NEW CALEDONIA.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5325, 22 April 1878, Page 3

NEW CALEDONIA.

(From the Melbourne Leader’s Own Correspondent.) Noumea, March 18. Since my last stirring events have transpired in our midst. Never has been known such a series of trials in the history of this colony. Evil, in almost every dire shape, seemed to reign dominant. Death was busy removing with but scant warning many who could least be spared. Sunstroke was rarely ever heard of here, but this year there were many fatal cases, the most remarkable being the almost sudden death of Monsieur Jean, head of the law department. His loss was, and still i-, keenly felt, for he was a just and honorable man, and worthy of his high position. Death and sickness were bad enough additions to the commercial prostration which was gathering around us, but to these were soon added other disasters. First a former official of the bank, whoso dismissal had been demanded by M. Marchand, the manager, about two years ago, was arrested, and now awaits in prison bis trial for embezzlement of moneys. A short time after the cashier of the transportation service was detained ten hours before the sailing of the frigate by which he and bis family were proceeding to France. His wife and child were on board, and all their luggage. He being prevented from embarking, the frigate Navarino sailed without him. Two days after he hung himself in his deserted house, unable to face exposure. His defalcations amounted to between £4OO and £SOO.

The Societe Fonciere, a company which sprang from that which formed the Banque do Nouvelle Caledonie, has, like the said bank, been proclaimed insolvent. This, though fully expected, is a great blow to the colony, for the operations of this company all tended to the development of the resources of the island. Hopeful anticipations were generally entertained that by this company’s transacaotions the valuable deposits of nickel and other minerals which we possess would be largely exported from hero. Of course much condemnation is hurled against the fallen company, and blame attached to it for the failure of the nickel. That the nickel is a most valuable metal seems undoubted, and it is certain that in no part of the world has there ever been found such rich ore as here. Many are of opinion that a heavy blow has been inflicted

. against its reception in Europe by a'deplorable want of care in supplying‘the demand made for the ore.

An impetus will be given to the development of our copper deposits by an arrangement entered into with the Government, by which the Balade copper mine (the only valuable one really in operation here) will be worked by 300 convict laborers under Government surveillance during twenty years to come. Much money has been expended upon this mine, but labor was uncertain and expenses crushing. Now it is to be hoped that a vigorous impulse will be given to the opening up of the supposed inexhaustible lodes of copper met with during the past six or seven years in this and adjacent mines.

This colony, now in the throes of a severe crisis, will, with time and the prudence which springs from experience, recover and prosper ; and were she in the hands of the English would flourish as their colonies have done. None give utterance to this sentiment so unreservedly as the French residents here themselves. We English complain of red-tape ; they say that the curse of their administration is “paper.” For the most trifling event dozens of interviews and signatures, almost to the defacement of documents, are the invariable rule, much to the annoyance of the officials themselves. If you need ten minutes’ work done ten times ten hours are devoted to its consideration. Little wonder that the local administration has become laden with heavy debt, so that reductions in salaries and in the number of employes have been found necessary iu spite of the enhanced value of all the Government properties during the past few years. With fewer employes and less routine, much better service will be rendered to the country. To-day, 18th March, the Government despatch the transport steamer Seudre to Sydney for the new Governor, Monsieur Olry (Jean-Baptiste-Leon), capitaine de vaisseau, whose arrival here is expected in between two and three weeks. Our present Governor, Monsieur de Pritzbuer, vice-admiral, will then leave for France. Everything remains very quiet amougst the communists and convicts. In the last Monitcur (13th Mirch) is published a communication received from ViceAdmiral Pothanau, Minister of the Marine and Colonies, Jn which occurs this remarkable passage:—“My intention is that the Republic, the legal government of the country, shall be obeyed by all, irrespective of their title or rank, who, are charged with the application of the law. I will not therefore tolerate, on the part of any functionaries or agents of any class, a spirit of opposition against the Constitution of France ; and without entering into the domain of conscience I am right in demanding that the Government be respected by those it employs.” This is supposed to point to a strong spirit of opposition to, and some years’ suppression of, the Freemasons in this colony, in spite of instructions issued for their being allowed full liberty to meet here as in former years. Since the visit of Admiral Ribourt, whose arbitrary acts inflicted so severe a blow to the commerce and prosperity of the place that we still are suffering the effects, the.Freemasons’ lodge has been kept shut in the most despotic manner in spite of all. The intense heat of January and February has passed, and general rains have fallen, a much-needed blessing. We now confidently hope that the terrible drought from which, iu common with Australia, we have suffered for two years past, has given way to our usual seasons, and that grass and crops will be abundant, cattle fat, and their owners’ pockets begin to fill. Cooler weather will bring better health, typhoid fever being too frequent amongst us for some two months past.