IMPRESS OF NEW CALEDONIA.

Dozerdust, Volume 1, Issue 1, 12 June 1943, Page 3

IMPRESS OF NEW CALEDONIA.

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I have been appointed Now Caledonian representative of ”DOZERDUST II » and fool that before starting on my official job I shduld explain how able I em to fill the post to which I have been appointed,, ■ . ' When notified that' I had been transferred to an Overseas Unit I called on tho . officer in charge to see where I could bo placed* Luckily, wo wont to the sane University, Oxford, (District High School— till he was. expelled). And he was very pleased to see me, I can assure you, however, . -thAt' it did.not cause him to favour me in any way* < ”You have been in the newspaper mill for the last three years, n he asked me* ”¥63”, I answered, since tho manpower shortage”, , ’’Connected with papers, eh? I have itc We require a snappy gossip writer for our newspaper— you are obviously the man. I have two assistants for you; they have Diplomas , or something, in journalism, sc they may be able to help you a little” t I packed ny bags , and included a few small comforts such as a garden' umbrella, an eiderdown and a small piano, Tho Army chartered a ship for me and I kindly allowed them to carry about a thousand soldiery— as ballast, of course* : ? It was a delightful trip; meals-, on deck in the sun— just like a picnic. In fact that one word describes tho whole voyage, I meant to make a few complaints to the captain but was so busy with ’’chert lines” and purchases from the canteen that I did not have the opportunity of visiting him, ' ? • . When I learnt our destination I was disappointed* Naturally, I wished to remain in a British country, and the stories I had heard about the French*-— immorality . and scent instead of washing— was a little upsetting* At least the latter in a > tropical country* However, It was all in a goodccause (so I. was told) and I thought that no doubt when I shifted into a comfortable hotel I would look at things in a different light.***, I would have Hl 4 Instead of taking me straight to tho hotel, General Barrowcatch had arranged a powerful convoy of great trucks full of armed soldiers in full war equipment* I was thrilled,Th© little flag on tho front; of my waggon flapped gaily in the breeze The soldiers wore all happy, and the natives stood bsr the roadside cheerfully saluting my waggon as it wont past. My, but it’s grand to be Britishll Though I had meant to note my impressions of tho scenery, I discovered I had only definite views of the state of tho road (despite my luxurious waggon) and the drivers. When we arrived I found my first Work associated with paper*.•• but in rolls.