Later Fiji News.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1759, 4 October 1875, Page 2

Later Fiji News.

By the arrival of the s.s Star of the South we have later Fiji papers : The schooner Dauntless had not been got off tho reef when the Star of the South left

Several cases of gastric fever and diptheria have occurredinLevuka. Former collectorsof revenue are ordered to pay all public monies iato the public account at the Bank of Fiji. An enactment is promulgated empowering the Governor to prohibit any one, from residing in any particular district of the colony, for the period of two years, on pain of imprisonment. News from TaviuDa is encouraging. There, as throughout the group, sugar is regarded as the hope of Fiji.

AFFAIRS AT TONGA AND SAMOA,

Our old friend Captain Lyons, of the Metaris, reports everything very qniet at Tonga, and speaks well of its King and native Government ; in fact he adds that it is the best Government in the Pacific, (rather a libel on our young Government), and that no whites have been allowed to lend their mischievous influence to its counsels. At bamoa, too, a large quantity of shipping is in port, and likely to be, while our port remains in a manner closed to the Pacific traders. The Rev. Mr Bingham (an American Mission-, ary) and his lady are amongst the passengers of the Metaris, from Samoa, who are en route from the Line Islands to Honolulu, via Auckland. The rev. gentleman is in search of health, being quite prostrated, and, in fact, had to be carried on shore in a chair. TWO SIDES TO A QUESTION.— ALLEGED NATIVE OUTRAGE. We learn says the Fiji paper of a serious aggression by the Ba Mountineers on the plantation of Major Fitzgerald who returned to Levuka last week. On the 7th August his residence was attacked, plundered, and burnt, by these ruthless savages, the Major and his family barely escaping with their lives, as it was gathered from their expressions that murder was contemplated. The matter has been investigated at Ba, and the papers have been laid before the Government.' The Major informs us that the "escapees" of the Burns' murderers from Totoka are walking about in all the assurance of security in the district. [Since writing the above, the substance of which was communi-J cated to us by the Major himself, we have heard a materially different version of the matter. On the Ist inst., Major Fitzgerald was brought to Levuka in custody, committed by H. Eastgate and Baron D'Eate, J's. P., at Ba, to take his trial at the Supreme Court on a charge of arson, setting fire to premises on his plantation. The prisoner has been admitted to bail in £200 for his appearance.] THE LATE COMMODORE. The newß of Commodore Goodenough's death caused a feeling of profound sorrow. The press warmly eulogises his services to Fiji, and the Times urges the Governor to take the initiative in punishing the natives of Santa Cruz. From the Levukian press we learn that Santa Cruz is about 700 miles from Fiji. Its area is about 250 square miles, and that its "sable denizens" are estimated to number about 18,000. The Fiji Times says :—'• The type and developement of these natives is repulsive ; their cannibal propensities something appalling, as they literally feed children in pens, and fatten them for human consumption." PROFESSOR HOLLOWAY AND A NATIVE CLERGYMAN. The indefatigable Professor Holloway of pills and ointment celebrity has written to the Rev. Isaiah Vanilogologo, Native Wesleyan Minister, at Waikava, pressing upon his notice the wonderful cures effected by his

nills and urging him to extend their use aCg the Natives of Fiji because, writes the Professor "It is my firm conviction that they wsl enlbto me to alleviate bodily suffering at the same time that you point out the path of spiritual consolation. AHe native clergyman very shrewdly replies :- •' I have carefully otndied your communication and one of the circulars, setting forth the truly astonishing cures effected by your medicinal preparations ; but I do not see how I am to perform the double office of physician extraordinary and minister of religion, as you suggest, without a supply of your seemingly invaluable Pills and Ointment; and, as I have not been mindful to lay up treasures for myself on earth, I am not in a position to aftord a practical illustration of their surprising efficacy at my own expense. I therefore venture, with great respect, to bring under your notice the subject of Fijian medicinal herbs and plants, which from time immemorial have been used in this country with astonishing good effect, and it seems to me that by mutual exchange of medicines you and I might confer a lasting benefit on mankind."