NEW CALEDONIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 320, 2 October 1866, Page 1 (Supplement)

NEW CALEDONIA.

We (" S. M." Herald") are in receipt of papers from New Caledonia, from the 29th July to the 2nd September.

M. Paul Michel Frederic Gandiere, lieutenant de vaisseau, joined H. I. M.?s frigate Sibylle to return to France, in pursuance of an order of M. Guillain, chef de division navale, dated the 15 th of July last. Lieutenant de Vaisseau M. Chevallier, about the same time, also left the Caledonienne to return to France in the; Sibylle. Monsieur M. E. Raphael, lieutenant de vaisseaxt, formerly attached to the Sibylle, has left that vessel and has been placed by M. Guillain, in command of the Caledonienne. Other similar changes are reported. The Sibylle under the command of- Captain Kerangel, sailed from Tahiti on the 4th of August, with detachments ' of infantry and artillery, having also on board various objects for exhibition at Paris, at the International Exposition of 1867. The reverend mother Agnes, superioress of the sisterhood of St. Joseph, died at Noumea on the 10 th of August, deeply regretted. She has been -for three years before her death constantly engaged in educating the female children at the principal settlements of New Caledonia, and in the performance of other religious and charitable works.

The 15th of 'August, being the feteday of the Emperor, was obseryedas a public holiday at Noumea with all the usual marks of loyalty and rejoicing. There was a grand dinner for the Government officials in the evening. The ball in honor of the anniversary came off with great eclat' on the 18th of August. At Chepenhe, on the Lifu Islands or Loyalty Group, a new Protestant chapel was founded on the fete day of the Emperor. The Roman Catholics 'assisted at the ceremony.- The 'foundations of

the Protestant chap 1 were dug by tli c . French soldiers.

Collections arc being -made at Noumea toward-- the fund for the Tower of Joan of Arc at Itoncn.