LIFE IN A "FRENCH COLONY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 3756, 15 October 1886, Page 4

LIFE IN A "FRENCH COLONY.

New Caledonia, with its beautiful climate tempered by the fresh 6outh-enst trade winds which blow almost continually, its mineral wealth and rich pastoral and agricultural lands, should be one of the most prosperous spots m the South Pacific. But cursed as it is by a Government incapable of either developing or encouraging its resources, handicapped by hordes of useless soldiers and degraded by tho presence of tho lowest scum of the not most moral nation m the world, appears to me a paradise given over to the worst uses possible to imagine. Tho native population is rapidly dying away, and no wonder, considering that the Kanakas aro allowed to buy grog m any quantity, and jfigure m all the scenes of a degrading and beastly character frequently to be seen m the main street* of Noumea. On Sunday afternoon a magnificent band plays a Selection of music m the pavilion which stands m the centre of a large square m the city. The square is surrounded by cocoanut and other tropical trees, seats are placed at certain intervals for the accommodation of the people. Tho rank and fashion of the town turn out on these occasions, but sometimes ft party of drunken Kanakas appear and proceed to fight and insult everyone they meet ; the ladies and children vanish from the scene and a party of the city wutch appears ; there is n. fight, and after a wild tumult the Knnakai ore overpowered and carried away cursing. This is a scene of no uncommon occurrence. — Age.