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NINIGO GROUP:
NINIGO Group consists of several flat islands of coral formation. In no part are they more than about 10 feet above sea level, and during the South-westerly winds the water sometimes washes over the Islands. MAL, the largest Island, is about 6 miles long, being half-moon shape. The Group belongs to Herr Whalen and is all under plantation.
INHABITANTS: Europeans, 4 Germans; Native, estimated not more than 140. One village at Pihuhn Island on the Eastern side, and another on Lau Island on the Western side, are the two principal villages. The natives here, as at Hermit Islands, are dying out. In addition to the native inhabitants, there are 580 recruited natives working the plantations.
RESOURCES: The plantations here, as at Hermit Islands, are not yet in full bearing. The average output of copra is 165 tons per annum. In three years time it is estimated that the plantations here will then be in full bearing, and the output of copra should be between 600 and 700 tons per annum. In addition to copra, a little beche-de-mer, average price £25 per ton, and about 10 tons Trocas shells are exported annually. There are 15 head cattle on the island. Hurricanes are conspicuous by their absence.
ADMIRALTY ISLANDS:
The Admiralty Islands (Lat. 150 to 3 South, Long. 148 15 East) consist of one large Island and numerous smaller ones.
MANUS (or Admiralty) Island, is about 50 miles in length by 12 miles in breadth, with mountains rising from 2,200 feet on the South West Coast to about 3,300 feet inland. The North Coast is fringed with a coral reef. Seeadler Haven offers splendid anchorage, but has not been well surveyed. Nares Haven (North-west) also offers a good anchorage. There are several trading stations on the main land and on the islands surrounding these two havens.
INHABITANTS: The natives are Papuans and are cannibals. The weapons they use consist of spears and knives. both of which are made of obsidian. Their principal food appears to be sago (suc suc). Cocoanut trees and Plaintains abound. It is estimated that the population of the whole of the group is 13,000, but the actual figures are probably lower than this, owing to dysentry which was prevalent after the census had been taken. There are 6,000 on the main island of Manus. Pidgin English is not generally understood.
LORINGOW on the main land at Seeadler Haven, is the Government Station. It has only been in existence about 2½ years. but a considerable amount of work has been done. A wharf about 120 yards long and 15 feet wide has been constructed, depth of water being about 6 feet. The houses (2), together with the furniture, cost 45,000 marks. About 120 hectares of land around the station have been cleared, 60 of which are now under cocoanut plantation. A road about 6 miles long leads North-west through Tingou and Zapon villages. Beyond this latter village the road has been cut but not formed as far as Bulias - 8 miles from Loringow. There is a ford across the Tingou River at that village. Another road about 3 miles long leads to Osson and thence to Killieur Haven. The clearing and road making has been done by the natives under the supervision of a German. The natives are forced to come from different tribes for a period on one month, and are given one stick tobacco weekly. They supply their own food.
(2)