FIJI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Levuka, June 1.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3999, 16 June 1870, Page 4

FIJI. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. ) Levuka, June 1.

THE NATIVE TRADE. j The native trade has been very dull. It having pleased King Cakobau to call on his people for -money to purchase war ships,every Fijiian has been selling all he could and hoarding the proceeds. This being now over, a revival in this branch of our trade ' will be felt. - , In other respects, both in business circles and among planters, lam happy to report a feeling of confidence, and satisfaction with the present condition and future prospects of the country.

AMERICAN CLAIMS. An American steamer of war is to visit us during this month. The commander is to be Captain Truxtum, who was sent out last year with the frigate 'Jamestown,' to inquire into the destruction of Burt and Underwood's plantation at Nadroga, and also to re-investigate the old American claims against Cakobau. It is expected that action willbe taken to enforce payment of the£lo,ooo then awarded as damages to Burt and Underwood — for the destruction of their largp stock of cotton, and valuable plantation, one of the best in the group. As to the old American claim, the result of the investigation lias been its reduction by about £I,GOO. The balance has been paid off by the Polynesia Company (Melbourne). The new claim (Burt and Underwood's) remains to be dealt with ; but it does not concern Cakobau, as he repudiated all power or authoiity over the district in which the outrage occurred. °

LARGE LAND PURCHASE. Speaking o£ the Polynesia Company, frtrfcy people in Victoria have each subscribed £230, and purchased horn the Company 100,000 acres out o£ the 200,000 obtained by them from Cakobau. Some of these purchaser.-., have cone down in the 'Springbok;' the others are said to be chiefly bond fide settlers, and it h said that the selection and allotment of the land will be commenced without delay.

THE NI'IIVE POLICY. A well-timed and severe lesson lias been read to Fijimen lately. The hands of the white settlers are so tied by the fear, if thej defend themselves, of being taken by a man-of-war to Sydney for trial, that they have submitted patiently to much insult, and some outrage, without hope of redress. To such an extent lias tMs been carried, that the insolence of Fijimen, in some places, has been constantly increasing, and they have got an impression that the white men were afraid of them. In a dispute between a well-known and respected planter, at Vanua Levu, and his hired Fiji labourers, the latter took the law into their own hands, unmercifully beat the planter, and took away all the arms, ammunition, and trade on which they could lay hand. Hearing of this, the neighbouring planters and friends assembled. Mustering 17 in all, they made a troublesome and rough night march, and by daylight had taken possession of the neck of a peninsula on which a considerable native town stood. In this town Mr. Smith's labourers, to the number of 60, had taken refuge. The arms and trade wore demanded from them, but without effect. Word was then sent to the town natives to clear out, as the others would be attacked. Not waiting for attack, the gallant 60, confident in their numbers, came out to meet the white men, when I am glad to say they got such a dressing as is likely to make all Fijimen more cautious in future. 14 were shot, and the rest driven into the sea, whence they escaped iv all directions. Nearly the whole of the stolen property was recovered, and a statement at once sent in to the Consul of what had be*n done. As the people engaged in this affair comprise some of the most respectable planters in the country, and as the Fijimen were not only the aggressors, but commenced the fight, there is not much likelihood of the 17 being interfered with, but if they are they will receive the sympathy and warm support of the whole community.

STEAM COMMUNICATION. We regret to find thai Fiji is not included inthe Californian mail line. The fear of reefs is absurd, as there are numbers of good harbours accessible at all times, and perfectly free of reefs in their neighbourhood. However, our growing trade with Sydney, and the certainty- of its rapid extension by the _ addition of a large sugar export when Chinamen are introduced, satisfies us that we shall not long be left out of the line — in the interests of the Sydney people as well as ourselves.