THE AUSTRALIAN MUSEUM MAGAZINE. 



157 



tiiiser. To-day scarcely a bird is to be 

 seen on the island ; but a rich treasure 

 has been handed over to the use and in- 

 genuity of men. 



The phosphate is of two classes, rock 

 and alluvial. The former is blasted out, 

 v/hile the latter can be removed with pick 

 and sliovel. Trucks are loaded with the 

 pliosphate rock, and then pushed on to 

 distributing hoppers, great wooden tow 

 ei's dominating the fields. From the hop- 

 pers, on trucks down steep decline lines 

 the phosphate rock is sent to huge build- 

 ings, where are the dryers and crushers. 

 After all moisture has been evaporated 

 from the crushed phosphate, it is then 

 stored in a great bin holding 50,000 tons. 



Ii; is then ready for distribution to the 

 ends of the earth. At the present 

 tune the bulk of the rock is sent to Aus 

 tralia and New Zealand. In the Com- 

 monwealth and the Dominion it is treated 

 ftnd graded and made ready for sale to 

 the farmer. 



The native population of Ocean Island 

 is about 600, and is supposed to have 

 come originally from the Gilbert Islands. 

 They are a fine type of people, with many 

 interesting customs, but they are rapidly 

 dying out. 



The Pacific is now fast becoming the 

 scene of wonderful commercial activity 

 Foremost amongst the island territories 

 i ; Ocean Island. 



The native constabulary. These men gain promotion and emoluments by their ability 

 to read, write, and speak English. To qualify, they attend night- schools. 



Photo — T. J. McMahon. 



