Industries in the New Hebrides. 183 
varies exceedingly, but 1/8 per hundred will be about the 
average. Ten men will turn out about one ton per week ; 
and the price obtained is from £8 to £10 per ton. 
The trade has been for some time on the decline, as the 
price obtainable has sunk so low as to render it almost a mat- 
ter of impossibility to make any profit out of it, after paying 
expenses. 
Arrowroot is another export. The manufacture of this 
article is however principally confined to the mission stations, 
where it is made by the natives for the benefit of the Bible 
Society or other kindred institutions. This process is also 
simple, and the results are highly satisfactory, inasmuch as this 
arrowroot fetches the highest prices ruling. 
When the root is obtained, it is grated down, generally upon 
common nutmeg graters, and put in a tub of clear water. 
After standing some time, the water is poured off and a fresh 
quantity poured in. This is repeated until all the poisonous 
juices of the plant are carried off, when it is spread out in the 
sun to dry. When thoroughly dried, it is ready for use. 
Whaling and beche de mer close the list. The latter is 
carried on to a very limited extent, but the former with more 
vigour. There are three whaling stations on the group—one 
at Eramanga and two at Aneityum. I don’t think that any of 
these fishers are making their fortunes ; for although whales 
are not scarce, they seldom get more than two or three apiece 
in one season, and these are not worth more than £250 or 
ZL 300. 
I shall now say a word or two as to what might be done 
upon these islands. 
Everything which grows in the West Indies, does grow, or 
I believe would grow, on the New Hebrides. The latter group 
is nearly in the same latitude south as the former is north of 
