New Caledonia
pp. 35-36 · Read in the full issue
M. Laigret Leaves New Caledonia
From Our Own Correspondent
Noumea, Feb. 24.
SHORTLY after the arrival of the new Governor, M. Tallec, earlier this month, ex-Governor Christian Laig ret left by plane for Algiers, travelling via Australia. Although in the Colony for only five months, he proved one of the most active and efficient Governors New Caledonia has had. He had many difficult problems to handle and his masterly report, covering all aspects of the Colony’s economic existence, made with the avowed intention of laying the foundation for a constructive programme of development in the future, met with local approval and, it is hoped, will prove a guide to the French administration in planning the Colony’s post-war set-up.
M. Laigret is due for an important appointment with the French Algiers administration, and his successor, M.
Tallec. who holds higher rank in the colonial hierarchy, forecasts for him a brilliant career.
M. Laigret was accompanied by Adju tant Duval, a battle-scarred Legionnaire who has been acting as head of the French Militarv Police in Noumea.
Meanwhile the bi-weekly “Bulletin de Commerce” asks, “Why this perpetual change of Governors?” There have been 30 in the past 47 years.
The Rt. Rev. P. N. W. Strong, Bishop of New Guinea, arrived in Melbourne on February 25, on his way to England, after an absence of 8 years.
Mr. Clem Palmer, formerly of Suva and until recently manager for Messrs. W. H.
Grove & Sons, Ltd., at Rarotonga, has left Rarotonga for New Zealand, with his family. Messrs. Grove have sold their retail business in the Cook Islands, and Mr- Palmer will represent the firm else where.
In addition to the 12 Western Samoan youths who are to be sent to New Zea land for higher education (see “PIM,”
March, 1944), one Euronesian is to be selected for the same purpose and under the same conditions.
Born in Apia, Samoa, in 1860, octo genarian twin sisters recently died in Brisbane within twelve days of each other. They were Mrs. M. I. W. Jensen and Mrs. C. Schrey, who left Western Samoa with their parents when still children.