FRANCE AND THE NEW HEBRIDES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11947, 22 January 1901, Page 5

FRANCE AND THE NEW HEBRIDES.

AN UNSATISFACTORY REPORT. DEATH OF A MISSIONARY FROM DUNICDIN. Pfess Association-By Telegrnph—Copyright. SYDNEY, January 21, (Received Jan,' 21, at 9.11 a.m.) A letter has been received from H. Forlong, a New Zealander, who is labouring a? a missionary at Malekiila. He states that the French claim the yrbole of South Malekula and the small islands on that coast, including the island where Forlong is settled. Two agents of Hie French frading' Company ordered Forlong to leave. He. declined. Later on, and during liis absence, 'the agents returned with 12 armed natives, broke open bis but, and removed much of Foriong's cffects. Thev also left a warning that if he had not cleared out 'before January 8 they would come back and kick up a row. Foriong's letter records the death from fever of Mrs M'Kenzie, formerly of Dunedin, and stationed with her husband at Ifalekula. DEPUTATION TO THE HON. MR BARTON. (Received Jan. 22, at 0.53 a.m.) A deputation from the New Hebrides Mission Synod waited on Mr Barton as Minister of External Affairs. In the statement of their case they accused the French of maladministration with reference to land dealings with the natives.'' The Rev. Mr Small declared that Captain Rich, of the Bingarooma, as chairman of the mixed commission, bad done all in his power to depress and; retard British interests in (he islands.,. The 'deputation wished the appointment of some authority to investigate the land claims. A joint commission could not govern the islands. What was wanted ' ivas annexation to Britain. Mr Barton, in reply, promised to give very :erioii£ consideration to the statements made. He considered it was his duty 1 to make representations on the matter ■ to the Secretary of State for the Colonics. Cable news was received on Saturday last from Malekula, New Hebrides, relating to the death of Mrs M'Kenzie, wife of Mr W. M'Kenzie, a well-known evangelist, iate of Owaka and Milton. Mrs M'Kenzie was a daughter of Mr Thomas Finlay, of this city. Mr M'Kenzie, accompanied by his wife and Mr Walter Carrnthera, left New Zealand- in March last to labour at Tanna, in the New Hebrides, The last new? received from tlicm was in November, when Mrs M'Kenzie was in the health, hut she succumbed to fever' early in December. Mr .Tolin Wilkinson has kindly supplied lis with the, following information relative to Mr Houlton Forlong, who if referred to i in the above cableHe is a son of Mr Gordon Forlong. of Waneanui, and litis been in tho islands for the last seven years. Ho earns his living bv trading, but ho is there for the express purpose of preaching the Goppel Mr For!m;g was turned out of his house |jy the na'ivns, who were incited by the French. All his furniture was destroyed and he was ejected. This is not the first time that he has been treated in this manner, for the sake of his. rfliprion." In the course of a letter written on October 26 to :Mr John Wilkinson, of this oitf. > Mr W. M'Kenzie, of MalekuK New Hebrides, states: "Tho French are doing all they can to got a hold here. Their traders are buying up the harbour and boat landings, while nricsts _ ana Sisters of Mercy are arrivinc. There is trouble at the time of writinir. and it must como to a head sooner or later."