LATER FIJI NEWS.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXX, Issue 5434, 22 January 1875, Page 3

LATER FIJI NEWS.

By the arrival of the b.i. ' City of Melbourne' yesterday evtning wo have filts of Fiji papers vi i Sydney to the 30th December, from which we cull the following items of news : — By our Melbourne exchanges we find that a truly splendid sample of pepper has been manufactured from a parcel of chilis im ported from Fiji. Here is another industry that could be easily and profitably pushed ahead A 001 respondent writes "that tbe Yasawas are looking very well just now, but the want of capital retards all operations. Setlers are hanging on for a turn up of some- , thing and confidence ii shown that it will be shortly. Some days since we had a smart shock of an earthquake ; we reckon this a good sign of no hurricane. Mr. Moore has been surveying on the Singatoka River for the last month, and owing to some slight misunderstanding aa to the boundaries of th« land, was driven off by the natives of Navua. The matter was, however, speedily settled by Katu Kini. Several residents are desirous of importing pheasants to Fiji from Auckland, but such exorbitant prices are asked that it precludes the possibility of the end being obtained. The importation of a good English poacher would do good to Auckland province, for he oould snare any quantity of tbe game, which are moat delectable in taste, but most injurious when too plentiful to the growth and development of young crops. There is a probability of some brick buildings being erected at Levuka. Some speculative passengers are takiDg down turtle to Auckland, doubtless in the belief that some of the New Zealand mag. nates will air their gentility by giving a series of entertainments in honor of the new Governor. The Fiji fames says : — " There has been some miaunderstandinc; between the importers of goods by the ' Star of the South' and the captain «f the vessel. The importers declare their goods to have been injured and demand compensation, to recover which legal proceedings have been initiated. The defendant will not acknowledge his liability, i and prefers testing the matter in a law court, thus affording some crumbs for tho meinb' n of the legal profession. Mr. D'Arcy Murray and Mr. Forward are solicitors for Captain Farquhar, and Mr. Trusoott an<i Mr. Hetherington represent the plaintiffs. Certain evi- ■ dence and depositions were taken before the Commissioner in Chambers on Friday last, but these will only be made public when tho case comes on for hearing. " The Rev. Frederick Langham left Fiji in the • James Paterson,' for the Australian Colonies, where he proposes spending a few months with the view of recruiting his health. The reverend gentleman entered the Wesleyan Ministry in 1858, and in accordanoe with his own expressed wish was appointed to labour as a missionary amoug the FijianK. He has been very successful m gaining the confidence of the chiefs, and the various tribei, among whom he has minis- > tered ; and there are few missionaries indeed who have worked with greater acceptance than he. Among strangers visiting Fiji there is doubtless an anticipation of a full eujoymeut of fruit on arrival, bub whether it is that the whites are carelees to buy it or the natives too lazy to pick it we know not, a very poor show is discernable in the township at present ; iiines are entirely at a premium. Whilst speaking on this subject it is surprising hotelkeepers do not utilize some of the fruits when in season for the fabrication of cooling drinks, but no, gin is the only liquor in fashion.