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NEW CALEDONIA.
The correspondent of the Sidney Morning
Herald writes under dnto of Xoumea, 17th
August : —
In my Inst I sent yoti full quotations of a
characteristic article published by tlio Aro-
Caledonie, on the 10th inst.) respecting tho
visit of Commodore Erskine to tlie New
Hebrides.
Events prove, ns nil might have concluded,
that Commodore Erskine could trcnt the state
ments with the contempt that they deserved.
We were not, however, prepared for such a
burlesque as the editor exposes in his next
issue on the 14th. Commodore Erskine did
not call upon or speak to the company's repre
sentative, consequently did not with " arrogant
violence " strike the table and accuse the com
pany of robbery." Tlio two following letters,
published on tho 14th, will excite the amuse
ment of yonr readers, if thay will compare
them with the quotations sent in my last from
the Neo-Galcdonie, 14th August : —
Wo produce below the translation of two letters
addressed to Mr. M'LSod relative to the Iritiki
Island nlTair. According to these it win . hot
Commodore Erskine who imposed upon M'Lcod
the guardianship of the price of the acquisition
of tue island ; it was tbe commandant of tho
Dart, Although this error changes absolutely
nothing at tlio bottom of tho question, we wish
to rectify it, more especially as our correspon
dent, finding himself nt Fort Villa, and not at
Hatannnh Harbor (scene of tho asserted arrogant
violence), himself involuntarily committed tho
error : — .
. " On board tho Nelson, Port Tills,
Sandwich Islands. To A. M. M'Lood.
Sir, — I have given orders to Cointnodorh
Moore, of H.M.S. Dart, to hand you, as -director
for the N. C. Co., of the New Hebrides, a certain
quantity of dyliamite and 8£ (75 frcs.), which
has been given through a misunderstanding for
the purchase of the small island of Iririki, in thb
harbor of Port Villa, to two natives, named
Mnrra Murrn and Calico, by a Frenchman who
was on hoard tho steuiner Caledonian, bolonging
to tbe said company. Tho island of Iririki is
the property of the Fresby terian mission in virtue
of a title coming from the native who was owner,
duly attested in December, 1870. It is my duty
to inform you that the natives have rendered up
freely and voluntarily the price of purchaso.
They bavo told me that they refused to negotiate
the sale of tho island because it had already left
their hands, as explained above. But the money
oflered litem for tho purchaso was pressed on
their acceptance as payment, by the t hreat that
if they did not accept it the money would be
thrown into the sea. Lieutenant Moore will
comuiiinicato to you tho dcoJatation made by
Murrn Murra relative to theso negotiations. The
titlo to the proprietorship of the island of Iririki
is ill tho possession of Mr. M'Kenzie, Presbyte
rian minister at Errukoi. I will be mueii
obliged if you will inform your company of tho
decisions I bavo taken in ibis matter. I feel
confident that in tho future no attempt will bo
made to purchase from the natives lands already
the properly of tlio Presbyterian mission. — I
have, Ac., T. E. Ekskine, commodore."
" H.M.Si Dart, ' Havnnnab Ilnrbor, 30lh
July, 1883. Sir,— I acknowledge tlie re
ceipt . of your letter of tliis morning.
As I told yon yesterday, I received
orders from the commodore to iaiid tlio
dynamite and money, and I have no other in
structions on the subject. If, as you say, Lieu
tenant D'Arbe!,. of the D'ESUrfeen, purchased tho
island of Irriki during his leave of absonco
(which assertion allow me to doubt, because you
were not present), 1 hope that you will bo so good
as to return him the merchandise and money. I
am persuaded that this gentlemen will not persist
in seeking the satisfaction of so uniinportaut an
aliuir when he learns from you that tlio Chief
Murra Murra formally refuses his consent to tho
transaction, and that his purchaso lias been
mado through a misunderstanding, which pre
vented him knowing who was the real proprietor
of tlie laiid. — I have, ko., Wi Dsdoiin Mooue,
Commander H.M.S. Uart. MnM'Leod."
The following are quotations from the lead
ing article in the same issue of the Nto-Calt-
rfoiiie, in which the letters appear
Fresh informations, completing those already
furnished by our Now Hebrides correspondent,
give to the demonstration of Commodore Erskine
a particularly grave character. Ih tbe first piece,
bo was determined to injuib tbe New Hebrides
Company, and with this motive he has persisted,
without proof, in rendering tbe representative bt
the company responsible for a fact lie had abso
lutely nothing to do with. We insist upon this
absence of proof, becauso it proves a premedi
tated intention on the part of this officer to net
by forco in contempt of all international prin
ciples. Again : Moreover, tlie Commodore was
so thoroughly, convinced, in advance, of the
injnstico of his nttehipt, that ho Was very
guarded not tb breathe n word of it whilst the
D'Estfees nnd Bruat remained "at Sandwich. Ho
waited their departure ere striking his blow.
This is enough to judge it hy."
We are also assured that "it ie precisely
owing to our ekcessive condescension ih regnrd
to tills (English) nntion that has exalted its
pride tb subli a point." A Bet-ions feature in
tlie aSnir is the fact thnt no vessel has arrived
with " fresh information" from the New
Hebrides since the tiradb against the Com
modore published on the 10th, provinjj the
| extreme rashness of the editor in making such
sweeping assertions before first 'scanning tho
evidence.
A second expedition by the war steamer
Bruat has resulted in complete success in re
covering from the island bf Vanikbro tho
remains of tho wreck of tlie celebrated La
Perouse. Thb Bruat has brought to Noumea
three cannon, three anchors (one of which was
broken in halves by tlie dynamite required to
release it from incrustations of coral during
several generations), some sheets of tin,
and some tubes of a pump. A public de
monstration for tiio reception of these interest
ing relics was organised, and attended by every
service, military, naval and civil. Two salutes
of 21 cannons was fired on their landing, and at
tho conclusion a stirring address was mnde by
the Governor, who was surrounded by his
staff, and all the liiqh officials in Noumea. It
was solemn and impressive. The relics will be
sent to France.
An articlo upon the progress of the Cale
donian New Hebrides Company is published
in the Aeo CaUdonie of same date, in whicli
we are informed that since January last 30
tons of coffeo and 28 tons of maize have
been harvested, many valuable improvements
effected, and a generally glowing description
givon of all in connection with the company.
" Moreover, if we are well informed," it con
tinues, " at the next meeting of the share
holders it will be permitted to state that the
financial situation of the company is mosteatis-
| factory." . . . " As to the fever, after a
! certain time we think nothing of. it here. Every
! two or three weeks a short bad time — tin
maurais quart d'heure to pass, hut ivita tout,
that is ali." The poor skeletons wiio have
oome to Noumea to recruit seemed to thiuk
differently, and eo have several men and women
expressed themselves to me ns I looked upon
their pallid yellow countenances.
A feeling t-f consternation is cansed by the
news of the passing of tlie Recidivists liili by
the Assembly and Senate in France. All who
liavo an established interest in the country are
deeply moved by the prospeot of the Bure ruin
to the country by tho pouring into it such An
overwhelming tide of moral filth, Nothing
will withstand it here. The prcos is publish
ing the speeches of certain deputies who did
their utmost to Bavo this colony from such a
scourging pest which will spread like a moral
cholera over the southern hemisphere unless
checked in time.
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