A NEW MONTE CARLO.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1536, 4 September 1912, Page 9

A NEW MONTE CARLO.

PROJECT MOOTED IN NOUMEA. Tfoero if a possibility of a Monte Carlo being established in the Pacific Ocean within a few days' steaming of Australia, A special Commission is sitting in Noumea to tiisouss means by which New Caledonia may be better advertised and inado more attractive _ as a tourist resort for wealthy Australians, Americans, and Eu'ropeaDs. Of course, there are tho usual recommendations regarding "publioity" pamphlets, and posters and pictures. But in addition, file chief newspaper of Noumea. "La Prance Ausk'ole," in an article by the editor and manager, M. -W. Puget, come> boldly forward with a proposal_ to.establish in Noujnea a casino, on tho lines of the famous casino at Monto Carlo. - - ■

"There remain's the most important question p£ all," M.Puget writes, "whether tho creation of a hotel, comfortable, and huge, equipped with all modern -conveniences, and having as adjuncts a concert ha'.l, a- ballroom, and canios—or a casino such ■as exist everywhere in the Old and New World, should be established. The question of a casino has already caused, mur-h ink to the used in the local pross ; Some ham cried out upon . abomination -iml d-tsolation when wo bavo recommended ife creation as a source of profit . by means to bo despistd. The Municipal Co'incil, l;ott?v infriiwl, his ralliorl frankly and plninly to the idea. And in this it has acted wisely.

"Anyone must .=') rely lw very little in touch with the facts of to-day, to fco ignorant, or protond to be'ignorant, that in_ Francs nnd #lsowh»rp, tolerance, in ndministration [loraits the proprietors of a sreat mnay' casinos in 'thermal , ov bo.thins centres to or?ani» james of chance— chemin ds i'er, roulstto, petits clievanx, trente et quarantc, pte— from which thpy derive an . abundant rcvoniie.' PMofe gamble everywhere in Noumoa; in tin 'cewle' (club), as well as at' th* official balls, in the diffwftnt cafe?, and on tho racecourses. Lot who will gnmbW aud .1 hardly see any thine abnormal in this— Liiat a proun of enterprisinc financiers should establish, on one of our beautiful bMcne-s. a. casino of the same kind (with Tlroiwrtinn prcpurly kent, of (i<: tbqt of Monte Carlo, of AJx-les-Bniup, of Vichy, or of Ost?nd~tb tiuote only tho most celebrated establishments of this natnre. Whoever desires the «nu desires the meansi-and that, is why, if ysu wish really to create a tourist movement to Xew Caledonia, nothing should be noplected to arrivo nt Hiat. .iroal.. from which evoryhody in Np-w. Caledonia will tlrnw profit." ' .. '