£l0,000 PEARL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3894, 12 January 1929, Page 4

£lo,ooo PEARL.

AUSTRALIAN INDUSTRY BOOMS. REVIEAV OF YEAR. The last of the luggers has now returned to Broome for the lay-up, and the returns for the past year’s work are available (says a Broome (W.A.) correspondent of recent, .date). Ninety-nine boats were licensed during the season. Of this number, 88 were employed for raising shell, the remainder being used as cargo boats or tenders. The amount of shell raised was 820 tons, which, at £IBO per ton, was worth £147,600. The greater part of this was shipped to New York, tho rest being sent to London. Compared with the previous year, the industry has shown a good improvement. The value of the shell fished in the previous season was £128,625, when 108 boats were operated, and produced 735 tons. Pearls and baroque (misshapen pearl) were more plentiful during the past year. Tlie price of baroque was consistently poor, as it has been for a number of years. That good pearls eaai still command a market, however, is evidenced by the fact that one gem was sold for £IO,OOO. FEW AVHITE AIEN. The mortality among the divers was very high, no' less than eight losing their lives whilst diving. In addition one diver was paralysed, and one committed hari-kiri. The total number of divers employed was 168, of whom 143 were Japanese, 16 Alai ays, and 8 Chinese, whilst one came from Ivoepang. Very few white men are now employed on 'lire boats. At the end of the year there were not more than 15 engaged as sliell-Openers. A few years ago the number was in the vicinity of 100. This decrease is clue partially to the poor price of baroque, and partially to the master-pearlers, who say they cannot afford to employ white labour. Of the 756 indentured men employed in the industry 418 were Japanese, 180 Kocpangers, 94 Alalays, 47 Chinese, 15 Atanilamen, and two Indians.