Too Explosive

Fears For Fish And Coral in NC Lagoon

Oil Quest Pl

NEW Caledonia’s Assembly re fused permission to an oil search company, the Societe de recherche des petroles en Nile.

Caledonie, to prospect a lagoon near Noumea with explosives.

One prominent Assemblyman said that the company, probably with assurances given by a previous Ad ministration, had planned to prospect the lagoon without con sulting the Assembly.

It was only the protests of fishermen and sportsmen that had brought the affair to the Assembly’s attention.

The Administration conducted certain tests in co-operation with scientists. According to these scientists, there would be some de struction of coral and fish but not enough to upset the biological balance.

Professional fishermen, however, contended that if the work were carried out at present the results would be disastrous. The fish were in the breeding season they said, and dynamiting might destroy cer tain species.

Beaches would be polluted with dead fish, which would also attract sharks.

The Assembly suggested to the company that extended tests be carried out under the supervision of a commission which would have power to stop them immediately if any of the feared complications

arose. The Assembly also pro to discuss the project further: these tests had been made, -i tMrs. Edith Gray, who first as in Lae in the early 1930’5, ret' once again last month to vis sons, Les and Jack.