FIJIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Issue 6568, 5 December 1882, Page 6

FIJIAN NEWS.

By the arrival of the a.a. Hero yesterday we have Fijian files to November 29, from which we make the following extracts : — The mill in coursc of erection by Messrs. W. \V. Billyard and Co., on the Holmhurst Estate, Vuna Point, is rapidly approaching completion. Mr. Houghton, the Inspector of the Union S.S. Company, met the gentlemen constituting the committee appointed to further matters connected with the proposed steam service between Levuka, Kewa, aud Suva. Mr. Houghton Eaid he was unable to pledge the company to a positive course of action, bat thought it was probable that it would joiu tho local people in contributing a moiety of tho capital required for this purpose. The company had recently imported a vessel drawing two feet of water, carrying sixty tons, and steaming about ten knots. Such a vessel would doubtless be all that was necessary for the Rewa trade, and if so, it was only to telegraph for a sister boat, which could be here in a very short notice. Under any circumstances the company, if it resolved to interest itself in this matter, would send down a practical man to take such notes as would be necessary to insure the suitability of the vessel. 1 He hoped to meet Mr. Mills in Aucklaud, and would at once confer with him on the subject, and write the members of the committee by return boat. The Tonga correspondent of the Fiji Times thus writes inspecting the Rev. S. VV. Baker: —" On one thing the Rev. Premier is decidedly to be complimented, and that is on the success which has attended his efforts to keep an eye on the main chance. Our hero is rich ; ricli in more ways than one. Rich in the confidence of a native King ; rich in the good opinion of those who are not too scrupulous to admire him, doubly rich in his own self-esteem, and trebly so in the more practical department of pounds, shillings, t»nd pence. It is said that his name would be good on a cheque for five figures, and that even the lowest numeral need not of necessity head the arithmetical procession." Mr. J. M. Butt, who for the last five years has lilled the position of manager of the local branch of the Bank of New Zealand has asked for leave of absence to recruit his health, and the request having been granted, his successor, Mr. G. Mackilligan, arrived by last Hero. The premises for the Union Bank, and those for Messrs. James McEwen and Co., at present in course of erection in Suva, are rapidly approaching complotion.

The Fiji Times says : Consequent upon the late complications, with respect to the Gunga, fruit is a drug in the market just now. Piues and bananas are offering iu any quantity at the buyers' own prices, but the supply still exceeds the demand. News is to hand from Vuna to the effect that, on enquiry, it was found there was no case against the Indians arrested on suspicion of having been concerned in the Alpha murder ca3e, and the men have since been discharged. The allair is, therefore, still shrouded in mystery, and no clue whatever has been obtained as to the actual perpetrators.

A farewell dinner was given to Sir John Ciorrie by the residents of Suva. Mr. Paul Joske occupied the chair, and Mr. Scott, the local manager of the Bank of New Zealand, the vice chair. The remaining guests numbered about twenty. The demand for vessels amongst tho native magnates of Fiji does uot seem to exhibit any diminution. Mr. R. Smith has just turned out a very handsome cutter for Roko Tui Namosi, and at Mr. Palmer's yard, at Vagadace, may be seen a six-oared gig, built to the order of Ratu Luki, Tu Nadroga, which is a very handsome and beautifully-finished specimen of boatbuilding.

At the dinner to Sir John Gorrie he stated that it was his intention to settle in Fiji at the end of his judicial career, by which time he expects to find Suva a town of 30.000 to 40,000 inhabitants.

A preliminary enquiry has been commenced at Suva, into to causes which led to the massacre, at Santo, of the second mate and two of the Fijian boat's crew of the schooner Taviuni. The enquiry was only carried to a point which would permit of the vessel leaving port for a short time. The witnesses from the vessel were bound over to appear when called on, and the enquiry will be rosumed in a few days. MURDEROUS ATTACK UPON A LADY.

The Fiji Times, of November 29th, says : — "A horrible outrage was committed by a Fijian named Qaqa, on the person of Mrs. Isabella Moore, the daughter of Captain Maughan, on Saturday last, and it is at present doubtful if the unfortunate lady will survive the injuries that have been inflicted on her. On the afternoon of the day in question, Mrs. Moore was sitting on the veraudah of her house, at Waidau, at the hack of the island, engaged with some fancy work, her husband being absent at the time, when a TTiau approached with an axe in his hand. She asked him what he wanted and he gave her some vague reply, while he came up to her within striking distance and then savagely attacked her with the axe. The first blow narrowly missed her head anil inflicted a horrible gash on her breast, cutting down to, but glancing off the bone. He followed up this with other blows, in attempting to ward off which the defenceless woman received fearful injuries to her arms and hands. She then fell down, and the miscreant, to complete his murderous work, struck her another savage blow on the back, and then left her for dead. After his departure Mrs. Moore contrived to crawl to a moli tree, under which she fainted. On recovering, she managed to return to the house and obtain some spirits, portion of which she drank, and then, hearing the noise of someone near, she took the bottle, aud started to reach her father's house, some three miles distant. With almost incredible courage and strength of purpose she dragged herself onwark, keeping up her failing strength with a stimulant till she reached a creek, which it was necessary to cross. Here she met some Fijians, aud telling them what had occurred, she a"ked them to carry her over the crcek, but this the inhuman wretches refused to do unless she would give them a pound. She promised them in the names of her father aud her husband any number of pounds they wanted if they would but help her, but as she had no money with her they refused, and left her to shift for herself. At the last extremity of exhaustion she reached her father's door, and after doing what it was possible to do on the moment, the boat was got ready, and late at night the mutilated victim was brought to Levuka. Her wounds were at once attended to by Dr. Ghio, and she was removed to the hospital, where she now lies in a precarious condition, with but faiut hope of her recovery. Iler fiendish assailant was arrested and brought into town on the following day, and on Monday he was brought before the Court and remanded for eight days. The man is said to be mad, and this is borne out by the fact that he fiercely attacked the police in the station more than once, and broke three pairs of handcuffs in succession, as fast as they were put on him. On no other assumption can this savage attack be accounted for, though there are various rumours afloat about land disputes, which we are assured are without foundation. What makes the tragic occurrence the more sad, is that the unfortunate lady had only been married ten days when this brutal attack was been made on her.