FRENCH ANNEXATION OF WALLIS ISLANDS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8076, 11 January 1888, Page 4

FRENCH ANNEXATION OF WALLIS ISLANDS.

Our cablegrams announced a few days.

ago that the- French Government had annexed the Wallis Islands. The group coneists of the island of Uvea. or Namo, and about a dozen smaller ones, of which Faioa and Nukuatea are the more important. TheArgus mentions that their inhabitants were

converted to Christianity by the Marisfc Fathers, under Monseigneuri Bataillon, for whom the natives have erected two handsome Gothic churches of dressed stone, which are

almost monumental in their character. Dr Deschamps, who visited the islands about

three years ago, on board the Orne, which had been sent to bring off the shipwrecked crew of the Lhermitte, which had foundered on a coral reef, describes the islands as covered with a luxuriant vegetation, while the heat of the climate is so tempered by the trade winds as to be agreeable even to people from the north of Europe. The natives belong to the highest type of Polynesians, and are altogether unlike the kanakas of New Caledonia. Their language, which is almost entirely composed of vowels, and has no diphthongs and only 12 consonants, is sweet and musical; and under the influence of their religious instructors an originally savage race has been transformed into a peaceful and civilised community. It is said that so far back as the reign of Louis

hillipe the people of the islands wished to

place themselves under thu protection of the French flag, but political reasons prevented the step from being then taken. Now, however, the Government of the Republic, seeing Germany so active in the Pacific, has hoisted the tricolor in Uvea, and appointed M. Chauvot as French Resident. Tho warship Fabert had been detached from the French squadron in tho Pacific, by order of the admiral, and had sailed for the Wallis Islands under the command of Captain Bonier, where she arrived on the Sth November. Six days later the Queen, Araclie, convoked a fono, or National Assembly, at which all tho population of the island was present. Supported by Captain Benier and

the officers of the Fabert;by 11. Chauvot, whom she has appointed her iicaloit, or

■ime minister—an office which is hereditary -and by four Maiist Fathers, she announced

tho establishment of the French protectorate. M. Chauvot delivered a long address, in which ho expatiated on the benefits which would accrue to Ul2 islands fiom their union with France; tin; national colours were unfurled by the direction of the Queen, and a salute of i!t guns was Jircd. The event coincided with the 50ih anniversary of the landing of Father Bataillon in Uvea. It is stated ■ that the people of tho island of Fntuna, 120 miles distant from the Wallis group, have solicited and will receive French protection.