FIJI NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5495, 27 June 1879, Page 3

FIJI NEWS.

We have Fiji papers up to the 28th May bj the Island Lily, from which we make th< following extracts :— The steamer Suva, from Levuka to Melbourne, via Suva, left the latter port on 14th May for Melbourne. She takes a full cargo from Suva, consisting ch : efly of sugar ram and maize. Mr. aud Mrs. J. H. Cowan, with their family were passengers by her en route to New Zealand. With reference to the quarantined sbin Leonidas, there ia little information to imIn so far as the present health of the ship is concerned, we learn that the number of sick people is reduced to some 20 patients suffering from small-pox and dysentry, the cholera having been narrowed down by the fact that the last victim who succumbed expired some six weeks ago, and since that period only two prematurely-born children have died. We further gather that the Government are making preparations necessary to quarantining tie coolies Jit Yanuca Lailai, the island being improvised into a quarautine station. Tho Times of May 28th says :—This morning at seven o'clock the removal of the immigrants per Leonidas will be commenced. They will proceed in the ship's boats, accompanied by an armed guard, to Yanuca Lailai, where every arrangement has been made for for their accommodation. The quarantine around the Leonidas will still be strictly observed, and every precaution will be taken both with respect to her and the people who are landed, to maintain the safeguards against infection, which already have proved so successful. Mr. Otway has been appointed to take charge at Yanuca Lailai, under tbe immediate supervision of Mr. Seed. Superintendent of Police. ' Another of those warnings which of late have been comparatively numerous, was afforded on Friday evening last, when the facility with which fire takes hold was exemplified on the premises of Mr. Walter Forwood. The premises were about being closed by Mr. Mair, who had taken charge of them for a short time in the absence of the proprietor, and before closing the outer door he attempted to blow out the lamp. This had previously been turned down low, and the endeavour of Mr. Mair resulted in the flame catching the kerosene in its receptacle, igniting it, and causing the lamp to explode in numberless pieces, fortunately without injury to the injudicious operator. The accident was nob to prove altogether harmless, however. The flame caught some of the goods, and before it conld be got effectnally under, did damage ;o the extent of some £30. In this case, the Hamburg-Magdeburg office is the sufferer. An enquiry was held by Messrs. W. Hennings and Otto Bauer, on Monday, and these gentlemen being thoroughly satisfied as to the accidental nature of the occurrence, the amount of the estimated loss was paid by the office, for which. Mr. Hennings is the agent. The sentence of death passed on the prisoner Va Vosoilagi, for the murder of H. it. Fitzmorris, was carried into execution within the precincts of the gaol at Totago. .Before the Chief Police Magistrate, John Malcott Murray was charged at the instance of the Collector of Customs with having concealed a brooch and a pair of earrings for the purpose of evading the payment of the duties payable in reepect of the same. The case for the prosecution was to the effect that, while the Customs officer was examining the defendant's cash-box on board the schooner Ovalau, he saw a small box apparently concealed by the defendant in the waistband of his tronseas, and when he believed him to be leaving the vessel he called him back, and asked him what he had got. The dafendant said it was only a present for his wife, and the officer having seized it, informed the defendant that he would take charge of it, and that the same was dutiable. His Worship considered the case proved, and as the Collector of Customs elected to sue for treble the value of the aoods. instead top'ay the sum of £21 19s Gd. Notice of appeal was given herein. Mr. C. H. H. Irvine, Registrar of the Supreme Court, has received appointments as Commissioner for Affidavits for the colonies of South Australia, Victoria and Tasmania. By the next mail Mr. Irvine will also receive a commission from New Zealand, which -will extend to the taking of the declarations of married women. The fact of these appointments will no doubt be appreciated, as well by the public as the legal profession.