SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

North Otago Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2199, 19 May 1879, Page 2

SOUTH AUSTRALIA.

The Italian Government offer a premium of Ll2O for the best eiMy on trees — genus Cetrui It is suggested by the Agricultural Society that the Government offer a reward for a specific for red rust The Government Replied that they cannot comply. j Fiji papers to hand state that a large extant of land in front of the Government Wharf, at Levnka, is being reclaimed after the suspension of operations for several months. The Fiji Argus advocates the annexation of the laUnd.of Rotoma, and hopoa, that when Governor Gordon retnrns, the annexation will be completed. The Missionaries are in favor of the annexation of the Fortune and Wallace Islands. A propoposal has been made for a dry dock at Levuka. and an application has already been made to the Government for that purpose. The Fiji Committee of the Sydney Exhibition is very active. They expect to make the Fiji collection very complete. The -first batch of Indian Coolies of 600, are daily expected at Levuka ; 200 have already been applied for. Ex-King Cakobau is extremely unwell. His system ii breaking up. Good plain cooks are at a premium in Levuka. Ratu Joe, the youngest son of the exking, has been married under circumstances that caused a good deal of talk.

He wu educated in Sydnoy. He vai a good scholar, and had a wonderful con* ception of European civilisation. He was desired to wed a daughter of the highest chief of Bau. He selected his own wife, one of humble birth, and vent to the missionaries home and was married without letting it be known. There is great disappointment that the natives have been deprived of the great feasts usual on such occasions. A steamer is being built on the River Rewa, and is now nearly completed. The Fiji papers advocate connection with New Guinea. H.M.B. Cormorant leave* on or about the 10th May, for Flat Topisland and I Torres Straits, where she will receive Sir Arthur Gordon from the mail steamer. Sir Arthur Gordon, in his capacity as High Commissioner fur Western Polynesia, visits Now Britain and several island* in the vicinity. He will then oome to Fiji, where he may be expected to arrive early in July. H.M.S. Wolverine and Coromant will both leave Levuka early during the second week in May for Queensland, the latter for a cruise amongst the adjacent groupe, in which she will probably remain till relieved.