Concern Over

Hog Harbour

Development

Mr. C. H. Allan, British Resident Commissioner for the New Hebrides, has had “to confess” that when the companies associated with the multi-million dollar land development at Hog Harbour, Santo, had been registered at the British Residency he had understood they were for the purpose of raising investment for “agriculture and industry”.

It now appeared that the land was being sub-divided into building plots for sale to the citizens of overseas countries.

Speaking at the recent Hebrides Advisory Council meeting in Vila, he said he understood that in 10 years time there could be 10.000 “citizens of third powers” living in the area of Hog Harbour.

In reply to Mr, Allen’s statements, a nominated member of the council, Archdeacon D. A. Rawcliffe, said Hog Harbour was a very serious problem. “If 10,000 people, or even 20,000 some said, moved into the New Hebrides, such an invasion would change the face of the country, he said. ‘This should never have been allowed to happen without first con sulting New Hebrideans themselves, who have a right to have a say in the future of their country.”

A Hawaii promoter, Mr. Harold Peacock, set-un offices in Vila over a year ago (PIM, Apr., 1969. p. 53) to sell over 400 pieces of land at Hog Harbour to Americans.

Over 500 residents of Hawaii have paid up to SUSI2,OOO an acre. One of the earliest buyers was Mr. Ernie Forde, who recently sold his Hono lulu travel agencv to run a travel office for Burns Philp in Los Angeles.

BP’s says it has nothing to do with the Hog Harbour land dealings.