348 



AUSTRALASIA. 



New Caledonia is at present centred in Noumea, which, as a town, is still in its 

 infancy, but for which an abundant supj^ly of water has been brought from a 

 distance of 11 miles. The chief thoroughfares are planted with trees ; a fine 

 garden encircles the government j)alace, and pleasant walks winding up the slopes 

 of the encircling hills lead down to the inlets on the opposite side of the peninsula. 



Fig. 149. — Noumea. 

 Scale : 120,000. 



166° £5- 



Ease orureenwich 



65°50' 



0to5 

 Fathoms. 



Depths. 



5 to 12 



Fathoms. 



12 Fathoms 

 and upwards. 



2 Miles. 



Beyond this peninsiila the main highway from Noumea ramifies in various direc- 

 tions through the island. 



Noumea is surrounded by "penitentiaries," or convict stations, such as those 

 of the island of Nou, with three thousand inmates, of the Duces peninsula, where 

 eight hundred Communists were detained, and of Montravel, set apart for military 

 criminals. Others are engaged on the public works in and about the capital, 

 while the Marist missionaries employ a large number on their gardens and 

 plantations at Saint-Louis, east of Noumea. 



