THE EXPEDITION FROM NEW CALEDONIA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5944, 14 June 1886, Page 3

THE EXPEDITION FROM NEW CALEDONIA.

THE DESPATCH FROM THE CONSUL AT NOUMEA. SYDNEY, Jtjnk 7. His Excellency the Governor has received an important despatch from Mr Layard, Acting-Consul at Noumea, informing him of the departure of the man-of-war Dives for the New Hebrides, it is said with the intention of hoisting the French flag. The despatch reads :— " She has taken a body of French troops on board, and three months' provisions for them. The Government have made large purchases of timber and corrugated iron. The Artillery workshops are working night and day to make baxracba for the soldiers, which are to be conveyed to the islands by the steam transport Magellan to-morrow. The secret will be kept until the departure of the steamer for Sydney. No vessel was allowed to leave the harbour by a general order of the Acting-Governor. It was openly rumoured that this was done specially to prevent me getting to the islands first and hoisting the English flag. The New Caledonia Government have received a cablegram from France, and the Dives was put in fighting trim before leaving, as the German gunboat Albatross was at the New Hebrides. The two entrances to the harbour were watched by armed boats all night with the same intent, and I have ocular reasons for believing that my house waß watched by spies for at least two nights, until word that the French vessel was three miles outside the harbour was brought by the steam launch. I must ask you to post the enclosed despatch. I have also reported the matter to Admiral Tryon, and shall give despatches into the hands of Captain Calder of the A.S.N. steamer Rockton, jußt arrived, with orders to deliver them. I have lived here ten yeara, and know the Poßt-Office too well to entrust it with anything important. Report any news from the islands. A telegram from the Governor has been sent to Lord Granville." The lastnewß from the British Consul at New Caledonia reports that the French man-of-war Dives left fortheNew Hebrides on May 80, taking on board troops and provisions for three months, and is being put into fighting order. It is supposed that the intention is to hoist up the French flag. The Magellan, transport, was to proceed to the New Hebrides the day after with timber and corrugated iron for barrackß for single men. The entrance to New Caledonia is reported to be watched. The de3pateh was received by Lord Carrington from the British Consul at Noumea on Saturday. He sent a oopy to Sir Patrick Jennings at once, but it did not reach his hands until half-past 12 p.m. to-day, having been left by the orderly at the Reform Clnb, instead of being delivered at the Premier's residence, according to His Excellency's instructions.