FIJI.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4123, 8 June 1874, Page 3

FIJI.

THE MURDER OF A PLANTER. The Levuka correspondent of the JVcw Zealand Herald, in a letter dated May 22, supplies the following information of an extraordinary tragedy:—" By the arrival of the schooner Bruce at this harbor, we have received particulars of a murder committed by the Natives at Tanua. We beg now to recount the affair for the benefit of your readers, together with the chapter of unfortunate mishaps that followed the sad occurrence. Mr. Ross Lewin, a planter, residing at Tauna with his family, had for some time past been annoyed by the depredations committed on his crops* by pigs belonging to the Natives. Ho repeatedly complained to the Natives of their pigs breaking through his fence and destroying his crops, but without any notice being taken of it. His remonstrances proving useless, and receiving no redress, he determined to try other measures. Seeing some pigs amongst his crops one morning, he took his gun and shot one of them, afterwards throwing the body over the fence. The Native who owned the pig discovered it, and went to Mr. Lewin, telling him deliberately that lie would shoot him in revenge for killing his pig. Mr Lewin. offered to compensate the Native for the loss of the pig, and explained why he had killed it. The savage refused payment, and left with these words, 'I shall have you for the pig.' After this conversation Mr. Ross Lewiu was observed to be in a very desponding state by the people about the plantation. He told Iris wife what had taken place, and remarked that the Native would be sure to carry out his threat. He recpiestcd that if he should be killed, his people would bury hitn at sea, alleging that if buried on shore the Natives would dig his body up again. A few days after this he was engaged repairing a boat on his premises, and while in the act of stooping down to lift a plank, a Native approached from behind and shot him dead. The Native then took to flight. The people on the plantation then proceeded to carry out the unfortunate man's wisli—namely, to bury him at sea. His widow, accompanied by all the wliite people of the place, took the body out to sea in a boat, and there committed it to the deep. On their return to the shore, the wind came off the land, and the party "were unable to reach Havanna harbor. After enduring some days of dreadful suffering and privation through exposure and want of water and food they were picked up at sea in a famished condition by the schooner Donald McLean, on a labor cruise. Their troubles were not ended here, for after getting on board the schooner a very heavy gale sprang up, and the vessel was driven out of her course. Three of the white men died oa board the schooner of dysentery,

while the sufferings and anxiety borne by Mrs. Ross Lewiu brought on a premature confinement at sea. It was, however, fortunate they fell in with the schooner, as otherwise none of the party would have survived to tell the tale. The schooner Donald McLean, which had been instrumental in saving their lives, had also had bloodshed ou board whilst engaged in her labor cruise. The chief officer had been cut down with an axe, and murdered by one of the Natives, and one of the seamen had been shot through the mouth with a poisoned arrow. DROWNING- OE MR, JUDD. The same correspondent announces the death by drowning of Mr. James Judd, late master of the ketch Lady Pahnerston, at Vagadaee. It appeara that the ketch required a few sheets of copper replaced, and for this purpose she was taken to the above-mentioned place, and hove down to a punt laden with ballast. At about seven o'clock on the evening of the 21st May, the punt suddenly filled and sank, dragging the ketch down with her. Mr. Judd was at the time standing by the main hatch, holding a lantern in his hand. He went down with the vessel, and was never seen afterwards. It is supposed that he became entangled with some of the gear, or was sucked down by the vessel sinking, as he was known to be an expert swimmer. The crew of the ketch had a narrow escape. One of the hands could not swim, but was saved by a Native. The deceased's body was recovered on Friday forenoon. Mr. Judd was well known throughout the Fiji group, and universally respected for his general steadiness and urbanity. He was buried on Saturday afternoon, being carried to the grave by his brother sailors, and the coffin covered with the Union Jack. Over thirty ship masters and others followed the remains.