NEW CALEDONIA.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVI, Issue 5, 7 January 1895, Page 4

NEW CALEDONIA.

THE ABOLITION OF TRANS-

PORTATION,

(FROM THE SYDNEY " DAILY TELEGRAPH.")

Noumea, December 22. The news of the cessation of the transportation of convicts to this colony, received by cable from your port, and since confirmed by ono from the home Government, was received with anything but pleasure by the business portion of the community, as it must be admitted this is the mainstay of tbe country. Many will argue that the mineral resources, practically yet undiscovered, and the suitability of the soil for coffee-planting, are sufficienb in themselves to make the colony a prosperous one when the transportation censes. This may be the case, bub to further these ends ib will be necessary to remove the exorbitant protective duties imposed under the new tariff (which threatens to ruin the colony), as well as the heavy port and pilotage does. For example, any f oreign^ vessel loading mineral ab an outporb is obliged to pay li francs (or Is 2d) per registered ton navigation due 9, in addition to porb and pilotago dues, exemption from pilotage not being allowed, no matter bow frequently vessels touch here . In mining, matters have been slightly brisk, and a large quantity of nickel is awaiting shipment on the "Grand Quai." Tho non-arrival of the Tanais has given greab dissatisfaction to shippers, who relied on her taking it to Sydney for transhipment to Europe. The lossof the A. U. S, N. Com_any's staamera nob touching here on their return to Sydney from Fiji is now felt. That was a service wo could well rely upon, but from want of funds tbo local Parliament was obliged to withdraw tho small subsidy. We have had no means of communicating our mails Iqr.a 9}onfcji,, Fortunately, we have 1-h<s q^bl'q ip%}\ back upon, for which the colony has to contribute 200,000 francs - per _ annum. Chrome and cobalts is coming in in larger quantities, tbe . former being extensively mined for now. There has been no rain here for more than a month, but the new waterworks are answering well. Rain would be, however, welcome. Strong south-east winds prevail after noon each day. The local Parliament, ab their budgeb session, heavily increased the duties on alcohol, absinthe, gin, whisky, and tobacco, to raise revenue. A proclamation was issued, giving only 24 hours' notice to merchants to get it out of bond. About £10,000 was netted by the Treasury during the day. The townsfolk are furious ab the action of the Parliament. A4,000,000 loan, to be expended on public works, was voted, but it must be approved of by the home Government.

The Seorff arrived from, Wallis laland via Fiji, on the 20th, and New Hebrides and reports all quieb there.

MORE CONVICTS,

The French Governmenb chartered steamer Caledonie arrived on 17th from France and Algiers, with 150 convicts and 150 relegues, as well as a number of Go-' vernmenb officials and their families. There wero six deaths during the passage. She steamed to the Isle of Pines, where tbe recidivistes were deposited, and returned to Noumea, where she ia now discharging. She leaves in a few days for Gabou.