Weird Artifacts

For Sale

Weird artifacts made by New Hebrideans who still go about virtually naked are among the items available for visitors to the New Hebrides who like to take home "something a little different".

The artifacts shown here were made by members of two of the Condominium's 40 native co operative societies. Such artifacts are exported to Australia and the United States besides being sold locally.

At left are two members of the 300-member Lawa Co-operative Society, of South Malekula, with a couple of colourful masks which are made from papier-mache.

The tree fern figure (centre) was made by the Fonam Co-operative, of North Ambrym. And the model led skull and stone carving, held by the New Hebridean at right, are more products of the Lawa Co-operative.

Of the 40 New Hebridean co operatives, 36 are supervised by the British Administration's Co operatives Officer, Mr. Tom Laing, and four by a French official.

At December 31 last year, their total membership was 2,600 adult males; and their total capital, SABO,OOO. Their estimated turnover for 1966 was $500,000.