MALDON ISLAND GUANO.

Otago Witness, Issue 1559, 24 September 1881, Page 8

MALDON ISLAND GUANO.

In a country like New Zealand, producing as it does immense crops of cereals, fertilising agents are requisite, and amongst the many manures in present use guano is greatly (in demand. That from the Chincha Islands is, according to the ideas of many eminent agriculturists, net so suitable for the soil of the Southern Hemisphere as the milder description found in the South Pacific Ocean— the principal component of the former being ammonia, while the latter is to a large extent composed of phosphate and carbonate of lime, combined with earthy matter. The analysis is Mid to be as follows :— Pnoephate of lime, 80 per cent; carbonate of lime, 10 per cent. ; earthy matter and moisture, 10 per cent. For many years past there appears to have been a large and increasing demand for this kind of manure, and a very large trade has arisen. To supply thU Messrs Grice, Summer, and Co., of Melbourne, who have the preemptive right from the Imperial Government of working Maldon Island, employ a fleet of vine VMiels, which are constantly trading to the Australian Colonies and New Zealand ; while so highly is the Maldon Island guano estimated in Europe that they annually employ 160,000 tons of shipping to convey it home ; indeed, its valueitsogreat that in Germany, we are informed, no less than 70 per cent, of phosphate of lima is extracted from it prior to its being sold »s a fertilising agent. Our own district is also a large consumer of the guano, which is peculiarly valuable in raising root crops, particularly turnips ; and so great is the demand at present that long before the barque Delmira (» vessel now discharging her cargo at Port Chalmers) oan return from the island the supply will be exhausted. We have heard it said that much ignorance exists as to the whereabouts of Maldon Island. This will be dispelled when we state that Maldon Island (according to the lateßt survey) is situated in latitude 4.1 S., longitude 15157 W. The island lies about half-way between New Zealand and San Francisco ; is some 30 feet above sea-level, and visible seven miles from seaward ; reefs off the windward side stretch some distance seaward, and the east aide of the island is the most difficult, landing there being rarely practicable. The weßt sid« is perfectly safe, the reefs of coral oiily extending a few cables' lengths to the north-went and south-west ends. Messrs Grice, Sumner, and Co. have, however, made ample provision for their vessels by laying down buoys and moorings, and running out extensive stages in order to facilitate the despatch of the shipi. The island is covered with clumps of bright green trees (evidently cotton, wood i. which at a distance have the appearance of rocks, and are of great assistance in approaching the land. It was discovered by Commodore Lord Byron, of H.M.S. Blonde, in tbeyear 1825, and was named after Lieutenant Maldon, the surveying officer of that frigate. Traces of a race of people who formerly inhabited it have been discovered in the shape of some peculiarly-formed tombs of coral slabs ; while at the eastern end there are the remains of a large square building, also formed of dressed coral. There is little vegetation and no fresh water on the island, but the latter necessary is procured by condensation, three •team condensers being actively employed in preparing it. There are also some swampy places where brackish water is procurable, and it is just possible that by sinking to some ex-* lent fresh springs might be discovered.

The work of digging the guano, which ia found all over the island at various depths, is performed by natives of the Cook Group, from 160 to 200 of whom are constantly employed, •under the supervision of a staff of European ■officer*, of whom there are nine, comprising a manager, surgeon, sub-manager, assistantmanager, engineer, wharfinger, bookkeeper, «nd carpenter, with two European assistants. The natives are engaged for a period of 12 months, and in addition to an ample supply of flrat-olftss provisions, receive wages at the rate of 10 doHtrs, or L 2 sterling per month, which is ■always paid them in new florin pieces. They an described as being a quiet and industrious trace of people, and are always accompanied by <s> natfve catechiit, prayers being read night •nd morning. Thj working hours are from <6 t0. 4,. with the exception of Saturdays, when 4*b 0W oww at 1 P«,-D»Uy WmwT