Facelift For

Wallis And

Futuna

The French territory of Wallis and Futuna, comprising two small groups 120 miles apart north-east of Fiji, has been having something of a face lift recently.

ON Wallis Island, drainage pipes at Hihifo Airport laid 20 years ago by the Americans have been replaced, with the result that the landing strip is again well-drained and there is now a possibility of increased air traffic. (At present, UTA provides a monthly service from Noumea with a DC4 aircraft).

Work to improve harbour facilities at Wallis are also being carried out.

The sinking of piles for a landing stage and wharf at Matautu has been finished three months ahead of a target date by members of the French Maritime Services Board.

Other work is being carried out in conjunction with the Public Works Department.

Meanwhile, at Futuna, investiga tions have been made into the pos sibility of building an airstrip, and it has been found that one large enough to take DC3 aircraft could be built.

The road on the island is also being remade, and it is now said to be “in perfect condition for two thirds of its length”.

Another project is the installation of a permanent submersible dock to replace a wooden wharf at Sigave which was carried away in a flood.

Talks On Labour Problem The French Resident Commis sioner in the New Hebrides, Mr. M.

Dalauney, visited Wallis Island from October 28 to 31 at the invitation of the Administrator, Mr. Due Dufayard. The two officials discussed the possible immigration of further Wallis Islanders to the New Hebrides for work on copra plantations.

Several hundred Wallis Islanders are already employed in the New Hebrides, and, with a few hundred Tahitians, they make up the bulk of the Condominium’s non-indigenous work force now that most of the Vietnamese workers have been re patriated.