Year: 1875




war vessel had touched Port stephens on the pre-
vious evening and reported that Commodore Good
enough commanding Her Britannia Majesty's Aus
tralian squadron had been massacred at one OF the
South Sea isands While the city was yet ringing with
the excitement occasoned and many wayerng in giving
credence the news, the stately frigate Pearl was
seen OF Sydney Heads with colors at half mast and
yards sloped mute emblems Of death She bore 70 his
last home beneath southern skies far from the land he
loved so WELL all that remained Of brave heart
and courteous gentleman as ever trodth deck, and
az the ship moved slowly up the harbor the royal
standard the Government House was lowered, and
on ship and shore similar marks Of respect were
thrown 70 the breeze. II was but little more than
month previously that the deceased pursuance OF
special orders from the Admiralty, left Sydney 70 re-
port upon the islands of the South Pacific and New
Guinea after conveying the Governor OF Fiji and
STAFF to Levuka During a former visit to Polynesia,
as well when acting as one of the special Commits
sonors to accept the cesson of Fiji the Commodore
had learned much of the malpractices OF the British
shipmasters engaged in the ''labor trade or, moro
correctly termed the Polynesian slave traffic Know
ing that would take time TO alay the vengeful
passions OF the Kanakas whose relatives had been kid
mapped from time TO time, he decided to visit per-
sonay those islands where the natives reputed
to be most hostile. Ambrym, Mallicollo, Vanikoro
and Espirtu Santo, whore Bishop Patteson
lost his life were called at and efforts made to
conciate the people by going among them and giving
presents TO tho chiefs &c, on the 18th inst the
Pearl made Carlisle Harbor, Santa Cruz, and remained
in the ofing while the Commodores gig and one OF the
cutters pulled for the village close TO the beach
Arms taken in the boats but not brought ashore
when the landed, and they met by the ma
tves in apparently friendly mood. They sauntered
up the village chatted with the head for some
time, made them presents bartered without the
slightest Indications of timiditv hOStflity When
about to leave portion of the crews had already
reached the boats the Commodore broke of con-
versaon with Of the chiefs, and was about to re-
tire, when


A NATIVE GAVE FOR ATTACK,


by firing HIM almost point blank, sending poisoned
into his ribs This followed by shower
of arrows, the attacking party keeping under cover
while the Englishmen withdrew slowly toward their
boats, from whence portion at obtained arms
covered the OF the remainder amid fights
of spears and arrows, by which their commander and
abo seaman named Frederick Smale were
wounded in the head Edward Rayner, A. B.,
had an arrow through his shoulder, and
three other slightly injured Before Com
modore Goodenough was got into his boat the Kanakas
pressed them closely that few shots fired to
check them, and to fall. The sailors
50 the treacherous character Of the
attack that only due the of authority
they we're prevented from taking summary vengeance
On boarding the Pearl the wounded attended to-
and q consultation of officers held subsequently the
Commodore after endeave ring TO palliate the conduct
Of the islanders by saying they knew no better and
only avengng the illtreatment received from
white men, gave orders TO tho boats supply tho
with blank cartridges only TO frighten the
natives out OF the village, and destroy IL without taking
life This was done the ship was headed south Tor
colder latitude, as more suitable for treating tho
wounded and favorable results were anticipated until
the l7h when symptoms OF setanas exhibited dn them
great agony. Commodore Goodenough fingered until
next morning and Smae followed about two hours
later. On Tuesday last they were


WITH PUBLIC HoNoRs


in the Anglican Cemetery the northern shore of Port
Jackson HIS Exceilency the Governor and snite al
the principal members of the government, public
clicals, colonial forces &C. present to pay the
last tribute of respect to the most popular officer that
the Queen OF England has sent to Australia IL is
hoped that false sentiments of humanitaranism will
prevent the government Of England from making an
example OF the murderers. Anything in the shape OF
mercy will be looked upon by these savages as indca
tions Of fear and If they attack of war with
impunty they will be tmorous about selecting for
Thanksgiving dinner the pumpest trader that next pays
them visit TO traffic in island produce What punish
ment df any may be decided upon in London will not
be known here for some days To be practically useful
IL should be as severe as possible q
warning all Polynesia, II it is other than this it
will be merely wasting time, and time which need not
have been wasted had not scky sentmentay inter
fered after Bishop Patteson was killed. They can best
appreciate civilization when II is hammered INTO them,
whatever tho missionaries NAV avow 10 the contrary
Two DAYS subsequent TO the funeral the Queen sent
cablcgram to Mrs. tioodenough expressing her sympa-
thy for the loss she had sustained


COLONIAL POLITICS


Tho Parliament Of New South Wales has just closed
the longest session known, after having passed an
amended land law TO stop the fraudulent purchase OF
the pick OF the country by the pastoral interest Dur
ing the the Colonial Treasurer intends visiting
London about the present arrangements for con-
ductng the colonial agency there and also some mat
relating the alleged heavy frauds connected with
4 the shipment Of worthless railway material Rumor
says he may afterward accept the position Of Agent
General My anticipations of change in the govern
ment OF Victoria verified after | wrote by
last mail The Chief Justice, Acting Governor, hav
ing refused the then existing administration the night TO
dissolve the House. they at once resigned, and Mr.
Berry leader OF the protcctionist party formed
ncw Cabinet He has announced fiscal policy more
accordance with his political creed than any yet
forced even extending as far as placing an export duty
on wool


NEW CALEDONIA


Dispatches received from France by last mail confirm
the rumors previously current that MacMahons pres
ent government does not concur In all that resulted
from Admiral Rbourts visit His chief adviser, while
on the island though then rewarded with the Cross Of
the Legion Of Honor, may thank his that only
side OF the matters connected with Rocheiors escape
a known Versailles when he received such disn-
guished honor for acting chief nquistor Now that
all tho have been submitted by the officers dis
graced and settlers who banished, affairs have
sumed different aspect and NJ Lassere has been re-
who only removed from Office but degraded by
being compelled TO live with the petty officers OF the
transport by which he was sent home has been rein
stated his former rank in the service and applied for
compensation for the manner in which he was treated
on board ship The home government having also granted
permission TO establish newspaper IN the face OF h5
refusal Of the local authorities II is considered TO augur
well for new and more liberal regime THIS IS much
Wdu1cu, Us 0NeIy uuy OTHes sunni new
stringent than before, As specimen Of The latest
may be mentioned one prohibiting any c0nddnaes IN
service at Noumea from going Of doors unless &C
companicd by tree person, under pain Of being az
once reegated to close confinement ~ penal depot
The extension Of telegraph communication from the
capital TO the principal villages and government depots
Is being pushed forward vigorously and large stan Is
engaged along the route OF proposed lne from Ca
nala to UaraL This VIII be expensive work, as thu
wires are through dense forest and cross tha
man range height Of about $500 feet above the



Is slowly recovering from Of the terrible effects Oh
the measles plague thing Of the past but appal
ing while II that those who know the natives say
that II IL occurred prior to the establishment ofBrt
sh rule there would have been war OF extermlnaton
waged against the white settlers Governor Gordon
! shnRa no Immediate Intention OF settling down