THE ADVANCE OF ALGERIA.

North Otago Times, 22 May 1909, Page 3 (Supplement)

THE ADVANCE OF ALGERIA.

I The French colony of Algeria, in North-West Africa, has made rapid advancement in all direcUonsundcr the (lovernor-Generalship of M. Jonnart, and is now an ideal ground for tourists, or as a winter resort. . The climate from October to Slay is exceptionally pleasant and sunny, the sanitary conditions arc well but obtrusively looked after, and living is exceptionally cheap. M. Jonnart, ■ who was formerly Alinistci- of Public Works in France, has met with ■ great success in carrying out the task imposed upon him of eslabI lishing order, and then bringing the icolonv hack to prosperity. He has | made groat improvements in the railway facilities,.and restaurant and : slccping-cnrs are lfow provided on the trains to Constantino, Biskra, lunis, Oran, etc., while, not to be behind the times, motor-cars can he hired .in Algeria and most of Hie large towns Hotels in Algiers are numerous and fairlv comfortable, and moderate in their cliarßis. The Hotel llnmmamR'hira, the principal hydropathic establishment in the capital, isdelightfiillv situated, surrounded by plains n nd pine trees. The commerce of the colony, which has shown large increases every year, and now, amounts to about, £;«,non,ooo, is principally composed of wines, cereals, cattle, corkwood, skins, alfa grass, fibre, olive oil, dried figs, and fruits. Ore and phosphates arc also exported, while tobacco is cultivated in some parts of the colony. Another source of Algeria's wealth is its many forests, consisting of 2100 000 hectares owned by the State, and 070,000 by local bodies or private individuals, The Arab monuments are one of the sights of Algeria, and, as types of pure Moorish architecture, the Library, Old Episcopal Palace, nnd Winter Palace in Algiers will well repay students a visit. The nvos'iues are also very beautiful. The natives, especially in the south of the colony, appreciate the settlement of the French among them, ns formerly they were incessantly overrun and plundered by Moroccan bands. Now the military authorities advise and assist them, on d lend them nencuitiual implements. M. Jonnart looks forward to the time when the laying of the Trans-Snhnrnn Hallway will P«t <f crowning-stone to French empire m 1 Africa..