Noumean Citizen Honored
p. 47 · Read in the full issue
Nicolas Hagen
To mark the passing of 25 years of his membership of the Noumea Chamber of Commerce, M. Nicolas Hagen, well known ship-owner and merchant of New Caledonia, was presented with a handsome medal as a token of appreciation from his fellow-members on April 19.
In an address prior to the presentation of the medal, M. Cane traced the history of the Hagen family and its close connec tion with the commercial and economic development of New Caledonia and other Pacific Territories. His father, said M.
Cane, went out to Noumea from France in 1876 and soon established himself as a trader and for some time was engaged in transporting troops in his vessel from France to the Colony. In 1903 his son Nicolas came out to the Colony and car ried on his father’s business. Soon he had extended his operations to New Hebrides, Loyalty Islands, Santa Cruz and other of the southern Solomon Islands. Later, he bought from an Australian syndicate some important trading and land interests in Banks Islands and he became very popu lar in this Group, where he is affectionate ly known as “Tiby.” “To us, his fellow members of the Chamber,” said M. Cane, “he has become known as a highly es teemed citizen and a business man of high integrity.”
M. Cane then presented M. Hagen with a gold medal inscribed: “To Nicolas Hagen, member of the Chamber of Commerce of Noumea, 1909-1934.”
M. Hagen responded, thanking his col leagues for the token which, he said, symbolised for him the friendship and co operation of the members of the Chamber during his 25 years of membership. We all work, he said, for the good and pros perity of our community and for the renown of France in the Pacific.
Among those present at the gathering were; His Excellency the Governor, M.
Siadous, M. Reynaud, the General Secre tary of the Chamber of Commerce, Lt.- Colonel Chaveyron, M. Ratzel, M. Catalan and M. Mourot, members of the Council of the Chamber of Commerce, M. Rordorf, President of the Council, M. Pierre Jean nin, assistant to the Mayor, and the Direc tors of the Bank of Indo Chine and Messa geries Maritimes Company.