New Caledonia.

Thames Star, Volume XI, Issue 3505, 19 March 1880, Page 2

New Caledonia.

Noumea, March 10.

The Lulu arrived from Ouvea on the 22nd ultimo, bringing news of the total loss of the Donald McLean. The schooner Mystery came in at the same time, having been dismasted off Santo. When the master was next able to take sights he found he was in shallow water near Ouvea. He proceeded as soon as possible to Queensland under jury rig. On the .passage from Odvea, the Lulu picked up the heel of a vessel's mast, broken from the deck, painted brown underneath, and 'white on the top ; it was about 15 inches in diameter, and 8 inches, from the deck.

. During the gale of the 10th February a vessel came ashore off Ouvea, on the north side of the Island-. The natives piuked up a number of broken cases, addressed for the mission of Puebo and Pam; also- a black and white dog came ashore, but he survived only twenty minutes. The~£uftrijrolrghtiip the crew of the Donald McLean. The Captain describes the storm of the night of the 9th of February to have raged so violently between 11 o'clock and 2 in the morning that he had. little hopes of being able io ride it out.

In the affair of the Moudewa, two of the felons have been executed; the other four, who were condemned to death, are await* ing their final sentence from France. The Beautemps-Beaupre cast ancftqr in our bay once more on Monday last, having made a very interesting voyage. The islands Belep and Huon, situated to the north of New Caledonia, are described as having s-uffered.very much during the gales of the 9th and 10th of February. Our island is now pronounced to be in an advanced state fortification against any* future attempt at revolt from the natives. Military posts are formed; roads leading from oue to another commenced, and in some places completed. This news is encouraging to us as inhabitants, and must be very satisfactory to the head of the administration.

His Excellency the Governor has arrived, after a tour, which was rendered ii;ore or less difficult in consequence of the ove rflowing state of the rivers. The distress in consequence of the cyclone wai not found to be so great as might have been expected. At Canalu very little damage was done—indeed the coffee plantations are spoken of as being in the most flourishing, condition. There was a reception at Government House on Wednesday evening, which was well attended by both French and English. . -

The d'Estrees commanded by Monsieur ChampeyroD, is designated to replace the Beautemps-Beaupre. Great fears of the fate of the Aoba are entertained.