FIJIAN NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 7975, 15 June 1887, Page 5

FIJIAN NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN correspondent.] [VIA RUSSELL. 1 , LevukA, May 30. Raixs havo continued to fall although we have not lft»d quite such a wet month as last. On Tuesday night, the 24th, we had a perfect deluge of rain, and tho Totonga Creek overflowed its banks and considerable damage to good roads and bridges was the result. The sugar cane, as was feared, lias suffered, and it is reported that the Colonial Sugar Company calculate that they will be short seven and a half per cent, of their weight of cane estimated at the beginning of the year. The cane at Ba, Mango, Penang, aud Ellington is looking first-class, those plantations always requiring considerable rain. The Mango Company ! have commenced crushing, slid many of the ' other mills will be at work within a fortnight. The Government have closed the Lpvnka Hospital, and the citizens will interview the Governor on the subject, he being expected here hourly from his trip round Viti Levu, calling en route at Ba. It appears that the Levuka and Suva Hospitals jointly showed a credit balance over their working expenditure, but tho Levuka Hospital showed a debit balance of £60 for 1886. It is the feeling that the Governor should be assisted in his endeavours to reduce the exi penditure of the Government, but at the same time some accommodation should be provided for the sick, although not on such expensive lines as heretofore, when there was a much larger population in the group. It is hardly likely that the Governor will refuse to comply with such a moderate request. Mr. John Robinson, or more properly speaking Henry Newton, who was a very old trader here, died on the 19th. Ou the night of the 23rd the Marau and Bailie Clubs gave a dance aud social evening, and it was a very successful affair. Such J clubs do a deal of good in promoting a little life and good-feeling in such isolated places as Fiji. On tho 24th our local fire brigade celebrated the Queen's Birthday with a torchlight procession, headed by the Levuka Band. The turnout was very creditable to the members. Mr. D. Solomon, the present captain, takes great interest in the work, and will soon have the brigade in very efficient order. An entertainment was given at the Public Hall to obtain funds to augment the library receipts, and it was in all respects successful. The Governor has issued invitations for a Jubilee ball, to bo held on the 20th, and it promises to be largely attended. His Excellency has very wisely decided that white shell jackets shall be considered proper dress at his dinner parties, and it is to be hoped that ho will consider the same class of dress suitable for the ball, as it is very little pleasure to people attending balls in the tropica to have to adopt the heavy black coatumo of moderate zones. The schooner Saucy Lass arrived from Rotutnah yesterday, and brings 30 tons copra. She will return to the Islands for another load. The Governor attended the native Parliament at Nadronga. The chiefs were pleased with his straightforward stylo of handling tho matters which they brought before him. Mr. Anderson and his family, who came to Fiji some two years ago from Canada, leaves for New Zealand for the purpose of making a home in your colony. They aro the right sort of colonists, and it is a pity for this country that the Government do not encourage by grants of land such class of settlers to make their homes in Fiji. Land at the present time is virtually unsaleable, and when a planter requires to negotiate a loan he finds that the merchant to whom he applies regards plantation property as a liability instead of an asset. It is rumoured that Sir J. B. Thurston, K.C.M.G., will proceed shortly to Washington to confer with other delegates re Sauaoan affairs. It is also stated that the American land claims in Fiji will be discussed. It seems as though the day was not far distant when Fiji will be handed over to some of the colonies to manage, as with the present massive machinery of Government it is not likely that the revenue will meet the expenditure; and New Guinea having boon handed over to Queensland, shows that the home authorities are realising that native nurseries are expensivo toys, and can be managed far better by the colonies adjacent to them. The brig Atlantic is loading copra from W. Flenning's store, and will have quick dispatch back. The Linskff arrived at Suva from Newcastle, and proceeded to Navua to discharge a cargo of coal for the Fiji Sugar Company. Captain Johnson, late of the Nightingale, has purchased the schooner Albatross, and sailed for Newcastle. About £100 will be collected in Fiji for the Imperial Institute. June 6, Walhalla's circus has arrived by the Fijian from Noumea, and opens to-night at Suva. The native chiefs have agreed to allow the shore reefs to be fished for beche de mer by the Europeans, Sir Charles Mitchell having brought the matter before them. His Excellency returned to Suva without calling at Levuka, which was a disappointment to many, as they were prevented from discussing tho Hospital question with him. A notice has been inserted in the local papers that white jackets will be considered dreas at the Governor's ball. Suva, June 9. Fine weather having at last set in the mill managers state that should the winter prove an open one they have every hope of the cane fully recovering from the wet season. The circus is doing a good business in this town, and after visiting Rewa and Levuka will roturn to Sydney. Sir John Bates Thurston left by the Arawata for Washington. Just before the steamer sailed he was met by a large number of influential settlers and townsfolk, who congratulated him on being knighted and wished him a safe journey, hia health being drunk in champagne. Sir John replied in suitable terms, and seemed very pleased at the kindly feeling shown. The Fijian left to-day for Sydney with 14,000 bunches of bananas.