"A PEEP AT NEW CALEDONIA,"

Wellington Independent, Volume XVIII, Issue 1958, 17 September 1863, Page 3

"A PEEP AT NEW CALEDONIA,"

r Through the columns of Le Moniteur de la Nouvelle Caledonte" the Official Journal of the Colony, published at Port de France, the capital.

A friend has courtesly furnished us with the following translation from the French of a gubernatorial progress in New Caledonia, as detailed in the official organ published in that colony : — '

Extract from au article beaded " A few words about the East Coast of New Caledonia," published in Le Moniteur, of Sunday, 2nd AugU6t, 1863.

"At eleven o'clock on the forenono in the 11th June, the Governor and Madame Guillain, accompanied by the officers of the Coctlogon ('French war sieamer) started for Napoleonville, in *whaleboats, up the river Negrepo. This Btream, which comes down . frcjra ' the mountains that rise from the bottom of the valley of Kanala, meanders through a plain of paUtuviers [the English synonym for which word we know-not, and find not to, pur, only accessible (aneieni) French dictioaarj], 'J - '"nj.i „ ■ „■.;.• .... „.„.! ' I

and after watering the .foot of "Dead Men's Peak" discharges itself into the bay. The shallowness of the stream renders its navigation difficult at low tides, even for small craft, which have sometimes to be dragged out lik» a dray stuck in the mud. Above the monotonous palSluviers (aforesaid) waved the elegant plumes of the Cocoa Palm, and the air resounded with the joyous cries of the parroquets ; and, long as was the journey, it could not be without its charm, under the bright sky of La CaledonU. • ■■.

At last, the landing place came in sight, where the population, European and Native, were gathered together.

The troops of the garrison were drawn up on the river bank. Kake and Gelima, the two great chiefs of Kanala, each wearing a pair of Marine's trousers, and the vest and red scarf with which hi had been presented on the \bthof last August, with an officers' forage cap qna sabre, and bearing on his breast the medal which testified his devotion to France, — were at the head of their body guards, whom they had clothed in the old sold-off garments of the in* fantry. Behind them, was drawn up a long line ; of black warriors, armed with aftseguais, whd were eon fined to that indescribable national cos tun? c which economically limits itself to 15 centrimetres square of material.

Three salvos of musketry, fired by the garrison, welcomed the arrival of the whale boats. The native body guards, though armed with guns, were unable to partake in this demonstration ; and simply far thi* reason, that the local authorities, while they conceded them the right of bearing arms, did not care to allow them any ammunition.

This was a measure of prudence quite as much for themselves as for us; for the harquebusses are old enough to render it quite probable that they would explode as often at the breech as at the muzzle. However, the. guards made up for the taciturnity of their weapons by raising a tempest of wild yells* which sounded more like war-cries than shouts of welcome. .

i As soon as the Governor stepped on shore the Chef de Battallion, M ': Teslard, Commandant o.t the Station, presented the officers and settlers to him. The Governor took advantage of this solemnity to fix on the breast of M, Teslard, the Cross of the Legion of Honour, with the accustomed rites. The plea line experienced by the Governor was very evident when he gave M. Teslard the accolade (embrace) — a pleasure doubly shared by the spectators, who entirely felt satisfaction on account of the affection with which all regard the recipient of this honour, but also rejoiced in this convincing proof that, far distant as we may bf from the Mother Country, H. M. the Emperor and His Excellency the Minister of the Navy, do not forget the devoted servants of France. During this time the feminine sex, represented by ladies who were doubtlessly the female patricians of the locality, advanced towards Madame Giullain who kept apart from the ! official group ; and two of them, the wives of Chiefs, presented her with an of flowers. ' ,

A French \ady, who had been kind enough to introduce them, wis able to tell Mme. Guil« lain without too much hyperbole that her visit was* a great fete for their poor disinheritedness ; for never before had they experience the en* joyment of taking part in any ceremony whatever. "'..•

How proud then did they appear, and with what carressing looks did they turn over the pieces af gold which they had got in exchange foe their flowers / ' ' ■ .. 'this episode was not the least striking one of the journey ; and the report of it will ba reechoed throughout the whole native population. In New Caledonia, indeed, the Women undergo a rude slavery. The most laborious work falls to their lot, while the most nourishing victuals are forbidden to them ; and, as it. is they who have to prepare the food, it is necessary that their abstinence should be voluntary; so threatening spirits are made to keep them in check, and their forbearance thus becomes « matter of principle. To what sacrifices' indeed, will sot superstition reconcile human nature, whether black, yellow, or white!

If the Kanak (native) is, in other respects backward, it is not in the development of pride, for he believes himself the first being in ' creation. The whites, he says, * are so poor that they came a very long way to work on our land for their bread. With us, war and fishing are the only employments for men, while the men themselves do the work which we make our women do ; and they have so few women that they try to steal ours tor servants, so as to hare our love in idleness."

We shall be curious to see the sequel of this interesting account off a French Gubernatorial progress, couched in the choice language of a French official organ.

Which is the most irregular march in the world ? — The march of intellect.

When is it that a person ought not to keep his temper ? — When it is a bad one..

If you throw a stone into the water what does it become before it reaches the bottom ?~ Wet.

Where there's Life there's Hops. — An old maid speaking of marriage, says it is like any other disease— where there's life there's hope. : •

Imperial Government in France. — The Emperor it a great eucourager of expense in male and female habiliments, and also of extravagance in horses and, equipages. Hundreds of the finest English riding and carriage horses are now in Paris, purchased by various fune* tionaries of the Court, for which prices varying from 100 to 500 guineas have been paid. The luxury in broughams is very great. 300 guineas is no uncommon price to give for a miniature brougham, hung low, with pannels highly Tarnished, and lined in the' interior with expensire silks and velvets. Thirty, twenty, and. fifteen years ago, the French carriages were of wretched build, iieavy, lumbering, and crane-necked. They were then far behind the Belgian and Viennese, and were not to he Darned in toe same century with the English. Now, so fas as the pannelling, v&raishing, and interior lining and decoration go, the French are before the Euglisb, though their, springs are not to strong or so well tempered. Napoleon 111. has done much to improve. the breed of horses, dogs, and all animals useful to man. , He is also a great patron of agricultural meetings, of dog shows, of races, and steeple-chates. He was present at the dog-show, and also at the races of Chantilly, and the . steeplechase at Vincennes. This has rendered him very popular with the Jockey Club, which holds its meetings at the Grand Hotel, Boulevard des Capucius. The ridiug of Frenchmen and of Frenchwomen has wonderfully improved since 1848., Most Frenchmen now rise in the saddle in. a, trot as we English do, and ladies canter as boldly as our English Amazons, or *'* loud women." The Empress also encourages horse : exercise and sports, and the more questionable, because inhuman and sanguinary, 'diversion s of buil-fight*. She also encourages extravagance in female attire, and has perpetuated the odious fashion of crinoline.. Fabulous prices are now paid iB Paris for female attire, and. a dress is rarely worn twice at Court parties and hall&, A day of reckoning will surely come for alt this ex* travagance. Meantime, the, people are amused by music, dancing, and cheap bread,— /Vwrw'tf Magazine for June. * ' ; ' f