Fiji’s Near-Hurricane

[?] Cal. Aftermath of Fiji’s Near-Hurricane

(From Our Own Correspondent) I the early hours of January 5, Noumeans were awakened by the noise of plane motors. It re led. to many, the days of the four planes had sought refuge in w Caledonia from the threatened rricane in Fiji. [•hree of the planes were Solents the RNZAF. They had left va in an endeavour to seek uge in New Zealand but bad ither obliged them to make a de xto New Caledonia. Arriving in i very early hours, and Noumea’s port possessing no facilities for ht-landing, two of the planes ised around till daylight. One them, however, because of tech al trouble, had to risk a night ding, accomplishing it success ly with the co-operation of the imea aeroport staff. l fourth plane, a Catalina from liti which had brought the inch Under-Secretary to the onial Ministry, Mr. Duveau, to k Caledonia from Tahiti and also ried him to New Zealand, came Noumea to shelter at the same e as the Solents, he Solents returned to Suva on mary 8. [oumean shopkeepers learned the th of the old adage, “It’s an ill d. . . .” on January 8, when the ent Liner Oronsay arrived here ;r being turned away from Suva ause of the threatened hurricane, give hundred tourists were ard, many of them not over tiusiastic at being rerouted to imea. i spite of the short notice of arrival, everything possible was e for the entertainment of the rists. The usual excursions were mised, a ball which received a 3-warm reception was held in Hotel de Ville. Two of Noumea’s stores were kept open, the ther was extremely trying—and, general, the day was not very ;essful. hree more Orient liners are jduled to arrive in Noumea this February 4 will see the arrival the Orcades; the Orion comes March 15, and the Oronsay ves in June. Noumea should :e some effort to make these s worth while instead of sticking he stereotyped programme that never varied. he Tonkinese exodus is continu from New Caledonia. The ithly Air France plane carries east an average of 35 away and ttas always has its quota; whole ilies are being air-borne back

Haiphong and subsequently

toi. “No great loss to New Jdonia,” comments a NC corre ident.