Noumea’S Light

New Electric Power Plant

IT is worthy of note that practically all the Pacific Islands centres are now equipped with electric power plants. The towns are lit with elec tricity and power is available for most of the usual purposes. New equipment of a good type is now operating in Apia (Western Samoa) and Rabaul (New Guinea).

The latest advance is reported from Noumea (New Caledonia). Our cor respondent there states that installa tion of the town’s electricity scheme is progressing favourably, it is un derstood that the first buildings to be illuminated will include Government House and the Town Hall.

Noumea has been noted for many years for its very poor night illumina tion, which has been furnished from a gas plant; so that the new form of illumination will be greatly appreci ated by residents and visitors alike.

This interesting photograph, showing a section of the New Guinea goldfields, was taken from Pilot Trist’s ’plane on May 21—the day before he and his ’plane disappeared, as described else where in this issue. The area pictured is known as the Bulowat —the junction of the Bulolo and Watut Rivers. This is one of Placer Development’s leases and much test boring has been carried out here. —Photo by courtesy L. V. Waterhouse.