PHOSPHATE ISLANDS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 152, 30 June 1932, Page 11

PHOSPHATE ISLANDS

ROMANCE OF NAURU ROCK LECTURE BY DISCOVERER DEPOSITS TO LAST 100 YEARS I “The Ahosphate rock at Nauru and Ocean Islands is worth about £200,000,000, and aero is the man who discovered it,2’ said Mr T. U. Wells in introducing Mr A. F. Ellis to an audience at the Auckland University College, when the second public lecture in tho series on tl>e Pacific was given. A simple but fascinating story of the development of the rich phosphate deposits on tile two islands, which lie near the equitor, about 2200 miles due north of Auckland, was told by Mr Ellis. He sa|id both were purely elevated coral islands, the principal feature of which was the existence of immense deposits of the highest-grade phosphate. They had a potential value which he would assess conservatively at £150,000,000, which was equalled by few gold mints. Yet Ocean Island was smaller than 'Rangitoto and Nauru was only slightly larger.

The discovery of the phosphate rock was made on Nauru Island, then under 1 the German flag, in 1900. As Ocean 1 Island was of similar type it was decided to begin operations there, and among the lantern slides shown by the lecturer was one Mpith an historical significance—the British flag hoisted on Ocean Island fcjr the first time in 1900. Incidentally Mr Ellis has in his Herne Bay home the rock, the discovery of which’ on Nauru Island marked the beginning of an industry of almost undreamed of possibilities. 100,000,000 Tons Available Shipments of tte phosphate from Ocean Island increased so rapidly that the London company with which Mr Ellis was associated began operations at Nauru Island, utader an arrangement with the German authorities, six years later. However, the industry has remained British throughout. The interests of the phosphate company were acquired by th c British, Australian and New Zealand Governments in 1919. Ocean Island was annexed by Britain fn 1901. and Nauru is administered by Australia under a mandate given to Britain at the close of the war.

Nearly 9,000,000 tons of phosphate have so far been shipped, approximately half coming from ?ach island, and in the light of the data acquired, Mr Ellis estimated the total tonnage still available at 100,000,000, which would meet the requirements of at least another 100 years. The Phosphate Commission anticipated: that during the year beginning July 1 next, 600,000 tons of phosphate / would be shipped from the islands, o/f which 165.000 tons was destined for /New Zealand. I Fascinating glimpses of life on the islands were reveJaled by the lecturer, who also told the! romantic tale of the [development of Ijhe industry, particularly in regard toi improved loading facilities. Tribute to Mr Massey. That the white people on the islands are not deprived of many .of the comforts of more civilised parts was amply demonstrated by the slides. Wireless telephones enable conversations to bo held between the two islands, which • are 160 miles apart, and the Phosphatb I Commission’s two vessels can communi|cate with the two islands by the same means at a 4’stance of 800 miles. There are up-to-date hospitals on both islands and the houses are of good type. Air Ellis mentioned that there were drver 60 motqr-cars, some owned by mWves, on the islands, and many of owned motor-cycles. “The late Mr Massey performed a great service for the Dominion when he acquired by negotiation a fixed share | in the wonderful deposits of these two islands,” said Mr Ellis. “If wc look forward with vision we can sec in this I Dominion an ever-increasing demand for this article,. With equal confidence we can say that, as the demand inI creases, so Nauru and Ocean Islands 1 will respond fir many a long year to tome.” I “I am glad I told you Mr Ellis was | the discoverer of the Nauru phosphate rock,” said the chairman, in moving a vote of tluuiks to the lecturer “for you will that with his cus jtomnr nee ■■ y, he told you nothing about the; -elf.”