THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1324, 25 August 1886, Page 3

THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Mi J. H. Kerry-Nicholls, P.R.G.S., has written a very inreresting letter to the London Times re.arding the Ntw Hebtiree, end es he has personally explored the Islands he may be regarded In light of an an'hority. From the letter we extract the following particulars as likely to be of interest at the present juncture: Between the parallels of 14deg. Imin. and 20deg. S. and the meridians of IGCdeg. and 170-6'. F-. and at a dhtmce of a little over 1000 miles from the coast of Australia, the archipelago known as the New Hebrides stretches In the form of a long chnn of fertile volcanic Islands over a distance of about 400 miles from north to No region could be more cnrlops or attractive in ita natural aspects, flerp the elements of fire and water may y t be seen in active operation, building pp a small continent, the gigantic volcano and the minute coral polype erc'r doing its respective work. The largest island of the group Is Espeiitu Santo, about 80 miles long by 45 broad. It has a fine deep bay on ita northeastern aide. Next In Importance is Mallicolo, 55 miles long, and 25 wide; Enotnango is 23 miles long by 20 broad, while Ambryra, Tanna,

Yate, Pentecost, and Aurora are minor Inlands, all of which, however, are of considerable extent, and form collectively with smaller Islets a large area of country. The physical aspect bf i ll the islands Is remarkably bold, and betokens at once their volcanic origin. A range mountains, varying from 300 to 3000 feet, extends from north to south through the entire length of the group. The chain of nrimary volcanic upheaval may be observed rnning In a general course longitudinally through the islands, always In the longest direction, th ® ax ' a , of eruption being dht nct’y marked by ac ive quiescent volcanoes The present lino of volcanic eruption continues in a direct course north and south through the islands, Thewolcauo cn the island of Tanna and than on the island of, Ambrym are the two most Important. Both ate in a constant sta'e of eruption. The plains, table-lands, and valleys of the mountain regions are many of them ot considerable extent, Low-’ying alluvial districts occur frequently both in the dcnreeslonsof the mountain ranges, ard n tee vicinity of the coast. Tin soil cf the alluvial plains Is composed of a rich volcanic earth and decomposed coral rocks i«nd vegetable mould, and is often ct great depth and remarkable fertilityThe sizsrf tha islands does not admit of the formation of rivers, nor are there any inland lakes of any magnitude, nor aive lagoons ; bat the islands may be said to be singularly favoured in the n umbei of thalr mountain streams, which at admlrab’y adapted for all purposes of lm< Ration- The bold, Irregular coast line o {l)9 islands Is Indented with fine hafbon

and spacious bays, which are. accessible in all weather, and are generally protected from the violence of the sea by naturallyformed breakwaters of c< ral rooks In these beautiful is and* the moat pxturesque views present themselves witti the rich tropic*! vegetation oluste 1 g everywhere upon the rugged wall of white coral rocks which enoi'de the calm water.’, 000 of the most valuable harbors of this group both from a commercial and a strategic point of view Is Havannah Harbor on the western side of the island of Vate, and which is easy of Ingress and egress in all weather. The entrance is over a milo wide, and from this point the Harbor opens out in a length of about six miles, with an average breadth of over a mile It is perfectly land-!- ek'd and free from hidden dangers, and is surrounded by the most enchanting scenery, composed of till mountain ranges, fertile valleys,

rich plains, and groves of cocoa palms. At the north-eaU end is a mountain stream of water, and it should be noted that this is the only harbor in this part of the Pacific where a vessel may enter In all weathers and obtain a supply of water and stores. As a coaling station and naval this harbor would bo Invaluable to any maritime Power dominating the An-tralasian seas. The flora .of the islands is exceedingly rich and diversified, and all the pa see and farinaceous roots which belong to this portion of the tropics grow in abuu-. dance. T e indigenous fruits are the plantain, the banana, the custard ipole, Papua apple, and the bread fruit, wbils the cocoanut grows in extraordinary profusion. The indigenous fauna is confined to a small rat, but all animals which have been introduced thrive well _ Gaily plnmed parrots, and a great variety of other birds are to be found in abundance. The reptiles are coi.fined to small lizards

and a small water serpent, which is not mot with on all the islands. The natives inhabiting the various islands owe their orig’n to the same strek from which the weitirn and southern portion of New Guinea appear to have been peopled, they have evidently received a conAU their physcial characteristics denote them to belong to the Papuan race, but siderable admixture of Malayo-t*olyresian blood. Physically considered, the natives are a wtll-bnilt, athletic race of savages. Themen average about sft 6d in hight, and their limbs are muscular and well-turned.

They have large well-formed heads and the features are usually regular. The hair, which f rms one of tha most remarkable features of the raca, Is distributed over the head in small spiral curls. The social condition of the natives present many characteristics indicative of the infancy of mankind. They dwell together in villages and the ownership of the soil is vested In the tribe. On the same island there ar several tri bes, each having its own district a■ d chief . There is no recognised native sovereignty over the group. War is the chief occupatu n of tha men—as tribal fends a’-e very common—bat they likowi e build the heuses and canoas, go fist leg, and prep t > the implemen's of war. The women nil the soil, and peform all domestic duties. They have no form of money, but barter pigs, fowls, and shells for trinkets and native cloth. All the tribes are well

supplied with defensive weapons, such as clubs, spears, and bows and poise n;d arrows It Is an intereitmg fact that notwithstanding the proximity of these islands to one another the natives of each have a distinct dialect ; nor does this

apply to tha separate islands alane, since the dialects of the var o •« tribes -nhabit-

ing ea.-h island under, o a remarkable variation. It may ba edled that the natives, as a rule, are remarkably intelligent, and when well treated are friendly and hospitable to a degree.