Mining In New Caledonia

From Our Own Correspondent.

Noumea, March 9.

THE representatives of the Tasman Mining Co. arrived in New Cale donia recently by the Eridan to search for gold and other minerals in the Colony.

All interested in the future development of the territory will wish them the best of luck in their efforts.

There are, however, many difficulties and pitfalls in connection with the gold mining industry in New Caledonia, where the law is not administered in the same manner as a British country. There are very heavy duties on all imported machi nery, etc., and the proposed export tax on precious metals, though it has not yet been fixed definitely, may be extremely high.

No doubt, all these matters will be care fully considered before a company of this standing makes any move. Nevertheless, in the past, there has been a great amount

of Australian capital invested in this country which has returned practically nothing,

Nickel And Chrome

The Eridan on her return to France lifted 600 tons of nickel from the Colony, and the Ville de Verdun took a further 600 tons on March 5. All the nickel ex ported from New Caledonia is shipped to Europe by the Messageries Maritimes’ steamers.

Though 36,199 tons of chrome were ex ported for the first nine months of 1934 (against 15,596 tons during the same period for 1933), only 457 tons were shipped by M.M. vessels. Most of the chrome mined here is taken by British and American boats specially chartered for the purpose.

Mr. R. G. Bruce, of Apia, has been elected president of the Chamber of Com merce of Western Samoa, .replacing Mr.

R. H. Brown. The vice-president of the society is now Mr. J. S. Chisholm.