THE NATIVE INSURRECTION IN NEW CALEDONIA.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 104, 14 December 1878, Page 3

THE NATIVE INSURRECTION IN NEW CALEDONIA.

The s.s. Gunga arrived at Sydney from Noumea, with dates to the 21st. The ‘ Herald ’ correspondent writes ; “ The place thrills with the news that in the beginning 'of this week J 1 more

were added to the list of victims. Again has ov( r confidence in the black demons

been the snare. Three small coasters were engaged to carry provisions and ammunition to the military force under the command of Colonel Wend ling, operating against the rebels in the north at Poya, Adie, &c. Amongst the 11 men composing the three crews was a man named Marianne, whose son was killed in the massacre at Monsieur Houdaille’s. This man, so far as a perfect acquaintance with their language, manners, and customs, was as a native himself. He had served for years as interpreter on any required occasion through an extensive district, and amongst many tribes. He seemed, in spite of the loss of his son, to have scorned the idea that the blacks would do anything against him. It is stated that he was warned not to go on shore, and that he should keep a strict watch. Both cautions seem to have been negdected. The lamentable fact remains to be told that, the expected provisions not arriving, search was made, and at the mouth of the Poya River one pillaged boat was found, as also were traces of a sanguinary fight, evidenced by broken oars with natives’ hair adhering. On the borders of the river, hidden away in the scrub, were found provisions, munitions, and six native baskets filled with freshly-cooked human flesh, from which the bones were extracted ; also the heads on poles. Two thousand rounds of Chassepot rifle cartridges fell into the rebels’ ■ hands, and these they employed against the boats of the war steamer Lamothe Piquet, as they were searching the river on the 16th. A great many shot? were fired by the Kanakas hiding in the mangroves which fringe the rivers in New Caledonia. The boats were struck by five baTs, but no one was injured. The sailors could only reply by blind shots, as it were, for it is impossible for any but the bare-footed agile savage to move through these mangrove swamps, a miss-step amongst the snakelike, roots of which involves sinking to the neck or deeper in mud.”