One of the chief industries is sandalwood cutting. The sandalwood is found in arid, elevated regions, and the particular spots where the trees grow in any quantity are known to the trade as patches. These patches, however, do not signify that the trees grow closely together. One tree might be found here and another might not occur for a hundred yards or so; but still there is an area of sandalwood growth sufficiently definite to justify the title “patch.” For any one who understands the intricacies of the situation, and the proper method of going to work, there is something to be made; but at present the development of the trade is beset with difficulties which can only be surmounted by one who is thoroughly familiar with the country and the conditions. A rich source of income, still only little worked, is the trade in _béche-de-mer_, the sea-slug, which is an indispensable article of seasoning in every Chinese kitchen. This commands £70 a ton in the China market, and the variety known as the “black fish” fetches as much as £100 a ton. It is used for thickening gravies and soups. These molluscs are about 9 inches long and 3 inches thick, and are to be found adhering to the corals. The Papuans dive for them, and when they have secured them they are split open, dried in the sun, and packed in boxes. This trade could be made very profitable to any capable operator who cared to embark a moderate capital in its development. Divers can be had for a little tobacco or a few shells, a knife or an axe, but the chief expense is the preparation and preservation for the market. As a matter of fact, an enterprising Brisbane firm has lately introduced the tinning system for this mollusc, but the China market is supplied with the dried commodity untinned. There is also much to be done in copra and in cocoanut products generally. Large cocoanut plantations pay well, as every part of the tree can be utilised, and there is no doubt that a great deal of business can be done with Java, which at present cannot produce enough cocoanut fibre for its mat industry, and actually brings consignments all the way from Ceylon. The copra is in great demand amongst soap-makers, and one large firm has prospectors at work in the interior of the islands with a view to increasing the supply. To my own knowledge efforts are being made to extend this trade, by several Europeans, east and west of Hall Sound, but there is plenty of room for others without in any way damaging the prosperity of the industry. [Illustration: HAULING UP A LOG FOR BUILDING THE CAMP AT DINAWA ] New Guinea is favourable to the production of coffee, although the plant is not indigenous to the island. A fine quality is grown at Wariratti. The plantations are flourishing, but here again the enterprise is still young. The trade is so new that the experimental stage is hardly passed. It cannot be doubted that Australia offers a vast and lucrative market to the future coffee grower of New Guinea.