First Garnet Found In Bsip

A N INTERESTING occurrence of coarse crystal garnet-bearing rock was recorded in the interior of Guadalcanal recently by geological parties led by Messrs. B. D. Hackman and N. Swingler.

It was the first time that garnet had been discovered in the Solomons.

The geologists, who returned to Honiara in December after an expedition lasting six weeks, also made geological maps of an area of 150 square miles, covering the entire river systems of the Sutakama, Sovohio and Tinahulu.

A highlight of their trip was a night climb, by the light of Tilley lamps and torches, of an 8,000 ft mountain peak shown on maps as Popomaneseu.

The party left Vurakirapa at 3 a.m. and reached the summit while it was yet dark and very cold. Letters left there in 1950 by J. C.

Grover and in 1963 by G. F. C. Dennis were seen and the Royal Society Visitors’ Book was signed.

The geologists wore two long-sleeved shirts and a pullover and two pairs of long trousers—and were still cold. The bearers huddled over fires.

At 5 a.m. dawn broke over San Cristobal and the sun gradually illuminated a splendid panorama which extended from San Cristobal in the east, to Santa Ysabel in the north, to Rennell in the south.

According to existing maps and confirmed in part by observations from what has been marked as Popomaneseu, it has been suggested that the mountain Kukurauvahalo, at the head of the Koloula Valley, may be higher and therefore can be claimed to be the highest summit in the Protectorate.

The name Popomaneseu means in the language of the south coast people the cup and the bowl”. This obviously refers to more than one peak.