Wartime Boom In New

Caledonia

From Our Own Correspondent NOUMEA, March 23.

THE increased value of house property in Noumea is shown by the sale of a small hotel-restaurant known as the Cafe de Paris, in the Quartier Latin district. A few months back it found no buyer at 200,000 fr. Last month, it was sold for 425,000 fr. Modern villas of average size (three bedrooms) have changed hands at 500,000 fr., which is more than one would give in Australia or Southern California.

The Post* Office Savings Bank reflects the same prosperity. On February 1, 1942, deposits amounted to 25,300,000 fr.; and on February 1, 1943, they amounted to 40,500,000 fr. The number of deposi tors increased by 824 to 17,763.