A NEW MONTE CARLO.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1093, 7 September 1912, Page 4

A NEW MONTE CARLO.

PROJECT MOOTED IN NOUMEA. There is a possibility of a Monte Carlo being established in the Pacihc Ocean within a few days’ of Australia. A special Commission is sitting in Noumea to discuss meins by which New Caledonia may be better advertised and made more attractive as a tourist resort for

wealthy Australians, Americans aud Europeans. Of course, there are the usual recommendations regarding “publicity” pamphlets and posters and pictures. But in addition the chief newspaper of Noumea, Ea France Australe, in an article by the editor and manager, Mr W. Puget, comes boldly forward with a proposal to establish in Noumea a casino, on the lines of the famous casino at Monte Carlo. “There remains the most important question of all,” M. Puget writes, “whether the creation of a hotel, comfortable and huge, equipped with all modern conveniences, and having as adjuncts a concert hall, a ballroom, and games—or a casino such as exists everywhere in the Old and New World. The question of a casino has already caused much ink to be used in the local press. Some have cried out upon abomination and desolation when we have recommended its creation as a source of profit by means to be despised. The Municipal Council, better inspired, has rallied frankly and plainly to the idea. And in this it has acted wisely.

“Anyone must surely be very little in touch with the facts of today, to be ignorant, or pretend to be ignorant, that in France and elsewhere, tolerance in administration permits the proprietors of a great mauy casinos in ‘thermal’ or bathing centres to organise games of chance —chemin de fer, roulette, petits chevaux, trente et quarante, etc. —from which they derive an abundant revenue. People gamble everywhere in Noumea; in the ‘cercle’ (club), as well as at the official balls, in the different cafes, aud on the racecourses. Let who will gamble, and I haraly see anything abnormal in this —that a group of enterprising financiers should establish, on one of our beautiful beaches, a casino of the same kind (with proportion properly kept, of course) as that of Monte Carlo, of Aix-les-Baines) of Vichy, or of Ostend —to quote only the most celebrated establishments of this nature. Whoever desires the end desires the means ; and that is why, if you wish really to create a tourist movement to New Caledonia, nothing should be neglected to arrive at that goal, from which every body in New Caledonia will draw profit.”