GALLANT FIGHT WITH THE NATIVES.

Colonist, Volume V, Issue 470, 25 April 1862, Page 3

GALLANT FIGHT WITH THE NATIVES.

We reproduce the following • Ordie de Jour' from the 'Partie Officielle' of the Government organ of the 23rd ultimo :—

A base conspiracy and horrible plot has been forming itself for some time pa3t, in ihe tribe of Wagap. Most of the conspirators belonged to the family of ihe principal chief of that tribe, their criminal designs having in view the utter destruction of the Catholic Missions of" New Caledonia. During the life of the great chief Emmanuel, an energetic man of integrity, enlightenment, and immoveable fidelity, nothing occurred to interrupt the harmony that existed between the Reverend Marist Fathers and those who were under their instruction. Confidence and security seemed everywhere to prevail. But at the death of that brave warrior, the hateful passions of the people were once more awakened. The three brothers of Emmanuel, at the instigation of an uncle, who was a man not less cowardly than dangerous, in contempt of the oaths which they had all taken to respect the last will of the defunct, hastened to bind themselves together in a conspiracy, and, calling to their aid the chief Kahoua (our greatest enemy), swore that they would put our venerable missionaries to death. On the 16th of January, all the tribe of Wagap, led by the principal chiefs of the village, rushed in a body upon the tribe of Tupo, which was entirely devoted to the mission. The premises occupied by the Reverend Fathers were burned, the cattle slaughtered, and the surrounding plantations laid waste. Many of the corpses of the native Christians, dragged out of their graves, were stamped under foot and torn in pieces. The fury of these ferocious cannibals was not to be surpassed. The Wagap mission was about to suffer from the same violence, when a detachment, sent off hurriedly from Kanala in a small vessel, arrived on the spot at the very moment that the next scene in this new drama was about to stand disclosed.

For forty-eight consecutive hours untold efforts were made to gain possession of the principal house; the detachment, composed of only nine soldiers and three seamen, under the command of Sergeant Jouselin, had, on the water and on the land, to sustain the entire attack of 2000 natives. The fact is one of such a nature that it almost transcends belief.

Thanks to the wise precautions taken by this intrepid, sub-officer, and to the spirit and bravery of his little company (who were assisted by three colonists, Messrs. Lacabane, Carboneil, and Morignat) the first danger was soon overpast.

Two hours afterwards the Government schooner Gazelle made its way in Wagap Bay, bringing a reinforcement of forty men, dispatched by the chief officer of the Executive. The new steps then taken in accordance with the commands of Lieut. Hardy completed the discomforture of the natives, and Wagap was saved.

On the arrival of H.I.M.S. theCoetlogon, from Sydney, the commandant of the colony, comprehending the imperative necessity that there wae to°chastise the guilty, caused a military outpopt to be established in the midst of these lerolted tribes, as the only efficacious means of getting them into his power, and keeping them in proper order. He left head-quarters in the Coetlogon with a detachment consisting of 100 men. Immediately after his arrival on the spot where these events had taken place an expedition was resolved upon.

Two columns—one under his orders, and the other under the orders of Captain Joinaux, in command of the artillery, commenced operations simultaneously on both "sides of the river Tionaka. By a rare good fortune, such as we do not usually meet with, the natives at several points made great resistance. They were everywhere beaten back and driven out of their territory. Their villages were burnt and their plantations laid waste. By reports afterwards brought in it would appear that they carried off' large numbers of their dead and wounded.

In spite of so brilliant a success, the end in view was not altogether attained. The chiefs pointed out by the Rev. Father Barriol, as the principal authors of the disasters of Tuho, could not be taken. They escaped to the mountain. The post established at Wagap, under the ordeis of Lieutenant Robert, was commissioned to execute a reconnaissance every day in search of the guilty parties, who were, if taken, to be shot.

It was not long before the desired object was attained. During his first sortie SubLieutenant Second found himself in the presence of two chiefs, who appeared to be much terrified. During his second sortie he biought both of these men to the camp, with two others in a similar state of terror. The commandant of the post, after having taken care to have them properly identified, ordered their immediate execution. An immense crowd of natives witnessed that event. A result so satisfactory—an example of such severity and justice—will undoubtedly secure the tranquillity of the country: our missionaries will henceforth be respected.