High Charges in Noumea
p. 13 · Read in the full issue
A PACIFIC Islands resident, travelling between Australia and Fiji by air, was obliged to spend a couple of days at the principal hotel in Noumea; and, while there, he sent some clothes to be laundered.
He is still yelling, whenever he thinks of that laundry bill/. There were 2 pyjamas, 7 shirts, 4 collars, 3 pairs of trousers, 3 handkerchiefs, 1 singlet and 1 towel. The cost was 220 francs. As the New Caledonian franc is equal to lid Australian, the laundry bill was 28/-.
The cost of washing the handkerchiefs was 30 francs—equal to 10 fr (1/3) each!
All other costs seemed to be in pro portion. Overnight airways passengers are charged 40/- Australian. The casual hotel rates are 32/- per day, including two meals of extreme modesty.
New Caledonia evidently retains the standards set in the mad days of “Dollar Prosperity.”