Fly To N. Caledonia!

French Govt. Will Now Issue Short-

Term "Tourism Visas"

AVIATION is beginning to take an im portant place in the commercial development of New Caledonia. An aeronautical authority, M. Migeon, has just returned to the French Colony and holds the appointment of director of civil aviation. He is busy inspecting air ports and surplus equipment belonging to the United States.

The Colony already has established air fields at Magenta, which is almost in Noumea, at Tontouta, which is over 30 miles from the capital and at Plaines des Gaiacs in the northern part of the Colony.

As well as the service operated by the RNZAF from New Zealand to New Cale donia, Pan American World Airways also operate services through the Colony, and Qantas Empire Airways run a service from Australia to Noumea.

An investigation is at present being made into the use of amphibian aircraft in New Caledonia, and charter airlines are envisaged to run to various places, including the Loyalty Group, which is 50 miles away.

With a view to providing greater faci lities for would-be tourists to New Caledonia, the French Consulate in New Zealand has been authorised to issue “tourism visas” for a duration of less than one month. No guarantee is given that accommodation will be obtained, and visitors will be required to hold their return tickets. — Whites Aviation.

Tourist Trips from Australia

QANTAS Empire Airways flying-boats are now taking numbers of tourists from Australia to Noumea. The usual itinerary suggested by the air com pany (although tourists can arrange their own time once they are in the colony) includes a three-day visit to the Isle of Pines about 50 miles south-east of Noumea. Visitors to the Isle go in a boat belonging to a local identity, Captain Pons, and find the trip well worth while. The Isle, which is about 58 square miles in extent, has a popu lation of about 600 natives. It is famous for its many beauty spots.

Tourists can, in Noumea, buy French perfume and wines but high duty has to be paid on them if they are taken back to Australia.

The New Caledonia Government is not happy about the insistence of the Aus tralian Government that travellers must be vaccinated against small-pox at least 12 days before they enter the Common wealth from Noumea. Tourists spending a short time in New Caledonia are there fore advised Jto get this done before leaving Australia. It saves their being upset during their holiday.

The Rev. and Mrs. Ernest Clark, of the Methodist Overseas Mission, Papua, were spending leave in Adelaide, SA, in Jan uary.