THE FIJI ISLANDS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4205, 11 September 1874, Page 2

THE FIJI ISLANDS.

The Eiji correspondent of the Sydney Herald furnishes the following gossip under date Levuka, August X : The weather during the past month has been of a most remarkable character. After the first few days, which ' were fine and genial, it came on to blow violently from the south and the south-east, and shortly afterwards the rain came down in torrents. This continued, without intermission, for eight or ten days ; the cold in the meantime being most intense. Gentlemen began to talk of great coats, and ladies of warm shawls and fur muffs—everyone declaring that during their residence in Eiji they had never experienced so severe a winter. Numbers of persons have been laid up with painful affections of the face, neck and throat, which became swollen to a fearful extent, and in some cases assumed an alarming character. Many parties would gladly have availed themselves of a “comfortable fireside,” but such a luxury as that is ' altogether out of the question in Fiji. In the way of business things are as dull as ever—nothing is being done—and the scarcity of money is so great that people in general are only living, as. the saying is “from hand to mouth.” The worst of it is there is no appearance of any change for the better. Everybody is waiting for the news of “annexation and should _there be any disappointment in this respect it is impossible to say what will be the result, as everything will be brought to a deadlock. As an indication of the depressed state of things it may be mentioned, that twoweatherboard cottages, each of which brings iu a rental of 10s. a week (a considerable quantity of ground being attached to each cottage), and having a lease of two years and a half to run, with an option of renewal for eighteen months longer, were the other day sold by the sheriff for the sum of only £l7. The Western Star from Sydney arrived here on the 21st ultimo with a large general cargo, which afforded some relief to the previous tightness of the market. The Reconnaissance also arrived on the same day, bringing a quantity of coal for H.B.M. ship Rosario, and consignments of ether goods. A good deal of the supplies by these vessels, especially

potatoes and onions, were, however, absorbed by the men-of-war, so that as regards these two necessary articles, we are as badly off as ever, and so shall remain, in all probability, until the arrival of the Duke of Edinburgh, now daily expected. Tho Star of the South, from Auckland, arrived a few days after the vessels above-named, and brought some sheep and cattle, but the principal part of them appeared to be of the same breed as the “ lean kine” that King Pharoah saw in his dream. Indeed, the cattle usually brought hero from New Zeealand arc generally of a very poor description, nothing at all like the splendid and lordly looking bovineswe see in New South Wales. The season for cotton-picking has been most favorable, and the crop is said to bo both excellent in quality, and abimdant in quantity. H.B.M. ship Challenger arrived here on Tuesday last, but has had only a short stay of three or four days, having sailed again this evening for Kaudavau, with Mr. Consul Bayard on board. It is said she has gone to the above island for the express purpose of surveying the harbor of Ngalva Bay; whether she will return to Levuka or proceed to otherislands of the group for the purposes of exploration is at present uncei-tain. Whilst in this harbor she was busily engaged in taki-.g soundings, examining the reef, and some of the scientific gentlemen making short expeditions amongst the hills in the neighborhood of Levuka. Tho new paper, the Argus, has at length made its appearance, but as yet only two numbers have been issued. It professes to be an “ independent journal devoted to the interests of Fiji," untrammelled by Government patronage, and uninfluenced by opposition politicians. How far these promises may be redeemed remains to be seen. The “leaders” which have as yet appeared, though rather peppery in style, are tolerably well written, and certainly display no leaning in favor of the Government. The last number gives a rather glowing account of our financial position ; and if the statements therein contained are fully realised, we may look forward to a highly prosperous state of affairs, and one which cannot fail to re-establish confidence, and tend to develop the vast and unknown resources of the countx-y. It states that the revenue for tho quarter ending Jline 30, amounted to £6268, whilst the expenditure for the same period was only £3656 ; and estimates that the year’s revenue will amount to something over £25,000, while the expenditure will not be more than £15,000. If these anticipations be realised, we may congratulate ourselves on being in a most floxxrishing condition. The civil sittings of the Supreme Court commenced yesterday (August 3). There are about a dozen cases set down for tx-ial ; some of them of considerable importance, as regards titles to valuable allotments of land in and about Levuka. The Chief Justice xyas xxnable to take his seat on the Bench. He has been seriously indisposed since the departure of the mail last month, and has only once been able to sit in Coxxrt; but he is now recovering, and will be able to resume his duties next week.