M. Laigret

French Chief in South Pacific

Noumea, Sept. 4.

M. CHRISTIAN LAIGRET, a vigorous, clean-shaven man in his early forties, arrived here at the end of August, to take up his duties under the title of Director of the Cabinet of the High Commission, in which office he re places (or is deputy for) Admiral Thierry D’Argenlieu, who was French High Com missioner in the Pacific before becoming Chief of the Fighting French Navy.

M. Laigret was Governor in the Cameroons when that Colony rallied to Fighting France. He became ill a year ago, and spent several months ip Cape town. His brother, the young doctor Louis Laigret, died in the New Hebrides in 1928.

M. Laigret has authority over all French territories in the South Pacific. M. Jan Bourgeau is Acting-Governor of New Caledonia—which post he has filled since the departure, on war service, of M. Henri Montchamp.