NEWS FROM FIJI.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIII, Issue 7787, 5 November 1886, Page 6

NEWS FROM FIJI.

Bananas are now fetching Is 6d • bunoh in Suva,

W. Long, who formerly kept a barber's shop in Suva, was drowned while proceeding in a boat aoross the Rewa River from the Waimanu Hotel.

A few residents of Suva, being desirous of forming a Prospeoting Association, and despatching a competent man to test the reputed auriferous or metalliferous character of some parts of Viti. have addressed a memorial to His Exoellenoy the • LieutenantGovernor, asking to be allowed to do so. A reply has been received to the effect that any projeot of the kind mentioned cannot be regarded by the Government with favour; tbat previous researches conclusively prove that there is no gold in Fiji, and that as suoh a movement as that mentioned would only tend to cause suspense and uneasiness, His Exoellenoy regrets he oannot oomply with the request. ■ - It is to be regretted that that painful affection—oika (an affection of the eye) is becoming excessively prevalent amongst Fijians, half-castes, Polynesians, and even Euro, peans ; while its effects seem to be of a more serious character than formerly obtained.

At a meeting of the Suva Chamber of Commerce the Chairman stated that he had waited upon the Colonial Secretary with referenoe to securing reciprocity with Victoria, and had received the assurance that the Government were fully alive to the importance of this question and its effect upon the colony, and had already taken steps to communicate with the Viotorian Premier upon the subject.

Dr. Armstrong, the Government medical officer in the Ba Distriot, has been Buffering from an affection of the eyes for some time past, daring whioh he was for a period an inmate of the hospital in Levuka.

Copious rains have recently fallen at Mago, and the effect on the onltivationa and upon vegetation generally has been most marked. Cane planting has ainoe been vigorousely prosecuted. The mill began orushing about a month ago, and both density and yield hare proved most satisfactory. New Zealand oysteru have been introduced into Fiji, and are said to be thriving remarkably well.

The Hon. the Acting Colonial Secretary (says the Fiji Times of October 20) left by the Government steamer Clyde at an early hour on Monday morning. During his visit he succeeded in getting a meeting of the Reciprocity Commission and bringing its labours to a conclusion by the framing of its report; with a view to its adoption by the full committee at an early date. This deals with its subject most exhaustively and will be submitted to the acting Governor without unnecessary delay. It is uudentood that it recommends an effort to obtain the introduction of raw sugar from Fiji into Heir Zealand under a differential duty In its favour of one farthing per Ib. The Customs depot has ceased to collect duty ou the buyer's commission. Toe Suva Times of the -ml ult. reports the burning down of the house occupied by Mrs. Stirling at Ba. The occurrence is the mors to be regr«tt«d as Mr. Stirling left but recently for New Zealand.

They hav« a oarefnl way (says the Fiji Times) of holding murderers in oastody at Vuna. When poor Mr. Hulton was murdered, and while he yet lingered, the Tokalau who had perpetrated this atrocious orime was put for safe Keeping in a reed house with a mat door. Bearing that his viotim waa still alive this red handed miscreant walked away and returned to the soene of the tragedy, as he eaid, "to finiah him." Rβoently a Fijian was committed for trial for the alleged murder of two of the foreign labour on the Eugenie estate. While he waa confined in the look-up he was kept handcuffed. But on Friday last on the exoase that he wanted to go into the bush one handcuff was taken off him and an unarmed native constable waa aent to guard him. Of oourae the prisoner esoaped, and while the police are looking for him the people are enjoying the oonsoiousness that a man utterly reokless and deaperate is at large among them and may add to his orime as opportunity offers. This esoaps has created considerable excitement among the residents.