LIFE IN FIJI.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 189, 11 October 1872, Page 6

LIFE IN FIJI.

In a recent nuuuer of JFiji 'Times' we'tiud 'fresh evidence of tho existence of slavery in itshileous furai. \ firm of.planters known-as Burt and Undi rwuod, importe I some labourers from T.mnn, undertaking that alter a year's senice'tije men should be sent noine again. When the year expired however, Uhderwuod ordered thom lo go to \v.irk. 1 to *do ' x). L'nilcrw'ood'drew; a pistol and fired at t:.em twice, one of the bulieis sinking a'man named Larney, in the arm. ;i v fie men set upon .Underwood and. killed him. Tie evidence in detail as lo the treatment these i:.en received before they t-uriied upon their persecutor is sickening to read. They were pinioned and flowed with jagged, pointed, and knotted sticks for disobedience, burned vith red hot irons in the most- tender parts of their bodr ies, sometimes for only mere passing inattention to their work. Thev were kept incessantly at \vork fro 111, eai ly daylight until long, after dark. jSo .page that was e/er written on/American slavery could be blacker than this ' and it may be hoped that the recognition of Cakobau-s sovereignty by kreat Britain least suggest to his advisers th*e"riecessiry,of at once giving such protection to laborers as will save Fijian society from the reproach ol being the most unfambus oil ,the face of the earth.