THE FIJI ISLANDS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1886, 22 August 1874, Page 4

THE FIJI ISLANDS.

The German corvette Arconahas honored Levuka, with a visit, and our citizens of Levuka have paid Baron von Reibnitz and his officers all the polite civilities in their power. Rather an amusing incident occurred with reference to disturbances made recently by some Germans residants. They comj-lained to the Baron that they had been ill used ; that a Mr Shull had been arrested by the Government from the hallowed shadow of the Consulate ; and that they wanted L 20.000 or L 30,000 compensation, which they expect the Von would reclaim for them by virtue of his Krupp guns. Baron von Reibnitz sent to Mr Thurston for an explanation, and a meeting of the Provisional Goverment was called to hear the complaint. The German Couusul, Mr Fred. Hennings, presented it, and it was fully investigated. The result was, with regard to the complainant the old Lancashire verdict, "Sawed him right." And on leaving Baron von Reibnitnz in a most formidable envelope, about 2ft. by 6in., emblazoned with the arms of Germany, sent a letter to Mr Thurston, complimenting him upon the efficiency of the Government, and thanking him for all the courtesies the officers and crew of H.I. M.S. Arcona had received whilst the ship was lying in the port af Levuka. Certificates of indebtedness have been issued by the Government to the Civil Servants. They have from four to six months to run. Some local capitalists are taking them up at ajdiscount of fifteen per cent. The schooner Donald McLean has been lately recruiting labor at the Island of Ambrym. The boat was attacked, and two men wounded, namely the captain, who received a cut in one shoulder from a tomahawk, and one white man, who received a poisoned arrow in his cheek. The schooner at once sailed for Havanah Harbor, to procure medical aid, and was ordered on by Mr Hebblewhaite to Noumea. The schooner Jessie Kelly was recruiting labor at Malicolo, and fell in company with the schooner Quickstep engaged in the beche-de-mer fishery. Some of the Jessie Kelly's crew stole some pigs from the Natives, who, naturally exasparated, attacked the boat. One|of the boat's crew (a South Sea Islander) was killed, the captain was wounded by an arrow, and her charterer was pinned in the boat by a spear, which pierced both his legs. The Natives then manned their war canoes for the purpose of attacking the vessel, and both the Jessie Kelly and the Quickstep had to clear out, the latter vessel leaving beche demer and gear on shore. The Quickstep proceeded to Noumea, and the Jessie Kelly went on Northward. The fears entertained for the safety of Mr Hetherington, of the Dreketi River, prove to have been groundless. His boat, with laborers in it was brought down to Levuka, and at the time it was feared that some outrage had been committed, and the greater coloring was given to the supposition from the fact that some of the men were wounded. The Renard, British war schooner, was despatched to the Dreketi to make inquiries. The fact now proves to be this : — The men have for some months past been engaged in beche-de-mer fishing, and have been allowed to go without any whiteman.