Caledonia

News From New Caledonia New Bounty for Coffee Planters

From Our Own Correspondent AN official communique announces that a bounty of two francs per kilo for coffee exported is to be granted to New Caledonian planters.

In view of the low prices now ruling this will give a good deal of satisfac tion in the Colony.

Some of the Colonists who are just commencing coffee-growing consider that there should also be a bounty spread over a period granted to them to enable them to finance the putting into production of their plantations.

Monument to Field Marshal Haig.— A committee has been formed in France to erect a monument to the Com mander-in-Chief of the British armies in France in the Great War, the late Field-Marshal Haig. A committee has been formed in Noumea in order to collect subscriptions from New Caled onians in connection with the above proposal, the President being Lieuten ant-Colonel Amalric, in charge of the local military forces.

Personal.—Recent arrivals at Nou mea from France are Monsieur A. Bar rau, of Maison Barrau; Dr. R. Mag nin, surgeon, of Paris; Monsieur de la Gallande, Government official from Madagascar, who is spending a holiday in New Caledonia.

Aviation. —Captain Brown, formerly of the Australian Flying Corps, is the first aviator to give regular flights in this Colony. He has been doing this far some time and (his services in transporting mails and making urgent trips with passengers in New Caledonia have proved of very great utility.

Hotel de Plum. —Visitors to New Cal edonia will be interested to know that this delightful little resort reopened on 1st June. The lay-out of the farm and its proximity to the sea, with long sandy beach, have made it a very pleasant holiday resort for those wish ing to spend a few quiet days away from Noumea.

Military Service.—ln connection with the compulsory service in the local military forces, which is undergone by all French citizens, the examining board sat at the Town Hall, Noumea, on Tuesday, June 16. The lads who came up for inspection were the sec ond section of the 1930 class, consisting of those born between Ist June and 31st December. 1910, and those of the first section of the 1931 class, consisting of those born between Ist January and 31st May, 1911. Also included were these born prior to 1st June, 1910, who became French subjects by naturalisation, or became liable for service by other means.

Ex-Service Settlers. —In order to en courage settlement on the land in New Caledonia, a proposal has been put on foot in Paris to settle a number of ex members of the French forces, who took part in the Great War, on the land in this Colony. The proposal is yet in its early stages and will no doubt require a good deal of consider ation and preliminary study before the necessary funds are advanced to pur chase and equip the properties.

It is considered that there is a satis factory prospect of a limited number of ex-service men from France, to gether with some local returned sol diers, being able to make good in the Colony, subject of course to the selec tion of the best type and naturally those who have had previous agricul tural experience. At the same time it must be kept in mind that a propor tion of the colony is quite unsuited for development.

Fifty Years of Education. —In order to commemorate the existence, for a period of 50 years of free primary edu cation throughout France and her Col onies, suitable celebrations have been arranged at Noumea. It was on 16th June, 1881, that the Jules Ferry Minis try passed a law making primary edu cation compulsory and free to all throughout the Republic.

The celebrations at Noumea are tak ing the form of a concert given by the Old Scholars’ Association, a march of all school children through the streets of Noumea, headed by their fine band, and various other activities.

The Matin Newspaper.—In order to obtain, first hand, some information for his paner. M. Ferre, of the staff of the well known Paris daily. Le Matin, has arrived at Noumea. It is anticipated that the Colony will re ceive some useful publicity in the Paris press as the result of his visit.