ISLAND NEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXII, Issue 154, 1 July 1901, Page 3

ISLAND NEWS.

The "Fiji Times" of the 12th inst., says* On Saturday there departed this Hie afl the Colonial Hospital, a Mr Wigglesworth, a naturalist, who arrived in tua colony from Kngiand a few months since* m. quest, more particularly of the skins of birds indigenous to these islands. Wq understand the immediate cause contrfc buting to the decease were an abscess on, the liver and dysentery. The deceased gentleman was 3ti years of age, and presented anything but a robust appeal^ ance."

It is with-regret that we ('Fiji' Times'^ have to chronicle the confirmation of a' report which reached Suva a few days since, from Levuka, to the effect that Ma Henry Bwbank Leefe, Resident Commissioner at the island of Rotoumah, had died at that island. Later intelligence informs us that the death took place so fac back as the 21st April, and that the poor; communication is responsible that the in-t telligence was not sooner conveyed. The immediate cause of death was acutet pneumonia. The deceased was a son. o£ the Rev. J. Leefe, Vicar of Cresswell,. Yorkshire, England, and came to Fiji from England in 1870, via Sydney.

A distressing accident occurred at* Rarotonga, June 11, as the s.s. Taviunt was arriving there with Dr. Craig on.' board, on his return from the war ia South Africa. The officers of the steameß were firing some rockets, and the peoplg on shore were making a display of lire-r works to welcome Dr. Craig. The di 9-« play was being conducted by Mr Good» win, secretary to Lleut.-Colonel Gudgeon," the British Resident. By some means one of the rockets suddenly exploded and killed Mr Goodwin almost Instantaneously* and injuring four natives standing close! by. A piece of the rocket entered the side of Mr Goodwin's neck, carrying away the jugular vein, and coming out in the front of the face. The natives, though seriously hurt, have recovered sufficiently to b« out of danger.