Good, But Expensive

Fiji’S Manganese

Good, But Expensive To Move

OVERSEAS companies of varioio kinds still are showing consider able interest in the manganeie deposits in Fiji; but the develop ment of the industry still is handb. capped by inaccessibility.

Much of the ore is rich; but tKJ cost of transportation from tlf western hills of Viti Levu is heavy that much of the metas value is killed before it can I loaded onto ships.

The different enterprises has undertaken much expensive roas making, only to see the roads men and disappear into the gorges undb the next rainy season. That happening now. The rains has. begun, and the tracks built for tit manganese lorries are becoming ; places impassable.

The affairs of one conce9 formed to exploit the Fijian (b posits, Consolidated Manganese as Mining Co. of Fiji Ltd., were befo: the Supreme Court in Suva January.

The Co.’s subscribed capital around £25,000 was spent in pnq liminary expenses, on leases in as around the Sigatoka Valley. Meie Traders Inc., of New York, provide a further £70,000 for development operations. It was proposed secure this loan by registerings debenture over the whole propen* Two minority shareholder!!

Messrs. T. Falkingham and G.

Hall, of Sydney—thereupon appeals to the Fiji Court for liquidate of the Co., apparently in the belle that if Metal Traders assumed ft control through a registered o benture, there might not be am thing left for the original shas holders.

After a preliminary hearing, t Court gave the majority shas. holders permission to file certtf affidavits, on conditions that i minority shareholders were givi security for costs; and the hear;!, of the petition was set down March 4, in Suva.