News from New Caledonia.

Auckland Star, Volume XVII, Issue 234, 5 October 1886, Page 2

News from New Caledonia.

Torrlblo Scones.

Noumea, September 10. Last Sunday evening a lot of New Hobrides natives were having one of their usual tribal battles in the main street of this capital when a policeman interfored, and got half murdered for his trouble A sailor went to tho policeman's rescue, but only to be woree treatod. Tho policeman being ogam attacked, thought it high time to use his revolver, and shot one native doad, wounding a second in the forehoad. This is a delightful commontary on Mons. de Freycinet's dictum that tho soldiers had been sent to the New Hobrides to protect tho whites against the natives. 1 am told that nn attack by natives on white men in Havannah Harbour is utterly unknown, whereas the scenes of drunkon savagery in Noumea every Sunday evening is a perfect disgrace to a civilised nation. Tho natives aro allowed to have as much liquor as they can buy ; their savage natures get roused by the drink sold to them, and they start an intertribal fight, and woe to the white man who interferes. Every M ondny regularly the papers are filled with complaints of native fights the ovening previous, and call on the Government to interfere with a strong band.

News from tho Now Hebrides.

By tho return of the JDuchnffant from the New Heb-ides, we have received the significant news of the establishment of a third military post in tbe islands, at Vila Harbor, on the Island of Sandwich, with tbe intention of forming a township. This does not look much like withdrawing troops. It cannot be for the mirpose of protecting tbe settlers, as the few resident natives are perfectly harmless and peaceful. I think Australians will at least recognise that tbe French have, de facto, takon possession of the islands, and intend to stay there. —Correspondent of Sydney "Morning Herald."