NEW CALEDONIA.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1436, 23 September 1878, Page 3

NEW CALEDONIA.

The special correspondent of the Sydney “ Town and Country Journal,” writes in that paper on September 12th:— I received by the Wotonga, from Noumea, a largo packet of letters, which I have perused attentively. Many of the letters come from gentlemen actually fighting, and one letter I received is from a gentleman well up in official movements.

Summing up my correspondence 1 find that the Christianised natives arc all true and loyal to the core, and that the most unlimited confidence can be placed in them ; this fact now all classes freely admit, but with respect to the unchristianised native population, I regret to state that the general belief in New Caledonia is that—as far as they are concerned —there will be a general rising. One gentleman informs me that even among the supposed fighting friendlies, ho considers an understanding exists between them and the rebels, which is interfering muddy with the movements of the troops ; for instance, there is language known only to the chiefs, and there are certain signs and counter-signs known only to the chiefs, so that even when in combat the troops can be completely frustrated by the signs and conversations carried on between the supposed friendlies and the rebels. It is supposed that, with the exception of the Mission Kanakas, the entire native population about Kanala, Nakety, Guidon, and even Gomen will join Alai. Moindon is in insurrection, and poor Monsieur llondaille, a settler some seventy miles north of IJourail, is not at all pleasantly situated, being completely surrounded. I have the very latest news, vi/.., the 29th of August. The natives attacked La Koa in the open day in great force ; they were well received by the troops, and I am informed by my correspondent that 100 natives were killed, but curiously, he mentions no loss of the’ troops; this omission, coupled with news received from another quarter, convinces me that the Government admit of no losses’ and will not allow any truths to be published. My friend Captain Semin had 'a narrow

escape of being shot. This gentleman, it will be remembered, heads the Kanaka natives, known as the Loyal Native Corps, but how long they will justify that appellation is a question. Captain Moriceau, in command of the Volunteer Cavalry the Englishmen’s Corps, as they are called in Noumea—has again started for the front. Baptiste, although not a chief of the same standing as Atai, but still very influential on account of his acknowledged tact and cleverness, has joined Atai, but extraordinary to relate, the “ whereabouts” of Atai and Baptiste is a complete mystery to the officials and troops. Colonel Wendling, the successor to the late Gully Passaboc, had a very narrow escape, and that gentleman very nearly had an opportunity of repeating the exclamation of poor Gully-Passeboc, when shot, “bien touche”—well hit. The natives have a remarkable penchant for making targets of the “ big white fellows,” as they call them, meaning the officers with a number of stripes on their armsleeves. Along with the late colonel killed, Colonel Wardling and Captain Servan have very nearly been also victims. The number of white settlers and gendarmes, &c., killed, amounts to 156, but of the soldiers and sailors killed we have no official or any news; and the number of natives killed must be received also with caution. The killing of the natives imprisoned at Teremba without trial or courtmartial has been much commented on in Noumea as a very bad stroke of policy on the part of the Government. It will certainly only tend to exasperate the entire native population. The natives are fighting with great pluck, and they have taught us a lesson in duty with respect to the burial of the dead. The savage will bury the dead at the risk of many lives. The authorities, as a rule in New Caledonia, leave the dead as food for pigs and dogs. We must make up our minds that this native insurrection will last for a considerable time. There are now about 1100 troops in the field, and a good many more on the way ; still, no sign of suspension of hostilities, but every indication of a general rising. It is a matter of general satisfaction that the mission Kanakas and the prisoners of all kinds are remaining so quiet.

Yery satisfactory news has been received from the Huon Islands. Mr Finkstone, sent from hero to report, has given a very interesting report as to the quality of the guano, its quantity on the ground, and the facilities of shipping. It is admitted that the lucky proprietors, some of whom, I learn, reside in Sydney, have dropped on a decidedly good thing.—The Special Correspondent of the Sydney “Town and Country Journal.”