Noumea As A Regular

Port Of Call

From Fred Dunn, in Noumea Area vice-president of the Matson Lines, Mr. T. E. Rowe, with Mr. O’Brien, traffic man ager from Sydney, have been visiting here to see the pos sibilities for making New Caledonia a regular port of call for their ships, “Mariposa” and “Monterey”.

They have made a detailed study of tourist attractions, including those on the Isle of Pines. They were very impressed with the latter.

“It’s just what the tourists want,” said Mr. Rowe.

However, a difficulty there is that the plane, a Heron, is limited to 14 passengers.

The proposed call at Noumea would be made on the return voyage to the US, with Auckland omitted.

But mooring would have to be arranged, as the ships couldn’t berth. This is now being investigated, and a plan will be submitted to Matson within a month.

Matson Hotels in 1959 are co operating with Orient and Pacific Lines to provide 39-day excursion trips from Sydney to Honolulu at reduced rates. Passengers will travel by O & P and stay at Matson’s Honolulu hotels.