MASSACRE OF ELEVEN-PERSONS AT NEW CALEDONIA.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume I, Issue 47, 25 November 1867, Page 3

MASSACRE OF ELEVEN-PERSONS AT NEW CALEDONIA.

By the barque Camden, an extraordinary, issued by the New Caledonia “ Moniteur,” has been received in Sydney* detailing the particulars of a fearful outrage perpetrated by the natives in the vicinity of Puebo, in which it appears that eleven persons have been killed, and fourteen wounded. The following letter from Madame Henry to a friend residing at Noumea, gives an account of the disastrous outrage: — “ Dear Sir, —The savages attacked our house on the night of the 12th October. Fortunately we were in a position to defend ourselves; my son was wounded. Harry, a native, came to us and said his horse’s leg was broken. We being friendly with him, Mr Henry was just following him out, when I discerned through the obscurity what seemed armed natives. I remarked to my son that ‘ something was up and I went to fetch him a revolver, during which time the fellow had struck my husband, wko endeavored to reach a loaded gun; but, before it could be used, the savage decamped, taking away a carbine loaded. My husband and sou rushed after him and fired several times, but owing to the darkness of the night nothing could be seen or done ; I kept ringing the bell, and soon had our people round us. Fortunately in the night the ships Sorez and John Knox arrived, so that we were enabled to defend ourselves and houses. The savages were evidently watching, as occasionally they threw stones in such an artistic manner that they killed three natives of the. Sandwich Islands, and one woman from Lifou. On Monday, the 7th, we sent on board of the vessel and asked for help, when we learnt of the murfler of poor Bailly. Madame Demene is not expected to live; the savages attacked their home, and a native of Mare was killed * the rest of the people rushed the mission house. 'What oUr destroyed;,

no doubt had we possessed arms wc could have destroyed these monsters. So audacious were they that at daybreak two of them were dancing in the garden—Folger fired at them and killed them. Wc recalled from the Farms all our men—we muster 130. We have sent to Governor Honagape for assistance, ami pray send up to Sydney and let our friends know, at all events for the present we arc safe and sound. “ Let our Sydney friends bo persuaded that the Governor of Caledonia will soon come to> our relief. ,We have always found the greatest of kindness from all functionaries. No motive can be assigned; we have had no quarrel on one side or the other; the ground we occupy was bought; it had never been cultivated, or any house on it; consequently we could not have disturbed them in any manner or way. They always professed great friendship. I was only up from a severe sickness. Those natives who have committed those outrages found me in green cocoannts, and Harry, who seems the chief in this revolt, always brought me chickens. He had had a boil on’his neck; we used to wash it and dress it for him. Only on the morning of the attack, my daughter Aggie asked him how it was; be replied, 4 Your medicines have quite cured if.’ “Surely our kindness could not have made him, when he found us so unprotected—bloodthirsty. There is. no use thinking you can tame or believe these people —treachery is ir their blood. Another chief bus just been arrested.

At the Catholic Mission House four men have been assassinated; their bodies were found in a marsh. Poor Railly's body has been found, his head split in two from the crown to 1 the lower lip, and his portmonnaie taken away— hr fact some had their entrails dragged out, and the details of one death is more revolting am' savage than another.” The 44 Monitenr” says;— 44 The news of th—murder of the following victims was brouglr to us on the 19th of October; —Private Gacner announces to the Governor that on the 6t!inst., at six in the evening, the murder wa committed by natives supposed to belong t>> Pouebo. Madame De Meneme miraculously saved herself, after receiving two hatchc; blows. Rot satisfied with the blood they ha. shed, they attacked the stores and houses o ' MessisDelrim,Bertrand,Demene, and Henry, and stole a quantity of goods. “Mr Henry sent for Bonorate, chief o' Hiengune, who sent some of his warriors afte the miscreants, two of whom had been caugh. by private Gacber.’ 44 The unfortunate missionary Bailly seenw. to think it was caused by the influence of some persons who arc against colonisation. Bailly was killed by an arrow. He was a zealous and efficient person,’ 44 The thre masted barque Camden, sailing for Oubatche, on the 7th, Mr Henry expressed a wish that the Captain should call at Noumea to inform the Governor there, to which Mr Sawyer complied with great prompitude. 44 The following are the names of those massacred on the 6th and 6th October, 1867 M. Bailly, Quartermaster of the Guards and Commander of Conscription at Pouebo; Yenturini, a Demene, colour-sergeant, his two sons aged six years, and one four mont lix one native of Erromanga; four natives of Sandwich Islands; one native of Lifou. Wounded; Mr Alick Henry; Madame Demene and two sons '(dangerously); ten natives of the Sandwich Islands.