NAURU ISLAND PHOSPHATE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1929, Page 2

NAURU ISLAND PHOSPHATE

HOW A BIG DISCOVERY WAS MADE.

That there, is romance in industry was abundantly proved by the address which Mr A. F. Ellis, Now Zealand’s representative on the British Phosphate Commission, gave to members of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce at their weekly luncheon, Mr Ellis traced tho growth of the industry from small beginnings, .sonic 40 or 50 years ago, to tbe present day, when between 550,000 and 000,000 tons are being marketed. He said nearly 70 years ha delapsed since American pioneers began the trade in phosphate guano, from the Phoenix Islands, some 800 miles north of Samoa, in 1870 a prospecting expedition went past Nauru Island and Ocean Island, up to the Gilberts, arid .Marshalls, and the Carolines, without finding further deposits which appeared to be of commercial value. Some years later the firm of .Tolln T. Arundel and Co., who bad been associated with the wellknown firm of Holder Hr,os., worked islands in various parts of the Pacific. Forty-two years have elapsed since Mr Ellis joined the business which is now known as the British Phosphate Commission. He describes! in interesting fashion how it was found the Nauru Island rock was of commercial value. A block of stone which was ns. ed to keep the door of I lie Svd nev laboratory open attracted the attention of Mr Ellis as being .phosphate rock. I This proved to be tbe case, and' I lu* j nick was traced to Nauru Island, j Negotiations with tin* former < Icrinau :

owners led to the trade being commenced, and in 1000 the Pacific Islands Company started operations. The