NEW CALEDONIA. (From the Sydney Empire.)

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XV, Issue 1167, 3 September 1858, Page 3

NEW CALEDONIA. ( From the Sydney Empire. )

Some time ago we mentioned that a company of gentlemen connected with this colony had obtained an extensive grant of land in New Caledonia with the view of ultimately establishing in that island coffee and sugar plantations. The originator of this enterprise, Mr. Byrne, who visited Sydney about two years ago, has recently returned to the colony, and we learn from him some interesting facts in relation to the subject Mr. Byrne has succeeded in obtaining from the Emppror Napoleon a decree bearing date February 17th of the present year, by which he and hia coadjutors havaceded to them at once 200,000 acres of land stretching across the island including a harbour on each coast, with the privilege of taking up on easy conditions, from ti tie to time, other land to the extent of 2,000,000 acres. One condition of the treaty or contract is that the company shall introduce 1000 persons for every 100,000 acres of land, it being stipulated, however, that twothirds of this number may be blacks of any n-ition indentured to service for not more than twelve years Of the one-third whites only 220 need be males, and to each of these the cnmpnny are to give fifty acres of land ; or in other woids they must distribute amon^ this proportion of every 1000 of the immigrants 11,000 out of every 100,000 acres of their territorial possessions. In furtherance of this colonising project, the French Government have despatched a frigate and two sloops of war with officials, and a number of extra martn 's, to form a land service for the protection of the settlement ; and it is understood that a considerable number of politicai prisoners will be removed from Oavpnne to the Tslu of Pines, to establish a provisioning depot for naval and other purposes. As a proof of the earnestness with which the Emperor has entered into this scheme of colonisation, a fleet of six iron steamers of about 120 horse po >er each, are now building at Marseilles for the Pacific station, and the first of them may be expected out in the early part of the year. It is pretty well known that Louis Napoleon, ever since his accession to the throne of France, has steadily devoted himself to the increase of French commerce. Even his military plans, and the exigencies of war have never induced him to lose sight of this darling purpose. At the present time he is preparing for the establishment of four grand lines of ocean steamers to connect the four great seaports of Marseilles, Bordeaux, Nantes, and Havre, with the principal points of traffic in the world. These lines of steam communication, we are told, aTe not to be opened on any calculation of direct profit, but with the sole object of promoting commercial intercourse with and extending the trade of France. As one line of these steameis is to run via Havannah to Chagres, it docs not seem improbable that Louis Napoleon may entertain some idea of ultimately opening the gate of Panama to the Australian colonies, as well as to the Imperial possessions in these icaii.