Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 September 1892 — IN NEW CALEDONIA. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

IN NEW CALEDONIA.

An Island tn the South Pacific East oi Australia. East of Australia, in the South Pacific, lies the island of New Caledonia. It belongs to France and has an area of 6,769 square miles, with an estimated population of between 45,000 and 75,000 people. The natives are of the Papuan race and speak a language kindred with the Australian tongues. They are divided into numerous tribes, are well formed, tall, muscular, but indolent. Their huts are nearly conical in shape and vary from ten to twenty feet high. Work is begun by digging a hole in the ground and then planting a tall stout pole in the center. A number of poles running up to this form the framework, which is woven together by a kind of basketwork, and then the whole is made watertight by earth, additions being made until the wall is several inches .thick. Entrance is had by a door three feet wide. Many of the natives have been converted to Christianity and are industrious and sober. New Caledonia was discovered by Capt. Cook in 1774. In 1853 the French took possession of the island and established there a station for

their Pacific squadron. During the recent years there was considerable friction between England and France over the latter’s scheme of making New Caledonia a convict settlement.

HUT OF A MANGO CHIEF, NOW CALEDONIA.