John Grover’s Valuable Book on

the Solomons

There are very few books which supply a general description of the Solomon Islands. Although this was the first South Pacific archipelago visited by European navigators (over 400 years ago). It probably is one of the Territories most neglected by highfy useful compilation by geologist John C. Grover, published last year was welcomed by most reference libraries.

Mr Grover is the official geologist on the British Colonial Office Staff in the Solomons Already he is well known for his enterprise and energy in trying to find in the huge archipelago, some mineral—gold, or manganese or phosphatic rock or anything-of sufficient value to mankind to lift this Territory from its hitherto perpetual state of economic hunger to a place in the world worthy of settlement and the attention of investors.

Grover has collected a great mass of data into book form: and his des cription of the geological condition of all the big Islands, and many of the smaller ones, is preceded by a general description of the group.

Mr. Grover has proved the presence of considerable gold in Guadalcanal, with indications of a still undiscovered field: and if the official price of gold is lifted —as it must be one day soon—and the world’s gold search is extended, the section of Grover's book covering the Guadalcanal goldfield will be much in demand.

The book comprising 150 pages, and including very many diagrams and photographs, was published by the High Commission for the Western Pacific and copies (£2) from the Commission, or from Burns Philp and Co , Ltd Sydney.