News From N. Caledonia

On board the “Sagittaire,” due to reach Noumea about the middle of May, are 300 Tahitians and Caledonians belong ing to the Bataillon du Pacifique. The “Sagittaire” will be the first French ship to call at French Pacific Islands since 1940.

Thefts from Noumea docks these days are numerous. The head of the Customs Department complains that there is in sufficient staff and that the pre-war system of control will have to be re established.

A stir has been caused at Noumea by the request, placed before the Consul- General, by an American Army dentist seeking authorisation to practice in New Caledonia on demobilisation. The move would be welcomed by the population, but unfortunately the Colony has a law refusing dentists who have not a French diploma the right to practice. The law, of course—though it has a counterpart in the Australian law —excludes New Caledonian students from studying to be dentists in Australia.

Drunkenness among natives in New .Caledonia increased during the war, but measures are now being taken to bring the matter under control. Recently, five natives were each fined 1,155 francs for being tight, and others are due to appear before a Court. These fines are much heavier than formerly.

New Caledonian Governor Tallec stated recently that the French and Dutch Administrations are taking measures to repatriate the New Caledonian Javanese workers to the NEI as soon as shipping is available.

In New Caledonia, the property of about 1,000 enemy subjects—German, Italian, and Japanese—of a value totalling many million francs, was placed under sequestration. The winding-up of the ex enemy concerns is now contemplated.

Another result of the war in New Caledonia has been an increase in gambling. Those caught in future are liable to a term of from a fortnight to three months’ imprisonment and a fine of from 100 to 2,000 francs. Keepers of gaming houses will get from six months to two years in the calaboose and may have to pay up to 6,000 francs fine.

An American merchant ship from Manila recently put ashore at Noumea a Javanese sailor belonging to the Royal Dutch Navy who had stowed away in Dutch New Guinea. He hid for three days in one of the ship’s boats.

After being closed since 1941, trocas fishing opened around the New Cale donian coasts in April, with such excellent prospects that 600 boats are taking part in the fishing, compared with 236 in 1939.

Caledonians would like to see Australia buy the harvest —it used to go to Japan.

Unique in New Caledonia —perhaps in the Pacific —is the recent marriage of three members of one family on the same day. Those of the family involved were Monsieur G. Eon’s two daughters, Ginette and Gisele, and his son, Norbert.

The ceremonies took place at Noumea Cathedral on March 30.