. / 1 'S 1 'A'. 1 1.. I SI A ILL USTR. I 77:7 >. 



cobalt, chrome and lead have been found, while nickel in the form of a hydratic silicate 

 of -nickel and magnesium has been met with in enormous quantities diffused throughout 

 the mountainous districts. These elevated regions also send down numerous rivers to 

 the sea, and although these streams spread into dark, sluggish, canal-like forms among 

 the mangrove-covered mud swamps at their mouths, they have an entirely different 

 character among the hills. Here they form bright sparkling streams, dashing over 

 roaring cascades, or coursing above strong beds of rounded boulders, with deep calm 

 intervening pools. The scenery resembles that of some of the Scottish rivers, and they 



abound in a fly-taking 

 fish resembling perch. 

 A promising field for 

 pisciculture exists in 

 New Caledonia, and 

 it is admitted that if 

 the introduction of 

 salmon and trout were 

 undertaken systema- 

 tically the numerous 

 suitable streams could 

 be turned into a pro- 

 lific source of wealth. 



A CONVICT COMPOUND IN NK\V CAI.KDoNI A. 



Their indigenous pro- 

 ductions even, when 



better known, combined with the natural beauty of the scenery and the healthfulness of 

 the climate, will doubtless attract a large yearly influx of Australian tourists as do the 

 Norwegian streams of annual visitors from other parts of Europe. 



The chief interest of New Caledonia to Australia lies, of course, in the fact of its 

 being a French penal colony. Since the first consignment of dcportcs arrived in the 

 frigate Iphygenke, under the governorship of Admiral Guillain, in April, 1864, the number 

 has gone on increasing, until it now reaches upwards of twelve thousand men and women, 

 inclusive of those holding tickets-of-leave. This is nearly double the whole of the rest 

 of the population, including both soldiers and settlers. Grim stories are told of convictism 

 in New Caledonia, and miserable tales have been current from time to time respecting 

 the lax discipline, the excesses, and the general disorganization of the official system 

 administering this huge social anomaly. Some attempt has been made of late years to 

 remedy these things in a measure. The more formidable criminals are confined in the 

 penal establishment on the He Nou, an island at the mouth of Noumea Harbour, about 

 one mile from the town. Some five 'or six thousand convicts are hived here in the prison 

 buildings distributed over the Island, which is three miles long by about three-quarters 

 broad. The prisoners are classified into, five divisions, according to the character of their 

 offences, and those in the fifth or more desperate class are never allowed beyond the 

 walls, while many are kept continually in chains to prevent their escape. Other 

 divisions are set to work under an armed guard, but never allowed to leave the Island ; 

 while the greater number are conveyed to the main-land daily in punts, carrying gangs 



