N. Hebrides Mining Village Well on the Way

re P° r t from Vila in September said considerable progress had already been made at Forari, Efate, in preparation for the start of manganese mmmg next June.

The company behind the project is the Compagnie Francaise de Phosphate de L’Oceanie which is building an entire village for employees, together with a jetty which will enable vessels of up to 20,000 tons to load manganese ore. „ Despite a constant swell, the wharf construction is well advanced, In the powerhouse installation of five diesel generating sets has

almost been finished, to give a total output of 1,450 kilowatts.

A large machinery repair shop has just been completed; construc tion of the ore washing plant has begun and it is expected to be ready early next year. A main road which will permit the untreated ore to be taken from the works to this plant is due to be finished November. 1961.

In the new village overlooking Metensa Bay, concrete bungalows are being completed at the rate of one per week. Soon it will be one every five days. In the village will be Catholic and Protestant churches, a clinic, a school and playing fields.