are strictly according to the aality and variety of the produce, hich can only be determined upon ispection, but it probably would be orth while for native co-operatives id others to investigate the market.

The records show that a fair quan ty of fungus was shipped from arotonga many years ago, and that any of the atoll islands have in the rst handled beche-de-mer.

The fungus referred to above grows on tree-trunks and in Tonga is called Tolingalinga. It is believed to be used in Chinese medicine. About 1934 Niue Is. was shipping consider able quantities which was then bring ing about £72 per ton.

Thorough drying of the produce before shipment seems to be the most important requirement. The firm mentioned herein will gladly comment and advise, on the basis of samples forwarded.

These products find their way eventually to Hong Kong, Singapore, and wherever there are Chinese wha can afford a fancy diet.

Kevin Walker met a European ship-owner in a Rabaul bar, and bought binoculars from him. Next, he appeared iff court, charged with a Customs offence. He was dis charged, with a warning, when he pleaded that he had no suspicion the goods had been smuggled ashore.