NEW CALEDONIA.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 272, 29 May 1860, Page 3

NEW CALEDONIA.

(U'rora the New Zealander.) The Sydney Herald of 17th April says, the following war transports are daily expected at New Caledonia. We have referred for the names given to the Pencil Navy List, corrected to April, 1859, and find these war transports to be of the following powerful class of ships:—La Bellone, auxiliary scr&w frigate, 50 guns, 200 horsepower: La Sibylle, sailing frigate, 62 guns ; wo find no Iris in the list, but there is L'lsis, sailing frigate of 42 guns. The fourth named by the Herald, La Bonite, does not appear in the list as built or building. These vessels, says the Herald, are shortly expected in Sydney, on their way with troops from France to New Caledonia. These troops consist of six strong companies of marine infantry and a full company of artillery, &c.; or a total of about 1000 men, besides the crews of the transports. In consequence of this important reinforcement for New Caledonia, his Excelloncy _M. De Saisset, Governor of the French possessions in Oceania, who has received instructions to that effect from the Government at home, returns to Port de France by H.l.M.'s steamer Monge (screw aviso of 250 horse power), which sails from this port on Thursday next, the 19th instant. We have it on the highest authority that H.M. the Emperor has most fully expressed his approval of M. De Saisset's administration and conduct; sanctioning all his aots, and placing under hia command an important increase of force, which will enable him to carry on his contemplated improvements in New Caladonia, and to put down any attempt against a permanent settlement and civilization on the part of the savage native tribes. This large addition to the white population must, of conrse, contribute greatly towards the prosperity and extention of trade between New Caledonia and Australia—especially Sydney. Some very extonaive and important works are intended to bo carried on by the Governor, and these will require many hands of all sorts.

Who can contrast the French naval and military force in Nevr Caledonia with that of New Zealand, at 6uch a juncture as this, without fully endorsing the exclamation of Sterne ?—'' They manage these things much better in France !"