N. Caledonian Notes

Relief for Pastoralists

From Our Own Correspondent.

Noumea, Jan. 2.

A NEW scheme has been formulated to help the local pastoralists. The Administration has entered into a provisional arrangement with la Societe Anonyme Francaise de Ouaco to can 2,500 head of cattle, which are to be delivered to the works in the far north.

Monsieur Verges, the Chef du Service Veterinaire, will pass through the various centres shortly to explain the conditions entailed, and a certain measure of relief should be felt by owners of live stock in the near future.

Iron For Japan

There is a movement on foot at Nepoui to open an iron mine, with a view to supplying Japan with iron of a high standard and entirely exempt from chrome. If arrangements are successfully com pleted it should bring a little prosperity to this centre, which is much in need of it. Nickel pros pecting is also being conducted in the same dis trict. About 20 men are employed in these two

undertakings.

Bad Accident At Nickel Works

Early in December a serious accident occurred at the smelting works of the Societe Caledon Nickel at Point Doniambo, Noumea. During the morning, at the end of a shift, some of the workers made an effort to open a large vessel containing molten nickel, and there was an explosion. Five men were blown some distance away, and all sustained in juries. Two were injured seriously, and were immediately rushed to hospital.

The Valuable Ombravarde

A tree of great value here is the Ombravardc, which it is believed came originally from Java.

It has a small pod, slightly larger than that of a sweet pea, containing five round seeds. All domestic animals are very fond of it, and pigeons prefer it to any other grain, when either green or dry. It grows very easily into a tall shrub, and the pods blossom for many months. It lasts for two years when it is then necessary to replant it.

The tree needs very little cultivation, and makes quite a good hedge or breakwind.

Grasses For Stock

The grasses cultivated here for stock are Rhodes grass, which seeds freely three times a year, and Guinea grass. Elephant grass, which does so well in Jamaica, also grows easily here, and has great lood value. A native bush Mimosa, also has great fattening qualities, and, no matter how often the branches are broken, it shoots up again imme diately. This bush makes a soft feathery green hedge, having a cream flower the size of a marble.

Later this turns into a flat black pod, the grain

of which is very fattening for cows and pigs.

Horses are equally fond of it, but at a certain time of year it causes their mane and tail to fall out. All foliage within reach of the stock and deer in these parts is greedily devoured.

Exodus Of Coolies

The Laperouse will leave Noumea on January 13, taking 171 tonkinese coolies from New Cale donia and 118 which are coming from Tahiti on the Ville de Strasbourg. At Vila 460 tonkinese will board the same boat, making the total number of coolies being repatriated about 760.

New Taxes

The last session of the Conseil General (local parliament) was held on December 24. An import ant question came before the house: the tax to be imposed on coal and gypsum imported from Australia. It was decided that coal should be exempt from taxation, and that gypsum be taxed to the extent of five francs a ton.

Mr. and Mrs. Osbourne Grimshaw ar rived in Sydney from Papua by the Mon toro in January. For more than 20 years Mr. Grimshaw has been in the Magis terial Department of the Papuan Public Service, and is on a year’s leave, prior to retiring from the Administration. After spending a few months in Australia they will sail for England.