Cost Of Living In Noumea

A VICTORIAN timber expert, Mr.

George Patterson, who has been making a survey of New Caledonian timber resources for a Melbourne firm, had something to say about the cost of living in Noumea when he returned to Australia recently.

Everything is scarce in the French col ony, said Mr. Patterson, except cigarettes.

Both Australian and American varieties were plentiful—American cartons of 200 cost only 3/11.

But on the other hand, butter was selling at 6/- (Australian) per pound, and eggs at 18/- per dozen. Liquor too was scarce—whisky and gin cost 6/3 per nip.