RIVAL FIJIAN CHIEFS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20255, 15 May 1929, Page 10

RIVAL FIJIAN CHIEFS.

PIIOTK ACTED BITTER FEUD, ■ ONE BURNS ENEMY'S HOUSE* FOUR YEARS' IMPRISONMENT* SEQUEL TO A MARRIAGE FEAST. [FROM OUit OWN CORBESPOKDENT.] SUVA, May 9. , Ratu Beni Ravoka and Ratu Tevita Bolobolo are two Fijian chiefs, both residing in tbo same town of Ucunivanua, in the province of Tailevu. Ratu Beni is given the title of Ratu officially, bufc for many years now it has been a matter for bitter debate as to which of the two can rightfully claim tbo higher status among his own people. Had tho two chiefs lived a generation earlier there would long ago have been a sanguinary settlement with, very probably, a feast to follow. The advent of Christianity, however, forbids this and compels tho two to live in the same town and keep the peace. Now, Ratu Reni hag for long ruled tho district of Yerata with a rod of iron, at the same time contriviug to.run it in conjunction with the law of the land, but there lias been one man who has been as a thorn in his side, and that is Ratu Tevita. ' Ratu Tevita! has a son, Ratu Kitioni Kalisiwaqa, and it is hinted that .in spita of tho feud which had lasted through the long years between the two chiefs a marriage might have been arranged between Ratu Kitioni and Adi (Princess) Matilr Kula, the beautiful young daughter of Ratu Beni. But last year another suitor for her hand had appeared in the field and her, coming marriage to Ratu Estoniaf Seru Tui Levuka and Bu!i Lcvuka was announced. Ratu Estonia is a man of great native wealth and much power and the marriage was about to be solemnised. Preparations lor Marriage Feast. Great preparations were being made for the marriage feast. The occasion was worthy of it. The marriage of Adi Matili was tantamount to an alliance with the powerful Ratu Estonia, a most desirable situation from the point of view of a man who clung to the old rites and the old dignities of a high Fijian chief, a man who, when he entered his own town, called aloud so that all his subjects might . hear: "Long live the King," meaning his Royal self. There was much work to be done in connection with the feast. Many pigs had to be slaughtered and dressed. Much taro had to be cooked. Much tapioca root had to be ground down for pudding. Commoners rushed here and there at the command of their chief, but there were still not enough people running round to satisfy the old man's love of ceremony, so, abruptly, he issued an order to Ratu Kitioni, son of Ratu Tevita, telling him to take a hand in the preparation of the great ovens. But the son vras a chip of the old block. Who was this to order about the son of a high chief, the young man asked ? Why should he obey the commands of a chief whom he had been brought up to believe was a chief of a lower status than his father ? S'o he took no notice. Ratu Beni would brook no such disobedience and thrashed him. Then the father appeared and Ratu Beni attacked him. But there was no fight. Rata Tevita had absorbed the wisdom of the white man's laws and preferred to see what the magistrate had to say about such an assault. Later there took place a pilgrimage to Nadurululu to report the incident. Ratu Beni accompanied the pal'ty so far, but then doubled back ort his tracks. Later he was sent to Sjiva Gaol for three months on a charge of assault. A Charge of Arson. Ratu Beni emerged not long ago and found that his rival had still another card to play, through the police this time. He was summoned to appear to answer , a charge of arson. When the day of the trial arrived Ratu Beni's name was called three times, but there was no appearance. Ho had decided to defy the Court. " Wha' daur meddle wf me?" was the Scottish motto he had adopted in I) ijian. And very few dared. Two Fijians, who had risked £SO each in bail for the old chief, stood an excellent chance of losing their money. They, a police sergeant and two clerks of the lawyer who had defended him on the first occasion, Mr. J, N. Leleu, in company with an immense crowd of his own followers, begged him on bended knees to comply with the law. But no! If the man had been a commoner the. two Fijians would have brought him in by the scruft of his neck, but a chief they dared not lay their hands on. A plea by Mr. Leleu for the return of their money in the circumstances was successful, and the two Fijians each got their • £SO back. A warrant was then issued for the arrest of Ratu Beni and when shown the warrant he gave no trouble but submitted to arrest. Between two stalwart Fijian constables the chief stood in the dock while the acting-Chief Justice, Mr. W. K. Horne, reprimanded him for his contempt of Court.* "You were bound over at a preliminary hearing to appear in this Court," the Judge said to_ Ratu Beni. "I am surprised that a chief of your standing should behave as you have done.and treat this Court with contempt. Since the cession in 1874 the law has protected the chiefs in their customary rights and assured them of their position and the owuership of their lands. . One would expect in return, from the chiefs at least, a higher example of respect for the law." The chief's own surety of £SO was estreated. Burning of Rival's House. It was the Attorney-General, in open-, ing the case for the Crown, who first enlightened the Court on what had happened after the embittered and Ratu Beni had doubled back- to Verata. The chief had rushed back and had deliberately set fire to the house of his rival. Then followed a night of feasting and vacona drinkirig in Ratu Beni's house. The first witness called was Ratu Tevita. himself. He claimed that he was a high chief of a higher status than Ratu Beni, the old claim which has caused so much trouble in their lives. He was not aware of any dispute 'on this point. This in dignified, but very emphatic tones. A study of the two men, one in the dock and 'h o * other in the witness-box, revealed the* enmity which existed between them. The case was adjourned for a day tn' s order that the chief might be medically-, examined. When the Court resumed the Judge sentenced him to four years' penal servitude. His Honor suggested that compensation might be given the liva chief whose house had been destroyed, but it was pointed out that if compensa-, tion had to be paid bv Ratu Beni it: would l<e the commoners who would sutler bv having to find the money. "Ratu Tevita now holds full sway in town of Ucunivanua in the province or; Tailevu. _____ ''