AUSTRALIA.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 226, 17 September 1878, Page 3

AUSTRALIA.

(rKutkr's special to the press (agency.) Sydney, Sept 14. The boat race for £100 between Laycock, of Sydney, and Messenger, of Melbourne, was won by Laycock easily. Mr Chester, the Government agent, telegraphs that lie crossed New Guinea, and found six rivers and a number of villages. The people are cannibals, but friendly. The country is fertile. He has discovered what is believed to be ebony. [SPECIAL TO THE WELLINGTON POST.] Sydney, Sept. 12. H.M.S. Wolverine had arrived from New Caledonia, bringing later news from that place. The French soldiers were everywhere victorious over the rebels, and no quarter was shown to them. The two great rebel chiefs were captured and beheaded* Their heads are now exhibited at Noumea. Trickett and Rush are arranging another sculling match for the championship, to be rowed with fixed seats. Sept. 14. The Johanna Czar, which has arrived from New Britain reports that five Wesleyan native missionaries have been massacred by bush Natives, 10 miles from Malieola coast. The bodies were afterwards cooked and eaten. The Rev. Mr Brown, in conjunction with the traders and coastNatives, attacked the tribe to which the murderers belonged, and a severe fight lasting the whole day ensued. Between 70 and 100 were killed, and a large number were wounded. Another attack on tha Mission station was made by the Duke of York Islanders. The German traders retalliated, killing three Natives, Francis Kerwin, a Sydney trader, aud two other Europeans were murdered in this attack.