FIJI NEWS.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1532, 15 January 1879, Page 3

FIJI NEWS.

[By Telegraph. ] Auckland, January 14. Tho Agnes Donald, schooner, from Levuka, brings news to the 4th inst. The schooner Tubal Cain, recently wrecked at Ono Island, is being repaired rapidly, and is expected shortly to be in Levuka. The damage is not so great as was expected. The schooner Magellan Island with maize, sailed for Auckland on the 3rd, and the schooner Winifred is to leave on the 4Lh for tho same port. At tho enquiry into the wreck of tho Tubal Cain the Court recorded a very severe censure on the master, James Lewis, for an error of judgment in attempting to go to windward of a low island like the Ono Group, and for want of caution in entering the Fijian Gronp. Labor is very scarce at Fiji. Fortunately over 200 natives have engaged themselves at Kandavau.

In the sugar mills erected at Rewa by Waterston, the rollers are expected to crush BulUciont cane to manufacture four tons of sugar daily. Four hundred coolies are expected from India early this year. Polynesian labor continues to be preferred by the planters. Surveyors are much required at Fiji. Two gentlemen have arrived from Ceylon to commence coffee planting. Thomas Keel, an old settler at Natewa Bay, formerly of New Zealand, was accidentally drowned. A number of suicides have taken place among the Natives in consequence of the oppression to which they are subjected by their chiefs in connection with the Native taxation scheme. The schooner Lady Palmerston was wrecked on a reef off Baliki. She was bound to Samoa. The vessel was partly insured, but the cargo is a total loss. She was owned by Fisher, of Levuka. The three-masted schooner Winifred reports that the Natives at Oba fired on a boat’s crew, wounding a seaman, with poisoned arrows. When on board the vessel the wound was lanced, and well washed out with nearly pure carbolic acid. A Native on board pulled out the arrow. The “ Fiji Times,” in a leading article, says that if any conclusion may bo arrived at frorp the indications presented by the first meeting of the Legislative Council, a busy time is in store for its members. Ordinances arc to be proposed, others amended, questions to bo asked, some of which will sufficiently tax the ingenuity of those called upon to reply to them. The financial statement has yet to be brought forward, being held in abeyance, evidently awaiting communication from the Government. If members do their duty, the sittings will extend over a period comparatively lengthy. The work to bo done will demand their closest'and most serious attention. The country is to bo congratulated upon the fact that another labour ordinance is promised this time in connection with the Fijian supply. From the fact that it is not a repealing Bill which the Colonial Secretary has been instructed to submit, great confidence may be felt that the provisions of the proposed enactment point in the direction of restriction. No doubt come provisions have been found whereby Sir Arthur Gordon’s favorite idea that laborers shall not Ipjaye the district in which they arc born will be carried out.

On tho Grh July tbo schooner Daphne was off Yanna Leva, and noticed signal (ires near Aor os Bay. Stood in, and sent a boat ashore, but conld get no men On tho mate offer big to buy pigs, some of tho natives left to fetch them, and lie put ofi p. iiljtie from tho shore to await their return, when one of tho natives, who had just reached the scrub, turned and tided liis inaskot at the boat. The crew throw thouiaelvea down in tho boat and returned the tiro over the gunwale. Several volleys were then exchanged. These men were returned laborers from Queensland and spoke English. Op. arrival at tho Solomons the learned particulars of Townsend’s death. Tire boy who was with Townsend received eight spear wound*, notwithstanding winch he recovered. Fever and ague have been very prevalent.

The returned laborers from Fiji give that place a very bad name,

The Daphne proceeded to Maru Sound on the 10th. White traders coming on board report that there is a skull hunting expedition on a visit to Thousand Ship Biy. The crew heard a story of a Chief demanding pay from a pearl shell diver to permit him to dive for shells. The direr refused and appealed to the captain of 11.M.5. Beagle, who adopted his view of the case, and sent, a message to the Chief to prevent the diving at his peril.